Ickabod is Limping

[Whitedresswind]

Today when I went out to feed the horses, Ickabod wasn't galloping up like he usually does, and then I noticed he was limping pretty badly. I checked his leg over, and there were no open wounds, and I don't think there was any swelling (I could be wrong though) The only thing I could think that it might be is from Berma. When he gets too near her, she will kick him. Yesterday Ickabod was fine, he was trotting and everything, and when I fed them he got to close to Berma and she kicked out, I am not sure but I think she did kick him. Is it possible that he could be limping because he is sore from her kick, or do you think its somthing else? He didn't get so close to her today, so idk. Its wierd because he was perfectly fine yesterday. Should I wait a couple days to see if it goes away? I hate when my baby is in pain :(.. Thanks so much guys

[lovesfortune]

Did you feel any heat? Did you check his hoof for a rock or stone bruise or something?

[Dakota Sunrise]

Ditto to what lovesfortune asked.

Check his hoof to make sure he doesn't have a rock wedged in it or something. What kind of footing is he on? Anything different than usual? Did you ride him anywhere different that might have had rougher terrain that could have given him a stone bruise? (I'm not blaming you- Beauty has gotten stone bruises before too. Just asking)

Also check for swelling and heat again. Sometimes if you feel the bad leg and then his good one to compare, it makes it a little easier to tell if it's swelled up or hot.

[Whitedresswind]

There was no swelling or heat, and there wasn't anything in his hoof. He hasn't been doing anything different (except since I have been feeding hay lately Berma kicks out)
Ug, I went out again, and he was laying down, he got up, and his limp seems worse. He won't even put any pressure on it. Its his right back leg btw.. I don't know what it could be:(

[starkitten]

My horse did that a few weeks back - we thought he must have slipped in the mud and pulled something - turned out he had an abcess

[Whitedresswind]

How can you tell if he has an abscess? He did not have anything in his hoof, and it looked normal to me, he did not mind me clearing his hoof, or picking up his leg, but he wouldn't let me pick up his other leg because he didn't want to put pressure on the right.

[westmanfarrier]

Abscess is my guess. You can't always find them right away without probing, and they are VERY painful. Call your vet or farrier.

[shewasmyshadow]

Could he have laminitis? I know it's an odd time of year for it, but the change in food (did you just start feeding the hay?) could have done it. Especially if he has Cushings, which can happen at a young age. Do you trust the folks that you got him from? Maybe that's why they sold him.

Gosh, I'm really not trying to be negative whitedress. I just thought I should mention is since I've been hearing lots of "horror stories" about Cushings lately. :(

[starkitten]

I'm sure someone on here can tell you better how to look for absesses - I wasn't the one who saw it on my horse - thankfully my farrier noticed it right off. I'm a total horse newbie...

[westmanfarrier]

Could he have laminitis? I know it's an odd time of year for it, but the change in food (did you just start feeding the hay?) could have done it. Especially if he has Cushings, which can happen at a young age. Do you trust the folks that you got him from? Maybe that's why they sold him.

Gosh, I'm really not trying to be negative whitedress. I just thought I should mention is since I've been hearing lots of "horror stories" about Cushings lately. :(

Not likely, it is a hind leg. Laminitis is very rare in the hinds.

[westmanfarrier]

I'm sure someone on here can tell you better how to look for absesses - I wasn't the one who saw it on my horse - thankfully my farrier noticed it right off. I'm a total horse newbie...

I locate with a hoof tester and/or digital laser thermometer. Then I go searching with my hoof knife and probe.

'with a vet's approval, of course.'

[cyb]

It sounds like an abcess to me, your vet can use hoof testers on him to find out where the abcess is then open it up relieving the pressure, how my vet explained to me, its sort of compares to a toothache (when its a throbing toothache) but instead of being in his mouth its in his hoof.

[WashingtonBay]

I really think you should call a vet. Some who are more experienced might take a 'wait and see' approach or even treat it themselves, but if you don't know, and the limp is significant, I'd call a vet out. If my own horse was doing what you describe, I'd have the vet out. No question. If it's an abscess he'll show you what to do. If it's muscle strain, he can prescribe something to treat it. If it's a tendon or a ligament, not treating it correctly NOW can injure the horse permanently. So that's why I say if you don't know what happened and have never done it before, have the vet out.

[cyb]

Could he have laminitis?. :(
Laminitis is usually in their front feet and usually affects both feet not just one on either front or rear at least thats what I've been told

[starkitten]

I'm with WBay on the vet call too - I myself just am not experienced enough to know what is really bad and what isn't. I feel bad for not getting someone out to look at my boy sooner with his abcess - if I had known sooner we could have got him out of the discomfort he was in.

