Table of contents for December 2017 in Equus

Naked foal syndrome I read “Genetic Test Now Available for Naked Foal Syndrome” (Medical Front, EQUUS 476), and I wanted to let your readers know that the website of the Akhal-Teke Association of America (www.akhal-teke.org) has more information on this condition and what the ATAA is doing to address it. So far, we have had 25 horses tested through our program and have published the results on our website. While naked foal syndrome does not appear to be a large problem in our North American Akhal-Teke population, as we know of only one affected foal born approximately 20 years ago, we feel that helping to educate breeders and owners is the best way to eradicate this mutation. Cathy Leddy Snohomish, Washington Firsthand experience with enteroliths I live in Southern California…

It’s natural to worry when your horse undergoes surgery to have an eye removed, but a study from England suggests that the chances for complications or other problems related to the procedure are low. Veterinarians reviewed the records of 170 horses who underwent eye removal (enucleation) at eight referral centers in the United Kingdom from August 2006 to March 2015. Although the study did not focus on the reasons for the surgery, it is often performed to relieve discomfort from or halt the progression of uveitis, fungal infections and ulcers. In addition to reviewing medical records, information was gathered from 119 of the owners by completion of a questionnaire about their satisfaction with the outcome of the procedure. The data showed that 86 percent of the owners who expressed concerns about…

I hang a small mesh laundry bag on a hook in my tack room to hold my horse’s brushing and bell boots between rides. The bag allows the boots to dry thoroughly after use and keeps them from getting lost in the bottom of my tack box.—Stacey Martinez, Killeen, Texas Send your suggestions for inexpensive horsecare substitutes as well as hints for saving effort and time to Hands On, EQUUS, P.O. Box 7510, Falls Church, Virginia 22040; email: EQLetters@aimmedia.com. Senders of published items will receive selected EQUUS merchandise.…

“Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, In the lane, snow is glistening.”---Richard B. Smith, “Winter Wonderland” The watches of the Longines Equestrian Collection are inspired by the leathers and designs of the equestrian world. The model shown (suggested retail, $3,900) features a quartz movement in a steel case shaped to reflect the rectangular buckle on the show bridle of the Swiss Franches-Montagnes breed. The overstitched brown calfskin strap is designed to match fine tack, and the face is encircled by 60 diamonds. Visit shop.us.longines.com. Made with water-resistant leather and canvas, the limited edition AA Travel Bag (suggested retail, $300), from Horseware Ireland, is a roomy carryall featuring plaited leather handles, a detachable shoulder strap with a padded shoulder protector, and spur-shaped hardware on the front to show off your equestrian…

BEHAVIOR How to stop stall weaving Q:I have adopted an exracehorse, who is a real sweetheart. He spends most of his day in a pasture with my other horses, and I bring him in to a stall only for feeding. My concern is that he weaves whenever he is in his stall. Sometimes he will just stand and weave his head back and forth, and sometimes he’ll move his front feet. He even weaves while eating: He grabs a mouthful and walks up and down his stall, then grabs another and keeps walking. My veterinarian checked him out, and my horse is physically fine. I’ve been told that he weaves out of boredom, but I don’t believe that since he spends so little time in his stall. I would love…

I did my dressage today! Uh, I meant yoga….” So said one of the riders who takes yoga lessons from me, happy to share that she had “schooled” between her weekly sessions. She had inadvertently and intuitively made the connection that yoga is dressage for people: Just as dressage helps enhance strength, suppleness, focus and responsiveness in horses, with yoga we can learn to execute impressive feats of athleticism and balance. Yoga can make any discipline easier and safer for riders. Younger people may maintain natural strength and suppleness more easily than older riders do, but often they can benefit from deeper work. Yoga can also offset some of the stiffness and loss of strength that naturally comes with age. Practicing yoga regularly is a way to enhance your ability…

Most people consider two main things when deciding whether to become the owner of an animal. First is how complicated and expensive caring for it will be. Second is how much emotional return you get on your investment. Let me explain. Dog care can be very complicated and somewhat expensive. Dogs require at least daily feeding, you have to get them looked after when you go on vacation, you have to clean up the yard from time to time, you have to take them for walks (which, of course, is good for both of you) and so forth. For their part, dogs are pretty much always happy to see you, they sit by your side, they lick your face, they want to go on walks with you, and if called…

Reducing the amount of protein in your horse’s diet could, ultimately, protect his respiratory health, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Florida and University of Delaware teamed up to investigate the effects of dietary protein on the amount of nitrogen in urine and feces. Nitrogen is a component of ammonia, explains Jessie Weir, PhD. “Excess protein in the diet is broken down into nitrogen in the small intestine,” she says. “That nitrogen is then excreted as urea, which breaks down into ammonia in the stall. Ammonia is what causes the acrid smell that you can detect in a barn when the stalls need to be cleaned or the ventilation isn’t sufficient.” Besides having a strong smell, ammonia is caustic. “It irritates the nose and lung tissue,…

