Stringhalt

Stringhalt is the exaggerated movement of one or both hind limbs the abnormality is most evident at the walk

especially if asked to back it may disappear at the trot but can be seen sometimes at all paces the condition may be

intermittent and remain static or can deteriate it usually occurs in adult horses is gradual in onset, and may be

slowly progressive. Unless the gait is abnormally severe the horse can perform adequately,though not in dressage.

Lymphangitis

Inflammation of the lymphatic vessels often resulting from streptococcal infection, in horses 3 forms occur

Epizootic,(caused by a fungus, occurs mostly asia, africa )notifiable, Ulcerative (bacterial) Glanders,

notifiable, endemic asia east africa parts south america the condition is due to the entrance and growth of the

glanders bacillus and is highly infective.

The non-infective lymphangitis used to be called monday morning disease, being seen in horses after a

weekend of no work and a rich diet. This is the one we are concered with here.

Widespread swelling of a limb below below the knee or hock occurs for a lot of reasons, a careful look a the region

of the leg is necessary to find the cause of the swelling, hind legs are more commonly affected than fore, and the

leg can be swollen to the stifle, the rectal temperature may be raised. The inflammation is often secondary to a low

grade infection of the leg on inspection an old wound is found usually very tiny, treatment is to reduce the soft

swelling and clear up the initial infection with antibiotics and cold hosing of the leg, careful vigilance of the hind

limbs after work for any cuts is necessary to prevent further problems.

Broken knees

Broken knees is the term used to describe cuts on the front of the knee caused by a fall onto the knees, it does not

imply that bones have been broken in the knee, the horse is usually moving when he falls and the knees scrap

along the ground tearing the skin and bruising badly there is usually a lot of loss of skin and bleeding, sometimes

a tendon that passes over the knee is torn this will give leakage to synovial fluid, the extent of the damage is only

possible after a thorough cleansing of the wound and all hair and debris removed antibiotics should be administered

to reduce the risk of infection, the wound heals by second intention this is the regrowth of skin from the edges of the

wound by granulation therefore constant movement of the edges impair healing, so restricting the horse to box rest

is advisable, if the tendon sheath has been damaged it might need surgical repair often it is too badly torn to do this

and must heal spontaneously this will take longer.

Hygroma

A Hygroma is an acquired bursa (swelling)on the front of the knee as a result of repetitive trauma such as banging the stable door, it is a cosmetic

blemish If the swelling is very large flexibility of the knee may be restricted, sometimes there is slight lameness, if the horse is rested for

several months the swelling usually diminishes and becomes firmer, your vet will advise the best treatment for your horse.

Capped elbow is a swelling on the point of the elbow usually caused by the horse catching the hind foot on the elbow on rising or lack

of thick bedding so the elbow is on the concrete floor

Capped hock

Capped hock is a acquired or false bursae these are synovia filled sacs which develope as a result of repetitive

low grade trauma, and are more of a cosmetic blemish that rarely cause lameness in the case of capped hocks they

are often the result of lying on hard ground with the hock scraping the ground on rising, once acquired these swellings

persist and may become increasingly firm and fibrous, unless a show horse treatment is unnecessary there are elasticated support

bandages available now that are quite good for the hock but great care most be taken that they are not to tight.

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