paranoia?

[fimacg]

ever since Brave has had his abscess he hasn't felt quite right. Loose and trotted up he seems sound.

BUT occasionally out hacking he puts a funny stride in particularly on a slope and he doesn't feel like me fleet welsh pony who can cover any ground by skipping across it. He only seems to put in this funny stride in walk (and seems totally sound in trot and canter) It might just be him flicking his head at flies which are still bad.

I took him into the field for some schooling and he wasn't himself, napping back to the gate, motorbiking around corners, tanking off, bunny hopping when not allowed to go at a canter. I dont know if this is because I dont normally school in the field and he is taking advantage. Because when he acts like this I get nervous which makes him play up more as he thinks there is something he needs to worry about. In the school he is his normal self.

Then yesterday when I came to take him out of his box to put him back in his field he really didnt look right for a couple of strides, but because I had Abi with me who was having a bit of a moment wanting to ride him I couldnt see what was actually wrong (or if he was just stretching) I stopped him and I cant feel any heat in any leg and he seemed Ok this morning when I brought him in except for a couple of funny strides coming down the hill, but this seemed to be from his back end rather than front (abscess was front left) and could just have slipped on the steep hill and wet grass.

I honestly dont know if I am being paranoid. I cant find anything wrong but dont want to push him if he is uncomfortable

[racaille]

Could be something or nothing. I understand why you are anxious and I would be too (but then I always am ) You'll be keeping an eye on him I'm sure.

[brigadier]

Funny how you just know isn't it? Its easy to forget how much they will use other legs/muscles to compensate when one isnt right so be mindful that he could be still feeling a slight strain somehwere else. It is easy to become paranoid about the affected leg but abscesses are so very painful they do try and take the pressure away and walk is the one where they feel it most severely as there is ground contact for longer. Give him a week of lightwork and then see how he is doing. Another thing could simply be the abscess was really deep seated so there is still infection in there working its way through. It could take ages which is why some horses seem prone to them but actually its the first infection not having cleared up.

[haffyfan]

I think you just know don't you. I know i've referred to this before recently to either you or Sol but Murph was not right all last summer but nothing came too until Sept when he obviously went dead lame and abscess burst out...i'm sure it was brewing and niggling him at times in the weeks/months prior when he was being on and off nappy/generally not happy/himself.

[solomon]

Pete is two weeks post abscess now but still can't ride him. He is as footsore as anything. I know he is a special needs boy but abscesses do take their toll!

[zara]

You just know and I don't think you are being paranoid after all Charles Manson (infamous murderer in '70's USA) said "paranoia is the height of awareness" and do you know what, he might be totally nut but, I think he's right. Keep a close eye on Brave xxxx

[pboy]

It's just horrible when that happens isn't it? I always had the same with Pocholo and I'm still paranoid when riding him now, even though it's two years since his navicular. Could you get someone else to ride him so you can watch and get their feedback on how he feels?