EMLD - Manual Lymph Drainage for the Horse
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Hello, my name is Heather Powell and I have been successfully practicing  Equine Manual Lymph Drainage (EMLD) for several years. I hope you will enjoy this website and find it interesting. If you would like to know more about EMLD please don't hesitate to contact me.
Equine Manual Lymph Drainage is a treatment which works with the horse’s lymphatic system, and can bring effective relief to a wide range of conditions including tendonitis, acute and sub-acute laminitis, recurrent lymphangitis, ‘filled legs’ and chronic pastern dermatitis. It can be used to reduce inflammation and speed recuperation after injury and removes lactic acid from muscles, aiding recovery after strenuous activity. Because it is completely drug free it does not contravene anti-doping laws, making it a useful tool in the care of the competition horse.
This is a relatively new therapy for horses, developed through ongoing scientific research and veterinary practice in German speaking countries, and based on decades of manual lymph draiinage (MLD) practice with human patients for a wide range of medical problems, and specifically for treating the condition lymphoedema. Although this condition is rarely described in horses, it is increasingly recognised as one to which horses are prone.
Manual Lymph Drainage works by utilising intrinsic features of the lymphatic system. It is non invasive, gentle, authentically holistic, and very effective. The techniques used are specialized, demand a detailed knowledge of the lymphatic system, and have to be performed with skill, and MLD practitioners are required to have their techniques regularly reviewed to retain accreditation. Modern research into the horse’s lymphatic system is ongoing but already producing significant discoveries about its complex functions, and through EMLD offers exciting treatment possibilities.
Because of the nature of many of the conditions for which EMLD is recommended, conventional medical treatment and close working with a veterinary surgeon can be required. In this way, EMLD is also a true ‘complementary’ therapy.
Some comments from EMLD clients:
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"Cobweb, a 15.2h dapple grey mare contracted acute laminitis after aborting a foal. At first it was touch and go, everyone was very worried, by fortunate coincidence her owner had just been reading about EMLD and contacted Heather, who came straight out. Each time Heather treated her the mare's mobility improved noticeably. On the vet's follow up visit she was amazed at her progress, and thankfully Cobweb went on to make a complete recovery." PT, livery yard owner
"When Cleo developed lymphedema following severe lymphangitis, my vet did not offer an optimistic prognosis and had no real treatment options. Her leg was becoming gradually more and more swollen and she was listless and uncomfortable when she walked. Heather's MLD treatment turned things around completely. Not only did the swelling in her leg go down, but her attitude and energy level improved remarkably. Now, she trots, canters, gallops and goes on trail rides. I think this treatment has given her many years of good life that she would not have had otherwise." SF, owner
"As a veterinarian in Budapest, Hungary, I encounter many cases which do not respond to conventional medical solutions. Whiskey, a 20 year old gelding was brought in to the clinic with chronic lymphoedema. Episodes of high fever, loss of appetite, bad condition and an enormously oedemic hindlimb were the main problems. At this time I did not have too much experience with EMLD, but thanks to Heather's professional advice and help, EMLD was able to help this horse out of this situation. With appropriate therapy and EMLD, this horse recovered from the active phase of lymphoedema within 2 weeks, and could continue his pensioner years at home." LP, veterinarian
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If you would like to read more now about Equine Manual Lymph Drainage or the conditions that it can help, please click on the listed headings. However, if you are unfamiliar with the horse’s lymphatic system and how it is involved in these conditions, you may find it helpful to read the notes under 'the horse's lymphatic system' first.
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