The UKs leading equine health & well-being magazine May/June 10 2.95

By Louise Cordell

RESEARCHERS are on the brink of finalisinga DNA profiling technique that will be ableto confirm the identity of racehorses thathave tested positive for drugs. It is hoped that this breakthrough willreduce hearing costs when samples arecontested as well as increasing publicconfidence in the industry. The study has been funded by theAustralian Governments Rural IndustriesResearch and Development Corporation andhas shown that urine samples can be usedto unequivocally identify a horse using DNAprofiling. This has been impossible in thepast as urine only contains small levels ofDNA, however the researchers are nowcloser to a reliable test that could be usedby drug testing laboratories. The report, DNA Profiling of Horse UrineSamples to Confirm Donor Identity, isbased on work carried out by PaulaHawthorne and colleagues at the Universityof Queensland. The team tested a range ofprofiling techniques on seven urine samplesand compared the results with hair samplesfrom the same horses. DNA profiling is routinely used to proveidentity and parentage in horses, but theprocess is usually based on hair rather thanurine because urine only contains a small

amount of cellular material, and the DNAthat is present degrades rapidly. Their results showed that both storage timeand temperature had a significant effect onthe success of the DNA profiling.To be of use, urine could be stored at 4Cfor no more than two days (or frozen at -20C or -80C) before processing, andsamples stored at 4C for a week or moreresulted in no useable results. The most successful results were achievedusing a commercially available test, whichallowed the researchers to identify all twelveDNA microsatellite markers, in four urinesamples all from male animals. These profiles from the urine samples alsomatched the DNA profile from the respec-tive hair sample from the same horse.Despite the successful results of the study,there is still more work to do. Theresearchers have now made a series ofrecommendations pointing out that oncethe best profiling method has been estab-lished, more tests will be needed to find outif the results are affected by various drugs,and also to validate and refine the proced-ure for routine operations. However, theyconfirm that once the optimum method hasbeen finalised, it should not be long beforeit can be integrated into existing routines atracing drug-testing laboratories.

PERMISSION has beengranted for a 50m highwhite horse to be builtbeside the A2 dualcarriageway in Kent.Gravesham BoroughCouncil gave the go-ahead for the EbbsfleetLandmark Project athoroughbred racehorse33 times larger than areal horse created byartist Mark Wallinger. The aim of the scheme isto create a high profilemarker for the EbbsfleetValley which will be

visible from Eurostartrains and the search isnow on to find potentialfunding partners. Mark Wallinger said:This is a tremendouslyexciting project. I washonoured that my WhiteHorse won and I amdelighted that the councilhas granted it planningpermission. The team andI are very much lookingforward to creating a newlandmark for the area.Picture: AnthonyReynolds Gallery, London

Researchers onbrink of DNAbreakthrough

01 23/4/10 11:26 Page 1

02 Saracen 23/4/10 11:26 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I NEWS 3

EDITORIAL

GROUP EDITOR:

Andrew HarrodTel: 01226 734639email: ah@whpl.net

EDITOR:

Christine KeateTel: 07825 097 464email: chris.keate@horsehealthmagazine.co.uk

REPORTER:

Louise Cordell Tel: 01226 734694email: lcordell@whpl.net

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STUDIO MANAGER:Stewart Holtemail: sth@whpl.net

DEPUTY GROUP EDITOR:Judith Halkerstonemail: jhalkerston@whpl.net

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Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of allcontent, the publishers do not accept liability for error,

printed or otherwise, that may occur.

Two Shire horses have beenrecruited to the new NationalBrewery Centre in Burton uponTrent. Local Shire expert, AndrewWhetton, has been employedas head horseman to takecare of the animlas and said:Shires are in my blood and alarge part of my life has beendedicated to these magnificentcreatures.Im really happy to beworking at the new centre andshowing visitors just howgreat these horses are.Picture: Andrew Whetton,yearling colt and Major

Study unveils link betweenprotein and colic deathBy Louise Cordell

RESEARCHERS believe that they havediscovered a link between protein inequine fat tissue and mortality fromcolic.

The project, funded by The HorseTrust, has found that the expressionof a particular protein in the fattissue is positively associated with anincreased rate of post-operativemortality in horses.

The study was led by Melissa Packer,who collected abdominal fat samplesfrom around 230 horses undergoingcolic surgery.

She then looked at the expression ofvarious cytokine genes in the fattissue to see which were beingproduced.

Each of the 230 horses were thenfollowed over the next two years,with data gathered on post operativecomplications and survival followingcolic surgery.

After analysing fat samples from 78horses, Melissa found a significantand positive association between theexpression of a cytokine called MCP-1 and an increased rate of post-operative mortality.

She said: The relationship between

MCP-1 and mortality from colic,opens up the possibility of using it asa diagnostic tool when examininghorses.

Such a test would be a usefuladditional tool for vets when dealingwith horses that are seriously ill andwhere it is uncertain whether theywould survive additional surgery, orwhether it is better to considereuthanasia.

Although routine testing for thegenetic expression of MCP-1 wouldtake too long at present, it is hopedthat further developments indesigning a test to detect circulatinglevels of MCP-1 in the blood couldbe beneficial.

During her research, Packer alsolooked at the relationship betweenvarious cytokines and the BMI ofhorses.

She expected to find a highergenetic expression of MCP-1 in thefat tissue of obese horses as theywould be expected to have a lowersurvival rate from colic surgery.

However, she found the opposite -that the expression of the MCP-1genes was lower in obese horses.

Melissa believes that this could bebecause obese horses already have

the maximum level of MCP-1 in theirblood, and so are no longerproducing the cytokine within theirfat cells at the time of sampling.

Packer is currently applying forfunding for a PhD to continueresearch into this area.

She added: Obesity is a majorhealth issue for horses, so it is vitalthat we have a better understandingof the impact obesity has on colicsurgery survival rates.

Society calls for award entriesTHE Royal Agricultural Society ofEngland is calling for entries for thisyears Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis ofthe Year Award. Now in its twelfth year, thecompetition is open to everyagricultural and equine university andcollege in the country, andconsistently attracts high qualityentries. A shortlist of students willbe selected to present their theses toa panel of judges and an audience ofindustry based professionals atStoneleigh Park. The winner will receive an award, a500 cheque and a five yearmembership for the Royal

Agricultural Society of England. The deadline for submitting theses is23 July 2010 and the final shortlistwill be announced in earlySeptember. Institutions wanting to apply shouldsend seven hard copies of theentered thesis to Chris Taylor,Membership Department, RoyalAgricultural Society of England,Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV82LZ and one electronic copy tochris@rase.org.uk.Entries are limited to one perestablishment and can only be fromfirst degree students on HonoursBachelors courses.

03 23/4/10 11:27 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I NEWS4

BHS concernat AnimalHealth BillBy Louise Cordell

THE British Horse Society has spokenout regarding its concerns over thegovernments new Animal Health Bill.

The organisation has issued aresponse to the draft Bill, whichwould establish a new Non-Departmental Public Body - theAnimal Health Organisation.

This group would take overresponsibility from Defra for animalhealth policy and delivery, but notwelfare, which would remain withDefra.

Mark Weston, BHS director of access,safety and welfare, said: TheSociety has grave concerns that theseparation of animal health andanimal welfare functions, for reasonswhich have no rational justification,will have a detrimental overall effecton the health and welfare ofequines.

The formation of a new NDPBimposes an expensive layer ofunnecessary bureaucracy.

He has pointed out that while therehave been many years ofconsultation with the livestockindustry on responsibility and costsharing, this has not included thehorse industry, resulting in a set ofproposals that are not in the interestsof the equine world.

He added: The livestock industry is

significantly different to the horseindustry.

As a consequence, proposalsrelevant to that industry will notalways be appropriate to the horseindustry, which is primarily a leisurepursuit, the cost of which is paid outof taxed income of the majority ofequestrians.

The BHS claims that, because of thevast differences between the twoindustries, equine health issues maybe marginalised and that proposalsrelevant to the livestock sector willbe inappropriately applied to thehorse industry.

Mark added: The draft Bill ispremature and, in the main, appliesonly to England.

It does not make sense to pursuesuch proposals solely in Englandwhen England, Scotland and Walesare one epidemiological unit.

The European Community has noproposals to consider or implementsuch responsibility and cost sharingproposals until at least 2012.

The decision to reserve the costsharing proposals to a future FinanceBill could mean that there will beinadequate consultation on any suchproposals.

The society is now urging everyoneinvolved in the equine industry tosend their views on the consultationto Defras Animal Health Bill Team.

THE British Horse Society hasannounced its support for theScottish Governments proposal toban hot branding.

While it has acknowledged thatfurther research on the physicaland mental stressors involvedwould be useful, a spokespersonsaid:

If we do not know whether ornot an act is injurious to theoverall detriment of the welfare ofa horse, but have good reason tobelieve it may be, then for thehorses sake we will assume thatthe act is injurious until thecontrary is proved.

