Engorgement in horses is a common condition, impacting their well-being and performance. Understanding the causes, symptoms and treatment methods is essential for horse owners concerned about the health of their horses.
What is engorgement in a horse?
To begin with, it’s important to recall what engorgement in horses consists of.It’s an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the horse’s tissues.
This accumulation is generally localized to the limbs, but can in exceptional cases affect other parts of the body.
There are several possible reasons for engorgement in horses:
– a lack of venous return: very common in stalled horses that walk little or suffering from laminitis.
– shock: the hematoma caused by shock will spread and descend.
– infection: also known as lymphangitis, often caused by bacteria.
– inflammation of the tendons or fetlock: following a wrong movement, sprain, tendonitis, lack of warm-up or over-exertion.
What are the symptoms of engorgement?
Depending on the horse, the signs of engorgement may vary, although certain symptoms often recur.
These include:
– swollen limbs;
– excessive heat ;
– increased sensitivity;
– limping.
In severe cases, engorgement can lead to a reduction in your horse’s mobility and general comfort. That’s why you need to consult your veterinarian as soon as the first symptoms appear.
How to treat engorgement in horses?
Treatment of engorgement depends on its underlying cause. However, there are some general measures owners can take to relieve their horse’s discomfort.
First of all, rest is crucial. Avoid strenuous physical activity and make sure the horse that the horse has a calm, stable environment.
To reduce inflammation, you can apply rest bands, adapted gaiters and apply cold to the affected limbs through showers.
Anti-inflammatory gels can also provide relief for your horse. For a more natural treatment, clay is also an effective solution.
Please note: whichever treatment you choose, your horse must have be able to walk at his or her own pace, thus helping to drain the edema.
Essential oils to treat engorgement
Several essential oils can relieve inflammation of the limbs of your horse’s limbs:
– cedar essential oil, known as veinotonic, helps stimulate blood circulation and tighten tissues.
– cypress essential oil has astringent and decongestant properties.
– peppermint essential oil has a cooling effect that helps to joint and muscle pain.
You can also use draining plants such as harpagophytum, calendula, nettle, hawthorn or algotherapy.
Good to know: you can also call on an osteopath or an equine masseur to help masseur to resolve engorgement more quickly through manipulation and massage.
How to prevent engorgement in horses ?
To prevent engorgement in horses, owners need to take a proactive approach to their animal’s overall health.
To this end, here are a few tips:
– Monitor your horse’s weight: it’s important to maintain an optimal body to avoid excessive pressure on the limbs.
– Exercise: regular, moderate activity promotes good blood circulation.
– Examine limbs: by keeping a close eye on your horse’s limbs, you’ll be able to detect early signs of engorgement and apply
treatment.
– Clean limbs: to avoid infections, make sure hooves and limbs are regularly and limbs are regularly cleaned.
– Ensure a balanced diet: providing a healthy diet adapted to your horse’s needs to your horse’s needs helps to maintain his general health, including circulatory system.
Further information
Horse nutrition: understanding the gastrointestinal system
To sum up, engorgement in horses is common and can be managed successfully with a thorough understanding of its causes, symptoms and treatment methods.
Knowing your horse’s anatomy is also essential for a proactive approach to his well-being.
For this, discover Julia Prével’s book: “Myologie du cheval, muscle par muscle”, published in 2022.
This fun, illustrated book makes it easy to learn the anatomy and function of equine muscles.