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The UK’s leading equine health & well-being magazine
February/March 10 £2.95
Swamp Fever warning for horse owners By Louise Cordell HORSE owners are being urged to remain vigilant following an outbreak of Equine Infectious Anaemia in Wiltshire. The disease, also known as Swamp Fever, was found in two horses in a group imported from Romania and Belgium and both animals have now been destroyed. The news has shocked the industry as the last case of EIA in Britain was in 1976, however, experts are warning against panic. Lee Hackett, BHS head of welfare, said: “Obviously any outbreak of an exotic disease is very worrying and this is news that we did not want to hear. “There are lessons that need to be learned and some things will need to be tightened up – but it is important that people don’t overreact. “We have every reason to hope that these cases will form an isolated incident and, as long as there are no other reports within 90 days, it will have been successfully contained. “However, we are still advising horse owners to read up on the signs and symptoms, stay vigilant and to call their vet immediately if they have any suspicions.” Despite these reassurances there have been several calls for stricter disease control measures.
World Horse Welfare in particular is asking the European Commission to review its policies surrounding the disease including Romanian export procedures and the possibility of an EIA eradication programme. Roly Owers, WHW chief executive, said: “This incident clearly demonstrates the urgent need to review the Tripartite Agreement, to ensure that this derogation is not abused to permit the free movement of diseased horses into the UK. “Targeted post import checks are essential to maintain our freedom from disease and we trust that Defra will maintain a high level of checks on horses from Romania whilst the disease continues to be a problem there.” The charity is now advising owners to undertake rigorous checks when buying a horse from abroad and is discouraging anyone from importing Romanian horses. Following the outbreak, Defra has now announced that it could be handing over responsibility for the UK’s animal health policy to a new body. The proposed organisation would be led by a new chair and board and would have increased power to collect veterinary samples and to vaccinate animals and to make payments for animals destroyed for disease control purposes.
Scientists have identified the mutation responsible for Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS), a condition which is fatal to all affected foals. FIS, more commonly known as Fell Pony Syndrome, affects not only Fell ponies but also Dales ponies. It causes foals to become anaemic and fall prey to
opportunistic infections and any foal born with the syndrome will not survive. Geneticists at the University of Liverpool and the Animal Health Trust expect a DNA test to identify carriers of the mutation to be available at the AHT from this month. More information, Page 22
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£1m boost for research THE Horserace Betting Levy Board has pledged over £1m to veterinary research to improve horse health and welfare. The board has awarded six grants, worth £1.2m for research projects in areas including infectious diseases, vaccine design, musculoskeletal injuries and environmental safety factors. The studies will be carried out at the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Liverpool, Moredun Research Institute and the Animal Health Trust. Professor Willie Donachie, chair of the HBLB’s veterinary advisory committee, which evaluated the applications, said: “It was an extremely competitive round of bids and we expect that the winning projects will make an important and practical contribution to the health
and welfare of the Thoroughbred.” Questions that these HBLB-funded research projects will address over the next three years include: What are the most important risk factors for injuries in jump racing, what factors cause them to commonly occur, is there an affect of seasonality and what are the differences between racecourses? What are the causes of equine tendon injury? Using a new, multidisciplinary collaborative partnership, this project will provide data to inform vets on treatment and prevention of one of the most important causes of failure to race. How viable is the mandatory passport data existing on the National Equine Database (NED) as a resource to accurately plot the distribution of equines in the UK? How might potential transmission of
African Horse Sickness vary geographically and seasonally? To what extent is there drug resistance to de-wormers? How will this affect future management strategies to protect horses from poor performance and life threatening parasitic disease? How does the bacterium Rhodococcus equi cause infection, particularly severe respiratory disease of foals? How does it persist in the environment? What is the relationship between attachment of the bacterium Streptococcus zooepidemicus and causes of a range of equine respiratory diseases, particularly in young horses starting training? Several of these projects are based on previous research funded by HBLB and the last two in particular are key to future vaccine design.
EDITORIAL GROUP EDITOR:
Andrew Harrod Tel: 01226 734639 email: ah@whpl.net EDITOR:
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:
Support for Olympic equestrian venue bid A GROUP of riders from the British Equestrian Federation World Class Programme visited Greenwich Park to support its use as the equestrian venue for the Olympic Games. Equestrians including Tim Stockdale, Lucy Wiegersma, and Nicola Wilson received a briefing on the London 2012 Organising Committee’s plans for the events and were shown round the
venue, where they are all aiming to compete in 2012. Will Connell, the British Equestrian Team’s performance director, said: “We are lucky to have such an iconic venue. “Greenwich is a historic park and it is exciting to be so close to the main core venue, the Olympic Park. “This puts equestrian events right back into the heart of the Games and I think
that local residents should be proud that such an exciting Olympic sport will be on their doorstep in 2012.” The organising committee has now submitted its planning application for the venue and has recently announced that the entire Park will only be closed for a four week period from 6 July to 3 August in 2012.
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.
More top riders turning to FMBs AS the new competition season approaches more top riders are turning to FMBs and their ActivoMed range for therapy products that will help horses reach their performance potential. FMBs offer a range of pulsed electromagnetic field, massage, laser, magnetic and cold+massage therapy product suitable for horses in training or on rehabilitation.
The Shetland Pony Grand National from Olympia was covered by Horse and Country TV alongside the showjumping classes, Young Showjumper of the Year and the Met Police Activity ride.
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 tail and now also the shoulders and stifle. The Combi Sport also offers both pulsed electromagnetic and cyclonic massage therapies. It is also available with either massage only or pulsed electromagnetic only components. Activo-Med magnetic/massage front and hind leg wraps are available as the combined pulsed electromagnetic and laser hand held unit and brand new Power Pad. William Fox-Pitt said: “Having used
Activo-Med Combi Pro (shown in association with Horses Inside Out) the Activo-Med Combi System for nearly three years now I can honestly say it’s worth the investment ten times over. “Whilst the Activo-Med systems are excellent for rehabilitation, I use the pulsed electromagnetic and massage rug on the horses before they are worked to loosen muscles and after for recovery. “The magnetic element of the system is particularly effective and the Combi Pro has become an important part of our daily routine for optimising each horse’s performance.”
Visit www.fmbs.co.uk or call 01628 472440 for more information on new and second hand systems in stock.
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A new state-of-the-art lecture theatre and conference centre has been opened in Newmarket by HRH The Princess Royal. The facility within the John MacDougall Visitors Centre at the Animal Health Trust
has been purpose-built to improve the Trust’s education programme for vets, scientists and others involved with the charity’s work. Mark Vaudin, assistant chief executive of the AHT, said:
£100k funding to boost exports THE British Equestrian Trade Association has secured almost £100,000 of government funding to encourage British equestrian exports. New allocations for 2010 and 2011 have been announced by UK Trade and Investments and will subsidise eligible companies’ participation in a series of trade missions to three continents. Claire Williams, executive director of BETA, said: “British goods and services remain highly sought after in the global equestrian arena.
“Exhibiting at important events under the BETA ‘British’ banner gives companies instant recognition and a strong identity in the eyes of international buyers.” British equestrian products and services will be showcased at international events including: the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, USA; Spoga in Cologne, Germany; Equitana Asia Pacific in Melbourne, Australia; the American Equestrian Trade Association Fair in Fort Washington, USA and Equitana in Essen, Germany.
“Education is key at the AHT. Until now we have never had the facilities to properly provide a fully integrated education programme. This new lecture theatre allows us not only to enhance the education
programme for our own staff but also gives the opportunity to provide training and education for vets and scientists working both here in the UK and across the world.”
Technology brings breakthrough in sarcoid treatment By Louise Cordell RESEARCHERS are celebrating a breakthrough in equine sarcoid treatment using gene silencing technology. A project funded by equine charity The Horse Trust has succeeded in killing equine sarcoid cells in vitro, by silencing a gene in the virus that causes sarcoids. They are now hoping to obtain funding for clinical trials using the new technique, which could results in a more effective, non-toxic treatment. Sarcoids are skin tumors caused by infection with the Bovine Papillomavirus and are the most common type of tumour found in horses - the estimated prevalence in the UK is six to seven per cent. The disease is rarely life threatening, but many horses with sarcoids are euthanased because the condition is untreatable or because the horse is unsellable. Currently there is no universally effective treatment for sarcoids and if treatment fails the sarcoids will often come back worse. However, the research, which was led by Professor Lubna Nasir of the University of Glasgow, found that by inhibiting the activity of a particular
viral protein within sarcoid cells, the amount of viral DNA in the cells reduced. This led to a reduction in the growth of the sarcoid cells and caused the cell to die by programmed cell-death. The researchers believe that PCD occurs because the sarcoid cells become reliant on the virus. Professor Nasir said: “This could potentially be a major breakthrough in the treatment of sarcoids. We are now seeking funding to use this technique in clinical trials on horses that have sarcoids.” As this research was carried out in vitro, the researchers will now need to see if they can replicate the results in vivo, by developing a way of targeting the sarcoid cells in horses. Professor Nasir added: “One of the challenges with gene silencing is administering it within a clinical setting because you need to get molecules into every cell. “As sarcoids are on the surface of a horse, we think administration should be relatively easy – potentially by injecting or applying a cream to the sarcoid. If we are able to successfully develop this technique, it would be a non-toxic and easy way to administer treatment for this distressing condition.”
Search for new commentator A SEARCH for the new voice of equestrian commentating has been launched by the Grandstand Group. The team behind Horse of the Year Show and the British Open Show Jumping Championships, is looking for someone who feels they have the tone and personality to
commentate on prestigious equestrian events. The competition is now open for entries and finals will be held at the British Open in April. The final winner will join the HOYS 2010 commentary team in October, introducing famous displays and world class riders.
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US team seeks new manager CAPTAIN Mark Phillips is to retire from his role as manager of the US eventing team after the 2012 Olympic Games in London. After 20 years Captain Phillips has announced he will step down as Chef D’Equipe and Technical Advisor following the games and said: “I want to give someone else the opportunity to put their stamp on the programme.” To date he has led the team to 23 team and individual medals including team gold at the Pan American Games in 1999, 2003 and 2007 and team gold at the 2002 World Equestrian Games. The search for a successor has already begun and the United States Equestrian Federation will be announcing the members of the search committee in the near future.
