VET ESSENTIALS
THERE are two types of windgalls, which are a soft swelling located to the rear of and slightly above the fetlock joint on a horse's leg. This swelling is either an enlargement of the fetlock joint capsule (an articular windgall, see box, overleaf) or more commonly a swelling of the protective digital flexor tendon sheath (a non-articular, or tendinous windgall).
Windgalls are often dismissed as a side effect of an active life. Many apparently normal horses in full work have slight windgalls due to digital flexor tendon sheath swelling, particularly in the hindlimbs. The degree of swelling may vary according to the environmental temperature, being less obvious in cold weather and greater in hot weather.
The swelling may also be influenced by exercise. Work often results in some reduction in size,
