D@mned s!%ding bl#!*y thoroughbreds!!

Nocturnal

Nocturnal

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What is WRONG with them???!

Arrived at yard tonight to find swollen legs AGAIN! :mad:. He can't go out in bad weather because he gets rainscald (he's had it and mudfever already this year, so will be prone, now), so I kept him in Monday night (usually goes out over night. And now he's got swollen legs! He's only been in a day!! Arrgh! He had an infection in his legs a month or so ago - it had better not be that again! :mad::mad:

Does any one have any tips for boosting the immune system? I tried MSM (as it's the principle ingredient in MudGard), and was going to try echinacea. Any ideas would be VERY much appreciated - this is getting crazy: can't deviate from routine one iota, it seems - not practical when winter gets here.
 
Hi Nutkin

I've got two TBs - both ex-racers. My 20 year old had rainscald so bad when I first new him that he had to have nappies placed under his rugs to stop the rugs sticking to him. In summer I leave him out as it only seems to be the winter rain that affects him. His legs fill up every night that he is in. The only solution is to cut the protein right down in the feed.
My other one is currently in Edinburgh vet hospital having now had sinus surgery and today another surgery and tomorrow a tooth being taken out, so don't feel too bad.

As soon as you start work the fluid in the legs will disperse. Might just be an idea to put a lightweight turnout on overnight to stop the rainscald.

Would you really exchange your TB for anything else though? Personally I wouldn't. x
 
Lol thanks :o at least I'm not alone! He's such a sweetie, bless him, but why-oh-why must he be so delicate?? He's always got a rainsheet on if there's so much as a hint of rain - I even bought him a special one that can be worn in hot weather, but the rain managed to get under the tail flap, and that was it!

Interesting about the protein, though. Would he not need it to keep up with muscle development? The legs filling only started after he had the cellulitis... We *think* that was caused by a reaction to neoprene. (he has reactions to lots of things!)
 
Tis the nature of the beast I'm afraid. Sure have had my fair share of ' delicate ' thoroughbreds but now................. I have a delicate warmblood instead!!!
 
Gotta love em!!

The TB i look after has a tendency to "fill up" around the slightest scratch on his legs, gets sensitive to his tack as and when he feels like it and gets completely over the top when the flies start to bother him, poor sausage. Love him to bits though especially now he has learnt to give kisses!!:)
 
nutkin said:
Lol thanks :o at least I'm not alone! He's such a sweetie, bless him, but why-oh-why must he be so delicate?? He's always got a rainsheet on if there's so much as a hint of rain - I even bought him a special one that can be worn in hot weather, but the rain managed to get under the tail flap, and that was it!

Interesting about the protein, though. Would he not need it to keep up with muscle development? The legs filling only started after he had the cellulitis... We *think* that was caused by a reaction to neoprene. (he has reactions to lots of things!)
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It depends on how much energy he needs. My young one tends to be fizzbomb without any feed and just haylage and grass, so definitely doesn't need any more. My old one - the one with rainscald and back legs filling up needs a bit more oomph, so in summer it isn't a problem as he is turned out, but even then, he only has one feed per day. Some haylage has quite a lot of protein in and if your grass is rich it will contain sugar which then turns to protein in the body. If you want to feed, maybe just try a pasture mix or somethig similar....I'm sure someone on here will have some more ideas. I'm only an amateur!!! The thing is that turnout will keep him moving and the legs won't fill up, so it's a vicious circle really!
 
I know how you feel, it is never ending with thoroughbreds. My TB's legs also balloon up with the slightest scratch. i am also having a nightmare with bruised soles at the moment, he keeps going lame, and its always a different foot.

I suggest while your TB is in, to try and at least walk him out for 10 mins in the morning before work or whatever and then to exercise him properly in the afternoon. just try and keep his legs moving as much as possible.

You could also try stable bandages for part of the day to keep swelling down. Do not leave them on for long periods of time though, as this could cause more problems.

i wouldn't worry too much though, it could be worse, mine is still recovering from kissing spine surgery and he also had a neurological problem.

They are extremely sensitive creatures though! bless 'em.
 
Thanks rebelzmum :). He's on 2 small - medium feeds a day ATM. Was on 2 large-ish feeds, but was starting to look a little too well. Now he's starting to look a little on the svelte side, though. I say once again - ****ing TBs! :p

I think this will have to be a management issue. I'll find the most water tight rug known to man - that should help. And I'll try the echinacea.

Anywho, thanks for listening - think I just needed to vent! :o
 
Wimbles - no I haven't, thanks for the tip :) will look into it.

Alfirules - thanks for the advice - will defo do that when I can in future. Hope your boy recovers quickly!
 
