Filled Legs

Symptoms

The legs are filled with fluid below the knee or hock. This is usually seen in the larger horse which is kept stabled for long periods of time. It will usually disappear when the horse is exercised, only to reappear the next morning. It will usually be worse in the morning when the horse has been in the stable all night.

Cause

When at rest, the horses heart drops to a low rate which means the circulation is less effective. As the circulation in the legs is relatively poor, the blood does not reach the lower legs very much. Lymph is moved by a pressure and the massaging of muscles but with the circulation being at a lower rate, it does not get pushed back up the legs so collects within them. fluid escapes from the lymph vessels and blood into tissues making the legs swell. Any damage on the horses legs will make the swelling worse.

Treatment

Horses should be given a period of turnout each day and exercise that will help to improve circulation and reduce the overnight swelling. In the wild, horses would be moving for a large part of their day so trying to replicate this as much as possible would be beneficial. A larger stable will also help by allowing more movement which will prevent the build up of fluid. Older horses or those with leg problems may need drugs to remove the swelling.