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  Discussion on Windpuffs and blistering
Author Message
Member:
kaylab

Posted on Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - 11:01 am:

My trainer is trying to convince me to blister my horse because his fetlocks are swollen. This seems both barbaric and non-sensical. She's apparently boarded somewhere, seen it done, and thought it provided good results.

As I understand it, windpuffs are cosmetic and my horse's underlying, intermittent issues are due to a DrOpped fetlock (per my vet) and not any synovial fluid.

I am planning on saying NO...but am trying to make sure I have all of the possible information.
Member:
dres

Posted on Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - 11:51 am:

I'd say you are on the right track.. what does your vet say about blistering? Are you changing the support system /shoeing for the DrOpped fetlock?

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - 2:25 pm:

This idea makes me almost physically sick! From what I have read the biggest benefit of blistering (for instance to race horses) is that it helps the health care professional to justify a time off rest period due to the treatment, but if one would simply give the time off you could have the same result without putting the horse through additional pain and suffering. Another danger with the chemical blistering agents used is that horses like to rub their faces and eyes on their legs. If these agents get into the eyes they can cause serious damage. If I ever ran across a trainer who suggested this remedy I would run, and find another trainer.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - 2:38 pm:

Should have added that someone I know allowed a farrier to convince her to chemically blister her horse's leg a few years ago. It didn't help the problem and additionally the horse got very sick, including liver damage. Some blistering agents over the years have contained some dangerous ingredients and some of the blistering products have been recalled, after the damages were done.
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - 7:34 pm:

Kayla,

Is your horses "DrOpped fetlock" an old injury or a conformation problem? Front or back leg?

There are a variety of blisters on the market, there are also legpaints. I do not use severe blisters, but I do use cool ones very occasionally and I use them when I intend to give my horses a limited time off. You need to know your horse's skin sensitivity when using any type of preparation on a horses legs.

The best cool blister that I use is palmolive dish detergent. It causes a reaction on a horses legs, but does not "burn" them like red mercury. Most horses don't even know they have it on and you do not need a cradle or a bib. It brings circulation to the areas treated and one usually treats both legs. I have not used a hot blister in more than twenty-five years and I did not like using them even back then. But back then, I didn't have the Internet to do any research and when the vet said blister that's what I did.

I do use mild leg paints such as S-B solution and Ball solution which are mostly Iodine based preparations and I have had much success in certain situations using these. I use them to bring a little extra circulation to knees, hocks and occasionally legs ( especially s-b solution). These preparations can be used for a longer period of time and because of their fairly weak strength ( compared to a one time blister)the horses don't seem to mind these either.

I have certain horses, that can not handle anything on their legs or they get a reaction. I use a very diluted 1 part alchohol/10 parts water when I do their legs up when they train and race. I could just use water, but it makes me feel better to put something in it.

The reason I asked about your horse's conformation is some horses rundown and they get a sore on the back of the ankle, this may or may not cause some fill in the ankle which may look like windpuffs, but actually come from the irritation from the sore.

What happens if you do him up in leg wraps, do the windpuffs go away?

Good luck with your horse
Rachelle
Member:
kaylab

Posted on Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - 10:04 pm:

DrOpped fetlock is probably part conformation and part abuse. The horse in question was a serious, high level jumper earlier in his life. But we don't really know.

Mostly, he moves sound. But he's retired from any jumping and I sometimes worry about the dressage work I do with him, so i try to not school too many 20m circles.

I haven't tried wrapping him. What kind of wraps?

When he was examined for the fetlock issue, the vet said everything he palpated actually felt good. I'm not convinced the puffiness is beyond horse-normal.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 24, 2008 - 7:40 am:

I think nonsensical and barbaric covers your trainer's thoughts nicely. For more on windpuffs and our recommendations kayla see, Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Stocking Up: Cool Swellings of the Lower Legs.
DrO
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Friday, Oct 24, 2008 - 7:09 pm:

Kayla,

Can you get a picture of this gelding's DrOpped fetlock? and what kind of abuse do you think caused this problem?

As far as bandaging goes and since you are unfamiliar with it. I would start with diluted alcohol under a pair of polo wraps. Use both hands to rub on the diluted alcohol in a downward motion over the windpuffs and wrap with the polo wraps so they are snug but not tight. I wish I could show you a video. A picture ( video) is worth a thousand words.

Here's my best explanation of how to do it with the polo wraps. If you buy them new you will have to roll them correctly or the velcro will be in the wrong place. The end without the velcro should be on the outside. Roll the bandage on the leg and catch the end of the first wrap so it stays in place, roll the next wrap part of the way down and under the ankle (for support) and then start rolling up the leg so about half of the previous wrap gets covered as you go up the leg. End the wrapping with the velcro at the top. I remember when I started wrapping legs, it took me about 20 times to get it right, but that was with regular standing bandages and wraps. you do not want to cord ( cut off the circulation in the tendon) by putting the bandages on incorrectly.
With polo wraps there is only one piece to have to worry about and as long as they are not too tight, you won't have a problem. After a while, you'll be able to tell if they are on right, because they will stay on and not fall down on the leg.

I know I saw a video of someone wrapping legs with no bow standing bandages and stall wraps and if I can find out where I saw it. I'll post the link.

Rachelle
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Saturday, Oct 25, 2008 - 7:08 pm:

Kayla, When my horse was recently ill and had leg swelling I used ice wraps or hosing and exercise (turn out or hand-walking) to get the swelling down. Another thing that worked great was rubbing the legs with Witch Hazel. In my horse's case the standing wraps (over anti-swelling agent) were of limited and very temporary help and you do have to be very careful if you don't know how to do it because the legs may swell more after you wrap and you can bow a tendon if you do it wrong. You do not want to pull the wrap against the back of the leg and you also do not want lumps -- keep it smooth.
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