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The UK’s leading equine health & well-being magazine
October/November 09 £2.95
New fears over vets’ overuse of antibiotics By Louise Cordell THE overuse of antibiotics by equine vets is leading to the widespread development of drug resistant bacteria, according to new findings. A new study has found that hospitalised horses are now at significantly increased risk of developing antibiotic resistance. Researchers working at Liverpool University have discovered that E. coli bacteria in a horse’s intestine appear to acquire multiple drug resistance while the animal is in hospital. The study was led by Adele Williams, with funding from equine charity The Horse Trust, as part of a clinical training programme in equine internal medicine. She said: “We found a much higher degree of antibiotic resistance after the horses had been in hospital for a week – we don’t know exactly where this resistance comes from, but it shows that there are more resistance genes available to bacteria in a hospital environment.” Adele confirmed that the findings are particularly important in terms of treating bacterial diseases as there are only limited numbers of antibiotics licensed for use in horses. This means that vets need to be very careful that they are only used when absolutely necessary.
She added: “Currently many are being used for treating fairly minor injuries and this overuse could speed up resistance. Instead we should be trying to cut down on treatment – we need to protect the small number that are available to us and slow things down.” Randomly selected horses were studied at Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital over an 18 month period between 2006 and 2008. The researchers found a significant increase in resistance during the week's hospitalisation for 7 of the 8 antibiotics tested. The resistance also increased even in horses not treated with antibiotics and to antibiotics that were not used in the hospital. Adele added: “We need to be aware that high antibiotic use will accelerate the prevalence of resistant bacteria - so treatment needs to be targeted and appropriate. I think we can slow down progression, but we will never be able to stop this resistance from occurring. “We need to remember that, as a vet, it will become very difficult to treat an animal if every antibiotic we try is failing to work. “New antibiotics are being produced, but the rate of development has slowed considerably and there is no guarantee that there will be a new treatment around the corner to help us out when we need it.”
A group of 12 brave vets and vet nurses from Lancashire have taken part in a ‘Calendar Girls’ photoshoot to raise money for Animals Asia Foundation – the BVNA’s chosen charity for 2010. The animal welfare charity works in China and is well known for its campaign to rescue moon bears from bile farming. The women from the Rufford Veterinary Group posed with their favourite horses, dogs, rabbits and cats to produce the
calendar, which is available now at www.calendarvets.co.uk. The project is the brainchild of Gillian Williams who hopes to raise over £100,000 for the cause. She said: “Every penny raised will help those beautiful moon bears and help AAF to put a stop to bile farming in China. I hope the whole vet community and its suppliers will get behind us.” Pictured: Sara and Rosie
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HORSE HEALTH I NEWS 3
Equestrian awards shortlist is announced
EDITORIAL GROUP EDITOR:
Andrew Harrod Tel: 01226 734639 email: ah@whpl.net EDITOR:
By Louise Cordell THE shortlist for the 2009 Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year Award has been announced. Now in its eleventh year, the award, sponsored by Merial Animal Health, is made by the Royal Agricultural Society of England to recognise outstanding academic achievement in the equestrian field. Brian Warren, RASE chief executive said: "The horse is taking an evermore important role in rural Britain, as a leisure pursuit, in sport and for landowners who are diversifying their businesses by moving into horse related activities. “This award is a great way of giving recognition to the future thought-leaders in the sector and we hope it also encourages other academic institutions and their students to continue in their valuable work." The five shortlisted candidates are: Holly Claridge, Royal
Veterinary College: The 3D anatomy of the cervical articular process joint in the horse Ann Clausen, Writtle College: Analysis of the trait scoring data in Futurity Evaluations (2005-2008) for young sport horses Sarah Craighill, Hadlow College: An investigation to establish if there is a relationship between the orientation of the distal and middle phalanx and injury to the structures of the distal limb in the horse James Daly, University of Limerick: Analysis of Career Length and Performance in Irish National Hunt Horses Sarah J Mitchell, Sparsholt College: A study into the behavioural and physiological effects of equine assisted therapy, as indicated by changes in Cortisol in saliva and heart rate.
Breeder Joan wins £1,000 prize THE breeder of Oliver Townend’s winning Burghley ride Carousel Quest is to be presented with a £1,000 prize. Joan Hood from Hampshire bred the 14-year-old gelding and will receive a cheque in recognition of her contribution to British breeding. Carousel Quest’s sire Carousel is a Holsteiner stallion standing at Broadoak Stud in Hampshire who has produced sport horses within all the disciplines and is renowned for his jumping ability and temperament. Carousel Quest’s dam, Thoroughbred Vickidora is by Cava Doro who in turn is by the stallion Sir Ivor, meaning that Carousel Quest is a modern event horse – the result of successfully crossing warmblood bloodlines with the Thoroughbred. Joan said: “It was obvious that he had tremendous talent from a young age and he has had great riders in Cressy Clague Reading and Oliver Townend. “The secret is to have a plan – combining great bloodlines with good early production and then the
Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest Picture: Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials topping this off with a good rider. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
The shortlisted students will have to present and defend their thesis to a panel of judges before the winner is announced on 13 November. They will receive a cash prize, trophy and RAS membership as well as being given the opportunity to present their work to the National Equine Forum in March. Judge Dr Emma Batson from Merial Animal Health said: “Research and development is key to our business so it's very satisfying to see that the innovative spirit remains strong within the UK's academic institutions. “The quality of entrants this year has been excellent and there is some very valuable work taking place that deserves a great deal of respect and recognition. “We’re looking forward to meeting the finalists, but I’m sure it’s going to be a challenge to select an overall winner.”
Christine Keate Tel: 07825 097 464 email: chris.keate@horsehealthmagazine.co.uk REPORTER:
Louise Cordell Tel: 01226 734694 email: lcordell@whpl.net PRODUCTION STUDIO MANAGER:
Stewart Holt email: sth@whpl.net DEPUTY GROUP EDITOR:
Judith Halkerston email: jhalkerston@whpl.net ADVERTISING SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR:
Tony Barry PRODUCT MANAGER:
Claire McLean Tel: 01226 734333 Fax: 01226 734478 Email: cmc@whpl.net Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all content, the publishers do not accept liability for error, printed or otherwise, that may occur.
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HORSE HEALTH I NEWS
New grants could lead to Strangles quick diagnosis By Louise Cordell VETS could soon be able to confirm a case of Strangles in just 30 minutes thanks to new funding grants.
Pictured, from left, BEVA president Chris House, Josh Slater, Kerstin Alford Picture: Patrick Walker
Professor is recognised for Safer Horse Rescues role PROFESSOR Josh Slater has been presented with the British Equine Veterinary Association Welfare Award 2009.
It was set up in 2007 following a number of incidents of horses dying slow, painful deaths following accidents or after becoming trapped.
The award, which was introduced by BEVA in conjunction with The Blue Cross nine years ago, is a formal recognition of significant contributions made by veterinary surgeons to equine welfare.
In addition to introducing the Protocol Professor Slater has helped to develop training courses for vets and fire fighters involved with horse rescue.
Professor Slater was given the award by Kerstin Alford, director of equine welfare at The Blue Cross, for his role in developing the Emergency Services Protocol – now known as Safer Horse Rescues. This is a nationwide initiative involving vets, the highways agency and emergency services.
Scholarship won by Kings Temptress THIS year’s Twemlows Hall Burghley Scholarship has been won by Kings Temptress, who was ridden by Mary King and finished in 18th place. The scholarship has been introduced to encourage the owners of mares competing at the highest levels to breed from them during their competitive career. Derek Baden, the owner of Kings Temptress, now plans to send the mare to Twemlows Hall after Badminton next year to undergo two embryo transfers. The Burghley Scholarship is awarded to the highest placed British bred or domiciled mare at Burghley each year provided that they finish in the top 20. Previous winners include Little Tiger, who has two recipient mares carrying her foals and Headley Britannia who now has two yearlings, both born while she was in the run up to her Silver medal in Hong Kong Olympics.
Kerstin said: “Professor Slater has been the driving force behind this project, which sets a national standard for all those involved in large animal rescue. “It will have a valuable impact on the rescue and rehabilitation of horses and ponies throughout the UK by helping to minimise suffering and maximise chances of a positive outcome.”
ultimately produce a point-of-care test that vets can use on site to get a diagnosis in 30 minutes.
Scientists believe that eradication of the disease is now a step closer after receiving financial support to develop a rapid diagnostic test.
Earlier diagnosis will allow owners to isolate horses sooner and minimise the spread of infection as well as reducing welfare problems for horses and the cost to their owners.
They have claimed that within three years vets around the world will be able to confirm cases of the infectious disease in under half and hour.
This test will be designed and developed over the next two years and it is hoped it could be mass produced and widely available by 2012.
The development follows a Translation Award of more than £580,000 from the Wellcome Trust as well as money raised during a two year fundraising campaign by the Horse Trust, the Animal Health Trust and the British Horse Society.
The ‘Breaking the Strangles Hold’ campaign recently reached its fundraising target of £250,000 in just two years, demonstrating the importance of the issue to horse owners.
The AHT has already launched a diagnostic blood test to screen for exposure to the infection and since February 2008 more than 6,700 samples have been tested. Professor Andrew Waller, AHT head of bacteriology, said: “The main problem with strangles is the time taken to diagnose it. “The current blood test is a big step forward, but the culture and DNA tests which are often used in the initial stages of an outbreak can take a couple of days to get results.” The Translation Award means the AHT can reduce the time taken to perform the DNA diagnostic test and
Campaign supporter, the Princess Royal, said: “As an owner who has seen my own horse’s affected by this terrible disease, it is wonderful to see such progress being made in a relatively short time. “The screening test enables owners to know within 24 hours if any of their horses have been exposed to this bacterium. “Previously available tests would have taken three to four days. “The test is making a real difference in welfare and economic terms for all those involved in the equine industry – it truly is groundbreaking.”
Recession changing spending habits By Mary Ferguson
difficulties.
A NEW survey has revealed that six in ten horse owners have changed their spending habits as a result of the recession.
The survey was the first to be conducted by the Equestrian Research Panel – a joint venture between BETA and Sportswise, an independent research consultancy.
The results of a new study conducted by BETA show that the equestrian sector has been hit hard by the economic instability, with nearly two thirds of horse owners claiming they have been cutting costs to cope with financial
Jon Downer, Sportswise MD, said: “This first survey from the new Equestrian Research Panel clearly shows that the sector has been
affected by the current economic climate. “It shows that horse owners are cutting back and not spending in areas that they may otherwise have done. “For example, one in five are choosing to repair equipment rather than replace it and a further one in five have not renewed equestrian memberships.”
