Table of contents for March 2017 in Equus

The staying power of Morgans I am thoroughly enjoying the series on Morgans by Deb Bennett, PhD (“The Mystery of the Morgan Horse,” Conformation Insights, EQUUS 469, and “The Registered Morgan,” Conformation Insights, EQUUS 471). Ever since seeing my first live Morgans at a local show in Gainesville, Florida, in 1972, I knew this was the breed I wanted when I was able to finally buy my own horse. My first horse was a black half-Arabian, half-Morgan mare who lived to be 34—and was never lame, and rarely wore shoes, I might add. My second was her three-quarters Morgan offspring, a black colt, whom I gelded and kept all of his 26 years. I’m now on my third black Morgan. While it seems the Morgan has been surpassed in popularity…

Scratches is the common term for pastern dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin that develops between the heels and the fetlocks. Affected areas become scabby and crusty, sometimes oozing clear or yellowish serum. Usually the result of repeated wetting and drying, scratches develops when bacteria or fungi invade through tiny wounds or cracks in the skin’s surface. Although scratches can occur at any time of year, it is seen more frequently when horses are turned out in wet environments. You can probably treat scratches on your own, and most cases will clear up quickly with proper care. But if your horse develops persistent or severe scratches you’ll want to seek your veterinarian’s help. WHAT TO DO: • Rinse your horse’s legs. Move your horse into a dry area, and hose…

First the good news: The vast majority of the time, those cracks, chips and dings you find on your horse’s hoof walls will be harmless blemishes. Then there’s the bad news: On rare occasions, a hoof crack may be a serious problem that leads to unsoundness. Or a persistent crack may be a sign of chronic trouble. In a worst-case scenario, a deep crack may provide an entryway for potentially life-threatening infections inside the foot. The key, of course, is to be able to distinguish the difference. “Many of the cracks that we see out on the farm, probably at least 90 percent, are not going to cause lameness,” says Dean Moshier, a farrier in Delaware, Ohio, whose clients include pleasure horses as well as top-level athletes. “Most are just…

LEG PROTECTION ▸ Product: ARMA Fleece-Lined Brushing Boots ▸ Description: These lightweight, flexible boots protect a horse’s legs against brushing and other injuries during work. Featuring abrasion-resistant strike pads over the fetlocks, the boots are lined with fleece for comfort as well as to keep dirt and debris away from the skin. The boots are contoured to the shape of the leg, and three elasticized Velcro closures allow a customized fit. Available in black, in cob, full and extra-full sizes. ▸ Price: suggested retail, $53.99 per pair ▸ Source: Shires Equestrian; 603- 929-3880; shop.shiresequestrian.com THROWING SHADE ▸ Product: Sportz Cove ▸ Description: For a shady retreat on show days and for other adventures, the Sportz Cove awning attaches to the back of any mid- to full-size SUV or minivan. A…

GENE THERAPY FOR LAMINITIS? Thanks to a research breakthrough at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, it may one day be possible to treat laminitis using gene therapy that targets damaged cells within the hoof. An often debilitating inflammation of the hoof’s sensitive laminae, laminitis is notoriously difficult to treat. “The issue with laminitis is that the damaged tissue [the lamellae] is highly specialized,” explains Dean Richardson, DVM. “The tricky thing is effectively treating this highly specialized tissue when we really are not entirely sure of what ‘targets’ within that tissue need to be treated.” Richardson and his research team have been investigating the potential for gene therapy techniques to fundamentally alter cells within the hoof. “Gene therapy in this sense means that you define a gene that codes…

The words “broken jaw” summon images of gruesome injuries, uncomfortable treatments and long, uncertain recovery periods. And, when it comes to people, that often isn’t too far off. But for horses, jaw fractures are not necessarily debilitating injuries. In fact, most broken equine jaws are relatively easy to treat, with minimal pain and a good prognosis. This fortunate fact is illustrated by the tale of two jaw fractures that happened to occur, just weeks apart, at A and O Stables in McCoy, Virginia, last year. The farm is owned by Ashley Roberts, DVM, an associate veterinarian at Appalachian Veterinary Services in nearby Riner, Virginia. The horses, their injuries and the treatments they required were about as different as could be, but the end result in both cases was a full…

