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HEALTH
Spinal Problems in Horses By Dr. Lauren MacLeod
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The musculoskeletal system of the horse is an incredible machine — strong, fast, efficient, and capable of performing feats as varied as jumping obstacles and roping cattle. However, horse owners are all too aware of the fact that despite this amazing athletic ability, the equine body can be remarkably fragile. If one owns horses long enough, he or she is bound to encounter a disorder of the equine musculoskeletal system. For most of us, this conjures the image of a lame horse and many hours of cold hosing, bandaging, and veterinary visits. This is not without good reason as traditionally, the limbs have been the focus of equine musculoskeletal injuries. Veterinarians and horsemen alike have long considered lameness to be the hallmark of equine locomotion disorders. The limbs comprise the appendicular skeleton, and are complex, delicate structures that are
often subject to injury, resulting in heat, pain, and visible lameness. But what if a horse isn’t lame, but is also “not quite right?” Perhaps he just doesn’t perform as well as he used to, or is acting unfavourably under saddle. This vague and sometimes perplexing complaint is a common one presented to veterinarians when a horse fails to perform to his previous standard. While there are many medical or behavioural reasons why a horse may not be performing well, one of the more common causes is pain originating from his axial skeleton, or more specifically, the spine. Spinal pain in the horse can present with a variety of clinical signs, depending on which part of the spine is involved (see Equine Skeleton). Head tossing, inverting the neck, or resisting lateral or longitudinal flexion while
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/ANASTASIA POPOVA
being ridden are characteristic of pain in the cervical spine. Horses with thoracic and/or lumbar discomfort may resent being groomed or saddled, and may buck or rear when asked to collect in an attempt to escape the added pressure on their painful back. The signs of sacral pain include reduced engagement of the hindquarters, dragging the hind toes, or a “bunny-hopping” gait at the canter in which the hindlimbs move together rather than in a true three-beat canter. Occasionally, horses with primary spinal pain do present with a true lameness. These cases can be difficult to diagnose, as an appendicular cause of lameness must be ruled out prior to assuming primary spinal pain. Sometimes, all that is reported in a horse with spinal pain is a decreased athletic ability when compared with his previous level of performance. When any of these signs develop in a horse, it is important to rule out physical discomfort as a cause of poor performance. Having a thorough veterinary assessment to achieve an accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine the best course of treatment for the individual horse. The goal of this article is to describe some common equine spinal problems that may be encountered by the horse owner, and how they are best treated to get the horse back on track.
spinal issues we see is “wobblers.” Wobbler disease is a common name for a specific condition called cervical vertebral malformation, or CVM. This vertebrae malformation results in spinal cord compression. While all breeds are represented in case reports of wobbler syndrome, Thoroughbreds are the most commonly affected breed, with some studies estimating up to two percent of horses being affected to some degree. Both females and (more often) males are affected by this condition. Typically this problem is characteristic of young, rapidlygrowing horses less than two years of age. Clinical signs may not be apparent until the horse is several years old; however, a careful neurological examination can often detect subtle abnormalities that are present early in the course of the disease. While often attributed to young foals or yearlings just “being clumsy or learning where their feet are,” specific movements under different postures may be needed to differentiate the normal, unpredictable acrobatics of an excited yearling from the early stages of wobbler syndrome. Additionally, the age of clinical onset will vary with the C1
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CASE STUDY 1
C5
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Thoracic Vertabrae
specific type of wobbler disease the horse has. The abnormal proprioception (the ability to detect where you are positioning your body, feet, and legs), gait movements, and balancing reactions seen with wobbler syndrome come from spinal cord compression. Generally, we do not see any overt pain at the site of spinal cord compression. Over time this compression does eventually cause some tissue damage and inflammation, which itself can be painful, but the abnormal movements of the horse are from direct interference with normal functioning of the spinal cord signals. Other causes of neckregion related “lameness” may absolutely be accompanied by pain, including soft tissue damage and facet joint arthritis. As a veterinarian, listening to the presenting complaint of the owner or trainer is one of the most valuable parts of the visit. Astute, knowledgeable owners spend the most time with the horse, and their history will often present that “golden nugget” of information if we listen carefully. This rings true with wobblers history as the syndrome often presents as two distinct
Lumbar Vertabrae
Sacral Vertabrae
Caudal Vertabrae
The Cervical Spine — Wobbler Syndrome
The neck, or cervical vertebrae, Axial Skeleton represents the first area of the axial skeleton where abnormalities can develop. The cervical region is amazingly similar across all mammals — shrews, humans, giraffes, and horses all have seven vertebra! While the length and anatomy obviously varies significantly among these species, the Appendicular Skeleton function of the spine in this area remains the same: to provide structural support for carriage of the head, and provide a protective tube for the spinal cord as it travels to the body. While there are several conditions affecting the neck area, one significant
Equine Skeleton
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HEALTH
neck PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/SVETLANA RYAZANTSEVA
THE EQUINE
The tale of this unsung hero and a guide to everlasting cervical happiness in your horses. By Alexa Linton, Equine Sports Therapist
T PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/OLGA I
During movement, the horse uses its head and neck for balance and stability, and to maintain a horizontal visual plane.
