Windgalls.....general advice.

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lunginggirl

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Hello,

I have had my boy for 4 1/2 years now and never encountered any problems with his back legs! However over the weekend it appears that he now has Windgalls on one of his back legs. After researching I have seen that they are best left alone as long as they are not causing lameness. He is not at all lame on it and I have been taking him out for walks each day so he is moving about! He is also turned out all day everyday so I know he isn’t stuck in and getting stiff.

I just wanted to hear some general advice on them. Never heard of them before he got them so just look for some reassurance. I am worried about riding him and continuing doing the things he likes when riding. He is a brilliant jumper and loves a good hack. I am always sensible with him making sure he isn't cantered on hard ground when out and we always have warm up jumps etc. I don’t want him to just become a happy hacker that goes out walking because he is only 8 and does enjoy being ridden!

I am probably just being a very worried Mummy but I just want to make sure I am cautious and don’t hurt him. I know when there is something wrong with him but he just seems perfectly happy (which is probably why I am so confused).

Thank you for any advice you have! Much appreciated!!
 
I'd be worried that it's only 1 hind leg that's affected. True windgalls IME are normally bilateral. I once had a horse that developed "a windgall" in 1 hind limb only. Wasn't lame, no detectable heat, so continued riding as per normal for several months thereafter. Eventually went very slightly lame (1/10th). Nothing showed on scan, but further investigation via arthroscopy revealed a significant tear in the deep digital flexor tendon.
 
Okay. I wasn't too worried that it was only one hind leg after doing some research as I thought it was due to strain or an old injury for example? I have the vet coming out for Vacs soon so may just ask if it is something to be worried about. Think I will just carry on walking him for a bit to see how it goes. Never experienced this before so this is very helpful!
 
I wouldn't be overly worried at all. My fell pony had 1 on the front of 1 front fetlock. He had it for 13 years and it never bothered him once. Just keep an eye on it. When they come up on the work horses we give them 3-4 easy days to let them settle and then kick on again. You can get them drained but to be honest there isn't any point as they will more than likely come back again. Some come back a week later, others a few years there's just no telling but they do generally always come back.

By all means get your vet to have a look and watch your horse trot so there are 2 of you who know what he should look like and will notice if anything is slightly wrong.
 
My second pony had huge wingalls on both back legs. Never a days lameness. I bought my current horse with one large windgall. It didn't cause any trouble for approx 7 years but I have to careful now. I would definitely get the vet to have a look to put your mind at rest.
 
Windgalls can come and go. My boy got them years ago after an injury. I bandaged them with arnica and after a good few weeks they went and so far 'touched woos' haven't returned.

If there is no other heat or swelling to alarm you then I would get vet to have a look when out for jags but if sound then they are just a blemish.
 
My horse has wingalls on both hinds and always has done from day one. Whenever he has his bioflow boots on overnight they go down and sometimes when its really warm and he has been stabled a few hours or overnight (without the boots on) his legs are huge and then go down with exercise. The vets always said that they are nothing to worry about, so long as they disappear with exercise or bandaging/booting.

Its just a build up of fluid (bit like old granny's legs swell sometime - lol). :)
 
Thank everyone! This has been very helpful! I have the vet out Monday for Jabs anyway so will get him to check quickly just to confirm but I think I will leave them and keep building his work up slowly! He isn't lame at all so hopefully they will start to go down or not cause any more problems! He is on turmeric so hopefully that will help slightly and will also have to see how he is with the farrier next time. He wasn't himself on the leg the windgalls have appeared last time the farrier came. Then the windgalls appeared! Hopefully he will be back to himself in no time.
 
lunginggirl said:
Thank everyone! This has been very helpful! I have the vet out Monday for Jabs anyway so will get him to check quickly just to confirm but I think I will leave them and keep building his work up slowly! He isn't lame at all so hopefully they will start to go down or not cause any more problems! He is on turmeric so hopefully that will help slightly and will also have to see how he is with the farrier next time. He wasn't himself on the leg the windgalls have appeared last time the farrier came. Then the windgalls appeared! Hopefully he will be back to himself in no time.
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Just to let you know, you should be a bit careful with using tumeric. I was using it as Global Herbs had a big tub on offer at the time, but I don't think my vet is very keen on the idea as it is believed that it can cause gastric ulcers in some horses. Don't think there is any proof either way to be honest, but just be warned in case. Good luck anyway with your horse, hope he gets better soon xx
 
Oh okay that’s strange to hear. Me and my friend heard nothing but good reviews of Turmeric so recently decided to slowly add this to their short feed. They only get a small amount but the results have been very promising. My friends horse has arthritis in all her legs and was on one bute a day however she is now only on Half and she has had no problems this winter with stiffness or her being lame. My boy is only on this because of an old injury that could lead to arthritis and I was hoping this may help him. But will definitely keep an eye on this!
 
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