FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.GettyEquineNutrition.com
June 16, 2014
Dr. Getty’s June Tip: Hay before grain, or vice versa?
Which should be fed first – hay or grain? If you’re feeding correctly, this issue is truly a moot point because the horse should have access to forage (hay and/or pasture) 24/7 with no gaps. Therefore, when fed concentrates, the horse's digestive tract should already have hay flowing through it.
If fed starchy cereal grains (oats, corn, barley, etc.) on an empty stomach, the horse will produce even more acid (potentially leading to ulcers) and it will be leave the stomach quickly. When this happens, there is a risk that it will not be fully digested in the small intestine (especially if large amounts are fed), and end up in the hindgut where starch can be fermented by the bacterial population. This can lead to endotoxin-related laminitis.
If hay is present in the stomach first, it creates a physical barrier for the grain to move out of the stomach as quickly. Starch does not get digested in the stomach so the grain is simply mixed and churned into a semi-liquid mass, which enters the small intestine where it can be digested down to glucose. If there is hay present, fiber mixes with the starch and the whole mass enters the small intestine. Fiber is not digested until it reaches the hind gut, but its presence slows down the digestion of starch, and obstructs the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, leading to a less dramatic rise in insulin.
One thing to note - there is more water involved when hay is present (from increased drinking and saliva production). This is a good thing since digestion within the small intestine cannot take place without water.
Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. is an internationally respected, independent equine nutritionist who believes that optimizing horse health comes from understanding how the horse’s physiology and instincts determine the correct feeding and nutrition practices. She is available for private consultations and speaking engagements.
Dr. Getty will be speaking June 29 on “The Horse’s Decidedly Different Digestion – The Foundation to Good Health” in Santa Ynez, California. In her presentation, Dr. Getty will take a close look at what makes a horse’s digestion unique and how correct (and incorrect) feeding practices impact longevity, vibrancy, and prevention of obesity, colic, ulcers, and laminitis. The event is hosted by the Renew A Horse Foundation. Reserve tickets by contacting the foundation at info@renewahorsefoundation.com or 805-689-6188. More information is on the web at www.renewahorsefoundation.com.
Dr. Getty’s comprehensive resource book Feed Your Horse Like a Horse is available at Dr. Getty’s website, www.gettyequinenutrition.com, Amazon (www.Amazon.com), Barnes and Noble (www.barnesandnoble.com) and Books A Million ( www.booksamillion.com). The seven separate volumes in Dr. Getty’s topic-centered “Spotlight on Equine Nutrition” series are available at her website, where Dr. Getty offers special package pricing, and also at Amazon in print and Kindle versions.
Dr. Getty’s website, www.gettyequinenutrition.com, offers a generous stock of useful information for the horseperson. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter, Forage for Thought; browse her library of reference articles; search her nutrition forum; and purchase recordings of her educational teleseminars. Plus, for the growing community of horse owners and managers who allow their horses free choice forage feeding, Dr. Getty has set up a special forum as a place for support, celebrations, congratulations, and idea sharing. Share your experiences at jmgetty.blogspot.com. Reach Dr. Getty directly at gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Infographic: Equine Joint Structure and Function
Thehorse.com
By The Horse Staff
May 30, 2014
Learn how equine joints work and common joint-function problems in this step-by-step visual guide:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33961/infographic-equine-joint-structure-and-function?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=lameness&utm_campaign=06-04-2014
By The Horse Staff
May 30, 2014
Learn how equine joints work and common joint-function problems in this step-by-step visual guide:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33961/infographic-equine-joint-structure-and-function?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=lameness&utm_campaign=06-04-2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Horses
Thehorse.com - Full Article
By Sharon Biggs Waller
Jun 04, 2014
Depending on his lifestyle and location, your horse might be at risk for suffering subtle but serious vitamin and mineral imbalances
For the most part, horse owners have little to fear when it comes to nutrient deficiencies in their horses' diets. Nowadays many horses consume commercially prepared feed balanced for their energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral needs.
Kathleen Crandell, PhD, equine nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research, explains that most horse owners in the United States have access to good-quality forages, and North American horses live fairly healthy lives. However, we shouldn't take these things for granted. "Nutrient deficiencies in the U.S. tend to be subclinical rather than clinical," she says. "Clinical means there are obvious signs. Subclinical means symptoms are vague. If the horse is not taking in enough nutrients, the problems may show in subtle ways. For example, a front-end lameness could be the result of an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in the diet. We might put the blame on exercise or an accident, and not relate it to nutrient deficiencies."...
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/31995/common-nutrient-deficiencies-in-horses?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=nutrition&utm_campaign=06-09-2014
By Sharon Biggs Waller
Jun 04, 2014
Depending on his lifestyle and location, your horse might be at risk for suffering subtle but serious vitamin and mineral imbalances
For the most part, horse owners have little to fear when it comes to nutrient deficiencies in their horses' diets. Nowadays many horses consume commercially prepared feed balanced for their energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral needs.
Kathleen Crandell, PhD, equine nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research, explains that most horse owners in the United States have access to good-quality forages, and North American horses live fairly healthy lives. However, we shouldn't take these things for granted. "Nutrient deficiencies in the U.S. tend to be subclinical rather than clinical," she says. "Clinical means there are obvious signs. Subclinical means symptoms are vague. If the horse is not taking in enough nutrients, the problems may show in subtle ways. For example, a front-end lameness could be the result of an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in the diet. We might put the blame on exercise or an accident, and not relate it to nutrient deficiencies."...
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/31995/common-nutrient-deficiencies-in-horses?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=nutrition&utm_campaign=06-09-2014
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Equine Disease Monitoring System Can Help Horse Owners Stay Informed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-MERIAL
The recent outbreak of non-neuropathogenic Equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) in the midwestern U.S. has had horse owners and area veterinarians on high alert and in need of up-to-date information. EHV-1 is a highly contagious virus that can cause respiratory disease, abortion and sporadic occurrences of neurologic disease in horses.1
Clinical signs of EHV-1 include fever, lethargy, anorexia, nasal discharge and decreased fitness performance.2 And if the virus advances and becomes Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), lack of coordination, hindquarter weakness, recumbency and urine dribbling may occur.3
As of late April 2014, state authorities had confirmed 11 cases – seven in Minnesota,4 two in Wisconsin5 and one in both Iowa6 and Kansas.7 Horse owners are taking strict precautions – including quarantine – to prevent further spread of the virus. This outbreak of EHV-1 is believed to have first surfaced in barrel horses near the Twin Cities.8 After its initial detection, several equestrian events were canceled or postponed.
“Any time there is an EHV-1 outbreak horse owners should be extra vigilant while traveling considering the highly contagious nature and seriousness of the disease,” says Megan Green, DVM, manager, large animal veterinary services, Merial. “One way they can stay informed is through the Outbreak Alert program.”
The free program tracks confirmed cases of EHV-1, as well as West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, equine influenza, Potomac Horse Fever and rabies. Texts and/or e-mail messages are sent to alert horse owners of confirmed cases. Anyone can sign up to receive these alerts and those who travel with their horses can enter multiple ZIP codes in the site’s search field to help them stay abreast of disease threats throughout the country.
While current vaccines do not reliably protect horses against the neurologic form of EHV-1,1 horse owners can help defend their horses’ health by staying informed with Outbreak Alert. Veterinarians can also benefit from the site, which offers exclusive features, including communication tools that can be used in practices.
