Every owner should know their pony’s legs. Every day before and after you ride you should feel the legs from top to toe, to find any changes.
Feel your pony’s legs for lumps, bumps, heat and swelling. If you find a new bump that you haven’t noticed before, then call your vet. Similarly, if you feel heat call the vet. Swelling is more tricky, as it can be normal for some ponies’ legs to swell a bit after standing in a stable all night. This is particularly the case in older ponies. However, if your pony’s legs don’t normally swell; if the swelling doesn’t go down after some time in the paddock or a bit of exercise; if you can feel any heat in the area; or if your pony has a temperature, this suggests a more sinister issue and your vet should be called.
