Today when i went up to see Spice i noticed that her two hind legs were once again swollen. This time i knew it had to be down to the fact that she was stabled as she had no cuts and it was the first time she had been stabled in weeks (due to the weather being so bad). Although she'd only been in for 12 or so hours it was obviously long enough to cause a decrease in circulation and substantial fluid retention in both hind limbs. Since this never happened at her previous livery yard (when she was shod) i think it could be occurring because she is now barefoot and is therefore used to having more blood circulation which without being mobile is becoming restricted. Of course i could be completely wrong about this - it's just a hunch i have in view of the fact that she used to be stabled for up to 140 hours per week and never once had such a problem.
Having read up on this condition - known as 'stocked up' it seems it is not serious and usually disappears within a few hours of being exercised. However, i can't say i'm all too pleased knowing that stabling her overnight is affecting her circulation so much so that her legs are swelling up! So I think if they continue to fill i will have to opt for leaving Spice outside and only stabling her when it's pouring it down as long term i don't think the effects of her legs filling up will do her limbs any good. :(
I have moved her haylage from the front of the stable to the back to encourage her to walk around more which i'm hoping will make a difference so will see if it has tomorrow morning.
Apart from that Spice had her second visit with the chiropractor today who wanted to come back and treat her left hind leg again after finding that she was quite stiff on it last time and the good news is it's a lot better and she only has some mild soreness through her back which is probably due to being exercised more.
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