Wisconsin state veterinarians had suggested limiting travel and eliminating horse-to-horse contact as the best options for horses exhibiting neurological signs of the disease.1,5 Although humans can’t be infected, they can spread the disease through direct contact or through clothes and supplies.1,5
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 6,200 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide with close to €2 billion of sales in 2013. Merial is a Sanofi company.
For more information, please see www.merial.com.
Contact: Andrew Posch
Assistant Public Relations Manager
Sullivan Higdon & Sink
(816) 283-4795
andrew.posch@shscom.com
The recent outbreak of non-neuropathogenic Equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) in the midwestern U.S. has had horse owners and area veterinarians on high alert and in need of up-to-date information. EHV-1 is a highly contagious virus that can cause respiratory disease, abortion and sporadic occurrences of neurologic disease in horses.1
Clinical signs of EHV-1 include fever, lethargy, anorexia, nasal discharge and decreased fitness performance.2 And if the virus advances and becomes Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), lack of coordination, hindquarter weakness, recumbency and urine dribbling may occur.3
As of late April 2014, state authorities had confirmed 11 cases – seven in Minnesota,4 two in Wisconsin5 and one in both Iowa6 and Kansas.7 Horse owners are taking strict precautions – including quarantine – to prevent further spread of the virus. This outbreak of EHV-1 is believed to have first surfaced in barrel horses near the Twin Cities.8 After its initial detection, several equestrian events were canceled or postponed.
“Any time there is an EHV-1 outbreak horse owners should be extra vigilant while traveling considering the highly contagious nature and seriousness of the disease,” says Megan Green, DVM, manager, large animal veterinary services, Merial. “One way they can stay informed is through the Outbreak Alert program.”
The free program tracks confirmed cases of EHV-1, as well as West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, equine influenza, Potomac Horse Fever and rabies. Texts and/or e-mail messages are sent to alert horse owners of confirmed cases. Anyone can sign up to receive these alerts and those who travel with their horses can enter multiple ZIP codes in the site’s search field to help them stay abreast of disease threats throughout the country.
While current vaccines do not reliably protect horses against the neurologic form of EHV-1,1 horse owners can help defend their horses’ health by staying informed with Outbreak Alert. Veterinarians can also benefit from the site, which offers exclusive features, including communication tools that can be used in practices.
Wisconsin state veterinarians had suggested limiting travel and eliminating horse-to-horse contact as the best options for horses exhibiting neurological signs of the disease.1,5 Although humans can’t be infected, they can spread the disease through direct contact or through clothes and supplies.1,5
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 6,200 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide with close to €2 billion of sales in 2013. Merial is a Sanofi company.
For more information, please see www.merial.com.
Contact: Andrew Posch
Assistant Public Relations Manager
Sullivan Higdon & Sink
(816) 283-4795
andrew.posch@shscom.com
Understanding Protein in Horses' Diets
Thehorse.com - Full Article
By Karen Briggs
Jun 08, 2014
Of all the components of your horse’s diet, protein is probably the most misunderstood. Long assumed to function as an energy source for the body, protein mainly functions to provide amino acids (the building blocks of bones, muscles, and soft tissues) for growth and repair.
What are amino acids good for? Virtually all of the horse’s vital processes, it seems. Amino acids are involved in the synthesis and the release of hormones, the synthesis of neurotransmitters and enzymes, and the regulation of sleep, appetite, and blood pressure, to name just a few functions. But primarily, amino acids are needed for the formation and repair of muscle tissue and other soft tissues throughout the body. On a fat-free, moisture-free basis, they account for approximately 80% of a horse’s total structure...
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/18955/understanding-protein-in-horses-diets?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=nutrition&utm_campaign=06-09-2014
By Karen Briggs
Jun 08, 2014
Of all the components of your horse’s diet, protein is probably the most misunderstood. Long assumed to function as an energy source for the body, protein mainly functions to provide amino acids (the building blocks of bones, muscles, and soft tissues) for growth and repair.
What are amino acids good for? Virtually all of the horse’s vital processes, it seems. Amino acids are involved in the synthesis and the release of hormones, the synthesis of neurotransmitters and enzymes, and the regulation of sleep, appetite, and blood pressure, to name just a few functions. But primarily, amino acids are needed for the formation and repair of muscle tissue and other soft tissues throughout the body. On a fat-free, moisture-free basis, they account for approximately 80% of a horse’s total structure...
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/18955/understanding-protein-in-horses-diets?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=nutrition&utm_campaign=06-09-2014
The Horse’s Vision and Its Effects on Horsemanship
Horsecollaborative.com - Full Article
Posted on June 7, 2014 1:30 pm by Troy Griffith in Horse Health + Care, Natural Horsemanship, Training
Our horses see the world very differently from us in many ways. These differences, due to structure and placement of their eyes, have profound influences on how they react to visual stimuli and should be thoughtfully considered during their training and indeed in all aspects of horsemanship. These differences include field of view, color perception, light adjustment, motion detection, acuity and much more. In this article I hope to detail some of the differences and how they relate to training, riding and caring for horses.
Field of view
The horse’s eye is the largest of all land mammals and their location gives the animal a nearly 360° field of view; that is ‘nearly’ 360°. The horse cannot see directly in front of themselves for a short distance, nor directly behind themselves, unless they move their head. This is why we are all taught never to approach a new horse from either of these directions and to always make them aware of our location as we pass behind them. It is important to note that even though the horse can see in nearly a complete circle, only about 20% of that vision is binocular, the remaining 80% is monocular vision. This means that most of the field of view is seen by only one eye. This explains why your horse will try to swing his head to the side or ever turn his body, to look at something that has ‘caught an eye’. This is why it is so important that we earn the trust and respect of our horses in order to have them able to concentrate on the work we ask of them and not go casting about with their gaze in order to bring things into full view and enable depth perception...
Read more here:
http://www.horsecollaborative.com/horses-vision-effects/
Posted on June 7, 2014 1:30 pm by Troy Griffith in Horse Health + Care, Natural Horsemanship, Training
Our horses see the world very differently from us in many ways. These differences, due to structure and placement of their eyes, have profound influences on how they react to visual stimuli and should be thoughtfully considered during their training and indeed in all aspects of horsemanship. These differences include field of view, color perception, light adjustment, motion detection, acuity and much more. In this article I hope to detail some of the differences and how they relate to training, riding and caring for horses.
Field of view
The horse’s eye is the largest of all land mammals and their location gives the animal a nearly 360° field of view; that is ‘nearly’ 360°. The horse cannot see directly in front of themselves for a short distance, nor directly behind themselves, unless they move their head. This is why we are all taught never to approach a new horse from either of these directions and to always make them aware of our location as we pass behind them. It is important to note that even though the horse can see in nearly a complete circle, only about 20% of that vision is binocular, the remaining 80% is monocular vision. This means that most of the field of view is seen by only one eye. This explains why your horse will try to swing his head to the side or ever turn his body, to look at something that has ‘caught an eye’. This is why it is so important that we earn the trust and respect of our horses in order to have them able to concentrate on the work we ask of them and not go casting about with their gaze in order to bring things into full view and enable depth perception...
