Re: Windpuffs and lower leg conditions

[Pam Johnson <pam-john@ma.ultranet.com>]

If you have an arthritis or cartilage condition and it is agrivated by
overflexion and a support method can prevent this agrivation, then I would
use the method. Let me give you an example. My horse has a weakness in his
right front fetlock. Without support boots, he flexes that fetlock more
than he would if he had them on.him. If I use the boots, the fetlock
doesn't flex as far toward the ground. The joint is not being used past
it's normal range of motion .
 It might be more likely to this if I didn't use the support. He was
x-rayed and no abnormalities showed so we are early in any developement of
cartilage damage. Why wouldn't I want to prevent this damage from happening
sooner? My vet compared  this condition  to someone who has a TMJ problem
in their jaw. If this person chews gum, eats bulky, chewy bread, etc. they
will be using this joint past it's comfort zone and it will become sore and
inflammation will occur.  If however, this person eats softer foods, they
will not overuse the joint. I am not talking about a muscles, tendons, or
ligaments. I am talking about the movement of the joint itself. When I
first became a lurker on ridecamp, I asked about windpuffs and was advised
against using support methods. I tried that and because my horse's problem
doesn't involve muscle, tendons, or ligaments, his lameness reappeared .
Hence, the vet visit and x-rays. So please, when advising people against
using support methods, be sure they know the cause of the horse's lamess
first. We had to take three weeks off and now are gradually conditiong back
up to where he was. Conditioning is, I agree, the most important aspect but
it doesn't make all problems disappear.

Just my opinion.
Pam in MA