Asymetry anyone?

Globalendurance Blog - Full Article & Photos

1/21/2012

"Do you know that your martingales are only on one side?"

On many endurance events, observant and well meaning crew, fellow riders and spectators remind the riders of Global Endurance Center of the fact that their running martingales are on one side of the reins.

Indeed, they are!

What are the reasons for this symmetry? Is it for looks or function?

Riding with symmetrical martingales certainly has it's place in the arena. But it does not give us any advantages on the trail, on endurance or conditioning rides.

When flexing and bending a horse, symmetrical martingales only allow a flexing of about 45 degrees on each side. After that angle is reached, the opposing martingale will inhibit any further bending by counteracting and preventing the outside of the neck to stretch any further. Just imagine, if you had a difficult horse, a run away or bolt. It would be very hard to bend or circle the horse enough to gain control.

Quite different is the situation with the one sided or asymmetrical martingales...

Read more here:
http://globalendurance.typepad.com/global-endurance-blog/2012/01/assymetrie-anyone.html

Freeze Branding for Identification

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Les Sellnow
March 01 2008, Article # 8616


"humane form" of permanent identification.
Branding of livestock traces all the way back the to the Middle Ages, when animals were identified by marks burned into their skins with a fiery stick. The practice gained impetus in the New World when Spanish landowners developed large herds of cattle that roamed across Mexico and eventually moved northward into what is now Texas.

Those were the days of open range, when cattle from many owners were intermingled. Branding them with a hot iron was the method of choice for determining ownership. It is a system that is still in vogue today in the West for horses and cattle, and up-to-date brand papers are a must when traveling from state to state, or even from county to county, within a Western state with horses or other livestock.

However, it was learned very early on that there were serious differences involved when branding cattle as compared to branding horses. To put it simply, a cow has a thicker, tougher hide than a horse. Thus, a hot brand might be held in place for up to 10 seconds to leave a lasting scar on a cow or steer. However, if the same were done to a horse, the brand very well might burn into the muscle. With horses, a hot brand is applied for only a second or more in order to do leave a lasting mark, but not impart damage to deeper tissues and muscles....

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=8616

Microchipping vs. Branding Horses: Which is Less Stressful?

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Christa Lesté-Lasserre
October 25 2011, Article # 19025


Identifying horses is a necessary part of horse ownership. But whether we should mark horses with a microchip implant or a hot iron brand has become a subject of "heated" debate.

Austrian researcher Christine Aurich, DVM, PhD, professor at the Graf Lehndorff Institute at the University of Veterinary Sciences in Vienna, and a research team set out to find a resolution to this issue. They studied the amount of stress brought on by iron branding and microchip implantation in 14 young foals between 1 and 5 months old-seven were branded and seven were microchipped--and compared the results.

By measuring the foals' heart rates, physical reactions, salivary levels of cortisol (the "stress" hormone), and skin temperatures, Aurich's team found no significant difference in stress levels between the horses that received an iron brand on the thigh or a microchip injected into the neck.

"We were a little bit surprised that branding did not result in a stronger stress reaction," Aurich said. "There was a tendency towards a higher cortisol release in the foals after branding, but it did not reach statistical significance..."

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19025

Horses, Mountain Lions, and Learning to Shake it Off

Myhorse.com - Full Article

by Amy Herdy

My horse and I share one deep-rooted fear: mountain lions.

And since we live in a part of Colorado that is prime mountain lion territory, it’s a realistic angst. A mountain lion once snatched a young boy from his father’s hand in an area I’ve often hiked (miraculously, the father and his older son chased down the mountain lion, throwing rocks and sticks, and were able to save the boy, and he’s fine today), and mountain lions have been seen at the edge of our horses’ pasture and near trails where I run.

Once as I walked out to her pasture to catch my mare, I spotted a tall, wheat-colored tail moving like a furry periscope in some distant weeds at just about the same time she did.
I’ve never seen my horse bolt so fast. I don’t know who was more startled. Luckily, it turned out to be the neighbor’s really hefty domestic cat.

