Windgalls

Hollymead

Hollymead

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Sep 19, 2004
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www.holtonhorsetherapy.co.uk
My mare suddenly developed windgalls in both hind legs (they're the fluidy swellings at the back of the leg, just above the fetlock joint) about 5 weeks ago, and they've refused to go! Somedays they are firmer and larger, others smaller and softer, but they are always there. She is not lame, pefectly happy for me to handle the legs & windgalls, and she doesn't do a lot of roadwork and is not stabled so I am at a complete loss as to a) why they developed and b) why they won't go. Any ideas anyone?
 
Well sometimes resting a horse can accumulate the fluid causing larger swelling, but I myself have never had a horse with Windgalls, possibly give your vet a call ?
 
Not too sure what actually causes windgalls but my horse has had them on her hind legs for the past 3 years and is perfectly fine. The vet has told me that they are fine and has warned me that I am only likely to have a problem with her if I was doing eventing etc with her. I take her on fun rides etc, long hacks and jump her and have had no problems.
 
my mare has also deveoped wind galls but i have put hers down to age. she also doesn't mind me handling her legs and isn't lame. unless your horse is lame or you plan on doing a heavy workload and/or showing then i wouldn't worry too much although a talk with the vet is generally not a bad thing.
 
Hollymead said:
She is worked 4 times a week, for 30-90 mins a time, normally 1 x road work, 1 x schooling, 1 x hacking and 1 x jumping. We are not showing at present, but will be again next summer, so I hope they have gone by then!
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i wouldn't have said that was a heavy workload. what age is your horse? if you are considering showing it is probably worth a chat with your vet. there may be an underlying problem...
 
that is young for windgalls in my opion and i would say its worth getting it checked out. my mare is 30 and i half expect things to go wrong :rolleyes:
 
We must be on the same brainwave! I was literally just about to post a thread regarding windgalls. My gelding is also 5, and has a small fluidy swelling on his fore tendon. He's not lame, has been field rested and still not gone away. It changes in size each day as you say, sometimes hardly there and others, its quite raised. But definetely hasn't "gone away" No heat, and he doesn't mind me prodding it. We have seen the vet, she actually scanned it and said it was just fluid there. Didn't seem concerned, just said to keep an eye on it. But didn't mention windgalls... Although lots of people on the yard have told me it most probably is. So rather confused I am! Because as someone said isn't 5 abit young to have windgalls?? Strange thing is aswell.. he's only just started light work (30 mins schooling/hacking in walk and trot at the most) and can't think of anything strenuous he could have done to have caused joint damage. Will watch this thread.
 
Kia had a windgall, it started when he had his bandages removed after his accident and the leg swelled up big time!! I had to bandage it every night with gamgee and cooling gel to bring it down. Worked really well for us!!

His is now down as far as it will go and when his feathers grow in I think that it will cover it but my secret weapon for going to shows next year is to bandage it overnight with epsom salts and cooling gel. That will bring it right down and should last for the day!!!;):D

Nikki xxxx
 
Once they're there they're there to stay, are usually harmless and don't usually bother the horse. Apparently some conformations are more prone to them than others, if your horse is cobby with more upright pasterns then that might have something to do with it. I've seen a never worked 3 year old with windgalls, I think it's just one of those things :)
 
Sounds like the culprit then, shouldn't be a problem but maybe just something to keep an eye on in the long term :)
 
Mine has windgalls, she's a 7yo in medium work; they don't bother her but are just unsightly. Bandaging overnight helps reduce them but they'll pop back up regardless. Have to say that she too has upright pasterns on smallish boxy backs (shod) , hadn't thought about that before now.
 
My horse had a bursa on his leg which the vet said would never go. We tried magnetic boots which reduced the bursa by half its size in 2 days. His legs also filled up with fluid over night which doesn't happen anymore as i keep the boots on every night. I haven't treid them on a horse with windgalls but maybe its worth a try?
 
Alex has had them from a young age. He was broken when i got him (3 1/2 - 4ish) and i dont know what had been done with him. Hes heavy, and walks heavy etc, so when he developed them i was told not to worry as for the size of him its not uncommon.

Im just more picky than others about the ground i work on, and after a long ride/hard work i cold hose them.

I show and it doesnt interfere, its only really considered if im neck and neck with someone and they need to find a fault.

Global herbs do a supplement for them but tbh im not sure if it works. Weve sold a few tubs to people but had no feedback
 
I thought my mare had wingalls so I tried bandaging overnight which bought the swelling down but poped back up during the day. Her hind legs had no heat and she wasn't lame. Got woried after 3 weeks of the being quite big so called vet. Found out she had a slight tear in her tendon. She is now on the 8th week of boxrest.
I would talk to vet and see what they say, could be an underlying problem.
 
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