Nomination appeal for equine vet competition PETPLAN is calling for nominations for its Equine Vet of the Year 2009 competition.
candidates who combine clinical excellence with fantastic customer care.
award at the Animal Health Trust Equestrian Awards in London on 5 November 2009.
The company’s aim is to highlight the huge contribution equine vets make to their local community and is looking for
An independent panel will draw up a short list from the nominations and the winner will be announced and receive the
Last year's winner was 37-year-old Andrew Dobson of The Barn Equine and Large Animal Practice in Great Wavering, Essex.
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HORSE HEALTH I NEWS 5
Anger as sick horse is sold for less than packet of cigarettes THE Dublin Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals has voiced its concerns following the sale of an injured horse for €8 at a recent market. The animal was rescued by an 11 year old boy after he saw the badly-injured pony for sale at the monthly Smithfield Horse Sales. He approached the owner, who sold him the pony for €8, and then handed the animal over to the DSPCA. Liam Kinsella, inspector with the Dublin SPCA, said: “What kind of society is it where an 11 year old child can purchase a suffering animal for €8 in a public market contrary to Control of Horses Act – which forbids the sale of horses to anyone under the age of 16. “It is appalling to think that someone allowed her to get into that condition and then offloaded her for less than the price of a packet of cigarettes. “There are no words left to
describe my anger and frustration at the current situation regarding equines in this country. “Thank god there was a child willing to do something about it – but it is up to elected adults to take responsibility now for this awful situation.” The animal welfare group transported the pony back to the centre by horse ambulance as its front legs and hooves were so damaged that it could barely walk. On examination the pony, aged
about 15 years, was found to be in severe pain. Veterinary treatment was administered but further investigation is now needed to determine if the animal can be saved. Jimmy Cahill, general manager at the Dublin SPCA said: “Typically the Dublin SPCA rescues approximately 40 horses a year, but by the end of August 2009 we were approaching 90 equines and the numbers grow each week. “Our resources are being pushed to the limit and we are fearful of every market that is allowed to take place and the anguish this causes to mistreated horses. “Legislation is clear, every equine needs to have a passport and microchip which forces accountability and traceability, but without sufficient resources put in place to enforce the legislation, its not worth the paper its written on.”
Therapies are safe and practical FMBs offer a range of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF), massage, laser, magnetic and hot/cold + compression therapy products suitable for horses, riders and their dogs. Safe and practical, these therapies can be used for conditions including muscle tension, soft tissue damage, slow healing bones, sport injuries and arthritis plus pre warm up and post exercise. The new Activo-Med Combi Pro (pulsed electromagnetic and cyclonic massage rug) treats from the top of the neck to the tip of the tail and now also the shoulders and stifle. It’s newly launched little sister, the Combi Sport, is a traditional rug shape and also offers both pulsed electromagnetic and cyclonic massage therapies. It is available with either massage only or pulsed electromagnetic only components and starts at £1200 including VAT. Activo-Med Magnetic/Massage front and hind leg wraps are available with both systems or separately as well as the combined pulsed electromagnetic and laser handheld unit. Ideal for knocks, strains, tweaks, stiffnesses and prevention before and after exercise.
Picture: Inside Out
William Fox-Pitt said: “Having used the Activo-Med Combi System for over two years now I can honestly say it’s worth the investment ten times over. “Whilst excellent for rehabilitation, I use the rug on all the horses both before they are worked to loosen and relax their muscles and after to aid the recovery process. The systems are easy to use, breathable, lightweight and horse-friendly.” Call 01628 472440 or visit www.fmbs.co.uk for more information
New directors appointed THE British Equestrian Federation has appointed Lynne Crowden and Jane Holderness Roddam as new board directors of the National Equine Database. Lynne is a breeder and producer of sport horses at the Woodlander Stud, chairman of the Lead Body for British Sport Horses and Ponies, secretary of Warm Blood Breeders Studbook and a BEF Futurity evaluator. She said: “NED is going from strength to strength but we have a lot of work to do to improve the pedigree data and I hope to be able to explain clearly and simply to British studbooks what this means and how, by supplying as much data as we can, we can help breeders make better choices. “NED is pivotal to the development of the British horse industry.” Jane Holderness-Roddam is chairman of the RDA, president of British Eventing and was also part of the 1968 Olympics gold winning three day event team. Her aim is to help consolidate the links between NED and many of its important data suppliers. She said: “NED is the new improved British Horse Database with more capacity to help breeders and producers, buyers and sellers and moreover the one horse owner, by providing verified information to inform and protect members of the equine community.”
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HORSE HEALTH I NEWS
Accuracy of scoring systems questioned in new research NEW research presented at this year’s BEVA Congress has questioned the accuracy of existing body condition scoring systems. Researchers at the department of clinical science at the University of Liverpool have conducted a study, supported by World Horse Welfare, that throws doubt on the effectiveness of conventional weight loss management systems. The investigation, ‘Managed weight loss in obese ponies: Evaluating weight change, health and welfare’, involved five mature, overweight or obese ponies. The aim was to restrict their feed intake, on a dry matter basis, to one per cent of body weight of a chaff-based complete diet for 12 weeks. During this time their weight change, health parameters and behaviour were monitored. All ponies remained healthy throughout the whole trial and an appropriate and safe rate of weight loss was achieved. Clare Barfoot, Spillers nutritionist,
said: “Body weight decreased at a steady rate. “However, despite significant weight loss, the body condition scores of the ponies didn’t change. This highlights the concern that body condition scoring may not be the most effective way to monitor early weight loss in ponies.” The study also showed that, even in this well managed group, the feeding activity of the dieting ponies was decreased by 74 per cent, compared to ad libitum intake, highlighting the need for a practical feeding system that is both effective at managing weight loss but is also sensitive to behavioural needs. The researchers are now in the process of developing a new condition scoring system designed specifically for ponies. Alex Dugdale, lead researcher, said: “This will involve validating the relationship between actual measurements of body fatness and the external appearance of the pony.”
The new Equi-Shield sanitizer ‘most effective’ THE new Equi-Shield atmospheric sanitizer is the most effective way to ensure your grooms, rider, staff, stable facilities and animal transportation vehicles are free from cross contamination of bacteria and fungal and viral infections. In the present economic climate, sanitizing with the existing products available in the market can be costly and time consuming if it has to be diluted, re-applied over 48 hours or applied in a special applicator. Equi-Shield is activated and applied from an eight ounce aerosol canister, the product is premixed, non toxic and your staff will be able to use the product safely following simple instructions. Applying this revolutionary residual barrier technology creates a long lasting, durable bonded layer on the surface which is positively chargedattracting the harmful (negatively charged) microbes.
Study looks at calming equine pheromone By Louise Cordell
problems.
HORSE owners could soon be offered a new treatment for the management of equine stereotypies.
Cribbing can lead to damaged teeth, box walking can wear out shoes and put pressure on tendons and windsucking can result in colic.
The pharmaceutical manufacturer, CEVA Animal Health, is working in partnership with the University of Nottingham’s Veterinary School to carry out an initial study into a calming equine pheromone. Owners of horses that display any type of stereotypical behaviour such as crib biting, weaving or box walking are being asked to complete an online survey about their horse, management regimes and their perception of pheromone treatments. Researcher Louise Needham said: “These stereotypical behaviours are a very emotive issue for horse owners. “At the moment, the best treatment is changing management – creating a different routine for the horse or turning them out more – but often that is not possible or practical, and is not always successful. “There are also more active methods available from crib collars to electric shock therapy and even surgery on the muscles in the neck to prevent windsucking. “However, these more extreme interventions present their own welfare issues.” Despite this she points out that, if left untreated, these behaviours can lead to serious secondary clinical
Because Equi-Shield is mechanical, it does not create ‘superbugs’ - which are created from their ability to build up a resistance. The surface shield remains intact in most areas 24 hours a day, for up to 30 days, actively attacking microbes to inhibit growth which prevents on going colonies from forming. But alongside the product there is a great need for on going hygiene disciplines to be put in place. Penny Cruttwell runs the day to day business at the Brandwell Academy of Equestrian Excellence, where staff, clients and visitors are guided to the hand sanitizing stations situated through out the yard, gloves are worn when dealing with open wounds and grooming equipment is regularly cleaned and sanitised.
For more information contact Christine Brander on 07791651332 or visit www.brandwell@org.co.uk
On top of this there is the primary problem that the horse is stressed within its environment and feels the need to resort to these behaviours. Louise added: “It gets to the point where the condition is so distressing, probably even more for the owner than for the horse, people will try anything. Pheromones have never been widely used in the horse word before, but they would be a synthetic version of those produced by a mother horse which have a calming effect. “Obviously it is not known yet if they would be completely effective in stopping the stereotypical behaviour, but the overwhelming majority of the vets we have spoken to have been positive about the idea and would give it a try.” The online survey is also asking for owner opinions and ideas on the best and most practical ways to administer the pheromones to horses, with options ranging from inhalers if they are tolerated by the animal, to a halter fixed diffuser. If you would like to participate in the survey please visit: www.nottingham.ac.uk/vet/Horseow nersurvey.
Jonathan is a Horse Health winner CONGRATULATIONS to Jonathan Taylor, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury area rep for the British Horse Society,
who won last issue’s competition prize – a brand new Hay Steamer Professional.
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HORSE HEALTH I NEWS 7
Mongol Derby riders
‘Toughest equine adventure on planet’ succeeds THE first Mongol Derby, a 1,000km horse race, has been hailed as a massive success. Billed as the planet’s toughest equine adventure, 26 riders and 700 horses set off across Mongolia last month to recreate the network of horse stations once used by Genghis Khaan. Riders swapped horses regularly and the animals underwent veterinary inspections at check points positioned every 20 to 40 km along the route. The joint race winners were South African architect Charles van Wyk and Mongolian rider Shiravsambo Galbadrakh, who reached the finish line just over seven days after setting off. The two riders beat a field of 26 highly experienced equestrians from ten different countries round the world including Argentina, Spain, USA and the UK. Jenny Weston, an FEI accredited 4* endurance vet was one of the team of vets flown into Mongolia
to oversee the horse welfare and veterinary provisions for the race. She said:“From a veterinary perspective there was not much to do for the horses involved in the Mongol Derby apart from assess their suitability before the riders arrived, then checking that the horses that had been ridden in were recovering well – mainly based on heart rate recovery and gut sounds. “A couple of horses were involved in freak accidents, that’s just what horses do, but ultimately less than two per cent of the horses required any treatment and that was all minor first aid. “Horse riding is essentially a dangerous sport and throwing semi-wild mounts and an exceedingly remote location into the mix meant that the dangers to the riders were real. “Along with horse welfare, sensible behaviour by the participants was paramount to ensure that no major problems were encountered.”
