We have defined the ‘easy keeper’ as a horse that has a tendency to gain weight easily or is more stocky than average. \u00a0I am going to broaden this definition to include those horses thar are ’rounder’ or stockier, but seem to have the tendency to internalize their emotions, holding them inside. \u00a0When emotions are more internalized, there is more of a tendency to create gastrointestinal issues, which can then become the point of origin for problems. \u00a0This is stated in comparison to those horses that exert or display their emotions or energy outwards, being more difficult to manage or hyper-active at times. \u00a0They too can have gastrointestinal problems, but it is often secondary and needs a different approach to therapy.<\/p>\n
Let’s look at these two horses, both Thoroughbreds and traditionally thought to be ‘hard keepers’, but it is not always true. \u00a0Here we have one that is more lean or actually thin by genetics (LEFT) and another that has a stockier type of build (RIGHT). \u00a0Both horses had tendon injuries and poor foot growth, but were managed differently with results obtained in both situations. \u00a0If we applied the same approach to both horses, likely one would do well while the other likely not.<\/p>\n When we think of a person or animal as being ‘overweight’, often the first body system that comes to mind is the ‘gut’, or at least in my mind it does. \u00a0The intestinal tract is often the center of focus in the easy keeper or stockier horse and in several research studies, conditions including leaky gut syndrome, IBS and IBD have all been implicated as a result of localized inflammation within the bowel lining leading to a breakdown in the normal bowel barrier. \u00a0When this barrier is compromised due to inflammation, then food particles, bacteria, dyes and other potentially toxic debris from the diet can gain access to the body and bloodstream, resulting in a heightened immune response, which then triggers a heightened inflammatory response. This increased inflammatory response then feeds out to the rest of the body, predisposing to joint damage, tendon injury, allergies and a host of other conditions. The gut then becomes the primary source of inflammation in these particular horses, leading to cellular changes at a systemic or whole horse level. Given that the immune response is based out of the gut, we then potentially trigger immune system problems including predisposition to infections and allergies ranging from a skin level to the respiratory tract. Seeing the gut as the ‘source’ of the problem, it then makes sense to target it during therapy. We also have to realize that if the gut is compromised due to inflammation, then the ability to digest and absorb nutrients is also impaired, contributing to tissue weakness, hoof problems and hair\/coat issues, often despite a healthy diet.<\/p>\n When faced with a lameness or health crisis, practically of any origin, we must first ask what type of horse, regardless of breed, are we dealing with; easy keeper or non-easy keeper?<\/strong> \u00a0Now in some cases, the breed IS a dead giveaway as I almost always think “gut” in ponies, draft breeds and most quarter horses. \u00a0This also holds true for some disciplines, such as dressage, as I think the stresses associated with that particular discipline predispose to more ‘gut’ oriented horses being easy keepers or stockier. The way we approach each of these can make all of the difference as our goal is to manage inflammation and promote cellular health, but do we need a more targeted approach for the easy keeper specifically? \u00a0The answer to this is \u00a0‘YES’, but with the goal of managing inflammation not only a systemic level but also at the gut level, which can make all of the difference as this is often the source of the problem.<\/p>\n In many cases of tendon injury, joint problems or even laminitis, we tend to focus just on that problem and applying what we know in regards to therapy. \u00a0If we dig a little deeper into some of these cases, probing for past history, we may find subtle clues that maybe the gut is involved including being an easy keeper, termed a metabolic horse, insulin resistance, gas or digestive issues, cribbing, poor hair coat, poor hoof growth or condition and even sometimes gastric ulcers, although that is not always inferent to gut issues. \u00a0If we see or find any of these clues, no matter how trivial we think they are and address it for what it is, then the results will often follow above and beyond our traditional approaches.<\/p>\n We have to remember that the gut, if compromised, can contribute heavily to systemic inflammation which can then impact any part of the body from the joints to tendons to the eyes. In addition, if the gut barrier is compromised, immune function can likewise be dysfunctional, contributing to immune problems and allergies. \u00a0If digestion is impacted sufficiently, then nutrients found in the normal diet may not be properly digested and assimilated, which can technically lead to perceived deficiencies, poor cellular health and even tissue weakness such as poor hoof, hair coat and even tendon health.<\/p>\n All of this information may be somewhat confusing or even overwhelming, but the bottom line is that if you, as a horse owner, trainer or rider, are continuing to have health or lameness issues with your horse, then you need to determine the origin of the problem, looking past the obvious point of injury or illness. One of the first questions you need to ask is, “is my horse an easy keeper or stockier build with more internalized issues?<\/span>” \u00a0By determining the answer, no matter what the original problem is<\/strong>, it will help to guide you as to the right course of action. Every horse, easy keeper or non-easy keeper, can display problems such as joint pain, tendon injury, allergies, gastric ulcers or even behavioral problems, but the best course of action will vary between those horses. \u00a0Even in the case of a behavioral problem such as cribbing, the underlying cause for that behavior is often very different and thus therapy will vary. Infectious conditions including EPM and Lyme fall into this category as well, where we horses of both categories falling victim to these illnesses. \u00a0If we approach all the cases the same, the results are less than favorable, but if we approach them from a different standpoint, focusing on the origin of the immune problem, then results are improved.