Inhaltsverzeichnis für April 2018 in Equus

Dealing with ice balls I really liked “Winter Hoof Hazards” (EQUUS 484), especially the section on ice balls. I do have to say, though, that a horse does not have to wear shoes to have this problem. I have two 21-yearold mares who are barefoot, and I have always had problems with ice balls. We recently had only one inch of snow, and ice balls appeared. But the mares do have access to a stream, so it could be that the snow is freezing on their feet after their hooves get wet. Helen Sanders Cumberland, Maryland True original I am joining the list of people whose letters I’ve read in response to “Page After Page” (True Tale, EQUUS 482) to say that through the years EQUUS has been a part…

A Canadian researcher is working to develop a surgical technique that could, one day, provide a long-lasting fix for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. PPID, also historically known as Cushing’s disease, occurs when a part of the pituitary gland called the pars intermedia becomes enlarged and secretes excessive levels of adrenocorticotrophic hormone. The body reacts to this excess by exhibiting a variety of clinical signs, including a long, persistent hair coat, increased sweating and muscle wasting. Although considered a disease of older horses, PPID can develop in those as young as 15. A medication, pergolide, is effective at controlling PPID, but must be given daily for the duration of the horse’s life. “The cost of this daily pill adds up, and the time, effort and stress of medicating…

You don’t need to be told that spring is laminitis season. No doubt you’re well aware of the fact that new grass at this time of year can trigger the devastating hoof condition, particularly in horses with insulin0 resistance, pituitary0 pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, also called Cushing’s syndrome) and other hormonal disorders or with a prior history of laminitis. The question is, what can you do about this risk? There are no guarantees, of course, but a few simple measures can go a long way toward protecting horses from laminitis. So going into this high-risk season, take stock of your horse’s situation and consider adding the following laminitis prevention tools to your regimen. • A WEIGHT TAPE. Most horses who are susceptible to laminitis are easy keepers, meaning they come…

A more drastic means of stopping a horse from cribbing is surgery to sever nerves and muscles on the underside of the neck with the goal of preventing the horse from retracting his larynx to suck air. The procedure doesn’t always work as expected, however. “Some horses still find a way to crib even after the surgery, without arching the neck. they are very innovative in finding ways to crib,” says Amelia S. Munsterman, DVM, PHD, DACVS, DACVECC, of the university of Wisconsin–Madison, adding that the body’s ability to heal may also affect long-term results “the scar tissue that forms after the surgery can sometimes allow the muscle to reconnect and the horse can start cribbing again four or five months later.” That said, a 2015 study from louisiana state…

Before you judge my cold-heartedness too harshly, I want you to know that I share this story only in the hope that it will prevent you, too, from committing the equestrian equivalent of the unforgivable sin. I have owned Pollyanna, my 25-yearold Percheron/Thoroughbred mare, since just before she turned 2. She was my first horse, and she taught me more about horses and riding than all of the books, magazines, DVDs and seminars combined ever could have. She saved me from serious injury at least twice and carried me over any cross-country course I was brave enough to attempt. She always did well in the dressage portion of combined training events, yet I must confess that I got somewhat tired of the judges’ comments that described my horse as “cute.”…

A ligament within the horse’s mouth could be a good source of stem cells that can support healing in tendons throughout his body, according to a study from Germany. Undifferentiated cells that can develop into many different types of cells, stem cells are used in regenerative therapies, which seek to promote the body’s own ability to heal. For these therapies, stem cells are injected into a damaged area in the hopes the body will utilize them for repairs. So far, stem cells derived from bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue have been used. To find a cell source similar to tendon tissue, researchers have been considering alternatives, including the periodontal ligament (PDL), which anchors a horse’s teeth to his jaws. Like tendon tissues, the PDL must have the strength to…