And then there was the memorable time we were trail riding in an area marked by signs that said, “You are in mountain lion territory” –not that I needed reminding. It’s hard to enjoy the scenery when you’re also keeping a watchful eye for something that considers you lunch...

Read more here:
http://myhorse.com/blogs/horse-care/horses-mountain-lions-and-learning-to-shake-it-off/?utm_source=Week27&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Editorial-Newsletter-1

Cold Weather Colic

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Scott Leibsle, DVM
January 01 2012, Article # 19407


Well here we are again ... winter! The average horse owner is likely well-acquainted with his or her horse's colic risk regardless of the season, but with cold weather come complicating factors that all owners should prepare for.

The No. 1 cause of colic during winter is a lack of fresh, unfrozen water. Horses must drink 10-12 gallons of fresh water every day and can dehydrate quickly if water is unavailable. Horses that aren't getting enough water are at a greater risk for conditions such as simple indigestion or impaction. A frozen water trough is the usual dehydration culprit, but occasionally horses choose to not drink water simply because it is so cold. Heaters for your troughs and buckets are therefore an absolute "must" to ensure continual access to water in the winter. Keep in mind that electrolyte supplements are not a suitable water substitute and do not mitigate the risk of dehydration. There is nothing wrong with adding (appropriate amounts of) electrolytes to your horse's diet, but offer them in a separate container, leaving the main water supply clean and fresh. Horses might attempt to eat snow to compensate for some fluid loss, but snow is largely composed of air and will not provide the volume of water necessary to hydrate a 1,000-pound animal.

The treatment for a case of dehydration is fairly obvious: fluid replacement...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19407

One-Sided Runny Nose: Is Sinusitis to Blame?

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
December 28 2011, Article # 19350


The common cold comes and goes with the seasons, and as winter approaches many horse owners are stuffing their barn coat pockets full of tissues to combat the perpetual runny nose that accompanies the ailment. Not unlike us, although not necessarily more commonly in the winter months, our horses can also come down with ailments that cause runny noses--typically with drainage from both nostrils. The causes of runny noses in horses are plentiful, but if a horse has a nasal discharge coming down only one nostril, it most likely due to some form of sinus disease.

"Inflammation of the sinus, called sinusitis, is by far the most common cause for a unilateral (one-sided) nasal discharge in horses," explained Paddy Dixon, MVB, PhD, MRCVS, professor of equine surgery in the University of Edinburgh's Division of Veterinary Clinical Sciences during his presentations at the 12th Congress of The World Equine Veterinary Association, held Nov. 2-6 in Hyderabad, India.

According to Dixon, some of the potential causes for the unilateral, white to green, thick mucus discharging from one or more of the seven paired sinuses in a horse include:

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19350

Importance of Dietary Protein in Horses

Equinews.com - Full Article

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · December 15, 2011

Protein is important for rebuilding damaged and growing tissues, transporting nutrients in the blood, making blood-clotting factors, and a host of other functions. Growing horses and broodmares usually require more protein in the diet than is provided by forage. Young, growing horses need additional protein to produce muscle and bone, whereas broodmares need it either to nourish the growing fetus or to produce protein-rich milk during lactation. Lucerne (alfalfa), soybean meal, and canola meal are natural sources of quality protein because they contain the necessary amounts of essential amino acids (especially lysine and methionine) and are often included in fortified feeds for horses for that reason. Synthetic sources of lysine and methionine are also available...

Read more here:
http://www.equinews.com/article/importance-dietary-protein-horses?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c9ba147339-Weekly_Feed_Northern_1_11_2012&utm_medium=email

Does Equine Hoof Shape Have an Effect on Soundness?

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
January 10 2012, Article # 19421


Could it be? A potential predisposing factor for lameness that can be seen with our very eyes? According to one British researcher, this dream could be a reality. A recent study revealed that certain hoof shapes and characteristics can be associated with chronic lameness, while others point to a sound horse.

