Ground getting harder as 28c+ hits for a week
Keep an eye for windgalls (puffiness above the fetlocks at the rear) as this is the joint's way of saying 'ouch'. Soft windgalls are less serious than hard ones, but beware that soft windgalls can turn hard if the joints are continued to be pounded without appropriate care and action taken. Windgalls behind usually cause less issues than front ones.
With 5 more days of hot and dry weather, certainly in the south east, the ground is getting harder.
Keep an eye for windgalls (puffiness above the fetlocks at the rear) as this is the joint's way of saying 'ouch'.
Keep an eye for windgalls (puffiness above the fetlocks at the rear) as this is the joint's way of saying 'ouch'.
Between the ages of 14 and 22yo I must've competed on 40+ horses and I can only remember one of them having no windgalls, and that was Mountain Lore owned by Major and the Hon Claudia Allhusen. His stable name was "Bill" and although he'd crib and wind suck for Brittain, his legs were as clean as a show champion, despite the pounding he gave his joints over Novice and Intermediate courses, often on pretty solid going.
Windgalls occur as the joints try to cushion the pounding on the ground as they secrete too much joint fluid and are more often seen behind than in front in jumping horses. My mother was never worried to see smallish puffy windgalls behind but she'd always give special treatment to the front ones, especially if they were becoming firm. It would be my daily job to hose them for a good 15 mins each daily and she'd often threaten to withdraw me from events if they hadn't softened considerably and shrunk. Corner cutting on this particular task was futile!!!
Nowadays there are many different things that can be done and still give you time for a social life!!!
Ice boots, hosing and tailor made supplements can all help you get the most out of your horse without causing unnecessary 'wear and tear'. There are specific ingredients that assist circulation as well as those that help regenerate connective tissues, so by making ingredients additions and / or editing their %s we can tailor make a Circ / Joint Bespoke to suit the individual situation. So please let us formulators know either through your bespoke page or 01359 308866 if you need our help.
