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  Discussion on Hurricane aftermath problems/stocking up
Author Message
Member:
Danny

Posted on Thursday, Sep 30, 2004 - 3:53 pm:

Hello DrO

We are just recovering from the second hurricane in three weeks (we live in the Stuart area of Florida). In addition to the incredible wind damge everywhere, the latest one has caused major flooding too. I have had to keep my 16 month old filly in a wet/mucky stall since the hurricane hit last Saturday night due to flooding everywhere. If she were turned out she would be standing in two to three feet of water. She has begun to stock up in her rear ankles/fetlocks. I am trying to keep medicine on her so she doesn't develop scratches. Is this stocking up from being kept in for so long? If it is will it leave permanent damage to her legs? We think the water will begin to receed in a couple of days and then we will be able to turn everyone out. If this was happening to an older horse I wouldn't be so concerned, but I have never seen one so young stocked up this way. Of course, I've never had such a young horse...so maybe this is normal for a youngster in this situation too. I am worried that the stocking up will cause long term damage to the tissues in this young filly's legs. What are your thoughts and suggestions?

Thank you, Debra
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 1, 2004 - 6:27 am:

Boy Danny what a tough situation. WIthout looking at the degree of swelling I cannot know if it is bad enough to result in permanant distension but early treatment will help prevent that. I would daily clean the legs, dry them as best I could then apply vaseline or in the case of irritated skin, Desitin. Next would be to get the horse out for some exercise every day if it is safe. This increase circulation and help pick up the swelling. Lastly would be pressure bandages over the treated legs but only if I can keep them changed often enough to stay reasonably dry.
DrO
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, Oct 3, 2004 - 9:49 pm:

You folks have sure had a rough time this season. I feel for you all! I hope things are drying out by now; but, if not, can you fill her stall with straw or something else to dry it up a little? (Probably not, or you would have tried it.)

I used to complain about conditions here when it gets muddy from snow melt in the spring, or when it's hot and windy, but don't believe I will anymore!
Member:
Danny

Posted on Friday, Oct 8, 2004 - 8:24 am:

Yes,it has been a rather rough time. We finally just got our electricity back on last night and things are beginning to resemble normal again. The water is drying up and the horses can go back outside. The stalls have dried up too. We never would have been able to put straw in them, it was way too wet and would have been even more of a mess to contend with. Thanks for the suggestion though. I ended up slathering Desitin on all the horses legs(per DrO's suggestion) and turning them out for around an hour each day. It was a pretty pitiful sight, they were up to their bellies in water, but they did need to get out to stretch their legs. We watched to make sure they didn't drink the standing water or eat too much of the waterlogged grass. When they would come back inside we would give their feet bleach washes to dry them back up and toughen them for the damp stalls and until turnout the next day. The stocking up seemed to be managable with this routine.

Thanks for the help and suggestions...Debbie
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Friday, Oct 8, 2004 - 9:14 am:

When we lived in Truckee, CA I used to complain about caring for the horses during a bad snow year, I can't imagine how all of you in FL have Cudos to you all!! I sure hope the rest of your year goes smoothly. You've all had enough!
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Friday, Oct 8, 2004 - 9:17 am:

Ooops! I need to get off the computer and make some coffee. The above should read " I can't imagine how all of you in FL have managed. What a lot of effort and worry; and, on top of the horses, trying to get your own homes and lives back in order." Sorry about that.
Member:
Bethyg2

Posted on Friday, Oct 8, 2004 - 2:24 pm:

Hi Danny,
We are in the Wellington area, so i really feel for you up in Stuart.My horse, an 11 yr old paint gelding that has never had swelling problem, is all stocked up in his back legs. I am sure that is becasue we just don't let him out 10 hours a day like we used to. Our fences are all blown down so I have been putting him out in our driveway circle! It is the only place with nice green grass that isn't all soggy. But I absolutely have to be home, so that limits his grazing time to about 3 to four hours since I work. When I left him alone I got a frantic call that he was in the garage knocking stuff over!
When I retire, it will be to a place that does not get soggy! With rolling hills! No cypress trees. I keep running out of desitin. There are alligators swimming in the front yard, not a joke, which is a danger for my mini horses- I have been turning them out in the backyard that has wire mesh on the fence.
My neighbor's horse developed colic I think due to the change in grazing circumstances, which is the worst thing that can happen. I continue to wet all pellets, and add a little mineral oil whenever I think of it.The weather has changed in the past two days, a little cooler, breezy, I think we are through the worst of it. I like to think positively: that I have definitely gained the knowledge of exactly where I need to put fill dirt...
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