"Despite being widely accepted that abnormal foot conformation may be associated with lameness, there is a paucity of evidence-based information concerning foot size and shape and lameness; the purpose of this study was to photographically document the foot shape and external hoof characteristics of lame and nonlame horses," said Sue Dyson, MA, VetMB, PhD, DEO, FRCVS, head of Clinical Orthopaedics at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, England. Dyson presented her study at the 12th Congress of The World Equine Veterinary Association, held Nov. 2-6, 2011, in Hyderabad, India.

Researchers photographed, analyzed, and compared the front feet of 25 nonlame horses in full work to 427 feet from 300 lame horses. Causes for lameness were variable and included injury to the collateral ligament of the coffin joint, injuries of the deep digital flexor tendon, osteoarthritis, and foot pain of undiagnosed cause, among others...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19421

Endurance Etiquette on the Trail

Endurance Ride Stuff Blog - Full Article

by Karen Chaton


From Wikipedia: Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group.

Trail etiquette during an endurance ride can be extremely important. It’s a lot like common sense. There’s also a lot to be said for being polite and courteous to your fellow rider. I think it’s important to have some patience and some willingness to tolerate other riders that may be clueless on the trail. I’ve seen many heated exchanges over the years with riders yelling at one another over some sort of etiquette infraction. That seldom does any good and often results in hard feelings.

Here is an article on the topic that Jackie Bumgardner wrote for Endurance News a while back. It covers a wide range of etiquette – everything from camping to riding and vet checks.

I think that a lot of times, riders don’t even realize that they are doing something on the trail that is annoying to those around them. This is why I try to ride my own ride while trying to have as little impact on anybody else.

If you ride a horse that kicks, put a red ribbon in the tail. Yellow for stallions, and green for a green or new horse. Kicking and unpredictable horses should be kept away from groups of horses...

Read more here:
http://enduranceridestuff.com/blog/2012/01/endurance-etiquette-trail/

Economics of Round Bale Feeders Examined

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Casie Bazay, BS, NBCAAM
December 29 2011, Article # 19353


Because of their affordability and convenience round bales of hay are a popular feeding choice for horses, but controlling horses' hay intake is difficult, and feeding round bales can result in excessive hay waste. Several round-bale feeders are available for horses, but how well do they prevent hay waste? And are they cost-effective?

A group of researchers from the University of Minnesota recently put nine different round-bale feeder designs to the test.

"The objectives of this study were to determine hay waste, hay intake, and economics of nine round-bale feeder designs and a no-feeder control when used in feeding horses," said Krishona Martinson, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science and lead author of the study.

Using 25 mature, nonworking Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds, the researchers rotated five groups of five horses among outdoor paddocks, each containing one of the nine feeder designs or the no-feeder control.

Feeders used were:

Cinch Net ($147; Cinch Chix LLC);
The cone ($1,195; Weldy Enterprises);
Covered Cradle ($3,200; SM Iron Inc.);
Hayhut ($650; Hayhuts LLS);
Hay Sleigh ($425; Smith Iron Works);
The ring ($300; R & C Livestock);
Tombstone ($250; Dura-Built);
Tombstone Saver ($650; HiQual); and
Waste Less ($1,450; JSI Innovations LLC).

Researchers collected, dried, and weighed excess hay surrounding the feeders (or not attached to the core bale in the no-feeder control) daily...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19353

Diagnosing Equine Ataxia: Go Back to Basics

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
December 24 2011, Article # 19308

Your horse's gait doesn't look right. It's not something you can really put your finger on, but he looks off. Is he lame, or is there something else going on? And how serious is it?

"Most clinicians can intuitively recognize an ataxic gait, but for owners or in subtle cases it can be challenging to distinguish an ataxic horse from a lame horse," explained Caroline Hahn, DVM, MSc, PhD, Dip. ECEIM, ECVN, MRCVS, from the Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, at the 12th Congress of The World Equine Veterinary Association, held Nov. 2-6 in Hyderabad, India.

That being said, Hahn recommends going back to the basics to truly understand what ataxia is and how to diagnose the cause for ataxia in affected horses.

"Ataxia is a Greek term that means inconsistent," said Hahn. "Ataxic horses are those that are unable to control the rate, range, or force of their movements resulting in an inconsistent gait."

