Cobs and CPL

Birker2020

Birker2020

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How common is CPL in cobs?

I'm thinking about widening my search and looking at maxi cobs that are around 16.2-16.3hh but I'm aware cobs are those breeds with feathering and more prone to this. Just how common is this? Is it like saying WB's are more prone to joint issues?

What should I look out for, would it be obvious at this time of year if a horse had the start of this condition?
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Am I correct in thinking that a vetting would successfully pick this up? Having been let down by the last vetting I had I'm not feeling super confident on this aspect.

TIA
 
I wouldn’t discount cobs in my search but CPL definitely needs to be considered. This is just a quick, basic overview. You will get a full and helpful picture on the FB group for CPL- can’t remember it actual title but it’s easy to find. If the cobs legs are clipped then you are looking for any folds in the skin, or a ‘cone shape’ to the lower leg. If the horse has full feathers, then feel into the feathers for any ridges or sores.
We have cobs on our yard who are well managed and have no great problems with CPL, although they are in the early stages and have lots of year round turnout which is a must for this condition. Good luck in your search, love a nice cob😍
 
I wouldn’t discount cobs in my search but CPL definitely needs to be considered. This is just a quick, basic overview. You will get a full and helpful picture on the FB group for CPL- can’t remember it actual title but it’s easy to find. If the cobs legs are clipped then you are looking for any folds in the skin, or a ‘cone shape’ to the lower leg. If the horse has full feathers, then feel into the feathers for any ridges or sores.
We have cobs on our yard who are well managed and have no great problems with CPL, although they are in the early stages and have lots of year round turnout which is a must for this condition. Good luck in your search.

Edited to add: Sadly a lot of vets seem unaware of the condition, although hopefully this is changing. Some have described the condition as ‘ just cobs legs’ which of course it isn’t. And yes, it’s probably a lot more common than was once realised as there is now greater awareness thankfully. Don’t rule out a horse in the early stages, but do take advice from a knowledgeable vet.
 
I've had some with and some without CPL but unless I was showing as a traditional hairy it wouldn't bother me. Whip the feather off, manage any mite problems and it's highly unlikely you'll have an issue.

For viewing if something has full feather then stick your hands in just above the hoof - that's the best place to get an idea if there are any folds.

Militaire had folds in his skin which showed up on x-ray. An annual clip (he needed sedation) and a mite wash and it never progressed.
 
Exercise and feed them appropriately, keeping weight down and fitness up and you won't have a problem. Common bred types are more likely to suffer from it so aim to find a quality cob/hunter type. Maxi cobs are not 16.3, you are into heavyweight hunter types once you are getting taller. 16h is a maxi cob and one with good confo will take up any amount of leg. Keep legs clipped all year round and you have a chance of avoiding M&S which is more of a problem than potential CPL in the well kept horse.

I have 2 horses fitting your description. One has CPL and M&S, bought aged 5 with both conditions from an unknowledgeable vendor who had failed to manage the horse in the few months they owned it. Went through the vet with both conditions which I had obviously noted when I tried her. Issues noted on certificate and insurance did not exclude skin issues which was surprising, but that was back in 2012, whether they would now is more likely I would think. Horse is now 18 and the conditions are managed, but I can't miss a day of managing it and it has not stopped her doing anything other than County level showing, not troubled the vet other than trying dectomax jabs a few years ago. Some money to be spent on creams and clipper blade sharpening. This horse is a true maxi cob, Clyde x ID only measuring 15.2 but all depth and power, rides like a pocket rocket with an inner racehorse mindset. Brave, bold and up for anything asked of her, great fun to own and ride but has to be reminded of her limitations physically at times.

Other one 17h no sign of either disease but came to me as a foal and managed to ensure CPL does not trouble him. Shire x big cob.

When viewing a horse in feather you do need to get down there and have a good feel, but if you can find a good quality educated bigger cob (good luck with that !) many will be clipped and smart at the point of sale. There are a few super types on the Irish Draught breeders and owners pages. Have a look at Val Sheehan's page, he is a finder of superb maxi cobs.
 
Rigs has the start of CPL, big creases above his fetlocks all round. The skin is permanently damaged there. I keep him clipped for the Mallenders, and he has access to a patio as well as his stable so is always moving.

