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Strained Fetlock?
My Part Bred Arab mare, twisted her two back shoes & had to have them removed I then rode her in the school. Which she did with no complaint. She was then lame & has been ever since, she's now got all new 4 shoes on & her fetlocks are very slightly swollen.

After walking her for 5-10 mins & cold hosing her legs she walk's nearly 100%. Any tips on what to do next or anything I could give?
Thanks

Kelly

Dear Kelly

Horses are often lame after twisting a shoe (or Two), especially if they didn`t pull them off nice and cleanly (when do they ever). Having bits of halft twisted off shoe sticking in the sole of the foot often leaves it bruised and tender - even if you get the shoe removed quite quickly. The horse often isn`t lame at the time as it takes a little while for the bruising to develop. The lower legs will often puff up on lame horses because they arent moving around as much - it`s usually just fluid and nothing to worry about.

So here`s the advice
Getting the shoes back on was the right move - they will help support and protect the feet.

Well padded stable bandages on the back legs when the horse has to be in the stable will help prevent the swelling.

Rest your horse - if it is bruising your horse should gradully get better.

Talk to your farrier - ask him to check for signs of bruising to the sole. It might also be possible to have the soles packed with silicone to reduce pressure and concussion while your horse recovers. Also ask your farrier about the quality of your horses feet generally - he probably holds the key to preventing this happening again in the future. You might want to use a feed supplement such as farriers formula to improve the hoof quality. As always regular shoeing is a necessity if you wish to keep the shoes on the feet - so be nice to your farrier - dont accuse him of being the problem but ask him how best to stop this happening again.

And last but not least - if your horse isn`t improving or seems to be getting worse - call your vet - just because your horse apeared to go lame at the time it twisted it`s shoes doesnt mean that is definately the problem. Coincidences do happen.

Hope your horse gets better soon.

Andy Carnell BSc. Hosn BVMS MRCVS
Ashbrook Equine Hospital, Middlewich Rd, Allostock, Knutsford, Cheshire