<\/p>\n Some conditions are actually more likely to develop in the ‘easy keeper’ horse if we actually sit back and look at it. \u00a0Consider laminitis for instance. \u00a0Over 90% of the primary laminitic horses I have seen in 19 years of equine practice are easy keepers or stockier builds. \u00a0This does not include those horses that develop laminitis secondary to another lameness issue or toxemia associated with colic. \u00a0The same holds true for most cases of chronic allergies, COPD and even the majority of uveitis horses. \u00a0Its true when you really think about it. \u00a0Most uveitis cases are Appaloosa, Paint or QH breeds which all tend to be more stocky and carry more weight. \u00a0Coincidence? \u00a0Likely not in my opinion but more so an indicator as to the source of the issue or predisposition.<\/p>\n If we determine that we have an ‘easy keeper’ or more stocky horse with internalized problems, then more often than not, the problem stems from the gut and it is an inflammatory problem or response, so we need to address that issue. \u00a0So…how do we address inflammation and gut issues at the same time?<\/p>\n My traditional approach with these horses is the use of our EQ Total Support<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong> formula. \u00a0This product was originally researched and studied to target horses with allergies and COPD\/RAO health issues. \u00a0We knew those particular horses had underlying gut problems which were fueling systemic inflammation, allergies and even discharges such as phlegm or mucous. \u00a0We also made the observation over the many years that most of the allergy horses or COPD patients were actually easy keepers. \u00a0It was rare to have a lean horse present with those conditions in our experience. What became obvious as time went by and we studied further was that this definition or categorization of horses went beyond just allergies or COPD, but included those with tendon injuries, laminitis, joint problems and even immune issues. \u00a0We realized that if we took these ‘easy keeper’ horses and addressed the gut with our EQ Total, reducing inflammation and improving gut health, they just seemed to do better than if we just applied our other Cur-OST anti-inflammatory formulas.<\/p>\n The EQ Total Support helps to manage a health systemic inflammation response with the use of Curcumin, Boswellia, Dandelion, Parsley and many other antioxidants and herbs. \u00a0They are all connected to inflammation and aid in promoting a healthier response. \u00a0The GI targeting effect comes from Dandelion, Marshmallow and Parsley, all of which reduce inflammation but have specific benefits to the gut and intestinal lining. \u00a0Dandelion helps to detoxify and reduce inflammation, but also is a great source of Inulin, which is a potent pre-biotic and aids in restablishing normal gut bacterial levels. \u00a0Marshmallow reduces inflammation but also soothes ulcers and inflamed areas. \u00a0Parsley provides potent antioxidant properties but also has been used for centuries for its digestive capabilities. We use the EQ Total Support in all cases regardless of main health or lameness problem. \u00a0In some instances, we will add in another formula in addition to aid in further immune support (EQ Immune<\/a>) or provide nutrients to aid in tissue recovery (EQ Nourish<\/a>). \u00a0Keep in mind that some of these horses look very much overweight and ‘well nourished’ but in fact, they are deficient in nutrients as evidenced by poor hair coat, dandruff, tendon weakness, exercise intolerance, muscular weakness and dry\/brittle hooves with decreased growth. \u00a0This is not always reflective of a poor diet, but more so reflective of an inflamed status within the gut and lack of proper nutrient digestion and absorption.<\/p>\n What we found over the years is that if we take this additional step to promote gut health and reduce inflammation there, then the results for the patient were improved. \u00a0The gut is the center of many activities in the body and many horse owners try their best to support that region, which is good. \u00a0The ultimate reality is that often those therapies, including probiotics, other ‘gut oriented’ supplements and even anti-ulcer medications only help in certain situations or are actually bandaids, which is likely due to their lack of ability to target the inflammation but more so just replacing what is being lost or deficient in that area as a result of the inflammation, such as bacteria, or buffering excess acid production. \u00a0They are rarely actually ‘fixing’ the problem. If we really think about it, if a horse is actually deficient of bacteria in the gut or out of balance, there has to be a reason. \u00a0If we don’t correct that reason or cause, then simply supplementing them makes no sense as likely our efforts will fail. \u00a0A discussion on pre-biotics and probiotics is in order, but set for a different article.<\/p>\n There is no ‘cure’ for these horses and their health or lameness issues, regardless of the chosen route of therapy. \u00a0However, if we approach the problem at its root origins, then our chances of success in regards to managment become much easier and more successful for the long term. \u00a0Once stabilized, then the therapies are continued on a maintenance basis to help keep things under control.<\/p>\n I hope this helps. \u00a0It is an important topic and one that can make all of the difference between success and failure. \u00a0Take a good look at your horse and think outside of the box, seeing things for what they are and seeing the big picture.<\/p>\n All my best,<\/p>\n Tom Schell, D.V.M.<\/p>\n Nouvelle Research, Inc.<\/p>\n![\"Non-Easy](\"https:\/\/nouvelleresearch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_Reuben1-225x300.jpg\" "\\"Non-Easy")
![\"Easy](\"https:\/\/nouvelleresearch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/images_Chance-300x225.jpg\" "\\"Easy")
Seeing the Big Picture on the Easy Keeper Horse and Lameness<\/b><\/h3>\n
Bottom Line on Lameness in the Metabolic Syndrome Horse<\/strong><\/h3>\n