If you've ever run your hand down your horse's legs and noticed a soft, puffy swelling around the fetlock joint, you've likely come around "wind puffs." These fluid-filled swellings are fairly common, especially in horses who are in regular work. But they are harmless blemishes, or do they signal something more concerning about your horse's tendon and ligament health?
What Are Wind Puffs?
Wind puffs are soft, fluid filled swellings typically found just above or behind the fetlock joint. They form when synovial fluid — the lubricating fluid in a horse's tendon sheaths or joint capsules — accumulates and creates a visible puffiness.
They are often non-painful, don't run a temperature, and don't cause lameness on their own. Because of this, many riders and veterinarians consider them a cosmetic blemish rather than a performance-limiting issue.
Are Wind Puffs Harmless?
In many cases, yes — wind puffs are simply the result of repeated strain on the leg and may not cause discomfort or impact performance. Horses in consistent work, especially eventers, reiners, and jumpers, commonly develop them over time.
However it's important not to dismiss them entirely. While some wind puffs are benign, they can occasionally indicate:
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Chronic stress on tendons and ligaments leading to mild inflammation.
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Excessive wear on the tendon sheath or fetlock joint.
- A history of prior strain or microinjury.
The key is to monitor closely: if wind puffs remain cool, symmetrical, and non-painful, they're likely harmless. If they're warm, uneven, or associated with lameness, it's time to call your veterinarian.
The Connection to Tendon Health
Wind puffs form in the areas where the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons run behind the fetlock. While they don't always signal an active tendon injury, their presence suggests that those soft tissues have been under repeated mechanical stress.
Think of them as your horse's way of showing that their tendons and ligaments are working hard — and sometimes harder than ideal. Even if they're benign now, they're a reminder to support tendon and ligament health for the long term.
Managing and Supporting Horses with Wind Puffs
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Monitor: Check legs daily for changes in size, heat, or sensitivity.
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Support recovery: Cold therapy after hard work can help reduce inflammation.
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Workload balance: Avoid repetitive strain or excessive class schedules.
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Nutritional support: Supplements like Tendonall provide the building blocks for collagen repair, improved elasticity, and reduced inflammation — all of which help tendons and ligaments cope with daily stress and lower the risk of injury over time.
Wind puffs are common, and in many cases, harmless. But they're also a visible reminder of the stress your horse's tendons and ligaments endure. By paying attention, monitoring changes, and support soft tissue health with proactive care, you can help ensure that wind puffs stay a cosmetic blemish, and not the start of something more serious.
Wind Puffs: Harmless or a Warning Sign?
If you've ever run your hand down your horse's legs and noticed a soft, puffy swelling around the fetlock joint, you've likely come around "wind puffs." These fluid-filled swellings are fairly common, especially in horses who are in regular work. But they are harmless blemishes, or do they signal something more concerning about your horse's tendon and ligament health?
What Are Wind Puffs?
Wind puffs are soft, fluid filled swellings typically found just above or behind the fetlock joint. They form when synovial fluid — the lubricating fluid in a horse's tendon sheaths or joint capsules — accumulates and creates a visible puffiness.
They are often non-painful, don't run a temperature, and don't cause lameness on their own. Because of this, many riders and veterinarians consider them a cosmetic blemish rather than a performance-limiting issue.
Are Wind Puffs Harmless?
In many cases, yes — wind puffs are simply the result of repeated strain on the leg and may not cause discomfort or impact performance. Horses in consistent work, especially eventers, reiners, and jumpers, commonly develop them over time.
However it's important not to dismiss them entirely. While some wind puffs are benign, they can occasionally indicate:
The key is to monitor closely: if wind puffs remain cool, symmetrical, and non-painful, they're likely harmless. If they're warm, uneven, or associated with lameness, it's time to call your veterinarian.
The Connection to Tendon Health
Wind puffs form in the areas where the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons run behind the fetlock. While they don't always signal an active tendon injury, their presence suggests that those soft tissues have been under repeated mechanical stress.
Think of them as your horse's way of showing that their tendons and ligaments are working hard — and sometimes harder than ideal. Even if they're benign now, they're a reminder to support tendon and ligament health for the long term.
Managing and Supporting Horses with Wind Puffs
Wind puffs are common, and in many cases, harmless. But they're also a visible reminder of the stress your horse's tendons and ligaments endure. By paying attention, monitoring changes, and support soft tissue health with proactive care, you can help ensure that wind puffs stay a cosmetic blemish, and not the start of something more serious.