Welsh councils to unite to help vulnerable horses EIGHT Welsh councils are working together on a new scheme to improve the welfare of vulnerable horses. The Mustang project is focused on loose horses which cause considerable problems on roads and in public parks in many areas. Lead officer is Steve Grey of Cardiff Trading Standards, who confirmed that there are around 1,000 horses and ponies across the eight areas and his team seizes around 20 loose horses a quarter in Cardiff. He pointed out that the area has a large urban horse population related to travellers and tethered horses are a particular nuisance because they get loose and career around the housing estates. He said: “The horses cause problems for the public, but there is also a welfare issue that needs to be tackled. “The first step was to find out how many vulnerable equines there were and we are now moving on to recording the condition they are in and finding out if they are being sufficiently cared for.” The council teamed up with experts at the University of Bristol to develop the tools
needed by council officers to assess the animals’ health and came up with a welfare checklist. The document looks at what resources are available to the horses in terms of water, grazing and shelter, and also includes a individual assessment which takes into account body condition scoring and any visible injuries. Using powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2007 and the checklist officers can identify animals at risk earlier and force owners to improve welfare before animals suffer. Mr Grey added: “We are hoping to continue the study right through the summer to make sure we have the best possible picture of what is going on. “We will then be able to collate all the data and report back to the government so that, hopefully, the necessary changes can be made. The best results will come if we can connect with the owners we observe, talk to them about why they keep horses in these areas and see how we can influence their behaviour for the better.” Mustang is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government's Companion Animal Welfare Enhancement Scheme (CAWES) project.
New head appointed at veterinary school An expert on the functional adaptation and regeneration of bone has been appointed the new head of Bristol University’s Veterinary School. Professor Joanna Price has joined the university from the Royal Veterinary College and her research interests include the potential applications of bone biomarkers in horses as predictors of fracture, and the epidemiology of equine musculoskeletal injuries particularly the genetics of fracture and tendon injury. She said: “I am delighted to be returning to Bristol as Head of the Vet School. The School has always had a reputation for its teaching, research and clinical work, which must now be modernised and enhanced. I look forward to working for and with its talented community to bring this into effect.“
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New drug testing procedures planned NEW equine drug testing procedures are being planned for the UK for 2010. The British Horseracing Authority will be modernising its equine drug testing procedures this year following a review. Currently all tests are carried out after races, but this will change, making the process less predictable – while post-race testing will continue, some tests will also be taken pre-race and some will be taken in training. Professor Tim Morris, BHA director of equine science and welfare, said: “We have been working with colleagues around the world and in British horseracing, to ensure we have a system in which everyone can have confidence.
minority of people in our sport who might cheat.” Paul Scotney, BHA director of integrity services and licensing, added: “These changes are designed to enhance our capability to enforce the rules of the sport effectively and make the most effective use of the information available. “We want to extend our sources of information, so that the overwhelming majority of participants who want a clean sport will feel able to contribute information in a confidential way, knowing it will be handled appropriately.
“This new approach will allow us to ensure a good spread of testing, whilst increased unpredictability in testing will deter offenders.
“Targeted testing will be done based on established objective procedures, the Authority uses an intelligence system based on the Police National Intelligence Model, which set standards for process, professionalism, fairness and confidentiality.
“We also want to be able to act quickly on intelligence received and deter the extremely small
“We will continue to work to build the trust necessary to do this.”
Win tickets to the British Open Show Jumping Championships 2010! WORLD-class riders from Britain and abroad have been invited to compete in this unique Championship competition held over four days in April. Leading British rider, Robert Whitaker will return to defend his title as the 2009 British Open Show Jumping Champion and compete in the top speed and jump-off international classes on offer at this FEI 4* event. The unique format of the British Open Championship involves four competitions held over consecutive days with each competition designed to test the riders’ skill and ability in different ways. In addition, the jam-packed event also features a range of national show jumping and showing classes including the Amateur Show Jumping Championship, the BEF World Class Development Programme Championship, PCA Rising Stars and the Working Hunter Grand Prix.There are also new classes for 2010 including the Ponies UK Superleague, the John Whitaker International JA Championship and the BS British Riding and Pony Club Team Competition. The world’s top eventers will also be competing at Britain’s most prestigious indoor cross country event, the British Open Indoor Cross Country. Famous faces such as Pippa Funnell, William Fox-Pitt and Zara Phillips will
be invited to participate in this hugely popular discipline. The British Open Show Jumping Championships takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from Wednesday 7 to Saturday 10 April 2010. Horse Health has teamed up with the organisers to offer you the fantastic opportunity to win a pair of tickets to the Show on Wednesday 7 April 2010. There are three pairs of tickets to be won. To enter simply answer the following question and send your answer, together with your name and address to British Open Competition, Horse Health Magazine, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS. Deadline for entries is Monday 8 March 2010. Q. How many times has Robert Whitaker been crowned British Open Show Jumping Champion? Please specify on your entry if you do not wish to receive future information from the British Open Show Jumping Championships. For full terms and conditions visit: www.britishopenshowjumping.com.
Trust putting ponies to work on moorland By Louise Cordell
return their nutrients to the earth.
DARTMOOR ponies are being put to work to help conserve the moorland where they live.
Following meetings with Dartmoor National Park, the Trust will also now be using the herd to clear the thick grass away from important archaeological sites, so that they can be easily found and seen.
The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust at Bellever runs a herd of 26 ponies, all owned by local farmers, who graze the site until they reach a saleable age of around four years. During this time they browse for up to eighteen hours a day, trampling the rank grasses and creating room and light for more sensitive plants to establish. However they are now also assisting with a management scheme to keep on top of the Sikla Spruce trees – removing saplings that have seeded on the open moorland. Natural England has awarded a funding grant to the Trust to pay for special horse harnesses which will be used to help with tree removal over the next ten years. The trees will be taken to other areas of the moor where they will be allowed to rot down naturally and
Dru Butterfield, Trust spokesperson, said: “This is an environmentally friendly project as the herd provides a green alternative to a quad bike or tractor. “The ponies are more than capable of the work load required and will be much kinder to the sensitive site, avoiding wheel tracks in soft, muddy areas and reducing the risk of erosion.” The project will also be used to motivate and inspire local communities to get involved in the conservation of the moorland. From this month, the Trust plans to run a series of volunteer events encouraging families and local groups to help with tree removal and molinia raking from around hut circles and other ancient sites.
BEVA names new president for 2010 DR Madeline Campbell has been named as the president of the British Equine Veterinary Association for 2010.
surrounding the enforcement of the legislation which governs long distance transport of horses to slaughter across Europe.
She is a specialist in equine reproduction, running the Hobgoblins Stud in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex and takes over from vet Chris House, who acted as president during 2009.
“By working with our sister equine veterinary organisations in Europe and beyond, BEVA hopes to make the voice of the veterinary profession clearly heard and to start to effect an improvement in conditions for the 100,000 horses being transported to slaughter each year.”
Dr Campbell has announced that subjects she would like to concentrate on this year include tackling long distance travel of horses to slaughter in Europe, increasing professional training for vets in practice and looking into the welfare issues surrounding the government’s proposed ‘horse tax’. She said: “BEVA will continue to champion high standards of equine health and welfare in 2010. “Plans are underway to hold a preCongress welfare meeting in association with the American Association of Equine Practitioners in Birmingham in 2010 and we are also developing plans for a BEVA-led meeting of international veterinary surgeons to address the problems
She also reported on a joint meeting BEVA held this month with some of the welfare organisations at the House of Lords, organised in order to brief peers and members on the adverse welfare implications of the government proposed ‘horse tax’. She added: “In an age in which Government seems intent on diminishing the role of the professions, BEVA increasingly represents the equine veterinary profession’s desire to ensure that veterinarians, who are undoubtedly the people most qualified to advise on matters of welfare and disease control, are fully involved in informing policy.”
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Trust to fund new equine fellowship By Louise Cordell A PRESTIGIOUS new equine science research fellowship is to be funded by the BEVA Trust. The charitable arm of the British Equine Veterinary Association has announced that the scheme will be its largest project to date and will have the potential to make a significant impact in equine education, science and welfare. The fellowship will take place at Cambridge University’s Selwyn College and the Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine. The chosen fellow will be conducting scientific research studies, focussing on epidemiology or infectious disease, and it is hoped that the results will benefit the welfare of working horses and donkeys in the developing world. They will also be undertaking a mentoring role within the College and the Veterinary School. Professor Sandy Love, BEVA Trust chairman, said: “The fellow will play an important role in undergraduate
education through teaching, mentoring and guidance and by promoting awareness of equine welfare. “The mentoring will encompass not only help with academic studies, but also guidance with extra mural studies placements. It is hoped that the fellow will be able to contribute to the small-group teaching which is such a feature of undergraduate teaching at Cambridge. “In addition the fellow will be expected to be involved in class teaching or demonstrations in department of veterinary medicine.” Finally, the successful applicant will be expected to promote the BEVA Trust and other equine welfare charities in the UK and internationally. They will play a key role in promoting equine disease and welfare awareness among veterinary undergraduates, with the aim of producing graduates with a life long awareness of equine welfare, who will then go on to help tackle these issues in the developing world.
Boost for Laminitis research A LAMINITIS research group has been awarded over £134,000 to study the effects of exercise on the disease. The Royal Veterinary College, in collaboration with the UK’s leading laminitis research body, the Laminitis Consortium, have been given the money to investigate how exercise can impact on horses and ponies that are predisposed to pasture associated laminitis. The group hopes to find out why some individuals seem to be predisposed to
recurrent bouts of the condition and how their susceptibility to future episodes can be reduced. Dr Menzies-Gow, lead investigator for the grant, said: “This project will in part investigate whether exercise can reduce the level of chronic inflammation in laminitis-prone animals, which may then prove to be a simple and practical way of reducing the risk of future bouts of disease in susceptible animals.” The grant work will run over two years.
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Editor’s insight...
Christine Keate
‘ITS just like May’, Andrew Poynton, consultant farrier to Horse Health magazine, told me as we discussed horses in general and, the effects of the recent weather conditions. Not, I would hasten to add that he was referring to warm days and sunshine, unfortunately, his focus was soundly on the state of horses’ feet, and the alarming number of equines suffering from laminitis – in January. Confined to their stables, or on restricted turn out, even horses whose hard feed has been cut down, are succumbing to the condition.
Standing in, consuming larger quantities of hay or haylage, many, already on the portly side, are becoming toxic and suffering the consequences. Already this year, the major equine charities and feed companies are reinforcing the message that too much condition is not kind; they are continuing their campaigns to educate horse owners to be able to recognise when horses and ponies are obese, and to understand the resulting dangers, including laminitis. Whilst exotic diseases such as African Horse Sickness remain a potential
Awards’ prize fund increases THE Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards 2010 are set to take place in March with an increased prize fund of over £120,000. The awards were launched in 2005 with the aim of recognising the achievements of racing’s key staff and are run by the British Horseracing Authority, in conjunction with the Racing Post. This year several improvements have been made, including allowing everyone from within the industry, from trainers and owners to stable staff, to nominate those who they think deserve an award. There will be six award categories.
