Why Do Horses Get Filled Legs?

Filled legs is the term used to describe a condition where the length of a horse’s legs (more commonly the hind pair) appear swollen. It’s often the result of the horse standing in his stable for longer than normal and not doing enough exercise.

What causes equine leg fills?

Caused by inactivity and reduced lymph flow, this “stocking up” is usually not serious and will dissipate as the horse is exercised. It’s more common in older horses and can affect all four legs, though stocking up is often seen only in the hind legs.

How do I stop my horses legs from being filled?

Gentle exercise such as walking in hand or on a horse walker can reduce the swelling and bandaging the legs can prevent the legs filling when standing in the stable. Turning the horse out will help too. If lameness is seen do contact the vet for further advice.

Can too much protein cause horses legs to swell?

Causes of Swollen Leg in Horses
Causes can include: Stall confinement after exercise. Not enough exercise. Excessive protein in diet.

How do you stop lactic acid build up in horses?

Burning fat for fuel lowers lactic acid levels
Fat, when used as an energy source (as compared to starches and protein), contributes to a decrease in lactic acid buildup in the muscle. Horses conditioned to use fat as energy have more stamina and recover faster after exercise.

Can too much protein cause laminitis?

A diet high in protein is often thought to contribute to conditions such as laminitis, colic, tying up and excitability. In truth, it’s high levels of starch and sugar that present a nutritional risk factor for such conditions, not protein.

Can grass make horses legs swell?

In your instance, however, the filling occurs when your horse is standing in or is at grass during certain times of the year. In these situations, the condition is called ‘humour’ or ‘stocking up’, and vets use the term ‘oedema’ to describe this.

How do you treat swollen legs in horses?

Apply an ice pack under an adhesive bandage for 20 minutes three or four times a day for the first 48 hours. In between ice treatments, injured tendons should be bandaged to limit tissue swelling – bandage with a firm, uniform pressure but do not apply bandages too tightly as this can lead to further tendon damage.

What causes legs to swell huge?

Leg swelling isn’t always a sign of a heart or circulation problem. You can have swelling due to fluid buildup simply from being overweight, being inactive, sitting or standing for a long time, or wearing tight stockings or jeans. Factors related to fluid buildup include: Acute kidney failure.

What are symptoms of a horse being protein deficient?

Easy-to-spot symptoms of protein deficiency in horses include:

• Flagging Stamina.
• Poor hoof growth.
• Poor hair quality.
• Loss of muscle mass.
• Poor growth as identified by lower average daily gain.
• Reduced milk production in lactating mares.

How do you stop a horse from bulging?

It normally feels a little bit like the shoulder is “bulging” underneath you instead of staying under the horse’s body. To prevent this, most riders make the mistake of using more left (inside) rein to try and straighten the horse.

How do you treat a stocked up horse?

Treating stocking up is easy—you simply need to get your horse moving. Ride him, walk him by hand or turn him out with a pasture mate. With activity, swelling will usually diminish within the hour. Don’t miss out!

Does laminitis cause swollen legs?

Horses may exhibit increased digital pulses, increased hoof temperatures, swelling in the limbs, constant weight shifting, subtle or obvious lameness, a stance indicating discomfort, unwillingness to move, and reluctance to rise.

What are the signs of rhabdomyolysis in horses?

Excessive sweating, quick, shallow breathing, rapid heart rate, and muscle tremors are also noticed. In extreme cases, horses may be reluctant or refuse to move and may produce discolored urine due to the release of myoglobin from damaged muscle tissue.

What are the symptoms of equine metabolic syndrome?

Clinical signs associated with EMS include obesity, difficulty losing weight, easily gaining weight and the development of fatty deposits, particularly in the crest of the neck. EMS horses may also have increased inflammatory responses.

How do you stop lactic acid build up in horses?

Burning fat for fuel lowers lactic acid levels
Fat, when used as an energy source (as compared to starches and protein), contributes to a decrease in lactic acid buildup in the muscle. Horses conditioned to use fat as energy have more stamina and recover faster after exercise.

What is compartment syndrome in horses?

Compartment syndrome is a condition in which high pressure within a closed fascial space reduces capillary blood perfusion below a level necessary for tissue viability. From: Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse (Second Edition), 2011.