In the case of hot branding webelieve there is little doubt thatthe application of hot irons to an animal causes unjustifiablepain.

The society has pointed out thatall the arguments in favour of hot branding are weakened by the methods limitations, forexample a brand can be difficultto read from a distance and can

be obscured by a thick wintercoat.

However, an implanted micro-chip offers definitive identific-ation in a much less stressful way.

Graham Cory, BHS chief executive,said: Whereas some will point tothe practical difficulties inherentin other methods of identification,The British Horse Society cannotcondone a practice which elevatesthe convenience of the owner to aposition above the welfare of thehorse.

It is essential that horses can be accurately identified for a number of welfare reasons and in order that animals of proven genetic meritcan be singled out for breedingpurposes.

However, the Society considersthat there are other means bywhich identification can beachieved.

Support for Scottishhot branding proposal

Ponies rescued in complex operationMORE than 30 ponies have beenrescued from a site in mid Wales byRedwings Horse Sanctuary. There had been ongoing concernsabout the welfare of the ponies forseveral months and the councilapproached the charity for itsexpertise in dealing with largegroups of unhandled ponies. Redwings went on to remove 36ponies from the site in a complexoperation involving five lorries and14 staff. Now, 31 of the animals have been

taken to Redwings in Norfolk, whilefive more have been offered a homeat HorseWorld in Bristol. Nicolas De Brauwere, head ofwelfare and senior veterinarysurgeon, said: It wasnt an easyrescue and the ponies were virtuallyunhandled, but it all went verysmoothly. We were able to roundthem up in just a few hours and theyare now all in the safety of thesanctuaries involved.Trading Standards are currentlyconducting an investigation.

Eurotunnel providing horse serviceTHE Eurotunnel has opened its doorsto horses for the first time, providingan alternative to the 90-minute ferryroute. They will now be able to travel inpassenger trains that will cut thejourney time by a third. Eurotunnel isworking with horse transporter

Peden Bloodstock to provide theservice, which is aimed at racing andshowjumping transporters with aircooled vehicles. Horses will travel intheir own horsebox with their regulardriver and groom, however, a vet willbe kept on standby for emergenciesor breakdowns.

04 23/4/10 11:28 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I NEWS 5

Tories unveilplans for thehorse worldBy Louise Cordell

THE Conservatives chose this yearsNational Equine Forum to announcetheir plans for the horse world toover 200 influential members of theindustry.

James Paice, shadow minister foragriculture and rural affairs, claimedthat his partys policy on horsepassports has changed and that theynow accept they should becompulsory for all horses.

He also suggested that regardinganimal transport, more regulationsshould be a last resort, and insteadthe focus should be on properlyenforcing existing European rules.

Finally, he added that the party didnot oppose the levy, but maintainedthat any tax must be worth the costand effort of collection.

The event was also a launch pad forplans for a new Museum of theHorse in the UK.

Caroline Anns-Baldock, an equestrianhistorian, said: We are said to be anation of horse lovers, yet we are theonly European country that does nothave a museum of the horse.

She has set up a committee ofequestrian and business experts and

is in the process of setting up a trustto fund the first phase ofdevelopment.

The Forum also includedpresentations from Arik Dondi,Defras deputy director of exoticdiseases policy, Ben Mayes of Mayesand Scrine equine vet practice onlicensing for UK horse establishmentsand Dr Carolina Liljenstolpe on therole of the horse in Europe.

Dr Mark Hillyer of the NewmarketEquine Hospital spoke on thedevelopment of systems toendoscope galloping horses, Dr PatHarris on nutrition and gastriculceration and Professor ChrisProudman on worming andwormers.

In the topical spot, Chris Housetalked about the training andregulation of paraprofessionals andProfessor James Wood discussed thecontrol of exotic disease and equineflu.

Finally, the British Horse Societyundergraduate presentation 2010was delivered by Holly Claridge,winner of the Eqvalan Duo EquineThesis of the Year, on the 3Danatomy of the cervical articularprocess joint in the horse.

EXPERT farriers from around theworld are preparing for the firstMustad Champion of Championscompetition.

The event is set to be held alongsideNAFBAEs Farriery Focus on 8 Mayand will bring together previouswinners of the World ChampionshipBlacksmiths Competition, all underone roof.

Participants will take part in a singleshoeing round broken down intothree sections to allow the work tobe judged anonymously.

Marks allocated will be used to

identify the farrier scoring thehighest marks on the day andMustad will make a charitabledonation of 5,000 to the charitychosen by the winning farrier; allother Champions will receive afurther 250 for a charity of theirchoice.

Renowned farriers David Wilson Snrfrom Scotland and Marshall Iles fromCanada will be judging thecompetition and Steven Beane, whowon the World ChampionshipBlacksmiths competition last year, isone of the competitors who will betaking part.

Steven Beane, World Championship Blacksmiths Competition winner 2009

Farriers prepare for Champion of Champions

THE Association of British RidingSchools has received a recordamount of funding through the BEFfrom Sport England. The four-year funding project willprovide the Association with 54,000in its first year to grow and sustainparticipation in equestrian sport, plusan additional 15,000 towardssupporting sport strategy for youngpeople. Projects will be rolled out regionallyamong ABRS member schools andwill follow the successful BEF fundedYoung Riders model currently beingpiloted at an ABRS member riding

school in Essex. Julian Marczak, ABRS chairman, said:Naturally we are delighted andimmensely proud at the outcome ofthe funding bid. This represents amajor step forward not only for ourAssociation, but also in recognisingthe vital role that riding schools playwithin the sport. Riding schools so often provide themeans by which newcomers areintroduced to the sport and in effectthey are an essential launch pad forriders wanting to progress toparticipating in the various differentareas of equestrianism.

Record funding for Association

New postgraduate qualificationsHARPER Adams University Collegewill be delivering new postgraduatequalifications in Veterinary Pharmacyafter signing a partnership with theRoyal Pharmaceutical Society.Candidates from a pharmaceutical oranimal health background will beable to study over two or three yearsto obtain a university diploma,

postgraduate certificate or mastersdegree in veterinary pharmacy.The course will be managed andtaught by the Veterinary PharmacistsGroup (VPG) of the RPSGB andaccredited by Harper Adams, whichalready offers animal health, bioveterinary science and veterinarynursing undergraduate programmes.

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to use at home or away.The Activo-Med Power Pad offersPEMF, cyclonic massage and/or lasertherapy and is available with one,two or all three therapies withadjustable settings. The new PowerGilet for riders has a lightweightpower pack and control panelattached, so the wearer is free tocarry out other activities during thetherapy. William Fox-Pitt said:Having used the Activo-Med CombiSystem for over two years now I canhonestly say its worth theinvestment ten times over.

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05 26/4/10 15:46 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I NEWS6

Artificial inseminationwarning for ownersBy Louise Cordell

OWNERS of mares planning to breedby artificial insemination this year arebeing advised to make sure thatstallions have been tested free of allvenereal diseases and that shippedsemen is accompanied by theappropriate paperwork.

Madeleine Campbell, British EquineVeterinary Association president,said: We are looking to ensure thatshipped semen, whether it isimported or comes from within theUK, is accompanied by the correctpaperwork confirming that it is freefrom disease.

No-one should be using semenwhich is not accompanied by thatpaperwork and to help, we havedeveloped our own certificate for usewithin the UK."

The Horserace Betting Levy Boardsannually updated Codes of Practicecontain information on the testingstandards that the industry hasrecommended and together with BEFand BEVA, it has developed a simplecertificate for use with semenoriginating with the UK.

The aim is that, if the certificate is

properly completed, those using thesemen can be confident that itshould comply with industrystandards and will not pose a health risk to the mare beinginseminated.

Jan Rogers, BEF head of equinedevelopment said: With severalcases of notifiable diseases havingalready occurred in the UK this year,it is ever more important that ourbiosecurity measures are up toscratch and moreover, that anyprocess is easy to understand the more straightforward anycertificate is, the more likely it is tobe used.

UK studs are being asked to ensurethat a completed certificate isincluded with every dose of semenshipped from their premises, andmare owners, inseminating vets orlicensed AI technicians are beingadvised to check that any sementhey receive is accompanied by acertificate.

The shipped semen certificate forsemen originating in the UK can bedownloaded fromwww.bef.co.uk/British_Breeding.

Call for feedbackon dangerousdogs documentHORSE riders and owners arebeing encouraged to respond toa consultation document issuedby the government on dangerousdogs.

Defra is consulting on a numberof options as to how the currentsituation regarding dangerousdogs might be improved and theBritish Horse Society is calling onthe industry to get involved.

The Society has been collectinginformation from the victims ofdog attacks over the last tenyears in an effort to demonstratethe impact of dangerous dogs onhorse riders and owners.

During that time they havereceived more than 97 reportsfrom attack victims, with 74 ofthese occuring in the last threeyears.

Ten of these attacks proved fatalfor the horse while another 42resulted in injury.

