Horses legs swelling from long periods in the stable, ideas?

[Undecided]

Hi all! Just wondering if anybody had any general advice regarding my horses legs. His back ones swell up when stabled for a prolonged period of time and so if he is in for more than 3 days at a time I bandage them. Last week the fencing at the yard broke and we had to keep all the horses in for a whole week with only use of the arena to let the stretch their legs whilst we mucked out but we weren't allowed to leave them there all day as it is a riding school as well and so lessons were taking place during the day. Now that the fencing is fixed we can turn out again but it is also individual turnout, the girl that I share my paddock with and I have decided that we would rather let them out for 5/6 hours per day every day to chill out rather than have one horse out all day every other day if that makes sense? My boys leg swelling goes down as soon as he is walking around or being exercised but I was wondering if there was anything else I could do alongside bandaging him such as feeding supplements, herbs or different feed? He is fed ad lib hay, high fibre cubes, happy hoof and Alpha A Oil (handful of each once a day, this is leftover from summer), he is a 7 year old fairly good doer and has just enough energy for his workload (medium). I try to exercise twice a day and I bandage his back legs for exercise as well to help bring the swelling down. Also, would this swelling that comes and goes each day have any detrimental effects to him in later life such as early onset of arthritis/leg problems etc? Many thanks!!

 

[9tails]

I'd find somewhere with more turnout and better fencing. To be kept in for a week because the fence hasn't been fixed isn't on. If you HAVE to stay, can you find someone to share with so he can be out longer if he and the mare aren't compatible? I'd be happy enough with 5/6 hours in winter but not during summer/autumn.

 

[Buddy'sMum]

Agree with 9tails, it does sound like you need to look for a new yard. Maybe you could try 24/7 turnout - cheaper and much better for your horse? Being stabled for long periods clearly does not agree with him. While I don't think there's a link to legs filling and early arthritis, spending so long in the stable won't be doing his hooves, his respiratory system or his mental wellbeing any good at all. Afraid that feeding supplements or changing his feed won't address the problem here, which is that your yard's turnout arrangements aren't working for your horse.

 

[Undecided]

Unfortunately we cannot share turnout due to yard rules even though the mare I share my paddock with (we swap them over during the day) and him get along fine. I have put my name down for another yard with all day turnout however the waiting list is huge. I am actively looking for another yard but am afraid that this could be it until he goes home to 24/7 turnout for summer!

 

[lhotse]

Try cutting out the alfalfa, sometimes it can cause filled legs because it's high in protein. I'm having the same issues with my mare at the moment as she is on restricted turnout due to Network Rail having a construction site in her field (had no say in this, they do what then want!). Hers aren't too bad and I'm putting it down partly to the flush of grass as well.