Slight filling of hind legs?

[floradora09]

I have a 15 year old TB, who has pretty clean legs (no windgalls etc). I have noticed that sometimes his hind legs fill ever so slightly, so slight that my friends don't even think it's filled! However I check his legs everytime I see him, and have noticed that the filling does go up and down. I *think* they tend to be more filled in hotter weather, if this would make sense? Also possibly more if he's done a lot of work (yet again, I could be imagining!). The filling is so slight, but I want to make sure I do everything I can to keep him happy, sound and healthy! Yesterday I hacked over to our local water beds and stood him in there for a good 20 mins, and they were the same after our hack home again. I rode this morning at 6.30, and it was very cool when I brought him up to the yard, and his legs weren't filled atall, so I hadn't been imagining it!

The filling is only very slight, everyone except me doesn't think it's there! I have some cooling gel so wondered if I should put some of that on when they're looking a bit filled? He's also about to be started on Cortaflex (to prevent joint problems). Is there anything else I should be doing?

God I sound like one of those paranoid horse owners!!!

 

[floradora09]

Bump- wondering if maybe it's the hard ground...?

 

[Finns Mum]

Do they swell after being in and then go down with work / turnout? If so I wouldn't be too worrried to be honest, especially as its both hinds. My horse has started to get slight swelling in one hind after being in overnight at the moment and its making me paranoid, though to others it doesn't appear to be up, so I can sympathise!