The BHS believes theconsultation also raises manypertinent issues to owners andriders and their vulnerability toattacks by dangerous dogs.

Mark Weston, BHS director ofaccess, safety and welfare, said:The number of reportedincidents is continuing to riseand steps to make dog ownersresponsible for their animalsbehaviour would be welcomedby the Society.

Any new legislation shouldcater for dog attacks on horsesand riders as they, as proven byour reports, are increasing.

Second horse studbook opens in IrelandA SECOND sport horse stud bookhas opened in Ireland to givebreeders more choice when decidingwhere to register their sport horses.

The Studbook for Irish and EuropeanSporthorses is an independentoffshoot of the British based AngloEuropean Studbook and all currentlyapproved AES stallions in Ireland willbe recognised by the new book.

SIES will register foals conceived by

artificial insemination from topperformance stallions as well asthose bred naturally and organisersalso hope to run stallion gradings inIreland in 2010 based on the AESsystem.

It will join the two sport horse studbooks already in Ireland the IrishHorse Board and the WarmbloodStudbook of Ireland, which openedearlier this year.

06 23/4/10 11:29 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I NEWS 7

NEW, non-invasive ways of assessingrespiratory health in horses havebeen discovered by an ongoingresearch project.

The Horse Trust funded study hasdeveloped and validated two simpletechniques that can be used tomonitor respiratory problems inhorses and ponies.

These techniques could potentiallybe used by vets to screen for horseswith respiratory problems and toassess whether a horse being treatedfor a respiratory condition isimproving.

They could also be used bypharmaceutical companies whentrialling new treatments forrespiratory conditions, such asRecurrent Airway Obstruction.

Currently the only techniquesavailable to monitor respiratoryinflammation are invasive, such asendoscopy, and this means theycannot be used frequently to assesswhen a particular treatment isworking.

However the new techniques cansafely and ethically monitor theseverity of respiratory inflammationin horses on repeated occasions.

The research, led by Professor SandyLove at the University of Glasgow,has developed a technique thatallows vets to easily monitor thefrequency of coughing in a horseover a long period of time with 100per cent sensitivity and 100 per centspecificity.

Cough frequency is known to be asensitive index of respiratoryinflammation, but manuallymonitoring the number of coughsfor an hour each day is not cost-effective.

Love discovered that a digitalrecorder attached to a horsesheadcollar could be used to gatherdata, which could then be quicklyanalysed one hour of coughingcould be analysed within threeminutes by manually examining agraph of the audio file.

This analysis time could be speededup further in a commercial setting byautomating the analysis usingcomputer software.

The research has also led to thedevelopment of a device that can beattached to a horses head to captureits breath and condense the liquidswithin the expired air.

Love found that the most usefulindicator was the pH of the liquidcondensed from the expired breath the pH of the exhaled breathcondensate was higher in horsessuffering from respiratoryinflammation.

He said: Both of these techniquescould easily be commercialised toenable vets to quickly and ethicallymonitor respiratory inflammation inhorses.

They could also result in improvedtreatment of respiratory conditions,as vets will be able to objectivelyassess which treatments work ordont work for a particular horse.

Non-invasiveprogress inrespiratoryassessment

THE Animal Health Trust has beennamed as the Pony Clubs 2010charity of the year.

The AHT treats more than 3,000horses, cats and dogs each yearthrough its clinics and its scientificprogrammes also benefit thousandsmore animals.

Judy Edwards, The Pony Club chiefexecutive, said: I was so impressedwith the work of the Animal HealthTrust when I visited their Newmarket

site and laboratories last year, and Ifelt this was something that our50,000 strong membership shouldbe aware of.

Health and welfare of membershorses and ponies is uppermost inThe Pony Clubs teaching, so tosupport the work of the AHT inmaking it our Charity of the Yeargives us great pleasure and will, Ihope, enable more of this wonderfulwork to be undertaken.

AHT is named 2010 Pony Club charity of the year

07 23/4/10 11:30 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I NEWS8

Editors insight...MANY of you will already know thatsadly, we have said goodbye to ourProduct Manager Claire McLean, whohas moved on to pastures new; we allwish her well.

We do, however, have a new team inplace, Andrew Loades is nowresponsible for the smooth running ofthe magazine ably assisted by EllieRobinson.

They are both looking forward tomeeting many of you over the nextfew months.

Spring seems to have arrived and

pasture is hopefully, starting to recoverfrom probably one of the worst winterassaults it will have experienced formany years.

When looking at managementpractices for this year then, it would beworth incorporating parasite control.

Research is revealing increasingresistance to anthelmintics and with nonew drugs on the horizon it isimperative to utilize those available onan individually controlled basis toprolong their efficacy.

Jacqui Matthews of the Moredun

Research Institute discusses thebenefits of worm egg counts and givesvaluable insight as to why an all yardworming policy may not be the bestoption.

Equine obesity remains at the forefrontof many research programmes, andour nutrition pages in this issueinclude some of the latest findingsregarding equine metabolic syndromeand diet induced laminitis, togetherwith useful information on how toinstigate and maintain and equineweight loss programme.Christine Keate

WORLD Horse Welfare hasannounced that the majority of MEPsacross the EU are now supportingtheir campaign to end the long-distance transportation of horses toslaughter.

The charity has been calling for areview of the current legislationaffecting horses being moved acrossEurope.

It has been campaigning on thesubject for many years and believesthat this support for their WrittenDeclaration will speed up the releaseof a proposal to amend legislation

resulting in a short, finite journeylimit for horses travelling toslaughter.

Jo White, director of campaigns,said: I am absolutely thrilled thatsome many people have got behindthe campaign.

However, this is just one stepforward to end the single biggestabuse of horses in Europe, so wemust not lose momentum.

We need to ensure that pressure ismaintained on decision makers toend these cruel and inhumanejourneys.

Majority of MEPs supportWHW campaign

New medication rulesin effect for all eventsTHE FEI has announced that newmedication and prohibitedsubstances rules are now in effectfor all events.

Its latest Equine Anti-Doping andControlled Medication Regulationsand the Equine ProhibitedSubstances List are now available foreveryone involved in equestriansport.

Alex McLin, FEI secretary general,said: This is a landmark for oursport the beginning of the CleanSport Era.

It is culmination of a collectiveeffort by the entire equestriancommunity to protect the integrity ofour sport and the welfare of ourhorses.

Under the new Equine Anti Dopingand Controlled MedicationRegulations, anything prohibited incompetition, no matter how thesubstance is classified, is called aprohibited substance.

Doping substances which have no

place in equine sport are calledbanned substances and medicationsubstances that are commonly usedin equine medicine but prohibited incompetition, are called controlledmedication substances.

The FEI has made an easilysearchable Prohibited SubstancesDatabase available to help riders andvets quickly determine whether thesubstances they are using areprohibited.

The new Regulations set clearerresponsibilities for competitors andalso tougher sanctions for anyonewho violates the rules.

The organisation has also broadenedthe person responsible concept, toinclude a greater focus on supportpersonnel.

The aim of this change is to ensurethat all participants in equestriansports who disobey the regulationsare held accountable.

The new Regulations and List areavailable at www.feicleansport.org.

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08 23/4/10 11:30 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I NEWS 9

Final approval for new guidelinesTHE FEI has also now given its finalapproval to new stewards guidelineson warm-up techniques followingthe rollkur row.

A working group, headed byDressage Committee chair FrankKemperman, has created a series ofnew rules for stewards, which willhelp them to spot rollkur in thecollecting ring.

The current rules already includeinstructions covering aggressiveriding, but the working group hasput together a new section thatincludes clear instructions on whataction should be taken relating toflexion of the horses neck during pre and post competition training.

They key initiatives in the newguidelines are:

Movements which involve havingthe horses head and neck carriage ina sustained or fixed position shouldonly be performed for periods notexceeding approximately ten minuteswithout change.

No single neck position should bemaintained which may lead totiredness or stress.

The rider is not permitted to userough, or abrupt aids or applyconstant unyielding pressure on the

horses mouth through a fixed armand hand position.

The guidelines state that it is thestewards responsibility to ensure thatriders respect these procedures andintervene if required.

They also make it clear that pre-competition training sessions canonly exceed one hour in exceptionalcircumstances, and with thepermission of the chief steward, andthat there should be at least a onehour break between any trainingperiods.

The Working Group has alsorecommended the introduction ofCCTV which can be used to monitorthe practice arena for selectedevents.

In addition, it has suggested that anew group should be set up with thejob of investigating cases whichoccur during events, but forwhatever reasons, cannot be dealtwith at the time.

Frank Kemperman, Working Groupchair, said: Everyone in the FEI hashorse welfare at heart and thesenew guidelines will help the stewardsbe more proactive, giving them theauthority to do their job and preventabuse in all disciplines.

A huge amount of work has gone

into producing these guidelines so itis pleasing that the Bureau has giventhem unanimous approval.