A normally functioning body is able to "sense" how its joints, muscles, and tendons are moving, and where all of the components of the body are in relation to each other. This is called proprioception, and two regions of the brain are responsible for proper proprioception: the forebrain and the cerebellum (at the base of the brain)...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19308

Winter Feed Changes: Use Caution when Adjusting Rations

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Oklahoma State University
December 22 2011, Article # 19329

Horses need more feed to replace energy loss brought about by harsher weather conditions as the temperature turns colder, and that means equine owners need to take steps to ensure colic does not become a problem.

Equine owners must practice sound management in altering their animals' rations if problems with colic or founder are to be avoided, said Dave Freeman, PhD, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension equine specialist.

"Concentrate composition and amounts should be increased gradually over a period of several days, especially if the horses are already consuming large quantities of grain," Freeman said.

Many concentrates will have significant levels of soluble carbohydrates, which are efficient providers of energy.

"However, eating too much of these compounds in one meal is a significant contributor to the frequency of colic and founder in horses," he said.

One general guideline is to limit grain feedings to maximum single meal intakes of around 5 pounds per 1,000 pounds of body weight.

"Of course, some concentrates are less energy dense than others, so following recommended intake levels on feed bags is a good practice," Freeman said.

Gradually increase portions of grain mixes over several days when conditions require horses to need significant increases in energy intake is an added precaution against colic...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19329

Fighting equine respiratory and skin problems in winter

Equisearch.com - full article

By the Editors of EQUUS magazine
Sound equine management will keep your horse free from respiratory difficulties and irritating skin conditions this winter.

With all your winter-wear, your lotions, vitamins, flu shots, your heated gym, office and home, you're living in the lap of luxury compared to your horses in the winter. Even in regions where temperatures remain moderate throughout the winter, horses suffer from ailments similar to those that plague their owners, including runny noses, chapped skin, the flu and even cabin fever.

The irony is that many of the horses' winter-related problems are initiated or exacerbated by their owners' good intentions: In trying to keep their horses as warm and dry as the hairless human deems comfortable, they drape naturally insulated animals in blankets, seal them up in airtight barns and stuff them with scoop after scoop of grain. Indeed, most of the wintertime woes that plague horses could be prevented with some simple management changes. Consider these seasonal troublemakers and some winterizing tactics that work with horse nature, not against it.

Respiratory Difficulties
Good air quality is essential to the health of a stabled horse no matter what the season of year. But in winter, when your inclination is to cover windows and vents, disconnect fans and shut barn doors, inadequate ventilation can cause serious respiratory problems...

Read more here:
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/winter/winterproblems_101904/?utm_source=EquiSearchNL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter

Challenges in Hydrating and Balancing Equine Electrolytes

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
December 21 2011, Article # 19307

Like the old saying goes (or similar to it), you can lead a horse to an electrolyte replacement fluid but you can't make him drink. As most equestrians know, balancing a horse's electrolyte and fluid intake with the sweat they produce during exercise is an ongoing challenge.

"When horses sweat they lose more electrolytes per liter of sweat than humans do, which means that horses do not develop as strong of a 'thirst stimulus' as human athletes do," explained Hal Schott II, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, professor of equine medicine at Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, during his presentation at the 12th Congress of the World Equine Veterinary Association held Nov. 2-6, 2011, in Hyderabad, India. "They simply do not have the same drive to drink while competing as humans."

Another reason that sweating competitive horses don't drink when their riders and veterinarians think they should is because of the fluid reserves in their gastrointestinal systems.

"Approximately 5% of their body weight is extra fluid--called a fluid reserve--in their intestines that can be used to replace fluid during endurance exercise," relayed Schott.

But what happens when this fluid reserve is drained and excessive electrolytes are lost during competition?...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19307&src=VW

Australia: Brumby trainers tame wild horses

ABC.net.au - Full Article

By Keva Gocher
Sunday, 18 December 2011

Katherin Guderian from Montana in the United States loves the Australian wild horse so much that she moved from America to make her home with horse 'whisperer' and wild brumby trainer Barry Paton.