Read more here:
http://www.horsecollaborative.com/horses-vision-effects/
Thursday, June 12, 2014
U.S. farmers making hay with alfalfa exports to China
LATimes.com - Full Article
by David Pierson
June 8 2014
The machine harvester cut across Ronnie Leimgruber's alfalfa field, blades whirring, leaving behind a thick trail of leafy legume ready to be dried and baled.
"You've got to drive like hell, drive fast and get as much as you can," said Leimgruber, a burly third-generation farmer in this Imperial Valley outpost.
Every stalk counts. Demand has never been greater for Leimgruber's crop. Prices for alfalfa hay have doubled in recent years to near-record highs.
"The last four years have been the best ever," said Leimgruber, 53. "I've made millions when in years past I've lost millions."
His good fortune traces across the Pacific to China's booming dairy industry.
Faced with dwindling access to water and arable land, China has little choice but to turn to U.S. farmers to help supply feed for the country's growing herd of dairy cows. Packed with fiber and protein, alfalfa hay is considered the gold standard for forage, and the Western United States is the crop's Côte d'Or.
Since 2009, alfalfa exports to China grew nearly eightfold to a record 575,000 tons — shipped overseas in the same containers that deliver the latest iPhones and flat-screen TVs from Chinese factories.
China has now pushed past Japan as Asia's biggest buyer of U.S. alfalfa and is second only to United Arab Emirates as the globe's top importer, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
Read more here:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-feeding-china-hay-20140609-story.html#page=1
by David Pierson
June 8 2014
The machine harvester cut across Ronnie Leimgruber's alfalfa field, blades whirring, leaving behind a thick trail of leafy legume ready to be dried and baled.
"You've got to drive like hell, drive fast and get as much as you can," said Leimgruber, a burly third-generation farmer in this Imperial Valley outpost.
Every stalk counts. Demand has never been greater for Leimgruber's crop. Prices for alfalfa hay have doubled in recent years to near-record highs.
"The last four years have been the best ever," said Leimgruber, 53. "I've made millions when in years past I've lost millions."
His good fortune traces across the Pacific to China's booming dairy industry.
Faced with dwindling access to water and arable land, China has little choice but to turn to U.S. farmers to help supply feed for the country's growing herd of dairy cows. Packed with fiber and protein, alfalfa hay is considered the gold standard for forage, and the Western United States is the crop's Côte d'Or.
Since 2009, alfalfa exports to China grew nearly eightfold to a record 575,000 tons — shipped overseas in the same containers that deliver the latest iPhones and flat-screen TVs from Chinese factories.
China has now pushed past Japan as Asia's biggest buyer of U.S. alfalfa and is second only to United Arab Emirates as the globe's top importer, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
Read more here:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-feeding-china-hay-20140609-story.html#page=1
Grazing Horses Have Adequate Intake of Most Microminerals
Equinews.com - Full Article
By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · May 22, 2014
Forage plants derive mineral content from the soil in which they grow. For the most part, horses that have free access to quality grazing will ingest small but adequate amounts of microminerals such as iron, manganese, and cobalt.
In some locations, levels of copper, zinc, iodine and selenium are too low to provide optimal levels of these elements through grazing alone, and a fortified feed or supplement will be needed. Horse owners can have their soil tested to see if supplementation is warranted in their area. For horses that do not require additional calories beyond what pasture provides, but need additional microminerals, a ration balancer is a good choice...
Read more here:
http://www.equinews.com/article/grazing-horses-have-adequate-intake-most-microminerals?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=e7ab5fb89d-Weekly_Feed_alternate_creative_6_4_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0d95781dfc-e7ab5fb89d-11166&mc_cid=e7ab5fb89d&mc_eid=6283eb0e4a
By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · May 22, 2014
Forage plants derive mineral content from the soil in which they grow. For the most part, horses that have free access to quality grazing will ingest small but adequate amounts of microminerals such as iron, manganese, and cobalt.
In some locations, levels of copper, zinc, iodine and selenium are too low to provide optimal levels of these elements through grazing alone, and a fortified feed or supplement will be needed. Horse owners can have their soil tested to see if supplementation is warranted in their area. For horses that do not require additional calories beyond what pasture provides, but need additional microminerals, a ration balancer is a good choice...
Read more here:
http://www.equinews.com/article/grazing-horses-have-adequate-intake-most-microminerals?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=e7ab5fb89d-Weekly_Feed_alternate_creative_6_4_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0d95781dfc-e7ab5fb89d-11166&mc_cid=e7ab5fb89d&mc_eid=6283eb0e4a
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Australia: Equine Hendra Case Confirmed near Beenleigh, Queensland
Thehorse.com
By Edited Press Release
Jun 03, 2014
Animal health officials are managing a new equine hendra virus case in the Beenleigh, Queensland, Australia, area after a positive test result was received late on June 2.
Queensland Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Allison Crook, BVSc, MACVSc, said one horse has been euthanized on the property after becoming unwell over the weekend.
“There are two other horses on the property,” Crook said. “Tracing and risk assessments are being undertaken on any animals that may have had contact with the infected horse to work out if further testing needs to be done. We will contact other properties that we believe may have had contact with the infected animal.
“The property has been quarantined which means restrictions apply to moving horses and horse materials on and off the property,” she added. “The quarantine will be in place for at least one month.”
Queensland public health officials are assessing the situation today to determine if any humans had contact with the infected horse, and stand ready to provide any assistance, counseling, information, testing, or treatment that might be required.
Crook said this was the second case of hendra virus identified in Queensland horses this year.
“Hendra virus infection can occur throughout the year, so it’s important that horse owners take steps to protect themselves and their animals at all times,” she said. “The affected horse had not been vaccinated. Vaccination is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of hendra virus infection in horses. It is recommended that horse owners speak to their veterinarian about vaccinating their horses.
“If a horse becomes sick, owners should contact their veterinarian immediately,” Crook advised. “People in contact with horses need to remember to continue to practice good biosecurity and personal hygiene measures, even if a horse is vaccinated against hendra virus.”
By Edited Press Release
Jun 03, 2014
Animal health officials are managing a new equine hendra virus case in the Beenleigh, Queensland, Australia, area after a positive test result was received late on June 2.
Queensland Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Allison Crook, BVSc, MACVSc, said one horse has been euthanized on the property after becoming unwell over the weekend.
“There are two other horses on the property,” Crook said. “Tracing and risk assessments are being undertaken on any animals that may have had contact with the infected horse to work out if further testing needs to be done. We will contact other properties that we believe may have had contact with the infected animal.
“The property has been quarantined which means restrictions apply to moving horses and horse materials on and off the property,” she added. “The quarantine will be in place for at least one month.”
Queensland public health officials are assessing the situation today to determine if any humans had contact with the infected horse, and stand ready to provide any assistance, counseling, information, testing, or treatment that might be required.
Crook said this was the second case of hendra virus identified in Queensland horses this year.
“Hendra virus infection can occur throughout the year, so it’s important that horse owners take steps to protect themselves and their animals at all times,” she said. “The affected horse had not been vaccinated. Vaccination is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of hendra virus infection in horses. It is recommended that horse owners speak to their veterinarian about vaccinating their horses.
“If a horse becomes sick, owners should contact their veterinarian immediately,” Crook advised. “People in contact with horses need to remember to continue to practice good biosecurity and personal hygiene measures, even if a horse is vaccinated against hendra virus.”
Strongyles
Article by John Byrd, DVM, Horsemen's Laboratory
Strongyles are the most common parasite found in horses. Approximately 33% of the samples that are examined by Horsemen’s Laboratory are positive for worm eggs. Over 95% of those positive samples are due to strongyle eggs.
