What is a windgall?

[AnnaandStella]

My mare is not lame at all (forward going as hell & 100% to trot up) but has a swelling at the back of the fetlock joint/tendon which is small, squishy & goes away after she has a chance to move around out of her box/when ridden. Don't think there's heat in it but she's naturally warm bodied so difficult to tell?

Is it a windgall?

 

[Marchtime]

I'm interested in following this post. I posted below about 'hind leg swelling' and someone suggested it could be a windgall but I thought windgalls only occurred in the fetlock area. I'm intrigued to know whether they can occur in other positions?

 

[Halfstep]

A windgall is an enlargement of the fetlock joint capsule or of the digital flexor tendon sheath. They are very common, especially on horses that work on hard ground. If it isn't causing lameness I wouldn't worry about it to be honest. If you are worried, rest the horse and cold hose for a week.

 

[spaniel]

Windgall is just one name for any number of bursal enlargements, this particular one is associated with the feltock joint.

Nine times out of ten they are just cosmetic and cause no real problems.

 

[Marchtime]

Halfstep - if it is an enlargement of the digital flexor tendon sheath does this mean it could occur higher up? My pony has bilateral lumps on her hind legs at the top of the canon bone on the front of the leg. Someone suggested they may be windgalls...?

 

[Dressagebabe]

Windgalls are sacks of fluid that occure when there is an injury or strain to the effected leg, they come up to protect that injury so although its not a case of worrying about the windgalls actually being there it is however, important to investigate what they are actually protecting!