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here is something uniquely beautiful about the neck of a horse. That curve, the arch of the poll, the dip towards the shoulder. In function, those elegant lines came to be out of necessity, with such length required to balance out long limbs, allowing them to reach to the ground to graze for up to 20 hours a day. With the head and neck making up about 10 percent of their total body mass, horses use their neck to maintain balance, stability, and their spatial awareness when they are in motion. Over time, the equine neck has shifted in function and importance, and in the factors that impact and promote its wellbeing, but the fundamentals have stood the test of domestication. A horse pulls back in a trailer. A horse is held in constant and/or full flexion of the neck without release. A horse tends to travel with the head up and the neck and back in tension. Or, a horse has a poorly
fitting saddle. These examples are just a few of the reasons a horse may need support to bring their neck back into a healthy state. Thankfully, most neck injuries fall in the soft tissue category, as the more fragile parts of the cervical spine are quite well protected by a rather brilliant anatomical make-up. Although rare, spinal cord compression can occur in the cervical spine, signalled by a lack of coordination in movement, and a decrease in muscle strength and lower body awareness. In these cases, contact your veterinarian immediately. On that note, let’s get our inner geek on and find out what’s happening under the skin.
Atlanto-occipital joint (poll) – between the occipital bone of the skull and the atlas
Nuchal Ligament
Atlas vertebra (C1)
The Bones of the Matter
Just like us, horses have seven cervical vertebrae, functioning to protect the spinal cord, connect the head and the trunk, and allow for complex motor movements of the head. This S-shaped part of the spine is built to be adaptable and mobile, and plays an essential role in activities like balance, feeding, grooming, locomotion, and visual and auditory orientation. In most intervertebral joints of the horse, including most of the cervical spine, the joint is built like a shallow balland-socket, providing stability without limiting mobility, and allowing primarily the movement of flexion-extension, with side bending and axial rotation as secondary movements. The first two cervical vertebrae, commonly referred to as the atlas and axis, are atypical, with unique structures characteristic of their function — the intervertebral disks are replaced by a single synovial articulation and the atlantoaxial joint (between the first and second cervical vertebrae) is a pivot joint allowing substantial rotation, critical for visual and vestibular health. To create this pivot joint, the axis has a process called the dens or odontoid which projects upwards into the vertebral foramen of the atlas. The hinge joint between the occiptal bone of the skull and the atlas, called the atlanto-occipital joint, or in most horse circles, the poll, allows for maximum flexion and extension. The remaining five vertebrae (C3 to C7) are more typical, with facet joints creating an articulation between the vertebrae, a vertebral body, and an intervertebral disc sandwiched in between, and varying ranges of mobility depending on their form, with the most mobile and susceptible vertebrae being C6 and C7.
Atlantoaxial joint — between 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae Axis vertebra (C2)
Lamina of the Nuchal Ligament
The Nuchal Ligament
Meet a key player in the neck! This powerful ligament begins at the nuchal line of the occipital bone and extends to the lumbar vertebrae via a thick cord of tissue called the funicular portion, with a sheetlike lamellar portion extending down to the second cervical vertebrae through the fifth cervical vertebrae (in the past it also extended to C6 and C7). It plays an essential role in suspending the head and upper cervical vertebrae and limiting axial rotation when standing and in movement.
