Hind fetlocks filling - always something going on?

Wagtail

Wagtail

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Just after opinions on this. I always think there is something up when this happens. Often it is bone spavin or similar, because all the horses I've known this happen to have some issue somewhere. If it happened to a rising two year old that had had OCD of the stifle, but now appeared sound, would you see it as an indication that things were still not right? Youngster is in only 6 - 7 hours a day and out the rest of the time. Lower legs fill whilst he is in and are fine after turnout.
 
I really wouldn't worry. A Lot of horses hind legs fill When in and With fields as they are probably not moving about as much as they do in summer

I always think hinds fill more because they are usually stood on soft bedding therefore not stimulating the frog as much
 
Could be that he's got a little bit of mud fever? Weather has been so bad this year & legs almost permanently wet that a lot are getting it for the first time. Can you wash & dry his legs & check carefully for any tiny nicks or scabs.

I wouldn't worry too much. Hopefully Spring won't be too much longer & the ground will dry up, then we'll all feel better.
 
Thanks.

He isn't out in the fields as they are so muddy. He goes out in the all weather turnout. Definitely no scabs and is very clean. Also the swelling goes completely overnight whilst he's out.
 
Wagtail said:
Thanks.

He isn't out in the fields as they are so muddy. He goes out in the all weather turnout. Definitely no scabs and is very clean. Also the swelling goes completely overnight whilst he's out.
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Definetly wouldn't worry then. My mates hinds are swollen and aren't fully going down ATM. Because she is in 22 hours a day and when turned out in the school doesn't really move around much. I won't worry unless they don't go down a little when exercised, get warm or she is lame
Bearing in mind I'm pretty paranoid I don't think you need worry
 
In a rising two year old? I actually would be a bit concerned and probably phoning my vet for advice. It maybe does happen a lot but that doesn't mean it's a good thing
 
I would worry. A little bit. I had one horse who's legs swelled as she had a long term infection - it took steroids to clear it up and then her legs stopped swelling. And another one when it was caused by the wrong sort of food. Lots of horses legs don't swell when they are stood in, so there is something going on, but maybe not as bad as a bone spavin.
 
In my experience, hinds legs can fill as a reaction to feed eg haylage that is too rich, and settles down again once the feed is sorted. Lots of other causes too though, as others have posted.

Maybe it is just normal for him, did it happen last winter too?
 
It's just a bit of puffiness, but enough that I notice. I have never seen it in a youngster before, only in horses who have a problem higher up. It's enough for me to doubt his long term soundness. Not mine, but is the youngster I had been thinking about having, but I think there are too many issues I am worried about. It's a shame. Hopefully his owner will be able to keep him.
 
What's he eating
You could try reducing the protein and see if that stops it .
Rich haylage can cause filled legs as well.
Perhaps try knocking the food back generally and see if it affects it .
 
Goldenstar said:
What's he eating
You could try reducing the protein and see if that stops it .
Rich haylage can cause filled legs as well.
Perhaps try knocking the food back generally and see if it affects it .
Click to expand...

He is on very dry haylage (tested as low protein and sugars). He is fed only one feed a day of a scoop of Pure feeds Easy (for horses resting or in minimal work). So I can't really cut him down as he is with two others over night and they are fed ad lib. I have purposely not fed him anything protein rich since he was weaned as he grew so fast. I think the swelling is due to standing in because it goes completely by morning. But it does concern me that he is not really stood in as long as most horses are at this time of year and yet his legs are the only ones that swell (other than my gelding who has numerous problems).
 
Can you try taking him for a walk half way through the time he's inside to see how quickly it shifts when he moves about a bit.
Do you give him his bucket feed when he comes in if so try giving it before he goes out and see if that effects it .
 
Goldenstar said:
Can you try taking him for a walk half way through the time he's inside to see how quickly it shifts when he moves about a bit.
Do you give him his bucket feed when he comes in if so try giving it before he goes out and see if that effects it .
Click to expand...

Yes, he comes into a bucket feed. I have been doing some ground work with him every day but only for 10 - 15 minutes (just manners stuff). The puffiness stays. It will be hard to give him his bucket feed at a different time as the night time ones come in first thing and then I feed everyone. Maybe just reduce it down to a mouthful and see if it has an effect. Thanks.
 
My friend's eventer's legs fill if he's stabled for more than a night, and he's the soundest horse I know. It's not really healthy for them to be stood still for hours, I'd be more tempted to blame the regime than the horse... It's not something I'd worry about too much if he's sound and doesn't seem to be in discomfort, but then my ex racehorse's legs are more blemish than leg lol so I try not to let that kind of thing get to me.
 
I would be abit concerned in a younger horse.

My ponies hind legs have recently started swelling over night, but he is 16 and has bone spavin, however hes fine after walking for 5 mins.
 
My horse's hinds fill as well when he is in, luckily it is a very rare occurrence as he hardly ever comes in (and if he does then he's always bandaged) but I've always wondered why legs fill?

He has hock spavins so that's most probably the cause but why does that make them fill?
 
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