Leg troubles! Help please!

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SunnyDaze

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Bandage bow help!

I had to wet poultice my horses front legs last night and bandage, then put on his usual magnetic boots over the top. Since taking them off this morning, the fronts of both legs have swollen up round his extensor tendons. He doesn't seem lame (but its on both legs so would be hard to see if he was) and is happy to walk about in the field. I don't think my bandages were overtight, but he had an unsettled night pacing round his box all night as a horse on the yard had got loose over night and upset everything. I've turned him out, and was planning to go up this afternoon to apply some stay sound and take him out for a good walk on it and then give him some bute in his feed tonight. Can people just give me some help/advice about what is best to do and will this swelling go down? Worried!
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Big thank you!
 
why did you have to wet poultice your horse's legs?

I've never used a poultice with magnetic boots but I suspect that since both things increase circulation, you've overdone it a bit - I would leave well alone and let his legs recover by themselves
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I'm sure he'll be fine
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I agree and you're most probably right . I regret doing it now and shan't do it again but at the time it was just habit! I poulticed his legs as he's cut them and the were scabby and weepy, but hibi scrub and general wound powders and sprays doesnt seem to be improving them, ideas? (after i've sorted these bowed legs out first obviously!)
I've just been to see him, legs were still up on the front (the back, where other tendons are is fine thankfully) but weren't hot. I smothered them in stay sound clay poultice and took him for a walk out which he was more than happy to do! If anything a little too keen and spent more time walking me! So he did 40 mins of nice active walking and although hard to tell with the stay sound smothered on, they look like they may have gone down a little fingers crossed. Turned him back out and tonight when he comes in plan to hose him off and leave them alone and see how they go, hopefully walk off and settle down over next few days, touch wood they don't appear to be bothering him and he is walking fine so I'm hoping its not serious. Thanks for the reassuring help!
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My thoughts- If circulation to the limbs was increased there would be less swelling, not more.

You shouldnt apply clays/cold products to broken skin.

The swelling came up because you removed the compression from the bandages and boots.

Hibiscrub can be irritant if not used very diluted. Wound powder just clogs wounds up and is useless. If the scabs are mud fever then they should be removed but if they are cuts then the scabs should be left on.

From now on my opinion is to keep the legs clean with saline solution (one teaspoon of salt to one pint boiled and cooled water). Leave open to the air when in the stable. Put liquid paraffin over the legs before turnout.

If in doubt ring the vet!
 
Thanks TT, his legs seemed fine when the banadges came off, and then about half an hour later, were swollen and bowed on the front, so I agree the swelling came up when the pressure was taken off. Will they go down on their own and after how long usually? How long should I leave it if no improvement before calling the vet?
Thanks for the advice with the wound products, pretty sure its cuts and not mud fever so I shall try the saline solution
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What does liquid paraffin do to legs for turn out? Its oily so I'm guessing acts like a mud barrier?
 
Swelling going down depends on the problem and the individual horse, hard to answer on here! If swelling goes down after exercise/turnout then that is a good sign as circulation is improved, which clears fluid from legs. if still swollen after exercise i would call the vet because there may be infection.

Liquid paraffin will help keep the cuts moist, for better healing and also keep them clean from mud. It is safe to use on cuts for this purpose.

If no improvement in heaing is noticed or you are unsure then you really do need professional advice.

Hope this helps
 
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