First ever lame pony and panicking!

[sadsometimes]

He hunted Saturday, jumping quite big hedges. Seemed fine Saturday evening. Today very lame near hind. No heat, no swelling, nothing obvious to see. I'm really worried and panicking. Am going to try Farrier before vet and bathe in Epsom salts tomorrow - didn't have any today.

[goodasitgets]

Don't panic!
It could be anything - a strain, a brewing abscess. Rest, cold hosing can help
Think if you do a heavy gym session, the next day you might limp or feel uncomfortable but it's nothing major
On the other hand getting it checked is the right thing

[Littlebigbum]

Farrier but don't panic, could be just stiff after hunting

[dappleton]

My thinking would be that the lameness is coming from the hoof if you can't see anything obvious down the leg. Agree to get the farrier out ASAP followed by the vet if farrier can't find a cause.
If he were mine i'd soak hoof in Epsom salts and give a dose of bute (not sure if you can do that in UK these days?).
I would keep on box rest - with inhand walking if lameness allows - until farrier and vet have been.
If he was fine Saturday night and life was uneventful between Saturday night and Sunday morning my gut feeling is that he'll be fine in a few days. My horse had the same thing last month and it was a bruised sole, was only off work for 5days.

[frostyfingers]

Whereabouts is he lame behind do you think? If he was jumping hedges and got a blackthorn into a joint then without wishing to scare you that is serious - although no heat or swelling doesn't point to that. Have a really good look with a bright light (head torches are good) and squeeze/poke really hard round his stifle, hock and fetlock. Otherwise cold hose twice daily for the next couple of days as a precaution and get someone to look at his hoof.

I second walking him out for a bit to ease any stiffness as well.

[sadsometimes]

Soaked his foot this morning and had a really really good look and couldn't see anything at all. Had a good prod down his leg and no obvious signs of pain but he's a very stoic boy. Have put poultice on (badly!) and shut him in field shelter. Lovely vet is coming after 12.30. Just couldn't cope with it by myself -hopefully vet will reassure/find cause and I can chalk this up to experience! Blackthorns and flints have been suggested but I cant see anything unusual at all.

[frostyfingers]

Fingers crossed for you - it's always easy to imagine the worst, hopefully it's just a case of general stiffness. I'm a great believer in rest, once the obvious nasties have been ruled out. Hope it goes ok, do let us know.

[Huskylover1969]

Ahh my horse was lame all last week
She was fine after a week of box rest , farrier checked her and found nothing
If it was more than a week the vet would of been called but she can get mud fever too

[sadsometimes]

Vet came, did ultrasound and took shoe off. Said a windgall on tendon. No damage to tendon or ligaments but maybe tendon sheath. Box rest and bute for a fortnight poor thing he will really miss being out.

[Littlebigbum]

ohh poor thing, mine hate box rest

[Huskylover1969]

Ahh bless him ours hated it too and first time she was ridden after box rest was charging round like the sugar plum fairy