Am I imagining it?

[fimacg]

Right over the last week or two Chompy has been resting his right hind a lot and I have a niggle that something aint quite right.

This was the really really really bad leg with mud fever but that is pretty much all healed up now and is looking really good. He also got a loose shoe on that foot after my mad dash round the stubble field.

However, I cant see anything wrong with it, he is weight bearing normally, when the farrier re-shod him he tested the hoof all over and came up with nothing, there is no heat or swelling in the leg, he isn't lame, he is as forward going as ever and H jumped him today and he was tanking off with her around the field and launching himself into the jumps truely enjoying himself.
with ears pricked, and showing no signs of discomfort.

So why am I worried....? Could it be that when he was sore with the mud fever he got into the habit or resting that leg? I just have this persistent niggle, and H too has noticed him resting that leg in favour of the other one. Do horses have a favourite leg to rest and if so why are we both noticing it now?

[duckles]

I don't think both of you would be noticing it simultaneously unless the resting is different than before . HOwever I do think horses have a favourite leg and I also think there could be a lot of reasons why he is doing it, like the mud fever memory or a bit of a sore muscle somewhere or some other reason why it is more comfortable for him to do rest on this side. As he he doing jumping and galloping with enjoyment, it doesn't appear to be anything bad. Maybe its just the loose shoe???
I would get the farrier to check when he comes out to re shoe him just in case.
DOes H school him? Is he comfortable doing leg yielding etc ?
Unfortately I have rarely worried unnecessarily with animals, I often think our instincts are spot on - still I hope in this case you are being an over protective mum

[racaille]

You may be noticing it more now simply because it's the leg/hoof that had all the problems and you're a bit sensitised ......

On the other hand, I'd take your 'little niggle' quite seriously- you know hour horses best and it is worth keeping a sharp look-out. I take it you've trotted him in a circle on the lunge to see if he has any high end lameness?

[fimacg]

I have decided I am being over sensitive, watched him loose in field having a blast and he was tracking up in trot and fine in canter.

and went I went into his box last night he was resting the other foot!

[ceej]

I think you may be worrying over nowt - you probably notice it more now anyway PLUS, they rest their legs much more this time of year because they are relaxing in the warmth more....

If he seem sfine in every other way I woudlnt worry...

[duckles]

i am delighted that he is ok.