Each category winner will receive £5,000 and the runner-up £2,000, apart from the new NASS category where £5,000 is pledged to the winner in recognition of their efforts. In addition, the winners and runnersup will also receive a matching amount which will go to their yards and be shared among the rest of the staff. The category winners, excluding the winner of the newcomer award, will then be put forward for the overall Stud and Stable Staff Employee of the Year Award – with a grand prize of £25,000 to be split between winner and yard.
threat, Defra and leading industry professionals are now working hard to contain the recent incidence of EIA and ensure that the two confirmed cases remain the only ones. A sharp reminder to all that clear identification and isolation of all horses new to a yard should be routine practice, and that biosecurity measures should be firmly adhered to. Arguably, with strict guidelines enforced, the disease should not have occurred here, however, the fact that it was identified and dealt with quickly is testament to the effectiveness of the post import checks currently in place.
Charity survey reveals welfare concern at yards By Louise Cordell WELFARE concerns at livery yards around the country have been exposed by a pioneering survey carried out by an equine charity. World Horse Welfare have revealed an alarming number of serious concerns reported by the public – including 13 per cent who said there had been injuries at their livery yard in the past 12 months. Ten per cent reported no access to fresh water in grazing or turnout areas, 21 per cent recorded problems with poisonous plants including ragwort and at least 20 per cent reported physical dangers in grazing or turnout areas.
Association aiming to promote good practice FOUNDED in 2001, the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians is an organisation for qualified, professional Equine Dental Technicians, promoting training for new EDT’s, CPD for those already qualified, and with the aim to provide greater understanding of the need for equine dentistry though education and information.
agreed to abide by performance guidelines, a code of conduct, and who is fully insured.
The BAEDT register of members assures the horse owning public and their vets of a professional practitioner who has been examined and passed by the British Equine Veterinary Association and the British Veterinary Dental Association, has
To promote the professional training of Equine Dental Technicians.
Our Objectives: To improve the welfare of the horse. To provide an organisation of qualified Equine Dental Technicians. To promote good practice in equine dentistry.
To promote greater understanding of equine dentistry to the general public. A full list of BAEDT qualified EDTs is available at www.baedt.com.
A further 11 per cent reported inadequate food or water provision, ten per cent cited poor foot management and a shocking six per cent reported actual physical abuse. Finally, seven per cent of the 622 respondents said that they were aware that welfare reports had been made to the authorities in the last year. The online survey was conducted between April 2008 and April 2009 and asked those involved with livery yards to answer a number of specific questions about the management and welfare of horses they observed. Jo White, World Horse Welfare’s director of campaigns, said: “This survey was designed to find out more about livery yards across the UK and whether there are any worrying trends which may compromise a horse’s
‘Problems are surprisingly widespread and action needs to be taken to address this to ensure that good yards are recognised and encouraged, and the bad ones improved’ welfare. “Clearly with such a significant proportion of respondents being aware of serious welfare concerns within a livery yard, we must look at how we can introduce measures to eliminate them.” More than half of Britain’s 1.2m privately owned horses are not kept on the owner’s land, meaning that these results and the wide range of problems described, are an important issue for the industry to face. Chris House, BEVA president and chair of the Livery Yard Working Party, said: “This survey has confirmed the presence of a wide variety of welfare related problems not only in the construction of premises, but also in the way livery businesses are supervised and run. “Problems are surprisingly widespread and action needs to be taken to address this to ensure that good yards are recognised and encouraged, and the bad ones improved. “The Working Party is compiling evidence of problems at livery yards in order to confirm the concerns that have been expressed over many years. “A proposal will be released in the coming months to address the welfare issues that have been raised.”
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Award-winning invention inspired by greedy horse By Louise Cordell A GREEDY horse has inspired his owner to invent a device to stop him eating so much. Ellie Parkin developed the Elim-a-Net, a double-layered, small-holed haynet, in order to prevent her show hunter from gorging on forage. She said: “This horse would just bolt down everything put in front of him and I thought there had to be an easier way than double netting all the time. So I did some research and found that although limiting horses’ food is a widespread problem there didn’t seem to be any solutions like this out there.” However, getting the new nets manufactured proved to be a challenge as machines in the UK were only set up to produce the traditional
design. So instead, Ellie sourced an overseas producer that was able to make the designs by hand. She added: “The nets have a lot of benefits as the extra strands regulate consumption and can result in two to three times longer feeding time.This means a more natural, grazing eating pattern which helps the digestive system and also results in less mess and waste.” A prototype of the product won the innovation award at this year’s British Equestrian Trade Association show and it was launched to the public at the Your Horse Live exhibition at Stoneleigh Park. Ellie added: “The design has had a really positive response so far and I have a lot of other ideas for new products in minds.”
Dedicated employment guide launched by BGA THE first dedicated guide to employing staff in the equestrian industry has been launched by the British Grooms Association. The ‘Equine Employers Handbook’ has been put together with a grant from the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and advice from Morrish Solicitors to create an easy to use, problem solver. The book address a combination of everyday and more infrequent issues that employers may need to deal with, from recruiting to discipline and termination, employment facts, sickness and employee relations. It has been tailored specifically for the equine industry and includes case studies,
sample letter templates, practical tips, useful links, legal facts and check lists. Lucy Katan, BGA executive director, said: “As the BGA is a Social Enterprise we have always had a vision that to help the grooms, we must also offer support and guidance to employers – this Handbook fulfils this ambition. “We have been contacted so many times, by really conscientious employers who are keen to employ their staff in the best possible way; they know it makes good business sense. We realised that there was nowhere else for equine employers to turn to for help, so decided to tackle this issue – for the ultimate benefit of the grooms.”
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Lantra launches new industry research project A NEW research project aimed at tracking the size and scope of the UK’s equine industry has been launched by Lantra. The online Equine Skills Census will be looking at what training, skills and employment issues are faced by those working with the field. It is hoped the results will help to identify and outline skills and training requirements and provide evidence supporting the need for more funded training. Lucy Katan, British Grooms Association executive director, said: “I think this research will show that the equine industry is not a hobby – it is a real career and needs to be recognised and supported as a viable industry. “I encourage all who work with horses to take their chance to be counted and complete the online research.”
David Ashby’s L’ester de la Pree
Policy introduced for high-value horses
Research carried out prior to the launch of the survey suggested there are almost 19,000 businesses and over 40,000 people working with horses in the UK.
A NEW insurance scheme aimed at owners of high-value sport and competition horses has been launched.
Any employer wanting to support this research can register their interest on Lantra’s website www.lantra.co.uk/equinecensus.
Amlin and Weatherbys have joined forces to create the ‘Advanced Equestrian’ policy, which encompasses mortality and loss of
use cover as well as automatic worldwide coverage and advice from two of the UK’s leading veterinary practices should an insured horse become ill or injured. David Ashby, Amlin Plus MD, said: “There is a feeling amongst owners
of sport and competition horses that insurance is either too expensive or doesn’t provide them with adequate cover or expert advice. “We wanted to create a policy that provides the fullest cover for higher value horses.”
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dentistry
Candidate showing ability with power tools
Some of the preparations EDTs must take in order to sit the BEVA/BVDA (British Equine Veterinary Association/ British Veterinary Dental) examination in equine dentistry.
Course is compulsory requirement for exam candidates By Rachel Burton, BAEDT Council Member
supervision of a BAEDT trainer, and are then critiqued on their skills.
THE British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT) holds an annual training course to prepare candidates for the BEVA/BVDA examination.
This includes an assessment of their working practice, ability to examine and assess the horse’s mouth,use of correct terminology and identification of pathology, and the formation of a treatment plan.
The course has been running for over ten years, and is now a compulsory requirement for those applying to take the exam. The training is held over two days and allows EDTs and vets to demonstrate their dentistry skills under the supervision of the BAEDT training team and examiners. The pre-exam course training team comprises two BAEDT examiners, and a bank of experienced EDTs who are familiar with the current standard in equine dentistry. This year 14 BAEDT members assessed 23 candidates most of whom will go forward for examination in February 2010. The pre-exam course also provides support for those who have not taken the theory section of the examination, which must be passed before proceeding to the practical itself. On the first day students each work on two sedated horses under the
They must demonstrate confidence in the use of manual and power tools, and have good horse handling skills. The students must also chart their work accurately and show the examiners that they are observing health and safety protocols, working at a safe, clean and professional level, to the very high standard required to pass the BEVA/BVDA exam. On the second morning the candidates are given a third horse, which is worked on under exam conditions as a ‘mock exam’. The examiners will then discuss with the candidate their strengths and weaknesses based upon their performance and give guidance where required. The course finishes with a final fourth horse on which the candidates, hopefully, are able to demonstrate refined skills and overall improvement.
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feeding and nutrition
Dodson and Horrell are teaming up with leading vet schools to give horse owners an opportunity to hear the latest research at their Laminitis Awareness 2010 Conference – covering laminitis, cushings, Equine Metabolic Syndrome and why feeding matters.
Fat ponies face a raised risk of laminitis Picture: World Horse Welfare
Fat is a long-term problem By Dr Teresa Hollands BSc (Hons), MSc (Nutrition), PhD R.Nutr for Dodson and Horrell OBESITY appears to be the main cause of human and equine metabolic syndrome.
Until recently fat was considered an inert substance which functioned as a storage form for energy (excess calories) but nothing could be further from the truth. Body fat, especially that stored
within the abdomen in people, contains cells that are very active metabolically and hormonally, and when present in excessive amounts their effects can trigger a cascade of metabolic disturbances leading to insulin resistance and persistent high blood sugar. This is linked to an increase in inflammation and free radicals and is one of the reasons that horses become more susceptible to laminitis.
Dedicated to high quality HAYGAIN is dedicated to providing the highest quality products that are scientifically effective in producing clean, spore-free hay. The Haygain hay steamers have undergone a huge amount of research in the laboratory looking at the reduction of mould and fungal spores through their method of steaming, and on the yard through field trials and clinical observations of horses where the only thing that has changed in their routine is the introduction of Haygain steamed hay. The method is proven to kill the spores and Haygain have recently undertaken further research to find out what other benefits the steaming process has. These include looking at whether steamed hay is more digestible, does it kill the mycotoxins produced by the mould spores, and whether the waste water is more environmentally friendly than soaking. Brian Fillery of Propress Equine, said: “We are a science led company, developing and then launching products which have been
extensively tested and proven with the horse as the prime beneficiary. “We are delighted to be able to present the latest results that have just come in. The Irish Equine Centre has completed independent tests on hay using both models of Haygain hay steamers. The results show that they are extremely effective at killing spores and both the HG 500 and HG 1000 units tested, completely killed Aspergillus.” Tom Buckley, head of microbiology at the Irish Equine Centre, added: “Both of the Haygain hay steamers were very effective at reducing mould counts in hay which was known to be of poor quality. “In all cases the mould counts were reduced in all sites. “Aspergillus is one of the main causes of RAO, EIPH, immune suppression and poor performance in racehorses. It is also heat sensitive and so is greatly reduced using Haygain hay steamers.”
