Windpuffs and lower leg conditions

["Robert Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

I read here on-line that persons a re worried about wind puffs and other lower leg abnormalities. There is discussion of using support methods to preclude this and other remedies.

 

Perhaps the most important aspect is being forgotten. At least to my simple mind it is. I have never seen discussions about    CONDITIONING  to preclude or alleviate this problem.

 

If a horse is kept in the normal flat fairly soft stalls and paddocks with pasturing on flat almost groomed meadows, what can we expect when the horse is ridden on other than those conditions for surface?

 

If the horse is kept on rough, uneven, rocky and riddled with gopher hole, hillside pasture the problem will to some extent be diminished. Then if the horse is ridden, for conditioning, on rough uneven, rocky ground rather than on prepared trails, the problem is then further diminished.

 

The hoof, fetlock and associated lower leg mechanisms are not developed by standing around on the level soft surfaces. Look at these area of your horse. Pick it up and observe the range of motion in the lower leg and hoof area. It is astounding that it will move in all directions and with a fairly broad range of movement. Then consider that the average horse does not get to exercise this range of movement if kept a most horses are. You MUST develop this attribute of the horse's leg by exercise and the flat smooth ring and easy trails WILL NOT  do it. You must get in the rough and ride on the edge (albeit with some caution) Gradually building up the strength of the tendons and ligaments (virtually no muscle in this area).

 

In my estimation when you use the support boots you are exerbating the problem as the natural mechanisms of the horse do not develop and end up expecting the unnatural support, forget then one day and disaster strikes.

 

One man's opinion but I am willing to hear the contra side of the discussion with a good rationalized explanation.

 

Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID