Front cannon bump/bruise—photos

[skeenan]

Bell has had this bump on the front of her cannon for at least 3 weeks now. I noticed it one morning and felt it right away—no heat in the area, doesn't seem to hurt her when I push on it and she wasn't/isn't lame. I've been monitoring it closely—I thought it might be just a shin bruise, but it has stayed about the same size. It feels more fleshy than hard or fluid-filled.

Even though it doesn't seem to bother her, it's been there for some time now, which is why I'm hoping for some insight. I'm wondering if it's a long-healing bruise or if it's some kind of minor tissue damage, as she will really tear around the pasture on occassion...

I tried to get decent photos of it in the paddock tonight, including her other leg for comparison:



Anyone have any ideas?
Any thoughts appreciated!

[ratherrapid]

just guessing, key maybe is "without heat". i see similar bumps frequently. they go down eventually. presuming the horse is doing something other than training. looks like a minor problem!

[skeenan]

That's what my gut is telling me (no heat). Seems obvious, I know, but I thought it was worth an ounce of prevention to ask anyway...

Thanks!

[tbrace]

Could be old scar tissue. Sometimes this makes the leg unsightly, but actually stronger!

I wouldn't worry about it. As they say, It's a long way from the heart.

[Tucumcari]

If it's old and cold.. low bucked shin.

[skeenan]

If it's old and cold.. low bucked shin.

I had wondered if that was what she did on her own tearing around (one of the few things I could think of that could happen to the front of the cannon). I've never seen a horse that had one & couldn't find a photo. From what I've read, it's painful and she didn't protest me pushing on it. So it didn't seem like it fit...

I appreciate the input from everyone. My gut feeling was that it was nothing serious, but I feel better reading the comments.

Thanks!

[Tucumcari]

IS this the first time you noticed it? What activity has she been doing? 3 weeks seems like a long time, how are you treating it if at all? Do you bandage this horse?

[skeenan]

IS this the first time you noticed it? What activity has she been doing? 3 weeks seems like a long time, how are you treating it if at all? Do you bandage this horse?

It is the first time I've noticed... I even looked at photos of her from last summer, to make sure I wasn't losing my mind...

She came to us with some swelling in her lower legs (she was "test ridden" at a gallop) so I always keep an eye on her out of habit. I always check her legs after I do any work with her, which is very low-key to begin with. Nothing very strenuous. She wasn't worked that particular week.

She does love to run, though. She loves to run up & down the ramp (a sloped road leading up to the top pasture) and all over. This spring, she bruised her sole on a rock tearing around, so I figured she probably did something similar... took a bad step, overdid it, something like that...

I don't bandage her as I honestly don't have a lot of experience other than just doing shipping wraps & the like. I know you can do more harm with a bad wrap. I'd probably get Professional's Choice sport boots instead. When I first noticed her leg, I put ThermaFlex liniment on it for a few days, to get some circulation to the area (I use it on myself if I'm hurt/sore & it helps!). As I didn't notice any heat, lameness or other signs that it was bothering her at all, I thought it would be best to then leave it alone and keep an eye on her. I also kept the pasture closed for a while. I finally let her up top and I haven't noticed any difference. It's just "there"...

That's about all I know... I did look closely tonight and it seems like it *might* be going down finally. I appreciate the help!

[Supernova]

My 8 year old broodmare has the exact same thing! I was wondering about it. It is hard and cold. Looks just like yours, maybe a little bigger. I wasn't sure if shins would buck that low.

[Tucumcari]

Shins do buck low, but if that's new... it's not a shin...