Hi LJ,

Its so good to hear Jesse is doing well in his work program! TBs in particular seem to like having a "job". Have you gotten back in the saddle yourself again? Its really good to hear of owners enjoying their happy horses!

Re: stocking up: its a common affliction of horses that arent moving around much -- either theyre in a stall, or at this time of year, tend to mope in one spot due to the excessive heat. The swelling associated w "stocking-up" is a benign cold edema (vs "hot" swelling such as an inflammatory response). Cold-hosing stocking up wont do much bc the edema isnt "hot", so to speak

The best solution is getting the horse moving -- ideally 24/hr turnout. Second best would be handwalking for 10 min intervals frequently throughout the day. Some people choose to put standing wraps on legs to prevent the collection of edema (essentially a physical blocking of gravity effects) but IMO wraps arent doing much for stocking up except make us humans feel better

I understand the limitations of being at a boarding barn, so choose the best option(s) that your situation allows. Again, the more literal movement, the better.

One word of caution, however -- an older horse who has been idle that is being brought back into work needs to do so gradually. It can take months to rebuild enough muscle to trot & canter with a rider in an arena. If pushed too soon, ligaments, tendons, etc -- which take much longer to strengthen than muscle -- can take a beating. Therefore, its very important to monitor any changes on legs are indeed minor stocking up responses vs the warning of an angry tendon or ligament (the latter will be "warm" feeling and unilateral typically, whereas stocking up is cold and should be bilateral or quadrilateral).

It sounds like Jesse is in a good program at his barn with your trainer but its a good habit for you too, to practice running your palm down each of jesses legs each day as part of grooming, or your daily visit, etc. i use my thumb and forefinger to run down the "groove" of each lower leg, feeling for new bumps or hot spots, then check ankles for heat, and then check digital pulses and fetlocks, on each leg. Im in such a habit of doing it that when I visit a friend's horse I have to catch myself from automatically going for a leg check! :)

I do not know of any herbal treatment to remedy stocking up, and TBH, I'd rather spend the $ paying a friend or reliable eager kid at the barn to handwalk jesse one or more times per day (assuming he's stalled). Other folks might be able to help with supp suggestions if indeed all of what Ive said is already in place and youre looking for additional help.

Best of luck! If you can, please get a photo of Jesse being ridden -- im sure we'd all love to see him in all of his glory!

Kerry in NY
Sept 2014