Horsewatch scheme relaunched STAFFORDSHIRE Police is relaunching its Horsewatch scheme in an attempt to tackle equine-related crime. The initiative, which will operate in a similar way to Neighbourhood Watch, is being set up after several thefts of equipment in the south of the county. PC Hardt said: "Horsewatch, which is similar to Neighbourhood Watch, is a great way of connecting horse lovers
and preventing crime. “Participants will be offered, among other things, security advice and tack marking. Saddles and other stolen equipment can be very expensive to replace. “An initiative like Horsewatch, which has proved successful across the country, is a fantastic opportunity to work together to stop criminals in their tracks.”
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HORSE HEALTH I NEWS
Editor’s insight...
Christine Keate
AS always, BEVA Congress heralded a plethora of scientific research and technological advances. However, one thing in particular had a very significant impact on me. Yellow in colour, about the length of a man’s forearm and six to eight inches in diameter; a lump of rubber simulating five pounds of fat. To lift as a dead weight it felt much heavier and it is a sobering thought that whilst many of us might be lugging one or two of these around ourselves, many horses and ponies are carrying several. The problem of equine obesity is a growing issue. World Horse Welfare, in their excellent dvd on the subject suggest many reasons why, such as grass growing
Welfare compendium launched at BEVA A NEW equine welfare compendium has been launched at this year’s British Equine Veterinary Association Congress. The National Equine Welfare Council has released the third edition of its welfare guidelines, which include the recent significant changes in legislation as well as improved scientific knowledge of welfare issues. Previous editions have been used extensively to support welfare investigations and legal proceedings, however the new publication has also been designed to help anyone responsible for equine welfare to meet their legal obligations. Nicolas de Brauwere, NEWC chairman and Redwings head of welfare, said: “The Compendium is designed to underpin the Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Equines by providing a greater level of detail and information to enable people to understand how they can best meet the needs of the equines under their care.” The Compendium was funded, written and produced by the industry, with the full support of Defra and uptake so far has been very strong, in particular by equine educational institutions such as the vet schools. However, the industry is now keen to also pass on the guidelines to horse owners and others responsible for the day to day care of equines.
more during the often warmer winter months and better quality rugs reducing the energy needed to keep warm, thus bringing horses and ponies into the spring already slightly overweight, instead of more historically, in a lean condition ready for the spring grass. Whilst we all know that horses are evolved to forage for many hours per day, they are not designed to cope with the high quality grazing many are now enjoying. There are how-ever, less fattening forage alternat-ives around, such as good quality barley straw as a partial hay replacer. It is worth seeking advice from nutritionists and experts on such feeding issues.
Fat-related diseases, many aggravated by us as ‘horse keepers’, are becoming more prolific, and the overweight horse, is being regarded as the norm. The idea of ‘looking well’ whilst clearly there is not a rib to be felt anywhere, is a mindset that surely needs to change. Not long ago I received an image of a winning cob. It looked a very well covered and chunky mature horse, I was shocked to read it was a young four year old. Is it really not about time obesity ceased to be rewarded in the show ring? I’ve always believed that example is set from the top, and that if those we wish to impress cease to reward ‘condition’ in this form, then perhaps things will change.
New recommendations issued to combat doping in equestrian sport NEW recommendations to combat doping within equestrian sport have been announced by the Lord Stevens Commission. The publication has been described by the Fédération Equestre Internationale as a roadmap to ensure the future of equestrian sport around the world. The Commission was chaired by former chief of the Metropolitan Police, Lord Stevens and has made independent recommendations addressing a number of key issues. The key points include: The setting up of an independent Integrity Unit to maintain the status of a corruption free environment in the FEI and its sports. A greater number of roles should become professionalised by having paid officials. There should be an urgent review of protocols for all anti-doping testing, including an assessment of conflicts of interest. There should be more sophisticated and effective stable security at FEI Championships and CSIOs.
The Stevens Commission was set up in May 2009 as an independent commission to assess and investigate practices among members of the German equestrian team, and its officials, at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Its remit was then broadened to include a wider overview of equestrian sport to provide the FEI with a complete range of changes to be implemented in its fight against doping. Lord Stevens said: “The Commission was established in order to focus on the sport’s integrity. “We have endorsed a number of strong recommendations that we believe will provide clarity and improve governance and compliance issues. “The recommendations, along with other ongoing efforts within the equestrian family, aim to reduce improper practices in the sport and lead it into a new era.” The recommendations will be put forward for approval by the National Federations at the FEI General Assembly in Copenhagen in November and are set to be implemented by 1 January 2010.
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HORSE HEALTH I NEWS 9
World Horse Welfare has issued a reminder to land and horse owners to be on their guard against ragwort. The weed can be deadly if eaten by horses with symptoms including blindness, disorientation and liver failure, and once these signs appear the animal rarely makes a recovery.
The charity is now urging communities to work together to remove the weed from fields and roads around the UK. However, as it is also poisonous to humans, anyone removing plants is advised to wear gloves and dust masks, and follow official advice on disposing of the plants available from Defra.
First students on training programmes THE Open College of Equine Studies’ new Equine Veterinary Nursing training programmes have taken on its first students. The specialist programme, validated by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, is delivered through distance and on line learning materials and residential study weeks. The programme is designed for students who wish to gain an RCVS awarded qualification and have the right to carry out procedures under the direction of a veterinary surgeon. The BTEC Equine Nursing Technician programme is suitable for students who may currently be ineligible to train towards the RCVS NVQ in Equine Veterinary Nursing.Study weeks involve a mixture of classroom based and practical teaching sessions covering a
range of topics including anatomy, physiology, nutrition, health assessment, first aid, reproduction, nursing techniques, health and safety and veterinary clinical skills. Some of the training days are held at Rossdales Equine Hospital near Newmarket. Professor Tim Greet, senior partner of Rossdales Equine Hospital, said: "Rossdales Equine Hospital is delighted that TOCES has set up an equine veterinary nursing course and recently added a technician course too. “This affords us a local centre to ensure that our nursing staff continue to be trained to a high level without the need for our trainees to travel away from the area. We are also glad that our staff are able to play a part in contributing to the teaching on these courses."
Call for equestrian response THE British Horse Society is urging equestrians to respond to the Forestry Commission’s new consultation on the future role of the public forest estate.
“These are public forests where access for walkers and cyclists is free of charge and access for equestrians should be free as well.”
The society has expressed its concerns at increasing numbers of riders being charged a fee to use public forests and is encouraging people to use the consultation to object to any discriminatory behaviour towards equestrians.
Janice Bridger, regional access and bridleways officer, added: “The Forestry Commission’s discriminatory policy towards equestrians is frequently brought to my attention for a variety of reasons. Those on low incomes cannot pay to access safe off-road riding; some riders refuse to pay on principle to ride on what is public land; riders are expected to raise funds to surface tracks that other user groups can then use.”
Mark Weston, director of access, safety and welfare, said: “There has been an increase in the number of forests where riders are required to purchase a permit to access them.
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HORSE HEALTH I
feeding and nutrition
Winter fibre feeding By Katie Williams M.Sc (Dist) RNutr, Senior Nutritionist, Dengie Horse Feeds INEVITABLY, the onset of winter results in changes to a horse’s diet even if they are spending the winter out at grass. The drop in temperature and day length affects grass growth and therefore its nutritional value, and so conserved forages are usually required.
growth occurring and so the amount of grass dwindles. Growth however, is not the same as photosynthesising as grass plants can still photosynthesise in the cold if light is available. Photosynthesis produces sugar which, if it isn’t used for growth because it is too cold, will be stored.
As these differ considerably in nutritional value and moisture content to fresh pasture they have a significant impact on the horse’s diet.
This is thought to be a possible explanation why laminitis can occur in the winter months, particularly in cold, bright mornings as even though the amount of grass is low, the sugar levels in it can be high.
Grass:
As well as limited availability of grass in the winter months, the nutritional value alters too.
Although relative to other parts of the world, the UK experiences relatively narrow ranges in annual temperatures, it does get cold enough in the winter to reduce grass growth as a minimum of 5°C is required for grass to grow. Increasing rates of growth are evident as temperature increases up to an optimum temperature of between 20 and 25°C. Once the autumn flush of grass has been consumed, there is often little
Young plants have a high proportion of leaf and so tend to be higher in protein and minerals but low in fibre and lignin. As the season progresses the amount of leaf declines and the cell content to cell wall ratio decreases. The plant cell wall contains what are known as structural carbohydrates including cellulose and hemi-cellulose plus lignin which is not strictly a carbohydrate but is linked to digestibility whereas the cell contents
include monsaccharides (simple sugars). More stalk and less leaf means that the horse consumes more fibre and indigestible materials than in young, spring grass and so energy intakes are reduced. Individuals with compromised or less efficient fibre digestion such as young or older horses, are therefore
more at risk of losing weight as the composition of the forage they consume changes.
Water content: Leaves contain more water than stalk and so a reduction in the amount of leaf in the grass plants will reduce moisture intake.
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Cut alfalfa: An alfalfa blend can be beneficial for older horses Continued from Page 10 Conserved forages by their very nature contain much less moisture than fresh grass as reducing the moisture is necessary for the conservation process. Research has also shown that in colder weather horses tend to drink between six to 14 per cent less water which, if hay is making a greater contribution than grass, could result in a considerable decrease in water intake. Obviously there are many other factors to consider when deciding whether to use haylage or hay but for maintaining water intake, haylage would be preferable. In addition, using soaked fibre feeds such as those containing sugar beet helps to increase moisture intake as well as providing additional highly digestible fibre.
Older horses: Winter can be a real challenge for owners of older horses with poor dentition as the longer length of conserved forages can be difficult for them to chew. Ensuring that sufficient fibre is supplied is vital for overall gut health and for its energy contribution – fibre probably makes up 75 per cent of the older horse’s diet so it is no surprise that if they can’t eat threequarters of their diet very easily, they will lose weight. In a study at Writtle College, different sources of fibre were fed to older horses with compromised dentition to see which they could manage most easily. A sample of 12 horses was compared for their ability to consume three different types of
fibre; hay, a blend of high temperature-dried, short chopped grass and alfalfa and a soaked alfalfa/sugar beet combination. When offered to the older horses, hay was refused on 44 per cent of occasions compared with just six per cent for the grass and alfalfa blend, while the soaked alfalfa and sugar beet combination was not refused at all. Hay presented the greatest problem for the older horse where a 66 per cent lower rate of consumption was observed in the timed trials compared to those with normal dentition. A 30 per cent reduction was observed in the time taken to consume the alfalfa and grass blend by horses with poor dentition which suggests that short chopped fibre is a better alternative than hay. Unsurprisingly, the older horses found the soaked product easiest to consume with little difference in intake compared to horses with normal dentition. This is a more finely ground feed making it easier to chew but likely to pass through the digestive system more quickly so, if possible, it should be fed alongside some short chopped fibre to maintain normal gut function. This feeding strategy has been used successfully for horses and ponies with very poor dentition, keeping them in acceptable condition for several years. To summarise, the range of different types of forage now available mean that it is easily possible to supply all horses and ponies with plenty of fibre during the winter, regardless of their age or condition.