For further information contact Haygain on: 0333 200 5233 or visit: www.haygain.com
What risks are posed to fat horses?
According to Robert Eustace at the First International Conference on Feeding Horses, ‘A fat animal is more likely to develop laminitis following a challenge with food compared to a fit or lean animal’. New research has shown that the more body fat present, the more leptin fat tissues produce.
metabolism; free radicals are a byproduct of oxygen metabolism. Too many free radicals cause damage and it is a well accepted scientific fact that damage caused by oxidative metabolism is a major factor in the occurrence of many diseases and the gradual loss of vitality and of ageing. Excess fat can also have negative effects on the functioning of the immune system and on reproductive performance. It is not a case of ‘sizeism’ – oxidative damage; (more fat than needed) has clear long term fitness consequences.
How to tell if a horse is fat:
It is important to be objective to tell if a horse is fat – do not simply compare it to others in the yard. Although personal opinion and experience is useful, it is often based on a small number of horses, (up to maybe 100).
Leptin increases the amount of oxygen that is used by cells during
Research however is based on a large number of individuals and is more objective in its analysis.
‘Excess fat can also have negative effects on the functioning of the immune system and on reproductive performance’
A semi objective measure of fat was developed and published in 1989 and has until recently been described as condition scoring. Due to our studies we have renamed the system ‘body fat scoring’ and the system has been modified and is currently being validated by ultrasound. This system has been used through the Right Weight Roadshow and at the NPS Championships, and is the best method to use to determine the amount of fat a horse has.
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HORSE HEALTH I
New joint supplement launched A NEW ‘aggressive’ joint supplement has been launched for veteran horses suffering from a breakdown in joint function. The Grand Flex Senior supplement targets tendonligament injuries, chronic lameness, stiffness and soreness and acute joint problems and aims to help reduce pain and inflammation. It contains glucosamine HCL to keep joints and cartilage lubricated and stimulates glycosaminoglycans – the substances necessary for the formation of joint tissue. The supplement also provides MSM, a biologically active sulphur, devils claw, yucca, a range of vitamins and minerals and probiotic yeast cultures for digestive support.
feeding and nutrition
Is haylage healthy? By Kate Jones, senior nutritionist for NAF HORSES evolved to graze on a variety of fibrous plants including grasses, legumes, shrubs and herbs. But in reality the modern domesticated horse is usually limited to just one or two species of grass, and when grass is not always available the situation is further exacerbated. Preserved forages such as hay and haylage can bring their own challenges to both horse and rider. Hay, because it is so highly dried, can have dust issues and is often best avoided particularly for competition animals where respiratory function is critical to optimum performance. Haylage is often seen as richer, and certainly on a dry matter basis will be higher in energy and protein than hay. That said, on a weight for weight basis the lower dry matter level (i.e. more water) of haylage means although excess energy isn’t always an issue, a lack of fibre might be. Whatever the reason, whether higher feed values or lower fibre, or more likely a combination of both, the truth is that some horses simply don’t cope well with haylage. Issues
such as loose droppings, temperament upset and an inability to settle either in the stable or when working, are commonly reported. If changing from hay to haylage make sure it is done slowly to allow the horse to adapt. You should increase the physical weight fed compared to hay so sufficient fibre is maintained, but be aware that concentrate feed should be reduced accordingly to account for the extra calories. Feeding a gut absorbent such as bentonite clay and/or calcium carbonate can help to mop up excesses in the gut. These excesses may be both excess liquid and acid, both of which are decidedly undesirable. Excess liquid can be seen as loose droppings and often water passed with the droppings – it’s not uncommon to hear of daily tail and leg washing for horses on haylage. A build up of acid in the gut can result in gastric ulcers, common in fit competition horses, and is often seen as grumpiness and an unwillingness to settle or concentrate. Ideally antacids should be fed in combination with live probiotic yeasts, which research shows can increase the efficacy of microbial digestion in the hind gut – so allowing the horse to efficiently utilise his diet without the unwanted side effects. Lastly remember that once the gut is settled, and particularly given the higher energy and protein levels, horses and ponies do tend to maintain condition extremely well on
The modern horse is limited to one or two species of grass haylage. Watch out that too much condition isn’t being put on, or that they don’t have too much energy when ridden, and adjust concentrate feeding rates accordingly. If concentrate feeds are fed below the manufacturer’s recommended rates then a general purpose vitamin and mineral supplement is recommended. Ideally look for a product that combines a multivitamin with the gut support discussed earlier to fully balance a haylage based diet.
Time to reassess equine worming strategy 2010 is the year in which everyone who is responsible for the health of an equine will need to re assess how they think about worming. A decision on the correct worming strategy will need to be made before even thinking about what to worm with and when. Intelligent Worming has been developed in accordance with the latest parasitological research to help horse owners make the correct
decision and really does make worming easy. Consultants design an individual worming program based on a risk assessment incorporating pasture information. The program works for the single horse owner to the larger equestrian centres and a livery yard scheme ensures that livery yard managers comply with the changes in legislation regarding worming.
New hay steamer available THE new Stable Mate Hay Steamer from Happy Horse Products is now available. This new model is specifically designed for smaller yards and can steam up to three quarters of a bale of loose hay at a time, or the
equivalent in hay nets. It introduces steam to the hay at approximately 100°C, killing off fungal spores, bacteria and dust mites and neutralising all potentially airborne dust particles.
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feeding and nutrition
HORSE HEALTH I 15
Magnesium calmers – What’s the difference? By Jemma Noble BSc(Hons), Nupafeed UK
tension, weight loss and even head shaking.
IT is widely accepted that supplementing magnesium can be of great benefit to both a horse’s health and behaviour.
These behavioural problems are the result of increased sensitivity in the nervous system and the excessive release of stress hormones, notably adrenaline and cortisol.
As a result it is uncommon for a calmer not to contain magnesium but how do you know which is best? Magnesium is essential in the body for a range of processes and requirement is greatly increased by stress. The domesticated horse is exposed to extremely high levels of stress (with causes including stabling, work, travelling, pain and cold) so it is common for magnesium requirement to far exceed dietary intake. This can be the cause of a variety of problems from horses which are generally highly strung to more specific problems such as spooking, aggression, muscle
Unfortunately the solution is not as simple as it may seem.
hindered by the presence of competitive nutrients in rich feed and grass. This, combined with the reduced time food spends in the gut due to modern feeding, means that it is difficult for the horse to achieve sufficient absorption.
While some people find these helpful, bear in mind that they are mild sedatives and that it is probably not the magnesium doing the job; you may just be masking a problem whilst being under the illusion that you have solved it.
Supplementing these compounds therefore tends to provide an insufficient level of magnesium to overcome the problems of modern feeding and stress levels, especially as restricted grazing and roaming means that the horse’s natural magnesium intake is already severely reduced.
You also need to check the legality of such compounds for use in competition and be aware that you are likely to compromise performance.
Magnesium sulphate and magnesium phosphate are examples of readily available salts that are in the horses natural diet.
Finding a magnesium supplement that really works can be hugely beneficial but in order to get results you need to consider what the label really means and take the other contents into account.
Because of the large phosphate and sulphate groups, the absorption of these compounds is easily
Most calmers contain compounds such as valerian, L-typtophan and B Vitamins.
Magnesium aspartate hydrochloride is the compound of choice as absorption rates have been proven to far exceed that of magnesium aspartate and magnesium citrate as well as the more common compounds (oxide, sulphate, phosphate and protein bound forms).
Getting the required result from the magnesium you supplement very much depends on the type, quality and quantity used. Magnesium oxide, for example, is a very cheap and readily available form of magnesium but unfortunately it is almost entirely insoluble so absorption is very poor.
If it is the magnesium you are after, look for a liquid supplement which has been scientifically developed for absorption.
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HORSE HEALTH I
feeding and nutrition
Feeding the performance horse from riding club to top level Some important points ... By Lizzie Drury, MSc RNutr, Saracen Horse Feeds FOR many people the recent cold snap has meant that horses have been unable to be exercised and this may have also meant restricted or no turnout. This has meant that for some performance horses their fittening and training programmes have been set back and in some situations this has also seen an increase in problems such as tying up or increased exercise recovery times. Hopefully we can put that behind us now and focus on fittening and feeding programmes in preparation for the season ahead. Feeding performance horses can be a challenge: Requirements for individual horses will vary according to factors such as body weight, condition score, discipline (e.g. endurance, eventing and dressage), environmental factors and rider ability. However, the common factor for all performance horses is that they will train and compete under a variety of stressful conditions that can adversely affect health and performance. For these reasons there are important feeding and management strategies that can be implemented, which are of critical importance to reduce many of these problems, whatever level a horse is competing at. Feeding management affects a number of different aspects of equine health and performance, including gastrointestinal function, hydration, electrolyte status, and substrate selection during exercise. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the important strategies that could ensure that you have a successful season ahead in 2010. Regularly monitor and record your horse’s body weight and body condition score. This enables you to accurately calculate your horse’s nutritional requirements for performance and can help you to achieve optimum competition body weight or ‘fighting weight’. Fibre (hay, haylage and pasture) should always form the basis of any horse’s diet.
It is often overlooked and a lack of fibre will increase the incidence of gastric ulcers, wood chewing, loose droppings, loss of weight and irritability. It is currently recommended that performance horses should receive a minimum of one per cent of their body weight (BW) per day of forage to satisfy its requirements for long stem fibre and to minimize digestive upsets, although ideally forage intake should be in the region of 1.5 to two per cent of BW and more if you are feeding haylage. Many feed companies offer a forage analysis service for a small fee and this enables a more accurate feeding programme to be devised based on the nutrient value of the forage. I also recommend that for a period of time that you weigh your forage and also any leftovers to establish what your horses actual fibre intake is.
Lizze Drury
This can often help to answer any problems related to loss of body condition or loose droppings.
horses performing specific disciplines.
Some disciplines require forage to be fed on almost a continuous basis e.g. endurance riding. Research shows that diets high in fibre resulted in increased water uptake. Furthermore, fibre in the hindgut traps water and electrolytes and helps to combat dehydration. Apart from water and energy, salt is the only mineral that horses have an indisputable appetite for.
For power based exercise such as showjumping and dressage, feeds will need to have more emphasis on providing energy from starch based ingredients, such as oats and barley. For stamina work such as endurance or cross-country, there will be a greater reliance on digestible fibre sources, such as Soya hulls and sugar beet and oil, balanced with enough cereal and starch to ensure that muscle glycogen stores remain ‘topped’ up.
In addition to a correct electrolyte supplementation programme, a salt lick should be provided and at least two to three ounces of salt added to the feed per day.
Feeds are formulated to provide your horse with optimum nutrition when fed at the recommended quantity.
