Sommaire pour March 2018 de Equus

Dentistry and history I’d just like to say how fascinating I’m finding the “Bones Speak Volumes” series and especially “Oral History” (Conformation Insights, EQUUS 484). From the human aspect I know how bad sinusitis can be, but I never envisioned that it could get to the point of breaking through bone to exit onto the face of a horse. It just goes to show how important dental care is. Plus we must be grateful that these case histories haven’t been lost over time. It’s also refreshing to read about subscribers of your wonderful magazine who have been with you for so long (“Page After Page,” True Tale, EQUUS 482). Unfortunately, I don’t have the space to keep all my back copies beyond a couple of years. But they are well…

I keep an inexpensive pair of nylon pants and a nylon jacket at the barn this time of year. I put them on when I groom. Hair from my shedding horse slides right off the fabric and stays out of my clothes, my car and everything else I own.—Brooke Francis, Columbia, Missouri Send your suggestions for inexpensive horsecare 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.…

“Give a man a horse he can ride, Give a man a boat he can sail; And his rank and wealth, his strength and health, On sea nor shore shall fail.”---James Thomson, “Gifts” The GAS014 Trail Saddle (suggested retail, $684), from CTK Saddlery/distributed by Sycamore Creek Saddles, features memory foam cushioning on both the seat and underside for the comfort of both the horse and rider over long rides. The saddle weighs about 17 pounds and is fully customizable with a choice of colors, stirrup styles, finish materials and tooling. Seat sizes range from 15 to 18 ½ inches. Call 828-387-7007 or visit www.sycamorecreeksaddles.net. The Western Trail Saddle (suggested retail, starting at $2,595), from Synergist Saddles, has a patented measuring system for adjusting fit. For riders, the saddle has a…

As the days get long in spring, there’s one more condition for horse owners to watch out for: photosensitization. “It’s like sunburn, except it affects the deeper layers of skin,” says Rosanna Marsella, DVM, DACVD, of the University of Florida in Gainesville. “Many horses with white legs develop ulcerated lesions triggered by ultraviolet exposure. Thus we tend to see this at the same time we see allergies, with longer days and warm weather—when the horses are outside a lot. Many of them get pastern dermatitis, which is not a disease in itself, but a syndrome. In some horses photosensitivity is the underlying cause.” Photosensitization occurs when concentrations of photodynamic (light sensitive) compounds circulate in the bloodstream. When the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate the upper layers of a horse’s skin, they…

The horses who consumed the apple cider vinegar had a small, but statistically significant, drop in gut pH. Q: I was rather surprised upon reading “What to Do About Enteroliths” (EQUUS 481) to see that adding apple cider vinegar to a horse’s feed is suggested as a possible solution to preventing enteroliths. How does this increase acidity in a horse’s gut? Recently, while researching the benefits of apple cider vinegar, I was surprised to learn that it leaves an alkaline residue when it is digested. I also read that, when apple cider vinegar is digested, the gut does not have to release as much acid to absorb it, and so a more acidic pH is not achieved. Since, in addition to swallowing foreign objects, risk factors for enteroliths include a diet…

antigen-antibody reaction---interaction between a foreign substance (antigen) and the body’s defensive proteins (antibodies). antihistamine---drug used to suppress histamine, a substance produced by the body in response to injury, infection or allergy. corticosteroids---analogs of the hormone cortisol produced primarily by the adrenal glands; they may be natural or synthetically produced for injection. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)---organic chemical that has a number of medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic; DMSO can pass readily through the skin. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)---large organic molecule that consists of two chains of nucleotides wound around each other; the material of which genes are made. Genes are responsible for the individual inherited characteristics of living organisms. enterolith (intestinal stone)---abnormal concretion that forms in the intestine; usually comprised of mineral salts, enteroliths resemble rounded stones. equine herpesvirus (EHV)---a family…

EHV-1 infection typically causes respiratory illness in young horses and abortions in pregnant mares. A new study shows that the antiviral drug valacyclovir can significantly reduce the severity of neurological problems brought on by equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and may limit the spread of the virus to other horses. One of nine types of equine herpesvirus, EHV-1 infection typically causes respiratory illness in young horses and abortions in pregnant mares. In some cases, the virus leads to muscle weakness and incoordination, a condition called equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). EHV-1 is also highly contagious, and outbreaks in a barn can last for weeks. Researchers at Oklahoma State University recent investigated the efficacy of valacyclovir, a medication developed to treat herpes infections in people, in treating EHM. “Valacyclovir is a prodrug…

