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Minerals and Coat Bleaching have a direct link. If you want your horse to look his best you don’t need to rug to stop bleaching or fading. ​ A dull and faded coat isn’t a good look for any horse, especially in the show ring or a competitive performance horse. Other suggestions are to keep the horse indoors during the day, paint the horse with products or use a high fat ingredient in the diet to give the horse a shiny sheen but none of these suggestions deal with the actual cause. ​ A diet containing the correct balance of minerals can remedy a dull faded or sun bleached coat and achieve the horse’s optimum colour, according to its genes. A sun bleached or dull coat is a classic sign of mineral deficiency and the way to correct this is to put the horse on a more than adequate nutrient and mineral balanced diet. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ All horses have a requirement for carbohydrates, protein, a small amount of fat, vitamins and minerals and water to stay healthy. Equine nutritionists use the ‘Nutrient Requirements of Horses’, published in 2007 by the National Research Council (NRC ) to calculate needs for horses. Lactating mares have the highest needs. Growing horses require less total feed but a higher concentration of minerals compared to mature horses. The greater the body weight or workload, the greater the requirements for protein and minerals. This is why the same diet (pasture and supplementary feed) can appear to support one horse but not another if one is heavier or is on a higher workload despite both horses having a good body condition score. ​ The same can apply to a horse that has his workload increase. The diet may appear to support the horse quite well at the lower workload but signs of mineral deficiency may be expressed at the higher workload. ​ Coat colour Horses most affected by sun bleaching are the darker colours like black and bays but it also affects chestnuts, buckskins and to a lesser extent greys. Some breeds are more affected than others; Friesians for example don’t bleach as much. They may be less prone to it because they genetically produce higher concentrations of very dark, protective melanin. Even if they are producing less than normal it’s still more than most other horses. ​ It must be said that horses are individuals so two bay horses of the same weight and breed on the same diet and workload may have one exhibiting a more bleached coat. Both will still have the same mineral deficiency. Melanin Coat pigmentation is determined by the presence, absence or relative proportions of the melanin pigments eumelanin (brown and black) and phaeomelanin (a reddish or yellowish brown). The melanins are relatively large, light absorbing biopolymers that occur in various similar forms. Eumelanin is either brown or black in colour, but is thought to always be black in horses. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Melanins are raw materials which include chemicals called indoles along with other products derived from the oxidation of an amino acid called L-tyrosine – which occurs in plants and animals including micro organisms and humans. The resulting copper dependent enzyme, tyrosinase, is then involved in melanin production. Interestingly, the lack of tyrosinase is responsible for albinism in various mammals including humans, and is related to grey hair in humans. True albinism, however, has not been identified in horses. ​ Copper and zinc A copper dependent enzyme called tyrosinase is responsible for the production of melanin, brownish black pigments synthesised from the amino acid tyrosine. This occurs in plants and animals including micro organisms and us. The lack of tyrosinase activity is responsible for albinism and is related to grey hair in us. Sufficient copper is needed to produce the pigment in buckskins and chestnuts and both copper and zinc are needed for black/brown/grey coats. ​ The purpose of the pigments is to act as a shield against light. The fading is caused by ultraviolet light oxidising the pigments. If there are less than optimal levels in the diet, the hair will be more prone to bleaching but will look normal until enough pigment has been damaged to cause the colour change. ​ That’s why a newly grown winter coat will appear darker but then lightens over time if the horse is copper and zinc deficient. If your horse is on a more than adequate nutrient and mineral balanced diet, there is no need for rugging or worse, being kept indoors. ​ Copper deficiency in other species influences coat quality and produces ‘rusting’ of dark coats, this is especially noticeable in the manes of bays and black horses. This effect in horses has not been formally proven, but horses showing red tips on dark manes of dark coats respond well to copper and zinc supplementation. ​ It’s not enough to simply ensure sufficient levels of copper and zinc in the diet, the balance between the two must also be considered as too much zinc in the diet has been shown to interfere with copper uptake. This is known as a secondary copper deficiency. Too much copper in the diet is believed to interfere with zinc uptake. Some people add copper sulfate to a feed; this is not good practice without taking into account the copper and zinc intake for the whole diet (pasture plus any additional feeds). The ideal ratio for copper to zinc is 1:3. ​ A secondary copper deficiency can be caused by other factors. High molybdenum and sulphates from grazing on affected pasture is known to interfere with copper intake. Some horse owners add inorganic yellow sulphur to their horses’ feeds. There is a very small requirement for sulphur in a horse’s diet that is easily satisfied by grass or hay, the yellow sulfur obtained from stock feed suppliers should never be fed to a horse, it can be toxic. ​ A copper deficiency may be obvious with coat colour changes but can be more subtle in other parts of the body. Copper is part of many enzymes responsible for chemical reactions throughout the body. A deficiency can lead to abnormalities in bone, cartilage, tendons and ligaments and has been linked to uterine artery rupture in mares, a fatal complication of labour and with zinc, developmental bone disease in foals. ​ Studies have shown that a high iron intake can interfere with zinc levels causing a secondary zinc deficiency. Since pasture and hay generally have excessive levels of iron, avoid supplements that add more iron to your horse’s diet unless an iron deficiency is confirmed by your vet. ​ A zinc deficiency can cause a raft of issues from skin flaking and poor coat quality to poor fertility, poor hoof quality and ridging, mouth ulcers, mild anaemia (oxidative damage), suboptimal immunity and predisposition to skin infections. ​ It’s worth noting that anaemia due to iron deficiency is extremely rare, more likely caused by a copper deficiency as the production of the oxygen carrying haemoglobin for red blood cells requires a number of crucial copper dependent enzymes. ​ Other nutrients Of course, it’s not just copper and zinc but protein, vitamins and other minerals also need to be part of the balanced diet. Fortunately, the good news is that if your horse is on a high intake forage diet, most of the vitamins will be supplied and won’t need supplementing. An exception is vitamin E if your horse is in work. ​ The motto to remember is that ‘more is not better’. If there is more than adequate protein in your horse’s pasture, supplementing more is not helping your horse at all as it has to be excreted. ​ Keratin Keratin is an extremely strong protein and is the major component in skin, mane and tail, hooves, and teeth as is the case for us with our skin, hair and nails. Keratin is made up of a chain of amino acids with unique properties depending on the sequence; it can be inflexible and hard like hooves or soft as is the case with skin depending on the levels of the various amino acids. ​ Many of the amino acids that are needed for keratin are never deficient; horses can manufacture them from other amino acids. One that has to come from the diet is methionine as it cannot be manufactured by the horse. Methionine has a sulphur bond which has confused some people into thinking that sulphur should be supplemented in the diet. Feeding sulphur doesn’t create more methionine but fortunately methionine is in grass and hay and is unlikely to be deficient unless the horse is on a high grain diet with little forage. ​ Fats in the diet The last consideration should be given to fat in the diet. Many people supplement vegetable oils like canola to add a shine to their horse’s coat. Without taking into account the whole diet, rectifying any deficiencies and balancing the minerals, this simply results in a shiny, mineral deficient horse. Since horses evolved on a low fat intake, less than 6%, is this in the best interests of the horse? ​ Fat is never deficient in the diet if grass is the predominant forage, there is no necessity to supplement more fat unless the horse is on little pasture and hay instead. Grass contains