News
In June 2026 we ran a short poll on the CPL Awareness CIC Support Group asking experienced CPL horse owners and caregivers whether they would choose to have another CPL horse or not – and why.
You can see the results below. But what can we take from this poll?
- People who would not want to have another CPL horse have made their decision mostly on a welfare basis – they are concerned the horse would be in pain, at risk of loss of use or early euthanasia.
- A number of those who would have another CPL horse would do so because they worry that affected horses could go to a home where the condition is not known or understood and would not receive the right care.
- Most people surveyed who would consider having another CPL horse understand that any horse can develop an illness requiring long-term care and do not rule out any horse on that basis. They also realise that the risk of CPL exists if they want to own an affected breed and feel happy with that.
- Some of the people surveyed have valid and realistic concerns about their own physical abilities, emotional wellbeing and access to appropriate facilities. They either do not have suitable facilities in their area or the facilities exist but are out of budget. A smaller number would not want or be able to dedicate the time and money that the extra care and maintenance costs.
- Some people feel that they are not sufficiently supported by their peers, families and veterinarians regarding care of their CPL horse. Some are not able to access knowledgable veterinarians.
- Some people would choose not to support the heavy horse/cob industry while there is a degree of indiscriminate breeding and lack of acceptance and support from breed societies.
- A good number of the people who answered the poll understand that CPL (when well managed) does not have to affect what they can do with their horse – they know that it will not be career-ending or life-limiting. They love the horse and the breed regardless of the predisposition to CPL.
- Concerns about the financial aspect of the additional care needed.
Overall it is heartening to see choices made from a welfare perspective – both for the horse and the human. It seems a lot of the people who responded to the survey know that CPL is not an outright risk to quality of life, if the horse is appropriately cared for. Their choice to not have another is not based on lack of education, but improved education and mindfulness of their own abilities and limitations.
Choices made with both horse and human wellbeing in mind will have the best outcome for all involved.
Launched today 19th March 2026
Feather mites and CPL: the facts; and how to tackle feather mites
“Feather Mites and CPL: The Facts; and How to Tackle Feather Mites” – the first evidence-based presentation of its kind.
Cut through myths and outdated methods with practical, research-backed protocols, clear guidance on how mites impact CPL and CPPD, and practical steps you can use straight away.
✔️ Science-led
✔️ Vet reviewed
✔️ Welfare focused
If you care about doing the right thing for your horse, this is essential.
Download now and replace guesswork with evidence.
100% of sales go to support our non-profit cause at CPL Awareness CIC.
Coming soon to our Resource Shop in 2026 …
BMAC Resource Shop launched
You can now find online digital resources at our Buy Me A Coffee resource shop.
CPL Care Guide: Overview – the Dos and Don’ts of CPL care
About CPL – an exclusive presentation for CPL owners and caregivers.
Buy Me A Coffee for CPL Awareness CIC
November 2025 saw the launch of our first option for donations to the CIC – our Buy Me A Coffee page! Thanks to all who have already donated, please use the QR code below if you would like to add to our funds or just show your appreciation for the work we do for free. Make sure to subcribe or “become a follower” to the BMAC page because there will be digital products available for purchase soon, along with news, views and updates…..
Your Horse Live 2025 ‘How To’ Arena: CPL Awareness CIC talk with Liveryman
Talking about clipping the CPL horse, the best tools for the job, how to identify CPL and why early diagnosis is so important. Demo of clipping.
Dr Marieke Brys BEVA Convention 2025: CPL Scoring
Below are the slides from Dr Brys’ talk.
May – June 2025
Online Show in celebration of 20,000 community members and the CIC launch.
An online ‘Brave The Shave’ show ran for one week on the Facebook group, judged by the Clipper Queen herself, Jillian Scott. Hundreds of entries across 7 classes and a championship. Incredibly prizes totalling over £1300 were donated by our favourite brands Liveryman , Leovet , Mackeys (all under the Irish company Agrihealth) , Thunderbrook , Finer Forage , Hedgewitch Essentials , Hilton Herbs , Equine Evolution Wellness , Hoof Geek , The Natural Way.
Check the group to see pics of the winners with their prizes!
Huge thanks to all involved for their time, generosity and devotion to CPL horses and caregivers.
May 2025
CPL Awareness CIC launched
Aims to fundraise primarily to raise awareness and promote education to the public and professionals, with a long-term view to fund much needed research.
Watch this space!
March 2025
High prevalence of Chorioptes bovis: an important factor in chronic progressive lymphedema in Belgian draft horses
In this study (conducted by M. Brys, E. Clairebout, V. Saey and K. Chiers) researchers looked into the prevalence of feather mites (chorioptes bovis) and CPL in Belgian Draft horses (156) vs Belgian Warmblood horses (142).
The findings indicate a strong link between feather mites and the onset/worsening of CPL. No other mite species were found.
In the draft horses under 1 year of age, evidence of feather mites were found in 85.71% of horses – as early as 6 days old – and the incidence of CPL was found to be 17.86%
In horses over 1 year of age evidence of mites were found in 93.75% of horses and 94.53% of these horses had CPL.
These figures indicate an absolute increase in CPL prevalency in infested horses, whilst also demonstrating the very breed-specific nature of feather mites.
No mites or CPL were found in any of the Warmblood horses.
August 2024
From the 2024 CPL Seminar in the UK with Dr Marieke Brys
CPL type symptoms have been noted in donkeys (poitou, mammoth), alpaca, sheep and cattle. All animals affected by what we know as feather mites – chorioptes bovis.
We know that CPL progression is a combination of genetics and triggers from the horse’s environment and husbandry. This can be broken down into:
14% genetic (not heritability but severity of disease)
86% environment/husbandry
Does CPL affect the whole horse? Is it a generalised skin disease? Are the legs more apparently affected because of the disadvantaged lymphatics below the knees/hocks? Looking at neck crest and tail dock folds. Some horses are born with them.
Regarding the ongoing question “do we really have to clip the legs?” Yes. Dr Brys states “better a healthier clipped horse than a dead one”.
Some vets still think wrinkles/thickening in the legs is normal. It is not normal. It is CPL. Vets need to self-educate.
In Belgium when grading stallions they take xrays to better see the level of CPL so as not to breed from the worst affected. Is this helpful? Probably not. They either have CPL or they don’t. Stallions are scored yearly from 2 years old, for up to 8 times to be awarded lifetime approval.
Cydectin – safe for pregnant mares up to but not including the 3rd trimester. Do not use after that, it can be excreted in the milk.
Foals – not less than 6 months, ideally not less than two years old. Before 6 months the brain barrier is not developed enough to prevent neurological problems.
Is CPPD like sarcoids? No.
No sarcoid virus, structure dissimilar.
Proven: horses on high sugar/starch diets have worse CPL scores. Hypothesised that this may be linked to cytokenes which cause inflammation.
Could there be a link with IR/EMS?
Vitamin B7 (biotin): safe to feed, important for health.
The Fell Pony and The Welsh Section D have been added to the list of affected breeds.