swollen hind leg

[dannykins]

One of my horses hind legs swelled up overnight on Monday from hock to pastern, there was a small cut so he was stabled for Tuesday and Wednesday and cold hosing twice a day. By Wednesday night there was less heat and the swelling had gone down above the pastern, but still heat and swollen below the hock, particularly at the back around the tendons. He is resting that leg more often than not when stood still, but he's not lame walking on it and doesn't bother with me poking and prodding it. He was turned out Thursday and Friday in the day to see if that helped, and being bandaged at night with cold, wet gamgee and Ice Blue on leg and the heat and swelling has gone down more, but its still a bit swollen below the hock, but its hard, not fluidy??

Do you think I am doing the right thing or could it be anything serious to worry about?
Thanks.

 

[TinselRider]

he might have a small infection from the cut I would carry on as normal but get the vet out as he may be able to give you some antibiotics

 

[Petrie]

You could try poulticing incase the small cut is infected.

I had a similar thing recently, hind fetlock was large and hot, with small graze on outside. Think horse must have rolled and bashed it against the stable wall in the night.

I did cold hosing for 20-30 mins at a time, 3 times a day for the first three days, and bandaged at night. Then I put a hot aninalintex on it for one night to draw out any infection. Then I did warm therapy for two days: warm clay poulticing and bandaging.

The theory being that the cold is for reducing heat and swelling, but once you've made it very cold, you need to warm it up again to get the circulation going to enable the healing process to kick in.

He still went out every day for 4-5 hours, but had a week off work. It was down by the 5th day, but I gave him two extra days to make sure.

I think as the swelling is hard, and not painful to touch, and he's moving about on it OK, it's more likely to be bruising from a knock than an infection, or a sprain.

I think you're doing the right thing, and I wouldn't panic unless he was really reluctant to bear weight on it.

Be wary of keeping him in too much though, as this could prolong the swelling. I think they're better moving around on it. You could always walk him in hand if you're worried about turning him out. You could do this for 30 mins two or three times a day, as long as he's sound.