One of my close friends asked me to post this question for her, since her computer won't let her. I will e-mail her all the answers I receive. Thanks, Kristin.
"I have a 14 year old quarter horse and we found a bump on her leg. At first it was soft and now it is hard and when you touch it she will pull up her leg like you are picking her hooves. My trainer thinks it is a calcium build up and I'm still riding her but what is a calcium build up? Will it make her go lame?"
Answers:
Depends where the bump is, if it's on either side of the lower leg, could be splints, lumps on the cannon bone are a sign of bucked shins, lower down near the pasterns can be a sign of arthritic changes within the joint. Just keep and eye on them and unless the lumps seems to get bigger, becomes inflamed or starts to cause lameness, I wouldn't worry too much at this stage.
If the bump is steadily growing or impeding joint range of motion, then you might consider having it fluroscoped.
It sounds like she had some trauma to that part of her bone, and there was a bruise/edema there at first. In the healing process the bone built up thicker. These are known as bone splints, and on occasion can cause lameness. The lameness is generally temporary, ranging from a few weeks to a few months in most cases, and once the healing process is complete the pain stops (as long as the overgrowth doesn't interfere with joint motion, etc.)
If your horse does not seem to be lame or uncomfortable while being ridden, I would not worry about it. If she begins to have difficulty performing her normal activities, have it seen to.
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