Anyone else come across this? It’s so mild, I wouldn’t even call it stocking up. A few days of previcox/ equi-ox helps. Any other suggestions. There’s also some stiffness nobody else would notice except, well, mom.
Yes, mine (18 y/o TB) is prone to stocking up and gets puffy in extreme heat. He has had episodes of lymphangitis and cellulitis so he has a standard degree of puffiness but it is more evident in the extreme temps. In the summer, I think it’s a combination of stomping flies, standing under fans, and standing around more because it’s too hot to move. This past winter he started stocking up in the cold, not sure what that was about 
I also notice a bit of stiffness, due to not moving as much I think. Because of the history of lymph issues, I try to keep mine in work at least 3-4 days a week. It’s tough right now with this abysmal humidity, but the filling comes down with exercise and moving helps the stiffness. I have mine on flax meal, flax oil, lysine, and MSM to help with skin, immune, and inflammatory issues. I also sweat the leg if it’s being very persistent. I checked twice for Cushing’s but negative both times. Depending on other symptoms, filling in the legs can be a sign of Cushing’s.
Is yours older/have a history of stocking up? I think horses who are stalled or out 24/7 are equally bothered by the heat in one way or another. The summer is tough.
Funny you say this. I’ve been noticing the name on my 14 year old. She’s prone to wind puffs, etc. But all four legs have looked the tiniest bit puffy all week in the sweltering temps. I don’t think someone unfamiliar with her would even notice. She’s sound, comfortable, normal TPR, etc. I haven’t been riding much because of the aforementioned sweltering temps, but she was fine on last ride.
I’ve been wondering it’s because of what @firefoot mentioned: spending most of the day under her fan without moving.
So no tips, but definitely seeing it, too…
Yes, in extreme cold as well. Yes, he’s 20 now and borderline cushings per his recent TRH stim. test.
(Just one I’d like to be able to type TRH stim. test or bushings and not have to fix the auto correct. It’s not bushings, it’s not cushions… damnit).
I may order the pergolyde and see if a tiny dose helps make him more comfortable. He’s supposed to be getting MSM 2x day but I can tell from the smell of his manure that’s not happening. He didn’t move around much these last 2 days but today in the indoor free lunging he’d rather have stood in the middle and get affection instead of move out. Had to put him on the line and send him on his way to get anything accomplished. 20 minutes of trot got the legs down to what Id’ call his normal.
I would talk to your vet but seriously consider putting him on Pergolide if he’s Cushingoid. I am very glad my horse does not have Cushing’s, but in a way, it would be nice to be able to give him a medication to manage his symptoms (he had several Cushing’s symptoms but I tested twice!). A friend had a young-senior horse diagnosed with mild Cushing’s after similar symptoms of just mild stocking up and peeing a lot. I think the low dose of the Pergolide has helped it a lot.
You can tell he’s getting MSM from his manure smell? You have a powerful olfactory sense!! Mine gets MSM (I feed it to him so he definitely gets it) but I can’t tell from his manure. I can definitely smell antibiotic poop though.
I have found movement is the best medicine for this issue, at least for my guy. But if it seems like the inflammation cycle is getting out of hand, a day or two of bute might help.
Edited to add that I keep mine wrapped behind in the stall. Can’t believe I forgot to say that. He is in during the day, about 8 hours, and is wrapped in regular no-bows or Back on Track no-bows. I think wrapping helps a lot, though I do it mostly because of the lymphangitis history. In better weather, I just use the BoT quick wraps. Wrapping this consistently is new as of this summer, we’ll see if I keep it up, but in the heat, it seems to help. Minor stocking up might not warrant it…
Yes. My now 25 yr old TWH has had summer puffing up issues for a few years. He’s had plenty of blood work that shows he’s “normal”.
In terms of stocking up, he has been fine this year. But one ankle has puffed up ever so slightly and I’m blaming that on him eating something in the pasture that broke him out in hives. He seems to be at a point where anything that upsets his digestive system goes to his back legs and I only see it in the summer heat-humidity.
JUST this morning I have been texting with an owner about her horse. Both hinds quite windpuffy. The horse is new to the barn so I don’t know his history, and owner is… not very horse savvy. 
I poulticed his legs and will wrap tomorrow if still swollen. Cold hosing, too. Reassuring to see others are dealing with the same thing in heat/humidity…
Mine was a little puffy in her legs yesterday. She’s fairly active in her paddock, but the recent heat and humidity has just floored her, and also made her allergies worse, and the Evil Bugs have arrived, so it’s no wonder she isn’t moving around much. I am also unable to ride at this time, and can only lead her short distances so that doesn’t help either.
I Definetly see more wind puffs in the hot muggy weather. For mine it’s due to just hanging around in the stalls, away from the bugs.
I notice this every year in my older horses. I don’t consider it particularly worrisome as it seems to resolve when the weather improves and everyone seems to start moving out into the pasture again. I certainly find I retain lots of excess fluid in humid weather myself.
