Movement = better management of CPL
Frequent exercise, plentiful turnout and ideally a well-planned track system can all help your horse by encouraging the natural movement, joint and hoof flexion that is essential to support the lymphatic system in the lower legs. Like a pump, this action carries through the hoof and frog, fetlocks and pasterns – pushing blood and lymph fluid up and out of the leg. It is called lymphatic retraction.
This pumping action of the haemodynamics is very important in equines because, unlike humans, horses don’t have the muscles below the knee and hock to help push against the vessels and give them the added pressure to help the lymph (fluid) move out of the leg. Elsewhere in the equine body, lymphatics are supported by muscle contractions – such as the lungs filling and emptying or the gut motility.
It’s interesting to note that horses lymphatic vessels are made up of a high number of elastic fibres, whereas human’s are made up of more smooth muscle fibre. This means human vessels have a slight “firmness” to them, which helps them pump, but horses have much less of that. So they need more movement to assist the lymph return back up and out of the leg.
Tricky, isn’t it! So we find we need to utilise the ‘3 Fs’ of horse welfare – friends, forage, freedom.
Horses with CPL tend to be affected by tissue changes over time, and one of these makes the structure of elastin (a protein) less able to keep the tissue mobile. This can combine with an increase in collagen production – both of which make the skin less hydrated and supple. Studies have found horses with CPL to lack elastin when compared to warmbloods.
When we can allow the horse consistent natural movement and healthy function of the hoof, as on track systems, the essential ‘pump action’ can be simulated. Circulation out of the leg is increased and so is the lymphatic retraction.
While 24/7 paddock turnout is still hugely preferable to stabling and is often what we as owners can reasonably offer, a good track system encourages much more natural movement as the horse walks between hay and water stations and over different terrain. Some even have sandpits and obstacles like logs and water features. All these things replicate a more natural environment and are good for keeping the horse healthy – both physically and mentally.
You can still create plenty of opportunities for movement inside a paddock – please do that for your horse. Use enrichment and toys, give your horse company and forage.
You can easily make a basic track with electric fencing and strategically placed hay and water to encourage movement. Just make sure the track is wide enough for the horse to turn around and roll safely. You can move the track around to avoid poaching the ground when its muddy.
Man made shelters are not essential if you have natural shelter.