Few of us pay much attention to the species of grasses in our pastures. But if your mare is pregnant, it’s crucial to look out for one type of grass---tall fescue---found throughout the country. The grass itself isn’t a problem; what makes tall fescue a hazard is that it is often infected with a microscopic endophytic fungus called Neotyphodium coenophialum, which produces a chemical called ergovaline that can cause fescue toxicosis in horses. In the general equine population, fescue toxicosis causes fairly minor problems such as loose manure and profuse sweating. In pregnant mares, however, the condition can be catastrophic, leading to lack of milk production, prolonged gestation, difficult births, thick or retained placentas, and the death of unborn and newborn foals. You cannot see or smell the fungus on…

STUDENT TEACHER: “I am slowly learning from Stanley that if I try to understand his reason, he usually has a very good one,” says Marian Vermeulen, shown here with her gelding. Stanley is my best friend. My little palomino gelding has traveled back and forth with me to college, and he’s been my partner on many adventures. He often seems to know what I’m thinking, and he is a first-rate trail horse. We’re developing real teamwork. It wasn’t always this way. In spring of 2010, I had been riding Stanley for only about six months, mostly in an indoor arena. He was still very green, but he impressed me with his patience, willing attitude and quick mind. That summer I brought him home to Michigan and we began exploring the…

Boots can be a great boon for equine performance, protecting a horse’s legs from outside forces---such as a bang against a fence rail---as well as impact with his other limbs. Boots in bad repair, however, can pose hazards that outweigh their benefits. A worn-out lining may rub a horse raw, while a loose, dangling strap could trip him, leading to an accident. Follow these tips to ensure your horse’s boots are ready to wear. • Make sure they fit. Too-large or too-small boots are dangerous from their first wearing. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for fit and don’t hesitate to call the company if you have questions. • Keep them clean. Not only will regular cleaning extend the life of your boots, the process provides you the opportunity to spot any…

Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete bacterium that causes Lyme disease, can cause illness in many species of animals, including people and dogs as well as horses. A number of B. burgdorferi subspecies cause disease around the world. In North America, the bacterium is typically transmitted by two particular species of ticks: Ixodes scapularis in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states, and Ixodes pacificus on the West Coast. Both species share several common names, including deer ticks, bear ticks and black-legged ticks. These ticks have a two-year life cycle, during which they pass through three stages: larva, nymph and adult. At each stage, they must take a blood meal to mature to the next and then lay eggs. The larvae usually feed only on small animals such as mice. If a tick…

Healthy, unbroken skin forms a secure barrier that keeps serious pathogens out of a horse’s body. When that barrier is compromised—by chapping and cracking, or the scratching prompted by itch, for example—bacteria may find a path to establish secondary infections. The culprit is likely to be a bacterium that is normally a resident on the surface of the skin, such as Staphylococcus aureus or S. intermedius. “S. aureus is a common organism found on skin. If you are healthy, this small number of staph bacteria on your skin won’t cause any problems,” says Rosanna Marsella, DVM, DACVD, of the University of Florida in Gainesville. “If you or your horse develop a skin disease, inflammation or damage, the staph bacteria increase in number, and this can lead to a bacterial infection.…

HANDY FLY CONTROL ▸ Product: BugBand Insect Repellent Towelettes ▸ Description: Designed to make it easier to protect sensitive areas from insects, these moist towelettes can be rubbed on a horse’s face. They are infused with geraniol, mint oil, rosemary oil and other nontoxic ingredients that repel mosquitoes, flies, gnats, fleas and ticks. The towelettes, which come in a resealable container, can also be used to apply repellent to your own skin as well as to your dog’s coat. ▸ Price: suggested retail, $11.85 for a 40-count tub; $6.79 for a 15-count tub; $0.99 for foil two-packs ▸ Source: BugBand, Inc.; 800-473-9467; www.bugband.net FOR HEALTHY JOINTS ▸ Product: Tomlyn Equistro Artphyton ▸ Description: This pelleted supplement is formulated to support healthy joint function and alleviate tenderness from everyday activity. Active…