The 2 most frequently asked question concerning strongyles are:
1. Are the eggs from large or small strongyles?
The eggs from large and small strongyles appear very similar and cannot be differentiated. The eggs must hatch and then the larvae can be identified as large or small. Research has shown that eggs found today in most situations are 95% small strongyles because Ivermectin use has nearly eliminated the large strongyles.
2. Do you only check for strongyles?
Horsemen’s Laboratory looks for other worm eggs, but seldom finds any; this may be due to fact that over 80% of our horses are adults over 4 years of age. If they are found they are certainly reported.
Since strongyle eggs are so much more prevalent I will discuss some of the characteristics of them.
Large strongyles are also known as bloodworms, red worms or migrating strongyles. These common names come from the characteristics of the adult worms. There are 3 species of large strongyles: Strongylus equinus, edentatus and vulgaris. All strongyles have a very similar beginning to life, the adult females lay eggs that are mixed and passed with the horse’s stool. Once passed with the stool the eggs hatch and develop into infective stage larvae in 3 to 7 days under favorable conditions. The infective larvae crawl from the pile of stool and up on blades of grass in order to be eaten so that they can get in to the large intestine. Each take a different path in migrating through the horse’s internal organs, during the time it is developing into the later larval stages on its way to becoming an adult. All three penetrate the wall of the intestine and then migrate through the liver and pancreas eventually into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream, equinus and edentatus travel back to the intestinal wall burrow through and become adults and suck blood and start laying eggs. Vulgaris on the other hand enters the blood stream and seems to congregate in the cranial mesenteric artery (the artery supplying the anterior portion of the intestine) there it causes severe damage to the lining of the vessel. If the damage is severe enough it can cause the artery wall to weaken and rupture or blood clods and scar tissue to form (thrombus) when these blood clods break off they become known as emboli. These blood clods then may become lodged in the smaller arteries causing a blockage of blood flow to a section of intestine. Since there is no blood flowing to a section of the intestine the body tries to revascularize that section if it is not too large. However; if it is a large area of intestine that is affected it will die causing the intestine to rupture. This process is termed thrombo-embolic colic sometimes necrotizing (this is a term I remember from vet school and I use it here so you can impress your friends). This process frequently occurred before Ivermectin was available. Ivermectin was the first dewormer that was actually absorbed from the intestine at a high enough level in the blood stream to kill the larvae and prevent this damage from occurring. After the larvae do all this damage they travel with the blood flow to the intestine and burrow back into the intestine and become adults and suck onto the intestinal wall and start sucking blood and laying eggs. When these adults are engorged with blood they are very red giving rise to the other 2 common names of bloodworms or red worms. Before Ivermectin, large strongyles were by far the most pathogenic (destructive) parasite of horses often causing colic and anemia. Ivermectin has been credited with greatly reducing the number of large strongyle infections we now see. Recent surveys done indicate only about 5% of strongyle eggs found are from large strongyles.
Small strongyles (cyathostomes), non-migratory strongyles, have now taken over as the most common intestinal parasite of horses. There are over 40 species of small strongyles. As previously stated 95% of the positive tests at Horsemen’s Laboratory are due to strongyle eggs. The surveys indicate that 95% of those eggs are likely from small strongyles. These eggs are produced by adult small strongyle females generally 1-inch in length or less and are passed in the stool of horses. These eggs hatch and go through a three stage larval development to the infective stage in 3 to 7 days under favorable conditions. The infective larvae crawl from the pile of stool and up on blades of grass in order to be eaten so they can get in to the large intestine and penetrate the mucosal lining of the intestine where they become encysted and they remain for 2 weeks or more sometimes up to 2 years or more. The larvae continue to develop in the cysts where they are well protected from most dewormers at normal doses. Every encysted larva had to at one time be an egg that is passed in a horse’s stool. Which bring me to another topic that I would like to address. Often we hear that doing stool samples cannot tell if your horse has encysted strongyles. I would agree if you only do one stool sample; however, if you do stool samples periodically on the horses in a pasture and establish that they are passing large numbers of eggs then it follows that there are large numbers of infective larvae in that pasture for the horses in that pasture to consume. This would then suggest it is likely there will be many more encysted larvae in those horses than in horses in a pasture where very few eggs are being passed. This leads to another reason we recommend doing stool samples, it has been established that horses may be classified as low, medium, and high shedders of strongyle eggs. Once it is known which group a horse falls into it generally stays in that group unless something changes drastically in its environment. An owner has a couple of options once their horses’ egg shedding class is determined to better control strongyles. First, you may deworm the horses more often that are the major egg shedders. Secondly, you may want to divide the pasture and separate the horses according to their egg shedding rate thereby limiting the number of horses that are exposed to high number of infective larvae. It has been stated that 20% or less of the horses in a pasture are passing 80% of the strongyle eggs. This fact has certainly been found to be true in the samples we receive at Horsemen’s Laboratory. We often receive samples from several horses that are in a pasture together with 1 or 2 horses having 2000 - 4000 eggs/gm while others in the same pasture may only have no eggs or very low counts of 100 - 200 eggs/gm. In this article I have tried to touch on some of the most frequently asked questions by our clients here at Horsemen’s Laboratory concerning strongyles in horses. If you have other questions please feel free to contact me directly.
###
If you have questions specific to your barn, pastures, or testing program contact Dr. John Byrd by:
· E-mail: hlab@horsemenslab.com
· Phone: (800) 544-0599
· Contact form: www.horsemenslab.com
To order testing kits visit: www.horsemenslab.com or call: (800) 544-0599.
Horsemen’s Laboratory owner, Dr. John Byrd, has extensive experience with racing and breeding horses and maintains Westbrook Boarding Stable. He founded Horsemen's Laboratory in 1992 so that horse owners could better evaluate their worm control programs and make informed decisions about deworming their horses. Visit www.horsemenslab.com to learn more about Horsemen’s Laboratory and parasites, to sign up for the monthly newsletter, and to order testing kits.
Contact:
John Byrd, DVM
Horsemen's Laboratory
(800) 544-0599
hlab@horsemenslab.com
www.horsemenslab.com
Strongyles are the most common parasite found in horses. Approximately 33% of the samples that are examined by Horsemen’s Laboratory are positive for worm eggs. Over 95% of those positive samples are due to strongyle eggs.
The 2 most frequently asked question concerning strongyles are:
1. Are the eggs from large or small strongyles?
The eggs from large and small strongyles appear very similar and cannot be differentiated. The eggs must hatch and then the larvae can be identified as large or small. Research has shown that eggs found today in most situations are 95% small strongyles because Ivermectin use has nearly eliminated the large strongyles.
2. Do you only check for strongyles?
Horsemen’s Laboratory looks for other worm eggs, but seldom finds any; this may be due to fact that over 80% of our horses are adults over 4 years of age. If they are found they are certainly reported.
Since strongyle eggs are so much more prevalent I will discuss some of the characteristics of them.
