Swelling legs

[Fattie_Hattie]

Hatties legs swell when she comes in overnight in the winter. They don't do it now if she is in for a night but in the winter they start to swell up overnight.

What could cause this? Lots of people have gave me suggestions but i wondered what you people think??

 

[hadfos]

My lads hind legs used to fill up for the 1st few weeks of being in at night,i never actually found the cause as he was never lame and swelling went down completely after turnout!I believe it is purely down to limited movement after the legs(blood flow etc) have gotten so used to being active 24/7!They go from 24/7 turnout to stabled for 10/12 hours a night which isnt done gradually,huge shock to the system!!He now lives out 24/7 all year and no swelling at all!

 

[Fattie_Hattie]

Its not an option at our yard fir 24/7 turnout and i dont think she would like it she hates going out in the cold bless her!!!!

I bandage them and that stops the swelling.

 

[hadfos]

I dont think i explained myself very well,lol!!I have had my boy for 11 yrs and his legs did this every winter for the first few weeks of being in,he was stabled every winter for 9yrs,i only have him living out now as he is happier out!What i was trying to say is if your girls legs are going right back down to normal after turnout and work(with no lameness at all) i wouldnt worry about a thing!Probably irrelevant but my legs swell if i have been on my feet all day,lmao,think we operate slightly different thow,pmsl

 

[RobinHood]

Don't worry about it if they go down with turnout or exercise. Whereas the circulatory system is powered by the heart the lymphatic system is powered by muscle movement so stabling causes lymph to sit on the legs. My older horse's legs fill if he stands in for more than a few hours but bandages or leg wraps solve the problem.

 

[Tierra]

If the swelling goes down with exercise, then its most likely nothing more than a circulation issue from not moving around much when stabled. Tbh... most older horses suffer from this.

As for combatting it... bandaging / wrapping legs to keep them warm and supported helps minimise the swelling. Magnetic boots / wraps will also help as they illegidly increase the circulation.