Hypothesis 3: Dislocation

The foal is only two weeks of age and very young.  The joints therefore are not 
stable and 
the bones are not very strong.  This makes the animal prone to any types of 
injury due to 
trauma, clumsiness, play, etc.  The foal is kept with other horses in a small 
herd and could 
be susceptible to injury due to the activities of the other horses or when the 
foal is running 
around during play.  Dislocation of the fetlock joint could result from any of 
these 
activities.  The fact that the animal is only lame in one joint would support 
this idea.  The 
joint is swollen and tender to touch. The dislocation of the joint could result 
in torsion 
which could lead to straining of the tendons and ligaments  or a partial   tear 
.  The stability 
of the joint would suggest these ligaments are not torn completely.  Straining 
of the tendons 
or ligaments would lead to inflammation and the pitting edema that is present. 
The foal is 
exhibiting toe touching of the right rear leg and this would indicate   a 
problem with the 
flexor tendons.