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If a horse has a feed intolerance the culprit is commonly barley.
Skin nutrition By Claire Lawrence BSc (Hons) Nutritionist, Allen and Page THE skin is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for providing a protective barrier to potential threats from the outside world. A sleek, shiny coat indicates that the horse is in good health and condition but skin problems can often be a sign that all is not well and dry, dull, scurfy skin or urticaria type reactions can all indicate underlying issues.
Nutrition: Correct nutrition and skin and coat condition are intrinsically linked. Fatty acids can be divided into nonessential fatty acids and essential fatty acids (EFA) and the latter must be provided in the diet as the horse is unable to synthesise its own. Fatty acids have many roles within the body including the production of cell membranes and hormones. Two of these essential fatty acids are Omega 3 and Omega 6 which are buzz words in human nutrition at the moment. Omega 3 oils have antiinflammatory properties that help to reduce pain and swelling. Omega 6 oils conversely have proinflammatory properties which help to maintain the immune system and
are beneficial during illness and infection. The horse’s natural diet of grass contains good levels of essential Omega 3 oils, however, as many horses are stabled for considerable periods of time and are fed diets based around conserved forages such as hay and concentrate feeds with a high cereal content this can lead to the diet becoming unbalanced in its ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 oils. A diet rich in pro inflammatory Omega 6 oils can lead to inappropriate inflammatory reactions. In terms of skin condition Omega 3 oils have been shown to have benefits in reducing dermatological conditions in domestic animals (Bauer, 1994). As essential fatty acids play an important role in the cell membrane it is not suprising that a diet balanced in Omega 3 and 6 oils can help to improve overall skin health.
Sweet itch: Recurrent Seasonal Pruritis or Sweet Itch as it is commonly known is a distressing condition characterised by severe pruritis and exudative dermatitis.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that supplementing the horse’s diet with linseed oil, a good source of Omega 3 oil can be beneficial. Scientific research is conflicting with one study reporting no significant change in pruritis (Friberg and Logas, 1999) while O’Neill et al, (2002) found a reduced concentration of the long chain saturated fatty acids in the skin secretions, suggesting possible altered microbial metabolism causing a reduced immune response.
Allergies: Perhaps the least understood feedrelated problems affecting horses are those which involve allergies and intolerances. Feed allergies are rare in horses while intolerance of a specific feed ingredient appears to be much more commonplace. With regard to allergies, to describe it simply, the allergen (whatever it may be) alerts the antibody in the system that is responsible for recognising invading bacteria and viruses in the body. It then attaches itself to these invaders and arouses the body’s defences (the immune system) to attack and destroy them. In cases of food allergy, the antibodies appear to get their wires crossed and instead of attaching themselves to invading bacteria or viruses they attach themselves to perfectly harmless foods. This causes the immune system to react, producing symptoms such as urticaria amongst others. The immune system usually responds very quickly and often quite dramatically, which is why true allergies cause very swift and often violent reactions. In humans, the awareness that food or specific food ingredients can cause health problems has risen dramatically over the last few years. However, it is now recognised in humans that there are several acute and chronic conditions that are affected, if not totally caused, by food (in that the patient’s body reacts in some negative way to food), but which are not caused by IgE antibodies sparking off an immune reaction. This does not mean to say that the immune system may not be involved in the process, but if so, it is through some mechanism other than an IgE antibody. The same appears to be true for
horses. The difficulty with this is that if IgE antibodies are not involved in the reaction, then diagnoses that depend on measuring the number of IgE antibodies produced by a certain food or feed are of no use. Many horses live quite happily with low-level sensitivities to foods that the owner may never even have been aware of, and which only become a problem when their health is compromised in some other way, such as through infection, stress, trauma or injury, or being generally run down. The actual mechanism of how this happens is not clear. In humans there appears to be a genetic predisposition to such sensitivities and for example they may run in families. If a horse has a feed intolerance, the culprit is commonly molasses, barley or sometimes alfalfa, but other cereals can be implicated. Feeds that contain cereal by products can also cause a reaction. A horse that has a feed intolerance may remain susceptible for many months or even its entire lifetime, although allergic bumps may disappear suddenly with the removal of the problem feed. Signs of an intolerance are often skin-related, for example, itchy or scurfy skin or urticaria type reactions. Food intolerances may produce these problems and many more – they can affect the health of the horse in numerous ways. Most of what is commonly fed to horses probably contains significant quantities of molasses and syrups – whether the feed itself, chaff or sugar beet. Molasses and barley can often be a problem but because they are normally nutritionally sound ingredients they do appear in the majority of horse feeds available. When intolerances build up it can then be difficult to eliminate them from the diet. If you think a horse may have food intolerance - remember that any of the above signs could have other non-feed-related causes. The only guaranteed way of discovering whether a horse’s health problems are caused by an intolerance to specific feed ingredients is by undertaking, preferably under veterinary supervision, an elimination diet.
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Feeding during winter By Isabel Stewart, Spillers Nutritionist
deficient in essential vitamins and minerals.
AS well as the challenges of mud and rain, winter can bring new feeding challenges for horse owners. Many horses spend more time stabled during the winter and some may lose condition.
Choose a fibre which provides you with a consistent analysis and high quality that also provides you with some control over your horse’s diet.
This, combined with changes in the weather and grass quality means that most horses will require a different feeding regime compared to the summer months. In many cases this means an increase in the amount of prepared feed in the diet, this increase combined with less turnout time may cause concern for owners if their horse is prone to fizzy or excitable behaviour. However, there are many feeding options that can help keep your horse healthy throughout the winter.
Sources of energy: If your horse or pony requires additional prepared feed in the winter, it may be important to consider the sources of energy within the feed. Feeds that have the same level of energy can have different effects on temperament due to the way in which the energy is provided. Feeds that are high in starch, such as mixes will provide a more rapid influx of energy and can exacerbate an excitable temperament and cause fizzy behaviour. Fibre on the other hand will provide energy that is slowly released over time and helps to encourage calm temperaments; remember though not all fibre is the same so choose wisely. Hay and haylage varies considerably in quality but also in its energy/calorie content, it is also
Oil is another ‘non-heating’ energy source which is high in calories but will not cause excitable behaviour in most horses. There are several prepared feeds available that are based on fibre and oil with relatively low starch levels. These feeds can provide energy dependent on requirement throughout the winter months without effecting behaviour.
Condition without fizz: Many owners dread winter as they know that the drop in grass quality and change in weather causes their horse or pony to loose weight. Poor doing or older horses may require extra help to maintain condition throughout the winter. This can be achieved without sacrificing a calm temperament. The key to adding condition without increasing excitability is to feed a diet based on oil and fibre. Oil is excellent way of adding calories and also helps to improve coat shine, particularly in the winter when your horse is rarely without a rug.
What if my horse is a good doer? For horse’s or ponies that are a good doers it is important not to over compensate for the cold weather and lack of grass by feeding too much high energy prepared feed. However even the good doing horses will require a full spectrum of
vitamins and minerals, to ensure skin, coat and hooves remain in tip top condition. In these cases a concentrated feed which provides a daily supply of vitamins and minerals without additional calories would be ideal.
The older horse: The winter can be a tricky time for the older horse; the decrease in temperature can result in the older horse losing weight and struggling to maintain condition. A feed designed specifically for the older horse should provide them with additional calories to maintain bodyweight and quality protein to support muscle tone. Even if the older horse does not require extra calories they may benefit from additional joint, digestive and immune support, which can be found in specialist senior feeds.
The horse that winters out: As long as adequate shelter is provided and dietary changes are addressed, then most horses can winter out, and remain in good condition. It is important that a horse living out over winter receives a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals to help him remain healthy. This can be accomplished by giving a suitable prepared feed fed at the recommended amount. If your horse requires extra condition consider adding in some supplementary feed, increasing or changing it to provide the extra calories needed.
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feeding and nutrition
New product launched in range BADMINTON Horse Feeds have launched Care ‘n’ Condition, the latest product in their Fibre Rich Range. It combines long natural fibre and an oat-free mix and is designed for all horses and ponies in medium work or in need of conditioning.
Supporting growth MAINTAINING muscular condition in performance and sports horses can be challenging. This is especially true when the work load is increased or during periods of convalescence as feeding high levels of concentrates can often lead to horses becoming ‘fizzy’ and bulking up on fats and oils. With this in mind, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has launched a unique and 100 per cent natural muscle building supplement for horses, Equitop Myoplast Power Pearls, which contains 18 key amino acids. Designed to support lean muscle growth, not bulk, the supplement optimises performance in horses in intensive training and competition, as well as bringing on young, breeding and injured animals, and helps older horses which lose condition easily.
Forage analysis service SIMPLE System is now providing a new service for forage analysis. Hay, haylage or fresh grass packages are available to analyse nutrient content, including sugars and in depth mineral analysis. The aim is to help owners understand the variables within their feed and grazing management. Jane van Lennep, company director, said: “Grazing is so
important and beneficial to horses, but it is all too easy to end up with a malnourished horse, an obese horse or a serious case of laminitis. “With this quick and simple test, owners will be able to get an accurate evaluation of their pasture, which will be enormously helpful in managing all grazing horses and assessing their requirements, if any, for additional feeding.”
The feed is 16 per cent fibre, which aids digestion and contains micronized soya and soya oil to provide a high oil content for bloom and condition. It is also high in quality protein for muscle development and recovery, making it suitable for veterans and convalescents. Other products in the range include Easy Rider, containing long fibre, no added sugar with a feed pellet containing vitamins and minerals for horses with allergies or under a laminitic management programme and High Fibre Complete,containing nuggets of fibre which is a low energy feed for all horses and ponies with weight problems.
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West Nile Virus claims human victims in Italy By Louise Cordell
with the Italian authorities.
NINE cases of West Nile Virus in humans in Italy have been reported since early September and the disease has now claimed the life of two victims, both men aged 71 and 82, according to the Italian Public Health Authorities.
“Extending mosquito distribution is a serious issue and should be taken into account when assessing the risk of disease emergence.