"Ten years ago I came over and really enjoyed this area, (now) Barry and I have a 3,000 acre place over by Tooma (on the south-western side of the Snowy Mountains) in New South Wales and that is where we go involved with the brumbies."

The American born veterinarian knows wild horse issues from the United States where there is a large community movement to keep the mustang running free and wild on the grasslands.

Barry Paton tames wild horses, but is also a champion horse rider and winner of endurance horse events like the prestigious 'Man from Snowy River' challenges.

"I caught up with her on the Heritage Horse ride in 2000 as they came around Australia and I met her in Wagga where I had my trick brumby show."

He is also an enthusiastic supporter of Australia's wild horses in the high country.

"I've lived in the mountains all my life and I have had a fair bit to do with brumbies, so I like to save them and keep them going, as I think it is terrible that the National Park are trying to get rid of them, because they have been here as long as white man has been here and they are our heritage."

Both Barry Paton and Katherin Guderian are supporters of the rights of the Australia brumby to run free, however there are many individuals, and government agencies that are involved in removing the horse from the wild, where it is blamed for causing damage to a fragile environment...

Read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2011/s3393446.htm?site=southeastnsw

Treating Laminitis with Acupuncture

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Feature Editor
December 05 2011, Article # 19228

Acupuncture is a relatively simple treatment option veterinarians and horse owners consider for a variety of equine ailments, but little scientific evidence of its efficacy exists--particularly in regards to treating laminitis. Lisa Lancaster, MSc, PhD, DVM, of Lancaster Veterinary Services, in Denver, Colo., explored how this complementary therapy can be used as part of a multimodal approach to treating laminitis at the 6th International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot, held Oct. 28-31 in West Palm Beach, Fla.

When treating laminitis, veterinarians' goals include reducing the horse's pain and inflammation, unloading the most compromised structures in the foot, and treating the underlying cause of the disease. Acupuncture can be useful and help boost efficacy of traditional treatments, according to Lancaster, with its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects and with its homeostatic (regulating) influences. The biggest asset this therapy offers for laminitis patients, however, is pain modulation.

"The needles send a message to the nervous system that can interrupt or reduce pain," Lancaster explained...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19228

Soaking Hay: How Much Sugar is Actually Removed?

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Casie Bazay, BS, NBCAAM
November 30 2011, Article # 19217

Grasses and hays high in water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) can spell disaster for horses with laminitis or insulin resistance (IR). Some veterinarians and nutritionists suggest soaking hay to reduce the amount of WSC in the hay (because water-soluble means these simple sugars dissolve in water), but how much WSC content does soaking actually reduce? According to one team of researchers, it varies depending on how long the hay is submerged.

High WSC levels markedly affect blood-insulin responses in horses and often cause an exaggerated response in laminitic or IR horses. Exaggerated insulin responses can lead to potentially life-threatening bouts of laminitis.

Led by Annette Longland, BSc, PhD, DIC, of Equine and Livestock Nutrition Services in Wales, U.K., a group of researchers recently set out to test the effects of soaking on the WSC and crude protein (CP, to see how much protein was leached during hay soaking) of nine different hays from England and Wales.

The research team completely submerged two kilograms of the mixed species meadow or ryegrass hays either compacted in the flakes or shaken loose of the flake in large plastic tubs filled with 24 liters of 8°C (46°F) tap water. Hays were soaked for 20-minute, 40-minute, three-hour, and 16-hour periods. The researchers then dried the hays in an oven before analyzing them chemically...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19217

Outbreak Alert Gives Veterinarians and Horse Owners the Edge in Fighting Disease

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MERIAL
Contact:
Colleen Scott

Public Relations Manager

Sullivan Higdon & Sink

(816) 283-4724

colleen.scott@shscom.com

When it comes to equine health care, a partnership between horse owners and veterinarians is a must. Equally important is staying informed about potential disease threats that may put a horse’s health at risk. That’s the reason Merial launched www.outbreak-alert.com, a free program used to notify horse owners and veterinarians about reports of equine disease throughout the country.