Under Saddle
Lowering or flexing the neck places the nuchal ligament under tension, and induces separation of the spinous processes in the thoracic region and an elevation of the spine, therefore creating a structure capable of supporting a rider’s weight, and freeing up the longissimus dorsi muscle for creating momentum rather than protecting the spine. This is just one of the many benefits
of allowing your horse to travel in a relaxed, unrestrained, and lowered neck position for portions of your ride, or in a position of self-carriage and relaxed collection. More extreme positions, such as extreme neck flexion or extreme low neck, could be potentially adverse to the horse and the health of their neck and spine. When you ride, take a moment to watch the movement of your horse’s neck. Their oscillations in gait are directly linked to the movement patterns of their trunk and legs. In fact, during movement, the AUTUMN 2018
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Senior Senator’s
Triumph
Can a horse with a broken neck ever race again? PHOTO: DAVID LEES
By Margaret Evans April 29, 2017, was a clear, sunny day in Worthington Valley, Maryland, United States. Crowds were gathering as restless Thoroughbreds full of anticipation were being saddled and warmed up for the 121st running of the Maryland Hunt Cup, a steeplechase over solid fences. On the board, 13 horses were listed as entered, but after three scratches, 10 horses lined up. This race is not for slouches. The Hunt Cup is one of a series of “timber races” run in Maryland in the spring and is known for the size of its fences. It is a grueling four miles long (6.4 kilometres) with 22 timber rail fences, some of which are close to five feet (1.5 metres) high. The race was first run on May 26, 1894 and since then, only 22
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eight horses have won it three times and no horse has won it four times. The race mirrors the hunt country of Maryland where racehorses are conditioned, and it is considered one of the most difficult steeplechase races in the world. Many successful horses continue for many years competing for the coveted title. In the line-up that day was Senior Senator, a seven-year-old bay Thoroughbred owned by Irvin (Skip) and Vicki Crawford of Boyds, Maryland. Crawford had purchased the horse as a three-year-old in 2013. Affectionately called “SS,” he had been trained by Joseph Davies and now, with jockey Eric Poretz in the saddle, the fiery gelding with challenging
behavioural issues in his past was back to defend his title after winning the 2016 Maryland Hunt Cup. Senior Senator was strong and powerful, but known to have panic attacks in confined spaces such as a stall. Davies found the antidote by keeping him in a field while he developed his greatest assets — his long stride and his love of jumping. He could sail over fences. That day, as Senior Senator galloped away from the start line, horses bunched as they cleared the first and second fences. But, caught in that crowd, a split-second clip of his back leg on the top rail at the third fence changed the course of his life for the next year.
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X-RAY IMAGES: PENN VET NEW BOLTON CENTER
Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief, Large Animal Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
PHOTO: PENN VET NEW BOLTON CENTER
Steeplechaser recovers from a broken neck to win Maryland Hunt Cup for the second time.
This X-ray photo before surgery clearly shows the fracture at the bottom of the fourth cervical vertebrae.
“He got caught in a crowd and, trying to get clear, he ended up at the bottom of the fence [at take-off],” says Skip Crawford. “He went straight up and hooked his back leg. How he got his front up and over it I don’t know. Then he did a flip. He landed in the most horrible fashion. Jockey Eric was okay. He too had a hard fall, but he didn’t break anything.” As Senior Senator went over the fence, his hind end flew high into the air and he landed heavily on the left side of his neck before doing a complete roll, completely throwing Eric. He scrambled to his feet and ran. “After the fall, Senior Senator jumped up and galloped to the receiving barn,” says Vicki Crawford.
This X-ray photo shows the screws placed to stabilize the fourth and fifth vertebrae, secured with a compression plate.