He's been here since 2020 and it hasn't got any worse. In fact, his leg shape is better now he moves all of the time.

If anything, the Mallenders is more of a pain. I have to attend to that daily.
 
Depends how advanced it is and how it’s been previously managed. My lads was not horrendous and his old owner gave him salt water baths regularly so by the time I got him it was manageable with a few changes (as his lifestyle changes a bit with me)

I know a few with it and a few without it. It’s is just something to look for. A vetting won’t necessarily pick it up as many still see it as just “cob legs and mites” not cpl. But if you educate yourself on it you’ll be able to spot it a mile away yourself. I didn’t know about it before I got my lad and if I had I probably wouldn’t have considered him, but I’m glad I did because it really has not made a huge difference to us bar breaking my back clipping his legs every 3-4 weeks 😅
 
There's more to it than just clipping, exercise & weight management, feeding wise there's a lot to avoid - no grain or grain by products (no wheafeed, oatfeed, etc that you see on ingredient lists for most cubes, mixes & mashes), no alfalfa, no nutritionallly improved straw, beet is also iffy and no sugar/molasses. You have to stick to grass & grass products like grass nuts, hay cobs & grass chaff, seeds (so linseed is ok), herbs and fruits & veg are all safe too and feeding marigold & cleavers is recommended.
 
I always stayed away from cobs for just that reason, but have two cob crosses now with minimal feather and they are both absolutely amazing.

Definitely worth a look.
 
marmalade76 said:
There's more to it than just clipping, exercise & weight management, feeding wise there's a lot to avoid - no grain or grain by products (no wheafeed, oatfeed, etc that you see on ingredient lists for most cubes, mixes & mashes), no alfalfa, no nutritionallly improved straw, beet is also iffy and no sugar/molasses. You have to stick to grass & grass products like grass nuts, hay cobs & grass chaff, seeds (so linseed is ok), herbs and fruits & veg are all safe too and feeding marigold & cleavers is recommended.
Click to expand...
I kept my Ardennes on grass, beet and sticky veteran mix without any impact on his CPL - and his was pretty bad when he came to me. I think a lot of cobs benefit from low sugar / starch because they are designed to be good doers but I'm not convinced grain by products influence the lymphatic system. I've got my younger cob on oats.

Turnout was probably more critical in the old boy's retirement than anything he was being fed.
 
marmalade76 said:
There's more to it than just clipping, exercise & weight management, feeding wise there's a lot to avoid - no grain or grain by products (no wheafeed, oatfeed, etc that you see on ingredient lists for most cubes, mixes & mashes), no alfalfa, no nutritionallly improved straw, beet is also iffy and no sugar/molasses. You have to stick to grass & grass products like grass nuts, hay cobs & grass chaff, seeds (so linseed is ok), herbs and fruits & veg are all safe too and feeding marigold & cleavers is recommended.
Click to expand...
That advice is relevant to any none working to medium working cob type. many warmbloods and all ponies of native type.

Work the horse hard enough and you will keep cpl under control and be able to feed most types of feed. The worst thing you can do for a horse with cpl is not work it and leave it stood still.
 
AdorableAlice said:
That advice is relevant to any none working to medium working cob type. many warmbloods and all ponies of native type.

Work the horse hard enough and you will keep cpl under control and be able to feed most types of feed. The worst thing you can do for a horse with cpl is not work it and leave it stood still.
Click to expand...

Thing is a lot of feeds aimed at Lami/good doers, etc has these things in them eg Fast Fibre.

As for the second para, I'd personally not take risk but what you do is upto you.
 
My little loan pony ( in my avatar )has CPL
I didn't know much about it at all until I took him on , had owed 2 other cobs before , neither of them had it
Owner said he sometimes itches his legs , so I thought clip off feathers and have a look , took a while to teach him to have his legs clipped, which was understandable when we uncovered a mess of sores
I joined the CPL fb group and followed their protocol , he lives out 24/7 and is barefoot
His legs are so much better now , still lumpy but not as much , and no sores
It is something that requires regular attending to eg clipping and treating for mites
So I wouldn't discount a horse that has it mildly, but you would have to make sure you have a plan in place for long term looking after the condition
 
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Thanks all.

The maxi cob I was thinking about viewing was sold yesterday.

I didn't want to put anything on here about him as I was worried I'd get jumped on.
 
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