Travelling and competing can mean that horses go for prolonged periods without anything to eat.
If levels require adjustment to help manage body condition use a feedbalancer or a broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement to provide adequate levels of vitamins and minerals and important antioxidants such as vitamin E and Selenium.
This leads to a build up in gastric acid and increases the incidence of gastric ulcers, which will reduce performance. Allow your horse to regularly graze or pick at a haynet to stimulate saliva production – alfalfa is natural antacid, so frequent bites of chaff will help to neutralize excess stomach.
Specific disciplines: There are now increasingly more performance diets available to meet the nutritional requirements for
Make sure that you weigh your feed to ensure correct intakes.
One of the most frequently asked questions concerns the timing of feeding the performance horse. Concentrate feeding alone should be avoided for at least three hours before heavy exercise to allow for increases in blood glucose and insulin to return to baseline levels. Feeding small amounts of forage or
limited grazing time prior to exercise will moderate body weight and does not appear to have any other adverse effects to performance. Electrolytes are a critical component of a performance horse’s nutritional programme since they play an important role in maintaining osmotic pressure, fluid balance, and nerve and muscle activity. During exercise, sodium, potassium and chloride are lost in large quantities through sweating. Loss of these electrolytes causes fatigue and muscle weakness and decreases the thirst response to dehydration. It is vitally important that performance horses begin competition with optimal levels of fluids and electrolytes in their bodies and that these are replaced throughout prolonged exercise. Electrolytes are often misused and it is essential that horses have access to unsupplemented drinking water when administering electrolytes. If the horse refuses to drink, do not administer an electrolyte paste or supplement. It is well worth a phone call to your vet or nutritionist to assess and advise on a correct electrolyte programme to ensure optimum performance and to reduce the problem of problems such as premature fatigue or tying up.
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HORSE HEALTH I NEWS
Views on AHS regulation proposals sought THE equestrian industry and horseowners are being invited to have their say on Defra’s draft proposals for the control of an African Horse Sickness outbreak in England. The disease has never been found in the UK but an outbreak could cost many millions of pounds, according to a working group report published in December. The regulations that have been proposed
include giving the Secretary of State the power to declare a control zone, a protection zone and a surveillance zone around infected premises. They also cover suggested policies regarding the culling of affected animals and compensation – which is set to be capped at £2,500 and will only be paid for any horse killed which is subsequently
Call for clarification Jan Rogers, British Equestrian Federation’s Head of Equine, said: “As part of the British Horse Industry Confederation, we have liaised with many representatives of the industry to come up with a response to the AHS consultation. We have focussed on two main points that we would like to see readdressed and clarified. Firstly, within reason, we would like to avoid a complete lock down on equine movement if at all possible. If we are able to work with the government to effective control the spread of the disease, for example by keeping within designated zones, then we would like the possibility of individually granted licences that would allow movement, within safety restrictions. This could go some way to trying to avoid the worst economic problems that a complete halt to transportation would cause. We would like things to continue as freely as possible, as long as the proper precautions are taken, and we are asking for clarification and
confirmation that this will be the case. The second point we are raising regards compensation and what we are asking for is fairness and equability between the provisions for equines and other farm species. Currently, what has been put forward has revealed considerable inconsistencies between the sectors – so we want a review of this area to ensure that this does not remain the case. For example, compensation for other farm animals affected by disease is not necessarily capped – instead payment is based on market value and we are asking that the treatment of equines is consistent with this. However, overall we feel that a lot of good work has been done and that the researchers have taken a broad view which has allowed us to focus on the areas we feel need further consideration. This consultation is a good example of collaborative working and we would like this to continue with the responses to get the best possible results for the industry as a whole.”
shown to be free of the disease. To see the full report and comment on the proposals visit: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/africa n-horse-sickness/index.htm The consultation closes on 11 March. Horse Health has spoken to experts from organisations involved in the consultation to get their thoughts:
Defra contingency plan is welcomed Richard Greenwood, Thoroughbred Breeders Association veterinary advisor, said: “We are very pleased that Defra has come up with a contingency plan and the measures that have been suggested seem to us to be reasonable. Compensation was always going to be a controversial matter. High-value insured animals would be covered if they died from the disease, but not as part of a slaughter programme – so the relatively low payment cap could be an issue for some. However, as compulsory slaughter is only likely in the early stages of an outbreak, if at all, it should not affect too many people – so I cannot see it being a major problem. The government have also accepted the possibility of putting some high value animals in vector free premises if possible – and we are pleased that this option has been considered. It is also important to remember
Regular de-worming allows horses and donkeys to be homed together THE Donkey Sanctuary is reminding horse owners that both animals can live together safely, provided a regular de-worming programme is followed. Many equestrian owners believe donkeys and horses cannot be homed together due to the lungworm parasite Dictyocaulus arnfieldi. However, experts from the Sanctuary, which is based near Sidmouth in Devon, have confirmed that despite the risk from lungworm, donkeys horses and ponies can live together quite safely, as long as a vet is available to provide a suitable worming system. Ben Hart, the charity’s donkey care
training manager, said: “When we hold our training days, it is common to hear people state that donkeys and horses can’t live together because of the risks of lungworm – but the fact is they can.” Donkeys are assumed to be the natural host of the parasite as they are able to tolerate even a large infestation of lungworms without apparent signs, whilst it can cause severe coughing in horses and ponies. However, the parasite can be diagnosed in donkeys by faecal sampling and , as lungworm lavae can live on pasture for a considerable length of time, good pasture management can also help reduce infection.
The charity is also keen to clear up misconceptions about parasite infection levels in donkeys in the UK and has recently presented the results of a study assessing parasite infection levels in donkeys to vets and parasitologists. Dr Faith Burden, the charity’s veterinary projects manager, said: “It is often quoted that a large percentage (up to 70 per cent) of the UK's donkeys are infected with lungworm. “However, our study to determine levels of parasite infection in donkeys new to The Donkey Sanctuary, over a four year period, showed that only four per cent were infected with lungworm.”
that there would be a serious economic impact if racing or breeding was brought to a standstill, especially for a long period – although it will probably be necessary in the case of an initial infection while the situation is evaluated. We would hope that the strategy will remain flexible to allow for the possibility of zoning racing so that horses could move locally. Another issue is vaccination – a dead vaccine is being developed, but will be expensive. Live attenuated vaccine is available from South Africa but its use has many disadvantages and could affect the export status of the country. This is an issue that needs to be resolved. There are still questions to be answered – but unfortunately it may not be addressed until the situation actually arises. Overall, the strategy seems reasonable – providing of course it remains flexible and that there is the staff, experience and finance available in Defra to deal with the realities of an outbreak properly.”
Ad warning A NEW TV advert about the perils of nostril-slitting has been released by equine charity the Brooke. In many of the developing countries where the charity works, it is commonly believed that slitting donkey’s nostrils can help them breathe more easily and work better. However, the Brooke wants to publicise the fact that this is a myth and in fact the practice just inflicts pain and misery and puts the animals at risk of serious infection. The charity hopes that more education and training will help to save working horses and donkeys from mutilations based on traditional beliefs and put an end to the unnecessary practice. The advert is currently being broadcast on ITV3, Animal Planet, Horse and Country, Discovery Knowledge, Discovery Travel and Life, Euronews and Sky Arts.
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HORSE HEALTH I NEWS 19
Care of the horse during fitness work By Liz Daniels of the British Groom Association THE competition horse is an elite athlete and needs to be professionally managed in order to achieve his maximum. Fittening work is a gradual process and the diet and workload should reflect this. As the first stage is predominately walk exercise, a low energy feed is ideal. Fed alongside good quality forage this ensures an excellent intake of vitamins and minerals, whilst providing adequate energy without the fizz. The initial stage of a fitness programme allows strengthening of the soft tissue structures of the leg, in preparation for faster work. Keeping the horse sound is vital to performance and if minor injuries are left unnoticed, can lead to months off work and even jeopardise their career. Louise Gillings, BGA area representative, said: “Paying attention to the horses’ legs is particularly important to ensure any injuries are noticed quickly. “If injuries are detected it is vital they are allowed healing time to recover to prevent them from developing into a more serious problem.” Hugh Somerville BVSc RCVS from Loch Leven Equine Practice added: “Feel the legs for changes – especially for warmth and change to the contour either at the back of the leg (superficial digital flexor tendon) or the sides of the legs (check ligament and suspensory branches). “An obvious concern is a sudden change in one leg, with warmth and swelling where the other is cold and normal. It is important to get in the habit of just running hands down the legs daily.”
Cold therapy has been recognised for its benefits. After strenuous work many people use cold hosing and clay with supporting stable bandages, although ice wraps and cold water hydrotherapy are also widely used and regarded. Samantha Meakin said: “We use magnetic wraps on our yard, as the magnets are said to increase blood flow and therefore reduce inflammation. “We use the wraps routinely during fitness work, and after any strenuous exercise to provide support.” If soft tissue damage is suspected then immediate cold water therapy, support bandaging and strict box rest in the acute stage are thought to be the best ways to reduce inflammation and prevent any further damage. As work loads intensify, the diet should be adapted to specifically match the needs of the fit competition horse. Once nearing peak fitness the demand for energy, quality protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants increases. An incorrect diet can lead to a number of problems. Azoturia can be a concern for those horses increasing their carbohydrate intake with a staggered or reduced workload. The most important factor for preventing horses from tying up is management. Hugh added: “Horses should be fed to replace energy used rather than giving them energy to perform. “Electrolytes can be used to good effect for prevention and these should be given before exercise, as well as after to replace losses.” Louise added: “It is important to allow sufficient warming up time and a cooling down exercise. “Feeding a vitamin E based supplement can help if the horse is particularly prone to tying up.”
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fluid therapy
Intravenous fluids for horses By Kevin Corley, on behalf of Dechra Veterinary Products WHETHER it is through personal experience, or hours of watching ‘hospital soaps’ on TV, we take the administration of fluid ‘drips’ in human medicine, for granted. Kevin Corley looks at the application of this life-saving treatment in horses.
Why give intravenous fluids? Intravenous fluids are given when a horse has lost fluids, become dehydrated, or cannot drink. They are used to ensure good circulation. Without enough fluids, the heart cannot distribute oxygen throughout the body and damage to vital organs rapidly occurs. As well as carrying oxygen, blood also contains minerals (electrolytes). Electrolytes are necessary for muscles, including the heart, to function. When body fluids are lost, levels of electrolytes often become low or unbalanced, so fluid therapy plays an important role in correcting these disturbances. In diseases such as diarrhoea or colic, fluid therapy is often the most important treatment to save a horse’s life.
