puffy legs in a morning

[georgiegirl2]

george seems to have puffy legs in a morning recently (i pay someone else to turn him out normally as im working but have noticed this over the past few weekends). He is generally turned out about half 8 and comes in at 5 at which point i hose off his muddly legs and towel them off.

Does anyone think i could do with some thermatex stable wraps (or similar)? he's 12 years old and was diagnosed with hock spavins a year ag although is now back in work sound as a pund and also jumping fine. i've had him since he was four and have never really noticed this unless he was left in for a very long period of time although recently i have noticed this puffiness in a morning

 

[Ludi-doodi]

Worth a try! I use thermatex stable wraps when it's really cold as Lude's legs fill up only ever so slightly but using the wraps stopped it. I think I did read on here that when they get cold the circulation slows down and that's what causes the puffiness.

 

[brighteyes]

Two of mine have them on a very infrequent basis and although I have tried to work out why, I never have! Sorry to be of no help whatsoever, but maybe someone will help me! It happens the morning after a day's heavy exercise sometimes, but not always. They are never lame or stiff, there's no real heat and it goes away without any treatment.

 

[k9h]

Yes its to do with circulation slowing down as they obviously dont move round as much as if they were out. I would imagine that the thermatex wraps would provide warmth but as they can't been done as tight as bandages wouldnt prevent swelling. Badaging will prevent swelling. Had a horse that got slightly puffy legs but after 10min of walking out they went down so didnt worry over it. I would also suspect that having a bog or bone spavin will be a contributing factor to it happening.

 

[Tierra]

If you're going down the leg wrap route, perhaps consider some magnetic ones? They'll give a boost to his circulation as well as keeping the joints warm. They're a tad more expensive but they're very handy to have around - I swear by mine!

In terms of leg wraps not giving the support that bandages do.. this is true. Its much easier to put bandages on incorrectly however so I'd be a tad warey of using them unless you're very good at bandaging. Another advantage of leg wraps is that if you use the ones with a thermatex type inner, you dont have to be concerned about wrapping them over wet legs (since they'll dry them at the same time).

Be warned when buying leg wraps (magnetic or otherwise) to consider the material they are made from. The type made from the thermatex / thermalux material dont wear well and bedding will stick to them. Look for the ones with cordura type outers.. they'll wash better and stuff wont stick to them all the time.

 

[MagicMelon]

One of mine, a young one, gets puffy legs if kept in overnight. Bandaging can help, or I found magnetic brushing boots work amazingly well. I know some people on here think magnetic stuff is cr*p but they work on my boy!!

 

[k9h]

Heres another vote for magnetic. Also you can get the thermatex wraps with a courdory otter to stop bedding from sticking. As Tierra said alot more damage can be done by incorrect bandaging (not saying that you cant bandage as I dont know you!)

 

[jayvee]

I personally wouldn't hose his legs down every night. I can't comment on the wraps as don't use them but if swelling goes down soon after being mobile I wouldn't worry much. It's often a sign of hard work in the past.

 

[GatefieldHorses]

get his back done, this can cause puffy legs. Our mares legs puffed up, we got her back done and they are fine now.