Windgalls in Horses

Windgalls in horses is a term used to describe swelling found at the back of the fetlock. They are found on both front and hind legs but more commonly on the hind legs. The swellings on the whole are usually not hot, painful or the cause of lameness and are associated with general wear and tear issue. This blog article gives a brief introduction to windgalls in horses and outlines how ice wraps may help.

What are Windgalls in Horses?

Windgalls are soft or hard swellings found at the back of the fetlock. They are seen in any breed and are more commonly associated with the heavier stamps or older horses. They can be large or small. There are two types of Wingalls. Articular, which suggests joint involvement, the small pouches at the back of the fetlock joint get distended, and non-articular with suggests more of a tendinous windgall, and this occurs at the location of the pouch of the tendon sheath. See picture below for both locations:

You can usually see and feel windgalls, and it’s important to check and feel your horse’s legs regularly. This allows you to learn what’s normal for your horse, as well as when something changes or isn’t quite right. 

Windgalls do not normally feel hot and do not normally cause lameness. Windgalls are often benign and do not cause the horse any pain. However, you should seek the advice of your vet if you are unsure, if you notice any heat or changes in your horse’s legs or if the horse is lame. 

What Causes Windgalls in Horses?

Horses that are in hard work are more likely to develop windgalls. Furthermore, working on the same type of surface or doing the same kind of work all the time can cause and aggravate windgalls.

The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) are contained wtihin a digitial flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) which runs down the back of the leg creating a tunnel for the two tendons. The DFTS is lined by a synovial membrane which creates fluid to reduce the friction between the tendons as they expand and contract. If the tendons become injured or inflamed, more fluid is produced as the body tries to repair and this is what we call a windgall. In some instances a tendinous windgall may arise due to an annular ligament issue, and it was for this issue that Cryochaps ice boots were developed as the vet recommended icing every time the horse was exercised.

Understanding what causes windgalls and when they appear, disappear or get particularly large will be of great benefit to your horse’s legs. When an excessive amount of strain goes through the legs like when jumping or fast work, this stretches the tendons and ligaments in the lower leg to the max. High impact work can cause or aggravate windgalls, which is why it is important to carefully manage your horse’s warm-up, cool-down and workload. 

Managing Windgalls

Horses’ legs are not designed to carry their weight (plus that of the rider and tack!) at high speeds, over jumps and through tight twists and turns. All of this puts strain on the horse’s legs, and windgalls are a symptom of this wear and tear. If the windgalls reduce in size after exercise they are not thougth to be of concern. Horse owners should aim to manage the stress put on the horse’s lower leg structures. If the windgalls gradually increase in size or suddenly increase in size it is recommended to get the vet involved.

Allowing your horse to warm up and cool down effectively is vital. Using our ice wraps after exercise is one way of enhancing your horse’s cool down routine. Ensuring your horse has enough rest and a varied exercise regime can also help with the prevention and management of windgalls. Working your horse on different surfaces and avoiding doing too much of the same exercise is also important.   

Purchase Cryochaps Ice Wraps for Horses

Using our ice wraps for horses may help you to manage your horse’s windgalls. The Cryochaps K2F ice wrap is designed to cover all the major structures in the horse’s lower leg and deliver ice and compression after exercise, including jumping sessions and competitions. Cryochaps ice wraps use the power of ice and compression to target those puffy windgalls. See if using Cryochaps after jumping make a difference to your horse’s legs.