the anti inflammatory omega-3 and pro inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids in a ratio of roughly 4:1. Both are necessary for the immune system. Unfortunately all vegetable oils with the exception of linseed contains very little to no omega-3 and an abundance of omega-6 fatty acids. If your horse is mainly fed hay, he should be supplemented with linseed oil or the ground linseeds as the curing of hay destroys the fragile omega-3 fatty acids. To learn more about linseeds go to this page: Linseed, is it safe? ​ The next time you visit your stockfeed supplier or saddlery, have a look at all the coat, mineral and hoof supplements, the two minerals they will all have in common is copper and zinc. Ask an independent nutritionist to help you have your pasture and/or hay tested and a mineral supplement formulated to correct any nutritional deficiencies and balance the minerals. Let your horse be the colour his genes designed him to be. ​ Article originally published in the August – September 2010 (Vol 32 No 2) issue of Hoofbeats magazine with the title of ‘Minerals and Coat Colour’, updated since. Further reading: Links may change over time. If a link doesn’t work, search the title in your search engine. Dr Eleanor Kellon VMD offers equine nutrition courses, start with NRCPlus http://drkellon.com Dr Kellon (2014) Copper and Zinc https://drkhorsesense.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/copper-and-zinc/ NRC Nutrient Requirements of Horses (2007) https://www.nap.edu/read/11653/chapter/1 Prince, before mineral supplementation and after Harvey showing coat changes with mineral supplementation

Paddock Paradise can be very beneficial depending on the situation. Many vouch for the increase in movement. It can be a tool for managing the threat of pasture Laminitis www.hvhoofandequinehealthcareproducts.com/pasture-laminitis ​ If any of your horses are in danger of laminitis, either in spring/summer or winter, one option to consider is a ‘paddock paradise’ type arrangement. This may entail some initial effort and expense but it would mean that your horses could graze in the morning when sugars and starch are usually at their lowest (no cold temperatures or frost overnight) and then later, your horses could be placed in the laneway and get exercise which a small dirt yard cannot provide. ​ If you have a horse with insulin resistance (IR) or high insulin that is unable to eat grass without the real threat of laminitis due to to high sugar and starch levels, a laneway system with low sugar + starch hay distributed in several places is far better than a small dirt yard. ​ The paddock paradise concept is to fence off a laneway around the perimeter of a paddock using electric tape or similar around the perimeter of the whole property. Depending on the sugar sensitivity of your horses, you may have to find a way to remove the grass or their grazing may limit the grass sufficiently. However, never underestimate the ability of horses to consume significant amounts of grass from nipping away at the new growth. Horses kept in paddock paradise type laneways are reported to move far more than horses in paddocks, happier with the increased activity and the movement is beneficial for managing insulin levels and hoof quality. ​ ​ ​ ​ Paddock Paradise ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Jaime Jackson, a barefoot enthusiast in America published a book on paddock paradise ‘Paddock Paradise, A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding’. See links at bottom of the page. ​ Alyssa Brugman offers a barefoot rehabititation centre in the Hunter Valley in NSW. With the time and effort needed daily to rehabilitate hooves, she has worked ‘miracles’ in bringing chronically lame horses back to soundness. ​ Alyssa’s experience with paddock paradise ​ ​ ​ ​ OK, well it started off being about water. I was aware of the Jaime Jackson paddock paradise concept, because I had done some reading, and heard others talk about it, but I always assumed it would be too difficult or too expensive, and I wasn’t really sure what the benefits would be other than warm fuzzies. Besides that, we had just spent the last few years changing the fences that we had, because this property used to be a dairy. We changed the barbed wire to nylon sight wire and plain wire, then ran stand-offs on the inside. I was very happy with what we had, and I felt it was safe. We also put in a foaling paddock with mesh fences and a shelter that we could see from the house, and a pea gravel yard, so that had been our priority. ​ We have a creek running right through the middle of the property. If you can imagine there is very lush kikuyu undersown with clover on one (flat) side and then on the other (hill) side, the soil is poorer and we have more native grasses. ​ Up until last year, billabongs in our creek provided water to almost every paddock. The whole property is 35 acres. We have seven paddocks (of varying sizes). I run three separate herds by activity level. The numbers change, because horses come and go, but basically one herd is oldies (4 or 5 horses), one of youngies (7 to 9 horses) and one of aggressive or nutty horses (only 2 or 3 together). I was doing a rotation of the paddocks, the way I imagine most people would. I let the horses eat it down to about 5-10cm, move them, then spread the poos with a harrow and rest the paddock. It re-grows to about 20-30 centimetres – give or take, and then I put them back in. ​ I was locking up the founder horses overnight in the pea gravel yard, which is about 30 x 15 m (this used to be the cattle yard with the chase). They had soaked hay. They didn’t founder, but they also weren’t flourishing, and I still struggled with thrush, wall separation and cracks, white line disease, and coat quality. These were horses that before they came here used to spend their springs and summers flat out on the ground in agony, so I wasn’t going to quibble over a bit of seedy toe. I had been pleased with getting them through without being lame, but it was still there in the back of my mind that I could do better. ​ Then we didn’t get any decent rain. The billabongs dried up. I had to keep the horses in the paddocks with dams, or in paddocks adjacent to paddocks with dams, which meant I wasn’t able to do my rotation. There was no rain breaking down the spread poos. Paddocks were getting stressed. Horses were getting fat. The dams were becoming little muddy holes because the horses were rolling in them, and squashing any plants that were growing around the edges. ​ It wasn’t working. ​ We had bought pigtail posts and electric tape, because we were doing mass plantings of natives to secure the banks of the creek and also to provide shade for the paddocks (this place had almost no trees). We were fencing off these areas and running the tape off the same solar chargers that ran the stand-offs. This was changing the shape of the paddocks to a much more organic shape, rather than squares, because the fence would follow the creek line in a serpentine, and we were planting trees in corners and thus making the paddocks a hexagon-type shape. ​ So one day, after looking at the sad little puddle that was my front dam, I got my left over pigtail posts and my tape and made a long corridor isolating the dam and directing the youngies herd from the middle of the property to a water trough right up here near the house, which I could fill from our tanks. The corridor was about 250 metres long and about 15 – 20 metres wide, with a kind of bulb on the end where the water is. It took about an hour. I used about 25-30 pigtail posts ($50 for a pack of ten) and a 400m reel of econobraid electric tape ($65) and a solar charger ($260), plus a galvanized star picket that I used as an earth ($7). This corridor directed them into a paddock on the hill (on the poor pasture) that was essentially round because of the tree plantings in the corners. ​ What I found was that most of the time they either cantered along the corridor or galloped. When they hit the open space, if they weren’t galloping already they would increase speed. They would follow the fenceline, and instead of pulling up in the corner, they would go around (and around and around). ​ Coming back the other way, they were cutting the corner at the bottom, and wearing a big divot, so I put a log there, thinking they would go around it. Instead they started jumping it. Gleefully! ​ I will just pause here to say that most of the horses that we take are usually ex-dressage horses, showjumpers, show horses, some OTTBs – horses disposed towards athleticism, but that have been in shoes from a very young age, ridden in big nasty bits, ridden through lameness with drugs or ‘remedial shoeing’, grain fed, stabled etc etc. They get to about 15 years old and they fall apart physically, or get sour and mean, or have mysterious incurable conditions. We take them, pull their shoes, balance their feet, put them in a herd and let them be horses, and they usually turn around. We can then send them back to their owners, or find a new home, or if they