Large strongyles are also known as bloodworms, red worms or migrating strongyles. These common names come from the characteristics of the adult worms. There are 3 species of large strongyles: Strongylus equinus, edentatus and vulgaris. All strongyles have a very similar beginning to life, the adult females lay eggs that are mixed and passed with the horse’s stool. Once passed with the stool the eggs hatch and develop into infective stage larvae in 3 to 7 days under favorable conditions. The infective larvae crawl from the pile of stool and up on blades of grass in order to be eaten so that they can get in to the large intestine. Each take a different path in migrating through the horse’s internal organs, during the time it is developing into the later larval stages on its way to becoming an adult. All three penetrate the wall of the intestine and then migrate through the liver and pancreas eventually into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream, equinus and edentatus travel back to the intestinal wall burrow through and become adults and suck blood and start laying eggs. Vulgaris on the other hand enters the blood stream and seems to congregate in the cranial mesenteric artery (the artery supplying the anterior portion of the intestine) there it causes severe damage to the lining of the vessel. If the damage is severe enough it can cause the artery wall to weaken and rupture or blood clods and scar tissue to form (thrombus) when these blood clods break off they become known as emboli. These blood clods then may become lodged in the smaller arteries causing a blockage of blood flow to a section of intestine. Since there is no blood flowing to a section of the intestine the body tries to revascularize that section if it is not too large. However; if it is a large area of intestine that is affected it will die causing the intestine to rupture. This process is termed thrombo-embolic colic sometimes necrotizing (this is a term I remember from vet school and I use it here so you can impress your friends). This process frequently occurred before Ivermectin was available. Ivermectin was the first dewormer that was actually absorbed from the intestine at a high enough level in the blood stream to kill the larvae and prevent this damage from occurring. After the larvae do all this damage they travel with the blood flow to the intestine and burrow back into the intestine and become adults and suck onto the intestinal wall and start sucking blood and laying eggs. When these adults are engorged with blood they are very red giving rise to the other 2 common names of bloodworms or red worms. Before Ivermectin, large strongyles were by far the most pathogenic (destructive) parasite of horses often causing colic and anemia. Ivermectin has been credited with greatly reducing the number of large strongyle infections we now see. Recent surveys done indicate only about 5% of strongyle eggs found are from large strongyles.
Small strongyles (cyathostomes), non-migratory strongyles, have now taken over as the most common intestinal parasite of horses. There are over 40 species of small strongyles. As previously stated 95% of the positive tests at Horsemen’s Laboratory are due to strongyle eggs. The surveys indicate that 95% of those eggs are likely from small strongyles. These eggs are produced by adult small strongyle females generally 1-inch in length or less and are passed in the stool of horses. These eggs hatch and go through a three stage larval development to the infective stage in 3 to 7 days under favorable conditions. The infective larvae crawl from the pile of stool and up on blades of grass in order to be eaten so they can get in to the large intestine and penetrate the mucosal lining of the intestine where they become encysted and they remain for 2 weeks or more sometimes up to 2 years or more. The larvae continue to develop in the cysts where they are well protected from most dewormers at normal doses. Every encysted larva had to at one time be an egg that is passed in a horse’s stool. Which bring me to another topic that I would like to address. Often we hear that doing stool samples cannot tell if your horse has encysted strongyles. I would agree if you only do one stool sample; however, if you do stool samples periodically on the horses in a pasture and establish that they are passing large numbers of eggs then it follows that there are large numbers of infective larvae in that pasture for the horses in that pasture to consume. This would then suggest it is likely there will be many more encysted larvae in those horses than in horses in a pasture where very few eggs are being passed. This leads to another reason we recommend doing stool samples, it has been established that horses may be classified as low, medium, and high shedders of strongyle eggs. Once it is known which group a horse falls into it generally stays in that group unless something changes drastically in its environment. An owner has a couple of options once their horses’ egg shedding class is determined to better control strongyles. First, you may deworm the horses more often that are the major egg shedders. Secondly, you may want to divide the pasture and separate the horses according to their egg shedding rate thereby limiting the number of horses that are exposed to high number of infective larvae. It has been stated that 20% or less of the horses in a pasture are passing 80% of the strongyle eggs. This fact has certainly been found to be true in the samples we receive at Horsemen’s Laboratory. We often receive samples from several horses that are in a pasture together with 1 or 2 horses having 2000 - 4000 eggs/gm while others in the same pasture may only have no eggs or very low counts of 100 - 200 eggs/gm. In this article I have tried to touch on some of the most frequently asked questions by our clients here at Horsemen’s Laboratory concerning strongyles in horses. If you have other questions please feel free to contact me directly.
###
If you have questions specific to your barn, pastures, or testing program contact Dr. John Byrd by:
· E-mail: hlab@horsemenslab.com
· Phone: (800) 544-0599
· Contact form: www.horsemenslab.com
To order testing kits visit: www.horsemenslab.com or call: (800) 544-0599.
Horsemen’s Laboratory owner, Dr. John Byrd, has extensive experience with racing and breeding horses and maintains Westbrook Boarding Stable. He founded Horsemen's Laboratory in 1992 so that horse owners could better evaluate their worm control programs and make informed decisions about deworming their horses. Visit www.horsemenslab.com to learn more about Horsemen’s Laboratory and parasites, to sign up for the monthly newsletter, and to order testing kits.
Contact:
John Byrd, DVM
Horsemen's Laboratory
(800) 544-0599
hlab@horsemenslab.com
www.horsemenslab.com
Your Public Trails Need You
CS.Thehorse.com - Full Article
May 22 2014
As a trail rider, trails are central to my recreation. Except trails aren’t just central to trail riders, they are important for the relaxation, recreation and soul-quenching connection that we all crave: the hikers, bicylists, and riders.
Before I knew about Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA), I thought trails just existed without maintenance. I’ve learned since then, it takes quite a bit of horse-/mule- and manpower to keep trails open and public land accessible. That job takes a community, one of which I’m proud a member. BCHA has dedicated its sole focus to maintaining those trails, which are our access into our land. For the sake of us and our children, I’m so thankful they do. When you look at the statistics, they are absolutely amazing: $86.6 million in volunteer hours since 1995, 176 chapters in 28 states, and still America’s best kept secret...
- See more at: http://cs.thehorse.com/blogs/trail-riding/archive/2014/05/22/your-trails-need-you.aspx#sthash.s9h2aEp1.dpuf
May 22 2014
As a trail rider, trails are central to my recreation. Except trails aren’t just central to trail riders, they are important for the relaxation, recreation and soul-quenching connection that we all crave: the hikers, bicylists, and riders.
Before I knew about Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA), I thought trails just existed without maintenance. I’ve learned since then, it takes quite a bit of horse-/mule- and manpower to keep trails open and public land accessible. That job takes a community, one of which I’m proud a member. BCHA has dedicated its sole focus to maintaining those trails, which are our access into our land. For the sake of us and our children, I’m so thankful they do. When you look at the statistics, they are absolutely amazing: $86.6 million in volunteer hours since 1995, 176 chapters in 28 states, and still America’s best kept secret...
- See more at: http://cs.thehorse.com/blogs/trail-riding/archive/2014/05/22/your-trails-need-you.aspx#sthash.s9h2aEp1.dpuf
Sunday, June 08, 2014
The Correct Way to Use Slow-Feeders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.gettyequinenutrition.com
June 4, 2014
by Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.
Forage is the foundation of every equine’s diet and needs to flow steadily through the digestive tract. Gaps without forage can lead to ulcers, colic, behavioral issues, stall vices, gorging, choke, cribbing, and even laminitis. Truly, the only way to avoid these problems is to allow your horse steady access to forage, free-choice, all day and all night.
