Q: Why do my pony’s legs sometimes swell up overnight?
A: A pony’s heart pumps blood around his body. Movement helps him move this blood even more effectively, as when the pony is moving and his foot hits the ground, the blood is squeezed back up the legs and back to the heart much more efficiently.
This means that when your pony has to stand still for an extended period of time, like in the stable overnight, the blood isn’t moved as efficiently around his body. This allows fluid to build up in the legs, usually around the fetlocks, causing puffiness.
This generally isn’t anything to worry about, but call your vet for advice if the swelling doesn’t go down when your pony starts to move again, or your pony is lame, or his legs feel hot.