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“Because he was so quick to run off, we didn’t think too much of the fall. It really wasn’t until we saw close-up photos of the accident that we realized how serious it was.” Senior Senator’s veterinarian, Dr. Cooper Williams, was concerned immediately after the fall. “It’s not unusual with rotational falls involving the head and neck for a horse to appear relatively normal clinically,” he says. “Because of this, we strongly recommend X-rays of the neck after a major fall. Early diagnosis can prevent disasters.” The Crawfords took their horse home and Williams did the scan. That thoroughness paid off. Williams diagnosed Senior Senator with a
serious fracture involving the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae. The images were immediately emailed to Dr. Dean Richardson, Charles W. Raker Professor of Equine Surgery at Penn Vet’s (University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine) renowned New Bolton Center. Richardson is one of the world’s top equine orthopedic specialists and an expert in surgical procedures involving complicated anatomical areas of the horse. “It was a pretty serious injury,” says Richardson. “There was a fracture at the bottom of the fourth cervical vertebrae. Two large pieces had broken off it. There was a slight amount of subluxation, meaning inappropriate movement between two of the AUTUMN 2018
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The Role of Saddle Fit in
Equine Back Disorders By Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CSE This issue’s focus on equine back problems is an opportune time to examine the relationship between equine back disorders and saddle fit. The issue of “kissing spines,” or overriding dorsal spinous processes, is of concern to many riders. Kissing spines is closely related to saddle fit and specifically, to proper gullet width. While it is gratifying to see that more 32
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and more manufacturers have recognized that the gullet needs to be the width of at least three to four fingers evenly down the length of the saddle, there are unfortunately many older saddles still in use with gullet channels that are much too narrow. I have recently come across an inordinate number of horses with kissing spines, which was actually
exacerbated by poorly fitting saddles. I am not a veterinarian and would never presume to make this diagnosis openly to a client without a vet’s input; however, I do have an educated opinion based on the number of horses I have seen, and the fact that I have taught veterinarians about the ramifications of poor saddle fit. There are differing opinions as to
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A horse in complete tension, such as when forced into an artificial position by the rider pulling on the reins. The rider action causes an incorrect arch at the third and fourth cervical vertebrae; the neck gets tight and the back drops, splaying the hind legs. This forced positioning results in the forehand becoming weighted because the back end is unable to carry weight properly, and can lead to long-term damage. IMAGE © HORSE COMMUNITY JOURNALS
Withers area
Saddle area – Thoracic vertebrae
PHOTO: ISTOCK/DAGAMON
FOUR DORSAL SPINOUS PROCESSES AFFECTED IN THE SADDLE REGION.
whether kissing spines is a disease with predisposition present at birth, or whether it is caused by something else, such as poor saddle fit or poor riding and training during the course of the horse’s life. Dr. Carol Vischer, DVM of New York has extensively researched this topic and concluded that kissing spines is a disease that some horses
PHOTOS: SCHLEESE SADDLERY
Withers
Significant reaction on bone surfaces with brighter white areas where bones are touching or “kissing.”
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UNDERSTANDING
Diagnosis & Management of PPID By Dr. Jaini Clougher, President, ECIR Group Inc. Equine Cushing’s Disease, more correctly called Pars Pituitary Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), is a non-cancerous but progressive enlargement of the pituitary gland in the horse. It is estimated that 20 percent of horses over the age of 15 will develop PPID. Note that Cushing’s Syndrome in humans and dogs (when not due to giving too much steroidal medication) involves an actual tumour of either the pituitary or the adrenal glands, (either benign or malignant), whereas Cushing’s Disease in horses has a different cause. Cushing’s Syndrome in humans was first described in 1912 by the American neurosurgeon Dr. Harvey Cushing, who termed it “polyglandular disease.” The combination of an enlarged pituitary gland in horses, along with clinical signs such as polyuria/ polydipsia, was first described by German veterinary researcher and 36
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pathologist Dr. Georg Pallaske in 1933. The initial cause of the cascade of events that result in PPID is the loss of dopaminergic nerve cells (neurons that release dopamine) in the hypothalamus. These neurons are key in regulating the conversion of hormone precursors into hormones. When the dopaminergic neurons are lost or become nonfunctional, the pars intermedia of the horse madly produces hormones in an uncontrolled fashion, increasing in size as it pumps out more and more hormones. Key among these hormones is adrenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH. ACTH targets the adrenal cortex, signaling it to produce more and more cortisol. Cortisol is an important hormone involved in all kinds of very necessary physiological responses, but unregulated and excessive amounts of cortisol can cause quite a lot of abnormalities. These include suppression of
the immune system, loss of muscle mass, thinning of the skin, abnormalities of other connective tissue resulting in tendon and ligament breakdown, increased urination and drinking, and insulin resistance (IR) in horses that are not normally IR or EMS (equine metabolic syndrome). PPID horses also show abnormalities in heat regulation, with abnormal sweating patterns; poor resistance to parasites (a result of immune system depression); and abnormal hair coats, with long, curly, and non-shedding coats (this occurs later in the progression of PPID, and is not related to excess cortisol, but rather to abnormalities in prolactin production and/or changes in sensitivity to it). Because the dopaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus are also involved in controlling the production of prolactin, PPID mares may lactate without being pregnant or having a foal at foot.