My biggest concern, returning to the sanctuary, was not the winter weather in Canada the day I left. It was not the 10-hour flight or the logistics of international travel. No, my biggest concern was whether Canela, my golden mare, would remember me. Every Christmas as a child, I wished for a horse, and every Christmas morning I was disappointed. But my optimism lasted for years. When I became old enough to understand that one has to fulfill one’s own wishes, I started making plans for my horse. Of course I would need a farm. But my dream would have to wait until I retired. I needed a place I could support on my small pension, preferably in a warm climate. And so, I finally found a farm in Chile,…

aspiration pneumonitis—lung inflammation due to an inhaled substance such as food, drugs or misdirected mineral oil administered to treat constipation or choke. bars—on the bottom of a horse’s hoof, the continuations of the horny wall running forward from the heels between the sole and frog; also refers to open spaces on the jaw between the incisors and cheek teeth. bar shoe—horseshoe with no opening between the heels; forms a continuous circle; used to extend the base of support to the rear of the heels. biotin—water-soluble vitamin of the B complex. bolus—a large pill or a single mass of oral medication administered all at once. buttress—thickened angle at the heel of a horse’s hoof wall. clubfoot—abnormally upright foot with a high heel and short toe, resulting from inability to straighten the…

“Well could he ride, and often men would say ‘That horse his mettle from his rider takes: Proud of subjection, noble by the sway, What rounds, what bounds, what course, what stop he makes!’” —William Shakespeare, “A Lover’s Complaint” Add a flash of color to your outfit in Printed Balance Riding Tights (suggested retail, $89.95), from Noble Outfitters. Featuring Booty Boost technology for a flattering fit, the tights offer UPF 50+ sun protection, a lightweight stretch hem to reduce bulk inside tall boots or half chaps, and silicone knee patches for a secure seat in the saddle. Available in black with a grape geo print or navy with mint, in sizes XS to XL. Call 855-526-6253 or visit www.nobleoutfitters.com. For comfort in the saddle as well as around town, Real…

I first traveled to Cuba in the summer of 1995 to find my grandparents’ relatives. The two sides of the family—those who emigrated to Florida after the 1959 revolution and those who stayed behind—had had no contact for 36 years. Still, I had grown up hearing stories of my family: My grandfather came from mariners who fished the waters around Baracoa, a small town near the eastern tip of the island. My grandmother’s people were flinty, plainspoken farmers who lived in the interior, many miles from Baracoa. Here, I was told, my greatuncles farmed a homestead with little more than the sweat of their brows and the strength of their horses, animals central to their way of life and sense of self. I longed to meet them, to see the…

RIDING Riding an older horse Q: I have a Shire/Thoroughbred mare who just turned 30 years old. She is healthy and still as spry as she was at 15. My question is this: I haven’t been on her in about two years and was wondering if I would hurt her if I got on her now. Her back has dropped a bit but not drastically. I wouldn’t do anything but walk and maybe a little trotting. We might go out on a trail. What do you think? Loretta Horrigan Hicksville, New York A: A 30-year-old Shire cross is remarkable in itself. If she is healthy and reasonably sound you have a true blessing that is rare in the horse world. Celebrate her! You do need to be careful on a…

Isn’t it always little bit of a wild card when a friend says she wants to come to the barn with you? I don’t mean the friend with the horse-besotted niece—that’s easy. To a horse-crazy child, you represent the dream. Even if the day is hot and full of flies, the child will have a wonderful time going on a lead-line walk and feeding your horse treats. The sponsoring adult will swell with pride at her brilliance for thinking of this adventure, and everyone will bask in the warm light of wish fulfillment. But when an adult asks to go with you, it’s different. First, you wonder why, exactly. If he’s considering buying a horse, or she’s interested in riding lessons, that’s one thing. sometimes, a friend will just say,…