How does a horse lose fluid? There are 300 litres of water in the body of a 500kg horse and most of this is held in cells in the body tissues. A 500kg horse has about 40 litres of this fluid as blood in circulation. A certain amount of fluid is lost naturally through urine, sweat and as water vapour through breathing. An adult horse should take in around 24 litres of fluid a day – in food and drink – to replace these normal losses. If, for one reason or another, a horse cannot consume this quantity, it will need to receive it directly into the circulation by means of intravenous fluids.
How are intravenous fluids given to a horse? To give intravenous fluids, a vet has to ‘place’ a catheter, which will be stitched in place under local anaesthesia, into a vein. Often a clear plastic ‘extension tube’ is added to the catheter and also attached to the horse’s skin. This allows fluids to be connected
and disconnected from the catheter without disturbing it where it passes through the skin, and for injections to be given without disconnecting the fluids. Most catheters are placed in one of the jugular veins, which run down the hollow on each side of the neck. Occasionally, it is not possible – or desirable – to place a catheter in the jugular vein, so alternatives used include: the cephalic veins, on the inside of each foreleg; the lateral thoracic veins, which run low down and towards the front of either side of the chest; and rarely, in foals, the saphenous veins, on the inside of each hind leg.
Things to watch out for: There are risks associated with the placement of a catheter into a vein, so it is important that it is checked and flushed with a solution of heparin saline to prevent clotting at least twice a day. Any signs that it is becoming dislodged, kinked or is not working should be reported to the vet. Always ensure that the catheter is securely in place and sealed when not giving fluids. To prevent infection, have clean hands or gloves and avoid touching the area of the catheter that enters the vein. Any pus, heat or hardness in this area - even after the catheter has been removed – should be reported.
Jugular catheter
Reasons for loss of fluid: Sweating – Endurance horses, racing in warm and humid conditions, can lose as much as ten litres per hour of fluid in sweat. Unable or unwilling to drink. Transported horses, those with choke, colic, severe injuries to the jaw or teeth, or simply ill or in pain, will not drink properly. In winter, field water sources may freeze and prevent drinking. Young foals that are not nursing become dehydrated very quickly.
How are fluids supplied? Intravenous fluids come in sterile bags typically containing one, three or five litres. The bags are connected to a sterile plastic fluid ‘giving set’, which consists of plastic tubing, a drip chamber and a dial or slider to control the rate of flow. The drip chamber allows the vet to check that fluids are going into the horse at the correct speed. Fluids are best given continuously as a ‘drip’, but in some circumstances vets may have to give the fluids in larger single doses throughout the day. No matter how the fluids are given, it is important that the horse receives enough to cover not only its daily requirement (60 ml/kg/day) but also all the losses through sweat, urine, or diarrhoea. Because of the large quantities of fluids very sick horses require and the careful nursing needed for a catheter, horses on a continuous drip are usually hospitalised.
Cepahlic catheter
Colic – Horses with colic can go into a state of shock and, therefore, urgently need large volumes of fluid to keep them alive. Diarrhoea – Severe diarrhoea is a life-threatening condition in horses and can result in the loss of as much as 100 litres of fluid per day. Haemorrhage. Urination – Horses with some types of kidney damage are unable to concentrate their urine and therefore lose the water that the kidneys would normally retain.
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fluid therapy
HORSE HEALTH I 21
The importance of adequate water consumption By Lucinda Stapleton of Horse Quencher
in weight loss despite adequate nutrition.
IT is a little known fact that horses can actually be thirstier in the winter than they are in the summer.
The second, and potentially more harmful complication, is impaction colic or constipation.
A horse’s drive to drink is dictated by his thirst, but this mechanism doesn’t always function as efficiently in the winter as it does in the summer.
Both the feed material during digestion and the fecal contents after digestion must maintain adequate moisture levels.
In fact the colder it gets, the less a horse feels like drinking – even when his body really needs fluid. Proper hydration is the first line of defense against minor issues becoming major. In competing horses, dehydration can cause loss of performance, fatigue, colic, seizures, azoturia and kidney failure. A three to four per cent loss of body water will cause mild dehydration. An adult horse’s body is roughly three-quarters water. Horses need at least six gallons a day to stay on form, and up to four times more in hot weather. In cold weather horses will occasionally eat snow and cut back on drinking water. A horse cannot get the water he needs simply from eating snow. What’s more, the forage beneath that snow is primarily dry matter and without a readily available source of ice-free water, this can be a recipe for colic. A horse’s nutritional water requirements are influenced by body condition; the amount, type and quality of feed consumed; environmental conditions; and the level of activity or work the horse is doing. There are two common complications resulting from inadequate water consumption during cold weather. The first is decreased feed intake. Even if good-quality feed is offered, the horse will cut back on consumption if it is not drinking sufficient water.
If they become drier, they are not moved along the intestinal tract in a timely manner and may cause an intestinal blockage (impaction). Impactions do not only occur in the winter, but any time a horse is drinking insufficient amounts of water to meet its requirements. A horse will not become impacted in one day from decreased water consumption - the process usually happens over several days to weeks. If the horse becomes chronically dehydrated over a period of time, the body reserves are lowered and an impaction can occur. By encouraging increased water consumption, you may be able to prevent this. Studies show that horses consume more water when it’s tepid – cool but not cold – think temperatures in the mid-60 degree Fahrenheit range. It is probably not necessary to greatly increase the water temperature for every horse, but it would be worthwhile for older horses whose teeth can be more sensitive to cold water, for horses whose consumption is below normal, or for horses that have a history of impaction. We all know that salt consumption increases thirst. The idle, adult horse should be consuming about two ounces per day. Salt is added to commercial mixes but it can be helpful to offer additional free choice salt in the form of a lick.
One reason for this is the lack of saliva to mix with the feed as it is being chewed.
As long as free-choice water is available, consumption of additional salt will not result in health concerns.
A normal adult horse in a state of good hydration will secrete up to ten gallons of saliva per day to help soften the food as it is chewed and swallowed.
Dampened feeds can also be welcome in the winter when dry matter intakes are often high due to decreased turnout and increased forage intake.
If the appetite is affected and less feed consumed, the horse might not consume enough energy to tolerate the cold weather, which may result
The feed will retain its appetizing smell and as long as the change to adding water is made gradually there should be no problems.
External and internal approach FOLLICULITIS is a very nasty condition that is becoming more and more prevalent. It can affect horses and dogs as well as humans. It is a highly resistant bacterial infection, and is related to MRSA, which most of us are familiar with. Research shows that it usually occurs when bacteria known as Staphylococcus Aureus (commonly abbreviated to ‘Staph A’) enters the body through a cut, scratch or small break in the skin near a hair follicle leading to inflammation of the hair follicles. The inflammation can then spread into the dermis (the deep inner layer of the skin containing connective tissue, blood vessels and fat) and is called Furunculosis. Signs of Folliculitis are warm, painful, itchy skin and pustules that crust over. The most commonly affected area in horses and ponies is on the pasterns, although similar lesions can occur elsewhere on the body. Problems such as this highlight the need for any horse owner to keep a careful check on their animal as with increasing resistance issues of certain bacteria, antibiotics are not always the answer. There are many products on the market to choose from but one method which has proven highly successful for this very nasty issue is
to look at health as a whole and combine an external and internal approach to arm the body to attack it from all angles. Ruggle-it, a gentle yet anti-bacterial and anti-fungal shampoo and 100 per cent natural oil, will cleanse and soothe from the outside whilst Protexin probiotics will help the body chase out the invasion from within.
For more information or to order the gentle and non-invasive Ruggle-it animal skin care, probiotics and joint care products in the Ruggles & Stopitall Ltd range, visit: www.karenruggles.co.uk or call 01823 259952.
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HORSE HEALTH I
breeding matters
Geneticists identify mutation which will save foals from fatal condition By Laura Fox-Clipsham, Animal Health Trust FOAL Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS), formally known as Fell Pony Syndrome, is an inherited condition which has been responsible for the loss of foals over the past decade. Until recently, this disease had only been reported in Fell Pony foals, but in June 2008 the same condition was reported in a Dales Pony foal. Affected foals are ‘normal’ at birth but within the first few weeks of life they begin to lose condition and suffer diarrhoea, coughing and weight loss. Severe anaemia follows and eventually affected foals fail to thrive, and succumb to persistent infections. Despite extensive treatment and supportive therapy, affected foals die or are euthanized before 16 weeks of age. The disease is 100 per cent fatal. FIS is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
Pictured above: a foal suffering from FIS, below, left: Crusty nose and below, right: Scouring
An affected foal will have two copies of the defective gene, one copy inherited from each parent. Ponies with one copy of the defective gene and one copy of the normal gene are known as “carriers”. Carriers will not show any clinical signs of the disease, but will be able to transmit the defective gene to their offspring. Carriers exist in both the Fell and Dales population; when two carriers are bred, their offspring have a 25 per cent risk of disease, a 50 per cent risk of being carriers themselves, and 25 per cent chance of being clear. In January 2008, a three year PhD project at the Animal Health Trust in collaboration with the University of Liverpool was funded by The Horse Trust to research this dreadful condition. The primary aim of this research was to identify the defective gene which was responsible for the disease and develop a carrier test which could be used to prevent the conception of affected foals. Recent advances in horse genetics enabled this project to advance within a relatively short time and within 18 months the chromosome where the defective gene would lie had been identified. Over the coming months the chromosome was interrogated and the search was gradually narrowed with the help of new genome mining equipment available at the University of Liverpool. In November 2009, we had a breakthrough when we identified a mutation associated
with the development of FIS. This breakthrough has led to the development of a test which can be used to examine the DNA of individual ponies for the presence or absence of this mutation. The test, available from the Animal Health Trust from February 2010, will enable breeders to make informed decisions when breeding, avoiding carrier-carrier matings. We would urge any breeders of Fell or Dales ponies to utilise the test once it become available. We would also encourage using the test for any mixed breed ponies with Fell Pony or Dales Pony ancestry. Our breeding advice is that all animals should remain actively breeding to avoid the loss of desirable breed traits and prevent a loss of genetic diversity in the population. Carriers can still be bred to tested clear ponies.
On average, 50 per cent of the offspring will be clear and 50 per cent carriers; there can be no affected animals produced from a carrier-clear mating. Foals which will be used for breeding themselves can be DNA tested to determine whether they are clear or a carrier. In time, with careful breeding, the disease gene may eventually be eradicated from the population. Previously there has been no definitive test for an FIS foal so diagnosis was made on clinical signs and haematology. This uncertainty was emotionally distressing for breeders when deciding on treatment and euthanasia for a suspected syndrome foal. In 2010, our test will also act as a diagnostic aid for suspected syndrome foals, providing breeders and veterinarians with a definitive
diagnosis. All foal samples submitted for testing will be processed by the Animal Health Trust as urgent and results will be available within three working days from receipt of sample. Clinical signs of FIS include scouring, nasal discharge, breathing with abdominal effort, pale mucous membranes, failing to suckle, frequent chewing movements, dull coat, hunched stance and dull demeanor. If your foal is showing signs consistent with those listed and is of Dales Pony or Fell Pony origin then you should contact your vet for FIS testing. For further information on FIS testing please contact the Fell Pony Society, the Dales Pony Society or refer to the Animal Health Trust website at: www.aht.org.uk/genetics_tests.html# equine.
