Swelling above hind fetlocks

[Surbie]

For the last 2 days A has been coming in with mild swelling above and at the back/side of both hind fetlocks, more so on his right hind than left and the right hind has a little heat in it, though it can be difficult to feel through the feather. He is sound on a trot up and crosses behind on a tight circle. The swelling nearly goes overnight but is still there a little on the right hind in the morning.

Haven't ridden him since last Saturday for various non-horse reasons and he's out 6.30-6.30 in a large field with a small herd. I was wondering whether they have been hooley-ing around with the latest grass flush.

Any ideas? Have been putting cold water on them (hosing not easy at current yard) and have been thinking I should perhaps get the vet out - am I over-fussing?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Are they windgalls or is it a more general swelling?

 

[Patterdale]

Google windgalls and see if it looks like that

 

[Flowerofthefen]

For the last 2 days A has been coming in with mild swelling above and at the back/side of both hind fetlocks, more so on his right hind than left and the right hind has a little heat in it, though it can be difficult to feel through the feather. He is sound on a trot up and crosses behind on a tight circle. The swelling nearly goes overnight but is still there a little on the right hind in the morning.

Haven't ridden him since last Saturday for various non-horse reasons and he's out 6.30-6.30 in a large field with a small herd. I was wondering whether they have been hooley-ing around with the latest grass flush.

Any ideas? Have been putting cold water on them (hosing not easy at current yard) and have been thinking I should perhaps get the vet out - am I over-fussing?

I would be more worried if only in one fetlock. It does sound like windgalls. They are usually caused by hard ground.

 

[Surbie]

Thank you so much for the replies. I had the vet out anyway, just in case it was something that I couldn't recognise. And yes, windgalls. Plus slightly tight hips, probably from hooning around with his mates. And he's getting a bit porky so his muzzle is being dusted off and I can up the exercise now I needn't fret.

We've since done a fun ride, which we both thoroughly enjoyed and have lots of loooong early hacks planned.