Windgalls & Fetlock Puffiness: What Horse Owners Should Know
October 5, 2026WINDGALLS & FETLOCK PUFFINESS
You walk into the stable and notice that your horse’s fetlocks look a little fuller than usual. Maybe there is a soft, puffy swelling around the joint. Maybe it disappears after exercise — only to return after standing.
So what exactly are you looking at?
Windgalls are soft, fluid-filled swellings commonly seen around the fetlock area. They can occur for a number of reasons and are particularly common in horses that work regularly.
The important thing is not simply to see swelling and reach for a product. First, we need to understand WHY the leg is puffy.
⚠️ New, sudden, hot, painful or one-sided swelling — particularly when accompanied by lameness — deserves proper investigation. Cooling should never be used to disguise a problem that requires veterinary attention.
In Part 2: Why do horses’ legs fill up?