Combating filled legs

SOME horses suffer from filling in their legs after a night spent standing in the stable. The filling, which is usually around the fetlock and cannon area, is not a direct cause of stiffness but it can restrict joint movement.

Filling occurs because of the way in which the horse’s circulation functions. Blood is pumped to the tissues by the heart, but there is no pump for its return. Instead, the flow back in the veins relies on a combination of gravity and the movement of muscles, joints and tendons to help squeeze the fluid along. The hindlegs are a long way from the heart, however, and it is uphill all the way.

When horses do not move much in the stable, fluid has a tendency to collect around the lower legs. This can be more marked after strenuous exercise, and also if the return circulation is poor — a common problem in some older horses.

Exercise is usually enough to force the fluid out of the tissues, returning the legs to normal. If filling persists after light work, ask your vet to come and check.