ASK THE EXPERT.
Fluid THINKING THE HORSE HAS A UNIQUE FLUID TRANSPORT SYSTEM WHICH CAN BE AFFECTED BY STABLE MANAGEMENT REGIMES, INJURY OR ILLNESS. IRENE DE BEST DVM, MRCVS LOOKS AT CONDITIONS OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM AND THE AVAILABLE TREATMENTS.
T
he lymphatic system in horses consists of an extensive network of vessels and nodes, superficial and deeper in the body. It transports all the nutrients the cells need to function anywhere in the body. It does that in a watery substance called interstitial uid. In return the cells get rid of all their waste products
46 // Issue 4 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE
and pathogens. Horses have evolved from small ight animals designed to move around almost constantly, to the horses we have today. Although the external appearance has changed a lot, the physiology remains similar to that of millions of years ago. Because horses were meant to move a lot, the design of the lymph vessels is different
to humans. Horses have less smooth muscle in the walls of the vessels and its ability to contract is mostly dependent on the function of elastic fibres. There are no muscles in the lower leg to help with contraction of the vessels. The horse’s skin is its own compressive bandage and helps with the upward pump function as it tightens when horses move. This means that a horse needs physical movement to activate the lymphatic system and encourage the transport of lymph uid. Modern methods of husbandry (stabling, limited exercise, short sessions of training/exercise) increases the risk of malfunction of the lymphatic system, with added complications of infection and forming of scar tissue.
