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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
  
Location: In The Snow, AZ | What is your typical approach to some puffiness in the front, lower leg, cannon bone area. I know the possibility of tendon or ligament strain, etc.
This mare is in great shape. Ridden approx 5 days a week, about 6 miles total each day. Lots of long trotting and loping. Lots of hill work and backing. Up to date on farrier work. Never had any front end lameness in the four years I've had her. We raced on Sunday. She was perfect. Been fine until I go to ride today. She has some puffiness and heat. Stretches out fine. Doesn't respond to palpating. Lunged her and she might be off a hair. It's hard to tell because she has a club foot on this leg, and always has a slightly different gait . Cold hosed then wrapped a soft ice pack on for 20 mins. Heading to repeat shortly. The hosing and ice pack did reduce swelling.
Not sure where to go from here aside from everyone's usual "call the vet".
Edited by ~BINGO~ 2017-04-12 2:26 PM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | I would do the same thing you are. I would also poultice and standing wrap over night to give long lasting heat drawing when you can't be out icing. I would give it a day or two and if it continues to improve then just rest and cold therapy of some kind. If it doesn't respond to ice/poultice/wrapping or if horse is very lame because of it then I would take to vet for x rays. I've dealt with this a few times these last few winters when our pens are pure ice from melting/freezing and horses slip. I always continue poultice and wrapping a few days past even when the heat/swelling isn't there. No bute or other NSAID. You don't want them feeling too good and to injure themselves more.
Edited to fix spelling 
Edited by MidWest1452 2017-04-12 2:48 PM
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | Thank you! After watching her trot some more in the pasture, she doesn't look lame. So I'll just continue with what I'm doing. How long would you say to give her off? I'm sure it's a play-by-ear sort of thing, but what would you typically think? |
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 Saint Stacey
| With any injury, ALWAYS cold hose for the first 48 hours. Standing wrap and bute. If there is still swelling after the 48 hours then sweat. Never put any type of heat on a new injury. |
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  Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | I would just stick with ice and cold hosing for a couple of days and then go from there.
ETA: I would also restrict her movement by stalling and hand walking off and on throughout the day, enough so that there is still good circulation in the leg.
Edited by BarrelRacing4Christ 2017-04-12 9:40 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | ~BINGO~ - 2017-04-12 4:29 PM
Thank you! After watching her trot some more in the pasture, she doesn't look lame. So I'll just continue with what I'm doing. How long would you say to give her off? I'm sure it's a play-by-ear sort of thing, but what would you typically think?
Mine are usually looking pretty good 1-2 days after I first start cold therapy. If swelling stays down and no heat then give a few days after that. Like I said I continue cold hose/poultice after the evidence of heat/swelling is gone. The horses that I've dealt with that slipped on ice have gone back to riding about a week after it happened. A few times it could have been a few days sooner but If I'm not in any big hurry to ride I give a few extra days if I can. In your case you don't know what happened to injure it. Get the swelling down and make sure she is comfy and happy. I bet your gut will tell you when she is ready to get back to work!  |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | Thanks everyone. Swelling is very minimal this morning. Will continue to cold hose and ice today (lucky I'm a stay at home mama!). Hopefully this resolves itself. I appreciate all the help! |
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Front leg swelling