random swelling. (also in new lounge)

[weesophz]

two days ago my horse developed random swelling on and around his fetlock on his right hind leg. theres no heat, hes not lame and is happy to let us squeeze it and flex it. does anyone know what the cause could be? im baffled, as it occured while he was standing in and he hadnt been out for a while.

he has the vet on monday to get his teeth done, but does anyone think i should get the vet out sooner just to make sure its not something more sinister than a bit of swelling?

HELP

 

[be positive]

Lack of exercise can often cause the legs to fill round the joints, usually both are affected but a slight weakness or previous injury to one leg can mean that is the only one that swells.
I would get him out and moving, if he is sound, this should disperse the fluid and try to not keep him in too much as it can become more of a problem and the leg will fill more regularly.

 

[weesophz]

ive been taking him out since it started swelling, i rode him at walk and trot only for about half an hour yestreday and it didnt make that much difference, i also cold hosed it but niether have had much effect. its so puzzling..

 

[whisp&willow]

pics would help. my first thought would just be that it is fluid build up from standing in- but it seems odd to me that its only one joint?

my horses suffer from filled legs if they are in without rubber matting, but in those cases its only because they have been in longer than normal, and it is present in all four legs, or at least both fronts. in any case this fluid should have dispersed noticably after turnout/exersise.

how much turnout does he get? can you not just put him out for the day and see if this helps? if it is filled legs then cold hosing wont make a difference, he needs to be moving about to get the circulation going and disperse the fluid. )

 

[weesophz]

our fields are water logged at the moment so we cant turn them out but we have a "hard standing" where we can put them out for a run about, theres just no grazing. i put him out there while i muck out and everything most days, as well as riding him. the vet is coming tomorrow so hopefully he'll have some answers. thanks again.