Equus Autumn 2021

Living history I have always enjoyed EQUUS for its emphasis on science-based articles. Deb Bennett’s recent two pieces covering Tom Bass (“A Great American Horseman,” EQUUS 504) and High School horsemanship (“Old Glory,” EQUUS 505) are beyond fabulous! Her articles are always detailed, fact-based and informative. The last two have done a particularly fine job of encouraging the reader to be more inclusive in thinking about horsemanship. I am in my 70s now and am a life-long Californian, have lived in both white-dominated communities and in more multicultural parts of our state. Other than Babs Verdugo and a few vaqueros, I have rarely seen any people of color at barns, on the trails or in the show rings. Dr. Bennett’s recent articles giving due credit to Tom Bass and to…

When planning an overnight trip with your horse, there’s a lot to think about---from packing a first-aid kit to remembering any required health paperwork. You may also want to add “ulcer prevention” to that checklist. Gastric ulcers, which are lesions in the stomach lining associated with inflammation, can cause discomfort, weight loss and even attitude changes in horses. Common causes for gastric ulcers are high-grain diets and long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, but stress can also lead to their development. Research has shown that the simple act of trailering a horse to a different location and staying overnight can induce gastric ulcers in horses, even in those who are seasoned travelers and do not seem outwardly bothered by the experience. With this in mind, you may want to consider…

With colder weather approaching, older horses with arthritis may begin to feel a bit “creakier.” One of the best things you can do to manage their condition is to keep them moving. Slow, regular exercise supports joint health in two ways: First, it boosts lubrication in the joints by circulating synovial fluid. Second, it keeps the muscles, tendons and ligaments that stabilize a joint strong. The less an older, arthritic horse stands around, the heathier his joints will be. Exercise for an older horse with arthritis doesn’t have to be under saddle. Turnout with an active but friendly herd in a good-sized paddock can provide sufficient activity. If weather conditions limit turnout, hand-walking in an indoor arena or even up and down the barn aisle a few times a day…

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY Q: Which of the following organs is not found in a horse’s body? a. gall bladder b. appendix c. spleen d. pancreas POP QUIZ ANSWER A. Horses do not have gall bladders. In humans and most other mammals, this small organ stores bile made by the liver and releases it into the small intestine as needed for the digestion of lipids after meals. Horses, however, evolved to eat constantly so they do not store bile. Horses have spleens and pancreases that function similarly to those of humans. Interestingly, the appendix, that small organ that can be removed from the human body without serious health consequences, is called the cecum in horses and is a large and critical part of the equine digestive system.…

Turnout with an active but friendly herd in a good-sized space can provide sufficient activity for an older horse. It may seem early to be thinking about blanketing your horses, but it’s not. Now, while temperatures are still warm, is the time to pull your horse’s winter gear out of storage and confirm everything still fits and is in good condition. Start by putting each blanket on the horse you intend to use it on this winter, even if it’s the same horse who wore it last year. Changes in a horse’s weight and body condition can dramatically alter how a blanket fits. Check the fit of the blanket by running your hand between it and the horse along the shoulders, withers and hips. Your hand should slip through smoothly,…

The barn I recently moved my horse to doesn’t have blanket racks on the stalls. I was able to make one quickly and inexpensively by threading baling twine through a narrow PVC pipe and tying the ends to the stall bars. —Katie Erickson, Covington, Georgia Send 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@equinenetwork.com. Senders of published items receive selected EQUUS merchandise.…