The principle on which these

guidelines are based is respect forthe horse, but also for the stewards,who do a difficult job with greatdedication.

The practice arena at selected dressage competitions will now bemonitored using CCTV

Rollkur rulingTHE FEI has outlawed rollkur whenridden using aggressive force andconfirmed that its use will lead topunishment under organisation rules.

The decision has been madefollowing controversial mediacoverage of the practice, includingan incident at Odense where PatrickKittels horse was apparently indistress.

A round table conference, attendedby vets, welfare experts and industryofficials, has now redefined rollkur asflexion of the horses neck achievedthrough aggressive force.

They made the difference clear

between rollkur and the technique ofriding a horse in a low, deep andround outline which is notachieved through force and istherefore allowed.

Roly Owers, World Horse Welfarechief executive, said: We arepleased that the FEI has used thisopportunity to draw a clear line inthe sand regarding rollkur.

It is now vital that the decisionsmade at this meeting areimplemented, and that stewardsreceive proper guidance and trainingon what is and what is notacceptable at competitions.

Driving changes to have impactTHE British Horse Society haswarned that new changes todriving legislation will impact onthe horse industry. It has claimed that new rulesrevoking grandfather rights, toaccompany learner drivers in smalllorries, buses and vehicle plustrailer combinations, will have asevere impact on the equestrianworld. From this month, drivers whopassed their car test beforeJanuary 1997 will no longer beable to act as supervising driversto those learning to drive the listed

vehicles and crucially forequestrians, this includes 7.5tonne horse boxes. A spokesperson for the DrivingStandards Agency said: Clearlythere are road safety issuesinvolved where a person who hasnever passed the relevant drivingtest acts as the supervisor for adriver in these categories.These changes will make it illegalfor anyone to act as a supervisingdriver in such vehicles if they onlyhold pre-1997 impliedentitlements.

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Rosehip supplementfor equine joint health

09 23/4/10 11:31 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I 10 feeding and nutrition

Equine Metabolic Syndromeand Insulin ResistanceBy Teresa Hollands BSc(Hons)MSc(Nutrition) PhD, R.Nutr, forDodson and Horrell

WATCHING what you feed yourhorse or pony isnt enough on itsown to minimise the risk of the lifethreatening disease of laminitis; youhave to make lifestyle changes too.

In fact we now know that it isnt justwhat is fed today or tomorrow thatincreases the risk, but what has beenfed over a long period of time.

Diabetes has recently beendiagnosed in the horse and equinemetabolic syndrome (EMS) is verysimilar to its human equivalent.

A person does not become diabetic,or suffer human metabolic syndromebecause they ate a doughnut lastnight, but because they have eatendoughnuts all their life, becomeoverweight and the body haschanged the way it is able to controlglucose and insulin, and it is thesame for horses.

If a horse is comfortably cuddly for

several years, his metabolism willstart to change and he will lay downmetabolically active fat.

This metabolically active fat increaseshis risk of becoming insulin resistant.

He may suddenly become susceptibleand suffer a laminitic episode fromonly a little extra grass or smallweight increase.

Insulin resistance increases the risk oflaminitis as it prevents glucose beingtaken up by the lamellae whicheventually become weakened.

Alternatively, high glucose switcheson substances that trigger theunzipping of the lamellae and weaklamellae cannot hold up the pedalbone within the hoof.

Epigenetics:New research is identifying that whatwe feed broodmares and the waywe manage the diet of foals andyoungstock may be putting them atgreater risk of disease and obesitylater in life.

Diet can have direct effects on thegenes of the foetus.

The changes are not in the DNA, butin the mechanism that switches thegenes on or off - known asepigenetics.

These epigenetic differences havethe potential to affect foetaldevelopment and growth as well asinfluencing long term patterns ofgene expression associated with theincreased risk of many diseases.

So for example, if a mare is fed highcalories and not enough vitaminsand minerals or if she is on arestricted diet (low protein, vitaminsand minerals) known as suboptimumnutrition, then her foal is more likelyto be born with insulin resistanceand therefore at greater risk ofobesity and laminitis as a maturehorse.

Feeding the laminiticDietary insult:If a horse has developed laminitisbecause he has had a dietary insult

that has changed the fermentationin his hind gut (e.g. a very large mealof starch) or something that hascaused endotoxaemia, then it isimportant that the correct gut florais re-established and the dietarycause removed.

Discuss with the vet if a branmash is appropriate to wipe out thebad bacteria from the hind gut.

Re-establish gut flora yeastimproves hind gut fermentation andprobiotics help re-establish the frontend of the gut.

Provide B vitamins ensure theydont contain high levels of copperor iron as often the liver is stressedtrying to remove the toxins that haveleaked from the hind gut.

Feed high fibre feed to help there-establish the friendly bacteria inthe hind gut and to keep the horsechewing whilst stabled.

Make sure he has water, at floorlevel if he is lying down a lot.

Continued on Page 11

10 23/4/10 11:31 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I 11feeding and nutrition

Continued from Page 10

Feed hay on the floor, so he cannibble if he is lying down.

Short term: Feed hay soaked for 12 hours toprovide bulk but reduced calories.

Balance his diet especially in termsof vitamins and minerals and protein.

Add three tablespoons of cod liveroil to his feed.

Long term: Get his body fat down to belowfat score three.

Feed according to workload.

Fat score fortnightly, and keephorses at less than 3.7 during thespring and summer.

Aim for a minimum of half anhour active walking per day.

Make the most of the winter tolose summer fat, for example byusing a lighter weight rug.

Dont cut back on bulk, it isnecessary to maintain a healthydigestive system, reduce the risk ofcolics, produce saliva whilst chewingto minimise the risk of gastric ulcers,and to provide occupational therapyto minimise the development of oralstereotypies.

Reduce calories by soaking hay for12 hours.

Monitor grass intake. Some horsescan eat five per cent of theirbodyweight as grass, gaining 21kg ina week four per cent of theirbodyweight. Consider a muzzle orincrease the number of horses in thefield.

Dr Hollands checking for ribs

66 per cent of laminitis ispasture associated.

Equine Metabolic Syndromeis on the increase and with itassociated laminitis.

Until recently researchersthought that fructans found ingrass affected the hind gut ina similar manner to anoverload of starchdetrimentally changing thefermentation in the hind gut.However recent work hasshown that the fructans donot reach the hind gut but arefermented in the smallintestine of the horse.

Laminitics have three times the levels of freeradicals compared to non

laminitics.

Horses and ponies with afat score of more than 3.7 areat greater risk of laminitis andfoot related problems.

It is likely that if a mare ison a diet deficient in protein,vitamins and minerals her foalwill be born with insulinresistance.

If fed in excess; high fatdiets predispose a pony toinsulin resistance more thanhigh sugar diets.

Ponies and horses with insulin resistance are at a higher risk of laminitis.

Exercise is protectiveagainst insulin resistance.

11 26/4/10 16:01 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I 12 feeding and nutrition

By Clare Barfoot RNutr,Spillers nutritionist

IT has long been recognised thatdiet induced laminitis is associatedwith the over eating of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC)which are made up of the sum offructan, starch and simple sugars.

It may seem straightforwardtherefore, reduce the NSC in thediet and reduce the risk oflaminitis, it isnt, however, thateasy.

The NSC in cereals does not varygreatly so it is easier to predict theamount provided and formulatediets appropriately.

However, The NSC content ofpasture in particular can varybetween less than two per cent towell over 40 per cent in the drymatter; due to the varying demandfor energy by the grass at anygiven time.

Whilst grass is actively growingNSC is being used to fuel thisgrowth and the horse will beconsuming less fructan and sugar.

The problem comes when thegrass is not actively growing dueto environmental circumstances(such as temperature, lightintensity, water availability)however the energy from the sunis still being converted to sugar (viaphotosynthesis).

This sugar is then stored within theplant/grass as fructan andtherefore is readily consumed bythe horse. Consumption of highlevels of fructan and simple sugars

can be the first trigger factor inthe complex cascade of eventsthat results in laminitis.

Unfortunately there is no way ofknowing what the levels of NSCare in the pasture at any giventime, however, following the tipsbelow should make it easier topredict when the NSC levels arelikely to be at their lowest:

Avoid/restrict turning out inspring (before flowerdevelopment) and autumn whensugar and fructan levels are likelyto be highest.

Turn horses out to pasture lateat night until early morning,removing them from pasture bymid-morning at the latest.

Avoid pastures that have notbeen properly managed by regulargrazing or cutting.

Restrict grass intake by using agrazing muzzle (that still allowsdrinking), grazing with sheep,turning out in a sparse paddock orby strip grazing. Turning out in anarena or woodchip surfaced areamay also be beneficial.

Do not turn horses out ontopasture that has been exposed tolow temperatures in conjunctionwith bright sunlight e.g.. sunnyfrosty mornings.

Do not allow animals to grazeon recently cut stubble such asafter hay harvest.

In known laminitics consider nograzing whilst providing a suitableforage.