Since June 2011, the program has provided notification of more than 500 disease reports threatening the overall health and well being of horses. As of late October 2011, those notifications included 52 cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in seven states1 and 69 cases of equine West Nile virus (WNV)1 in 20 states. Notifications of other preventable diseases such as rabies, Potomac horse fever (PHF) and equine influenza have also been shared with concerned horse owners. Cases of Equine herpesvirus (EHV-1), which is highly contagious, have also been reported through the program.



“I think the Outbreak Alert program is an excellent way for my clients to stay informed about diseases that might threaten the health of their horses,” says Kerby Weaver, DVM, Wilhite & Frees Equine Hospital, Peculiar, Mo. “It is an especially valuable tool for horse owners who travel with their horses because they may not otherwise be aware of potential disease threats in the areas they are traveling to.”



In addition to the cases reported on the website, which are visually displayed on a map of the United States, the Outbreak Alert program also offers a notification system. Those who sign up for the free service receive an e-mail or text message when a disease is reported in a specific geographic area. Horse owners who travel may enter multiple zip codes so they can stay abreast of disease threats throughout the country.



Recently, printable reference materials and articles about the most common equine diseases, their transmission and potential impact on a horse’s health were added to the site. “Horse owners want to provide the best care possible for their horses,” says April Knudson, DVM, equine specialist for Merial’s Large Animal Veterinary Services. “Veterinarians can use these tools to help educate their clients, strengthening the veterinarian-client relationship. Ultimately, as horse owners become even more educated about the importance of preventive care, the horses will benefit.”



When considering vaccinations, horse owners should be aware of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) guidelines which include recommendations for vaccinating against core diseases, including WNV, EEE, Western equine encephalitis, tetanus and rabies.2 All of these diseases can have devastating effects on the short- and long-term health of horses. Of the horses diagnosed with WNV, one in three dies or must be euthanized.3 Horses diagnosed with EEE face as high as a 90 percent mortality rate.4,5 Rabies is always a death sentence to a horse.6



Veterinarians and horse owners can sign up for the service by visiting www.outbreak-alert.com and clicking the “register” button in the top right corner. As soon as people register, they will begin receiving information about potential threats in their geographic areas as they occur.



About Merial
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,600 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2010 sales were more than $2.6 billion. Merial is a Sanofi company.



1 United States Department of Agriculture. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Available at: http://nsu.aphis.usda.gov/nahss_web/arbovirus_summary.faces. Accessed October 24, 2011.

2 Guidelines for Vaccination of Horses. American Association of Equine Practitioners. Available at: http://www.aaep.org/vaccination_guidelines.htm. Accessed September 29, 2011.

3 Guidelines for the vaccination of horses: West Nile virus. American Association of Equine Practitioners. Available at http://aaep.org/wnv.htm. Accessed September 28, 2011.

4 Mosquito Borne Diseases: Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus—Prevention is Just a Vaccine Away. Department of Animal Science. University of Connecticut. Available at: http://animalscience.uconn.edu/extension/publications/mosquito.htm. Accessed February 28, 2011.

5 Eastern/Western equine encephalomyelitis. American Association of Equine Practitioners. Available at: http://www.aaep.org/eee_wee.htm. Accessed September 28, 2011.

6 Marteniuk J. Rabies in horses. Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Available at: http://old.cvm.msu.edu/extension/equine/RabiesinHorses.pdf. Accessed October 24, 2011.



©Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. EQUIBGN1140 (10/11)

Slowing Feed Intake Might Reduce Insulin Spikes

Equinews.com - Full Article

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 3, 2011

The method by which you deliver your horse’s meals could affect insulin concentrations, and this could be valuable for horses with insulin resistance.

Research completed at North Carolina State University investigated the possibility of changing feed consumption rate through alternate delivery systems, thereby affecting insulin concentrations. Slowing consumption could be advantageous for horses with insulin resistance.