PHOTO: DREAMSTIME/NICOLE CISCATO
Equine Cushing’s Disease
The most devastating clinical sign of Cushing’s disease in the equine is laminitis, which can occur far in advance of any of the other signs. In fact, often the very first sign of PPID is unexplained autumn laminitis. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/KATARZYNA MAZUROWSKA
Jack with uncontrolled PPID (above) and controlled PPID (right).
should be pulled before sedation). Note that the TRH stimulation test is not available in Canada. Heavy exercise and trailering can cause an increase in ACTH that lasts 24 to 48 hours, so avoid trailering the horse to get the blood pulled, and
Diagnosis of PPID
always wait a couple of days after heavy exercise. Severe pain can also cause a temporary increase in ACTH, so if the horse is suffering from acute laminitis or any other painful condition, it is best to wait a couple of weeks for that to subside. Dormosedan, commonly used
Circannual variation in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in the UK in normal horses and ponies, and those with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.
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Seasonal adjustment of reference interval
125 100 75
Cushing's cases
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RECREATED FROM LIPHOOK EQUINE HOSPITAL IMAG
Diagnosis of PPID is by blood tests (endogenous ACTH, plus insulin, glucose, and maybe leptin). Having said that, I will say that if a horse has a long, curly, non-shedding hair coat, loss of muscle mass, weight loss overall, and laminitis, which is worst from September to March, then it is reasonable to assume PPID and start treatment with pergolide, and then get blood tests done as soon as possible. However, it is better to run routine ACTH tests in September once a horse is over 15 years of age to be sure to catch PPID before autumn laminitis turns out to be the first sign that all is not well. This can coincide with the autumn dentistry visit (blood
ACTH pg/mL
All horses — and, in fact, most mammals that have been studied thus far — show seasonal variation in the production of ACTH and other hormones, controlled by day length. As the days grow shorter, species that have evolved in temperate regions show an increase in ACTH and a decrease in prolactin, which helps prepare for winter: A winter coat is produced, and the metabolism alters so that more fat is stored, which usually involves an increase in insulin. This increase in ACTH is essential for animals preparing for a long, cold winter. In the northern hemisphere (with some variations due to latitude), ACTH starts to increase in late August, and is on the downswing by mid-October. This is known as the “seasonal rise.” PPID horses have a greatly exaggerated seasonal rise that tends to start earlier and last longer. Early cases of PPID will only have abnormally high ACTH during the seasonal rise period, and will have normal ACTH at other times of the year, making diagnosis somewhat elusive. However, as the condition progresses, ACTH will be abnormally high at all times of the year. There will always be a grey area during the seasonal rise in which it is not possible to determine if the horse is truly PPID; a very, very early case of PPID; or not PPID but with a transiently high ACTH.
PHOTOS: ECIR GROUP INC.
ACTH and the Seasonal Rise
PPID horses have an exaggerated “seasonal rise” in ACTH in autumn that starts earlier and lasts longer. In early stages of PPID, the abnormally high ACTH will only occur from late August to mid-October, when all horses will have an increase in ACTH and a decrease in prolactin, which helps them prepare for winter.
