PnO
Well-Known Member
Since changing my horse from being in during the day and out at night in the summer from September he has been out during the day and in at night. He's 18 and his legs started to swell up slightly at night but soon dissipated when worked or turned out. Two weeks ago we moved to a new yard and he is very happy and settled there but over the last few days his back legs have started to swell up more than usual and one leg more than the other, but again this has dissipated with work or being turned out. This morning however the hind leg that swells up more was very noticebly swollen around the fetlock joint and upwards. I worked him gently in the school for 25 mins or so and he felt fine in walk, trot canter and we did some trotting poles. When i had finished his three other legs had gone down completely but the other leg was still swollen around the fetlock joint slightly. I turned him out and thought it would just take a bit longer to go down as it was more filled and he would be fine by this evening. Went to get him in and it was still swollen, more than this morning after he was ridden and was very hot. I couldn't find a hose at the new yard to took to trying to dunk his leg in a bucket (rather unsuccessfully) I managed to chuck the water over his leg and get the mud off (he wasn't too muddy). I felt his leg and there is what feels like a small scab on the side of his fetlock, but i think this is old. He was quite irritated when i tried to feel the tiny scab but his leg was still vey hot. I didn't want to bandage it over night as previously when i've bandaged him his legs have swollen up hugely - and i don't bandage tightly! I left him happily eating his tea as though't by the morning it will be even more swollen as he's been in all night. I'm a bit suck as what to do?
I'm thinking it's either one of four things -
1. Mud fever - which he's never had before but the new fields are rather wet after the recent rain. I could only find that one little scab but it wasn't on his heel.
2. Slight sprain - he's not in very strenuous work but could of done it in the field.
3. A slight infection through the tiny scab
4. He's just getting old - however he dosen't act, feel or look his age!
These are my guess's but i could be completly wrong?! Any ideas form you guys?
I'm thinking it's either one of four things -
1. Mud fever - which he's never had before but the new fields are rather wet after the recent rain. I could only find that one little scab but it wasn't on his heel.
2. Slight sprain - he's not in very strenuous work but could of done it in the field.
3. A slight infection through the tiny scab
4. He's just getting old - however he dosen't act, feel or look his age!
These are my guess's but i could be completly wrong?! Any ideas form you guys?