inferior check ligament strain/sprain

I know the old saying: an attorney, who represents himself has a fool for a client. But does that apply to a shoer?
case in point: Back in Sept. one of my competitive driving horses came up sore after a particular tough cross country course,(lots of hills,rocky and rutted) I thought he was foot sore so I used a pour in and got him through the jog out and final day of the competition. The following week, he wasn't sore but was right either. At his regular reshoeing last week, he got concave straight bars with a thin layer of sole guard and he was back to his old aggressive self. Drove the 4 last night and he's sore again. Now he palpates touchy around his inferior check ligament. No swelling, no pointing of the limb and walks right out, slight nodding at the trot. I thinking it's "lay off" time for him but this new team is just starting to gel so just like any other owner; I don't want to quit with him.

Any shoeing recomendations?

Get it ultrasounded first. Origin of the check and suspensories are to close to be manually manipulated for a pain response. Good Luck!

Just took out a pair tonight; left the gimp at home. Man, I hate when I can't play with all my toys!

Ray, I never had much luck wedging for check ligament issues with clients' horses; first time for me dealing with it on one of my own. I thought my guy was fit enough; guess not apparently.

Jaye, got the Vet clinic appt for Sat.

Roland Thayer VMD was using some oversize onion shoes on some of these type injuries, to keep caudal aspect from sinking into the footing. Any thoughts?

Onion shoes for rehab is what he was talking about...

What I should have done, was withdraw my entry after I saw what the course was like. I suppose I'm lucky that not more of my horses were injured

wait for the ultrasound pard. Also proper blocks to isolate. then we can parlay.........

thanks, I'll get back with you

http://metamoraequine.com/documents/high_suspensory.htm

Just a note: sometimes the block(s) can distort the ultrasound image(s) in some cases.....and after thought after thinking of this case in the afternoon; after 2 beers.....

Well Ray & Jaye, here's what I know.... nothing.

Went to Vet clinic, my horse came out of the trailer like a overly caffenated golden retriever and NEVER took a bad step. Trotted him in straight lines & on the longe on pavement, gravel, grass and deep sand and nothing, nada no nodding what so ever. Pulled off sole guard, did the same and nothing. Pulled barshoes, did the same and nothing. Palpated check ligaments/suspensories, no response.

Took some pleading to get the ultrasound machine out and no difference between left (previously sore one) and right was found. No perceptable damage, their words.

I thought, possibly adrenaline would make him "forget" about his pain but after 1 1/2 hrs and 2 Vet techs playing with him/eating grass and yawning;still nothing. Was told to bring him back when he's sore. Well duh!

Got back home, off loaded him, turned him out with his buddies and they were off to the races, with him in the lead, to the back 40.
I don't like that, now I won't be able to count on this horse unless I can find out what's really going on.

just damn . . .

Update: That sucker came out of the stall sore on ther other side. Palpates touchy on the right now in the same area with slight nod when turning either direction. No Vet available today; referred to the University for emergencies. I'm starting to think this guy is just screwing with me or it's neurological.

Lyme?????

Not heard of in Michigan but worth a blood test. I never seem to have "normal"issues.

Do coffin joints. horse is approx. 9 years old?