Hauling horses in winter presents some season-specific challenges. With a bit of preparation and common sense, however, you can keep your horse safe and comfortable on the road. •Blanket carefully. You want your horse to be warm for the ride without getting overheated. Maintaining balance in a moving trailer requires physical effort, which will cause a horse to generate his own heat. If he sweats under a heavy blanket, he will end up chilled and uncomfortable. A clipped horse may need a light blanket during the ride for warmth, but a horse with a full winter coat can likely make the ride without one. •Be vigilant about ventilation. Your instinct may be to close up the trailer tight against the cold, but fresh air is critical for your horse’s health…

As you finish brushing your horse’s face, take a moment to give him a quick kiss on the nose. In addition to expressing your affection, this gesture serves the practical purpose of enabling you to sniff his breath. A normal horse’s breath will have no detectable odor, aside from a whiff of sweet feed or maybe wild onions if he’s recently grazed in spring pasture. Any unpleasant odor is reason for concern. Dental and sinus infections have a distinct “rotting” smell, as do some advanced tumors. If you smell anything foul near your horse’s nostrils, call your veterinarian. A complete dental exam and, possibly, an endoscopic investigation, will likely uncover the source of the problem.…

FOR HEALTHY JOINTS Product: equistro Flexadin UC-ii Description: This banana-flavored powdered supplement is formulated to support the normal repair of cartilage and joints, maintain mobility and flexibility, and aid a healthy inflammatory response. Fed once daily as a top dressing, equistro Flexadin UC-11 contains methylsulfonylmethane (MsM) plus a patented collagen ingredient. Price: suggested retail, approximately $180 for a 600 gram bottle (1.32 pounds) Source: Vetoquinol UsA/equistro; www.barnchats.com VERSATILE PROTECTION Product: Arrow Vet ChewBlocker Cohesive Vet Wrap Description: To deter chewing, these wraps are infused with food-grade additives that give them an unappealing taste and smell. Designed to be easy to unwind, tear and apply, the wrap can be used to cover bandages over wounds or stitches, support muscles or legs, and protect legs during transport. The wrap sticks to itself…

For the safety of your horse’s pasturemates, remove his hind shoes or fit him with plastic ones when he’s not in regular work—that seems to be the message of a new study from Switzerland. Researchers at the University of Zurich used drop-impact test apparatus to simulate the speed and force of a typical horse’s kick. Then they subjected the long bones of the equine leg (radii and tibiae) to “kicks” with the impactor head covered with a steel, aluminum or polyurethane block, to simulate various shoe materials. The impactor head was also covered with hoof horn to mimic the blow from an unshod horse. The data showed that kicks delivered by horses wearing metal shoes were very likely to cause serious injury, with a 75 percent probability of fracture from…

Q:Which of the following can cause hearing loss in horses? a. arthritis b. infection c. genetics d. all of the above pop Quiz ANSWER d. All of these are known to cause hearing loss in horses. Arthritis of the skull’s temporohyoid joint can interfere with a horse’s ability to hear, as can infection. Hearing loss may also occur in some horses born with white coats, as opposed to gray horses whose coats become lighter over time, due to genetic mutations that are associated with the coat color.…

Purchase: Horse toys •Considerations: Stall toys are designed to provide mental stimulation, but horses may have their own ideas about what’s fun. Some are content to simply bat a hanging ball back and forth, others might need the motivation of a treat to interact with a toy. Durability is important: Even the most engaging toy will be useless if it breaks within a few days of use. Be sure to regularly inspect toys for safety. •Options: Rubber molded balls, which hang from the ceiling or are left loose to be nudged around, were some of the first stall toys for horses and continue to be a favorite. Larger, inflatable balls more suitable for use in paddocks have also become popular. Another option is lickable toys that incorporate a hard, replaceable…

curvature of Spee---natural, slight arc in the occlusal (chewing) surface of the molars. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)---organic chemical that has a number of medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic; DMSO can pass readily through the skin. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)---large organic molecule that consists of two chains of nucleotides wound around each other; the material of which genes are made. Genes are responsible for the individual inherited characteristics of living organisms. endoscope---small, flexible tube equipped with light and a viewing device; used to examine or operate on body passages or internal organs. epiglottis---flap that hinges upward to protect the space between the vocal cords during swallowing, preventing swallowed material from going down the windpipe (trachea) into the lungs. esophagus---muscular tubular passageway for food leading from the pharynx to the stomach. guttural…