Swollen Leg - such bad timing!!

[Switchthehorse]

Not sure if anyone can give me some advice. My mare had a mad gallop round the field today (as she does every day) and came in with a slightly swollen hind leg - mainly the fetlock and above - not as far as the hock. It is swollen all over really - reasonably hard - no heat and having walked and trotted her up she isnt lame. I slapped on Arnica and Witch Hazel and put stable bandages on.

Why bad timing? I have the most amazing opportunity to have a dressage lesson with a top dressage rider on Monday which i won in a competition!!

Clearly won't go if she is lame - but she is sound at the moment just fat legged!!

Any ideas what this could be - i assume she has just banged herself. if it is still swollen in a couple of days time but she still isnt lame and there is no heat would you carry on as normal or box rest and cold hosing?? Do i go to the lesson or am i risking her longer term - she is only 5!! dont want to ruin her!

Any advice welcome!!

thanks in advance!!

 

[Jodies9154]

Hiya,

If I were you as long as there is still swelling I would cold hose her legs for as long as you can e.g. twenty mins morn and eve, and keep her in until the swelling has gone down.

If she isn't a nutter and you don't think she would go nuts maybe just walk her in hand for a bit.

She has possibly strained a tendon (but could be a number of things really), you don't want her to make it worse by galloping around in the field again and you want to do as much as you can do to keep the inflammation minimal.

Some horses unfortunately are prone to getting filled legs every now and again.