Conference noted::equitation

752.0. "Mysterious Leg Bump!" by OFFPLS::PRESTIDGE () Fri Oct 14 1988 13:21

    About two months ago, I noticed a protrusion on my horse's off hind
    fetlock.  Since I'm not sure if I have the terminology correct, the
    protrusion is on the front of what would be analogous to our human
    ankles. It didn't bother her at all, still doesn't seem to, and
    never felt warm to the touch or changed shape/size.   
    
    This bump is like a sharp jut out of the 'ankle'/fetlock, and is
    very hard, as if it was made of bone.   It is not very large; probably
    sticking out about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch than the comparable body
    part on the other hind leg.  It does not seem to bother
    her at all, she doesn't limp, is not acting lame, and when I touch
    the area or press on it, she does not react - She does have the
    habit of leaning OFF of this foot whenever she is standing
    to be groomed, or hanging around in the paddock.  However, last night,
    I noticed (or think I did - I'm such a worrier!) that this 'jut'
    was a little larger...when I touched it, I felt another smaller
    one beneath the first.  Also, it felt warmer than the other hind
    foot in the same place, which was cool by comparison.  The difference
    was between luke-warm water and the feel of a cool counter-top...hope
    that helps describe it...
    
    This is the weird thing:  The Front foot, on the same side was also
    warm!  So, on one side, her legs wer warmer than the other!  (am
    I going nuts?).  This is the first time I've ever felt this!   
    
    Anyway, I have only owned this horse since July, and I had a vet
    check done on her which came clean.  She was not lame at all and
    the vet said nothing about this bump; in fact, I'm not even sure
    if it was there during that time, or if it was there and, being
    a new horse owner, I didn't notice it until I had her for a while.
    X-rays were performed on the front feet for navicular, and were
    okay. He  didn't x-ray the hind ones because he didn't think it 
    was necessary.  
                                                                
    
    So, to narrow it down, here's an outline of the symptoms:
    
    -  small, hard, jutting bump on front of hind fetlock/ankle.
    -  no lameness, or noticeable pain reaction to touching by the horse.
    -  seems to maybe be SLIGHTLY larger (remember owner is a worrier),
       and there is another small one below the first...
              
    -  No noticeable heat difference until felt last night, with both
       legs on that side warmer than the legs on the other side.
    -  Horse leans OFF the hind leg with the bump when ever standing
       idle (i.e., grooming, standing in paddock).
    -  Horse is 8 years old, not worked very strenuously, and just passed
       a vet exam in July.
                                                               
    
    So, what do you think?  Tumors?  Calcium Deposits?  Old scar tissue
    of some kind that I just never fully noticed before?  
    
    I'll be grateful for any information anyone can offer....
    
    
    Many Thanks,
    
    Sue Prestidge & Jubilee (the afflicted mare)

    Hi Sue,
    
    I can understand your worries.  Sometimes small things seem to grow
    larger the more you worry about it.  I do the same with my own horse.
    
    Is it possible that your horse is interfering (bumping his hind ankle
    into his front foot while traveling) ?  Have you ridden him on rough
    terrain, or done any work over fences ?  
    
    You could try using polo wraps or boots when you ride.  I always put
    bell boots and polo wraps or galloping boots on my horse when he is
    turned out or worked.  It gives the horse a little added protection.
    I always regret being lazy when I don't protect my horses legs and
    he comes in with a new scratch or bump. 
    
    If you are really concerned - call the vet.  Even if it is nothing
    it is worth the barn call to set your mind at ease.  If it is something
    to be concerned about, then it is better to catch it early on and take
    care of the problem before it becomes worse.
    
    Hope this helps. 
    
                                       Good Luck,
    
                                               Wendy
    
                                  

    This sounds like an occelot(sp?) to me.  I had a boarder that banged
    the exact part of the "ankle" that you are describing, and calcium
    formed in there, even though it didn't cause any pain for the horse.
    The lump continued to get bigger, and the owner wasn't too concerned
    because he was just a pleasure horse.  I would suggest you have
    the vet look at it, just to be on the safe side, and if its soon
    enough they should be able to do something about it.

    
    Sounds like the bump on my mare hind leg. Basically a calcium deposit.
    When it gets warm, I sweat the leg - furall (yellow stuff) sweat,
    you smear it on, cover it with wax paper (retains heat and keep your
    bandages cleaner), then the cotton, then the bandage. (remember to
    wrap the other leg with the cotton and bandage). The next morning,
    take the bandage off and rinse away the sweat. The bump should be
    smaller (or gone) and cold. By the way - I use polos when I ride
    to keep other bumps from forming.
    
    good luck
    

    Thank you for the advice so far; I wanted to ask my farrier when
    he came down this Saturday, but his truck broke down and he won't
    be able to get here til next Saturday....
    
    Anyway, I wanted to add a detail:  Since we've owned this horse,
    we've been feeding her vitamins.  I started feeding her Vita-Plus,
    then switched to Clovite.   Could the vitamins have anything to
    do with the leg bump?  To much calcium or vitamin D that's not
    being used up?
    
    Also, the bump has been cool ever since that one occurrence - I
    keep checking it.  
                                     
    Any ideas on the vitamin theory?  (I've only given her what it says
    to according to the directions on the product).
    
    Many Thanks,
    
    Sue