Choose mature forages such aslate cut hay that are likely to belower in non structuralcarbohydrate. Alfalfa is alsosuitable as it is low in fructan butdoes contain starch so it isadvisable to have it analysedbefore feeding. Good hygienicstraw, when appropriate, can alsobe mixed with hay to reduce itsenergy density.

Soak hay overnight in tepidwater to reduce the level ofsugars.

Insulin resistance why somehorses suffer and others dont:

It has been well recognised thatoverweight horses especiallyponies are more prone to laminitis;this may in part be linked withincreased risk of concussion but ismore likely to be associated withinsulin resistance.

In the horse changes in insulinsensitivity are associated withcertain diseases, including someforms of tying up, developmentalbone problems, hyperlipidemiaand laminitis.

It is regarded generally as adiminished ability of a givenconcentration of insulin to exert itsnormal effect, therefore the bodyhas to keep releasing more andmore insulin to elicit the sameeffect.

This change in metabolism is adangerous situation and maybeone of the most predictablepredisposing factors thatdetermine whether a horse or

pony may go on to developlaminitis at a later date ifpresented with an appropriatetrigger factor e.g.. grass high insoluble carbohydrate.

Obesity and diet or simply justbeing a pony, have all been shownto have an effect on insulinsensitivity.

It has been suggested that the riskfor laminitis in overweight horsesis more appropriately associatedwith the development of insulinresistance particularly if there is anuneven distribution of fat depositssuch as a cresty neck or a fat padat the base of the tail.

Insulin sensitivity has also beenshown to be lower in laminiticanimals suggesting its role in thedevelopment of laminitis.

The syndrome of obesity, insulinresistance and laminitis in maturehorses has been referred to aseither peripheral Cushingssyndrome or an equine metabolicsyndrome.

Insulin sensitivity has also beenfound to be affected by diet; largefluctuations in glucose and insulinfollowing meals high in sugar andstarch (e.g.. cereals) may supplyinappropriate signals of energyavailability altering the insulinsensitivity of the tissue.

The link between obesity, insulinsensitivity and blood flow to thefoot in the horse is currently a hottopic for research.

The latest findingsin laminitis research

12 23/4/10 11:10 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I 13feeding and nutrition

A RECENT survey has shown thatawareness of gastric ulcers hasincreased significantly over the lasttwo years.

The third in a series of annualsurveys was carried out in 2009 aspart of Gastric Ulcer AwarenessMonth (GUAM).

Results showed the number ofreferrals for gastroscopy doubledfrom the previous year, and is noweleven times higher than in 2007.

It showed that more vets areconsidering gastric ulcers as partof the diagnostic process whenpresented with the vague clinicalsigns associated with ulcers, and

that the number of practices in theUK with three metre long videoendoscopes is growing steadily,with 4.5 per cent of therespondent practices owning agastroscope.

In addition to this 51 per cent ofpractices now send horses forreferral on average 4.3 times amonth; a significant increase from0.4 per month in 2007 and 2.2per month in 2008.

There is still much to do to raiseawareness of this under-diagnosedcondition.

The results indicate that thosepractices which do not have a

scope are still, in the main, lesslikely to consider ulcers as part oftheir differential diagnosis, or referfor a gastroscopy.

The number of horses diagnosedwith ulcers following gastroscopystill falls well below thedocumented incidence at 90 percent of racehorses in training, 60per cent of performance horsesand 37 per cent of leisure horses.

Risk Assessment Initiative:

The UKs first online gastric ulcerrisk assessment for horse ownerswas launched as part of the 2009Gastric Ulcer Awareness Month(GUAM).

By logging on to the website:www.gastriculcerrisk.co.uk,owners, trainers and riders can complete a form which then returns the results via e-mail.

Where an animal is considered tobe at medium to high risk, ownerswill be advised to consult theirveterinary practice, taking alongtheir risk assessment to discusswith their vet.

This will enable the vet to performa health check and then discussthe requirement for gastroscopyand, as part of the risk assessmentcampaign if a gastroscopy isperformed, the vet can enter theexamination data into the website.

From this information, we hope tofind out more about gastriculceration in our UK equinepopulation.

This data will help us provide vetsand horse owners with moredetailed information relative to theUK.

This risk assessment initiative hasbeen developed throughconsultation with practisinginternal medicine specialists, and we hope it will help highlightmore cases and encourage clients into the practice withhorses that are at genuine risk ofulcers.

Further diagnosis, treatment andmanagement measures can thenbe considered in consultation withthe client.

2008 2009Poor Performance 23% 71%Poor Appetite 23% 96%Weight Loss 25% 90%Change in behaviour 16% 61%Poor condition 25% 61%Recurrent colic 20% 84%

Table 1: Shows the percentage of vets that would consider gastroscopybased on presentation of the following clinical signs in 2008 and 2009.

Big rise in ulcer awareness

13 23/4/10 11:09 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I 14 feeding and nutrition

By Emma Case BSc (Hons) ofBaileys Horse Feeds

IN the summer when most horsesare enjoying time in the field thepoor old good-doer is usuallyconfined to a life of little or no grass,a bit of hay and the occasionalhandful of mix or nuts.

Whilst this may help to controlweight, it isnt very good for overallhealth.

Sometimes even hay intake isrestricted to control weight, but thiscarries the risk of digestive upsets.

The digestive tract of the horsefunctions most efficiently, when ithas an almost constant supply offibrous material to break down.

For horses confined to the stable, thelack of movement combined withlack of fibre may result in adangerous build-up of gas potentiallyleading to colic, and increases therisk of developing stereotypies.

It makes sense that we feed moreforage than concentrate so this willgenerally be the main source ofcalories.

The amount of forage provided canbe controlled, but not at the expenseof gut health.

An absolute minimum of one percent of bodyweight is required tomaintain gut function, equating to5kgs per day for a 500kg horse.

Little and often is vital, when feedingparticularly when horses are stabledfor long periods of time.

Use small holed hay nets, put severalinside one another, and place asmany as possible around the stableto maximise the time taken toextract the hay.

Source hay with as low a nutritionalvalue as possible - not dusty andbrown, it should be clean, and morecoarse and fibrous, with more stemthan leaf.

Coarser hays are less digestible, sothe horse cannot extract as manynutrients or calories.

Soaking soft, green hay for at leastan hour will help to leach out somesugar and reduce calories, but willalso increase nutrient loss.

Grass is normally an abundant sourceof essential nutrients so limitingintake to control a horses weight,means it misses out.

Whilst hay can be used to provide analternative source of fibre, it doesntcontain anywhere near the nutrientlevels of grass.

As these nutrients are crucial to thegeneral health of the horse, ashortfall can result in poor conditionand performance.

Low calorie balancers containconcentrated levels of nutrients,including quality protein, vitaminsand minerals, which mean that theycan be fed in very small quantities(approximately 100g per 100kgsbodyweight).

This helps to keep calorie intake lowbut ensures the horse receive abalanced diet counteracting anynutrient shortfall which may be inthe forage.

As well as looking at total diet as apercentage of bodyweight, we canlook at the calorie intake ie.digestible energy in MJ/kg requiredper day.

In order to encourage weight loss,we should feed ten per cent lessthan is theoretically needed formaintenance.

For example, the total diet for anaverage horse at maintenance mightprovide eight MJ/kg so a ration forone needing to lose weight needs toonly provide 7.2 MJ/kg, forcing thehorse to burn body stores of caloriesto make up the deficit and thereforelose weight.

Hay and low calorie chaffs canaverage seven to eight MJ/kg so inorder to reduce overall calorie intakebarley or oat straw could be used asa partial forage replacement alongwith a balancer, to bring the totaldigestible energy level down.

One of the most common feedingstrategies employed by owners ofoverweight horses and ponies is togive a token offering of a high fibre,low energy feed, like a meadow orpasture mix.

As these feeds are designed to befed in much greater quantities, ahandful provides very little of thevitamins and minerals the horseneeds and some calories that hedoesnt.

Gradual weight loss:A target reduction of one per cent ofbodyweight per week, or 25 to 30kg of bodyweight over four to sixweeks is ideal.

Regular weighing or weightaping willbe useful, with results plotted on agraph helping to give a visualrepresentation of progress and to aid

diet calculations since theforage/feed quantities will needreducing as the bodyweightdecreases.

Too little food or an abrupt drasticreduction in intake can causedigestive upsets or worse.

Hyperlipaemia is a condition thatarises when the body is starved ofenergy and excessive fat is mobilisedto compensate.

As a result, free fatty acids and triglycerides are released into the blood stream which, inexcess, can cause liver and kidneyfailure.

Prolonged periods without food are,therefore, not only risky but will alsoincrease the likelihood that the horseeats more voraciously when access tofeed is resumed.

Counting the calories

14 23/4/10 11:09 Page 1

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HORSE HEALTH I16 worming

By Lizzie Drury, seniorregistered nutritionist, Saracen Horse Feeds

THE vitality and well being of horsesof all ages are threatened by avariety of internal parasites, and theuse of control measures ensuresvigor and best performance.

