Have you ever brought your horse in from the field or entered their stable and discovered that they have a swollen leg and/or the leg feels warm to touch?Noticing thatyour horse has a swollenlimb(or sometimes more than one) is something that most owners have experienced at one point or another.Some swellings are innocuous, while others are potentially a sign of something serious and could lead to a claim on your horse health insurance policy.Either way, it can be a worrying time for horse owners and riders and its important to know how to deal with a swollen leg.Possible causes of a swollen legHeat and swelling in your horses legs are relatively common and there are several possible causes.It may be something as simple as fluid build-up from standing in the stable for prolonged periods or could be more serious, such as a tendon injury.If your horses leg (or several legs) are swollen there could be a number of causes, including:Long periods of confinement, such as standing still in a stable, after exercise.Not having enough freedom to move around in generalHaving too much protein in their dietBruisingOverexposure to moistureOverfeeding/obesityTrauma/ injury to the limbInfectionInsect biteScrapes/woundsInflammation of the skinInflammation of the tissueAn allergic reactionInflammation of the vesselsAbscessesHow to assess a swollen legIf you notice that your horse has swelling in a limb, the first thing to do is assess it to decide whether it requires veterinary attention by doing the following:Firstly, check the swelling by slowly running your hands over the swollen leg to feel for any heat and gently palpate the region to identify any tenderness.If your horse flinches in response to your touch or his skin feels warmer in these areas compared to elsewhere on his legs, they may be experiencing an acute inflammatory reaction.If neither heat nor pain accompanies your horses swelling, they probably have a non-acute condition, such as windgalls or filled legs.An acute swelling thats warm and tender to the touch suggests a recent injury or a developing infection.With infection, the area may feel hot and be painful to touch, so its worth checking your horses temperature and look carefully for any wounds such as small puncture wounds or any cuts that are oozing.An acute or new swelling, especially if accompanied by heat and in just one leg or that is affecting a joint, is a reason to call your vet, as is swelling associated with lameness.Types of swellingCellulitisAlso called septic cellulitis, cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body, but in horses the infection commonly occurs in one of the hind legs. Cellulitis typically starts with sudden swelling that is warm and painful to the touch. Veterinary attention is required. Dr Aoife Byrne discusses more about this sinister cause of a swollen leg here.LymphangitisLymphangitisis inflammation of the lymph vessels most usually in the limbs and typically appears as a hot, painful, extremely swollen limb, usually the hind leg. Severe lymphangitis can be difficult to treat and requires veterinary attention.OedemaOedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid under the skin that has settled to the lowest point of the body. They are usually painless and will disappear with increased circulation of the lymphatic system.StrainsSprains and strains involving tendons, ligaments or a joint capsule will often produce inflammation, pain, swelling and lameness, and require immediate veterinary attention.WindgallsWindgalls are residual inflammations from old tendon and ligament injuries. They usually occur on the back of the leg, at or just above fetlock level.Windgallsnormally occur on both hind legs, although they occasionally appear on just one leg and sometimes can also be found in the front legs. They are usually painless and will often disappear during exercise and movement.Hoof abscessFootabscessesare associated with sudden onset severe lameness and often cause legs to fill due to the inflammatory processes occurring in the foot. Your vet and/or farrier should be called out to locate and release the infection from the abscess, after which the foot should be poulticed to draw out any remaining infection.Filled legsFilled legs is the term used to describe a condition in which the length of a horses leg (more commonly the hind pair) appear swollen.Its often the result of the horse standing in his stable for longer than normal and not doing enough exercise. Once the horse has started moving, the swelling often dissipates.Degenerative joint diseaseDJD is the most common type of arthritis in horses. It is a chronic disease in which the cartilage on the ends of bones wears down, resulting in loss of joint mobility, swelling, heat and pain.ArthritisArthritis is very common in horses, especially in theageing population. It is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and inflammation. Over time, the inflammation damages the cartilage within a joint beyond repair, leading to chronic pain.What your vet will doIf you do need to call the vet, which is always a good idea if you arent sure what the cause is or how serious it might potentially be, the first thing your vet will do is ask you questions about your horses overall health, the signs of their condition and their severity, how long they have lasted, and any related medical history.The vet will then perform a physical examination of your horse, assessing and feeling their legs and joints, and possibly watching the horse walk and trot in order to assess any lameness.Your vet may also check your horses temperature and may opt to X-ray or scan your horses legs if injury or disease is likely.In the case of wounds, its also worth telling your vet when your horse last had a tetanus shot.How to treat a swollen legFor mild cases of swelling that have been assessed by your vet and arent linked to a specific injury or illness, the following treatments may be advised:Cold water/ ice bootsHosing your horses legs with cold water for up to 20 minutes will help to reduce any heat and inflammation while also offering a gentle massaging effect. Ice boots can also help to reduce heat and swelling follow the manufacturers instructions for correct usage times.Treating woundsIf the swelling and/ or heat is associated with a wound or abscess, your vet may want to clean and possibly stitch the wound, and drain, thoroughly clean and possibly poultice any abscess your horse may have.MedicationIn cases of cellulitis or lymphangitis, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. They may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications for any pain and swelling.Massage and bandagingIn order to improve the circulation and help any fluid dissipate, regular gentle massage can stimulate the circulation of blood in. your horses legs.Support bandages can be applied overnight when the horse is stabled to help prevent fluid accumulation.Be careful, however, not to wrap the bandage unevenly or too tightly, which can damage tendons.Always apply at least a one-inch thick layer of quilting underneath the wrap. If you are unsure of your bandaging skills, ask someone experienced for guidance.Get your horse movingExercise, daily turnout, regular sessions on the horse walker and/or in-hand walking will all help to encourage any swelling to dissipate and prevent accumulation of fluid.Basically, the more you can do to keep your horse moving especially at times of year when they might be stabled for longer periods of time the better.Check your horses dietFat horses or those on a diet too high in protein can suffer from swollen limbs, so its worth speaking to your nutritionist to check your horses diet is appropriate for his condition and current workload.Remember, it is in every horse, pony and donkeys interests to be #FitNotFat, and every equine owner has a responsibility to their charges to help them remain in peak health.Main image ShutterstockRelated contentHow to tell if a horse is lameChecking a horses vital signs *VIDEO*Impaction and gassy colic in horses explained5 things your horses vet really wishes you wouldnt doThe post Swollen legs in horses: possible causes and how to manage it appeared first on Your Horse.