Equine Lymphatic System: Background and Treatment
Of all the systems in a horse’s body, I would say the least understood is the lymphatic system.
There is an estimated 3 times more lymphatic fluid moving through our body at any given time than blood, so what all are we missing by misunderstanding this system?
So, what is the equine lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system is a system of lymph vessels and lymph nodes that transport lymphatic fluid around the body. They are positioned at superficial and deep levels.
There is a jelly type substance that surrounds cells and tissues called interstitial fluid.
Interstitial fluid delivers good things to the cells and tissues (such as oxygen, nutrients, hormones, salts, neurotransmitters, etc.) and carries the “junk” away to be eliminated as waste products (bacteria, dead cells, cell debris, pathogens, toxins, lactic acids, etc.)
The correct function of the lymphatic system is responsible for immune response, fluid dynamic balance, nerve health, proper metabolic function, and much more.
A system that is responsible for transporting that many nutrients, and removing that much junk needs to be prioritized.
Blood loves through our body via the heart pumping it, but when the smooth skeletal muscles in the body contract and relax, they work as a pump to keep the lymphatic fluid moving since there is no pump for the lymphatic fluid.
That means frequent daily movement is incredibly important for horses.
The horses we have today evolved from small flight animals that were created to be in constant motion.
The physiology of those vs the horses we have now are likely very similar, and it is unlikely that the structure and the functional capacity of the lymphatic systems have changed a great deal.
One study of wild horses found them to be walking between 6 to 8 kilometres (3.5 to 5 miles) per 16 hour day, although it must be understood that if food is limited or scare, horses can travel 30 kilometres (18 miles) a day.
Keeping horses stalled with minimal time for exercise and training can lead to compromised lymphatics and its associated complications such as infection and scar tissue (fibrosis).
How to treat a horse's lymphatic system
Check out this course with over 6 hours of education on the lymphatic system to understand more about its physiology in the body and how to care for it.
It is excellent info for both horse owners and equine professionals.
