Table of contents for February 2018 in Equus

Overall the study serves as yet another reminder that body language, even when it’s very subtle, matters to horses. We are often told to be “confident herd leaders” when working with horses, but a new study suggests that more submissive body postures are more helpful in certain situations. Researchers at the University of Sussex in England tested the willingness of horses to approach individuals displaying various types of body language. The study used 45 riding-school horses and five pairs of demonstrators who were unfamiliar to the horses. For the experiments, each horse was led into an arena, released and allowed to approach either of the demonstrators. During initial “warm-up” trials, the two demonstrators ---women of similar size and build---adopted neutral body positions, faced each other and allowed the horses to…

I purchased a box of “shop towels” at a local auto parts store and haven’t found an end to their usefulness around the barn. From tack cleaning, to wiping eyes, to drying my own hands after applying medications to my horse, I use them almost daily. Plus, they are very easy to wash and reuse. —Monica Holtman, Ann Arbor, Michigan Send your suggestions for inexpensive horse-care 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.…

This poor horse,” I muttered to myself while texting my veterinarian about Mindi ---again. The past four months had been a roller coaster ride as we worked to restore my petite mare to health. Our veterinarian, Maral Avetian, VMD, had seen Mindi multiple times for issues related to her previous starvation and neglect. But we had had a month of steady improvement (and zero veterinarian visits), and I truly thought that she was out of the woods. As I keyed in the message relaying her signs to Avetian, Mindi moved hesitantly and painfully around her pasture. She had been fine when I checked on her the night before, but this morning she had considerable swelling in her hind legs. As most horse owners do, I went through a mental checklist…

The risk for developing a blockage of the esophagus is higher in winter. Here’s what you need to know to protect your horse. Unlike choking in people, which can lead to suffocation within minutes, choke in horses is more of a slow-motion disaster. A blockage of the esophagus rather than the airway, choke occurs when a horse tries to ingest inadequately chewed feed, a large chunk of carrot or something else he cannot swallow properly. Choke does not inhibit a horse’s breathing but it can be so unpleasant that he becomes anxious or panicky, and if the blockage persists the resulting esophageal damage may seriously compromise his health in the long run. Fortunately, most episodes of choke clear on their own. Even as he strains to relieve the blockage by…

GENTLE CLEANSING ▸ Product: HorseWash ▸ Description: This shampoo is pH balanced to provide gentle cleaning action. Based on Moroccan Rhassoul clay, the formula contains all-natural ingredients and no preservatives. According to the manufacturer, HorseWash is mild enough to use every day, and it leaves a soft, shiny coat that does not require a conditioner. HorseWash comes in powder form; it is mixed with water before use. ▸ Price: suggested retail, $29.50 for a kit that includes 230 grams of powder (seven washes) or $19.50 for a test kit with 65 grams of powder (two washes); both kits include a reusable squeeze bottle. Powder refills are available for $18 for the large or $9 for the small. ▸ Source: Kikolily Natural Products & Services; www.kikolily.com TO REDUCE STRESS ▸ Product:…

An unfortunate truth about veterinary medicine is that it is a business. While most veterinarians get into the profession with altruistic motivations---to help animals or to find ways to make them healthier---the reality is that those goals can’t be pursued without some sort of financial reward. It’s wonderful to help horses, but a person does have to eat. A successful business makes money, and, in the case of equine medicine, the money comes from people who own horses. So, on one level, the more money the business makes, the more successful it is. Still, a veterinary practice is quite different from, say, a car dealership or a real estate brokerage. In fact, a veterinarian has some significant advantages over many other sorts of business people. If you want to buy…

New research shows that a simple stall-side blood test can determine whether a horse’s cough is caused by infectious disease or a chronic inflammatory condition. University of California– Davis and Tufts University researchers worked together to investigate the significance of the protein serum amyloid A (SAA) in the blood of horses with various respiratory conditions. An indicator of inflammation, SAA testing has been used to evaluate and monitor treatment for colic and joint diseases for some time. The research team reviewed the records of 167 horses referred to clinics for respiratory problems and analyzed stored serum samples related to each case. The horses were divided into four groups based on their blood work and clinical signs: equine herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4), equine0 influenza virus (EIV), strangles (respiratory disease caused by infection with…

An initial two-dose vaccination series followed by an annual booster leaves a horse well-protected. No doubt you’re well aware of the importance of an annual tetanus vaccinations for your horse. Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria, which form spores that are commonly found in the soil. When the spores end up in an anaerobic environment---such as the depths of a puncture wound---the bacteria are activated and multiply, producing a potent neurotoxin. Within 10 to 14 days, a horse’s skeletal muscles begin spasming, and he may take on a “sawhorse” stance---stiff straight legs and an arched back---as the disease progresses. Eventually, paralysis of the larynx and diaphragm cause suffocation. Tetanus is a brutal and nearly always fatal disease. Fortunately, the tetanus vaccine is safe and effective. Horses vaccinated with an…