It is fairly safe to say that mosthorses have some population ofinternal parasites at almost any time.Especially in areas where horses havebeen pastured for many years, somevets feel that it is virtually impossibleto prevent exposure as horses graze.

At best, routine deworming keepsthat number of worms at a level thatis minimally harmful and deworming,whether it be targeted strategicdosing or interval dosing, should beincluded in any programme of

equine management.

My horses look healthy. Will a fewworms hurt them?

Parasites can easily keep horses fromgrowing and performing to their bestpotential and in some cases they cancreate conditions that are capable ofkilling a horse.

A heavy parasite load prevents theproper uptake of nutrients from thedigestive tract and horses may showdiarrhea, anemia, weight loss,coughing, pot belly and poor coatcondition.

Worms can also cause ulceration orrupture of the ceacum and colic canresult from blockage or tissuedamage in the digestive tract.

How can I find out for sure whethermy horses have worms?

An examination of the manure cangive limited information about whichtypes of worms are present in thedigestive tract.

Because parasites in some life stagesdo not produce eggs, the presenceof eggs in the faeces shows only thatthe horse has an infestation ofmature worms.

If a horse is allowed to graze or eathay off the ground, he is almostcertain to have some level of parasiteinfestation.

Generally speaking if your horsepredominantly lives in or is turnedout but only has himself or a matefor company and you regularly poopick your field this would beconsidered a low risk situation(although if you are struggling tomaintain body condition or yourhorse has a pot belly or poor coatthis could indicate a high wormburden) and targeted strategic worm dosing would berecommended.

Faecal egg counts are recommendedto be performed every eight to tenweeks.

If the count is more than 200 epgthen anthelmintic treatment isrequired.

A vet or worming specialist canprovide information about how tocollect and test manure and thensuggest worming programmes.

What else can be done to limitexposure of horses to parasites?

Pasture management is an importantpart of parasite control.

Rotating pastures and the movementof horses to clean anduncontaminated pastures is helpfulbut maybe limited by stable andfencing constrictions.

Young foals and yearlings should begiven preferential consideration forgrazing locations.

Chain harrowing and topping tobreak up manure piles are goodagronomic practices and also makemicroclimatic conditions in thepasture less favorable for thedevelopment and survival ofstrongyle eggs and larvae.

Poo picking will decrease exposure ofgrazing horses to parasite eggs andis still an invaluable technique.

Population density should be heldwithin reasonable limits, becausestrongyle infection risks increasegeometrically; i.e. doubling the horseper couple of acres quadruples theexposure.

ConclusionNo feeding regime can be completelysuccessful if horses are not able totake advantage of the nutritionprovided by the forage andconcentrate feeds that we providethem.

Proper and timely deworming is anintegral part of any carefulmanagement scheme and will allow horses of all ages to benefit maximally from the balanceddiets that are made available tothem.

Maintaining optimum health foroptimum digestive efficiency

16 23/4/10 11:08 Page 1

17 Virbac 23/4/10 11:07 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I 18 worming

Optimum control withtargeted wormingLEADING parasitologist, ProfessorJacqui Matthews of the MoredunResearch Institute and the Universityof Edinburghs Royal (Dick) School ofVeterinary studies, explains why ayard-based one policy for all,worming programme may not be thebest option either effectively oreconomically.

Know the drug options:When it comes to helping to reducethe development of anthelminticdrug resistance, horse owners mustbe aware that several brands ofwormer contain the same activeingredient.

These all belong to one of only fourmain classes of drugs.

Because there are unlikely to be anynew active ingredients available forthe foreseeable future, it is importantto differentiate between thesedifferent classes of drug whenmaking a selection.

So whilst there may appear to benumerous wormers available on themarket, the four major drug groupsfor controlling parasites are:

1. Macrocyclic lactones (e.g.ivermectin and moxidectin) forbroad- spectrum nematode(roundworm) treatment and bots.

2. Tetrahydropyrimidine (i.e. pyrantel)for nematode and tapeworm (atelevated dose rates) treatment.

3. Benzimidazoles (e.g.fenbendazole) for nematodetreatment.

4. Praziquantel to treat adulttapeworms.

It is important that owners are ableto distinguish between these fourclasses so that, firstly they are usingthe appropriate wormer for the typeof worms that a horse has (or islikely to have) and, secondly, are notcontinually using the same class ofwormer year after year.

As there has been research to showan increasing resistance to some ofthese drugs, it would be wise toconsult a veterinary surgeon foradvice on the most appropriate andefficacious to use.

The smart option:Detailed documentation of thewormer used is critical whenrecording and managing a wormingprogramme.

An individual approach to wormingis relatively simple to run and executeand may have financial benefits.Increasingly, yards and owners areopting for targeted worming

programmes incorporating WECs(worm egg counts), thus puttingthem in tight control of parasitemanagement by only treating whennecessary.

Targeting treatment:Other factors that contribute to thedevelopment of drug resistanceinclude: too frequent dosing, under-dosing, and the treatment of allhorses in a group every time.

These are all issues that need to beaddressed and a more targetedprogramme adopted.

For example, usually around 20 percent of horses in each populationcarry approximately 80 per cent ofthe total worm burden.

These ratios make targetedtreatment strategies feasible inhorses.

Currently, targeted treatmentstrategies should be based on dungWEC analysis performed in the latespring through to the end ofsummer.

WECs in practice:Many retailers and veterinarypractices offer WEC services,however its important that theselaboratory aids be undertaken at theappropriate time of year to take into

account the life cycle of the mostimportant worms, the redworms(cyathostomins).

This means that a worm egg counttaken between autumn and earlyspring is unlikely to be helpfulbecause the majority of smallredworms will be in the gut wall atthis time of the year.

A WEC will identify and enumeratethe eggs of all species ofroundworms; however they are notso good at identifying tapewormburdens and do not allow theestimation of gut wall burdens ofimmature encysted small redworms(cyathostomins).

Whilst a blood test can be used toidentify tapeworm burdens, this canbe relatively expensive for routinelytargeting treatments in all horses, sounless there is particular concern (i.e.a history of colic or other tapeworm-associated disease), for mostprogrammes one or two treatmentsfor tapeworm, one in spring and/orautumn with a combination wormerthat includes praziquantel willprovide a good cornerstone for aworming programme.

Additional treatments for encystedstages of small redworm can becarried out in the autumn/winter.

So, by treating each horse only whennecessary, regular WEC tests in thespring/summer are likely to pay forthemselves in the long-term,especially on yards where serial orinterval dosing is the current regime.

Pictured left: Cyathostomins have developed intothe most common and pathogenically significantparasite to affect horses today. The eggs are passed with the faeces where theyhatch and moult progressively from L1 to L2 to L3. The infectious L3 are ingested by the horseaccidentally as they are grazing and are swallowed. They are passed down the digestive tract until theyarrive at the large intestine and invade theintestinal wall. Further development continueswithin the small cysts they make in the gut wall. Eventually, a moult into L4 occurs after which thelarvae travel back through the gut wall into theintestinal lumen. A final moult occurs there as thelarvae form young adults (L5) which mature andmate to repeat the reproductive cycle. Unique to cyathostomins, is the length of time L3can take to develop into L4 and emerge from thegut wall. Although the entire developmental cycle can be asshort as six weeks, the encysted phase for L3 canbe delayed for as long as two years.It is these inhibited encysted larvae that, withoutwarning, may develop and emerge en masse fromthe gut wall. This mass emergence typically occursin late winter/early spring and is potentially fatal tothe horse.

Diagram and caption courtesyof Fort Dodge Animal Health

18 23/4/10 11:06 Page 1

19 Fort Dodge 26/4/10 12:44 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I 20 forge

WHEN considering treating severelaminitic cases, there needs to beclear criteria for proceeding andinitially a tripartite agreement on theway forward is desirable.

The veterinary surgeon, farrier and owner should discuss the levelof commitment in time, care and finance and agree to worktogether; without this, it is futileproceeding.

Is there light at the end of thetunnel? What is a realistic prognosis?In considering this, it is worthadhering to the basic sentiment ofthe Hippocratic Oath to never doharm.

The first and most important factor isthe welfare of the patient.

Is the pain manageable? Is thereinfection that can be managed andare there still adequate signs of lifeto reinstate recovery, whether it isfull or partial?

This is dependent on good bloodsupply and freedom from physicalconstriction.

What and when are the signs? Theremust be potential of new growthfrom the coronary border of thehoof.

If a collar of horn can regeneratefrom heel to heel, then there ispotential for new hoof growth.

If there is brief break in horn growthand a fault between old and newhorn, the new hoof growth oftenrecovers very well.

Even chronic cases with prolongedconstriction to the horn, producingpapillae of the coronary corium may recover if trimmedsympathetically, but some endurestunted and permanently deformedgrowth.

