Hi there,

If the leg is swollen and hot from hock right down to pastern, I would strongly suspect an infection and I would call the vet immediately.

She might need to be on antibiotics, and, if so, you'll need to bring in the vet right away.

Sometimes an infection can come from the tiniest cut, or a puncture wound that closes, so you can't even find it.

Has she had a tetanus shot in the past year and a half? That would be something I would look into as well.

Let us know how it goes!

Since it could be an infection, I would contact a vet sooner rather than later. Even if they didn't think antibiotics were necessary, there are ways to help an infection drain and clear that are better done sooner than later, after tissue damage becomes more extensive, sets up chronic irritation, or worse, gets into her system. If the vet takes a look and says it's just tendonitis, it's still better than taking a risk on letting an infection get a foothold.

Horsekrazcort, keep us updated. Hope everything clears up shortly!

It could be any number of things. Since it's been awhile I'd be inclined to continue hosing but try putting an uptight poultice on and wrap the leg with stable wraps. That's a clay poultice and it will draw out any heat and/or infection. You can also try using heat to draw out any infection if that doesn't work. Try a furacine sweat. Both types of treatments I only leave on over night and then hose in the morning. And repeat if the swelling is still there. You could also give her some bute or other anti inflamitory. Whenever you, say pull a muscle, you are advised to put ice on it for the first couple of days and then start alternating heat and cold after any bleeding (bruising) has been stopped due to the initial cold therapy. That's just my two cents. Unless your vet x-rays or ultrasounds the leg, you might not know exactly what's going on. Your mare could have strained, sprained or otherwise injured the leg if you don't see any obvious wounds.

Note: The goob is antibiotic ointment. Forgot I brought the camera for a reason until after I put it on.

It looks gross, but her leg honestly looks better than it has and she is putting more weight on it and what not.

Lori, poultice! Great idea. I've been out of the horse ownership game for awhile so it's slowly all coming back to me.

Will keep you guys updated, but it is looking promising now. She's not as depressed as she was last week and has a lot of her personality points showing through more and more each day.

I was thinking the same when I saw the pics, Nikki. Nasty case of it, too, if the leg has swelled to the hock! Dry is key if it IS scratches..

How is the mare today, Horsekrazcort?

And no antibiotics? What did the vet recommend? That does look quite nasty.

How'd it go with the vet visit and how is your mare doing?

Glad to know that you got the mystery diagnosis out of the way, keep us updated on how things go  Heres to a speedy recovery