causes of fetlock swelling
Sesamoiditis: At the back of the fetlock is two sesamoid bones. Sesamoiditis occurs when these bones are damaged or inflamed. Acute lameness is generally present and the fetlock will swell. Long pasterns and repetative concussion to the area is the usual cause. This is a serious condition and the horse will need to be immobilized. Treatment: Long rest period (12 monthes). Pain relief and lower leg treatments. Splints: Splints are very common and are usually not serious. A splint is a hard and bony swelling on either side of the cannon bone.
In the case of the fetlock, the capsule extends out of the back of the actual joint and forms a pouch above the sesamoid bones behind the cannon bone. If this pouch of the joint capsule becomes thickened or distended, the resulting swelling on the back of the fetlock is known as an articular windgall. imagined as a sausage of fluid which envelopes the tendons as they run over the back of the fetlock.