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HEALTH
The How & Why of
Soaking Hay By Shelagh Niblock, PAS Horse owners have been wetting or soaking hay as a feed management practice for many years. Soaking hay for horses can be invaluable when feeding a hay that is a little dusty as a result of soil contamination or where it was stored in the barn. Horses that have allergies and are sensitive to the natural dust and particles in hay can benefit significantly from wetting or soaking hay. In recent years, horse owners have become more aware of the impact of rapidly digestible carbohydrates in the diets of their horses. We now know that high intakes of water soluble carbohydrates (as indicated on a lab analysis as WSC or water soluble carbohydrates and including sugars and starches) can be a liability for some horses. Not all hay has high WSC, and not all horses need to consume a diet with limited starches and sugars. But the fact is that as our horses live longer and are fed forages with better nutritional quality, we are seeing more and more of them who are overweight or 48
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afflicted with metabolic conditions such as Insulin Resistance (IR), Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Deficiency (PPID or Equine Cushings Disease). Horses with Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM), a genetic condition that affects how the horse stores glucose as glycogen in the muscle, also need a diet low in sugar and starch. Too much sugar in the diets of these horses causes them to “hit the wall” when working hard. They often have no energy and can even go into a metabolic crisis and experience painful tying-up episodes if consuming a diet with too much rapidly digestible carbohydrate. The hay we feed our horses has undergone years of genetic selection so as to provide commercial forage growers with grasses that have superior nutrient content, high yield, and good stress tolerance. The agronomic practices including cultivation, and water and fertilizer applications under which these forages are grown, all
affect their nutritional analysis. Increasing numbers of horse owners are availing themselves of this superior forage in the form of hay, only to find that it’s almost too good for the average horse. Grass hays in Western Canada are known for their superior digestibility and excellent energy content. At least part of that energy is due to high sugar content. The potential impact of this on our horses has focused more scrutiny on how to better manage a potentially high sugar hay as part of a healthy diet. Soaking hay before consumption has been proven in peer reviewed research trials to be an effective way to reduce the content of water soluble carbohydrate in the hay. What is the Best Way to Soak Hay? Soaking hay is as simple as that. Before feeding, the hay is submerged in water for a prescribed period of time, then pulled out of the water and fed. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? It actually is simple once you have a
As horses live longer and consume better quality forage than in the past, more of them are becoming overweight or suffering from metabolic conditions. Horse owners are seeking to better manage the intake of water soluble carbohydrates in their horses’ diets, and an effective way to do that is by soaking the hay in water.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/PETER TITMUSS
PHOTO: CANSTOCK/HANATIPPLOVA
An easy method of soaking hay is to fill a hay net, then submerge it in a large garbage or plastic tote filled with clean water. Research has shown that soaking grass hay in cool water for 60 minutes before consumption will effectively reduce the content of water soluble carbohydrates by 30 to 40 percent.
good routine down for doing it, but there are many questions about how best to do it, and plenty of misinformation out there about expected outcomes. A research trial was conducted by Dr. Krishona Martinson, an equine forage specialist at the University of Minnesota, on how long hay needs to be soaked to remove significant levels of WSC. Her experiment included several different kinds of hay, including orchard grass at different maturities. In her research, Dr. Martinson was able to establish good practical guidelines for soaking hays. She found that soaking for 60 minutes in cool water removed 30 to 40 percent of the WSC in the grass hays depending on the maturity of the hay, without removing significant amounts of other nutrients such as phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium. Soaking for longer than one hour removed more WSC, but it also removed more of the other nutrients we feed hay to provide. She found that
protein was not significantly changed no matter how long the hay was soaked, and calcium was also somewhat resistant to loss by soaking. Researcher Katy Watts of Safer Grass suggests that the more water you use when soaking hay, the more you can influence the dilution gradient. This means you can potentially remove more WSC in the same period of time. In other words, more water means more removal of WSC from your hay. A word of caution though, more water can also result in higher removal of other nutrients as well. All soaked hay will start to spoil when wet. This is particularly true in hot weather, therefore, more management is required when feeding soaked hay in the summer. Meals need to be smaller and fed more frequently to avoid the risk of feeding hay that is close to spoiling. Be scrupulous about your soaking protocol, using only clean potable water and a soaking container that is AUTUMN 2018
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Rugging Up
The Wrap
Whether or not to blanket a horse is an often-debated question and there are many logical and justifiable reasons to go either way.
