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  Discussion on Stocking up
Author Message
New Member:
Rusty

Posted on Monday, Apr 18, 2005 - 9:59 pm:

I have a 11 yr old MFT experiencing spongy areas on the hind legs above the fetlocks, the right is greater than the left. No heat, no pain, no change in gait. I sometimes use professional choice boots & find the swelling/sponginess is much less when first removed then returns later, sometimes more than others. He is in a large corral 48 x 48 not stalled. He is exercised 3 to 4 times weekly. Someone suggested this could be related to stocking up? Why does this occur and what is the treatment?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 - 8:30 am:

There are several possibilities Anita, can you more precisely describe the locations? Alternatively you can study the article Equine Diseases » Skin Diseases » Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses which describes ways to differentiate the causes and some of the more common swellings.
DrO
New Member:
Rusty

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 - 12:40 pm:

Dr. O. The spongy area is at the top of fetlock at the flexor tendon/cannon rear aspect of hind legs and extends about 5 inches above the fetlock...sponginess is more on the right than left. No indentation with pressure, no pain reaction, no lameness, no heat.
I did read the suggested reading and that's one reason I suspect stocking up.
New Member:
Rusty

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 - 2:36 pm:

Dr. O A vet was here for my neighbors horse & did a quick check on Rusty's hind legs. Thinks is just "wear & tear". We have a lot of hills here. Suggest to hose legs for 15 min. post exercise, use prof. choice boots when in the hills, and possible linament. I was not able to query her too much & the check was pretty quick. I was helping my neighbor with her other horse...and this vet I had used years ago with my other horse who had to be put down due to founder, it was a complimentary check which was great. Any thoughts?
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005 - 1:39 am:

windpuffs?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005 - 7:17 am:

Anita, stocking-up pits on pressure. Yours sound more like distension of the flexor tendon sheath which is a form of windpuffs as Lee suggests above. The article has more on this.
DrO
New Member:
Rusty

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005 - 8:23 am:

Dr. O & Lee, Thanks I'll check out the articles more thoroughly.
New Member:
Rusty

Posted on Thursday, Apr 21, 2005 - 5:14 pm:

Dr. O, Windpuffs likely, as you stated his involve the flexor tendon sheath area from what I can assess here. I want to make sure I am understanding correctly. Windpuffs are blemishes? Areas/pockets where fluid fills in the tendon sheath due to over stretching/use? Other than pitting not sure the difference between stocking up. As for treatment, basically there really is not one, once there they are there. Would joint supplement be in order? Bandaging help or hurt?
I must admit I am a bit confused even after reading the articles...sorry
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 - 8:38 am:

Stocking up is where fluid has leaked out of the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues. Windpuffs are where synovial fluid is being secreted into a synovial sheath, like that surrounds joints and some tendons. Windpuffs that do not involve joint (such as the location you describe) are probably not responsive to joint supplements. While the problem is worsening bandaging that supports the distended tissues may be of a benefit to keep the problem from worsening but once the swelling is established does not help.
DrO
Member:
Rusty

Posted on Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 - 7:49 pm:

Dr. O. so if windpuffs are result of synovial fluid...isn't synovial fluid from the joint.. how can you have a windpuff not involving a joint? It seems to me that if synovial fluid is leaking into the flexor tendon sheath, the initial leaking must be from the joint. Isn't the purpose of synovial fluid to lubricate? then over extension of the temdon sheath with fluid is a type of inflammation which may possibily respond to yucca or HA? or a topical tighener? Then I wonder about the mechanism of the leaking fluid..how can this be corrected? Could a joint supplement help the overall health of the joint which may in turn decrease the amount of leaking fluid? My mind fills with questions...and I just want to do what is best. Thanks Anita
Member:
Cmitch

Posted on Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 - 11:42 am:

Anita,

My horse devloped a windpuff, not affecting his joint at all. It was purely a distended tendon sheath. Sometims puffier than others. I have found COLD helps tighten it up. My vet did recommend Legend, so I do that just in case it is helping (once a month), but other vets have said while that's great for his joints, not so helpful for the tendon sheath. We had the sheath injected with steroids and it brought it down substantially, but still present today. I would not recommend injecting him, unless it appears to bother him (lame). I know there are 2 kinds of windpuffs----either ones that affect the jpint, or just the tendon sheath, like my guy's. Basically the sheath stretches and doesn't stretch back. Standing wraps help too.
Member:
Rusty

Posted on Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 - 6:01 pm:

Cindy, thanks for the information. It does seem like Rusty's are specific to the tendon sheath..and not involving the joint. I am considering a joint supplement, but not sure if I should start with the basic yucca or move to a combination product. Have you tried a leg tightener product? I've ordered saratoga wraps and should get them this next week. I rode yesterday, than hosed his legs for 15 min. after work out. I have used ice on occassion too, but have not on a regular basis.
Member:
Cmitch

Posted on Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 - 10:04 pm:

Yes, the cold water is what I use too and it works. What types of leg tightner products? I used some stuff my vet gave me "EAF Gel" for sprains, kind of lik e a liniment. I didn't notice that it decreased the swelling at all. Also, make usre you polo wrap his legs, when you ride. Let me know the name of the leg tightner stuff...The standing wraps made a big difference, just make sure your vet shows you the proper way to wrap them-
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Apr 25, 2005 - 7:18 am:

Yes you are correct the synovial fluid comes from the flexor sheaths synovial lining and not from a joint. Treatments specifically for joint disease have not been well evaluated for their effect in tendon sheaths, and personally I have not seen a lot of response. If you think you have active inflammation in the sheath antiinflammatories are logical and for effective treatments see the article.
DrO
Member:
Rusty

Posted on Monday, Apr 25, 2005 - 8:15 am:

Thanks all. As for a tightener I was thinking an arnica base.
Member:
Maggienm

Posted on Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 - 10:12 am:

This problem seems to be the same as I am experiencing with my mare.
What purpose do the standing wraps have?
When I ride now I do polo wrap the back legs. this reduces the swelling.

Am I correct that it is important to minimize swelling as once the tissues are stretched they swell more easily?
Member:
Angel77

Posted on Monday, Jun 20, 2005 - 4:18 am:

Dear Lori,

My horse used to stock up and be really stiff for the first 10 minutes when he was stalled in a 12X12 barn stall in both hind legs. Only one hind leg would stock up with slight stiffness in a 12X24 mare motel(actual barn).

I moved him to a 24X48 open pipe 1/4 covered and he never stocks up even after jumping 4'. I don't even have to wrap him. I do have about 16" of wood chips and shavings so the footing is excellent.

But if you move to an open pipe corral please take my advice and check every inch of the corral for anything protruding everyday you live there.

I hope your horse gets better soon. Good Luck
New Member:
chappy

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 3:25 pm:

I have a 2yr old standardbred filly. Lately she has started swelling from her cornet band up her legs, it stops under knees and hocks. when she jogs it comes down but is swelled again the next day. No changes in her diet. No heat in them and she is sound. Any idea what to do? Cold water therapy is helping plus bute.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008 - 7:15 am:

Welcome jaime,
You will find the causes and treatments of Stocking Up in horses at, Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Stocking Up: Cool Swellings of the Lower Legs. You will also find many discussions on this condition in the forum in that topic. If after reading the article you still have questions you should start a new discussion, the button is at the bottom of the already existing discussions.
DrO
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