leg swelling

Question
I have a 22 yr old TWH gelding. He has not been shown or even ridden in the past 5-7 years (seriously). He was retired from the show ring as a performance horse about 8 years ago. For the past 4 years he has been living in CA with my grandmother. Sadly, she passed away and he and another mare (20 yrs.) came to TN to be with me in late April. They live at a farm nearby where they are in stalls at night and turned out about 12 hours during the day. I have ridden him only twice since he has been here. He is barefoot and had an abscess on the sole of his left front foot early in May. He never showed any lameness. I have noticed that he has a swelling on the right front leg. It is on the proximal, caudal or posterior surface of metacarpal #3 (DDF?). There isn't any heat or redness and he doesn't appear lame. It doesn't feel like fluid or bony in nature so I suspect something soft tissue. I am a full time student so I really try to stretch my $$. I would definately have the vet out if he seemed painful or lame but so far this has not been observed. I am pretty sure that all throughout his training, he never had any injuries to his tendons and he has not even had padded shoes or regular shoes on his feet for at least 3 years. Just wondering if you had any ideas for me. I appreciate your time. thanks;)

Answer
Hi Katie;

I think at his age you need not worry too much about it, especially since it's obviously not acute.

I'm not sure of the location of this lump.  The 3rd metacarpal is the cannon bone.  By DDF I assume you mean the deep digital flexor.  If the lump in on the cannon bone, it'll likely be a calcification.  If it's on the inside of the cannon bone, either just below the knee to mid-way down the cannon bone, it's a splint that's calcified.  If it is on the tendon, then it's scar tissue from an old sprain or tear.

All of those things are what they are and can't be fixed.  None are life threatening, nor quality of life threatening.

Your biggest concerns for a horse of this age are that he get regular dental, foot and worming care.  And that he get free choice hay/pasture possibly along with a senior designed grain.

Good luck and just enjoy him.  

Sincerely,

Lana Reinhardt