Can you get Windgalls on the pastern? (pics)

[Ravenwood]

I have googled pages and pages to try and find out the answer! I have never heard of it but someone has told me that you can.

About a month ago Trixie got a small soft swelling on her pastern, she was a bit lame for about a week but totally fine ever since (been hunted twice etc). The lump has stayed exactly the same and is firm but squishy (just like a windgall). There is no heat, it doesn't seem to bother her at all and she is not lame. She does have multiple big windgalls on all four fetlocks.

Any ideas anyone?

 

[shirley123]

hi , is it sidebone, although i always thought they were slightly lower and more to the side, only they start of soft then go hard as the cartilage ossififes (hardens). they can cause lameness when forming but are generally ok once harden. other then that i've no idea, sorry !

 

[Ravenwood]

Hmmm - I don't know. I have Googled that too but I am still unsure.

 

[shazza283]

It could be and acquired bursa - fluid filled bag - they develop these usually in response to repeated trauma - is it inside or outside or on both sides ?

Articular windgalls (ie windgalls in a joint) usually refer to the fetlock - tend to call fluid swellings in other joints by other lovely horsey terms - but you can get fluid in the pastern joint just like any other - you would see fluid around the joint.

I wonder if the person who suggested windgalls on the pastern is talking about a tendonous windgall - you see fluid above/ around fetlock - but also in the pouch of the tendon sheath that extends underneath the fetlock at the back of the pastern - sometimes you only see fluid in this pouch and not above - that is the wrong place fo your horse's swelling.

Other suggestions - ? haematoma (blood filled "blister" - usually go down with time, but can take quite a while - ie 6-8 weeks av)

So long as it doesn't bother the horse and she isn't lame keep an eye on it - see what happens - if it looks to be growing in size, gets hot or painful or she goes lame get your vet. (There are some other less likely things that it could be)

If it's a possible trauma thing might be an idea to protect it if you can - ? neoprine boots / turn out socks.

I had a horse that constantly booted the stable door all the time - he got an acquired bursa v similar in appearance - we put over reach boots on and carpeted the back of his door - gave up when he couldn't make any noise !!

 

[Ravenwood]

Thank you for your reply. I don't think it is a trauma injury, she is the most quiet and laid back horse imaginable (infact quite lazy) however you never quite know what they have been up to in the field!

This swelling is on the outside of her off fore.

So, from re reading your reply, if it is possible to have an acquired bursa on the pastern - this does equate to a "windgall"?

 

[henryhorn]

The horse we have with sidebone has a hard bony swelling running vertically rather than a soft squishy lump like that.
I think that's an enlarged bursa but don't quote me