Puffy knees, help!?

[PonyFeet10]

Hi there,

A friend of mines horse (She has only owned her for a couple of months) gets puffy knees. They feel like they fill up full of fluid, although she isn't lame on them at all they get rather large! The horse is only 5, and her being stood in the stable obviously doesn't help. Her knees feel quite warm to touch when swollen, not hot but warmer than usual. Also they will go down but only with a lot of exercise!

Does any one know what it could be, or anything to help? She is mostly out in the field but they still swell up then.

The horse mainly does unaffiliated show jumping and she often has poles down so we are wondering whether this is the cause / problem.

A suggestion has been made that it could be an infection but this is in both legs, and sometimes her hocks will swell up too. It IS on and off, they aren't constantly huge.. After today as they filled up quite a lot she is looking to get the vet out to have a look, but just after opinions and suggestions as to what it could be or any help and advice

 

[LaurenM]

It's not exactly the same but I had this in my own knees - it was thought to be the onset of juvenile arthritis.

Has she been jumped from an early age & on a regular basis? I would try and keep her out as much as possible.

 

[PonyFeet10]

Oh dear that doesn't sound good!

No as far as we know she hasn't done a lot in her previous home(s)

Here is a picture, her legs are the grey and my horses legs are the bay. Comparing them shows they are almost twice the size!!

 

[Marydoll]

It sounds like wear and tear on the joints, the best person to diagnose is her vet.

 

[LaurenM]

Have the vet out. It's better to be on the safe side

 

[ecrozier]

I'd probably get a vet check to be on safe side tbh?

 

[PonyFeet10]

Ok thanks guys, She said she would get the vet to do a full check over on her of all of her problems (including the legs!) as she is giving her a months rest from today. I will let her know you have said vet too

 

[rambling]

She would be better to keep the horse in normal work until she gets the vet , as there may be a false picture after the month off.

 

[bumblelion]

I'd get the vet out too and keep her out so she's moving. Something that may help is a mug of cold black tea in her feed, helps with swelling.

 

[PonyFeet10]

Thanks guys!!

Rambling - She's having to have time off too as she has a sore mouth. All her owner can do is a bit of gentle hacking bridleless at the moment until that's healed. Will pass on the word to keep her moving though until the vet see's her!

Bumblelion - I will pass that on to her, I'm sure she will give it a go, thank you!