Equine Articles
As the goes, ‘no hoof, no horse’. There is another saying that goes along the lines of “a horse has 5 hearts”, which implies that not only do we have the normal heart, pumping blood, but each foot is actually a heart in function, also responsible for pumping blood up and out of the limb and back to the heart. The only way that this can be done is through proper hoof health and balance. The horse cannot ambulate on 3 legs, at least for a prolonged period of time, as compared to a dog or even a cat, so even a minor issue involving the foot can resonate throughout the body. They are dependent on proper hoof health and balance, not only from a lameness point of view, but also overall health.
This is likely one of the most common questions on most horse owner’s minds. How can I reduce costs, but yet still maintain the level of health or soundness in my equine companion? It is a good question, but unfortunately one that is easier to answer in some horses compared to others. The bottom line is that there are options, but in many cases, we have to define what the problems are and target the sources. It is possible and likely more readily achieved than most realize.
Anhidrosis is a common problem, impacting upwards of 10% of horses, usually subjected to high heat and humidity for prolonged periods of time. It is an important condition, as its presence can impact stamina, recovery and overall ability by the owner to exercise their horse. Sweat production is vital for the body, not only to aid in detoxication, but also in thermoregulation, so when the horse cannot sweat, they can quickly overheat. Solutions are sporadic, with some of these therapies helping a few horses, while others do not benefit. Hopefully, if we take a deeper look into this condition, we can arrive at some potential options to improve management.
Metabolic syndrome is a name applied to a collective group of risk factors that raise the risk of other health conditions. In humans, we see a rise in the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, vascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions and many others. In horses, we generally see an increased risk for insulin resistance, Cushing’s disease and laminitis. The term ‘metabolic’ actually implies an alteration in cellular metabolism or biochemical processes, but is often quickly associated with a state of increased body weight or obesity. The syndrome is actually complex, involving many pathways, but as with other conditions, with a more indepth understanding comes better management.
Stress; The Battery of Life and Impact on Health, Fatigue and Recovery
Stress is something that we all encounter daily whether if we are animal or human. Stressors are the reason as to why we adapt and hopefully overcome new challenges, whether if that is a new task at work, a new exercise routine or environmental changes. It is what hopefully makes us stronger, more resilient. Those stressors create a stress response in our body, which then we hopefully adapt to over time. The question is how much stress is our body supposed to handle, or that body of our equine companions or even pets, and how does prolonged stressor exposure impact health, recovery and even soundness or injury?
Selenium and vitamin E are often two of the most common supplemented antioxidants in horses, often attributed to poor soil conditions and likewise perceived deficiencies in the patient. They are both important antioxidants and vital to cellular health, but all too often, we just supplement without justification or even more, we fail to see rationale for the need for supplementation. Each horse is different and just because a region is perceived as deficient in selenium or a forage is low in vitamin E, does not always equate to the need for supplementation in every horse. We need to look deeper, connect the dots and seek deeper, underlying problems which may be addressed adequately.
Curcumin is one of the most heavily researched herbs due to its potential to impact the inflammatory process in several models. One key concern, in some studies, is bioavailability or absorption, which has likewise raised concerns as to its true efficacy in regards to health conditions. Are these concerns truly founded or is it all hype? Experience tells us that it is a little of both.
Alternative medicine. Holistic therapy. These are terms tossed around quite frequently in the veterinary and human world of medicine and surgery. To some, they are the only route to go, while to others, they are often seen as last resorts or even in some views ‘quackery’. The truth is that we need to take a different look at these options, seeing them for what they are and if so, potentially benefit patients on a higher level.
The equine diet has become quite complex over the past 10 or so years. Specialty feeds, complex supplements and other regimens have become the ‘normal’ for most horses, especially those in the competition arena. On the same side of the coin, we also have an apparent rise in equine health conditions ranging from injuries and joint disease, to metabolic concerns and laminitis. Considering this, one would have to ask whether if our current approaches are helping or more so hindering our progress?
One of my major concerns, as a veterinarian and researcher, is the inflammatory process and how it can dictate health and soundness. This process is complex, involving many contributors, but diet is a major player. As we investigate further the impact of gastrointestinal health on overall health and soundness, certain things begin to fall into place and become more obvious. The first item is diet, what we are feeding and how we define this. The second item of concern is the picky eater, which more than likely we have all encountered at one time or another. Many owners feel this ‘pickiness’ is often ‘cute’ or a trait for a particular horse….but is there more to it? Is this actually a symptom or sign of something larger?
Stomach ulcers in horses are quite common, actually becoming more of a problem that in the past for our equine patients. It has been estimated that upwards of 80% of all horses, including sedentary and those in training, exhibit gastric ulcers but not all are clinically evident. In some studies, it has been demonstrated that just by moving a horse into a barn or training facility, the incidence of stomach ulcers increases beyond 80% and upwards to almost 100%. Some cases of ulcers are obvious with typical clinical signs, while others are more ‘quiet’ in nature and often only diagnosed incidentally. The sad part is that for many of these horses, they live a life on constant medications to control the clinical symptoms, which not only is not solving the problem but also costing the owner money and even, based on some studies, potentially inflicting harm. We need to dig deeper to find better ways of managing this problem.
One of the most common equine health conditions impacting the performance horse involves the respiratory tract. Inhalation of oxygen is vital for energy production and overall cellular health, but in manty equine athletes, they struggle to move air in and out, resulting in decreased performance and quality of life. As horse owners, we rely on pharmaceutical medications such as steroids and bronchodilators, but despite their use, we continue to struggle to gain results and improve life for our equine companions.
