Ahhhhh, Bean’s leg gets stocked up, and like most of us who are attentive, even considered in some circles to be obsessive (clearly not by horse people), I know his every quirky peculiarity (mental as well as physical), and then some.
So, it’s come as no surprise that I made it a point to learn about his “tied-in-behind on his left front” condition, which is the term used to describe the distorted angle of the ligaments and tendons located behind the knee parallel to the cannon bone that in Bean’s case becomes swollen periodically.
Yet, even with the help of my trusted farrier who keeps him as balanced as possible in order to relieve the pressure higher up, the inflammation makes a predictable appearance nevertheless. The good news - he’s very rarely lame, which helps keep me sleeping at night, even though I’d prefer his legs were a textbook match all the same.
And, my guess? I’m not alone in this. In fact, I can think of at least a dozen horses in similar situations with as many owners, who like me, routinely stand around in puddles of cold water with all the hosing we do. And, while it’s almost a standard part of horse life, I’ll bet many of us out there really don’t know why we’re doing what we’re doing, which is the thing that prompted me to turn to my friend and expert soft tissue guy, Dallas O. Goble, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, to find out; what exactly is “stocking up,” anyway?
Here’s what he had to say . . .“A term that’s been passed down for generations, and will probably continue because it’s engrained in the fabric of ‘horsemen knowledge,’” he began, “stocking up is a problem of subcutaneous (beneath the skin) fluid that accumulates in the distal limb, probably due to lymphatic status or compromised circulation.” So, now that that’s cleared up (?), what’re the commonly associated signs and history of a horse that stocks up?
1. Swelling most frequently occurs from the pastern to mid-canon bone area, more commonly affecting the rear legs, but can also be present in the front legs, in one or both legs, or in rare cases, all four
2. It usually starts as very mild filling and gradually becomes more pronounced over time
3. The swelling is not painful when palpated or rubbed; however, the horse may show mild resistance to your picking up the leg
4. The horse is not lame but may be slightly stiff when first led from the stall
5. Swelling usually decreases and will often return to normal after 10 – 20 minutes of exercise
6. Suggested to be more common in overweight horses due to fatty infiltration or increased compressive forces on lymphatic vascular
7. Also suggested to be associated with high protein diets
8. Once it starts, it often becomes chronic and tending to worsen as the horse ages
9. One possible cause is from an old injury that results in scar tissue reducing lymphatic drainage
Treatment and prevention:
1. It is more prevalent in a stalled horse or horse without an opportunity to exercise
2. If the horse is fat or obese (Body Condition Score above 7) consider reducing body weight
3. Be sure foot care is optimal and primary problems are not present, such as chronic thrush or White Line Disease
4. Cold water hosing is considered beneficial as is massage
5. Leg wraps may be used if the problem is excessive but should not be used by an inexperienced owner or become a routine part of care
6. Liniments are sometimes suggested but have the potential of making the problem worse if the substance used is at all irritating to the leg
In the end, Dr. Goble prescribes regular exercise as the best prevention/treatment . . . Hhhmm, I suppose that means I HAVE to ride my horse every day . . . Imagine that . . .
So, it’s come as no surprise that I made it a point to learn about his “tied-in-behind on his left front” condition, which is the term used to describe the distorted angle of the ligaments and tendons located behind the knee parallel to the cannon bone that in Bean’s case becomes swollen periodically.
Yet, even with the help of my trusted farrier who keeps him as balanced as possible in order to relieve the pressure higher up, the inflammation makes a predictable appearance nevertheless. The good news - he’s very rarely lame, which helps keep me sleeping at night, even though I’d prefer his legs were a textbook match all the same.
And, my guess? I’m not alone in this. In fact, I can think of at least a dozen horses in similar situations with as many owners, who like me, routinely stand around in puddles of cold water with all the hosing we do. And, while it’s almost a standard part of horse life, I’ll bet many of us out there really don’t know why we’re doing what we’re doing, which is the thing that prompted me to turn to my friend and expert soft tissue guy, Dallas O. Goble, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, to find out; what exactly is “stocking up,” anyway?
Here’s what he had to say . . .“A term that’s been passed down for generations, and will probably continue because it’s engrained in the fabric of ‘horsemen knowledge,’” he began, “stocking up is a problem of subcutaneous (beneath the skin) fluid that accumulates in the distal limb, probably due to lymphatic status or compromised circulation.” So, now that that’s cleared up (?), what’re the commonly associated signs and history of a horse that stocks up?
1. Swelling most frequently occurs from the pastern to mid-canon bone area, more commonly affecting the rear legs, but can also be present in the front legs, in one or both legs, or in rare cases, all four
2. It usually starts as very mild filling and gradually becomes more pronounced over time
3. The swelling is not painful when palpated or rubbed; however, the horse may show mild resistance to your picking up the leg
4. The horse is not lame but may be slightly stiff when first led from the stall
5. Swelling usually decreases and will often return to normal after 10 – 20 minutes of exercise
6. Suggested to be more common in overweight horses due to fatty infiltration or increased compressive forces on lymphatic vascular
7. Also suggested to be associated with high protein diets
8. Once it starts, it often becomes chronic and tending to worsen as the horse ages
9. One possible cause is from an old injury that results in scar tissue reducing lymphatic drainage
Treatment and prevention:
1. It is more prevalent in a stalled horse or horse without an opportunity to exercise
2. If the horse is fat or obese (Body Condition Score above 7) consider reducing body weight
3. Be sure foot care is optimal and primary problems are not present, such as chronic thrush or White Line Disease
4. Cold water hosing is considered beneficial as is massage
5. Leg wraps may be used if the problem is excessive but should not be used by an inexperienced owner or become a routine part of care
6. Liniments are sometimes suggested but have the potential of making the problem worse if the substance used is at all irritating to the leg
In the end, Dr. Goble prescribes regular exercise as the best prevention/treatment . . . Hhhmm, I suppose that means I HAVE to ride my horse every day . . . Imagine that . . .
