Horsegirl25
Well-Known Member
Has anyone had this happen before? Have bedded my horse on shavings since I got him 4 years ago without ever having an issue.
About a month ago noticed his left fore swollen (mildly) then he developed what I presumed was bites around his pastern, gave antihistamines etc but swelling never went down, long story short got his leg scanned (no lameness or heat) and the scan showed nothing! Vet put it down to stocking up in the stable.
Fast forward to this week, we were at a stay away show (they bed their stables down for you arriving with large flake shavings) came off the lorry with normal legs, after 1 night in the stable left fore and right hind swollen with a dermatitis/scabby area again round the pastern! Again no lameness/heat... banked his bed up and moved his haynet to the front so he wasn't standing on the shavings all day, leg improved drastically. Put it down to the large flake shavings irritating his leg, no issue we use small flake at home.
Arrives home, legs all been fine until I put new shavings in last night. Yard owner buys in bulk from wood yard? (I think) so not a specific brand and the shavings vary all the time from fine sawdust to chunkier small flakes. Last nights bale was on the chunkier side of the small flake and this morning swollen legs and scabby area around his pastern!!!
I am going to swap his bedding to strawmax to see if this helps as can't guarantee the fine sawdust like shavings every bale.
Has anyone had this happen before? I just find it so odd that he can suddenly develop a reaction to something he has had for years!
About a month ago noticed his left fore swollen (mildly) then he developed what I presumed was bites around his pastern, gave antihistamines etc but swelling never went down, long story short got his leg scanned (no lameness or heat) and the scan showed nothing! Vet put it down to stocking up in the stable.
Fast forward to this week, we were at a stay away show (they bed their stables down for you arriving with large flake shavings) came off the lorry with normal legs, after 1 night in the stable left fore and right hind swollen with a dermatitis/scabby area again round the pastern! Again no lameness/heat... banked his bed up and moved his haynet to the front so he wasn't standing on the shavings all day, leg improved drastically. Put it down to the large flake shavings irritating his leg, no issue we use small flake at home.
Arrives home, legs all been fine until I put new shavings in last night. Yard owner buys in bulk from wood yard? (I think) so not a specific brand and the shavings vary all the time from fine sawdust to chunkier small flakes. Last nights bale was on the chunkier side of the small flake and this morning swollen legs and scabby area around his pastern!!!
I am going to swap his bedding to strawmax to see if this helps as can't guarantee the fine sawdust like shavings every bale.
Has anyone had this happen before? I just find it so odd that he can suddenly develop a reaction to something he has had for years!