Harmful equine kidney conditions are relatively rare. Symptoms include weight loss, oedema (swelling) between the front legs; a swollen sheath; increased or decreased drinking & urination.

Causes include inadequate drinking water leading to dehydration, long term use of drugs such as ‘Bute, excessive dietary protein or calcium, & microbial infection. If suspected, veterinary advice is essential. If diagnosis is late, irreversible damage may have been done.
If urination is impaired this may be due to hypercalcaemia causing calcium deposits in the kidney tubules & urethra.
A customer asked fot help with a 7y,o. horse with a renal problem. The author was able to advise a low calcium diet, which kept it in good health for many years. It eventually died in its owner's arms aged 30.
If you require advice for a similar diet please complete the Nutrition Enquiry Form to enable John Chapman to make appropriate recommendations.

Filled legs
This can be caused by sensitivity to feeds such as barley & its straw and also cellulitis & lymphangitis for which veterinary treatment is essential.
Horses on box rest are prone due to the lack of exercise which would normally promote the drainage of leaked fluid via the lymphatic system. Where possible the horse should be gently exercised. If not there are a number of herbal products on the market, for which the author can provide advice.