When behavior problems crop up in mares during spring months, the tendency to attribute them to her being “in season” is understandable. But before jumping to any conclusions, do a bit of research. When you first notice a change in your mare’s behavior, start a diary. Make an entry each time you notice unusual, difficult or aggressive behaviors, both on the ground and in the saddle. Note the day, details of the behavior and the environment/circumstances in which it occurred. If the behavior is truly linked to cyclical hormone fluctuations you will notice a pattern in your accumulated notes: The behavior will persist for a day or two, then disappear for three to four weeks before reappearing. Medications are available that can regulate a mare’s cycles, potentially minimizing related behaviors.…

Spring is the perfect time to sell tack and other equipment you no longer need. When I’m going to be attending a local show or event, I’ll ask the managers whether they mind if I set up a “yard sale” at my trailer, with a small sign announcing it. Clean items that are in good repair and reasonably priced usually sell quickly, giving me a bit of cash to go buy something new. 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.…

Last fall, our return to the familiar comforts of our current ranch in Hondo, Texas, led Kenny and me to reevaluate our relocation plans. Perhaps, we thought, it would be better to keep our Texas ranch and spend summers at our new place in Pie Town, New Mexico. We could leave some of our horses in Texas year-round, we reasoned, and move the others back and forth. When considering the advantages and drawbacks of this lifestyle, we spoke with many “snowbird” horse folks who moved their operations each fall and spring to take advantage of riding-worthy weather north or south (for more, see “A Change of Seasons,” EQUUS 485). Longtime migrator Lynn Kelley, who travels between Arizona and Colorado, told us that a key consideration was whether the climate and…

It’s springtime again, and with it comes warm weather, sunshine, flowers—and flies. We’ve all been fighting these winged pests for years and know what to do. But climate conditions vary every season, and different fly species can move into new areas with the changing weather. Sometimes reaching for the same old fly spray just isn’t good enough. Reviewing your fly control strategies every year is a good idea. Here’s a brief overview of the species that might be out there and what you can do to protect your horses from them. Fly species, habits and habitats The first step in stopping flies is to identify the offenders—many look very similar, but often the different pest species can be identified by their unique behaviors and habitats. And they are best controlled…

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. TRAINING Dealing with drones Q: I was at a 4-H clinic with my kid, and toward the end some campers on the fairgrounds were buzzing a large drone within 20 feet of the horses and following some around. I went and talked to the guys, who had no clue as to how their actions might affect the kids and horses–-they had no idea their fun might have serious consequences if a horse spooked. While I’m not anti-drone, I’d like some advice on how horse owners should respond to the use of drones in…

allergen–substance that induces an allergic reaction. 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 laboratories conditions by the Safety Equipment Institute. body condition score (BCS)–a designation, based on a nine-point numeric scale, indicating the amount of fat on a horse’s body. A BCS is assigned after a visual and hands-on appraisal. colic–pain in the abdomen. collagen–fibrous network that forms the basic framework of body tissue. corticosteroids–analogs of the hormone cortisol produced primarily by the adrenal glands; they may be natural or synthetically produced for injection. eczema–noncontagious inflammation of the skin. equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)–endocrine disorder characterized by increased fat deposits in specific locations of the body or…

Two new plant extracts show promise for controlling internal parasites in horses, according to researchers in Mexico. Working at the Autonomous University of Yucatan, the team gathered extracts from the leaves and bark of Diospyros anisandra, a small tree native to the Yucatan Peninsula, Belize and northern Guatemala, and stems and leaves from Petiveria alliacea, a shrub found in Florida, part of Texas, Mexico, the Caribbean and tropical South America. The researchers derived extracts from each plant during both the rainy and dry seasons and tested the effects of different concentrations on larval development and egg hatching in cyathostomins (small strongyles). Both of these plants have long been used medicinally in humans. The data showed that bark extracts from D. anisandra gathered during the rainy season strongly inhibited larval development,…