The opposite of health is disease and in the horse, we have many chronic and likewise frustrating health conditions. Many include lameness as a result of direct joint or soft tissue damage, which continue to inflict pain and lameness on the patient as a normal course of the condition. In other cases, we deal with the increasing incidence of Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis and EPM, which in an of themselves can be frustrating due to the often high recurrence rate in certain patient groups. Given this group of chronic diseases, which often come with hefty ongoing medical costs and variable outcomes, we need to step back and really evaluate the conditions and how the patient is responding if we are to come up with better solutions.
Stocking up is a familiar term to many horse owners and often is used to refer to a horse that exhibits leg swelling. The exact cause of the swelling can be variable and with this, so can the prescribed treatment course. The more we understand, often the better we can assist these patients, but it is a complicated problem in the equine industry.
Happiness and an end to suffering. That is the goal for almost all of mankind. We want it, crave it and desire it on many levels. Disease occurs on many levels and impacts all of us either directly or indirectly. The perception of that disease, whether if it affects us our pets or our horses, can vary from person to person. One may say it is acquired or there is a genetic predisposition to that condition. On the other side of the coin, another person may say the disease is a reflection of our environment, diet and other factors…essentially implying we created it. It is all relative, in my opinion, but one thing is for certain and that is that with a complete understanding of what is occurring, we stand a better chance of prevention as well as management.
When we think of carbohydrates, we think sugar and we also think energy, as the two are often interconnected. We all need energy and our equine companions are no different, thus carbohydrates are an essential part of the diet, but in excess and dependent on the form ingested, problems can develop and impact overall health. In order to gain a better understanding of carbohydrates and feeding in the horse, we have to understand some basic principles. Utilized properly, carbohydrates can be a useful means of gaining and sustaining energy needs for every horse.
When we think of fats in the horse’s diet, the first few things that come to mind are to improve the shine in a hair coat or to put weight on a horse in need. Although these are both true, there is much more to fats that what meets the eye and thus, a better understanding is needed. Fats are valuable sources of energy and calories, but there are potentials downfalls as they impact health on many levels, and not every horse is in need.
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.
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.
Supplementation: What is the Goal and How to Achieve it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Headshaking in the horse is a common problem and often affecting up to 30% of patients to variable levels, creating high frustration for the horse owner. The exact cause of this condition can be variable from patient to patient and thus treatment and results can be variable. Headshaking can vary in regards to presentation from simple flaring of the nostrils, flipping of the nose, rubbing the nose, snorting often, sneezing and even variable degrees of overt head shaking. Given the wide range of presentation,potential causes, lack of consistent treatment response and frustration factor for the horse owner, headshaking deserves some investigation for better management options. As is my character, let’s dig into what we know regarding headshaking and see if we can not only make sense of it, but also discover potentials for therapy.
Vision in the horse is a critical factor. Without it, they are vulnerable to attack in the wild, have a hard time navigating and encounter difficulties in training and competition. The eye in the horse also tells us a lot in regards to personality and demeanor, often allowing us to see into the spirit of the animal. It is large and obvious, often one of the first things we notice about a horse. Considering the placement of each eye in the horse, as compared to humans or even pets, their range of vision is limited and they are dependent on two functional and healthy eyes. When the health of the eye is impacted, the health and safety of the horse is likewise compromised. The equine eye is subject to a variety of conditions including corneal scratches and lacerations, but one of the most debiliating is equine recurrent uveitis or ERU, which is becoming more common place in the equine industry. What used to be a condition primarily impacting Paint breeds, Appaloosa and even fair skinned Quarter Horses, is now affecting many other breeds. The exact cause is unknown and despite the best efforts with therapy, these cases can be frustrating and financially draining for the horse owner. Our horses are our companions and given this, it is hard to see them in constant discomfort. Often, we need to step back and analyze these situations and apply what we have learned from research, to improve comfort and aid in management.
Lameness in the horse can come in all different forms and severities. One common source of lameness is the stifle but in many of these cases, it is also common to have problems either higher up or lower in the limb often tied in with conformational flaws or even trauma. The saccroiliac region in the lower back or hip region is also a common source of discomfort, either alone or in conjunction with other problems. The saccroiliac (S/I) joint is the area where the pelvic bone called the Ileum joins up to the Saccrum of the lower back. The junction of the two is actually termed a joint, being held together by tough fibrous tissue, but still demonstrates some movement as the horse travels. In a recent case presented for rehabilitation, we actually had apparent S/I problems in addition to chronic stifle lameness. When combined with unhealthy feet, severe thrush and sole pain, the case proved to be a real challenge.
One of the most common problems in the equine athlete and pleasure horse is recurring lameness, which can be equally frustrating for owner, rider and veterinarian. At one moment, the issue may seem resolved, bringing relief, but then it may recur or maybe even a new problem develops. Being a veterinarian, horse owner and involved in the rehabiliation of horses, I understand the frustration but have come to realize that there is much to discover, learn and reveal when it comes to seeing the ‘entire’ horse in these situations. More often than not, the primary problem the horse is presented for is actually not the main issue, but in order to see the true problem, we need to step back and look at several factors. Despite us wanting to fix everything in one fail swoop, often the issue is more complex than we would like it to be.
Easy keepers. Most horse owners know what this term means almost instantaneously when they hear it. In general terms, it refers to a horse that has a tendency to carry more weight and gain weight easily, often with just the sight of a green pasture. Almost any horse can be an easy keeper, but there are certain breeds that are more prone including Quarter Horses, Pony breeds, draft breeds and even some warmbloods. Many of these easy keepers progress to metabolic syndrome and even insulin resistance over time, each a stage of continued deterioration at a cellular level. In many situations, these same horses tend to have concurrent lameness issues ranging from joint degeneration to tendon issues and laminitis, but also many also seemed more prone to allergies, respiratory problems and even eye issues. What is the connection and why do many standard therapies fail to provide relief for this particular group of horses?