Filled legs

[racaille]

When Paco was stabled at night he used to get fat legs, which disappeared with turnout/exercise. Now he is out 24/7 and the condition went away. But very recently he has been presenting filled legs in the morning again. Again, it gets better with exercise although I think his fetlocks are slightly squashier than they used to be.

I know this is probably a movement thing - he doesn't move around in the paddock a great deal at night. I put the boys' hay out in several piles to encourage them to move but it's long gone by morning and P will be standing still waiting for the sunshine.

I've read that this can be caused by a different hay (yes, it's a new bale, from my guy but all the bales are different, from different fields) and I've noticed that this one has a very low/non-existant luzerne content so lower protein than usual, which can also be linked to stocking up. (And he is 16 so no spring chicken)

I'll monitor him, particularly when I change the bale at the w/e.

But what are your thoughts?

[solomon]

Pete's legs fill overnight. Asked vet about it recently and she said not to worry about it!

[brigadier]

Some horses legs are more prone to filling, sometimes Im doing nothing different but opening a new bale and one or the other will have slightly larger legs, but it does always seem to go off once they have a walk. I did ride a mare once whose legs were huge unless stable bandages were used, but she was getting on a bit. It was a real faff having to bandage her every night but it did help as it was real elaphantitis if I didnt. I reckon the change in hay may have triggered your lad off Rac as he must potter about a bit during the night.

[zara]

Both my boys get filled fetlocks on the back when stabled. I know P is out so not easy to boot up and prob not necessary but I use Thermatex leg wraps which help with puffiness but also have stopped them getting mud fever x

[racaille]

But this morning he is perfectly fine! I am inclining to the different hay theory, it is very soft and long, quite unlike the 'usual' stuff and if I didn't know better I'd say it was Alpine hay.

[ceej]

I think you answered your own question in the first post! I didnt know it could be hay related!

[racaille]

I had a chat with the vet yesterday when he came to vaccinate the boys and he wasn't bothered at all. He had a good feel of P's legs and found nothing worrying (equally, he said P's back was fine which is always good to know ;D) and agreed with the movement/hay theory.

I can stop worrying now ... until I find something else to fret about