More Stable bandaging/booting Questions

[Joss]

Following on from MadHector's post. How many people regularly stable bandage? My event horse's hind fetlocks get puffy overnight but I dont bandage, do you think I should? They get quite big but only the fetlock not all the way up the leg.

They go down very quickly once he is out walking & he gets plenty of turn out (7 to 9 hours daily) I wonder what causes this, I dont think it's rich food as he isnt on enormous amounts.

Opinions please.

 

[Maesfen]

Sounds like windgalls and unless they cause a problem are nothing to worry about, a lot of horses have them and exercise does seem to keep them at bay. If he has bad circulation and gets stiff, then yes, I would bandage but otherwise I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Thistle]

I don't bandage, legs are better kept cool.

 

[happy_talk]

It doesn't sound like windgalls- they wouldn;t go down with exercise.
It's the legs filling due to inactivity -> poor circulation and the fluid fills up in the legs.
As to whether you should bandage or not, I'm still trying to judge this. I don;t think anyone knows the definitive answer, answers mainly on opinion. ATM my mare's legs fill and I am leaving them un-bandaged to see if they adjust to being in at night now. Will bandage them if swelling gets worse or the swelling hasn;t completely gone after she has been out in the field for 9+hrs.

 

[Nailed]

Ted is bandaged everynight when he is in as he sffers badley from Lymphangitis and it is one of the only ways to keep his legs down.

Thistle i wish it was a simple heat problem, but unfortunatly, keeping them unbandaged means a vet bill, steriod injectioa nd anti-biotic injects.. So bandages it is!

Lou x

 

[CrazyMare]

Mine is bandaged every night in winter. She looses weight and grows back her clip too quickly if she gets cold. I find bandages are a very good extra method of keeping her warm without piling rugs on.

Right now she has damaged her tendon sheath and my vet has requested she is bandaged behind at all times for now.