Responding to this inherent need is the slow-feeder industry. The purpose of this article is to provide a clear understanding of slow-feeders and how they can be used safely and effectively. There are many styles and types from which to choose. The best approach is to contact several manufacturers to see which product best meets your horses’ needs.
The purpose of a slow-feeding system is to simulate grazing. Horses in a natural setting eat small amounts of forage as they wander in search of the next tasty morsel. They eat virtually all day and night, taking time to socialize and rest every so often for a few minutes at a time. When they know that they always have access to forage, they become calm and relaxed, rest more often, and walk away from their hay, knowing that it will still be there when they return. In other words, they “self-regulate” and eat only what they need to maintain a healthy body condition.
Forage restriction is incredibly stressful. Why should this matter? Because stress causes the release of the hormone cortisol, which in turn leads to elevated insulin. When insulin is high, it tells the body to store fat. Your goal? Get rid of the stress. Feed an appropriate forage (low in sugar and starch) free-choice and allow the horse to tell you how much he needs. There are some horses, however, who gain weight very quickly when given forage free-choice. The reason has to do with the sluggish metabolic rate they’ve developed over time. When forage is parceled out only a few times a day, the horse responds by going into “survival mode,” where his metabolic rate significantly slows down in an attempt to conserve body fat. A cycle of ever-increasing obesity is created that can be reversed only through exercise and removing the hormonal fat-storing response that forage restriction creates.
Slow-feeders, when used properly, are an excellent way to do reduce stress. As their name suggests, they slow down the rate of consumption by providing hay through small openings. When slow feeders are kept full, they allow the horse to graze whenever he wants, thereby encouraging the horse to eat less and still have free access to forage.
The best approach is feeding off the ground
Chewing with the head low is more in line with the horse’s natural physiology, creating even pressure on the teeth and allowing the jaw bone to move freely in all directions. Furthermore, the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and bone structure are not stressed when horses can grab hay in a straight downward motion. Eating with their heads down also protects their eyes and respiratory tract against mold spores and dust and provides for better nasal drainage.
How to start
Use at least two feeders per horse and place them as far apart as possible. Even if your horse is in a stall or small paddock, place one on either end of the area. Many slow-feeders made of hard material can accommodate two or possibly three horses at a time, but it is preferable to have more feeders to encourage movement, satisfy the horse’s natural curiosity, and minimize squabbles among herd members.
Gradually allow your horse to become accustomed to this method of feeding by placing some hay in the feeder as well as loose on the ground next to it. After a few days, most horses will get the hang of the slow-feeder. Some take longer, so don’t force the issue; let your horse get used to it at his own pace.
If your feeder contains a grate, leave it off for a few days as your horse becomes familiar with lowering his head inside the feeder. Once you add the grate, pull hay through the openings to help get him started.
Supervise your horse during this period, watching for signs of frustration. Frustration is a form of stress and needs to be avoided.
Types of slow-feeders
Nets
Hay nets are not the same as slow-feeder nets. Hay nets typically have very large openings, in which your horse can easily become tangled. Slow-feeder nets provide openings that are much smaller. I recommend 1.5 to 1.75 inches for a full-sized horse; anything smaller may cause undo frustration; fatigue can also set in, causing the horse to stop eating.
On the other hand, if the hole is too large, the horse will typically eat as much as if the hay were loose on the ground. Researchers at the University of Minnesota[i] demonstrated that horses took longer to consume their hay as the hole size was decreased. Therefore, it is best to choose a hole size that will slow down feeding but not so small that it induces exasperation.
It is best to purchase one from a reputable manufacturer rather than try to make your own. Cheaper fabrics can unravel and break, potentially damaging teeth and worse, tragically leading to colic if your horse swallows fibers. Commercial products are made from heavy duty fabrics that resist tearing and fraying, and provide safety features as well as customer support.
Advantages of slow-feeder nets
· They come in a variety of sizes that can hold a few flakes, a whole bale, or even an entire round bale.
· There is flexibility in mounting them. Many can be attached to a wall, tree, or sturdy post at a low level. Some are designed to be on the ground, allowing the horse to eat in a more natural position.
Potential problems:
· If there is room behind the bag, the horse could potentially get his head caught. If the fabric tears, a foot could get tangled in the net.
· If the horse is shod, the net must be secured within a bin; you can also hang them high enough to prevent a shoe or nail from snagging on to the netting but this will create an awkward eating position.
· If laid on the ground, they must either be totally loose (expect them to get dirty) or be securely mounted so the horse cannot get a foot or his head caught below the feeder.
· If dangled from a tree or post, it can quickly become a source of frustration as it sways with every attempt to get a bite of hay. This can defeat your purpose in regulating consumption. Furthermore, if the horse were to rear near a feeder hanging from a tree or placed high in a stall, he could trap a hoof.
· They need to be refilled frequently (unless a whole bale size is chosen). Horses who run out of hay (even for 10 minutes) will never get the message that hay is always there and will not self-regulate.
Hard slow-feeders
The best ones are made of sturdy plastic or hard rubber that will not crack in very hot or cold temperatures and can withstand the abuse of being kicked or stepped on. Avoid wooden feeders. You might be tempted to build your own by placing a steel grid on top or on open sides of a container. This can create several hazards:
· There is high potential for sharp edges.
· Clips can get caught on halters or catch an ear or eyelid.
· Grids can tilt.
· Shod horses can trap a foot on the metal openings.
· Metal grates can damage teeth; horses can even get a tooth caught in this type of grid.
· Grated vertical sides force the horse to turn his head sideways, which leads to neck strain.
Here again, choose a reputable manufacturer. Common styles include:
· The hay basket -- consists of a round metal frame which holds a removable plastic basket with large slats to allow for drainage. Since the basket does not sit on the ground, the hay stays dryer.
· Barrel or box type feeders -- these are well received by many horses; however, some horses find lowering their head inside a container to be mentally uncomfortable. Nevertheless, it is better to choose one that sits on the ground rather than forcing your horse to pull hay out from the bottom of a barrel that is hung. Make sure the openings are large enough and preferably rounded to prevent damage to the horse’s mouth and teeth.
Quality hard slow-feeders offer several advantages:
· They allow the horse to eat with their heads in a natural position.
· They are easy to fill with hay.
· Feeding can be shared with more than one horse.
· Dust and dirt tends to flow to the bottom.
Bottom line
When given the chance, horses will self-regulate their intake of forage. We can encourage this grazing behavior through the use of slow-feeders. Using them correctly, respecting the horse’s need to graze at ground level, will help give your horse the opportunity to enjoy a healthy life and be more of what he was meant to be – a horse.
For permission to reprint this article, in part or in its entirety, please contact Dr. Juliet Getty directly at Gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com
Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. is an internationally respected, independent equine nutritionist who believes that optimizing horse health comes from understanding how the horse’s physiology and instincts determine the correct feeding and nutrition practices. She is available for private consultations and speaking engagements.
Dr. Getty will be speaking June 29 on “The Horse’s Decidedly Different Digestion – The Foundation to Good Health” in Santa Ynez, California. In her presentation, Dr. Getty will take a close look at what makes a horse’s digestion unique and how correct (and incorrect) feeding practices impact longevity, vibrancy, and prevention of obesity, colic, ulcers, and laminitis. The event is hosted by the Renew A Horse Foundation. Reserve tickets by contacting the foundation at info@renewahorsefoundation.com or 805-689-6188. More information is on the web at www.renewahorsefoundation.com.