15 cases of WNV have also been confirmed in horses in an outbreak of the disease which began in Lombardy in late July and which has caused the death of six of the affected horses so far. Dr Sylvie Lecollinet from AFSSA, an EU Commission-appointed laboratory in France, said: “We’ve been monitoring the outbreaks of WNV both in humans and horses in Italy with great concern and liaising fully
“The epidemiological role that these mosquitoes could have in WNV transmission should be further explored. “With cases reported in Hungary and Italy already this year, we’re remaining vigilant as the peak season for mosquitoes has not yet passed.” WNV is only transmitted directly by mosquitoes and both horses and humans are dead end hosts. While the disease is potentially fatal, horses can survive with aggressive nursing therapy though some suffer permanent neurological defects.
Navicular disease leaflet produced CEVA Animal Health have produced a leaflet to help horse owners understand the diagnosis and treatment of navicular disease, which can be a complex condition because of its multiple causes. Navicular disease can be difficult to diagnose and management of the condition can be a challenge for both vets and horse owners. The new leaflet aims to help
owners understand all aspects of the disease from the clinical signs to the procedures used to obtain a formal diagnosis. It also covers the various treatment options available including corrective farriery, analgesia, bisphosphonates and surgery. Copies of the leaflet are now available free of charge from equine vet practices.
Win month’s supply of equine allergy blocker NOSTRILVET is a natural equine allergy blocker which can help in the prevention of equine hay fever, head shaking, heaves and coughing. Environmental irritants including dust and mould spores can challenge the horse’s respiratory system to various degrees of severity, causing coughing and mucus and in some cases more severe symptoms. However, Nostrilvet is simple and easy to administer by the horse owner, and will help to maintain good respiratory health and the horse’s ability to work. It is a fine powder which is sent gently up into the nasal tract in a fine plume when the bottle is squeezed. It reacts with the moisture within the airway, forming a mucus like fine gel lining that acts as a filter for allergens, pollutants and dust, and can be administered daily as
required. For a chance to win one of five packs containing a 30-day supply, send your name, address and contact number to NostrilVet Competition, Horse Health Magazine, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. Deadline is Friday 13 November 2009 and the winner’s name will be posted on the Horse Health website at www.horsehealthmagazine.co.uk
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HORSE HEALTH I
Research funded by equine charity The Horse Trust has been looking at the differences in tendon renewal between low and high strain equine tendons, and the possibility of future intervention to prevent injuries.
Discovering the key to healthy tendons By Dr Helen Birch, Institute of Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Science, UCL THE aim of the research was to understand why the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) suffers such a high incidence of injury. We wanted to confirm the findings of our previous pilot data which suggested that the ability of the SDFT to renew the tendon tissue was poor, by using more complicated but robust techniques. The age of the matrix gives an indication of how capable the tendon is of repairing any microdamage that may occur following exercise, thus a younger matrix implies a greater ability to maintain a healthy tendon. Tendon, unlike muscle, is a passive tissue and relies on the mechanical properties of a large amount of matrix surrounding the cells to transmit force generated by the muscle to a distant bone. However the tendon tissue will undergo fatigue damage and, rather like a fraying piece of rope, needs to be replaced if strength is to be preserved. In living tissues this necessitates an ongoing process so that function can be maintained while small areas of matrix are repaired.
The study: Our early work presented us with a puzzle; although the SDFT is subjected to forces close to its failure limit, and is very susceptible to micro-damage, the matrix appeared to be ‘older’ than that in the common digital extensor tendon (CDET), which has a much less demanding role working with large safety margins and is rarely injured. The results of our most recent research suggest an intriguing possibility. The first objective of the research was to confirm the difference in age of the matrix between the SDFT and CDET. We measured the extent of racemisation of the amino acid aspartic acid.
Amino acids, which form the building blocks for all proteins, can be present in two forms (D and L racemers) which are mirror images of each other. All living tissues contain the L form which is spontaneously converted to the D form (racemisation) with time, and therefore, the ratio of these two forms can be used as a ‘clock’ to age the tissue. The technique is more often associated with forensic science where it is used to age bodies from tooth samples, but is equally applicable to the collagen found in tendons.
Findings: To our surprise, although the ratio of the D form to the L form increased with horse age for both tendon types, we were unable to find a difference between the SDFT and CDET suggesting a matrix of equal age.
The findings could help maximise tendon health for competition and race horses structure which can only be cleaved by specific collagenase enzymes. These collagenase enzymes cleave the collagen molecule at a particular site, giving rise to a newly exposed sequence of amino acids at the cut ends (epitope). This is a useful research tool as the levels of these neo-epitopes in the tissue can be measured indicating the extent of collagen degradation.
Another biochemical marker widely accepted to predict the age of the collagenous matrix is the compound pentosidine.
Our results have shown that the levels are higher in the CDET than the SDFT and that they increase in the CDET with increasing horse age.
Again measurements showed no difference between tendon types suggesting a matrix of equal age.
So,it seems that we were both right and wrong.
Our previous assessment of the matrix age was based on a simple measurement of the total level of auto-fluorescence which increases in ageing tissue.
Conclusion:
However, the main collagen crosslink in tendon collagen, whose levels do not relate to the age of the horse, also shows auto-fluorescence and we have found that levels of this crosslink are much lower in the CDET than the SDFT, which could explain our misleading initial data. However previous data also showed higher levels of collagen breakdown products and matrix synthesis in the CDET, which did not fit with our new findings. Could it be that the tendon matrix is becoming degraded but rather than being removed remains within the tendon and continues to accumulate age related changes? The main part of the rod-like collagen molecule has a triple helical
The cells in the CDET do indeed break the matrix down more rapidly but the CDET also accumulates degraded matrix, which has implications for the mechanical properties of the tendon. What at first seemed like at advantage for the CDET may in fact be a disadvantage. This also suggests that the high strain SDFT has mechanisms to limit the degree of matrix degradation, a feature that may allow exploitation by the racehorse trainer. The story of tendon health is unravelling in a direction not previously considered. We believe that the key to healthy tendon is the ability to maintain properties rather than to increase in size and strength. Thus simple measurements of tendon cross sectional area, the
Dr Helen Birch amount and type of collagen and even gene expression are not sufficient to assess tendon integrity. Our research indicates that the degree of collagen ‘snipping’ by collagenase enzymes and the rate of removal of collagen fragments from the matrix, may be critical. Furthermore, the factors that influence these processes represent possible targets for therapeutic intervention. These findings pave the way for real progress in understanding how exercise and training of competition and race horses can be used to maximise tendon health, and reduce the risk of injury.
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HORSE HEALTH I
A head-to-tail exploration of the effects of equine worms By Helen Barnes BSc, DMM, MCIM of Fort Dodge Animal Health NO horse is ever completely wormfree and, in fact, low worm burdens are well tolerated and cause no detectable harm. But, it’s important to remind ourselves of the damage that worms can cause if left untreated, particularly at a time when new research conducted by the British Equestrian Trade Association has reported that five per cent of horse owners have cut back on worming their horses because of the current economic climate. Worm control is an important part of maintaining a horse’s health and overall welfare and damage caused by worms can have serious and even fatal consequences.
Damage to mouth: Bots, the larvae of the botfly, burrowing into the mouth lining, tongue and gums can cause the development of pus pockets and ulceration of the tongue. Ulceration of the stomach is also associated with bots and is caused when they attach in large numbers to the gut lining.
Damage to the stomach: Stomach ulcers can also occur in heavy infestations of hairworm. Roundworm species located in the stomach, specifically the hairworm and stomach worm, more commonly cause a mild gastritis. Damage to the small intestine: Parasites of particular concern to foals and young horses, threadworm and large roundworm are associated with affecting the stomach. Large numbers of adult threadworm may
cause inflammation and erosion of the gut wall causing impairment of digestion and absorption. Large numbers of adult large roundworm have been reported to cause fatal blockages or ruptures.
Damage to the lungs: The larval stages of both the threadworm and large roundworm are migratory and, as they migrate through the lungs, their movement can cause bleeding and respiratory distress. Naturally the parasite most commonly associated with the lungs is the lungworm. Primarily found in donkeys, this parasite can cause persistent coughing, nasal discharge and an increased respiratory rate. Junction of the small and large intestine: Located at the ileocaecal junction, tapeworms in most cases don’t actually cause clinical signs. However, in horses with high worm burdens, the mucosa at the site of attachment may become inflamed, thickened and ulcerated and this can lead to fatal intestinal ruptures although it’s more commonly a cause of colic.
Damage to the large intestine: The most common and pathogenically significant parasite affecting horses today is the small redworm and it’s the larvae that are pathogenic. They burrow into and accumulate in the gut wall in cysts at a density of anything up to 60 larvae per cm2. Their entry into the gut wall provokes an inflammatory response; and their accumulation may impair absorption leading to loss of
Large roundworms nutrients and life-threatening illness. The larvae may emerge from the gut wall and develop into adults within a few weeks but, in some cases, the majority may become dormant to continue development and then suddenly emerge ‘en masse’.
anus cause intense itching resulting in visible bare patches, inflammation and scaling of the skin over the rump and tail. Dermatitis can also be caused by neck threadworm migrating around the superficial layers of the skin.
This mass emergence is potentially fatal with a 50 per cent mortality rate among horses affected.
Conclusion:
The most dangerous parasite affecting horses remains the large redworm. No longer as prevalent as it was thanks to modern wormers, the adults eat the lining of the gut wall, causing considerable haemorrhage and ulceration.
While a wide range of parasites affect horses, the severity of the clinical signs they induce varies Many cause only mild discomfort yet some will have a significant impact on the health of your horse and, if left untreated, may even prove fatal.
Damage to the tail end:
The only solution remains a systematic and well planned worming regime based on the use of effective wormers with no confirmed resistance in horses.
Moving down the large intestine, it’s the pinworm which causes most damage. While the presence of the pinworm in the intestine rarely causes clinical signs, the eggs laid by the female adults around the horses
Worm damage to gut lining
It must be administered at the appropriate time of year alongside the use of faecal worm egg counts and pasture management.
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Minimising the risk of equine anthelmintic resistance worms with the exception of tapeworms, and immature and encysted worms, and therefore, help identify which horses need worming and with what treatment.