don’t come good then they can stay with us. ​ Suddenly these horses were traveling at speed along this corridor several times a day. ​ Then I had a baby, and I left the founder horses out while I was in hospital, and when I came back five days later, they looked terrific! So I decided to leave them out and watch closely. We also had a newborn, and it was more convenient. ​ Four other things happened simultaneously with my corridor that contributed significantly to the soundness of these horses: ​ 1. I contacted Carol Layton of Balanced Equine and she balanced minerals for my pasture and prepared a diet for one horse from each herd. Horses that weren’t being fed at all up until then got the mineral mix with a handful of chaff. This has made a huge difference. ​ 2. I found a new dentist who is a mile better than my old one. ​ 3. I found a new vet/chiro/osteo who was turning around in one visit horses that I had essentially given up on. 4. I bought a treeless dressage saddle. ​ Oh, and 5. I put the horses with arthritis on a joint supplement. ​ Five weeks after I had my baby I had a dressage lesson on one of my old men. He hadn’t been ridden for over six months, and we were asking him to do quite difficult gymnastic, lateral work. He was doing tempi changes and not even breaking a sweat. Different horse! ​ It took a little while to get the diets right, because all the horses here are idiosyncratic (or they wouldn’t be here!), but hoof quality improved. Wall cracks were growing out, frogs were more robust. These horses that were not lame, lame but not sound, sound either were running around looking ten years younger. Coats were improving. Horses that always had just a touch of greasy heel most of the time cleared up. Tempers were getting better. There were fewer scuffles. Weights were better all round (except for one welshy who is a different story). Even their manes and tails were tangle free! ​ Trail riding they are unflappable, even in large groups, in the wind, with strange dogs. I took the very worst founder horse, who’s been out 24/7 for a few months now in Edge boots on the fronts. He was moving forward, ears pricked on road base. Beautiful! Happy! Enjoying himself! I took a little mare out who I hadn’t been on for a year and a half on hard trail ride up and down mountains, bare. She should have been exhausted or at least footsore, but she wasn’t. She was fit. ​ So then I go completely nuts for paddock paradise. Basically I made a racetrack around two of the paddocks. Two of them are long and narrow already. So 4 of the 7 paddocks are now paddock paradise. It cost me about $500 for each one – each of which has about 400 metres of electric braid, up to 30 pigtail posts, one solar charger and a galvanised star picket for an earth. With two of them I can use the one solar charger at a gate and attach it to different paddocks . I also bought some bungee gates so that I can block sections or to direct horses through gates in to different paddocks (extend the track through a gate to a create figure eight). I’ve organised it so that three paddocks access water from troughs near the house (still no rain). ​ The horses that I was feeding before paddock paradise are now receiving less in volume than they were receiving before, but now we have these squares in the middle of the paddock that I’m not quite sure what to do with. Then one day I’m talking to my neighbour, Trevor, who is a proper farmer, and he tells me that he is happy to cut and bale hay for me for an hourly rate, because he has all the equipment, and we have an adjoining gate. I asked him if I need to plant something special and he said he is happy to bale anything. ​ So our plan now, over the next twelve months is to remineralise the soil. We have made headway with weeds since we have been here, but we’ll try to eliminate them completely. Then we will grow grasses, bale them, get the hay tested and then balance minerals to our own hay. The feed quality will be consistent and balanced, and hopefully in the long run much cheaper! We will know exactly what’s in it, and know that there are no chemicals being used. ​ In the tracks we will introduce more obstacles, and a range of surfaces – sand, gravel, water, jumps. In some places we will make permanent fences, but I like having the versatility of the pigtail posts. ​ I have found this to be so exciting. The difference has been quite dramatic and I haven’t even finished yet. ​ With planning and help you could do it in an afternoon. With planning, shopping around and haggling you could probably do it much cheaper than I have too. I did a lot of it on my own, and in a spare hour here or there while my babies were asleep, so you don’t need to be a fencing whizz. If you agist you could buy your own equipment and take it with you. I only wished I had done it years ago. ​ Some observations: The width of the track is dependent on the number of horses you have in it. If you only have two horses then it needs to be quite narrow in order to encourage movement at pace. ​ For larger numbers it needs to be wide enough for at least three to run abreast. ​ If you have a long straight corridor you need to have a bulb on the end so that they have room to swing around. Having seen the speed they pick up, I would hate to think what would happen if they hit a dead end. ​ You also need to funnel them through a gate way, so they are in single file by the time they reach it. ​ While it’s good to have obstacles (and fun to watch), they need to be safe, and you need to regularly walk the track to remove smaller sticks, branches and rocks. Also I have always made an obstacle a choice, so they can go around it if they choose. ​ I like the electric tape and the pigtail posts and bungee gates because you can change the set up very quickly and easily, and also if someone needs to bail out mid-flight then there won’t be much damage to the horse or the fence. That being said, I’ve had quite a few different horses in this system and only one of them escapes – our two-year-old Welshy, and he’s never hurt himself.” ​ I’m grateful to Alyssa for her permission to publish her report on paddock paradise. Her report was originally written for the Myth Busters Natural Horse Care discussion group. ​ Further reading: Links may change over time. If a link doesn’t work, search the title in your search engine. Jaime Jackson (2007) Paddock Paradise, A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding https://www.jaimejackson.com/ Paddock Paradise Wiki http://paddockparadise.wikifoundry.com/

: A hard surface with high impact resistance does not allow the toe to dig in during push off. Centre: A surface with moderate impact and shear resistance allows the toe to dig but then offers resistance as the hoof pushes off. Right: A soft surface with low impact but low shear resistance and gives way and does not offer sufficient resistance as the hoof pushes off. JOINTS Joints will deteriorate with age and also the workload of the horse, especially if the surfaces they are worked on are too hard, the workload is too demanding when the horse is young and still developing. Support for Ageing Joints With age the cartilage starts to “dry out”, it can be compared to a kitchen sponge that becomes brittle when dry, but becomes soft and spongy again when it is wet. Well cartilage needs water to stay spongy too, however the process of keeping that water (hydrolysing) needs glucosamine. That is converted to GAGs and they cause the hydrolysing of the cartilage. With age the horses natural levels of glucosamine drop and so the sponge dries out and the cushioning effect of the joint reduces and the horse loses its spring. It then proceeds onto degenerative joint condition – osteoarthritis. Joint Damage, Injuries, Trauma The other main source of joint degeneration comes from trauma – the concussive damage from the repetitive pounding of the feet and legs on firm surfaces. There is help at hand, these conditions can be alleviated by correctly formulated nutriceuticals that contain the right amounts of scientifically proven actives (such as collagen , glucosamine, chondroitin and manganese), injectable therapies from your veterinarian, helpful shoeing and care to check surfaces for working the horse and good nutrition with balanced healthy diet containing correct amounts of minerals. ​ The Equine Hock Joint Dr Peter Gillespie. BVSc MACVS. Situated midway between the stifle joint and the foot in the hind limb, is the hock, one of the hardest working joints in the equine body. It is also one of the most complex – comprising six bones making up four individual joints, all held in place by numerous ligaments and joint capsules The largest joint of the four is the tibiotarsal joint – the articulation between the tibia and the talus. The three smaller hock joints in descending order are the proximal inter-tarsal, distal inter-tarsal and tarso-metatarsal joints. For all practical purposes, the hock works as a hinge, moving by flexion and extension through one plane. Practically all of the movement occurs in the tibiotarsal joint. Movement in the