Dr. Getty’s comprehensive resource book Feed Your Horse Like a Horse is available at Dr. Getty’s website, www.gettyequinenutrition.com, Amazon (www.Amazon.com), Barnes and Noble (www.barnesandnoble.com) and Books A Million ( www.booksamillion.com). The seven separate volumes in Dr. Getty’s topic-centered “Spotlight on Equine Nutrition” series are available at her website, where Dr. Getty offers special package pricing, and also at Amazon in print and Kindle versions.
Dr. Getty’s website, www.gettyequinenutrition.com, offers a generous stock of useful information for the horseperson. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter, Forage for Thought; browse her library of reference articles; search her nutrition forum; and purchase recordings of her educational teleseminars. Plus, for the growing community of horse owners and managers who allow their horses free choice forage feeding, Dr. Getty has set up a special forum as a place for support, celebrations, congratulations, and idea sharing. Share your experiences at jmgetty.blogspot.com. Reach Dr. Getty directly at gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com.
www.gettyequinenutrition.com
June 4, 2014
by Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.
Forage is the foundation of every equine’s diet and needs to flow steadily through the digestive tract. Gaps without forage can lead to ulcers, colic, behavioral issues, stall vices, gorging, choke, cribbing, and even laminitis. Truly, the only way to avoid these problems is to allow your horse steady access to forage, free-choice, all day and all night.
Responding to this inherent need is the slow-feeder industry. The purpose of this article is to provide a clear understanding of slow-feeders and how they can be used safely and effectively. There are many styles and types from which to choose. The best approach is to contact several manufacturers to see which product best meets your horses’ needs.
The purpose of a slow-feeding system is to simulate grazing. Horses in a natural setting eat small amounts of forage as they wander in search of the next tasty morsel. They eat virtually all day and night, taking time to socialize and rest every so often for a few minutes at a time. When they know that they always have access to forage, they become calm and relaxed, rest more often, and walk away from their hay, knowing that it will still be there when they return. In other words, they “self-regulate” and eat only what they need to maintain a healthy body condition.
Forage restriction is incredibly stressful. Why should this matter? Because stress causes the release of the hormone cortisol, which in turn leads to elevated insulin. When insulin is high, it tells the body to store fat. Your goal? Get rid of the stress. Feed an appropriate forage (low in sugar and starch) free-choice and allow the horse to tell you how much he needs. There are some horses, however, who gain weight very quickly when given forage free-choice. The reason has to do with the sluggish metabolic rate they’ve developed over time. When forage is parceled out only a few times a day, the horse responds by going into “survival mode,” where his metabolic rate significantly slows down in an attempt to conserve body fat. A cycle of ever-increasing obesity is created that can be reversed only through exercise and removing the hormonal fat-storing response that forage restriction creates.
Slow-feeders, when used properly, are an excellent way to do reduce stress. As their name suggests, they slow down the rate of consumption by providing hay through small openings. When slow feeders are kept full, they allow the horse to graze whenever he wants, thereby encouraging the horse to eat less and still have free access to forage.
The best approach is feeding off the ground
Chewing with the head low is more in line with the horse’s natural physiology, creating even pressure on the teeth and allowing the jaw bone to move freely in all directions. Furthermore, the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and bone structure are not stressed when horses can grab hay in a straight downward motion. Eating with their heads down also protects their eyes and respiratory tract against mold spores and dust and provides for better nasal drainage.
How to start
Use at least two feeders per horse and place them as far apart as possible. Even if your horse is in a stall or small paddock, place one on either end of the area. Many slow-feeders made of hard material can accommodate two or possibly three horses at a time, but it is preferable to have more feeders to encourage movement, satisfy the horse’s natural curiosity, and minimize squabbles among herd members.
Gradually allow your horse to become accustomed to this method of feeding by placing some hay in the feeder as well as loose on the ground next to it. After a few days, most horses will get the hang of the slow-feeder. Some take longer, so don’t force the issue; let your horse get used to it at his own pace.
If your feeder contains a grate, leave it off for a few days as your horse becomes familiar with lowering his head inside the feeder. Once you add the grate, pull hay through the openings to help get him started.
Supervise your horse during this period, watching for signs of frustration. Frustration is a form of stress and needs to be avoided.
Types of slow-feeders
Nets
Hay nets are not the same as slow-feeder nets. Hay nets typically have very large openings, in which your horse can easily become tangled. Slow-feeder nets provide openings that are much smaller. I recommend 1.5 to 1.75 inches for a full-sized horse; anything smaller may cause undo frustration; fatigue can also set in, causing the horse to stop eating.
On the other hand, if the hole is too large, the horse will typically eat as much as if the hay were loose on the ground. Researchers at the University of Minnesota[i] demonstrated that horses took longer to consume their hay as the hole size was decreased. Therefore, it is best to choose a hole size that will slow down feeding but not so small that it induces exasperation.
It is best to purchase one from a reputable manufacturer rather than try to make your own. Cheaper fabrics can unravel and break, potentially damaging teeth and worse, tragically leading to colic if your horse swallows fibers. Commercial products are made from heavy duty fabrics that resist tearing and fraying, and provide safety features as well as customer support.
Advantages of slow-feeder nets
· They come in a variety of sizes that can hold a few flakes, a whole bale, or even an entire round bale.
· There is flexibility in mounting them. Many can be attached to a wall, tree, or sturdy post at a low level. Some are designed to be on the ground, allowing the horse to eat in a more natural position.
Potential problems:
· If there is room behind the bag, the horse could potentially get his head caught. If the fabric tears, a foot could get tangled in the net.
· If the horse is shod, the net must be secured within a bin; you can also hang them high enough to prevent a shoe or nail from snagging on to the netting but this will create an awkward eating position.
· If laid on the ground, they must either be totally loose (expect them to get dirty) or be securely mounted so the horse cannot get a foot or his head caught below the feeder.
· If dangled from a tree or post, it can quickly become a source of frustration as it sways with every attempt to get a bite of hay. This can defeat your purpose in regulating consumption. Furthermore, if the horse were to rear near a feeder hanging from a tree or placed high in a stall, he could trap a hoof.
· They need to be refilled frequently (unless a whole bale size is chosen). Horses who run out of hay (even for 10 minutes) will never get the message that hay is always there and will not self-regulate.
Hard slow-feeders
The best ones are made of sturdy plastic or hard rubber that will not crack in very hot or cold temperatures and can withstand the abuse of being kicked or stepped on. Avoid wooden feeders. You might be tempted to build your own by placing a steel grid on top or on open sides of a container. This can create several hazards:
· There is high potential for sharp edges.
· Clips can get caught on halters or catch an ear or eyelid.
· Grids can tilt.
· Shod horses can trap a foot on the metal openings.
· Metal grates can damage teeth; horses can even get a tooth caught in this type of grid.
· Grated vertical sides force the horse to turn his head sideways, which leads to neck strain.
Here again, choose a reputable manufacturer. Common styles include:
· The hay basket -- consists of a round metal frame which holds a removable plastic basket with large slats to allow for drainage. Since the basket does not sit on the ground, the hay stays dryer.
· Barrel or box type feeders -- these are well received by many horses; however, some horses find lowering their head inside a container to be mentally uncomfortable. Nevertheless, it is better to choose one that sits on the ground rather than forcing your horse to pull hay out from the bottom of a barrel that is hung. Make sure the openings are large enough and preferably rounded to prevent damage to the horse’s mouth and teeth.