I swear by Protexin, Its a pro and pre biotic not heating in any way and boost the immune system. Its fab. Really is and its relatively cheap too.
 
I have a delicate little TB too! Also gets rain scald, hates being out in rain even with rug on! She had an infection in her vein last week, came in fracture lame from field! Has now had lots of IM steroids and antibiotics, thankfully now 90% better! Also had a wound that needed vet treatment 2 months ago. The only positive is that the vets are sexy!

I have had the same thoughts. I am going to try Equine Answers 365. Has every mineral e.t.c. under the sun in it! And its only £15. The other I looked into was Actimmune. However at £55 a pot with less stuff in it, Im going to try the 365.

Im feeling your pain and frustration! Wouldnt change her for the world :)
 
bay_beasty said:
I swear by Protexin, Its a pro and pre biotic not heating in any way and boost the immune system. Its fab. Really is and its relatively cheap too.
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Ooh, fantastic - just what I was after, thanks bay beastie :) will def give that a try!

Asterid - will look at that one, too. He's on pink powder atm, but it hasn't done anything for his immune system, so I think a supplements overhaul is required.
 
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I have a flimsy precious thoroughbred who has been plagued with various silly complaints, especially allergies and generally a weak immune system, occasionally feeling flat and tired - now give her brewer's yeast and also propell plus as she was slightly anaemic - not sure if it's cooincidence or she's just grown out of it but she now seems like a different horse 2 months down the line. Brewer's yeast is good for them anyway as it's got loads of B vits and the propell plus also has echinacea in it - I swear by echinacea when I'm feeling rubbish and seems to work for horses as well! :)
 
lexiedhb said:
Sell it-- buy a cob!!! :)
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Well I bought a cob but never sold the TB so I'm stuck with both :p

I feel your pain, my TB isn't as sensitive as some, but he is a complete drama queen and really hates wind and rain. I'm so lucky he doesn't get rainscald, but the way he looks at me if I leave him out in the rain (rugged up!) you'd think he had rainscald, mud fever and was dying from some mysterious infection from acid rain!!!

I know how annoying the leg thing is, but soldier on and you'll remember why you love him so much :)
 
WEll i must be the only one who is lucky enought to have three TB's that are hard as nails :)
Anyway back to the point definatley cut down the protien, if i feed my ID mare rich haylage she gets filled legs. You could also try global herbs immune plus, it gets the liver functioning and boosts there system. Good luck :)
 
His legs fill up every night that he is in. The only solution is to cut the protein right down in the feed.
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I agree with this 100%. As soon as the grass grows at all, I have to stop all hard feed completely or my mare looks like she has elephantitis (sp?). She's only 50% TB... but it's enough! :)
 
My tbs legs used to fill if he went from 24/7 turnout to stabled, but walking him around for 10 minutes sorted it out. Used to happen when he started coming in for winter but after a couple of weeks it stopped as he got used to being in.
 
Nightmare aren't they?! I have owned two and they both cost me an absolute fortune in vets bills :-(

In terms of stopping legs filling, magnetic boots are fantastic. I used the NEW ones, really cannot recommend them enough. I also fet vetvits equijoint supplment which helped. Its well worth a google - vet approved and cheap as from Jersey!
 
Thanks for the advice and sympathy everyone :). Will have to start trying things methodically & hopefully I'll find something that works!
 
ok mud fever.........mix udder cream with a small bit of sulphur powder (don't wear white gold it will tarnish) put on sight of infection, rub in a bit and then leave. don't keep washing, once cleared up pig oil and sulphur is a really good way of preventing

the best way to feed the immune system is to give extra vitamens (broad spec), some of these are co-factors for how the immune system works, also by not so much trail and error but i found removing molassis from their diet improves the response to infection and also feeding a bit of oil, Alfa oil is a good chaff to use

also agree with the protein quotes from above
 
Am also feeling the pain of TB ownership (for a change).... current mare who is usually so robust has now done something to her back right. While I can't advise on your issue I can supply tea, biccies and sympathy
 
Update - Went to the yard this morning to get B in, and the legs are still swollen :( Also found a couple of sores :(:( another attack of cellulitis, I fear.

Hibiscrubbed them and put some betnovate cream on that I had from last time, and now waiting for vet to call back. Ohhh the joys of TB ownership!! You have to laugh, or you'd cry...

He had a vetting booked on monday - anyone have any idea how this will affect it?
 
I feel your pain.

Count yourself lucky. Mine injured himself running into an electricity pylon (yes one of those v v v large ones)

Guess what, his full sister who is a year younger has done the same thing on the same pylon, in the same (10 acre) field

Same injuries - eye and hindquarter...

I swear that they are incapable of running and keeping their eyes open at the same time........
 
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