By Dr Emma Batson of Merial Animal Health REPONSIBLE worming is vital in minimising the risk of equine anthelmintic resistance. There are only three main groups of wormers available for use in horses: Benzimidazoles (fenbendazole is the drug most commonly used in horses), tetrahydropyrimidines (pyrantel) and macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin and moxidectin). There are only a few reports of resistance to macrocyclic lactones in the UK, however we know that resistance to benzimdazoles is widespread and pyrantel also has reduced efficacy. Do not forget that it is the worms that become resistant to treatment, not the horse. Over-worming can be as detrimental as under-dosing, so underestimating the horse’s weight, or spilling some of the drug could be inadvertently accelerating the development of
A worm egg count will help identify horses requiring treatment resistance. The key to reducing the likelihood of resistance developing or increasing is to identify the horses that need treating, and treat them with the correct wormer at the right dose. It is well documented that horses kept on the same yard will show
considerable variation in worm burden – it is estimated that 80 per cent of the equine worm population in the UK is carried by 20 per cent of horses. A WEC (worm egg count) measured in eggs per gram of dung (epg), will identify and count all species of
In most cases, if the count is greater than 200 epg worming should be considered. There is as yet no test for the immature or encysted stages. A blood test is required to determine a tapeworm infestation so it is recommended that in addition to regular WECs that all horses are treated in the spring and autumn with a tapeworm treatment such as praziquantel.
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Managing the worm burden in a large yard By Diane Gilby of Intelligent Worming
contribute to colic.
OVER the last few years there have been some dramatic changes in livery yard worming practices, both through legislation and also veterinary recommendations.
The development of worm resistance to chemicals is increasing.
Wormers have been reclassified and are now a prescription drug that cannot just be ‘sold’. The person responsible for purchasing wormers has a legal liability to make sure they understand enough about all the horses for whom they are purchasing, and the way in which they are kept, to ensure that the correct product is being prescribed. New horses should be isolated and a faecae sample taken unless, a treatment record can be provided by an independent source such as the client’s vet. The selection of wormer should be made carefully as some wormers may
Worming best practice: Many livery yards base their worming programme on a standard calendar that is based on a three monthly regime. It is suggested that the longevity of the chemicals included in these is proven, as there may be evidence to suggest that some might not last for the required period.
Recommendations for a worming programme to stop resistance developing: Assess the risk of larvae in the pasture.
Complete a faecal egg count at an appropriate time – worm egg counts
can be misleading if they are not timed correctly or the results interpreted in conjunction with a full risk assessment. A clear count does not always mean wormers can be eliminated. Seek help to design a worming strategy – this could be a vet or professional service catering for livery yards.
An assessment needs to be made of the risk of larvae contamination from the pasture and the worming strategy designed appropriately. This will incorporate faecal egg counts as appropriate and chemical wormers when needed. Each horse may need a different program as their natural immune system will cope with infection in many different ways.
New horses should be tested and wormed as necessary before joining the herd
Benefits of a worm count based programme By Gillian Booth of Westgate Laboratories
Do not worm clear or low count horses.
MANY larger yards are discovering the benefits of using a worm count based programme.
After three months, test again. As before, target your wormers where they are needed.
This can be efficient and cost effective.
Then test every three months except for mid winter when you should dose to treat encysted redworm.
All that is needed is for one person to take control and make sure that everyone joins in. Firstly choose a day to collect samples when worming is due for all or most of the horses. When the results are returned you will see which horses, if any, have counts of 200 epg or more. They will need worming with suitable products and it is important to get expert advice if unclear which products to use.
In late autumn, and possibly spring too, give all horses a routine tapeworm treatment. It is also very important for new horses to be tested and wormed as necessary before joining the herd. Finally, keep pasture as clear of droppings as possible and keep records of each horse’s counts and worming over the year. You should soon see patterns emerging and improve your worm control.
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wound care
Swelling
Puncture wound
Puncture wounds By Robinson Animal Healthcare A PUNCTURE wound is caused by an object piercing the skin surface and creating a hole that will vary in depth depending on the causative object and on the area of the body which it is located.
Puncture wounds can have serious consequences on horse health as they may be virtually impossible to detect, yet they are capable of harbouring infection deep below the wound surface. It is likely that the object responsible for the puncture wound will carry
bacteria into the skin and surrounding tissue, and if left untreated an infection could result. Aside from the risk of infection, puncture wounds can cause permanent damage to underlying structures such as tendon and bone and also prove fatal if vital organs such as the abdomen, chest or brain are affected. Equally if the wound is near a joint it can be just as serious and infection can spread towards it. Punctures near joints or tendons need urgent veterinary attention because the by-products of infection can irreversibly damage cartilage and tendon sheaths which will have long term effects. Puncture wounds may only present themselves as minor surface wounds but the extent of the trauma below the skin surface can be significant. The first sign of a puncture wound is often a swollen and inflamed area which can be easily overlooked, particularly on areas of the body where hair is not clipped. Many puncture wounds are tiny and hard to spot but there is usually a tiny trickle of blood or a highly sensitive area around the puncture. Little blood comes from a puncture wound, unless it has punctured a major blood vessel in which case it may be fatal. Once a puncture wound has been identified it is crucial to assess how deep it might be by finding out what caused it, how clean or dirty it may be and whether any vital structures are affected. Depending on the object that caused the puncture wound it is possible that all of part of the foreign body may have remained within the wound.
Treatment: If in any doubt about treating a puncture wound or if the horse’s state deteriorates consult your veterinary surgeon immediately. It is also important to make sure your horse is vaccinated against tetanus as these wounds are ideal for tetanus to flourish undetected. To treat the puncture wound it may be necessary to clip the coat and clean around the area. Avoid spraying water or anything directly onto the wound as this can force any contamination further inside. It is also important to think about what may have caused the wound, so you can assess if there may be any foreign bodies stuck inside. Do not poke about in the wound as this will cause infection and flush with a saline solution before covering the affected area. Apply a clean bandage and a wound cream or gel, and the horse will then need to be kept in a clean, dry environment. If the area is infected, use a hot poultice to draw out the pus and change it every 12 hours. If the pus is not drained away, the wound will heal around it causing pressure and infection to build up causing extreme pain. When the infection has disappeared the wound should be covered with a dry dressing until it starts to heal over – it is vital to keep it clean and dry. A punctured foot should be attended by a vet and treated if necessary in conjunction with a farrier; in some cases the shoe may be removed.
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wound care
An over-granulating wound treated with a Manuka honey dressing
The latest development in wound dressings By Georgie Hollis of Intelligent Wound Care THE search for a greater pool of dressings that have valuable, cost effective properties and minimize the risk of bacterial resistance for wound management is a vital focus for human healthcare, leading to an exploration of historical treatments, many of which, transfer readily to the equine patient.
Honey: Effective against over 150 different strains of bacteria including Pseudomonas species, E-coli and MRSA, its potent anti-microbial and debridement properties lend honey perfectly to contaminated wounds needing ongoing debridement. Used successfully for thousands of years the evidence attributed to its success actually surpasses many manmade products. Documented in the Egyptian Edwin Smith Papyrus of nearly 2000 years BC, honey was recommended for the treatment of open wounds, combined with lint and grease. Thorough testing of medical grade Manuka honey ensures that it is a potent antimicrobial and a UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) guarantees
this. A UMF rating of ten or above is enough to be effective against common wound pathogens and equates in efficacy to ten per cent phenol. Using honey for wound management can be a messy job but investment in its presentation as a wound dressing has made it more practical to use. Companies producing honey products for use in wound management prepare them specifically to medical standards and this is important to ensure that high level filtering and removal of debris and beeswax is achieved. Sterilization through gamma radiation (rather than the standard pasteurization process for food grade honey) also prevents degradation of many complex peptides and beneficial components including the important oxygen releasing enzyme glucose oxidase.
Silver: Silver has some of its first notation in Roman writings where soldier’s armory included silver vessels to store and carry water. The water kept relatively pure and the health of the men was thought to be maintained as a result. Continued on Page 26
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Maggot therapy applied to remove necrotic tissue – the larvae need to be applied with specific surrounding dressings to ensure they do not migrate out of the wound
The wound at four weeks after six dressing changes Continued from Page 25 Through the middle ages Argyria became a visible symptom of wealth and a side effect of ingestion of quantities of particulate silver. Those who routinely drank from silver cups and goblets accumulated enough of the heavy metal to give skin a bluish hue. The phrase blue blooded was applied to the gentry as a result. Silver dressings have made a significant impact on wound management since the emergence of MRSA in the human hospital setting. They give a similar spectrum of action to that of Manuka Honey but do not offer the additional antiinflammatory and debridement properties that is useful in contaminated or infected wounds. Silver works by releasing ionic silver in solution which denature bacteria and some fungi.
Needing to be in water or wound exudate means that it is important to keep silver dressings moist where they are required to work. Heavy commercial interest and promotion of the anti-microbial effects of silver have seen a boom in kits for home production of colloidal silver solution. Sold readily on the internet the solution is claimed to prevent infections and a myriad of other ailments. I have personally been witness to clients insisting that an animal’s wound is cleansed with preparations of colloidal silver in an effort to self manage and prevent MRSA, however, evidence is lacking for its effectiveness and the solution is unlikely to have been tested to ensure safety, anti-microbial activity, or actual silver content. Only products with a CE mark will be medically tested for use in open wounds and it is questionable if these home made efforts are viable. Before being tempted to consider consuming or using these solutions
yourself look up ‘Smurf Syndrome’ on the web. You will be faced with some strange looking beings who have inadvertently acquired the condition of Argyria. Irreversibly blue or grey, they have consumed large quantities of particulate silver despite the benefits of consumption remaining unproven. Silver dressings are intended for topical use only, but remember that the product should be combined with a material that is conducive to maintaining a moist wound healing environment to get the best effects. Many new silver foams, alginate dressings and gels are available in the human wound care market and a little research should find you a dressing which achieves the ideal wound environment while delivering the antimicrobial benefits of silver.
Maggots: The benefit of maggots in wounds has been known for centuries and was first noted in cases of war wounds where colonization with maggots was sometimes unavoidable. Notes from the time clearly indicate that these wounds resolved with minimal consequence with faster healing to those that were not affected. Maggot ‘therapy’ is realized today in the form of ‘medical’ maggots or LarvE®. Prepared specifically by Zoobiotic more than 70,000 batches are used successfully each year for NHS patients in the UK. Demand is growing. Used for the purpose of wound debridement, particularly in challenging wounds, ‘the world’s smallest surgeons’ are an important part of NHS care.
Maggots are truly incredible in their efforts to consume necrotic and dead tissue. They release or ‘expel’ similar enzymes to those of the white blood cells to break down necrotic and proteinaceous material in the wound. As they ingest this liquid material they effectively clean the wound bed. In the process they excrete what is left, which includes Allantoin, a substance widely researched for its potential to promote healthy granulation in problem wounds. The mechanism of debridement and the positive effect on wound tissue has justified significant investment into the ‘mechanism of maggots’ and many companies are now interested in a synthetic version of maggot juice as an everyday debridement agent. An alternative to surgical debridement, maggot therapy has been used successfully in several veterinary cases including horses and donkeys. It must be said that not all wounds are suitable for maggot therapy. It is therefore advisable if you are considering using them to discuss your intentions with the suppliers before ordering.
