Can bicarbonate of soda really work or is someone pulling my chain?

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davisn

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Hello. Long time, no posts. You may remember me. I joined a couple of months ago & then within a week my beautiful horse Cloud fell into a ditch & sadly had to be put to sleep. I recently took the plunge & bought a new horse as I was so completely lost without her. Storm is a 6 year old, 15.2hh Appoloosa mare & we are slowly getting to know each other.

Anyway, the problem is that she is suffering from filled (puffy) legs. She is stabled at night, then exercised & turned out during the day. There is no heat or pain & after a few minutes exercise the swelling reduces to almost normal. She doesn't seem bothered at all, but I can't help thinking that this isn't 'normal'.

I have put rubber matting down in her stable & made her bed thicker, but this hasn't made any difference. Can I give her anything to improve her circulation? I have been advised that adding biarbonate of soda to her drinking water may help??
 
No idea I'm afraid but have you got any pics of your new girl? Good luck and I hope you have lots of fun with each other
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Hello, and welcome back
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Not sure about Bicarb reducing filled legs but someone else on here might. Any pics of Storm? Are you able to give her more turnout, i.e. out at night and in for a few hours during the day? If you are concerned, a call to the vets and perhaps a scan would put your mind at rest. Lots of horses get puffy legs when they have been standing in for some hours, but it normally goes down with exercise.
 
i am so so pleased you have another love in your life, hopefully you will learn to love her soon. nothing / noone will replace cloud but lets hope she gives it a damn good go with little or no effort so you build a wonderful bond together. good luck and photos please please please.
 
Welcome back! Again, I can't help with the bicarbonate of soda question but I want to wish you luck and good wishes for your new horsey.
My horse sometimes has puffy hind legs in the morning but there is no heat in them and they go back to normal after turnout/exercise so I haven't worried about them. I would be interested to hear any responses though!
Lets see some piccies of Storm when you get them, she sounds lovely!
 
My vet told me that racehorses are given bicarbonate of soda before races to lower? the Ph in the blood and reduce the risk of them tying up.

Cant remember any more details but think thats what he said
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Congrats on your new playmate. Our boy recently had filled legs after nights in the stable (swelling went down after an hour or so in the field) and the vet said it was some horsey virus which affected his lymph system. He was fine after about 3 weeks and vet told us to exercise as normal, but avoid getting him too sweaty. Not sure if that will help or reassure at all. Good luck !
 
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