other joints is minimal, restricted by the shape of the articular surfaces of the bones themselves, the collateral ligaments and the strong fibrous joint capsule. A special anatomical arrangement exists between the stifle and the hock, which allows them to work in synchrony with each other – when the stifle flexes, the hock flexes, when one extends, so does the other. All equine disciplines require full and free flexion of both the stifle and hock joints to achieve effective hind limb propulsion. Whether it is the acceleration necessary in racing or the collection of dressage, the hock is the pivotal hind limb joint. Even at slow gaits, huge stresses are placed on the hock. Although the hind legs are not subjected to the same concussive forces of weight bearing as the front legs, the loading on them during movement is still significant. Shock waves travel up the limb and through the bones, ligaments and joint capsules that collectively make up the hock. In addition, the break over phase of the stride produces a rotational force (torque) that is also absorbed by the structures of the hock. The absorption of these forces is the reason why the hock is the most common site in the hind limb of work (stress) related injuries. Good conformation is important in minimising the stress forces. Conversely, poor conformation exacerbates the stress even during low intensity work. In assessing conformation, it is important to view a horse standing square, on an even, flat surface. From the rear view, normal hock conformation should feature a straight axis through the tibia (gaskin) and cannon bone, with no deviation at the hock. Bearing in mind that most horses ‘toe out’ slightly behind, it is easy to get the wrong impression of them being cow hocked. From the side view, normal hocks feature a vertical cannon bone with an angle to the tibia of close to 150°. Cow hocks are a common conformational fault. When viewed from the rear, there is a deviation at the hock from the axis of the gaskin to the cannon bone. This conformation puts additional stress on the medial structures and predisposes those horses to bone spavin (refer later). Sickle hocks are less common but when they do occur they usually place strain on the plantar ligament at the back of the hock, resulting in a condition commonly known as a curbed hock (refer later).When viewed from the side, sickle hocks feature the cannon bone angled forward from the vertical axis. Straight hocks occurs when a horse has very little angulation between the thigh bone (femur) and the tibia (gaskin). Good hock angulation is a desirable conformational trait in all horses. Straight hocks prevent a horse from reaching as far forward with the hind legs during propulsion. Bowed hocks are the opposite of cow hocks. They are not a common conformational fault but when they do occur they put excessive strain on the outside structures of the joints. Hock lameness occurs when the stresses placed on the hock joints produce inflammatory changes which interrupt normal structure and function. The initial signs of lameness can be so subtle that they are often not seen as being related to a hock problem. Usually the first noticeable sign is stiffness associated with muscle soreness in the lumber region of the back. Poorly trained chiropractors (of which there are many) earn a good income from telling owners their horse’s ‘back is out’ when in fact they have a simple secondary muscle soreness from a primary hock problem. Because the lumbo-sacral joint in the lower back flexes in unison with the stifle and hock joints, any restriction in the mobility of the hock will affect the lower back as well. Another consistent early sign of hock lameness is pain around the head of the medial (inside) splint bone. Because it contributes a large weight bearing part of the tarso-metatarsal joint, excessive strain on the joint will produce referred pain in the upper part of the ligament of the splint bone. The test to detect this pain is known as the ‘Churchill Hock Test’ named after veterinarian who first showed the pain to be a consistent early feature of hock lameness. More often than not these early signs go undetected or mis-diagnosed. Swellings of the joint capsule or a boney enlargement on the inside of the hock are often the first noticeable signs. By this stage there is inflammation in the joint capsule, degeneration of the joint cartilage, and remodeling of the underlying bone. There are several specific hock conditions that are worth mentioning. Bone Spavin This is another colloquial term used to describe a distension of the joint capsule of the tibiotarsal joint. It presents as a soft fluctuating swelling on the inside front aspect of the hock, with another smaller swelling slightly higher on the outside. If finger pressure is applied to either one of these swellings, the other can be felt to enlarge. Although the name implies a specific hock condition, bog spavin should be treated as a symptom of an underlying hock problem. More often than not, such problems are nothing more than a slight strain of the joint capsule with mild inflammation but no associated lameness. Occasionally there is a more serious joint problem and lameness, that requires veterinary attention. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a common cause of bog spavin in young horses. Bog Spavin This is another colloquial term used to describe a distension of the joint capsule of the tibiotarsal joint. It presents as a soft fluctuating swelling on the inside front aspect of the hock, with another smaller swelling slightly higher on the outside. If finger pressure is applied to either one of these swellings, the other can be felt to enlarge. Although the name implies a specific hock condition, bog spavin should be treated as a symptom of an underlying hock problem. More often than not, such problems are nothing more than a slight strain of the joint capsule with mild inflammation but no associated lameness. Occasionally there is a more serious joint problem and lameness, that requires veterinary attention. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a common cause of bog spavin in young horses. Thoroughpin This is a distension of the tendon sheath that encloses the deep digital flexor tendon at the back of the hock. While not essentially a condition of the hock joint, it has a similar appearance to a bog spavin and therefore, needs to be distinguished from it. The swelling associated with thoroughpin is higher up and further back than a bog spavin and may be pressed from inside to outside and vice versa. Thoroughpin does not usually cause lameness and is generally regarded as of little significance. Curbed Hock The plantar tarsal ligament is a broad ligament that runs down the back of the hock. Sprain of this ligament is not uncommon particularly in horses with sickle hock conformation. Although the ligament appears swollen and is usually painful to the horse when palpated, lameness is not usually a feature. Capped Hock Kicking out at either stall walls or float doors can cause a haematoma on the point of the hock. Blood accumulates beneath the unbroken skin and can take several weeks to dissipate. Drainage should be avoided because of the complications that can result. Septic Arthritis An infection in the tibiotarsal joint can have a similar appearance to a bog spavin. The difference is, the horse is usually acutely lame. Often there is an obvious sign of a puncture wound however this may not always be the case, particularly in foals. This is a potentially crippling condition that requires immediate veterinary attention. ​ ​ The Equine Suspensory Ligament Dr Peter Gillespie. BVSc MACVS. Injuries to the suspensory ligament are a common occurrence in athletic horses. They can occur in both the fore and hind legs and have the potential to bring a horse’s competitive career to an end. Where is the suspensory ligament and what does it do? To describe it in simple terms, it runs down behind the cannon bone between the knee and the fetlock in the fore leg and between the hock and the fetlock in the hind leg. To be more precise, in the fore leg it originates on the distal row of carpal bones at the back of the knee and on the back of the upper part of the metacarpus (cannon bone). In the hind leg, it originates mainly on the upper metatarsus, although there are some attachments to the distal row of tarsal (hock) bones. Two thirds of the way down the metacarpus (or metatarsus) it divides into medial and lateral branches which continue down to attach to the outside surface of the sesamoid bones at the fetlock joint. From there it continues below the fetlock as lateral and medial extensor branches which insert on the Common Digital Extensor tendon at the front of the pastern between the fetlock and the foot. It is interesting that the suspensory ligament is actually a modified muscle. It’s anatomical equivalent in animals with more than one toe is the medial interosseous muscle. In the horse the suspensory ligament is made up of predominately tendon fibres with some residual muscle fibres. The number