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  Discussion on Windpuffs?
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Member:
Qh2244

Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 12:28 pm:

I have a 9yo QH who developed swelling in both front fetlocks after a show nearly 5 weeks ago. He has never had anything like this in the 7 years I've owned him. The only reason for this that I can think of is stress from him repeatedly slamming on the brakes very suddenly right before a jump repeately (probably at least 5 times--first time jumping at a show!). He never has done this at home, so this would be a new form of stress for his legs.
The swelling swelling seems to be on the sides of the fetlock toward the very rear of the leg, roughly where the sesamoid bones are. Sometimes it stays in the area described above in a round "bubble" shape, other times it is in ligments that run down the side of the fetlock to the pastern (again, this is toward the rear of the leg).
There is no heat that I can detect and he is not lame. I was told not to worry...that it was probably windpuffs and to watch them, but that I could work him lightly. I did this for a couple weeks and the swelling actually went down from when it first occurred, but I began to notice that it would change drastically with any kind of activity.
I stopped working him and have been turning him out for about an hour a day. Often times the swelling will ne nearly non-existent, then reappear after only a half hour of turn out. During turnout he often times only walks. It is not like he's galloping around the pasture! It still seems to not be bothering him, but I am very worried in how much it changes on any given day.
I thought windpuffs were more right above the fetlock??
I have read the articles on swellings (that includes windpuffs) and still have no clear idea of what could be going on with my guy. I doesn't seem to fit. No where have I read about it drastically changing with only walking about!
I board my horse and he is turned out 2-3 times a week on top of me turning him out. This makes it hard to consistently wrap his legs or to limit activity (I won't keep him in unless I ABSOLUTELY have to when all the others go out. He goes crazy and I feel he will find a way to hurt himself more!).
Any ideas as to what could be going on???
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 - 8:32 am:

Swelling that worsens during exercise suggest injury and not a passive swelling like a windpuff. I agree with you that the problem occurred during the abrupt refusals. Since lameness is not apparent the injury does not sound too bad but I do wonder if there is not mild lameness that is hard to detect because it is bilateral.

I suggest you have the horse examined by a veterinarian and see what they say. Best would be when the swelling is apparent. In general if pasture exercise is causing an increase in swelling the horse should be rested until seen. We have an article on stall resting horses at Training Horses » Behavioral Problems » Stall Resting Horses.
DrO
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