Sommaire pour Autumn 2024 de Equus

WEARABLE COLIC DETECTOR SHOWS PROMISE Catching colic early can be difficult. Signs of gut pain in horses are often subtle and easy to overlook. But what if a horse could wear a device that detected signs of digestive upset, determine its severity and automatically notify a veterinarian? Research conducted in Belgium may one day make that possible. Leveraging advances in wearable technology and artificial intelligence, the Belgian researchers have developed a system that incorporates leg boots fitted with accelerometers and a diagnostic computer algorithm. “The accelerometers capture movement data, which is then entered into a computer model,” says Anniek Eerdekens, M.Sc., of Ghent University. “The computer model then categorizes that data into either a typical behavior or one of 10 behaviors associated with pain. These motions are then fed into…

On a bitter cold February night in Santa Fe, New Mexico, my husband burst into the house at 11 p.m. and told me my mare Maisie was sick. She hadn’t eaten her evening meal and seemed lethargic and dull. I had bought Maisie, a gray mare with kind eyes, for trail riding. I had been told she was calm, a “push button” horse. But, as it turned out, she was sometimes overcome with anxiety and struggled to stay calm and connect with me. Nonetheless, I loved her and knew with time and patience we would become partners. Now she needed me. I crawled into my long underwear, grabbed my flannel-lined jeans, pulled on my boots and warmest down coat, and headed to the barn. I assumed Maisie was colicking, so…

It’s all coming together: You’ve found the perfect horse, at the right price. He’s well trained, level-headed and has the cutest little star on his forehead. All that’s left to do is cross your fingers that he passes the veterinary exam … Stop right there. Although it’s an expression you’ll commonly hear people use, horses don’t pass prepurchase exams. They don’t fail them either. As veterinarians with experience in this area will explain, the purpose of a prepurchase exam is to assess the suitability of a horse for an intended use and to uncover any potential issues. A veterinarian won't say, “This horse failed the exam. You shouldn’t buy him,” but he may say, “I’ve discovered these things that may influence how you ride and keep this horse.” It’s a…

The spring air was charged with energy, and that made the red roan gelding nervous about getting in the unfamiliar trailer. Aslan wasn’t sure he wanted to leave the place he had lived happily for the last few years. Aslan had everything he needed at the boarding stable and didn’t want to leave his friends or his owner. She took great care of him, but his owner had to move out of the country and couldn’t take him with her. Although the usually optimistic gelding didn’t quite understand what that meant, he could feel the sadness in her voice when she spoke. Aslan’s owner reached out and softly touched Aslan’s face as she laid her cheek where his halter rested. He could feel her tears as they slid down her…

Fall is a magical time for trail riding. There’s no better way to experience the crisp air and colorful foliage of the season than in the company of a horse. But preparation is key to making the most of your autumn rides. From ensuring you have the proper gear to staying aware of weather changes, these nine tips will help you and your horse enjoy safe and enjoyable fall trail rides. 1. DON’T GO IT ALONE Trail riding with a companion is not only more fun, but also safer. Riding with a friend means you have immediate assistance in case of an accident or emergency. Invite someone whose company you enjoy, but also consider equine personalities when pairing up for trail rides: Two anxious, green horses can make for…

I was helping a friend muck out stalls that other day and chatting, as one does, while we worked. I relayed a story about a horse owner I knew years ago with exceptionally specific demands when it came to the depth and arrangement of the bedding in her horse’s stall. I’ll spare you the details but will say that rulers were involved. “Horse people are weird,” my friend observed as I finished my tale. “They sure are,” I replied, without missing a beat. But almost as soon as the words left my mouth, I stopped short. I stared at the wooden stall wall that separated my friend and me and silently questioned what I had just said. “Are horse people really that weird?” I thought about people I know who…

Ponies, young horses and miniature horses are at higher risk for developing intestinal obstructions known as fecaliths, according to research from the University of California, Davis. Fecaliths are firm, ovalshaped accumulations of ingesta that form in a horse’s large intestines. While they can pass on their own, fecaliths often persist in the intestine, causing obstructions with associated colic pain. Although they can cause similar-seeming discomfort, fecaliths differ from impaction colic in their clinical characteristics and treatment, explains Mitja Miklavcic, DVM. “When we are talking about impactions, we usually have in mind a large segment of large intestine overfilled with dry ingesta,” he says. “Fecaliths are very focal (approximately three to seven inches in diameter) and are much more firm formations. Impactions are easier to treat because they usually soften with…

Readers of this series know by now that I believe select Saddlebreds have great potential for the sporthorse disciplines, especially as jumpers, threeday eventers and dressage horses. In previous issues we have examined the origins of this athleticism and the other qualities that make this breed, which is best known for its three-and five-gaited show horses, an excellent choice for general-purpose pleasure riding, as well. Starting with the last installment, I’ve been analyzing the foundation stock of the American Saddlebred, bucking tradition by highlighting broodmares rather than stallions. Previously I focused on broodmares belonging to the Clark Chief family of American Saddlebreds. This time I review broodmares of two other major families, Rex McDonald and Highland Denmark. Throughout, one key fact emerges: Saddlebred broodmares that produced champions in conventional three-and…

Farriery is a profession that relies on know-how, and if you’re like most horse owners, you haven’t given much thought to when and where your horseshoer acquired his skills. That’s okay if your current farrier is reliable, understands your horse’s hoof-care needs and communicates well. But if the day comes when you need to find a new hoof-care professional, an understanding of farrier credentials can help you to find the best person for your horse’s needs. In Great Britain, that process is simpler. The Worshipful Company of Farriers (founded in 1356) oversees the horseshoeing profession, and since the passage of the Farriers (Registration) Act of 1975, the shoeing of horses by uncertified persons has been prohibited. In contrast, here in the United States there is no comparable legal framework governing…