Using eight mature horses of mixed breeding and average body condition (score of 5 or 6), researchers used four feed delivery methods. The control consisted of a typical bucket with a diameter of 17 inches (43 centimeters) and a depth of 10 inches (20 centimeters). The three other methods included a typical bucket with four 4-inch (10-centimeter) diameter bocce balls as obstacles, a bucket with a waffle-like insert that rested at the bottom and created wells in which the feed settled, and a bucket in which an equal weight of water and feed were mixed and allowed to settle for 15 minutes prior to feeding...

Read more here:
http://www.equinews.com/article/slowing-feed-intake-might-reduce-insulin-spikes?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=2220e5b3f3-Weekly_Feed_Northern_11_23_20111_12_2011&utm_medium=email

Cryotherapy Methods to Treat Laminitis

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Feature Editor
November 22 2011, Article # 19147

Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, has been shown to prevent laminitis in the at-risk equine patient and is often recommended for relieving pain and inflammation in the acutely laminitic horse. In a workshop at the 6th International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot, held Oct. 28-31 in West Palm Beach, Fla., three laminitis researchers discussed commonly used cryotherapy methods.

Presenters included Christopher Pollitt, BVSc, PhD, director of the Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit and honorary professor of equine medicine at the University of Queensland's School of Veterinary Science; Andrew van Eps, BVSc, PhD, MACVSc, and Dipl. ACVIM, senior lecturer in equine medicine at the University of Queensland's School of Veterinary Science; and James Orsini, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, associate professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, all of whom have studied and practiced cryotherapy.

Cryotherapy is known to have anti-inflammatory effects, along with analgesia (pain relief), vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels), and hypometabolism (which reduces the metabolic demands of the foot or, as Orsini explained it, "puts the foot into a temporary state of hibernation"). The therapy's key mechanism is that it reduces enzymatic activity in the lamellar tissue by about 50% for every 10°C drop in tissue temperature. Benefits of this include:

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19147

Endurance Horse Training Basics Part 2: Tying examples

Enduranceridestuff Blog - Full Article

by Karen Chaton

Another very important lesson for an endurance horse is tying. They really need to be able to be tied to a variety of different things. Why? Well, let me tell you a story.

Many years ago on an endurance ride I heard a couple of horses galloping by my rig. It was about…oh, 4 a.m. I got up quickly and put shoes and a raincoat on. Of course it was raining!

My horses were both tied safely on their trailer ties. The loose horses came galloping past me again. They didn’t have halters on them. I was able to grab a couple of halters, ropes, and a bucket with some grain in it. Woke up a friend next to me and we went in pursuit of these loose horses. We were eventually able to catch them with the bucket of feed, and we got halters on them easily enough. Then we went to tie them up to a trailer so that we could go in search of who they belonged to.

Endurance Horse Training Basics Part 2: Tying examplesThe horses didn’t tie. They panicked, freaking out, slipping and falling all over the place...

Read more here:
http://enduranceridestuff.com/blog/2011/11/endurance-horse-training-basics-part-2-tying/comment-page-1/

Combat Hock Problems in Horses

Equisearch.com - Full Article

By Elaine Pascoe with Gary Baxter, VMD

Wear and tear can break down these critical joints. Here are the latest targeted treatment options to avoid hock problems in horses.

Your horse is leaning on the bit, unwilling to bring his hind end up under himself or really use his hindquarters as he moves. When he takes a fence, he doesn’t push off with the power you know he has. Is he getting lazy? Regressing in his training? Or is it hock problems?

The hocks are a key part of your horse’s hind-end driving mechanism. Actions such as jumping and work at collected gaits, which call for extra hind-end effort, are especially tough on these hard-working joints. So are tight turns and small circles, which load the hocks unevenly and apply twisting force. With time and miles, the joints can start to break down and cause hock problems in horses.

That’s the bad news—but there’s good news, too. You can take steps to keep your horse working comfortably and extend his career, even when hock problems start to develop. In this article, we’ll explain what goes wrong and what you can do...

Read more here:
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/combat-hock-problems-in-horses/?utm_source=EquiSearchNL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter

Study: Dental Work Improves Feed Digestibility in Horses

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Kelleyerin Clabaugh, DVM
November 18 2011, Article # 19148

Many horse owners do not recognize signs of dental disease until a horse has obvious difficulty chewing, reduced appetite, feed dropping, and weight loss. Thus, even horses with mild dental disease benefit significantly from corrective dental work, according to recent research by a team from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich in Germany.

