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HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Stocking Up: Cool Swellings of the Lower Legs »
  Discussion on Advice on Stocking up
Author Message
Member:
joann

Posted on Monday, Mar 19, 2007 - 3:45 pm:

I am about to take on an adoption of a 16y.o TB mare - her owner is no longer able to ride. I went and looked at her and to introduce myself. She's underweight and still had alot of spunk. I noticed both rear lower legs were like tree stumps and I asked and told she has never been lame etc. I felt no heat, she gave up her feet and moved in the arena pretty well. Okay, do you think I should take her in? She will be loose on five acres so will move about more. We can't afford major vet bills. Advice would be nice.
Member:
stevens

Posted on Monday, Mar 19, 2007 - 3:55 pm:

Joann,

Did the swelling go down after she had moved around for awhile?

Chris
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Mar 19, 2007 - 6:37 pm:

Joann, what are your goals in adopting this horse?
DrO
Member:
joann

Posted on Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 - 11:38 pm:

Sorry about getting back to all. Goals, only as a companion animal and maybe light riding. She is here and moving freely - although she does look different in the rear when she trots. We actually think the swelling is going down and have started cold water rinse and rubbing with
diluted alcohol. Someone said to use Absorbine jr. to reduce inflammation. But, I don't think they are inflammed I cannot detect heat. She seems happy, eating, drinking and friendly. I'll give it a week and report back but any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Joann
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Mar 23, 2007 - 6:59 am:

Considering your first question, "should you?" since you are just looking for a companion and you are willing to work with the stocking up, I don't see why not.

I would not consider Absorbine an antiinflammatory as it is a rubifacient. However the chief benefit of a rub down with it is the massage, something you are already doing.

If you believe this to be a passive condition, warm water would be better but it is probably the massaging action that is most important so use a little pressure with the horse to compliment your manual massage. For more on addressing this, there are recommendations in the article.
DrO
Member:
joann

Posted on Thursday, Mar 29, 2007 - 11:14 am:

Thank you Dr. O sorry about getting back to response. She is fine and her legs are down enough to start seeing definition. Will riding her make it any different? They have enough property to walk around all day but still are basically lazy sunseekers. I want to saddle her up this weekend and I'm told its been two years since this. Should I put wraps on her before I do this? Also, do mares recognize age as in who becomes the boss? There appears to be a change in hierarchy. Thank you for all replies. Joann
Member:
mrose

Posted on Thursday, Mar 29, 2007 - 12:43 pm:

Hi Joann, just to comment on your mare. First, I think it's wonderful you're giving her a home.

One of our old mares will stock up if she just stands around.(though not nearly as badly as it sounds like your did) I put standing wraps on her if I have to keep her cooped up for very long. As soon as she's either turned out or ridden, then swelling goes down. I think this happens more with horses that have been used a lot. My mare was ridden almost every day for several hours a day up until just a few years ago.

Regarding the "horse politics:" If your other horses are younger, especially if this mare is used to being "boss" then she will probably fall right into that role with your herd. At least that's been the case with my horses. The only exception has been a young filly that from the time she was a 2yr. old would take "no sass" from anyone. Her dam was always dominant, and when she died, the filly took over.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Mar 30, 2007 - 6:55 am:

In general the more exercise, the more circulation, and the less passive edema but if there are damaged tissues you may get active inflammation. There are many factors that go into putting on wraps to ride but in general riding wraps are not tight enough to control passive edema, but you could experiment.

Age is not as important factor as the horse's attitude. But some horses will develop more attitude and more efficient ways to apply attitude as they age, particularly if their situation stable.
DrO
Member:
joann

Posted on Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 - 5:31 pm:

Hi all, I'm sorry I just am not able to get back to this discussion (alot). Katie is okay and one leg swelling has gone down and the other still up a lot more then I would like to see. My farrier says to ease her into exercise and he thinks she had an old injury - maybe in her racing career. I brought her in to keep my other mare company but I don't think she likes Katie who has now become the boss and a food hog. Farrier also thinks she has been pretty neglected and we have alot of work ahead to get feet back, neverminding her leg problem. She is a gentle giant. He also said to soften the soles and frog up I have to either stand them in mud or let the manure get trampled down in the arena area. I thought it better to clean up the manure - thoughts on this? He also said that supplements won't help until after we get healthy feet. Its very - very dry here and they are both unshod. Look forward to assistance.
Member:
lloyd

Posted on Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 - 5:51 pm:

I would suggest mouthwash and bandaging, hot and cold hosing and plenty of exercise.

Lloyd
Member:
paul303

Posted on Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 - 8:31 pm:

Check out "Horse Care" > "Hoof Care". Dr.O explains it best there. Go for a good hoof dressing if necessary. The water and most definitely the manure thing are not good ideas.
Member:
frances

Posted on Monday, Apr 16, 2007 - 10:01 am:

Very strange farrier to suggest standing your horse in mud and manure. Dry feet are fine as long as they're not brittle, whereas soft feet offer opportunities for bruising, abscesses, thrush, etc. etc.

Could it be that your farrier is trying to make trimming easier for him/herself (but at the expense of your horse)?

Or is the ground so hard where you are that s/he is concerned about the concussion of hard hoof on hard surface? Even in this event, bacteria-filled mud and manure would not be the way to go, but rather a suitable dressing.
Member:
joann

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 - 9:30 am:

Thanks all I agree I don't think the manure thing is a good idea and yes I think where I am the ground is hard. My arena has been used enough and the clay soil has been broke down to a dg. I think I could bring in product but it would blow away (sometimes very breezy). My farrier took a piece of the frog from both mares and it was very brittle. He also said I could use cheap creams (.99) type and just slatther it on. Funny, #1 has been barefoot since day one with us 4 yrs. now and she is Arab. I've reviewed the hoof section, i.e. circulation etc. and its great info. Thanks
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