Puffy legs after work...

[_jetset_]

I am not sure where this should be, but thought it may get more views and replies in here than in Veterinary (as not technically a vet sort of problem

)

Grace has had 2 weeks off with lameness caused by an abscess. In all this time her legs have not filled from being stood in. She had swollen hind legs in Spring due to an infection caused by mud fever and has had her back legs bandaged every night since to keep the swelling down in her hind legs. This has been incredibly successful and my vet was pleased by how the leg was looking as he thought she would struggle with it staying in.

I rode her last night for the first time, just 30 mins in the school long and low and the an hour hack on the road which was relatively flat apart from one hill. She was not sweating or warm when we came back from the hack.

This morning, her front legs have filled with fluid, but it has quickly gone down after turn out... could this be because she has been off for two weeks and her legs are not used to the impact? Or could it be being caused by her feed (she is on Baileys Endurance Mix, Alfa A and adlib haylage)?

Her back legs were a little more puffy than they have been at night, but nothing I would worry about

 

[AmyMay]

I'd say you may have overdone the work after a fortnight off and her limbs are objecting......

 

[Tempi]

Its probably just concussion from the road work. If its gone down now shes turned out i wouldnt worry about it

Glad she was sound btw xx

 

[_jetset_]

It has happened before AmyMay, as it happened when she was in full work after a lesson I had with Jo...

She has been going out now for a week, so it is not as if she has been on 'box rest', and she has been, ermm, galloping about in the field and they have not come up

This is the first time I have hacked her out in over three months because she is such a prat on the road... but last night I just thought, "Come on Rebecca, pull yourself together and get her going out again!" The last time she reared up and spun into a grass verge which was frightening close to a big motorway bridge and I have been a bit concerned about taking her out on my own since then. Last night, there were three others going out so I thought I would just get it over with... and the good news is she was ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! Motorbikes came past us (the things that make her rear and spin) and although she tensed every muscle in her body, she listened when I put my leg on and asked her to move forwards rather than backwards which is a great achievement in itself. Also, she led all the way around the hack as she really strides out

 

[AmyMay]

Gosh, what a puzzle then. Could it just be coincidence then I wonder (in relation to the past mud feaver??). Does she have any nicks or grazes on her legs or round her fetlock area anywhere that have caused them to fill????

Excellent news about the hacking - it's soo frustrating when you can't get them out. But it definately sounds as if she was getting some confidence from her companions - so maybe that's the key(?).

 

[_jetset_]

I am hoping to get her hacking out with others for a while, then we will try her on her own again... she was with a companion though when she reared and flew towards the motorway bridge

But I wanted her to go in front last night as I do not want her to get too dependant on others... I made her walk past a man cutting down a tree in front even though she was hesitating as when we go it solo she needs to have confidence in me as opposed to other horses.

There are no cuts on her legs, checked them thoroughly this morning. I am wondering whether it is impact that is causing it, but surely they should not come up like this???

 

[_jetset_]

Could it be what I am feeding her?

Or, could it be because I have been using bandages as opposed to boots and her legs are getting quite hot in the bandages now the weather has improved???

 

[AmyMay]

What is she being fed?
Is she bandaged when turned out?

 

[_jetset_]

No, she is bandaged when ridden as I only have a pair of boots which are Hannah's...

She in on Baileys Endurance Mix... she needs something to give her the energy to do the work she is doing, but also to keep the weight on her because it drops off pretty quickly. She has a handful of Alfa A and adlib haylage.