These cases can be treated tomaintain paddock soundness for avaluable brood mare only whilst hoofreconstruction and remedial supportshoeing is maintained.

When not to proceed withtreatment:Where it is obvious that there isirreparable damage within the hoof,patient welfare is such that it isinhumane to continue to proceedsuch as devastating total hoofsloughing and gangrene.

If the horse has a metaboliccondition that is erratic anduntreatable, no amount of farrierytreatment is going to resolve the condition; also in geriatricmeltdown where the horses organsare failing.

Radiography:The importance of radiography foraccurate diagnosis, prognosis andtreatment is essential.

In the acute and post-acute laminitic,only x-ray will reveal what ishappening internally before theexternal signs become full-blown,such as solar prolapse or adepression developing at thecoronary border. Precisely how muchP3 movement has occurred needs tobe known.

Latero-medial radiographs arepredominantly most important.

Dorso-palmer images can be usefulalso, as optimum foot balance iseven more critical in laminitic case.

Reference points:

When working from X-ray, the farrierneeds to take reference of theoriginal dimensions of the hoof in

relation to the phalanges, takemeasurements and put markers orreference points on the hoof beforecutting, otherwise accurate trimmingwill not be possible.

So long as the outline of the hoofand bones are visible, measurementsand reference can be taken fromthem. If the X-ray images have beenenlarged or reduced it is helpful tobe informed of what ratio it is,ideally 1:1 actual size.

Radiographic indications:To identify abnormality, firstnormality should be studied.

Abnormality is noticed as divergentfaces of P3 and the vertical face ofthe dorsal hoof wall and the distaltip of P3 closer to the sole (rotation).

Phalangeal rotation is recognised byP3 angle greater than P2 anddivergent from the hoof wall.

Capsular rotation is recognisedwhere the dorsal wall deviates butthe phalangeal alignment remainsstraight; this is less severe thanphalangeal rotation.

Increased distance between the walland P3 combined with a reduction ofdistance between the base of P3 andthe sole where greater detachmentof the lamella bond has occurred isrecognised as distal displacementoften described as sinking. Latero- medial displacement is alsocommon.

These descriptions are not mutuallyexclusive but are combined in manyclinical cases.

More severe cases may reveal any ofthe following: perforated soles, P3protruding, the proximal border ofthe hoof wall jamming against theextensor process, greater voidsbetween P3 and the wall and below P3 and the sole, which maybe seromas or sites of infection, seen as dark pockets on x-ray.

At the coronary border, lesionsdetaching the hoof from thecoronary corium; this can be partialor in some cases extending from heelto heel, such cases are usuallyterminal and about to slough (lose)the hoof.

A clear x-ray of this will show a dark

line at the coronary border and acrumpled step at this juncture alongwith P3 unusually deep in the hoof.

Recovery or euthanasia:This can be quite a rollercoaster ride.Some horses that suffer adevastating onset and severerotation or sinking, will develop deepseated infections, sole prolapse andrapid disintegration of the hoof.

This is the turning point one way orthe other. Either the infection andpain can be managed and theyrecover or this is the point thattreatment is terminated andeuthanasia is implemented.

Unnecessary hoof removal canreduce the horses chance ofrecovery.

Anything that is undermined, deador detrimental needs removal, as andwhen, is down to the experience ofthe practitioners involved.

Relevance of size and weight:

Miniature Shetlands that succumb tolaminitis have a small cube of a hoof;their bones may rotate within thehoof but seldom descend throughthe soles.

The physical weight of the pony isnot adequate to punch a holethrough the sole; proportionatelythey have a thick, strong sole in ratioto their size compared to a largewarmblood or draught horse; these ponies are relatively easy totreat.

However, when it comes to the largewarmblood draught horse, or veryfat cob, they are more difficult tomanage.

Why might this be?

I believe if it was more fullyunderstood that the weight of thehorse bearing down through thebone column is the major destructiveforce following laminal breakdown,and if P3 descent is to have the best chance of being arrested, it needsfirm neutralising resistance frombelow, from the earliest timepossible.

If this approach was broadly adoptedI wonder if more large laminiticswould be viewed with moreoptimism.

In the first of a two-part feature on the treatment of severe laminitics, Andrew Poynton FWCF of Poynton Ltd,discusses the parameters for commencing treatment.

Clear criteria needed fortreating severe laminitis

The veterinary surgeon, farrier andowner should discuss the level ofcommitment in time, care and financeand agree to work together; withoutthis, it is futile proceeding

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HORSE HEALTH I 21forge

A foot with the greater part of the hoof sloughed, within two monthsof treatment commencing. The same foot recovering five weeks later

The same foot 13 months after the first picture (top) was taken Shows a severe case of rotation

21 23/4/10 11:04 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I 22 forge

By Claire Brown of Farriers Pages

GLUE-ON horseshoes are commonlyused in the treatment of manyequine foot disorders includingorthopaedic disorders in foals andabnormal foot conformation. As the design and materials haveevolved to produce strongeradhesives and a more malleablecomposition they are now a viableoption for horses in high levels ofwork.

Their success has been highlightedwith notable wins by horses wearingglue-on shoes in a number ofdisciplines.

The variety of glue-on horse shoescommercially available is evolvingquickly but broadly speaking thereare three main types: synthetic glue-on shoes, aluminium core shoes andmetal horse shoes.

Synthetic glue-on shoes are madefrom acrylic polymers, polyurethaneor polyethylene.

This type of shoe absorbs energyefficiently; it is lightweight andpermits expansion of the hoof.

Available in different sizes and, insome instances widths, the glue-onshoe is attached to the hoof with aresin with similar final hardness asthe hoof horn.

The foot is trimmed as normal andthe frog is trimmed level with thewall-bearing surface to preventcontact between the frog and thehorseshoe. The farrier will clean anddegrease the foot with denaturedalcohol, before applying the shoe,taking care to keep both, and thesurrounding working area very clean.

Glue-on horse shoes with analuminium core are made from analuminium horseshoe (to providerigidity) covered with polyurethane(to absorb shock) the horseshoemay have tabs which are used toglue the horseshoe to the hoof wall.

The shoes can be shaped beforeapplication to the hoof as with astandard nail-on shoe (a shapingdevice is often provided by the

manufacturer as the shoes cannot beheated).

Again, the foot is trimmed as normaland the surface of the hoof wall islightly sanded and cleaned beforeapplication.

Metal horseshoes may be glued-onto horses with a very broken hoofwall potentially allowing the horse tostay in work whilst the new hoofgrows.

As before, after it has been trimmedand degreased it is important tokeep the foot clean during theapplication process.

A further alternative is a glue-onshoe incorporating an adhesivebonded fabric cuff which promises tobe stronger than a nail attachment

and possess an effective shockabsorbing rim pad.

The success of glue-on horseshoes islargely dependent on the correctapplication in suitable conditionscarried out by a suitably qualifiedand competent farrier.

The shoeing area must be clean, dryand, in many cases, well ventilated.

The procedure is best carried outwearing latex or rubber gloves andwith some products a mask is alsorecommended.

Many manufacturers of glue-onshoes conduct training days forfarriers to ensure the products arefitted correctly and the maximumbenefits are realised.

Glue-on shoes are not always suitedto changing environmentalconditions, for example from muddyfield to dry stable and across varyingterrains, and cleanliness and hygieneis paramount to the success of theshoe both in longevity of attachmentand to avoid infections such asthrush due to the decreasedexposure to air.

Increased application time comparedwith nailing-on shoes can causesome horses to become restless andneed sedation.

Higher material costs plus additionaltools required and increasedapplication time also means thatglue-on shoes are more expensive

than traditional shoes.

However, applied correctly a glue-onhorseshoe can last as long as nail-onshoes and, in some cases, longer ifnailed-on shoes have been thrown orhave become loose early in theshoeing cycle.

They are hard-wearing and good forsensitive footed and hammer-shyhorses.

In remedial and therapeuticapplications the benefits of glue-onshoes have revolutionised treatmentand success rates, particularly incases of laminitis and angular limbdeformities in foals.

Glue-on shoes are non traumatic andnon invasive.

As with all areas of science newproducts are continually beingresearch and trialled.

One such product is a horseshoeshaped mould which is fitted ontothe horses foot into which urethaneis injected.

Once set, the mould is removedleaving a shoe forming an extensionto the horses hoof which providesboth protection and traction.

For many the application of glue-onhorseshoes will be a temporarysolution to a hoof problem, however,with the product shelf constantlyevolving glue-on shoes may becomea regular feature in leisure andcompetition horses.

Shoes without nails

Glue on shoes are not traumatic and non invasive

Glue-on shoes are not always suited tochanging environmental conditions, forexample from muddy field to dry stable andacross varying terrains, and cleanliness andhygiene is paramount to the success of theshoe both in longevity of attachment and toavoid infections such as thrush due to thedecreased exposure to air

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HORSE HEALTH I NEWS 23

By Richard Sygall DVM, MRCVS,GPCert(EqP), veterinary surgeonat Janssen Animal Health

AFFECTING three to five per cent ofall horses in the UK sweet itch orsummer seasonal recurrentdermatitis, is caused by an allergy tothe saliva in the bite of Culicoidesmidges.