In November 1992, the owner of the small hunter/jumper barn where I trained young horses called to tell me about a 6-year-old gelding she was going to see. She had heard about him from a trainer at the local racetrack; the horse’s owner had stopped paying his training fees and if she wanted the horse, she only needed to come pick him up. I’d been looking for a jumper prospect of my own, so the barn owner suggested I come along and take a look. The gelding had some old hock problems, but if I wanted him, I could have him. If not, she’d take him and we’d turn him into something and sell him. At the track we found a smallish, stocky bay. He looked lonely. He looked hopeful.…

ASTM/SEI---U.S.-based certification which indicates that protective riding helmets and vests meet the safety standards specified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (now called ASTM International) as tested in independent laboratory conditions by the Safety Equipment Institute. cellulitis---inflammation of connective tissues. chondroitin sulfate---a sulfated glycosa-min-oglycan, a large protein molecule that is a constituent of connective tissues and cartilage; a common ingredient in many joint supplements. equine herpesvirus (EHV)---a family of viruses that primarily cause chronic respiratory infections in horses (EHV-1, EHV-4). EHV-1 can also cause abortions in mares and, in rare cases, both EHV-1 and -4 can cause neurologic signs, including progressive weakness and incoordination. EHV-3 causes a venereal disease called equine coital exanthema. equine influenza---acute viral infection involving the respiratory tract. Influenza is marked by inflammation of the…

Eight-five percent of the veterinarians reported having at least one horse with PPID in their practice. An international study shows that approaches to diagnosing and treating pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, also known as Cushing’s disease) are fairly consistent around the world. Caused by an enlarged and overactive pituitary gland, PPID is characterized by excessive levels of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) that can lead to a slew of complications, including a long-haired, slow-to-shed coat, muscle weakness and compromised immunity. Horses with PPID can concurrently have insulin0 resistance and are susceptible to laminitis0. Although typically found in horses 15 years old or older, PPID can also occur earlier in life. To learn more about how PPID is viewed and managed globally, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada developed a survey…

When senior feeds were first introduced more than two decades ago, they were intended to be fed to horses whose aging teeth made it difficult to chew long-stemmed forage. Developed as “complete” feeds, these products met all of a horse’s nutritional needs---no additional hay or forage was required. These early senior feeds proved to be very palatable and highly effective at keeping weight on hard keepers. They were so popular, in fact, that people began feeding them to horses who could still chew hay but needed an additional nutritional boost. This was understandable but led to overfeeding because horses received hay along with their complete feed. Feed companies responded by producing two types of senior feed---complete, meant to be fed without hay, and concentrated products, formulated to be fed in…

“His blue blouse flapped in wind and wet, His boots were splashed with mire, But round his lips a smile was set, And in his eyes a fire.”Joseph O’Connor,“The General’s Death” Made with the same durable ballistic green nylon used in turnout blankets, the Rambo Original Pull Up Boots (suggested retail, $180), from Horseware Ireland, are waterproof and easy to clean. The boots are designed for comfort, with a hardwearing sole. Available in black or brown, in European sizes 36 to 45. Call 800-887-6688 or visit www.horseware.com. Add a splash of color to your turnout with the Muds Stay Cool Six-Inch Boots (suggested retail, $79.95), from Noble Outfitters. Fully waterproof, the boots have a contoured interior, a moisture-wicking lining and a shock-absorbing, anti-microbial insole. New colors for 2018 include Tahoe…

Time was, a diagnosis of “ringbone” would have been very bad news for a horse---at best, he might be retired to spend his days on pasture. At worst, well, there’s only one humane thing to do when a horse can no longer stand or move without severe pain. Fortunately, today there are many more options to help a horse who develops ringbone. In fact, if a developing case is identified early enough---and addressed with the teamwork of a veterinarian and a farrier---a horse may stay sound for years to come. Practically any horse who works hard for a lifetime is a candidate for ringbone. Nonetheless, taking some basic precautions and keeping an eye out for the first signs of trouble can go a long way toward helping a horse remain…

Have a question about your horse’s health, care or training? Our experts offer solutions for a range of equine-management problems. Write to EQUUS Consultants, P.O. Box 7510, Falls Church, Virginia 22040; email: EQLetters@aimmedia.com. Send photos when helpful. MEDICATION Sedation versus a nose twitch Q: I had Quarter Horses for more than 30 years, but now I am the proud owner of three rescues: an 11-year-old 38-inch pony, a 6-year-old Miniature Horse, and a 14-year-old Miniature Donkey. After I first brought them home, I asked the veterinarian to check their teeth, and they needed to be floated. She sedated them to do it. It took two doses before she could handle the donkey. Last year, they needed to be done again. A different veterinarian came out, and he also sedated them. The…