Lame horse, what do you think?

Question

Saturday while riding my horse started to limp a little when I was riding him, got off picked his feet again and it kept happening. Cooled him off checked everything over again. 
Sunday it was a little bit worse a lot more noticeable, didn't finish our ride and cooled him off again. Cooled hosed his leg and scrubbed them all in Epsom salts. 
Monday did the same thing and gave him the day completely off. Yesterday I hand trotted him, and it seemed to be a little better but I didn't want to push it so I just cooled hosed his leg an shoulder and had him stay in overnight. 
Today when he was turned it still seemed to be bugging him, but I think it looked a little better and decided to do nothing with it today. 
But there's no heat swelling or sensitivity anywhere on his leg/ shoulder along with his hoof. I've picked them all out a million times, and there's no sensitive spots or anything else. 
So I'm a little confused as to what's his problem. The barn owner thinks he has a stone bruise, while one of the trainer thinks he's getting an abscess that just hasn't come to the surface yet. And I think he had a little to much fun in the drying mud, and is a little sore. 
What would your best guess be? I can have pictures up ASAP tomorrow morning, too.

brittbrittaero · Accepted Answer

I agree, probably an abscess. Since it has been going on a while it is probably working its way out. Call your vet and/or farrier out. Hope this helps!

Alysha · Answer

A video of the horse moving would help a lot. Because there is no swelling I wouldn't think he was fooling around and hurt it. Is he old? If I had to guess I would also think it would be an abscess. My horses have abscesses quite a few times, so I know how to catch them. See if walking him on rocky gravel is more painful, if so your most likely dealing with somethig in the hoof. A stone bruise is possible but I  think it's likely a abscess. keep using Epsom salts and soaking it. Check for a strong pulse by his Heel bulbs. Is the hoof hot? Have your farrier come clean up the hoof and see if he can surface the infection. If not just keep soaking it it will likely come out the coronet band. Hand walking after soaking is a good idea as well. Good luck!

Lilian · Answer

If you do not know anyone who has some horse hoof testers, you could borrow a very large pair of channel locks and go around the sole to see if you can find a place that makes him flinch, it may be an abscess.   It took 3 weeks when a Certified F. quicked a horse of mine before it broke at the hair line.

lanibug1001 · Answer

I also agree that it is very possible that your horse has an abscess that hasn't come to surface, my gelding went lame a few months ago we also thought it was a stone bruise, and gave him time off, it turns out it was an abscess, it came out on its own. Your best bet would be to keep soaking his hoof in Epsom salts and perhaps use a poultice like ichthammol to draw it out.

Hailey Jo · Answer

Pictures would help possibly, but my guess is that is bruised or an abscess, just watch it and if it gets worse, and check if it gets hot above the hoof, if it gets really hot, call the vet right away!  Hope he isn't lame and its just a bruise.

Lame horse, what do you think?

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