Quality hard slow-feeders offer several advantages:
· They allow the horse to eat with their heads in a natural position.
· They are easy to fill with hay.
· Feeding can be shared with more than one horse.
· Dust and dirt tends to flow to the bottom.
Bottom line
When given the chance, horses will self-regulate their intake of forage. We can encourage this grazing behavior through the use of slow-feeders. Using them correctly, respecting the horse’s need to graze at ground level, will help give your horse the opportunity to enjoy a healthy life and be more of what he was meant to be – a horse.
For permission to reprint this article, in part or in its entirety, please contact Dr. Juliet Getty directly at Gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com
Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. is an internationally respected, independent equine nutritionist who believes that optimizing horse health comes from understanding how the horse’s physiology and instincts determine the correct feeding and nutrition practices. She is available for private consultations and speaking engagements.
Dr. Getty will be speaking June 29 on “The Horse’s Decidedly Different Digestion – The Foundation to Good Health” in Santa Ynez, California. In her presentation, Dr. Getty will take a close look at what makes a horse’s digestion unique and how correct (and incorrect) feeding practices impact longevity, vibrancy, and prevention of obesity, colic, ulcers, and laminitis. The event is hosted by the Renew A Horse Foundation. Reserve tickets by contacting the foundation at info@renewahorsefoundation.com or 805-689-6188. More information is on the web at www.renewahorsefoundation.com.
Dr. Getty’s comprehensive resource book Feed Your Horse Like a Horse is available at Dr. Getty’s website, www.gettyequinenutrition.com, Amazon (www.Amazon.com), Barnes and Noble (www.barnesandnoble.com) and Books A Million ( www.booksamillion.com). The seven separate volumes in Dr. Getty’s topic-centered “Spotlight on Equine Nutrition” series are available at her website, where Dr. Getty offers special package pricing, and also at Amazon in print and Kindle versions.
Dr. Getty’s website, www.gettyequinenutrition.com, offers a generous stock of useful information for the horseperson. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter, Forage for Thought; browse her library of reference articles; search her nutrition forum; and purchase recordings of her educational teleseminars. Plus, for the growing community of horse owners and managers who allow their horses free choice forage feeding, Dr. Getty has set up a special forum as a place for support, celebrations, congratulations, and idea sharing. Share your experiences at jmgetty.blogspot.com. Reach Dr. Getty directly at gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com.
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
Creepy Crawlies, Part 2: Tremendous Ticks
Thehorse.com - Full Article
By Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
May 26, 2014
Ticks can infect horses with an array of diseases including equine piroplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease.
In the first article of this series, we learned that mosquitoes have been touted the "deadliest" animal on earth because they can transmit a plethora of life-threatening infectious diseases to both humans and animals. Because ticks spread what might be the widest variety of disease-causing agents to animals, including bacteria, parasites, and viruses, it is therefore reasonable to crown ticks "First Deadly Runners-Up."
"There is an array of infections that North American horses can acquire from ticks, including equine piroplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease, to name a few," says Robert Mealey, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, associate professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "These diseases can be challenging to diagnose, are potentially life-threatening to the infected horse as well as horses residing nearby, and in some cases are able to infect humans..."
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/29483/creepy-crawlies-part-2-tremendous-ticks?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=health-news&utm_campaign=05-27-2014
By Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
May 26, 2014
Ticks can infect horses with an array of diseases including equine piroplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease.
In the first article of this series, we learned that mosquitoes have been touted the "deadliest" animal on earth because they can transmit a plethora of life-threatening infectious diseases to both humans and animals. Because ticks spread what might be the widest variety of disease-causing agents to animals, including bacteria, parasites, and viruses, it is therefore reasonable to crown ticks "First Deadly Runners-Up."
"There is an array of infections that North American horses can acquire from ticks, including equine piroplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease, to name a few," says Robert Mealey, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, associate professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "These diseases can be challenging to diagnose, are potentially life-threatening to the infected horse as well as horses residing nearby, and in some cases are able to infect humans..."
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/29483/creepy-crawlies-part-2-tremendous-ticks?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=health-news&utm_campaign=05-27-2014
Sunday, June 01, 2014
Horse Hydration FAQs
Thehorse.com - Full Article
By Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor
May 27, 2014
We consulted two equine nutritionists to answer your burning questions about equine hydration.
Water is the fuel that keeps all living creatures’ bodies functioning. In horses, it’s a crucial nutrient for digestion and thermoregulation, among other life-supporting functions. However, there’s more to keeping horses hydrated than simply providing them constant access to clean water. In this article we’ve called on Kristen M. Janicki, MS, PAS, an equine nutritionist based in Versailles, Ky., and Mary Beth Gordon, PhD, an equine nutritionist and director of equine research at Purina Animal Nutrition, to answer your most frequently asked reader questions about hydration. In no particular order, here’s (almost) everything you need to know about watering horses:
1. How long is too long for a horse to go without water?
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33926/horse-hydration-faqs?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=health-news&utm_campaign=05-27-2014
By Alexandra Beckstett, The Horse Managing Editor
May 27, 2014
We consulted two equine nutritionists to answer your burning questions about equine hydration.
Water is the fuel that keeps all living creatures’ bodies functioning. In horses, it’s a crucial nutrient for digestion and thermoregulation, among other life-supporting functions. However, there’s more to keeping horses hydrated than simply providing them constant access to clean water. In this article we’ve called on Kristen M. Janicki, MS, PAS, an equine nutritionist based in Versailles, Ky., and Mary Beth Gordon, PhD, an equine nutritionist and director of equine research at Purina Animal Nutrition, to answer your most frequently asked reader questions about hydration. In no particular order, here’s (almost) everything you need to know about watering horses:
1. How long is too long for a horse to go without water?
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33926/horse-hydration-faqs?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=health-news&utm_campaign=05-27-2014
Study: Owners Might Miss Signs of Equine Back Pain
Thehorse.com - Full Article
By Christa Lesté-Lasserre
May 27, 2014
If your horse had a sore back, would you be able to tell? Recent research by a French behavior team suggests that you might not. In a recent study, caretakers estimated that less than 12% of horses at various equestrian centers had back pain. In reality, however, nearly 50% of these horses suffered from back pain.
“These results are worrisome,” said Clémence Lesimple, PhD, of the University of Rennes. “While it’s true that back problems can be difficult to detect outside of a clinical evaluation, they usually lead to behavioral signs—in particular, aggression—that should alert owners and caretakers of a problem...”
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33942/study-owners-might-miss-signs-of-equine-back-pain?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=health-news&utm_campaign=05-27-2014
By Christa Lesté-Lasserre
May 27, 2014
If your horse had a sore back, would you be able to tell? Recent research by a French behavior team suggests that you might not. In a recent study, caretakers estimated that less than 12% of horses at various equestrian centers had back pain. In reality, however, nearly 50% of these horses suffered from back pain.
“These results are worrisome,” said Clémence Lesimple, PhD, of the University of Rennes. “While it’s true that back problems can be difficult to detect outside of a clinical evaluation, they usually lead to behavioral signs—in particular, aggression—that should alert owners and caretakers of a problem...”
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33942/study-owners-might-miss-signs-of-equine-back-pain?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=health-news&utm_campaign=05-27-2014
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