ASKHQ: ERGOTS

Q: What’s an ergot? A: Some horses have a small callous on the underside of their fetlock known as an ergot. These ergots might be on all four legs, a couple of legs or none at all. They vary in size and are often more prominent on horses with lots of feathers. It is thought…

BylizzieJuly 30, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

UNDERSTANDING WINDGALLS, PART 4

Avoiding the development of windgalls There are three major ways to prevent your horse from developing windgalls. These are as follows: Ensure that your horse (particularly young or heavy horses) is not overworked and that any work is done on soft, even surfaces. Make sure that your horse is properly trimmed or shod. …

BylizzieApril 25, 20210Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

UNDERSTANDING WINDGALLS, PART 2

Causes of windgalls Windgalls are the result of irritation of the joint surfaces or joint capsules, causing excessive production and reduced absorption of synovial fluid. The following are examples of contributing factors to windgalls in horses: Overworking a young or heavy horse, particularly on hard surfaces. Heavy breed types, like cobs, are more susceptible to…

BylizzieApril 23, 20210Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

UNDERSTANDING WINDGALLS, PART 1

Windgall, or windpuff, is the term used to describe the soft swelling seen just above the fetlocks or the forelegs and hind legs of typically older or harder-working horses. The term refers to either an enlargement of the fetlock joint capsule (an articular windgall) or an enlargement of the digital flexor tendon sheath (a non-articular…

BylizzieApril 22, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ROADWORK – WORTH DOING OR NOT?

Recent research now suggests that particularly trotting horses on tar roads leads to more incidences of lameness than was originally thought. The benefits of riding on roads are that they are flat, generally even surfaces and many people have previously suggested that roadwork is good for joint, tendon and bone health. However, the new research shows…

BylizzieOctober 6, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: CLICKING FETLOCKS

Q: My horse's fetlocks click when I pick up his feet. What could it be? A: Clicking joints and fetlocks are fairly common in horses, and are generally speaking nothing to worry about. Clicking joints in horses are very similar to clicking joints like knuckles and knees in humans, where sudden expansion of the joint creates…

BylizzieSeptember 13, 20190Comments

ASKHQ: ERGOTS

UNDERSTANDING WINDGALLS, PART 4

UNDERSTANDING WINDGALLS, PART 2

UNDERSTANDING WINDGALLS, PART 1

ROADWORK – WORTH DOING OR NOT?

ASKHQ: CLICKING FETLOCKS

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