Legs filling

[bigboyrocky]

Rocky has been in for longer over night than he usually is recently, and his legs have been flilling (fronts slightly more than hinds). It doesnt affect him (lameness/stiffness), but how do you manage this? Ive bandaged him the last 2 nights and it doenst seem to have made much/any difference. Should i just leave it if its not affecting him??

 

[Honey08]

Without wanting to sound rude, the obvious answer is don't leave him in as long then - or isn't that possible?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

He needs to move more. Can you turn him out more or even better leave him out all the time?

 

[lisab]

Mine has this sometimes, but with back legs. They get a funny little puffy, squishy sack above the fetlock on the outside. He's always had it, on and off, and I've had him since he was 6 (he's 14 now).

They always go down after walking out, so I try not to worry about it too much. I don't know what causes it but it doesn't seem to bother him.

I don't bandage him or anything. It's just something (else!) that he has.

 

[rhino]

Mine does this, I've been led to believe it's quite common. How old is your boy?

I find magnetic stable wraps stop my horse's legs swelling up at all although as long as the swelling goes down when he is turned out I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[horseandshoes77]

my youngster is like this but never front legs only hinds vet said nothing to worry about! could bandage but makes nt much difference and doesnt bother her at all ! 10 mins out walking and shes fine, cnt leave her out all the time tho as trying to manage mud fever ! shes never stiff or lame.

 

[Honey08]

Could you try magnetic stable wraps perhaps? Equissage is meant to be great for things like filled legs - not used it personally..

 

[bigboyrocky]

yeh they go down within 5 mins of walking around out in the feild. And hes only 8. Well hes out all day, comes in at about 6, and goes out at about 9 in the morn. The ground in our feild probably wouldnt hold up if he was out any longer, and he enjoys being in for his sleep! So its just a case of how to manage it really

 

[bigboyrocky]

Ooh, magnetic wraps sound good. Will have a look! Thanks

 

[AFlapjack]

I would be inclined to just leave him. Sounds like its just a build up of lymph fluid - which only builds up when movement stops - so I wouldn't worry too much about it!

 

[moley087]

Hey,

My girl, along with her many many issues, has one foreleg which is always slightly swollen just below the knee. Sometimes goes down after exercise, sometimes does not and she aint lame on it so we dont bother bandaging any more. Shes quite happy in hard work, jumping Foxhunter, with it so I wouldn't worry 2 much, bandages get well fiddly with numb fingers!

 

[polopony]

I would make sure that he keeps moving, but I don't think you've got too much to worry about.

 

[kazhar]

a bigger stable might help. mine used to get the sme thing when i had to use a smaller stable for a couple of weeks, but it went as soon as he was turned out, and was gone for good once he had his old, bigger box back,

 

[autumn7]

My elderly cob has filled legs when in over night. A few years ago I read somewhere that a strong cup of tea in evening feed reduces filled legs considerably which I've done ever since. Try a couple of tea bags steeped for ten mins or so in a large mug and dampen your horse's feed and within a week or so you should see an improvement. Unsure why it works, maybe has diuretic properties? It's easy, cheap and my cob seems to love it.

 

[ecarylloh]

Autumn7 - what a good tip. My elderly mare has been having this problem for the last few months. She's not lame at all and it goes away literally in minutes of putting her out, so have never worried too much, but I'm tempted to try this. Thanks!