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n normal weather conditions, many horses do not need a blanket, especially if they have access to food and shelter and have grown a healthy, thick winter coat. But for horses with special needs such as older or geriatric horses, pregnant mares, horses with compromised health conditions, or horses that have been clipped, blankets are certainly appropriate. Consideration should also be given to the horse’s breed, hair coat quality, feeding routine, and its acclimatization to the existing conditions.
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on Blanketing
By Margaret Evans
PHOTO: CLIX PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/RICHARD WHITCOMBE
When temperatures drop, the horse’s long, thick natural hair coat will fluff up to trap air close to the skin, thereby providing an insulating layer against the cold.
Horses have been adapting to the climate for millennia and they still depend on ancestral ways to regulate their own temperature. In the fall, the horse’s coat will start to grow longer and coarser, and its density will thicken. In cold temperatures, this thickness will fluff up with the long guard hairs standing out rather than lying close to the skin. This traps air close to the skin, providing an insulating layer to protect from the cold. It’s sort of like a down jacket. Additional oils accumulate in this thicker coat, especially in pastured horses, providing extra insulation. In addition, horses generate internal heat when they eat hay, so free access to hay or forage add to their ability to regulate their body temperature, while shade and shelter provide protection against the elements.
“People seem to forget that we have only had blankets for horses recently and they have been domesticated for 6,000 years,” says Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph at the University of Guelph, Ontario. “We have to remember that horses have developed their own ways to thermoregulate and we have to respect that. There are certainly times when a blanket will be beneficial to a horse for specific reasons and for specific time periods, but many horses do not need the blanketing that they are given by their owners. In fact, at a recent welfare meeting, there was a presentation on the welfare implications of over-blanketing, and we should take some time to seriously think about our actions. Are we really helping? Or do our interactions interfere?” All too often, well-meaning horse
owners throw on a blanket and it’s there for months. But it may be ill-fitting. It may be too big so it slips around the horse’s back and pulls on the neck. It may be too small with tight strapping that starts rubbing and causing skin abrasions. Or it may be the wrong type of blanket for the weather conditions. “An ill-fitting blanket could set your horse up for injury,” says Ecker. “Horses get their legs caught in the straps, the blanket can shift and hang down one side which can irritate or spook the horse, or sometimes it encourages other horses to nibble and chew on the blanket which can cause other issues.” Knowledgeable tack store owners can provide excellent advice on the kind of blanket best suited to specific conditions and the best fit. Deciding to blanket the horse means checking out a host of styles and functions to meet many needs. They include rain and fly sheets, coolers, summer sheets, liners, stable blankets, and an array of turnout blankets. Regardless of style and function, blankets need to be durable to withstand rough horse play, chewing, tugging, rolling, and running around. While some horses are easy on blankets, others definitely are not. The decision to blanket a horse usually means that several different kinds of blankets may be needed to meet the changing day and night conditions. There is also a rotational need. Every time a dirty, wet blanket is removed for cleaning, there needs to be a clean, dry one ready to put on. So, an investment in blankets really means an investment in a wardrobe of them. AUTUMN 2018
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CARING FOR
Tack & Riding Equipment For anyone born with the horse-crazy gene, the tack room is ground zero. This isn’t just a place to park the saddle. This is the room where riders lay out their plans, craft their goals, and visualize their dreams all amid the trappings that help make it happen. In the tack room, the aroma of leather kindles the excitement to ride. The anticipation is buoyed by the racks and hangers and hooks all filled with bridles, bits, halters, shanks, lead lines, long lines, lunge lines, saddles, pads, wraps, hackamores, fly masks, and blankets, rugs, and sheets of every kind. In the corners are buckets and grooming tool organizers stuffed with brushes, combs, hoof pick, sponges, chamois, sprays, shampoo, sweat scraper, and braiding supplies. Halters, shanks, bridles, and blankets hang ready to use. In another corner is a storage box for things that won’t hang, hook, or drape. And in the cupboards are cleaners, conditioners, polishes, rags, and sponges to maintain all that tack and equipment. The cost of all that tack and gear amounts to a significant investment. Taking proper care of it will not only protect that investment but enhance the tack’s look and lifespan so that it gives not only long-term enjoyment, but comfort and safety for both horse and rider. As much as tack should be cleaned regularly and the bit and stirrups washed and wiped dry, ideally after each ride, the challenges of keeping tack in perfect condition are driven not just by cleaning but by the conditions in the tack room and the changing seasons. 60
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AUTUMN 2018
The trappings of a safe & enjoyable ride.
