Swollen Horse Legs: 7 Common Causes & What To Do | Draw It Out®

Common Causes of Swelling in a Horse’s Leg — What It Means & What To Do | Draw It Out®
Draw It Out® | Leg Care 101

Common Causes of Swelling in a Horse’s Leg

Swelling happens—from long hauls to hard works to true emergencies. Here’s a calm, rider-first guide to spotting what you’re looking at, what to do first, and when to call your vet. No burn, no sting, no drama.

First 60-Second Check

  • One leg or many? Single-leg swelling is more suspicious than both hinds after a night in.
  • Heat & pain? Feel with the back of your hand. Is it warm? Does the horse resent touch?
  • Lameness? Walk straight, turn, and back a step. Sudden, marked lameness = call your vet.
  • Wounds? Look for cuts, punctures, or scabs—especially around the fetlock/coronet.
  • Fever? If you have a temp: ≥101.5°F with a hot, painful leg suggests infection—call your vet.
Jump to Quick Care Vet Red Flags

Frequent Causes of Leg Swelling

Cause Typical Signs First Steps (Barn-Simple) Call the Vet When…
Stocking Up (inactivity edema) Both hinds (often), cool to touch, minimal pain; improves with movement Hand-walk 10–15 min; IceBath™ 1:10 sponge; thin coat of DiO 16oz Gel; clean standing wraps if your program calls for it Doesn’t improve in 24–48 hrs or becomes warm/painful
Windpuffs (tendon sheath effusion) Soft, cool “puffs” around fetlocks; usually not lame Monitor; keep work and footing reasonable; post-work cool & light support as above New, asymmetric, or painful swelling; lameness appears
Tendon/Ligament Strain Warm, tender swelling; “bowed” look; variable lameness Rest; cool with IceBath™; targeted CryoSpray®; light DiO Gel; stall confinement per vet Any moderate–severe heat/pain or obvious bow—vet ASAP
Cellulitis/Lymphangitis Sudden one-leg swelling, hot, painful; possible fever; horse may be very lame Keep horse quiet; do not delay care; light cool if tolerated Emergency: call your vet immediately
Joint Effusion/Synovitis Puffy joint (carpus, hock, fetlock, stifle); variable heat/pain Cool post-work; controlled exercise; footing management Warm/painful joint, lameness, or any penetrating wound near a joint
Hoof Abscess Sudden severe lameness; bounding digital pulse; possible coronary band “pimple” Stall, protect hoof; consult vet/farrier; do not dig blindly Lameness is severe or horse won’t bear weight
Wounds/Punctures Obvious cut; swelling/ooze; contamination Clean around (not in) wound; protect; cool nearby tissue—not inside open wounds Deep/near a joint/tendon sheath or anything you can “probe” → emergency
Insect Bites/Allergy Localized puffs or hives; mild heat/itch Rinse sweat; cool; consider fly control; monitor Swelling spreads, involves face/airway, or horse seems distressed
Travel/Heat Edema After hauling or hot days; often both hinds; mild heat Walk out; IceBath™; CryoSpray® hot spots; thin DiO Gel; hydration (Hydro-Lyte™ tips) Doesn’t resolve with routine or becomes painful
Systemic Causes (rare) Generalized edema, lethargy, other signs Observe, record temps, call vet guidance Any whole-body/rapidly worsening swelling

This guide supports decision-making in the barn; it doesn’t replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Care Routine (When It’s Not an Emergency)

  1. Cool: Sponge or spray IceBath™ at 1:10 for 60–90 seconds; air dry—no rinse.
  2. Target: Apply CryoSpray® to hot tendons/ligaments or big muscles; let dry.
  3. Support: Thin, even layer of Draw It Out® 16oz Gel. Wrap if that’s your normal program, using clean, dry standing wraps.
Cooling Playbook Shop Equine Line

Keep products out of eyes and open/deep wounds. Check legs at each wrap change.

Wraps: When & How

  • When: Stocking up, travel days, or per your rehab plan. Avoid wrapping over open wounds.
  • How: Even tension from mid-cannon down and back up; no wrinkles or roping.
  • Check: Remove/retighten at least every 12 hours; legs should be cooler/flatter, not hotter.
Consistency beats intensity

Red Flags — Call Your Vet

  • Non-weight-bearing or rapidly worsening lameness
  • Hot, painful swelling with fever (≥101.5°F)
  • Deep cuts or punctures, especially near joints/tendon sheaths
  • Swelling that climbs the limb quickly or doesn’t improve in 24–48 hrs
  • Any penetrating wound to a joint/hoof; suspected hoof abscess with severe pain

When in doubt, stable the horse, keep it quiet, and call your veterinarian.

FAQ

How do I tell stocking up from cellulitis?
Stocking up is usually cool, painless, and often in both hinds after stall time—improves with walking. Cellulitis is hot, painful, usually one leg, and may come with fever/lameness. Call your vet for suspected cellulitis.
Is cold hosing better than IceBath™?
Use what you have. IceBath™ provides an efficient, no-rinse whole-body cool; cold hosing targets one area. Many barns do both: quick IceBath™ pass, then targeted CryoSpray®.
Can I ride a horse with mild swelling?
If it’s cool, painless, and there’s no lameness, light work may help stocking up. If there’s heat, pain, or any lameness—skip work and consult your vet.
Do your products burn or have a strong smell?
No. Draw It Out® is sensation-free and fragrance-free—no menthol burn, no alcohol sting, no perfumes or dyes.
Can I wrap over Draw It Out® Gel?
Yes. Apply a thin, even layer and use clean, dry wraps. Check legs at each change.
Traveling tomorrow—how can I prevent swelling?
Pre-trip walk and thin DiO Gel on legs; haul with safe leg protection; offer water/electrolytes per label; walk out on arrival; quick IceBath™ and CryoSpray®; wrap overnight if that’s your program.

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