Windgalls - advice

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rolsterlady

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www.kindphotography.co.uk
Hello :)

So, my 9 year old mare has had windgalls on both hind legs since i bought her at the age of 4 (she was unbroken so had not been over-worked).

The windgalls have always been there, they never come and go even after work/long periods of stabling etc. However, a few days ago I took her for a long-ish hack, including going for a gallop, and she came up lame on her off-hind the day after. Her windgalls swelled a lot on both hinds but particularly the one she was lame on. After 3 days of rest and devils claw, the lameness and swelling has gone but i'm concerned about it happening again if i do too much work with her.

She's not super-fit, but isn't completely unfit, and of course the ground is very hard at the moment. I have lessons, xc training and some small shows planned but i'm cautious of doing any of it with her now..

I think i'm going to spend a few weeks walking her out on the roads every day to build up her fitness before doing anything else.. and only ride on grass when the ground is softer.

Has anybody used magnetic boots for windgalls before and if so, has it helped?

Also, i've been looking at products such as 'Ice Cool' and 'Ice Blue'.. has anybody used these or similar products?

Any advice on this appreciated! Thanks :)
 
Windgalls are caused by tears in the tendon sheats which then fill with fluid. they shouldn't really cause any problems so long as they remain soft. They also dont go away.

Your horses lameness more than likely resulted from a gallop accross the hard ground rather than the windgalls themselves. I had a horse that had one in each leg and he was never lame because of them. Just ride her considerately!
 
Occasionally, they cause problems but mostly are simply (unsightly) testimony to either hard work or a conformational disposition. Leave them alone, rest your horse and ride with regard to the lameness in future.

If it doesn't resolve, of course seek vet. advice.
 
My cob had wingalls on his hinds, I made sure he always had stables bandages on when stabled ,gave him a really long gentle warm up and warm down and would regually cold hose his legs I found thid helped temendosly xx
 
Staysound and coldhosing will take them down temporarily for a show or something . In my experience they will come back within 24 hrs.
 
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