stiff legs (popping sound)

Question
QUESTION: Hi there, I have a 4 year old bay paso fino and I ride him about every two or three weeks and the day after I ride him, his legs are swollen. His back legs are starting to get a little low and I dont know why. When he is swollen, I inject 7cc of dexamethasone intramucular but its not really helping my problem. Please, I need some advise on what to do. Thank you very much.

ANSWER: HELLO BRADLEY...THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION...

This is really a veterinary problem. But I can make some suggestions.

A good equine vet will tell you the same thing most likely. Riding a horse only every 2/3 weeks
can and will do injury. Soreness is a given because like yourself, if you only worked-out the same way; it would hurt you physically and you could be muscle and joint sore for days after.

I would NOT use "dex" just because the horse is sore or swollen.It has it's purpose, but unless
a veterinarian recommended it to you...you need to stop the cause, not "bandaid" the problem !!
And as you say...it is not helping alot.

Try and get your horse on a regular schedule of riding it will help your fetlock problem.
Less fluid in the joints and soreness. After you ride, run cool water on the legs for 10/15 mins.
It will take down any adeema.Last...talk to your veterinarian and check if there is any
soft tissue damage in the fetlocks or flexor tendons. Pas Finos bye nature are fine boned
and concussion is always damaging to that kind of confirmation.

Best to You !!
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey i got one more question, he also sometimes has like a "POPPING" sound coming from his rear legs and he cant move them very good, theyre like real stiff but thats just sometimes  

Answer
HELLO BRADLEY...GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU...

Iam the first to not advocate injecting joints. Through almost four decades I've seen the good and the bad of it all.

But...injecting anti-inflammatory and lubrication into joints is a "have-to" situation for some horses...like it or not !!

Alot of horses because of age or starting their careers alittle early, have a lack of
synovial fluid in the bursa and HAVE to have relief.

I would strongly suggest If you have an experienced equine vet that you've done business
with,have he/she flex test the hocks and a possible series of injections might help greatly.
They may want to radiograph both hocks to see if there is any bone changes,spurs,arthritis
and such.

In my opinion, that would be the best route to take to be sure and have peace of mind!!

Thanks again...
Joepaul