“In our northern climate [Canada and the northern US], our biggest challenge is tack care in the winter,” says Sabine Schleese, director of corporate By Margaret Evans affairs, Schleese Saddlery Service in Holland Landing, Ontario. “First of all, it’s often too cold to be standing in the tack room and cleaning your tack. And if you don’t have a heated or airconditioned tack room or locker, your tack can get damp and moldy in any climate, as heat, cold, damp, and dry are not ideal conditions for any leather product. My best suggestion is a well-ventilated, temperate tack room or locker, and if you don’t have one then take your tack home — especially if you are storing it and not using it for an extended length of time. Cleaning should be done at least superficially after each use; more detailed washing and conditioning at least weekly, depending on how often you ride.” Leather is treated skin that is tanned so that it retains about 25 percent of its moisture. Today’s tanning process, which takes about six weeks, permanently alters the protein structure in the skin, making it more durable and less susceptible to damage from bacteria. The very term “tanning” is derived from tannin, an acidic chemical compound that, back in the day, came from oak or fir trees. During the Industrial Revolution, tanners turned to the use of
TRAINING
Downhill Walking
Best Exercises to
PHOTO: JEC A. BALLOU
Resolve Crookedness At some point, we have all found ourselves atop a horse moving crookedly while wishing for a more balanced ride, but feeling as if the solution to the problem was like a jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes the crookedness creates soreness in one of our hips or knees when we finish riding, or it can feel like the horse’s body is a stiff rod that will not bend in a particular direction. Almost always, a horse moving crookedly and not using both sides of his body equally results in a disorganized ride that falls short of your goals. No matter how uncomfortable these alignment issues are for us, they can be damaging for the horse. Unless a horse moves forward with equal 66
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AUTUMN 2018
force and range of motion from each hind limb, his muscular-skeletal system becomes twisted. His joints get torqued from misalignment, and his muscles grow stronger with imbalanced patterns. He wears his feet unevenly and strains ligaments, and he constantly wiggles his rider out of position. No matter what his job, any horse needs to travel as symmetrically-aligned as possible through his spine and joints. This is the only assurance for his comfort during performance and his longevity as a riding horse. Resolving crookedness sometimes feels complicated or futile for riders, but in actuality the job can be simple with a few exercises that alter the
By Jec A. Ballou
horse’s ingrained patterns of sidedominance. Many riders get stuck riding around their arenas giving a complicated series of half-halts or adjustments to bend better to the right or left, but never make measurable progress day-to-day. A few weeks later, their horses will still be drifting or leaning their shoulders into each turn. Generally, lots of confusing niggling little aids from the rider attempting to create better symmetry do not work as effectively as putting the horse in situations where he has to organize his own body. The following exercises create changes in the horse’s movement by altering his patterns of side dominance, while inputting new
HORSEMANSHIP
Young Horse Pre-Trailer Training Instilling trust, confidence, and thinking through challenges.
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In last issue’s article, A Foal’s Safe Trip Home, the challenge was to get my colt from Innisfail, Alberta to Abbotsford, BC as safely and stressfree as possible. At the time he didn’t lead and had never been in a trailer, and he was weaned the moment we left the property. Under these circumstances, I was concerned that the experience would be a lot for him to take in. In the previous article, I described the steps I took to give him a great ride home and a good experience that would set him up well for successful trips in the future. In this article, I will share some of
By Jonathan Field
the key steps I took to prepare him for safe handling in general, and get him ready for some specific trailer training. For his first trip, he was herded into the trailer and rode loose in a minibox stall with another horse on board. Even a big trailer trip like his first one is not enough to consider him a trailer-trained or prepared horse. Once home, I brought him to a friend’s place, taught him to lead, and now he was ready for more specific training. There are still many steps needed to teach him to be led or sent into the trailer by himself, and to stand in the divider area.
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