Windgalls and Lateral Work

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Llwyncwn

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My mare has had windgalls for about a year now on her hinds and we have recently introduced canter half-pass to her training. Two weeks ago my trainer was riding her and took her into a deep (sand) corner to set up the movement and she couldnt/wouldnt do it for him. The following morning her n/s hind was swollen more than normal and quite puffy around the base of the tendon. She isnt lame but is not quite even under saddle in the trot. Have given her two weeks off and used Arnica and it is slowly reducing.

My thinking is that the fluid is there to protect a weakness - joint etc. Can anyone tell me through their own experience if her future as a Diva is limited due to this weakness?

Intending to bring her back into work and just do gentle hacks for a few weeks, bandaged up to the eyeballs.

Any comments gratefully received.
 
Archie has small windgalls on both his hindlegs, from when he hoolies around in the field on the hard ground. Not done him any harm so far. he spent last week with my trainer doing canter half pass and changes and my trainer mentioned nothing about it.
 
Mine's got windgalls on both hinds from hoonying about in his younger days - never see much difference if I'm working in lateral (half pass, canter pirouettes etc) in fact if anything the more he works the smaller they are - may be worth getting it checked?
 
Do they go down with normal exercise? Do you bandage at night? Are they hard or just puffy and fluidy??? Do you cold hose at all or use any form of leg ice stuff???

In my experience wingalls will effect a horses performance and you will need to manage the horse's workload and what conditions you either exercise or compete in.
If it was me and you are working at good level of dressage, I would get a vets opinion as you can then discuss a work programme.
 
Hi Law, yes hun, its my school.

Kick-On, thanks for that. I have been cold hosing and putting Lincoln Cooling Gel on. The swellings are puffy. She is out at night and in for a few hours during the day - unbandaged and has access to the yard which helps keep the swelling down. She is not schooling at high level (prob Elem) but we have been schooling walk to canter and half-pass for a few weeks now. Not been a problem leg yielding and shoulder in. I have been specifically doing turn on the forehand as I was told be FEI Judge/Trainer that this would help to strengthen her weak hind.
 
My chap has got windgalls and they do flare up from time to time, I haven't noticed a pattern with his work load though, I just stick the magnetic boots on during the night and that seems to really help, he has devils claw to help with them too (recommended by trainer), and he is schooled in bandages.

I would think going quite deep into the corner especially if the sand is a little too deep just tweaked it to be honest, but again I would use the magnetic boots.
 
Obviously when he's sound, when are you out and about again, will you be going to Mount Ballen, we never did get to meet up did we?
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Windgalls per se are'nt a problem but they should be the same on both sides.
You descibed a slightly swollen ns hind and this suggests that this was the result of a strain/slight injury as it was more on one side than the other. I would not think that it was your school that caused the problem as your school is not that deep. I am afraid that i think it probably had more to do with being asked to do work with engagement that she is'nt physically able to cope with at this moment in time so not really because of the lateral work but the engagement that this kind of work requires.When being introduced it should be done gradually and in small amounts.
The fact that she would'nt do it should have said something.A horse genrally will 'give' if all the pieces to the puzzle are put in place. If not then they will over exert themselves and this is what she sounds like she has done.
Your little girl is quite weak on one side and needs to spend time on getting straight so that both hindlegs learn to carry the same amount of weight, not doing tricks. Sorry but thats boring i know but it would avoid a repeat of this stress.
 
Thanks hun, that makes perfect sense. 'A' likes to ride her at any given opportunity and started this work with her a few weeks ago. Thanks for the advice - i'll work on what you have said
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