It is particularly prevalent in thesummer months, when midges aremost active and they usually attackthe mane, withers, back, rump ordock of the horse, so it is often theseareas that are affected.

Prevention and control:

Sweet itch is notoriously difficult tomanage and once a horse developsthe condition it reoccurs everysummer, proving a managementnightmare for its owner.

Prevention and control shouldinclude a three-pronged approach -decreasing the horses exposure tothe midges, killing the flies andstopping the itching.

Decrease exposure:As midges thrive in marshy fields it isadvisable, although not alwayspractical, to relocate a horsesusceptible to sweet itch to insect-free areas such as exposed, windyfields or chalk-based grassland.Grazing should be well drained andaway from rotting vegetation, suchas muck heaps, which may attractflies and water troughs should becleaned regularly to prevent fliesfrom breeding there.

The most effective protection forhorses out at grass are light rugs andhoods which can cover all the areasof the horse susceptible to bites.

Stabling horses from dawn to dusk,when flies are at their most active,and insect-proofing stables with fine-mesh screens will also help preventhorses being bitten.

Ceiling or wall-mounted fans instables create a breeze, whichprevent flies from landing on thehorse. Stabling more seriously

affected horses may sometimes domore harm than good as scratchingon a stable wall or door can cause alot of damage.

Insect repellents:Insect repellents and insecticides mayhelp control the midges and preventthem from biting the horse.Insecticides containing pyrethrins orpyrethroids, can be effective.

Benzyl benzoate will also keep fliesaway, but it has to be constantlyreapplied.

Insect repellents should be appliedwell before signs develop and shouldnot be administered to inflamed orbroken skin.

All insect repellents and insecticidesshould be applied with care.

Stopping the itching:If a horse is bitten, corticosteroidsmay bring temporary relief bydepressing the immune system butthere could be serious side effectssuch as laminitis.

Antihistamines are effective, but highdoses are required and they tend tocause drowsiness.

Soothing lotions will relieve theitching and reduce inflammation butthey will not deter further midgeattacks.

Maintaining a healthy skinbefore and through thecritical midge season:Skincare products, including topicalgels and natural food supplements,may help and those containingnicotinamide are proven to beparticularly effective in helping tomaintain and support a healthy skinin horses prone to summer skinallergies.

All preventative measures, such asutilising the insect repellents andadministering the vitamin foodsupplement, should be instigatedbefore the midge season starts toprevent the midges from biting andstimulate a horses immunity.

The management ofsummer skin allergies

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Bloodstock matters

3024

The equine digestive system inhorses working to maximum fitnessBy Helen Warren of the AlltechBiotechnology Centre

THE horses gut is not very conduciveto athleticism.

In the wild, equids are grazing, herdanimals that rarely exert muchphysical energy in terms offast/athletic movement unlessresponding to a threat and, as such,their hind gut is able to act as itshould as a fermentation vesselthat contains digesta most of thetime.

The structure and function of theequine gut is complex and easilyprone to digestive upset, for exampleat the location of the pelvic flexure.

The shear size and weight of the gut,plus its persistent contents, means itmust not be the easiest structure tocarry around.

Function:The efficient functioning of thehindgut plays a key role ingenerating energy and nutrients formetabolism and the subsequentmaintenance of homeostasis.

The horse has evolved to require aminimum amount of dietary fibre asa food source for the micro-organisms located in the caecum andlarge colon.

In addition, the small intestine of thehorse can digest very little starch atany one time and, consequently,struggles to deal with concentratemeals containing more than three tofour grams of starch per kilogram ofbody weight per meal (Potter et al.,1992).

Disruption of normal hindgutfunction by less than adequatedietary fibre or excess dietary starch

often reduces the ability of thehindgut to maintain a near-neutralpH, which can lead to acidicconditions, often referred to asacidosis.

Acidosis actually relates to a loweringof blood alkali reserves (this means alack of buffer to compensate for theincreased acidity) and many horsessuffer from a sub-clinical form,particularly those in hard workcoupled with limited access toforage.

Excessive amounts of starch that arefermented in the small intestine mayalso have implications forperformance.

When volatile fatty acids (VFA) areproduced as products offermentation, they are absorbedacross the mucosal barrier togetherwith water.

If absorption does not mirrorproduction and VFA accumulate inthe caecum/colon the animalattempts to buffer the resultant pHdecrease by recruiting water fromthe blood.

This, of course, has consequences forosmolarity and subsequenthydration.

Metabolic issues:Unfortunately, data to try toelucidate exactly what is happeningat gut level during exercise appear

scarce in the horse.

It is known that exercise seems toinduce increases inadrenocorticotrophic hormone(ACTH) and cortisol as part of anormal response to exertion, ratherthan that of a stress response(Harrington McKeever and Gordon,2008) and their respectiveconcentrations are dependent on theintensity and duration of exercise(Nagata et al., 1999).

Effects of diet on response toexercise have also been studied. Highhydrolysable carbohydrate diets havebeen shown to increase heart rateand blood lactate concentration with little or no benefit toperformance.

Fat supplementation has provenuseful in certain situations, however,animals need time to becomemetabolically adapted to fatsupplementation this may bearound two to three months forcomplete adaptation (Ps et al.,2008).

As the horse employs fermentationas a major digestive mechanism at both the front and rear of the GI tract it follows that reasonable amounts of gas are produced and require removal.

Continued on Page 25

In the wild equids are grazing, herd animals that rarely exert much physical energy

The efficient functioning of thehindgut plays a key role in generatingenergy and nutrients for metabolismand the subsequent maintenance ofhomeostasis

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25

Bloodstock matters

It has been suggested that theescape of this gas may be impededduring exercise and result insignificant discomfort to the animal (Lorenzo-Figueras and Merritt,2008).

Another issue associated withfermentation in the stomach isgastric ulcers and data exist todemonstrate an increased prevalence in horses undergoing race training (Orsini et al., 2009).

Additionally, the rate of gastricemptying is potentially reducedduring exertion, which may have implications for the above,however, this area is lackinginformation.

Intestinal dysmotility (abnormal gutmotility) is likely to be a significantissue with regards to exertion and is an area that requires moreresearch.

Physical considerations:Aside from the metabolic issues ofgut function often associated withperformance horses, there are alsophysical considerations.

For example, increase in intra-abdominal pressure via contractionor tensing of the abdominal musclescould potentially have numerousconsequences, such as physicaldislocation of the intestines,diversion of blood flow and release of regulatory compounds(Lorenzo-Figueras and Merritt, 2008).

Indeed, in humans the term caecalslap has been assigned to theknocking of the caecum against theabdominal wall while running (Porter,1982).

Implications for this include effectson blood flow and, consequently,any functions influenced by bloodflow (of which digestion is one)would be affected.

Traditionally, animals are restricted intheir access to feed prior to exercise,however, increased blood flow to theGI tract has been demonstrated in

animals that have been fed ratherthan fasted and may be at lower riskof hypovolaemia.

Maintaining sufficient wateringestion is also key to maintainingblood flow forage vs. concentratemeals encourage greater wateringestion.

Additionally, concentrate meals offered two to three hoursprior to exercise can alter

nutrient metabolism, such that lipidoxidation is considerably reduced,which may be detrimental toperformance.

Conversely, forage meals have nosuch effect (Ps et al., 2008).

Conclusion:In summary, the effect of moderateto intensive exercise on thefunctioning of the gut is complex

and not fully understood in thehorse.

However, ensuring the supply ofoptimal levels of nutrients andenergy via quality feed, as well as promoting gut healththrough the potential use of yeast-based supplements the horsemay be better able to cope with the physiological challenge ofexercise.

The effect of intensive exercise on the functioning of the gut is complex and not fully understood

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26 Animalife 23/4/10 11:00 Page 1

HORSE HEALTH I 27joints

Equine joint supplements Are they worth the investment?By Luis Lamas, DVM CertES(Orth) MRCVS, Equine Surgeon

FROM a clinical perspective equineperformance can be divided intothree aspects: suitability of the horse-rider partnership for the intendedpurpose, training and injuryprevention, and finally, investigationand treatment of problems whichcould prevent optimum performance.

Clinical aspects of horse-ridersuitability are not always obvious asthey require knowledge of thehorses potential and rider ability.

This assessment has a degree ofsubjectivity and is, at times, hard todetermine in the short term.Reduced performance can arise ifany of the three components (abilityof the rider, ability of the horse andhorse-rider partnership) are notproperly suited.

It is important for owners to establisha solid relationship with theirveterinary surgeon in order to receiveadequate advice on these matters.

As with any athlete, training isessential to maximise performanceand prolong a horses athletic career.The musculoskeletal