Definition

A soft, fluid-filled swelling that appears above the fetlock joint on a horse, often seen in older or poorly cared-for horses.

Example

The veterinarian examined the horse's leg and noted the presence of a windgall.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a horse with a windgall?

Yeah, I saw one at the stables the other day. It looked so strange.

I heard it's common in older horses or those that aren't well cared for.

That makes sense; I guess they need special attention to avoid that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Windgall originates from Old English 'windgale', where 'wind' (meaning air in motion) and 'gall' (meaning a swelling or tumor) combine. The term refers to a swelling on a horse's leg caused by the accumulation of fluid, often due to strain or injury.

Memory Tip

Think of 'wind' as the air moving and 'gall' as a swelling — together, they describe a swelling caused by the movement or strain of air, which is why windgall refers to a specific type of swelling in horses.

Visually Confused Words