Buckwheat has long been known to cause photosensitization in horses, but new research suggests that the plant may be linked to a predisposition to allergic reactions ranging from chronic coughing to hives. Often used to fight erosion in fields between plantings of harvested crops, buckwheat is not related to wheat or other grasses. It is considered a “pseudocereal,” a nongrass species with seeds that can be ground into flour or used as cereals. Buckwheat is not commonly fed to horses because it contains photodynamic compounds that enter the bloodstream when ingested; when the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin and reach these compounds, the resulting photosensitivity reactions “burn” the pink skin under white markings. Now, a joint research project conducted by multiple academic groups in Austria, Sweden and Japan has…

Q: When your horse is colicking, waiting for the veterinarian to arrive can be nerve-racking. But it’s important to keep your cool and make good decisions. Below are actions you might take while you wait. Which of the following might make the situation worse? a. Take your horse’s temperature. b. Allow him to lie down. c. Give him medication to ease his pain. d. Turn him out with another horse. For the answer, turn to page 21. POP QUIZ ANSWER c. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when your horse colicks is to medicate him without specific instructions from your veterinarian. A painkiller can mask a potentially serious colic, making an accurate diagnosis very difficult. But there are things you can safely do while you wait—turnout with a…

“A man goes helmet on head, sword in hand, and gilt spurs on heel.” “Good,” said Gringoire, “the horse makes the man.”–Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame An ultralight, low-profile helmet designed for active riders, the Intrepid (suggested retail, $65.95), from Troxel, features a self-adjusting SureFit Pro system for a comfortable fit, as well as mesh-covered vents and a removable, washable head liner. Now available in bronze as well as black, indigo, carbon or mulberry with a matte Duratec finish, in sizes S (6 5/8 to 7) to new XL (7 3/8 to 7 3/4). Visit www.troxelhelmets.com. With a specially designed brim, the SP8 Leather Look (suggested retail, $500), from Charles Owen, offers a flattering look while shading the face and upper neck. The low-profile helmet features front and rear…

My first encounter with the pony named Algonquin was in the National Museum of American History during a family visit to Washington, D.C. Smithsonian craftsmen had re-created the front corridor of the White House as it appeared in 1902 during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency as a space to display presidential memorabilia. Then, a particular detail of the exhibit caught my attention: “Why is there a pony in the elevator?” I asked. In a dimly lit elevator cage at the back of the display, barely visible in the shadows, stood roughly shaped, unpainted, life-size plaster statues of a boy and a pony. Then I saw the explanatory plaque and read the story of how Algonquin, companion to Theodore Roosevelt’s youngest sons Archie and Quentin, was once smuggled up the White House elevator…

AGAINST LUMPS AND BUMPS ▸ Product: Roma Air Flow Shock Absorber Splint Boots ▸ Description: Designed to provide hardworking horses with comfort and protection, the Roma Air Flow Splint Boot has a breathable, shock-absorbent outer shell and a durable PVC strike pad. Lined with soft neoprene, the boots have touch-tape closures that allow for an adjustable fit. Available in black, blue, pink or white, in sizes pony, cob or full. ▸ Price: suggested retail, $32.99 ▸ Source: Available through local and online Roma dealers A TOUCH OF LUXURY Product: The Renwick & Sons Grooming Kit ▸ Description: Combining traditional craftsmanship with new technology, the Renwick & Sons Grooming Kit is composed of nine tools: a body brush, finishing brush, dandy brush, flick brush, face brush, currycomb, tail brush, hoof pick…

Many years ago, the place now known as Stagecoach, Nevada, was wild and empty, home mainly to sagebrush and mustangs. The first sign of Western civilization was a stagecoach stop along the Pony Express route for those heading toward the newly discovered gold fields in western Nevada and beyond. In the years since, the town has grown and, more recently, it has become popular for people who want to live among the wide-open spaces while commuting to Reno and other nearby cities. When my wife and I decided to move to Nevada, we gravitated to Stagecoach. Soon we bought horses. We also built corrals and barns. And we began to discover that the dirt under our feet was thick with nails, bits of wire and other metal debris, even in…