[alittleoffkey]

I agree with the abcess idea - Leggy has had a few and that definitely sounds like his worst one. :doh: I'd call the vet or farrier out (even call both of them and see which one would charge less or be more comfortable working on it). When the vet had to drain Leggy's it cost about $60 including a penicillin substitute (I don't remember which), the farm call and the work. I hope he's okay!

[cyb]

Looks like westmanfarrier and I were posting at the same time, I think we're all in agreement about calling the vet .

[SedonaThunder]

I have found abscesses with my hoof pick - by probing (pushing with the pointy end) all around the sole and frog. If you get a big jerk reaction in a spot you can be pretty sure it's his hoof that is hurting him... and then you might be able to get it to surface sooner with hot water espom salt soaks and wrapping with a poultice. When this has happened here all but once there was also some warmth in the hoof and/or some puffiness in the fetlock. If I find nothing fetlock down... I too call the vet out - especially if it's so painful my horse is lying down. :( Sorry.

[Whitedresswind]

Thanks guys, I am really worried. I cleaned the hoof out and looked for anything that might look ouchy, and I couldn't find anything at all. I am going to call the vet out if its not better by tomorrow.

[westmanfarrier]

By tomorrow my guess is you will see that swelling and heat which is currently not present. It may travel as high as the hock.

[WashingtonBay]

I know that money is an issue, and believe me I sympathize. But if you're waiting because you might want to save the money, not because you know what it is and how to treat it, then that's the wrong reason to wait.

If I couldn't put my foot down on the ground because of pain, I'd want the treatment routine started today, now, not tomorrow. IF everyone is even correct that it's an abscess and if so, relief may be a day or two away, would it be better to start that clock ticking NOW, or in a day or two? How many days of pain is tolerable to save money? You've got the weekend coming. What if this blows up and now it's Saturday, or Sunday, and the vet isn't even available?

WDW, I know it's not easy not knowing what to do, but it's that lack of experience that should say to you "I need expert hands and eyes out here", not 'how to' instructions over the internet.

[Mercury]

Cobalt did the same thing awhile ago. Will he let you soak the foot in some epsom salt and water? That helps bring abcesses to the surface.

[livaward]

I am sorry Ikabod is limping......I am calling my vet tomorrow if Tuckers limp hasn't subsided........prayers

[Whitedresswind]

WB- Of course money is an issue, but thats not the only reason. I can't afford to call the vet every time he has a scrape, or is acting off for a day. I have to be sure its not just a pulled muscle/soreness from slipping or being kicked (it is very muddy here) Also, if there is going to be swelling and heat tommarow, it would be easier to assess the problem when I talk to the vet. I know I am not expericaned enough to handle this on my own, I really am not that stupid. Even if it were me (with the lameness) I wouldn't go to the doctor that day. Please understand that I am stressed, and hate that he is hurting, but I can't call the vet today (tommarow, yes) I am not asking for "how to" instructions from you guys. I am just asking what you guys think. There has been at least 3 times when I called the vet out, and there wasn't really anything wrong, and it went away, of course I don't regret calling her out, it gave me peace of mind, but I can't afford to do that all the time. Sorry if I sound harsh, I really don't mean to, none of what I am saying is suppose to sound mean, I just want you to know why I am waiting until tommarow, plus the vet clinic is closed after 4

[shewasmyshadow]

Isn't there anything she could try? Cold water hosing? Could she video Icky's movement and maybe we could tell if it was the leg/shoulder? My mare was aggressive with my gelding too. He often was a little off for awhile after being forced to run in the mud.

[WashingtonBay]

If he's as lame as she says, I wouldn't want her to make him move just for a video.

Let him rest till tomorrow then. Good luck.

[Whitedresswind]

thanks, I will tell you guys how it goes.

[cyb]

Isn't there anything she could try?
If it is an abcess she could make a boot out of duct tape, make a paste with epsom salts and betadine and put it on the bottom of his hoof inside the boot to draw out the infection, that is what my vet suggested for my abcess prone pony a long time ago. I think she even prescribed some trimethoprim sulfa for Cisco when he abscessed about 10 years ago.

[Gypsy Rose]

Hope Icky will be okay! Let us know how he is in the morning!

[luv2show]

Poor Icky. I'd call the vet for sure.... let us know how it goes.

[Tens Legacy]

Does Ichy point his toe? If he does that is usually one clear indication that it would be an abcess.

[Dakota Sunrise]

I hope he feels better soon, Torie! Poor Ickabod.:(

I too would call the vet since it sounds like his limping is pretty significant and painful for him. Let us know what he/she says!
Sending good vibes your way! xD

[Arrow]

Looking forward to an update...