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breeding matters
HORSE HEALTH I 23
DNA study sheds new light on horse evolution A DNA study has shed new light on horse evolution after the bones of an undiscovered species were found in South America.
“Our results change both the basic picture of recent equid evolution and ideas about the number and nature of extinct species.”
Ancient DNA retrieved from extinct horse species from around the world is now challenging what had been considered as one of the textbook examples of evolution - the fossil record of the horse family Equidae over the past 55m years.
The study used bones from caves to identify new horse species in Eurasia and South America and also to reveal that the Cape zebra – an extinct species from South Africa – were simply large variants of the modern Plains zebra.
The study was carried out by an international team of researchers and the University of Adelaide’s Australian Centre for Ancient DNA.
Dr Ludovic Orlando, lead researcher, confirmed that the group also discovered a new species of the distinct, small hippidion horse in South America.
They knew that only the modern horse, zebras, wild asses and donkey survive today, but that many other lineages have become extinct over the last 50,000 years. Professor Alan Cooper, ACAD director, said: “Despite an excellent fossil record of the Equidae, there are still many gaps in our evolutionary knowledge.
He said: “Previous fossil records suggested this group was part of an ancient lineage from North America but the DNA showed these unusual forms were part of the modern radiation of equid species." A new species of ass was also found on the Russian Plains and appears to be related to European fossils dating back more than 1.5m years.
However, carbon dates on the bones have revealed that this species was alive as recently as 50,000 years ago.
evolution, where a large number of species are currently recognised from a relatively fragmentary fossil record.
Professor Cooper added: “Overall, the new genetic results suggest that we have under-estimated how much a single species can vary over time and space, and mistakenly assumed more diversity among extinct species of megafauna.
"It also implies that the loss of species diversity that occurred during the megafaunal extinctions at the end of the last Ice Age may not have been as extensive as previously thought.
"This has important implications for our understanding of human
“This has serious implications for biodiversity and the future impacts of climate change."
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24 30
B l o o d s t o c k m a t ter s
Recent advances in nutrition in pregnancy By Clare Barfoot of Winergy ONCE a mare and stallion have been bred, the genetic make up of the foal is set. However, how that genetic map is translated into a healthy foal, a sound yearling and hopefully a successful racehorse depends on many other influencing factors. Some say a horse is only as good as its feet, but perhaps for a racehorse it is only as good as its soundness and capacity to train. One of the main reasons thoroughbreds don’t even make it to the track is because they break down in training, which is why optimum bone and skeletal growth is so important in the young thoroughbred. By the time a foal reaches 12 months of age it will be approximately 60 per cent of its adult weight, 90 per cent of its adult height and will have achieved 95 per cent of its skeletal growth. On this basis the first year of a foal’s life is paramount to its future success on the track, but reducing the risk of Developmental Orthopaedic Disease (DOD) should also be a key consideration. The incidence of DOD’s can be influenced by factors which can be controlled, so it makes sense to put active management strategies in place to reduce the risk of its occurrence.
Does diet make a difference? In 2004 a review was published on the effect of exercise and diet on the incidence of DOD. This continued an area of interest that we, together with our collaborators at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center of Virginia Tech, have held over many years. In particular we have been interested in the advantages that diets based on oil and fibre versus the more traditional starch and sugar might have for the health and welfare of
Plasma changes in glucose concentrations in response to an oral glucose dose (0.2 g/kg BW) in mares during (a) the third trimester of pregnancy, and (b) early lactation. Dietary treatments were forage (grass or hay) plus a supplement rich in either starch and sugar (SS, solid line) or fat and fibre (FF, dashed line) young growing foals. Back in 1996 we reported that oil and fibre-rich feeds may have afforded some protection against the high sugar and low fibre content of spring pasture, enabling some weanlings to cope better with seasonal changes in pasture content of soluble carbohydrates and fibres. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a key hormonal regulator of cartilage and bone development. We have undertaken a number of studies suggesting that rapid growth of foals, often in combination with high starch diets, is associated with increased circulating concentrations of IGF-I, which in turn may be a factor associated with developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD). Our work suggests that growth, age and season influence the activity of IGFBP (insulin-like growth factor binding protein) in horses. Although further research is required to understand the tissue-specific modulating effects that IGFBP has on IGF-I and the risk of developmental orthopaedic disease, in the meantime it seems logical to limit the amount of starch fed to growing thoroughbreds and look for specialist growing horse feeds based on high oil and fibre formulations.
What about the mare? Glucose metabolism in mares is adapted during pregnancy and
lactation to enable the mare to provide for the energy demands of the developing foetus and suckling foal. There are concerns that certain dietary formulations may alter glucose metabolism when fed during pregnancy and lactation, thereby moderating the normal adaptation of glucose metabolism during these periods. In order to determine the effects of pregnancy and lactation on glucose metabolism in mares, and to investigate the influence of supplemental energy sources, we used an oral glucose test to measure glucose and insulin responses to a glucose load. Metabolic adaptation of the mares to pregnancy was reflected in larger areas under time-concentration curves for plasma glucose and insulin following the oral glucose load, and by slower glucose clearance, during late gestation compared with early lactation. This adaptation is believed to involve progressive development of insensitivity to the action of insulin, which allows for more glucose to be transferred via the placenta to the foetus rather than being taken up by maternal tissues. When the results were analysed for effects of diet, it was evident that mares fed feeds rich in sugar and starch, experienced more rapid glucose clearance than those fed oil and fibre based feeds, during both
late gestation and early lactation. It is likely that this reflected adaptation to meals rich in hydrolysable carbohydrate and a feeding-fasting meal cycle. Conversely, the more sluggish glucose clearance in mares fed the oil and fibre based feed more closely mimicked the natural state of horses grazing pasture without feedingfasting cycles. This more effectively allowed for the adaptation of glucose metabolism required during pregnancy and lactation in order to make energy available to the foetus or suckling foal.
Conclusion: Although providing appropriate nutrition during pregnancy and throughout lactation to the mare as well as to the foal itself can obviously not guarantee a healthy and successful racehorse, there is increasing evidence in other species as well as the horse to suggest that it might have short, medium and long term advantages, and may help to reduce the risk of certain unwanted conditions. Therefore, as diet is a factor within our control it makes sense to provide a balanced, controlled sugar and starch, oil and fibre based feed to both the mare and her growing foal until research can provide us with some more pieces to the jigsaw in managing growth related problems.
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insurance
HORSE HEALTH I 25
Bloodstock insurance By David Ashby, Bloodstock Underwriter for Amlin Plus, specialist insurer of Thoroughbred horses MANY people believe Thoroughbreds are not as sound as they used to be. John Oxx, trainer of the Irish stallion, Sea The Stars told the Racing Post: “It has to be genetic; many just don’t have the bone and are not as correct; there are also all sorts of worrying trends concerning their wind.” Increased soundness issues mean higher veterinary bills and insurance claims; mortality cover paid to owners of some Thoroughbred racing stallions has reached a heady eight figures in recent years. There is also the issue of litigation, American trainer John Wilson died in 2008 after being kicked in the head by a horse at the start of a race, and horse owners and breeders are now faced with unique liability exposures for injury. Insurers assess a horse’s worth based on its use and pedigree, age, sex and any proven bloodlines. Thoroughbred racehorses are considered to be a greater risk than breeding stock. On an unproven or unknown breeding, performance record and soundness are more closely examined. The industry doesn’t really
use age brackets although, premiums rise on horses 16 years and over. In terms of a horse’s value, there are roughly three divisions; the elite stud, competition and race horses worth millions; the mid range of breeding, sports and race horses worth many thousands of pounds; and the privately owned, amateur horses. Breeding insurance: For elite horse owners and breeders, insurance cover should recover the owner’s investment, in the event of a claim. It makes sense to choose an insurer with expertise in the bloodstock field – for those seeking breeding cover, a specialist breeding policy is advisable. Mortality cover is essential, and infertility cover for stallions and broodmares advisable. Prospective Foal insurance is also popular, and an ‘in foal’ veterinary examination at inception of the policy is advised – unborn foals can be insured from 32 days after the mare was covered until a specified, post-birth period. It is possible to insure a mare’s foetus, but is really only worth doing while the mare is on valuable stud fees. David Buckton, associate director of South Essex Insurance Brokers Ltd, confirms that there is a wide range of insurance cover available to
protect against breeding risks. He said: “Barrenness insurance is available for broodmares, and stallions can be insured should illness or accidental injury cause a loss of fertility. Semen is a valuable product and can be insured in transit, although artificial insemination, of course, is not allowed by the racing industry.” Permanent Loss of Use cover is popular, and breeders are advised to specifically insure the horse for loss of use as a breeding animal. Liability insurance is also advisable, and varies depending on the insured’s needs and circumstances. In 2008, a well-known UK racehorse trainer and the majority-owner of the trainer’s horse were sued for negligence after the horse kicked an assistant trainer; the majority-owner was uninsured. Members of the Racehorse Owners Association gain free Third Party Liability Insurance against potential damages if their horse causes injury to a third party or their property. Specialist policies: Its worth investigating specialist policies – for example, clients who bank the stem cells from their newborn foals with the Irish stem cell storage service, Protectas Health, will see a reduction in any foal insurance premiums held with Amlin Plus. This is because banking stem cells is
seen by underwriters to reduce the risk for injury or death of an insured animal, hence reducing premiums. The Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA) offers a Bloodstock Insurance Scheme to members, providing mortality insurance and up to £5,000 per horse per annum towards life saving surgery fees. As a further example, Weatherbys Bank offers a tailored scheme to owners of high value competition horses; ‘Advanced Equestrian’ encompasses worldwide Mortality and Loss Of Use cover, and free, specialist veterinary advice. Insurers may also offer specialist Veterinary Fee cover, for example with extended veterinary fee limits worth considering, when, according to Professor Tim Greet of Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket, complicated or repeat surgery can easily run to £8,000 or more. In summary, the key to getting the most from a bloodstock insurance policy is to be upfront with the insurer, informing them of any changes of circumstance or recent infectious equine diseases or veterinary interventions. Anything that affects the horse’s hormonal cycles, cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems could affect performance, and ultimately, worth.
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HORSE HEALTH I
forge
Challenge of maintaining hoof wall integrity ... Sole view toe quarter
However, this still leaves many horses and ponies struggling to cope either to hold the shoes on, or remain comfortable with shoes nailed on – why might this be?