of muscle fibres varies between individual horses and between breeds. Standardbred horses have a higher proportion than thoroughbreds. The suspensory ligament along with the sesamoid bones and distal sesamoidean ligaments make up what is known as the suspensory apparatus. Its function is to support the fetlock joint during the weight-bearing phase of the stride. It is during this phase that most suspensory ligament injuries occur. Uneven loading of the limb during weight bearing is the main contributing cause helped in many cases by an uneven ground surface and poor foot balance. Overloading of the ligament leads to tearing of collagen (tendinous) fibres and the small blood vessels associated with the muscle fibres. There is bleeding within the ligament with the formation of a haematoma. The healing process proceeds through three steps; (1) Removal of damaged tissue by phagocytes (white blood cells). (2) Migration of fibroblasts into the area to start producing new collagen (scar tissue). (3) Remodelling of scar tissue. The early scar tissue is organized in a haphazard manner. During the first 2-3 months the collagen fibres orientate themselves in a parallel alignment and slowly increase in diameter. The repaired tissue is not as strong or as elastic as a normal ligament tissue and as such is predisposed to re injury. This is an important point when assessing the prognosis for a successful return to competition. The inflammatory changes associated with the tearing of the collagen fibres produce the characteristic signs of heat, swelling, pain and reduced function. The term for inflammation of the suspensory ligament is desmitis. We recognize six distinct conditions. 1. Avulsion of the origin of the suspensory ligament This condition usually affects the forelimbs. It involves a tearing of the attachment of the ligament at the back of the metacarpus. Signs can vary from an acute, severe lameness to a chronic recurring lameness that can be difficult to pinpoint. Swelling is not always obvious because the ligament at this point is surrounded on three sides by bone (cannon & two splint bones). A common feature of lameness associated with this type of injury is that it is usually worse when the horse is trotted in a circle with the injured leg to the outside. Diagnosis is usually dependent on nerve blocks, ultrasonography and radiography Treatment involves box rest for the first 4-6 weeks followed by 6-8 months paddock rest. The prognosis is good for a return to competition without recurrence of the injury. 2. Proximal suspensory desmitis affects the suspensory in the uppermost quarter. It is a common cause of both fore and hindleg lameness. Again there is often no swelling with this condition due to the surrounding boney structures. Signs can vary greatly from a pronounced lameness to un-diagnosed poor performance. Lameness can be exacerbated by either trotting in a circle with the affected leg to the outside or by flexion of the fetlock joint. Diagnosis can be confirmed by nerve blocks and ultrasonography. The preferred treatment is a combination of box rest and controlled exercise. Box rest is necessary for the first 4-6 weeks to complete the initial phase of the healing process. Six months of controlled exercise helps the remodeling process by stimulating better alignment of the collagen fibres. The prognosis with proximal suspensory injuries varies with the age of the injury prior to diagnosis. Acute injuries are more likely to respond to treatment with a successful return to competition than are chronic injuries. 3. Desmitis of the suspensory body The body of the suspensory is defined as the section between the upper proximal quarter and the bifurcation to the medial and lateral branches. This injury is more common in the fore legs. Swelling is generally a feature, as is pain on palpation. Lameness is usually not an early sign, in fact nine times out of ten swelling will precede any lameness. Because the body of the suspensory ligament lies close to the narrower diameter sections of the splint bones, swelling in the ligament can put pressure on these bones, causing them to fracture. For this reason it is advisable to take radiographs when this type of injury occurs. Again initial box rest and anti-inflammatory therapy followed by controlled exercise is the preferred treatment. If a splint bone is fractured it should be removed surgically. The prognosis with this type of injury is guarded. 4. Desmitis of the branch of the suspensory ligament This is the easiest suspensory injury to diagnose because of the obvious swelling that fills the natural hollow between the ligament and the cannon bone. The swollen branch is always painful on palpation. Lameness is usually not a feature. Box rest, anti-inflammatory therapy and controlled exercise are important in the recuperative phase but the prognosis with this type of injury is poor. 5. Suspensory desmitis secondary to splints or fractured splint bones Splints are a common occurrence in young horses. Besides being a source of pain, they can encroach on the adjacent ligament causing a focal desmitis. Often it is the less obvious splints (blind splints) that cause problems. 6. Suspensory Breakdown Injuries Complete failure of the suspensory apparatus occurs from time to time as a high speed injury in thoroughbred racehorses and eventers. It is due to acute over-loading of the support structures of the fetlock during the weight bearing phase at the gallop. Either the suspensory ligament or the sesamoid bones break down depending on the fitness of the horse. The fitter the horse, the more likely it will break its sesamoid bones. This suggests that the suspensory ligament strengthens with training. There is an acute, severe lameness with this condition with dropping of the fetlock joint. Salvage for breeding is the only option. Apart from avulsion injuries, the chance of a full recovery with a return to competition is generally poor. During the first 10-14 days post injury it is important the horse be confined and aggressive anti-inflammatory therapy instigated. This should consist of the early application of cold packs and bandaging combined with systemic medication. By keeping the initial inflammatory reaction to a minimum, the amount of damaged tissue that has to be later removed and remodeled is reduced. ​ ​ Joints – Damage, Arthritis, DJD What is Equine Arthritis & Degenerative Joint Disease Every Step They Take Arthritis means inflammation in the horse’s joints, this inflammation can be from any cause: infection, trauma etc. However Degenerative Joint Disease is a disorder, common in animals and humans alike usually referred to as DJD, it is often used as an overall definition for all joint disorders, although there are various forms of arthritis and different reasons for the development of such. It is generally regarded as a non-inflammatory condition of articular cartilage and is often called osteoarthritis. There are two classifications: primary DJD- which occurs where there is no known direct trauma or disease but is typical of the joint changes in the older animal; secondary DJD- from direct trauma or infection of the joint. Secondary DJD and its inevitable progression to inefficient joints can occur at any age and several factors may start the disorder. Sadly once DJD starts, it cannot be reversed or cured. However the process can be slowed & relief can be provided that may result in a horse maintaining an active life. DJD is the number one reason for premature horse retirement, 60% of all lameness is due to DJD. Joints are lined by specialised tissue, called hyaline cartilage that is vital to smooth joint function. This cartilage can become frayed and damaged due to the mechanical wear, ultimately exposing bone and causing pain. With more chronic cases, the soft tissue supporting structures can become thickened which results in a decreased range of motion of the joint. DJD is not a condition of articular cartilage alone, the synovial membrane which lines the joint cavity, is also affected. If left unattended joints will become swollen and sore and eventually new bone is created to strengthen the surface (a process called sclerosis) and extend its margins (bone spurs and osteophytes). In its final stages, if left unchecked, arthritis causes the fusing of equine joints. The key is the extent of the progress and acting early so that it can be held at a point that the horse is pain free and still useful symptoms can be alleviated. ​ What Causes The Damage to the Joints? The main cause is trauma, either a direct one off or repetitive concussive forces, the most common is the latter, that is the force up the leg from each step the horse takes. The likelihood of DJD comes from: poor confirmation, genetic pre-disposition, surfaces too hard, overworking on harder surfaces, poor shoeing, direct accidental damage to a joint, infection of a joint, puncture of a joint or old age. ​ How Can DJD be Avoided So to prevent the onset of DJD, start from the earliest days and provide good balanced nutrition to maximise quality bone and joint