[cloedoll]

I haven't read through all the replies, so sorry if I'm repeating something, but I would definitely have the vet out. Poor Ickabod. :(

[shewasmyshadow]

What's he like this morning?

[Whitedresswind]

Ok, so today I can tell he is considerably better. He is not limping as bad at all. I checked his leg over and still no swelling, and he is putting weight on it now, I didn't check his hoof yet, because he was muddy, but I will. He is still limping, but it dosn't seem like he is in horrible pain, because he actually trotted for his food, though I told him that was uneccasary. In my imo (even tho my opionin isn't qualified) I think he is sore or pulled a muscle, or just strained somthing from slipping in the mud, or getting kicked, but I could of course be wrong. Now, Idk if calling the vet out is neccasary if he is getting better. I could still give her a call tho.

[Arrow]

Glad that he seems better today.:)

[WashingtonBay]

Hard decision for many of us, WDW, always full of a lot of second guessing and self doubt. With the weekend coming you have to be extra alert to trends and whether it's something that perhaps could get worse in the next day or two when vet assistance is either less available or more expensive. You need to make that judgment call soon enough for the vet to work you in today.

It would be nice to know if it looks like an abscess has blown out anywhere over night. Look for a hole. It may or may not be completely drained and relieved and it would be good to keep it clean if it has blown. Not easy I know, but people here can help with that. First find out IF.

[Gypsy Rose]

Just wanted to say that I hope Icky feels better soon, and that it's nothing too serious.

[Whitedresswind]

Thanks for all the replies guys, just wanted to give an update. Ickabod is almost back to normal now, he is hardly limping, and puts all his wieght on that foot now. So, all is good, and I am so glad it was nothing serious. I keep watching him with berma, and she sure can kick, she goes balastic if he trys to eat her hay, so I think thats what it was. But yes, thanks again, I'm so glad that he is OK =)

[PoniesRock101]

glad hes doing better

[Gypsy Rose]

I'm glad Icky's going to be okay!

[Blue]

Glad he's doing fine!

[cloedoll]

Yay, I'm glad he's doing better!

[alittleoffkey]

Glad he's healing up! :)

[Dakota Sunrise]

Glad to hear he's feeling better.:)

[Whitedresswind]

Ug, well Ickabod is limping yet again. He was completely fine, and then yesterday he started limping again, it seems to happen after cold weather, so I went ahead and called the vet, and she is going to come out on friday to check him out. Just wanted to tell you guys, and I will tell you what she says.

[shewasmyshadow]

Oh, I'm sorry it showed up again. Let us know what the vet says.

[WashingtonBay]

Rats... OK - let us know how it goes on Friday.

[cloedoll]

Aww, poor baby. Let us know how it goes.

[~*Domino*~]

Ugh! I sure hope it is nothing serious! Send good vibes his way! Poor guy!!

[Gypsy Rose]

Bummer- let us know what you find out.

[FatSpottedAppy]

I hope Ickabod will be okay. :( Poor guy!

[alittleoffkey]

Poor guy, I hope he's alright. I'll be praying for ya'll.

[JackieB]

That's odd. Get well, Icky. We'll be looking forward to hearing from you with an update.

[rums_mom]

My first thought was an abscess as well.....glad the vet is coming out.

I would also suggest you keep him separated from Berma. If it is something she is doing like kicking out, eventually you are going to have even bigger problems.

[Toodlestoo]

Oh gosh Torie. Sorry to hear this. Let's hope it's an abscess that she can get draining! Keep us updated.

[rums_mom]

Any update? How is he today, what did the vet say?

[Whitedresswind]

Ok, well, thats an arm and a leg im not going to get back, lol
Yea, the vet couldn't find anything wrong, she did a lameness exam, and gave me some bute but otherwise, no abscess, or hurting. He wasn't limping today of course. These false alarms are killing me, moneywise, and head wise. but im very glad nothing is wrong. Hopefully he dosnt randomly start limping again. Thanks guys for your concern.

[cloedoll]

Well I'm glad the vet gave him the ok...it's just so odd...

[shewasmyshadow]

Maybe it's arthritis? I would just put him on some glucosomine and see if it stops. It's pretty cheap and will give you an answer within 1-2 months. I pay about $24-$30 month for my gelding's daily glucosomine. That's much cheaper then a vet bill. :D

[Joey A]

Did the vet do leverage tests, (lighty hyperflex/extend joint) or crank the limb side to side? (generally to find a sign of arthritis)

[Whitedresswind]

yes, she did do those things I believe.

[jeezitsjacki]

sorry they didnt find anything wrong... but I guess thats a good thing.. if only it was cheaper!

[Gypsy Rose]

Bummer on the vet bill, but hopefully, Icky will continue to stay sound.