Wierd injury - windgalls?

[Hanz]

Three weeks ago my gelding came in from the field lame, with heat and swelling on his left lower leg, I kept him in for a few days, cold hosing it and after 4 days he was OK to return back to the field. I have been checking it every day and he was fine, was just about to bring him in from the field to begin his training again on Sunday and it's back up again, although not as hot and inflamed as before but definately something there. Also he has developed soft windgall-like swellings.

Just wondering what your thoughts are on this as he is usually pretty hardy, but this leg has come back up again. His conformation is very upright, but it is not like he has been worked hard, he is actually only got the the cantering stage on the lunge after being back in work for about 2 months, I havent sat on him for about 4 months.

I knew this would happen once I sold the spare horse!

 

[scotsmare]

Sounds like ligament damage - my friends horse did the exact same thing. Only way to be sure is to get vet out and scan.

 

[only_me]

can some wingalls be associated with leaking of tendon fluid? not sure anyhoos.

i think best bet is to get vet out and scan - at least then you might find root of problem?

 

[Llwyncwn]

Get a scan done asap.

 

[amandaco2]

could be ligiment or tendon damage.only way to tell really is a scan once a weeks cold hosing and box rest has taken down the swelling

 

[glenruby]

You dont say which part of the lower limb? or whether front or hind? May help us give you a better idea as to whether its likely to be tendons or ligaments, joints or foot.
Windgalls rarely cause lameness and arent normally significant except occasionally with articular associations.
unlikely to be suspensories as swelling is seen caudally above the hocks. Maybe check ligament is swelling begins or is predominantly below hock joint and in front of the tendons.
Other than that may be ligament damage assoc with the joints.
Id advise scanning first then xrays if nothing shows and horse is very lame.
Call your vet.

 

[beaconhorse]

my horse has done the same thing, except he was not lame, but should have been. it turned out to be annullar ligament. which if not treated soon would cause nasty damage to the deep digital tendon. His too healed and we were out competing again, then the other day he did it again in the field. off to see specialist on wednesday

 

[Shilasdair]

We can't really advise you about this - you need to call a vet to have the injury assessed.
Hope he heals quickly.
S

 

[hairycob]

Sounds like the pony we had on loan last year. Had the Vet out, thought she had just knocked it & suggested a weeks box rest to see if a break would sort it, seemed fine. In very light work for a week& it happened again after a trailer ride. Turned out to be a strained tendon, no tears just swollen. Still needed several weeks box rest though. Sorry but you really do need to get the Vet in.