development, before breaking in a young horse should be assessed for conformation defects. If a career is planned for racing, jumping, dressage etc., then an experienced veterinarian should assess whether the conformation is strong and correct enough for the chosen career. Over taxing an unsuitably built horse is likely to produce DJD and therefore a decision not to pursue a particular path may mean that given an easier sport, DJD and pain for the horse can be delayed or prevented. Good intelligent shoeing can assist, but a farrier should not try and correct a deviation of the leg as that will only cause stress on joints which otherwise may not be susceptible. Good support with balanced level feet and correct angles are vital to assist prevention, on the other hand, incorrect shoeing can often be a trigger. Ongoing he needs to be well shod, to reduce stress and concussive forces to the joints, shoes should be selected for the conditions of work, ie heavy road shoes should not be used unless really necessary and the horse is strong enough to carry the weight. Care with the development of the young horse, not breaking in too early, balancing the workload with the development of maturity while being aware of the type of horse and its future. Larger heavier warmbloods mature much later than thoroughbreds. Excessive workload can be a cause, but the key factor is the surface the horse is worked on, trauma from concussion is the most common cause of DJD in younger horses. The idea of trotting horses out on roads to “harden them up”, is typical of the lack of understanding of what brings a horse to an early end of its competitive life. If DJD develops, early recognition can make a big difference to preventing progression. The Importance of the Surface Under the Horse’s Feet ​ The desire to have a workable all weather surface, whether it be an arena or track, that is level and firm throughout the year, has resulted in hard sand or cinders etc. being used with no thought to cushioning the strike of the leg. Many are built as though they were a road and a shallow sand surface is placed on top. To avoid impact resistance, some thought must be given to cushioning that surface if the horse is not to start the negative processes towards DJD. Overseas surfaces are inherently deeper, softer, and sand being added to rubber, soft chips, plastic, or now fibre sand is utilised. The hoof moves forwards downwards, and rapidly decelerates when brought in contact with the ground. It’s this deceleration and strike and causes the concussive effect which can be damaging to joints and bones. The term impact resistance describes the ability of the footing to absorb that concussive effect, therefore hard surfaces have high impact resistance. Sheer resistance describes the ease with which the footing is displaced by a shearing (rotational) force. When the leg is pushing against the ground to generate propulsion, the toe tends to rotate into the surface. The shear resistance of the footing should be low enough to allow the toe to dig in as the hoof pushes against it, reducing tension in the distal check ligament and reducing pressure of the deep digital flexor tendon on the navicular region. The shear resistance can be too low, eg deep soft dry sand (as above the tideline at the beach), the ground does not offer sufficient resistance to the hoof pushing against it. Instead, the surface gives way during push off and the muscles have to work harder to generate propulsion. As a consequence of having to work harder, the muscles can become fatigued more quickly and this predisposes the horse’s ligaments and tendons to injuries. Surfaces that are deep and soft will have low impact resistances but very deep heavy soft sand may be detrimental to ligaments and tendons as they will fatigue quicker with the effort of moving the legs through such a surface. The negative effect of deep sand can be reduced by adding water which will improve the shear resistance as the foot moves through the sand, for example being ridden along the edge of the waterline on a beach is an improvement from the deeper dry sand and it still can provide a softer surface than hard dry sand. The answer lies in the middle, with low impact resistance, as suggested from using wood, fibre, rubber and other synthetics etc. hard and/or dry sand is the worst option and most likely to initiate the process of DJD. The depth of the hoof print is a good indicator of the impact resistance, the deeper the hoof print, the lower the impact resistance and the concussive effect transmitted to joints and bones. Scientific studies actually show that impact force is much greater with sand, and can be dampened (reduced in force), by the addition of water or wood or fibre. Three levels of force were classified, the greatest being dense hard (asphalt), surfaces with friction damping (sand), the least being surfaces with structural damping (wood fibres). Whilst the cheapest option maybe hard shallow sand, it may be the most expensive if it shortens the active life of the joints of the horse! When veterinarians check a horse for lameness, they run it on a hard surface as the horse is much more likely to show lameness on such a surface ….. Go figure! Direct trauma to the joint can often develop into DJD, but any injury to a joint, strains, sprains, direct impact should be investigated and monitored so that the possibility of DJD is noted before it becomes chronic. ​ What are the Signs of Joint Pain? At first the horse may not show actual lameness, initially the usual pain signs of discomfort, ears back, grumpy reaction to movement, restless tail when moving, personality change, then shortened steps, horse feels wooden. It then moves on into stronger reactions to pain, refusing to go, negative responses even when handled. Sadly some of the early signs are often missed with inexperienced owners/trainers suggesting the horse be forced, often with the whip. Early on there may be a mild intermittent lameness. It gets better with a turn out, but returns and increases with work. If the joint has a capsule that is distensible then some swelling and maybe heat is seen and felt. But if the joint is one that is contained by strong ligaments and or tendons, then swelling may not be evident. Early attention to the signs is so important as DJD can be ameliorated and held at a minor level. To obtain a diagnosis a veterinarian may carry out a nerve block. After the area is located, X-rays will be taken. Also taking a sample of the fluid from the joint (synovial) can be tested to indicate the presence of arthritis. This can indicate the extent of the degeneration by the count of the cartilage and bone cells. The use of x-rays alone can create misleading diagnosis, in the early part of the disease very little sign of DJD may show on x-ray, some changes may show and could mis-lead the diagnosis, so x-rays are used after other signs are confirmed, to assess the extent of the disease, or other issues which may be the true cause of the pain. Arthroscopy is an option, usually done by a specialist, where an optical tube is inserted into the joint and gives the veterinarian a view of the joint and its issues. Changes can be seen as an area of dullness on the cartilage, colour change from glistening white to a mottled grey or even yellow, it gives the most definitive diagnosis of arthritis. However this is an invasive procedure and has all the risks of that invasion. ​ What Can be Done to Help a Horse with DJD It is not curable, it is progressive, but it can be held, of course in the first instance the best we can do is to prevent it, as discussed above. A quick response to the signs is important. Scientific studies have now shown that using a nutraceutical containing the correct active ingredients in correct quantities does have a recognised beneficial effect on joints showing signs of DJD, and that they help to maintain the quality of the cartilage and retain its elasticity and shock absorbing qualities. Ideally a nutriceutical should be used prior to DJD developing, especially with horses that may be vulnerable for any of the reasons given above. Prophylactic use can assist where a horse is required to work at a young age, as with racing. The nutriceutical must have certain active ingredients, at the right levels proven by scientific tests. For example the recommended level of glucosamine is 1200 mg per day, but manganese is needed in the formula to convert that to an active called GAGS as that is the substance that improves the cartilage. Perna Mussel, while effective in other animals and humans is not so effective for horses and a high quantity is needed. The newest science on a supplement is the exciting addition of Denatured Collagen Type II which in conjunction with the other proven actives of glucosamine and chondroitin has increased the therapeutic response. For established DJD, injections directly into the joint, in combination with a suitable nutriceutical, like Flex-Equine Plus, has also been scientifically proven to reduce the negative reactions to DJD. Indeed this combination has been