Wind galls

sleepykitten

sleepykitten

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Hi all,
not been on here in ages, but just after a bit of advice. Had vet out this morning to do routine dental on my mare, two years ago she suffered a suspensory ligament injury which is now fine and she is sound. The vet doing her dental was the one who treated her leg injury, and he had a bit of a poke around to see how her leg was. He was pleased with her, but just mentioned that she had some wind galls. He didn't seem overly concerned about them, but although I have heard of these before, I'm not actually sure what they are or what they do, can anyone enlighten me and tell me if I should worry about them? Thanks!
 
Windgalls are basically fluid filled pouches on joints. It is filled with joing fluid. They are unsightly and considered a blemish. In the long run they may cause an earlier onset of arthritis in the joint but once settled should cause no bother at all soundness and performance wise.

You can get windgalls drained but in my experience it's a pointless procedure as they will always come back be it a week, a month or a year down the line they will always reappear

Keep an eye on them and if they start getting warmer and bigger then give your horse a few days off of work, cold hose the leg and let them settle down again.
 
Let your vet be your guide - he knows your horse and if he wasn't worried then you shouldn't either :)
My mare has had them as long as I've known her and they haven't been a problem at all. I usually find they go down in cold weather (love turning out in the snow ;)) and tend to fill a bit more when it's hot, if she is stabled for a long time or after work on hard ground.

I keep an eye on them but have never had cause for concern - my mare is 16 now and I've had her for 10 years. Just treat with common sense :)
 
Thanks that's very helpful, she is 18 and I must admit, I always find her legs are better in the cold weather too! Although I'm paranoid about turning out in deep snow in case she injures her ligament again :rolleyes: They are a worry aren't they?!
 
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