The future: Modern research gives us some tantalizing evidence of why these products have been successful for hundreds and in some cases thousands of years. More research into the past practice of wound management is likely to reveal even more inspiration for challenging wounds in the future.
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Winter skin problems By Karen Ruggles of Stop It All
lauryl sulphate, or even tea tree, as these can cause further irritation.
SKIN problems can strike a horse whatever the season but with winter upon us, bringing more damp and wet weather, mudrelated issues can be one of the most common problems affecting our horses and ponies.
This will clean the area gently and will also help to soothe, soften and lift the scabs. It is important never to pick off the scabs as this will delay healing and leave the skin much more vulnerable to additional attack.
Mud fever is caused by the bacteria dermatophilis congolensis, which is also found in rain scald and can be easily recognised by the crusty scabs that form in matted areas of hair.
The area should then be rinsed well and dried carefully, not rubbed, with a clean towel. A hair drier can even be used on a very low setting to dry the area but only with extreme caution as animal skin is much more sensitive than human skin so heat damage can easily be caused.
The mud provides a home for the bacteria but when horses’ legs are persistently very damp or wet and/or are damaged by mites, the skin is more susceptible to injury and so even just a small scratch can allow the bacteria to enter the skin and breed there. Of course prevention is always better than a cure, as once established mud-related issues can take some time to get rid of, but if a horse is affected, it is important to get the affected area dry and clean and apply preparations to get rid of the bacteria. If possible, try not to clip the hair in
The healing preparation should then be applied and ideally should be antibacterial and antifungal.
the affected areas, especially with heavily feathered horses. You may need to work harder by retaining them but in the long run it will be better for the horse.
RUGGLE-IT a low lather, hypoallergenic shampoo and natural vegetable oil blend really is a ‘product for all seasons’. Developed by ex-international rider, Karen Ruggles, the two gentle products can be used on no less than 18 different skin and itching issues affecting horses as well as pets, farm animals and even children with head lice. From repelling mites, flies and other bugs to skin irritations caused by itching, mud and dry, sore crusty patches, Ruggle-it is now becoming recognised by many vets as an extremely useful product to have on hand in the stable yard for yearround use. Karen said: “Our whole ethos is to pioneer products for animals and humans that never include harsh chemicals such as parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate and tea tree. “Research indicates all these can seriously irritate sensitive skin”. With over 70 testimonials from
grateful horse and pet owners, stud farms and international competitors on the website, the powers of this totally natural and chemical-free product speak for themselves. Lincolnshire-based horse owner, Barbara Hotchin, said: “I have used Ruggle-it on my Irish Draught horse for summer itching and flies as well as for winter mud-related problems on a friend’s pony, and it really works. It is a great product and so versatile – I even use it on my own dry skin!” Mention this magazine to receive a discount on your first order!
For more information visit: www.karenruggles.co.uk or call 01823 259952.
The affected area should then be bathed in a gentle, low lather, hypoallergenic shampoo, preferably one that does not contain any harsh chemicals such as parabens,
Depending on the product chosen it may be necessary to keep the area dry for it to work, so all instructions should be followed carefully. However, with careful management and a suitable product plus lots of patience, your horse or pony should soon be back to health.
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Make sure hunt horse is ‘fit for the job’ ... By Claire Brown of the British Grooms Association AN all too common sight is the hunt horse at his first meet of the season, never to return for the rest of the year due to a strained tendon, suspensory or check ligament. So at the start of the season it is vital to make sure that the horse is ‘fit for the job’. This requires many hours of fitness work in walk, building up over a period of weeks to faster canter work. As well as preparing the cardiovascular fitness in the horse this also helps to prepare the soft tissue structures. It is generally accepted that the majority of injuries to flexor tendons occur as a consequence of multiple episodes of strain to the tendon, which leads to the mechanical failure during athletic performance. It is also thought that heat can play a factor in these injuries. Tests have shown that substantial
‘It is generally accepted that the majority of injuries to flexor tendons occur as a consequence of multiple episodes of strain to the tendon, which leads to the mechanical failure during athletic performance’
temperature increases occur in vivo in the central core of equine superficial digital flexor tendons during high-speed locomotion. Temperatures as high as 45°C have been recorded in the core of a tendon during gallop exercise. Consequently whilst the hunt horse may benefit superficially from leg protection, it is debateable that this may also have the adverse effect of contributing to heating the soft tissue structures. It is accepted that boots, when worn for long periods of time, in unfavourable conditions, can also lead to rubs and sores leaving the legs exposed to possible conditions such as mud fever and secondary infections. Immediate post care of the hunt horses’ legs is also important to help ensure they last the season. For many years cold therapy has been recognised for its benefits, and legs should be cooled efficiently and then kept cool. There is some controversy surrounding the best way to do this. Many people use cold hosing and clay with supporting stable bandages. Ice wraps are becoming an increasingly popular choice, although most designs shouldn’t be left on for more than 20 minutes. Cold water hydrotherapy is also popular for use the next day and research in this area is favourable but ongoing. If heat and/or swelling is noted it should be taken seriously. When diagnosing soft tissue injuries it is essential to have them scanned as the degree of lameness and inflammation present does not always have a true reflection on the severity of the injury. Veterinary diagnosis should always be sought, which may suggest a scan in five to seven days when the full extent of the injury can be seen.
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B l o o d s t o c k m a t ter s
Flaccid flexors treatment, with caudel extension shoe fitted, hoof and pastern in alignment
Flaccid flexors before treatment
Early diagnosis of limb deformities By Andrew Poynton FWCF WHILST the seasons won’t be rushed and the mare’s gestation takes its allotted time, there seems to be constant pressure on the stud manager to deliver more each year. The annual Bloodstock sales dictate what stage of development each foal should be at, although they are not all born on the same day and growth varies form foal to foal. It is rare to see poor stock at a thoroughbred stud, rather glowing examples of fine physique and health nurtured by just ‘the right feed’ and professional management. Despite all this attention being lavished, it is a fine balancing act to avoid over doing it; you’ll seldom see a poor doer with ‘ballerina syndrome’. The foal could be compared to a glasshouse plant, rapidly growing but vulnerable to subtle environmental changes.
Flexural and angular limb: Many perfectly normal foals will arrive and experienced hands will give them a few days to find their feet, which they will do without any external intervention.
‘A foal may present a tendon/ muscle contracture which untreated would lead to a club foot or worse knuckling over at the toe rendering the limb crippled’ It is when limb deviation or abnormal flexural posture is prolonged without improvement, that the veterinary surgeon and farrier are required to intervene.
Whatever method is used, factors to consider are ease of use and application, and effectiveness with minimal negative influence on the rapidly developing foot.
Flaccid flexor tendons:
If not resolved in one treatment over two to three weeks, two will restore the majority.
A foal born with flaccid flexors, toes in the air and pasterns low to the ground, which does not improve within a week, can be treated with a heel extension cast to the hoof to facilitate more correct posture, whilst the physique of the limb gains strength. There are a variety of materials and methods available to achieve this; some may use a shoe glued on with the appropriate extension, others may prefer adhesive, plastic casting or aluminium.
Dependent upon age; the younger foal will require more frequent attention due to the need to allow the foot to grow expansively without undue constraint and distortion.
Acquired Flexural Deformity: A foal may present a tendon/muscle contracture which untreated would lead to a club foot or worse knuckling over at the toe rendering
the limb crippled. Physiotherapy and a muscle relaxant drug administered by the vet such as Oxytetracycline may be effective prior to farriery intervention, particularly in the very young foal. As the foal is rapidly developing the first sign of AFD may be that it appears ‘footsore’ and the hoof is broken at the toe. For an effective result the feed management of the mare and foal are crucial for recovery along with hoof trimming and a protective toe extension. Experience has shown that treating this as a purely mechanical problem is both naive and ineffective. Each case will vary in severity but a typical case will benefit from the following: Reduced grazing and hard feed for mare and foal. Hoof protective toe extension to reinstate correct hoof pastern alignment on the effected limb. Foal to spend the majority of time on a hard surface to ensure mechanical benefit from the extension. Muscle relaxant drugs as prescribed by the veterinary surgeon.
Continued on Page 31
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B l o o d s t o c k matter s Continued from Page 30 Regular farriery treatment – trimming of the heels and extension adjustment/replacement at two to three weeks. Provided the condition in the foal is recognised early enough and these guidelines are implemented, the need for surgical intervention is avoided as is the potential of a compromised limb. The prognosis is usually good with such cases, unlike the overlooked or mismanaged ones which are likely to suffer lasting conformational deformity, typically a club foot and often back at the knee.
Angular Limb Deformity: This large subject only touched on here encompasses deviations at one or more joints of the limb and the associated growth plates. As with flexural deformities, new born foals often take days or weeks to strengthen up, so with ALD initially a conservative approach to treatment is wise, but when a consistent deviation at any of the joints is noticed, hoof trimming may be all that is required to regain correct alignment; ‘little and often’ is the preferred way. If the deviation, be it medially or laterally orientated (inward or outwards) is not reducing then the farrier can model a prosthetic extension to the side of the hoof using the same range of materials as mentioned earlier to manipulate the limb, so that it is brought back into alignment above the foot. If the hoof appears pleasing to the eye, fairly symmetrical, the limb above is likely also to be in good alignment; conversely a distorted hoof is subject to uneven forces and loading from above.
For example a foal may have particularly outward rotation of the front limb; this will become less pronounced as it develops due to the chest development and musculature. Attempting to rotate the limb by ‘corrective farriery’ and a medial extension would be likely to only create ALD, a mature horse still with lateral rotation but appearing ‘pigeon toed’. Similarly an offset knee conformation is not correctable but ongoing discerning farriery may limit its negative effect.
Yearling Sales: The month leading up to the sales is likely to be the first time the yearling is plated. Why do we plate? Sometimes it is just the preference of the stud or logical reasons are to avoid the yearling from becoming footsore whilst getting fit prior to and at the sales, and being able to show it off at its best. Light plates are fitted with six slim plate nails. Whether plating for the sales or the track, plates should not be fitted short or tight but flow to the outline of the foot. The farrier can excel here at the art of both balancing and creating an aesthetically pleasing set of feet, which can significantly influence the sale price.
Flat Racing: Two year olds that go into training obviously are put to the test much sooner; their limbs, feet and whole physique are still very much developing and so more vulnerable than the mature equine.
This is where the stud farriers’ skill and much of his/her valuable time is employed.
This is not to say that it is detrimental for the colt or filly but certainly can be if close attention is not paid to any strain or injury not least in the limbs and feet.
The pertinent point is to produce horses with straight limbs that can perform to their best.