proven to reduce the number of injections required, and therefore the cost. Likewise intra- muscular injections of products like pentosan in combination with the same high standard nutriceutical can have similar benefits for horses not quite at such a level of the disease. Varied lengths of paddock rest can prolong the active use of the horse. Overall it becomes a maintenance regime to reduce the level of discomfort and achieve some extension of the horse’s competitive years. The main solution is to prevent the onset and safeguard joints with the next generation Flex-Equine Plus – protect the younger horse from concussive damage and put back the spring in the older horse! It has the right amounts of scientifically proven ingredients its a full formulation of glucosamine, chondroitin, manganese, gelatin, zinc and copper and now with newly discovered Undenatured Collagen Type II. Reference’s for sources for this article: M Cruz DVM, MVM, Msc, DrMedVetA.J Lipowitz, C.D. Newton E.Barrey, B. Landjerit, R Wolter Ecole Nationale Veterinaire d’Alfori France, Laboratoire de Biomecanique de L’ENSAM R.Lamberski, R A Lobos, Dr. D J Burba Dr. H M Clayton BVMS, PhD, Diplomate Michigan State University. Some of the scientific references (for a fuller list see the product page Flex Equine Plus ) Therapeutic efficacy of undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) in comparison to glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic horses.Gupta RC, Canerdy TD, Skaggs P, Stocker A, Zyrkowski G, Burke R, Wegford K, Goad JT, Rohde K, Barnett D, DeWees W, Bagchi M, Bagchi D. Jvet Phamacol -2009 The Effect of Glucosamine and Chondroitin on Stressed Equine Cartilage Explants. R.S.A Harlan MS, R.C.A Haut PhD, M.W.A. Orth PhD JNL Equine Science Volume 32 Ussue 1 Jan 1012 Effects of Chondroitin and Glucosamine Sulfate in a Dietary Bar Formulation on Inflammation,0 Interleukin-1CEB2, Matrix Metalloprotease-9, and Cartilage Damage in Arthritis. M. Chou*,Nathalie Vergnolle ,Jason 0 J. McDougall,John L. Wallace,Stephanie Marty,Val Teskey and AndreG. Buret. Exp Biol Med April 2005 Vol 230 No 4 Effects of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate, alone and in combination, on normal and interleukin-1 conditioned equine articular cartilage explant metabolism. Dechant JE, Baxter GM, Frisbie DD, Trotter GW, McIlwraith CW. Equine Vet Jnl 2005 May 37 (3) :227-31 ​ ​

FOALING & ORPHAN FOALS An important and exciting time for an owner, check out these articles for some helpful information. ​ HELP RESOURCES ​ Developing the Growth of the Young Horse Safely Nutritional Support of the Young Horse The growth of young horses (particularly between weaning and two years old), has received much attention from the veterinary scientists and some clear results have come from this research. It is accepted that in growing horses, energy and protein are the most important factors in the diet. When horses are being bred and developed to be sold as young animals, or to be considered for a competitive career at a young age (eg racing), then there is a tendency to maximise feed, particularly protein to create rapid growth to maximise the size and the bulked up look of the horse earlier. This is called maximal growth and is undesirable, optimal growth is correct and beneficial to the long term prospect of the horse, it will still reach its genetically determined size. However overdoing the amount of feed and particularly if it is unbalanced in the ratio of fat, carbohydrates and protein will have detrimental effects on the physiology of the horse. High energy diets without the full nutrient support may result in horses gaining weight faster but the risk is that the bones are not developing at the same rate and so result in bone developmental problems that will affect the usefulness of the horse. Young horses need mineral supplementation and care with the amounts and ratios of minerals and vitamins is necessary. Read our article ‘What Supplements Does Your Horse Really Need Each Day ’ for full details and amounts. Fat and forage must be part of the diet in correct ratio. Forage (fibre) should never be less than 30% by weight of total feed intake, preferably higher, up to 50% or more. Much will be provided by pasture, but since the quality of pasture can be variable and the actual known intake difficult to assess, it is necessary to provide quality fibre with the daily feeds. Fat can be sourced from pasture, from direct addition of a vegetable oil or from meal feed such as copra meal and soyabean meal, or from rice bran. The ratio in total should not exceed 10% and if the horse has a relatively high grain intake there is a possibility that they can become too fat and so the fat intake should be reduced. Dietary proteins do perform a foremost role in the health and growth of animals, protein requirements of the growing foal are a function of the amino acid requirements. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, the quality of the protein is determined by its amino acid composition. It is the quality not the quantity of the protein in the diet that regulates how well the horse grows and functions, a young horse will need 14-16% crude protein as a ratio of its feed intake. For more on protein read our article ‘Protein- What, Why, How Much ’. Lysine is the first limiting amino acid in the horse and threonine the second limiting amino acid. A limiting amino acid can be described as one that if not present will prevent protein from being made even if other amino acids are present in adequate quantities. There is much science proving that protein quality can be improved by supplementing with the first and second limiting amino acids. Increasing protein quality rather than quantity has the advantage of more efficient utilisation by the horses, as it is not good practice to create excessive inputs of energy and protein due to the risk of extreme growth rates and creation of developmental disorders. ​ Negative Effects of too Much Protein on the Young Horse Too much protein creates a tendency to overheat, blow and sweat excessively, produce high levels of ammonia in the urine. Potential blood insulin levels become too high, negative bone disorders can occur. Heat production from higher levels of protein may interfere with exercise by attenuating fatigue. Increased acidity will interfere with glycolysis and muscle fibre contraction. Urea levels in the blood increase leading to greater urea excretion into the gut which increases the risk of gut disturbances and enterotoxaemia. Increases in blood ammonia creating nerve irritability edgy behaviour, plus disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism, ammonia smells in the bedding, this can create respiratory issues from the stabled horse. E.A OTT research (Energy, Protein and Amino Acid Requirements for Growth of Young Horses) shows that reduction of concentrate protein and subsequently the feed intake of the animal, decreases the blood insulin concentrations which may be advantageous in helping minimise bone development problems. He goes on to suggest that protein concentrate can be reduced when the diet is proportionately supplemented with lysine and still support maximum growth response. Research data such as Growth of Thoroughbreds fed a low protein supplement fortified with lysine and threonine W.B. Staniar et al, concludes that fortifying the diet with lysine and threonine, improves protein quality and enables full realisation of genetic potential for growth, while raising horses on forages with a lower protein concentration and acid (P.M. Graham-Thiers et al). In conclusion, if the diet is supplemented with lysine and threonine, dietary protein can be reduced and in doing so will reduce negative effects of too much protein, without loss of growth or performance. Vetpro Lysine-T contains the essential amino acids lysine and threonine in a correct balance with correct effective dose levels, in conjunction with a yeast extract and yeast culture. Yeast in horse diets has been shown to enhance the activity of fibre digesting bacteria which increases nutrient availability and absorption. Yeast also stabilises the hindgut to help maintain a healthy bacterial population allowing optimum digestion to take place. ​ Bone Development of the Young Horse Nutrition is important in maximizing bone density. Bone mineralisation begins during the last three months of pregnancy. At this point the foetal bones are simply cartilage models of the adult bones. The skeleton of the newborn foal contains only 17% of the adult bone mineral content. Skeletal growth is rapid during the first 12 months. A study of growth rates in young thoroughbreds showed that at 6 months of age a horse can reach 84% of its mature height but only 46% of its mature weight. At 12 months it can attain 94% of its height and 65% of its weight. By 22 months it has virtually stopped growing in height (97%) and has usually reached 90% of its mature weight. Skeletal growth therefore occurs faster than weight gain. Other studies have followed total bone mineral content (BMC) during the same growth period. At 6 months of age bone mineralisation is 68% complete, by 12 months it has increased to 76%. Maximum BMC is not reached until a horse is 6 years old. Calcium and phosphorus are the main minerals found in bone. Daily requirements are dependent on growth rate. A six month old weanling gaining 0.65kg/day requires approximately 38g calcium and 25g phosphorus/day. A 12 month old yearling gaining 0.5kg/day requires around 45g calcium and 30g phosphorus. Lucerne hay is the best feed source of calcium containing around 12g/kg while grains are the best source of phosphorus (3.0g/kg). Bran contains high levels of phosphorus but only 20% is available for absorption. