Conference noted::equitation

    Hi Bill,
    
    Quoted from "Care and Training of the Trotter and Pacer":
    
    Stocked ankles occur as a direct result of lack of exersize and/or
    too much feed and mean nothing.  A stocked ankle is a puffed ankle 
    that has filled and appears swollen.  
    
    The thing you must determine here is that the condition is that of
    a stocked ankle and that there is no other underlying trouble.  You've
    got to make sure that there hasn't been an injury to the suspensory 
    ligament in this area.

    Okay, this is an old note and doesn't exactly apply to my case, but it
    was close.
    
    I did a 10 mile trail ride this past Saturday (in the drizzle, yuck). 
    I do these, as well as some 20 milers, on a regular basis, and my mare
    usually does this distance fine.  Sunday, however, when I fed her in
    the morning I noticed all 4 fetlocks were slightly puffed (stocked up).
    I have never noticed this to happen to her the morning after a ride
    before (that doesn't mean it hasn't happen and I missed it, however). 
    Upon examining her legs further, I noticed a bit of swelling in her
    left hock.  It seems to be in 2 spots...one on the outside of the leg
    in the fleshy area directly beside the point of the hock and the other
    at the front of the hock slightly towards the inside (there is a large
    vein running directly there and it's this vein that seems to be
    enlarged).  Both spots are soft and fleshy, with a little heat but not
    much.  Neither is in the least bit tender and she is not even slightly
    lame.  She really couldn't seem to care less.  Today, Mon a.m., the
    stocking up is almost gone but the hock is still puffy.  Still no
    lameness or tenderness.  I did hose her legs down with cold water
    yesterday.  I'd be surprised to think it may mean she wasn't in
    condition for the type of thing she's been doing fine all summer, but
    then she is 19 yrs old and spent 6 years at the track (harness racer)
    so some leg puffiness would not surprise me in that regard.  Does
    anyone have any ideas what the hock thing could be? Bog spavin, or 
    a curb? The reference book I have was vague and neither seemed like
    a match, but I'm not good with leg problems and could easily be
    wrong.  Our next ride is planned for this Sunday, so I'm trying to get
    some feedback before we go out.  Seems unneccessary to bring in a vet
    when she's not in the slightest pain...
    

    Linda,
    
    Did you check her temperature? Sometimes a fever can cause stocking up
    in all 4 legs w/o heat in the legs. Other than that unlikely
    possibility, it sounds like her age is begining to catch up with her.
    Many aged horses stock up if they are stalled after exercise. Their 
    circulation just isn't as strong as it was 10-15 years ago and some of 
    the fluid doesn't clear as fast. Usually, 5 minutes at the walk will 
    reduce/eliminate the swelling. Long tunrouts after a long ride might
    help prevent the stocking up. 
    
    re (in the drizzle, yuck).
    Shees, don't be such a "weather wimp!" ;-) Good thing you don't live
    here. It's foggy/drizzly about 6 months at a time...That's why goretex 
    and other waterproof coats are standard riding gear around here...;-)
    
    John

    No John, I didn't think to take her temp.  I will when I get home
    tonite, though. I'm sure it's normal, she's a real 'sick' wimp and
    will let me know when she doesn't feel right.  She never eats her
    grain unless everything is perfect in her life, and she is eating
    fine.  I wil make a point to leave her stall door open the night after 
    a long ride to see if that helps, she has free access to the paddock 
    usually anyway but I had put her in Sat nite because it was pouring out.
    Maybe that was it.
    
    I do have an outback-style rain coat for riding, and a wide brimmed
    rain hat, but I still hate being wet and cold.  I know, I really
    SHOULDN'T live in New England, but my hubby can't be talked in
    Virginia. :-(
    

    >she has free access to the paddock
    >usually anyway but I had put her in Sat nite because it was pouring out.
    >Maybe that was it.
    
    Very likely. In fact, it may have more to do with being stalled than
    the trail ride,especially if she's usually able to come/go as she
    pleses. I know our old friends are frequently puffy after being
    stalled overnight. I sure hope that's it. 
    
    PS. we've turned into "weather wimps" since we moved out here. We used
    to laugh when people said "It's so cold" when it was +20 because we
    were used to -20 temps in New England or that they stayed home after a 
    2" snowfall, etc. Now, we're used to above freezing temps in winter and 
    learned that folks here don't know how to drive in snow(and don't even have
    snow tires!), we act just like the natives!
    snowed an
    
    John

    RE:.4 If you can move try Colorado. We have around 320 days a year
    of sunshine. I strongly agree with walk then turn out after some
    tuff work. My guy's are much sharper the next day when they are 
    cooled down properly.
    	Carl

    Well, I did take her temp and she's perfectly normal.  Puffiness
    all gone and bouncing around the paddock like her usual self.  We
    have another ride this weekend, so I'll make a point to leave her
    out the following nite and see if it makes a difference.
    
    I'll put Colorado on my list of places I'd like to live...but it'll
    never happen.  I really do love New England, and both our families
    are here, I just get cranky when I think of another winter of
    very little riding time coming up.  Wish I could afford to build
    my own private indoor! :-)
    

    
    
    ...But Linda, that's why we have Plan C!  Build a roof over the ring!
    It's very easy...... 

    A roof over the ring?? Oh boy, hubby will LOVE this one...:-)...the
    poor man just finished the barn this summer, and has it in his head
    that he's done horse-related construction for quite some time.  I
    better work him up slowly to this one!
    

    Back to the leg problem!
    
    I have a 15 year old that I had the same problem on Monday.  All four
    legs were puffy and a little warm, which is very unusual.  He usually
    has cold feet in the morning!  His ears seemed a little warm too, so I
    did take his temperature, and it was fine.  I went ahead and rode him,
    and he was perfectly sound.  Today the legs were much better.
    
    I thought it might be a little bit of allergies and the fact that he is
    really beginning to get his winter coat, and it was pretty warm in the
    barn on Sunday night.  I hate to think age is catching up, but I know
    I'll have to face the facts sometime.

    RE -1.
    
    I know what you mean about hating to think their age is catching up
    with them.  I've been dreading it myself.  I've had this mare since I
    took her off the track as a 9 year old, and the idea of moving onto a
    different horse is only a vague, 'someday' thing right now.  I do 
    realize that come spring, however, I am going to have to really settle
    down into a concentrated conditioning routine and stick with it.  In
    the past I've been able to slack off riding her for a week or more at
    a time and not have any problems.  I have a ring to work her in at
    night after work, but often skip if I'm tired, or running late, or
    whatever.  Gotta discipline myself more now if I want to have more years
    with the old girl, I guess.  She is very strong, healthy, and sound 
    right now, and her vet told me just a few months ago that if I can
    keep up a routine with her that she should continue on well into her
    twenties.  How much riding does your older guy need to stay in shape?
                                               

    Since the *youngest* of our 3 horses is 18, I can assure you that the 
    amount of work necessary to keep an older horse fit varies with the 
    horse. If they are healthy and sound, there is absolutely no reason not 
    to keep them on a vigorous riding schedule.
    
    Let the horse tell you how much they want to do except after a layoff.
    You have to be careful not to do too much to soon when starting up 
    again after a layoff. Charity, my 20 YO mare, is so happy to be back at
    work after even a week or 2 off that, if I let *her* decide, we'd
    gallop till she dropped. So, we often "quarrel" over that:
    "Come on! Let's go!" 
    "No, dear. Not today."
    
    Just pay attention. They'll let you know with body language and
    behavior, like you knew she wasn't running a temp because of her
    attitude, etc. Again, each horse is different so you have to know your
    own critter.
    
    j