cause for concern?

[only_me]

my horse has wingalls in all 4 feet, and this week i have found that both front legs are slightly swollen and have a little heat in them when i check him in the morning ( he is stabled at night). i let him out into the yard for a wander and i check again after a while and the swelling is gone as the heat.
is this a cause for concern?
he is not sore at all with them.
what do you think?

 

[hellybelly6]

A lot of horses have windgalls and they do not usually cause problems. My horse has had them since he was 9. Heavier types of horses are more prone to them.

You could try stable bandages when he is stabled. I prefer to use magnetic stable chaps as I think the magnotherapy helps to reduce the swelling and they do not need rolling up each time.

I have also tried Global Herbs Windgall powder with good results.

 

[gothdolly]

This year Domi started to get windgalls and I find that putting thermatex leg wraps on in the stable which seems to help. They come and go on my horse but on some they are permanent, and yes heavier horses are more prone to them.

Mum's horse has just started to get windgalls, she called the vet out who said they were nothing to worry about.

I totally freaked out when I saw them on my horse so I know how you feel!

edited to say: I think theres a difference between tendinous and articular windgalls. Tendinous ones are something to be concerned about I believe. Where exactly is the swelling?

 

[hadfos]

Depends on which part of the sheath the windgalls are situated,further forward is not good,toward the back of the fetlock common!!!
I would be slightly concerned with heat as my lad had them on hinds for years and years and never posed a problem....as in no heat etc(do go down with less work in the winter but that is because the joints havnt as much pressure on them)!!
if you are concerned,i know you say he is sound....but if you have a good vet they will advise over the phone and not insist on coming out if they can tell you what the problem is!
windgalls have never bothered me personally but the heat in them would be of slight concern to me

 

[only_me]

the windgalls are at the back, they are very small on the front legs and he has them on the hind legs, and they have never posed a problem so far.
i will think about the magnetic wraps, they seem like a good idea.
found this :
" The amount of swelling may vary according to the environmental temperature, being less obvious in cold weather and frequently far more filled in hot weather. "

do you think this could be the reason? it has been over 23 degrees here this week.

 

[hadfos]

[ QUOTE ]
This year Domi started to get windgalls and I find that putting thermatex leg wraps on in the stable which seems to help. They come and go on my horse but on some they are permanent, and yes heavier horses are more prone to them.

Mum's horse has just started to get windgalls, she called the vet out who said they were nothing to worry about.

I totally freaked out when I saw them on my horse so I know how you feel!

edited to say: I think theres a difference between tendinous and articular windgalls. Tendinous ones are something to be concerned about I believe. Where exactly is the swelling?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes tendinous 1's are the 1's that are not good,as said above these develop further forward than your normal windgall

 

[hadfos]

It is usually down to the level of work and ground they are working on,some horses are alot more prone than others,providing they are not in the tendon sheath and are at the back you will be fine

Just keep an eye,i have never wrapped my lads hinds,and he has done just fine,believe they are only undesirable in showin classes???

 

[hadfos]

Sorry yes will be related to temp,as ground hardens the joint fluid works harder to protect

 

[RuthP]

As others have said its most likely to be temperature/ground related. My mare only gets them in the summer when the ground hardens.
Its not the actual windgalls that are the problem its whats causing them (9times out of ten it is nothing to worry about!) For example- my mare has them on her back legs because her pasterns are slightly upright causing more stress on joints! They are very common so don't worry- cold hosing helps!