In the study, researchers evaluated voluntary hay intake, fecal particle size, and nutrient digestibility of nine adult Warmbloods--that all chewed normally, but had mild to moderate enamel points of the molars and premolars--before and after dental correction.

Because the horses selected for the study were not having any apparent difficulty chewing, the researchers were not surprised to learn that voluntary feed consumption did not change after floating the horses' teeth. The horses continued to ingest the same amount of food as before the procedure, indicating they were not any more or any less comfortable.

On the contrary, the team was surprised to find that fecal particle length did not change after treatment. Previous studies involving horses with more significant dental disease revealed that fiber length was shorter after flotation. Thus, fecal fiber length could be a good predictor of severe, but not subtle, dental disease.

In the current study chemical analysis of the fecal material indicated increased nutrient digestibility of dry matter, energy, and crude fiber. "Even the correction of moderate dental findings may increase apparent digestibility significantly," the authors noted...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19148

Benefits of basic training: an example! (or two)

Karen Chaton's Enduranceridestuff Blog - Full Article

Thought I’d show a perfect example of a time when having a horse trained to not panic when he gets caught in something can be a lifesaver.

A couple of years ago I was riding Chief at the Grand Canyon XP. We had just come up a steep climb and were starting to level out. I was riding behind a small group of horses ahead of me.

That’s when I realized all of a sudden that Chief was dragging something! We had been in heavy tree cover and no one saw the wire. All it took was one strand of it to get caught, dragging the roll with it. Here is what I wrote about it at the time:

On one of the days of the ride I was riding up a new trail when Chief suddenly became entangled in barbed wire. Rusty old, nasty stuff. Chief wasn’t the first horse to get caught in it–Cheryl Johnson’s horse ahead of us got caught and got a puncture. Fortunately Chief stopped and stood perfectly still as soon as he realized he was caught and dragging a whole roll of the stuff. I quickly hopped off, told him to stay (which he did) and went to his hind legs to get it off of him. He was perfectly behaved about it and didn’t even lift a leg up until I picked it up. Good boy!

The best part was that Chief stood perfectly still – I flipped his reins over his head so that he was ground tied...

Read more here:
http://enduranceridestuff.com/blog/2011/11/benefits-basic-training/comment-page-1/

Trail Survival Guide

Horsechannel.com - Full Article

Trail riders’ famous last words and other dos, don’ts and dilemmas.

By Jennifer Nice

The trail is washed out and impassable. Your friend’s horse is showing signs of heat stress. You have a sneaking suspicion that you are lost. It’s getting dark and your feet are killing you. These are some of the many predicaments that trail riders seem to get themselves into.

It’s not that trail riders are more accident-prone than other riders, but their sense of adventure does occasionally lead to perils and pitfalls. Here is some advice so you don’t find yourself uttering every trail rider’s famous last words: “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.”

Wardrobe Malfunctions
You’re several hours into a ride and your feet are throbbing. You realize that it was a mistake to ride in a brand-new pair of boots. Your new jeans are making you wish you’d bought a roomier pair. What’s worse is you still have two hours of riding left. You’re so desperately uncomfortable that you would do almost anything to get out of the offending articles of clothing. What are your options?

Dismount and walk for a little while. You can also adjust the length of your stirrups to relieve the pressure on your feet, and some of the restriction of your tight new jeans.

You want to be adequately protected in both hot and cold weather, so choose your clothing carefully. Dress in layers that you can shed if necessary. Wear comfortable shoes that you have already broken in, with heels that are designed for riding so your feet won’t slip through the stirrups. Stories of riders who are critically—even fatally—injured as a result of getting a foot caught in a stirrup are all too common. You certainly don’t want to be one of the statistics. The same goes for riding helmets. The body heals; the brain doesn’t...

Read more here:
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-exclusives/trail-survival-guide.aspx