Tom Schell

Protein; Intake & Considerations in the Horse

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How to feed a horse is one of the most popular questions that I get as a veterinarian.  There are many things to consider, mainly being macro and micro nutrient provisions, which include proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Protein is essential for the body in a variety of ways, from building muscle mass to regulation of metabolic function.  How much protein is needed is dependent on each horse and the demands present.  Exact recommendations are hard to make, generally speaking, but in most cases, we have to look at each individual horse, demands, existing health problems and dietary sources.

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Probiotics and Prebiotics in the Horse; Which One is Necessary?

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Probiotics are common in today’s equine industry and even human health.  They are heavily marketed for supporting gastrointestinal health on many levels, but are they really needed and are they really beneficial?  There are many types of probiotics promoted in various products, but unfortunately, they are all lumped together and promoted as being beneficial, which can further muddy the waters. So how do we know if we need to use them and if so, what types are most beneficial? The answer to this question lies not only within research but also through clinical experience.  

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Supplementation: What is the Goal and How to Achieve it.

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The term ‘supplement’ can either be a noun or a verb, implying something that completes or ehances something else, or in the case of a verb context, to add an extra element.  In the health industry, we really use the term in both contexts or sometimes both at the same time.  We may supplement our horse’s or even our own diet with a supplement, using both the noun and verb, which is commonplace.  However, what are we really doing and what are we trying to achieve?  Through a better understanding, we may be able to arrive at that goal a little sooner and even reduce end costs in the long term.

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horse cough

Is it allergies or COPD??

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Respiratory conditions in the horse are very common, but present in many forms.  As horse owners, you may be familiar with terms including allergies, inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  These terms get tossed around quite often and in many cases, despite the final diagnosis, we fail to see the connection between all of them and the possibility that one can progress to another over time.  

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Joint Dysfunction; Are Injections the Only Solution?

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Joint disease is a common manifestation of life, aging and often a result of many contributing factors including conformation, deformities and repetitive overuse.  In horses, joint pain is common not only with aging due to deterioration, but is also present in the younger group secondary to high levels of stress to the areas associated with training and competition.  In all groups, we have an often daily dependence on pain medications, but in horses, this progresses one step further to include repetitive joint injections to help keep the athlete competing. In many respects, we have come to accept these therapies as the only means of management, but are they really helping and is there more that can be done?  Is it also possible that some of these therapies, despite good intentions, may be creating more harm in the end?  With further knowledge, we can understand better and consider different options.

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease In The Horse

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Spring is upon us and with the increase in pollen and other allergens, those horses with prior respiratory allergies can flare, creating a life of misery for them and their owners.  Respiratory conditions impact a large percentage of horses, contributing to health problems ranging from poor performance to complete debilitation.  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the most common respiratory conditions affecting the horse, which can be frustrating to manage.  Just like other health conditions, the more we know and the earlier we intervene, often the prognosis is improved and management made easier.

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Leaky Gut Syndrome; Health & Soundness

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The ‘gut’.  Homebase to the immune system, source of digestion and nutrient assimilation.  We all know how an upset or disagreeing stomach can drain us of our energy, vitality and overall zeal for certain functions, but did you know that the gut may actually be involved with many clinical diseases and even impact joints, soundness and allergies?  It’s true and something we have lightly investigated in a clinical study with horses.  The connections have been known for a long time in human research data and there are indications in the equine industry as well, but all to often, we fail to recognize the problem or address it properly.

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