Anatomy: The hoof wall and the white line: The hoof wall is comprised of the outer dense layer, the mid layer and the inner laminial region.
By Andrew Poynton FWCF, Imprint Equine Foot Care WHILST the equine hoof is an incredible creation evolved to suit many environments, it has limitations and is subject to damage from disease and injury. In addition to this, the more finely
bred hooves are more susceptible to breaking down, especially when in less than ideal environments, such as the humid and soiled conditions of deep litter. The majority of hooves will be strong enough to take nailing for the application of horse shoes, particularly if they are well cared for and well shod.
This is at the interface between the insensitive interlocking projections with the dermal lamellae (sensitive), the living suspension system with the hoof. Hoof wall horn has three basic components derived from the coronary corium; the tubular horn grows down the hoof like massed straws, the intertubular horn cements the tublar horn together and intra tubular horn is more microscopic and has to do with moisture content within the horn
tubules. At the surface the tubular horn is dense, in the mid region the tubles are more spaced and there is more intertubular horn present. At the sole level the lower laminal fringe forms the white line.
Hoof quality and the limitations of nails: The hoof wasn’t designed to take nails, but man found that it is possible to use nails in order to hold horseshoes on. Some horses produce thick strong hard and dense hoof wall, others will grow horn slowly and the horn doesn’t appear to have the same integrity. Once something is driven into the hoof it is potentially going to weaken the structure and there is a way in for ingressive dirt and bacteria.The nails oxidise, which appears to accelerate the breakdown of the horn in some instances.
Continued on Page 27
Advertiser’s Announcement
THE Londonderry Forge Supplies knife and rasp sharpening and tool maintenance kit is proving to be a real winner with farriers across the country and in Europe. Not only does it sharpen and hone your knives to a high standard but it is also used to greatly extend the useful life of rasps making it a very cost effective tool indeed. All of this is achieved with such speed and efficiency as once knives are sharp they take just a few seconds to hone to perfection each day and rasps are revitalized in less than a minute. Huw Dyer has arranged demonstrations and workshops throughout the UK and in Europe to enable farriers to see for themselves just how easy it is to maintain their tools in top class condition, which has the added advantage of making them last longer too. Forthcoming dates for demonstrations and workshops, for which those attending can claim two CPD points, include :- Total Foot Protection, West Sussex 22 March 2010.
- Mike Nuttall, Kent - 24 March 2010. - Londonderry Forge Supplies, N. Yorks - 13 April 2010. - Myerscough College, ATF Conference - 17 / 18 April 2010. - NAFBAE Stoneleigh “Farriery Focus Day” - 8 May 2010.
For further details of the above dates, to arrange a workshop or to find out more about the knife and rasp sharpening system, please contact Jackie or Kim at Londonderry Forge Supplies, The Forge, Londonderry, Northallerton, N. Yorks, DL7 9NE. Tel: +44 (0) 1677 - 422587. E-mail:enquiries@forgesupplies.co.uk.
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forge
HORSE HEALTH I 27
Continued from Page 26 In the ideal world we have a hoof without shoes on, but it is not for all. Some feet appear to have reasonable quality horn but the hoof wall is thin in depth, and the hooves are ultra sensitive to constriction of any sort the horse objects to the nailing, and the discomfort experienced impairs its action. It is, therefore, logical to assume when attaching a shoe to a hoof, it would be advantageous if we didn’t have to use nails. Once the shoe is nailed on, all the stresses and strains it is subjected to are transferred up through the nails attaching it to the hoof wall. So, in these cases nailing may not be possible – if a large portion of the hoof breaks away, or if there is insufficient horn in which to nail without encroaching into the sensitive zone.
Disease: Most diseases of the hoof wall originate at ground level, through tearing, a foreign body becoming lodged or bacteria filled dirt. There appear to be bacteria that will affect specific areas of the hoof wall;
Diseased area partially excavated sometimes they involve only the white line laminal layer, destroying the union, other times only the mid layer of the hoof wall is involved which splits into layers. Sometimes the hoof wall becomes very porous, the intertubular horn seems to be breaking down; the horn appears like bristles without anything holding them together; suggesting to me that intertubular horn is more susceptible to disease.
Solutions: To alleviate these problems the horse needs a healthy balanced diet, clean airy living conditions, any bacteria attacking the horn needs to be dealt with, and the hoof integrity maintained as much as possible. There are disinfectants available which can address the bacterial problems. With regard to compromised hoof capsules there are a range of adhesives, plastics and alternative
methods of protecting and rebuilding the hoof, even keeping the horse in work whilst the hoof is recovering. Long term alternatives are also available. Farriers, vets and scientists are making headway in this area, notably Dr. Sue Dyson at the Animal Health Trust. There are solutions, a number of procedures that farriers can carry out now, that certainly fifteen years ago were not practised or apparently possible.
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forge
HORSE HEALTH I
Boots for horses’ feet ... By Claire Brown of Farriers’ Pages ORIGINALLY used to aid in the treatment of abscesses, bruises and laminitis, hoof boots continue to play an important role in holding poultice material and acting as a replacement for lost shoes. However, as the commercial market has demanded, products have evolved. Hoof boots are increasingly being used to provide protection to the hoof to avoid bruising of the sole, provide traction on slippery surfaces, and protect the heels against laceration on particularly harsh terrain when traditional horseshoes are not being used. There is a huge range of commercial hoof boots available and choosing the correct boot for a horse, particularly if it is to be used for exercise, is paramount to success. Fit is everything. The width and length of the foot needs to be measured and the overall shape of the hoof assessed, many manufacturers provide a number of different shapes and sizes. Generally speaking, before the boot is tightened it should be a snug fit without hindering the natural movement and flexion of the hoof
and foot.
boots.
It should not be possible to turn or twist the boot, and once tightened there should be no gaps between the boot and the hoof wall.
Similar to the use of studs in traditional shoes, horses should not be turned out with studs in, and studs should not be left in after completion of exercise.
Particularly honest manufacturers offer instances in which their boots may not be suitable and an alternative should be sought particularly if used for exercise, for example, feet that are wider than they are long, extremely high or extremely low heels or clubbed and irregular shaped feet. The type of boot chosen will depend largely on the purpose, the amount of work (if any), the environment and terrain. Broadly speaking boots can be selected according to therapeutic/remedial use, short or long distance work. The soles of hoof boots are designed to provide traction on a number of surfaces and terrains. Additional traction can also be gained by employing the use of studs, similar to those used with traditional shoes. Care must be taken not to drill past the sole of the boot particularly where boots have been worn and the soles may be thinner than in new
The successful modification of boots by farriers and veterinarians for particular orthopaedic treatments has also been recorded. An elevated hoof boot has been used to raise the foot of a healthy limb adjacent to one with a limb cast. The height of the boot was raised using a piece of wood board cut to fit the boot outline and attached with flat head screws. In cases where supporting limb laminitis is suspected, an elevated heel boot has also been used to relieve tension from the deep digital flexor tendon. Regular use of hoof boots (for exercise or prolonged treatments) requires good basic hoof management. As with any equine the foot should be trimmed every six to eight weeks unless the farrier recommends differently. The foot should be trimmed with a correct media lateral balance, the frog trimmed level and the foot cleaned of debris and left with no sharp edges.
The hoof needs to be well trimmed before fitting a boot Picture: Imprint Hoof Care Decreased exposure to air may result in an increased risk of bacterial infections such as thrush, so carers need to be particularly vigilant. The boot also needs to be cleaned inside on a regular basis, preferably after every use. Some horse owners have reported an increased tendency to ‘brush’ whilst being ridden due to the boot enclosing the entire hoof capsule and increasing the overall hoof size, therefore, additional leg protection may also need to be considered. Rubbing, potentially caused by incorrect fitting, may be avoided by the application of a pastern wrap.
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product review
HORSE HEALTH I
College holds first scientific conference ASKHAM Bryan College is holding its first scientific conference on Wednesday 3 March 2010. The event has been designed with the competition horse in mind, to provide a forum for the exchange of information between those working in equine research and education and those working in the equine industry. The theme of this year’s conference is: ‘Maximising Equine Performance’, and will feature presentations from four practical specialists in their field: Fred Bergendorff has been on the European eventing team for Sweden and has won numerous show jumping titles in the UK. Warmwick Leg Wraps are made in England, from a close knit, thick and warm thermal fabric that wicks moisture away from the body. This three-layer fabric with two-thermal outer knitted layers sandwiching a cushioning polyproplylene fibers has a padded quilted pattern. Warmwick Leg Wraps keep the legs warm and the wicking properties help dry wet legs and make them ideal to help prevent mud fever. Wide velcro straps over the whole length of the wraps spread pressure and give gentle compression and web down strips give strength and durability.
He spends a lot of his time coaching other riders and will talk about ‘Complete and Comprehensive Training’. Louise Broom is a physiotherapist who will talk about ‘Pushing The Boundaries Of Rider Performance’. Luis Lomas, a practicing veterinarian, will look at ‘Joint medication and oral supplements’. Finally, Jon Townson, technical adviser to Alltech, will present ‘Natural Additives for Maintaining Optimal Gut Health and Performance’. For more details contact Laura Hamilton at: laura.hamilton@askham-bryan.ac.uk.
Picture: Kevin Sparrow
Dressage competition site launched A NEW online dressage competition site has been launched allowing anyone to ride a British Dressage test and be watched by a top judge, without leaving the yard. Dressage Anywhere is the brainchild of British Dressage List One judge and trainer Nereide Goodman and partners Lucinda Freeman and Ruth Chappell. They have been developing the project over the past 18 months and the first competition schedule
is now open for entries. Jo Graham, international FEI judge, said: “This is an exciting new concept, competitors will be lucky enough to benefit from being judged by the more experienced, listed British Dressage judges who are not always available to judge these levels.” Riders can enter by uploading a video of their test for judging and then are able to win prize money or rosettes if placed on the scoreboard.
Trials choose charity of the year WORLD Horse Welfare, has been chosen as the 2010 Charity of the Year at the Badminton Horse Trials. Roly Owers, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We are honoured to have been chosen as charity of the year at this prestigious event and are grateful for the opportunity to speak
to a knowledgable audience about the great breadth of our work. “We are dedicated to caring for horses and we can only reach more horses in need of our help by raising awareness of what we do amongst the general public, whom we are entirely reliant upon for support and donations.”
All-purpose protection to hooves THE Marquis Supergrip boots are an all-purpose means of providing protection to horses’ hooves as and when needed, they can be used for all disciplines in all conditions.
and a natural break over.
The unique air chamber cushion allows free heel and hoof mechanism, they offer superb grip
All parts of the boot are totally replaceable, so the boots will last for many years.
The boot is adaptable and adjustable so will fit the majority of horses and can be left on for up to 12 hours.
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