Quarter cracks are not uncommon; these burst from the coronet when galloping and will bleed.
When correcting ALD particularly when more than one joint is effected, e.g. fetlock and knee then the lower joint is concentrated on first, as the cartilaginous epiphyseal growth plates that enable the long bones to grow in length ossify before those higher in the limb.
The hoof cannot expand rapidly enough in relation to the force it is subject to particularly where there is hoof imbalance or conformation which concentrates the force into a specific area; e.g. a pigeon toed (toe in) conformation usually predisposes the lateral heel quarter to greater impact.
Un-correctable conformation:
This is not exclusive to youngsters but being immature will have lower tolerance.
There are conformational scenarios that the farrier cannot correct.
This highlights the importance of nurturing good limb conformation.
It’s worth mentioning rotational deviation of the whole or part of the limb may be evident.
National Hunt Steeple Chasers have more time before going into training so are not subject to current developmental weaknesses but
Contracted flexor before treatment
Contracted flexor with toe extension, first treatment
rather, are the product of hopefully careful breeding and nurture.
the sticks it’s like formula one, costly, finely tuned and takes some getting there.
Whether racing on the flat or over
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forge
Farriery and Continuing 1975 and to make it so would require a change in the law.
By Claire Brown of Farriers’ Pages
It is however recommended that farriers obtain ten CPD points a year averaged over a three year period. (During the introductory years it was recommended that five points were gained in 2008, eight points in 2009 and from 2010 onwards ten points per year).
FARRIERY, alongside medical and veterinary science, is constantly moving forward in knowledge, technique and skill. To reflect this, many farriers have furthered their education to keep up to date with these developments through organising and attending clinics and conferences. In turn this has provided them with the advanced skill to deal with conditions of the hoof effectively, and employ therapeutic methods as necessary. Continuing Professional Development (CPD), recognises the individual who seeks to improve and keep their knowledge up to date, and ensures that the standards required to have gained their professional qualification are, at the very least, maintained. Introduced into the veterinary profession in 1997, formally recognised CPD was introduced to the farriery industry in 2008. ‘Pursuing Excellence in Farriery’ is the phrase coined by the farriery CPD
Farriers are provided with a certificate annually showing the CPD completed in the past year, and the points awarded over the past three years. Steering Group (CPDSG) which consists of representatives from the Worshipful Company of Farriers, the National Association of Farriers Blacksmiths and Agricultural Engineers, the Farriers Registration Council and the Farriery Training Agency. The CPDSG has been established to ensure that CPD is provided to suit the needs of the farrier and the farriery profession and reports from the CPD office suggest that the response has so far has been extremely positive.
CPD is being taken up by many professions, particularly those that are regulated by law such as Dentists, Doctors and Teachers, for which it is mandatory. Vets have a professional obligation to participate in 105 hours of CPD over three years, with an average of 35 hours per year. BAEDT (British Association of Equine Dental Technicians) members are required to undertake 3 full days of CPD every year. CPD for farriers is not compulsory under the Farriers Registration Act
CPD Points are awarded for a number of endeavours to encourage farriers to participate in a wide range of activities ensuring an individual is ‘well-rounded’ in all aspects of their professional life. Examples of such events include shoemaking courses and competitions, conferences, clinics, health and safety, first aid and computer competence in addition to reading books and subscriptions to periodicals, attending business courses and giving presentations to Pony Clubs and Riding Clubs.
Continued on Page 33
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HORSE HEALTH I 33
Professional Development Continued from Page 32 Perhaps the ultimate CPD is the study for and acquisition of higher farrier qualifications such as the Associate and Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. Organisers of CPD events can apply to the CPDSG to have their event accredited and the booking and recording of CPD activity can be done online through the CPD website at www.farrierycpd.org. Although rapidly increasing in number the current provision of CPD events is such that it does not allow for every farrier in the UK to acquire ten points a year. Many organised CPD events are centrally located for national attendance and there is currently a push to introduce more events at a ‘local’ level to lift geographical restrictions. This has already begun with branches of the National Association and other local groups such as the Yorkshire Farriers
Education and Demonstration Association becoming more proactive. Factors such as time taken off work and the cost of attending such events are also issues to be examined. The introduction of any new concept is not without its teething problems however active participation in CPD will ultimately result in better looked after clients; both human and equine. Carers of horses have a right to expect that a farrier’s knowledge is kept up to date and that the standards gained at graduation have at least been maintained. Whilst not exclusive, the accrual of CPD points goes some way to formally recognise this. Farriers actively advancing their expertise will ultimately be better equipped to deal with a more diverse range of ailments, and business scenarios, and perhaps even gain a competitive edge.
Save pounds off your rasp bill Advertiser’s Announcement RASPS are an everyday essential tool for you, the farrier. They represent a significant cost to your business whichever brand you use. Wouldn’t it be great if you could extend their useful life? We have the perfect answer – our knife and tool maintenance kit can be used to sharpen your rasps in seconds. The life of your rasps can be extended beyond your expectations by simply and quickly sharpening them,from new, each day. It only takes a moment to revitalize each rasp and there is no need to use noxious chemical solutions and critical timing. We have been astounded by how efficient the rasp sharpening feature of the kit is. It has been equally effective on a number of different makes of rasp. We have received many positive reports from satisfied customers. Using this method it is not unusual to get seven or eight weeks use from both your clenching and dressing rasps. When your rasps last longer you are less likely to run out of the one which you really like.
The equipment is very cost effective and soon pays for itself. You can save pounds off your rasp bill. Of course, the kit is equally useful in sharpening and honing your knives to a very high standard and maintaining buffers; stamps; pritchels; fullers; hoof nippers etc. in top class order, which also saves you time and money. The equipment is quick and easy to install in your van or workshop; the kit contains ample supplies of all that you need to sharpen rasps, hoof knives and maintain tools. All the items are in stock, at reasonable prices, to replenish your kit when needed.
For further details and to learn more about the knife and rasp sharpening kit please contact Londonderry Forge Supplies
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Biology and technology combined EQUILEAR Protective Solutions combine biology with the latest technology to create a ‘bionic’ finish, providing an ecological and effective solution for antibacterial, waterproof and cleansing treatments for textiles. Equisilver is an antimicrobial treatment for rugs, fly sheets, leather and clothing that can be sprayed on before wearing or storage. It can also be sprayed onto dressing and bandages to reduce the risk of infection. Equiprotect Rug is a waterproof protection treatment for rugs consisting of a biodegradable formula which contains no fluoro-carbon, paraffin or other hazardous chemicals. Equiclean is a rug cleaning solution that does not affect existing water repellant layers but removes soil and dirt.
product reviews
How Vetrofen helped Miss Tuck HORSE owner Miss Tuck describes how Vetrofen, a Bute alternative with no banned substances, worked with her 17-year-old horse. She said: “My horse went lame in July 2008, and after x-rays he was diagnosed with DJD, had steroids and Tildren twice but still no success. “After six months box rest and special shoes he was still as lame as he was six months’ previously. “So I went to our vets and had an MRI scan – but the damage was so bad they told me to take him home, let him out in the field and let him be a horse, then put him to sleep. He had very bad collateral ligament damage with DJD so I took him home and did just that. I did put him on Bute but after three weeks
of this he got ulcers so I had to stop. “I then arranged for him to be put to sleep but on the day I begged my vet to do something. He then went under IRAP and he went sound, but was still stiff. I have used joint supplements before but never found any that did what they say on the tin. So I tried Vetrofen on a normal maintenance level and it didn’t really do much. “I rang Animalife and explained my horse’s condition, turned out I got it wrong, he needed to start with a loading dose due to his poor condition. “He needed to start with a loading serve due to his poor condition and his symptoms then reduced and after three days my horse came out trotting from his stable. I rode him that night and he
was amazing. “He was going so fast I had to do small circles just to slow him down – he has not been able to do this for over a year. “I have now reduced him to a maintenance plus level and am still getting good results and am hoping to get him to normal maintenance level soon. He really was a different horse a month ago, I am so impressed and my vet is very pleased with him. “I can even start cantering now, he was only ever meant to be field sound – I am very happy indeed.” Order Vetrofen and Equine Oxyshot online from Animalife now with free delivery and ten per cent off using voucher code “mosteffective”, valid from 05/10/09 to 07/12/09.
New tabs solve dosage problems FOLLOWING the introduction of Equimax Tabs, Virbac have now introduced the Eraquell formula in a new tabs form. With the active ingredient Ivermectin, Eraquell Tabs are effective against roundworms and bots and fit into a yearly worming plan. Just a small amount of wormer lost because of animals spitting out part or all of their worming dose can leave owners unsure if the correct amount of wormer has been administered.
Under dosing can not only lead to increased worm burden but can also accelerate problems with resistance. Eraquell Tabs can be given either as a treat from the hand or simply added to feed, allowing horse owners to create a yearly worming programme
that is easily and accurately administered.
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classfied and news
Industry standards updated EQUINE paraprofessionals from across the UK are being called on to define the skills needed in their industry to insure its future success.
Ghandi
Three-year horse ban for couple A MARRIED couple from West Sussex have been banned from keeping horses for three years after the discovery of an emaciated and injured horse at their Billingshurst farm. Colin and Barbara Robinson (60) of Ravensbury Farm on West Chiltington Lane, were found guilty of failing to provide adequate veterinary care and assistance to their 19-year-old horse ‘Ghandi’ at Haywarrds Heath Magistrates Court. They were ordered to pay £3,000 each in compensation and £1,000 each in costs, however, they immediately indicated their intention to appeal. Ghandi, a grey 17.2hh branded Hanoverian gelding, had been discovered by World Horse Welfare following a call from a concerned
member of the public. He was found at the farm in an emaciated condition and with a large, untreated wound on his withers. Once removed, Ghandi put on 126 kilos in just under four months and the wound on his withers healed, however, other health issues he had proved unresponsive to treatment and the decision was made to put him to sleep.
Lantra is working with the industry to develop and update National Occupational Standards and is encouraging paraprofessionals, and specifically equine hoof trimmers, to take part in an online consultation on working standards. Liz Pridgeon, development manager for standards and qualifications, said: “These standards have many uses including forming the building blocks of vocational qualifications, so they need to be completely up-to-date to best reflect how each industry currently operates, and to ensure they can be easily understood by everyone.” Anyone working in the industry who would like to take part can do so online at www.lantra.co.uk/nos.
Bedding
Ted Barnes, WHW field officer, said: “In his time Ghandi must have been a very impressive horse and I find it very upsetting that Mr and Mrs Robinson did not offer him the dignity in his later years that he deserved. I hope their sentence sends a clear warning message to others and that they are afforded a more comfortable retirement than they provided for their horse.”
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