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is just as important. Diets should contain ratios of between 3:1 and 1:1 calcium: phosphorous. Studies have shown that high ratios of around 6:1 fed over a long period resulted in reduced bone density. Inverse ratios can also have a detrimental effect. These can occur on high grain/low lucerne diets. Studies have shown that feeding extra calcium has no effect on bone density. Magnesium is essential for the formation of the collagen matrix as well as bone mineralization. Around 60% of the magnesium in the body is found in bone tissue. Human studies have shown a positive correlation between bone mineral density and dietary magnesium. Low magnesium is associated with reduced activity by osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the cells involved in bone remodeling. Good feed sources are lucerne (3.0g/kg) and soyabean-meal (2.7g/kg). Copper, zinc and boron are trace minerals that play an important part in bone development. Studies have shown that copper supplementation of mares and foals can play an important part in skeletal development. Zinc is essential for bone and cartilage formation. It can interfere with the uptake of copper consequently high dietary levels are detrimental to skeletal development. Boron is a trace element that up until recently has received little attention. Human research indicates that boron aids the uptake of calcium and magnesium into bone as well as increasing vitamin D3 levels, important for bone mineral metabolism. Silicon is one of the most common elements on earth and is essential for normal body function. Most of the silicon found in nature is in a form of sand and is unable to be absorbed by the body. Plants can take silicon up from the soil consequently the forage and grains that horses consume contain small amounts. Silicon is involved in the formation of the collagen matrix as well as bone mineralisation. Experiments on chickens fed silicon deficient diets resulted in lower bone collagen levels, resulting in abnormal bone growth. The same series of experiments also showed that silicon supplementation increased the rate of bone mineralization as well as increasing the glycosaminoglycan levels in cartilage, important in the prevention and treatment of degenerative joint disease. Studies carried out at the University of Texas demonstrated the importance of silicon in maximizing bone density in young racehorses. In these studies horses on silicon supplemented diets were able to train and race for longer and sustained less bone injuries than non supplemented horses. This was attributed to an overall improvement in bone density. It was noted that silicon supplementation had no effect on growth rate therefore was not connected with any risk of growth related diseases like OCD. The studies also showed that if an absorbable form of silicon is given to lactating broodmares the levels in the milk increase which results in more silicon available to the foal. Interestingly human studies on milk mineral composition have shown that zinc, copper, iron and silicon are the trace elements found in the greatest concentrations during early lactation. As lactation advances, zinc, copper and iron levels decrease while silicon stays the same. Dietary mineral supplementation along with careful design of training programmes will result in improved bone density and in turn, improved skeletal durability. Young horses will able to stay in training for longer without the interruptions that bone injuries can cause. Growth of thoroughbreds fed a low-protein supplement fortified with lysine and threonine W. B. Staniar, D. S. Kronfeld, J. A. Wilson, L. A. Lawrence, W. L. Cooper and P. A. Harris J Anim Sci 2001. 79:2143-2151 PROTEIN AND AMINO ACIDS EDGAR A. OTT University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Growth of Thoroughbreds fed Different Levels of Protein and Supplemented with Lysine and Threonine W B Staniar Lysine Supplementation of Diets for Yearling Horses E. A. Ott, R. L. Asquith and J. P. FeasterJ ANIM SCI 1981, 53:1496-1503. The results of these Influence of Energy and Protein Content of the Concentrate and Restricting Concentrate Intake on Growth and Development of Weanling Horses E. A. Ott, PAS and J. Kivipelto professional animal scientist 302-311 Amino acid supplementation improves muscle mass in aged and young horses P. M. Graham-Thiers and D. S. Kronfeld J Anim Sci 2005. 83:2783-2788. Dietary protein influences acid-base responses to repeated sprints PATRICIA M. GRAHAM-THIERS, D. S. KRONFELD and K. A. KLINE Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 2406 1-0606, USA. Influence of Temperature Stress on the Energy & Protein metabolism and requirements of the working horse. E. A Ott Dept Animal Sciences University of Florida The effect of supplemental lysine and threonine on growth and development of yearling horses P M Graham, E A Ott, J H Brendemuhl and S H Ten Broeck J ANIM SCI 1994, 72:380-386. ​ ​ Care of the Orphan Foal It is tragic when the mare dies during or soon after foaling. However with veterinary assistance and good care it is possible to successfully raise an orphan foal. Here are some notes that may be of assistance to you. ​ First Needs Firstly clean and dry the foal and keep warm, cover if necessary from extreme weather conditions. The foal should be on its feet within the first hour of birth. First concern to deal with is whether the foal has suckled and therefore received colostrum. Colostrum is absolutely necessary and, if the mare has provided none, should be fed in a sterilised bottle within the first hour but no longer than 4 hours from birth. This is the first milk a mare produces and contains antibodies which protect the foal from viruses, bacteria and diseases in the early part of its life. It may be possible to milk the mare if death was not from disease or infection; this can be done for up to four hours after death. Otherwise contact a local stud or your veterinarian to obtain some frozen colostrums. If the foal will not suckle the bottle then call the veterinarian who will need to stomach tube the colostrum. All foals should receive a minimum of 1500 – 2000mLs (2500 mLs for larger foals) of colostrum within the first 8 hours after birth. If using frozen colostrum, thaw only in warm (38C) water. It is important to have your veterinarian check the foal’s IgG levels at 24 hours to confirm adequate uptake of colostrum antibodies. Do not give water or any Foalmilk or substitute until after the colostrums have been given. Call the local studs or a foster mare association or even the local radio station to see if a foster mare can be arranged, one who has just lost a foal. If a mare is not available then a substitute for mare’s milk must be fed to the foal. Check that the foal passes meconium within 8 hours of birth. Natural colostrum is very laxative so artificially fed foals need to be watched closely. Meconium is the dark pellet first droppings, if after 8-12 hours and you are in doubt as to whether it has passed, or if the foal is looking distressed and continues to strain (even though some may have passed ), call the veterinarian without hesitation. Keep a watch on the temperature, pulse and respiration each day. At birth the pulse is 80 beats per minute rising to 140, then reducing to 100 which is the norm. Temperature is 37.5 degrees C, respiration 30-40 per minute. Any changes should be noted and a call to the veterinarian made. If diarrhoea occurs (scouring), take the temperature three times daily and notify the veterinarian if it increases. Scouring may be due to too large a feed at any one time, or too concentrated. It can be due to infection also and the veterinarian will be needed. From 3 weeks of age introduce hay and hard feed, there are premixed foal feeds available, or you can make up one from the details given in the Vetpro Foalmilk instruction leaflet. Make the introduction of hard feed gradual. ​ What and How to Feed Only use a specifically formulated mare’s milk replacer, NB a cow’s milk or lamb’s milk replacer is not a suitable substitute for foals. The different ratio’s of fat, sugar and protein in these milk replacers is not the same as mare’s milk replacer (Foalmilk) and will cause disturbances to the digestive process of the foal and they do not provide the correct amount of fat, sugar and protein to enable the foal to thrive well. In some cases scouring can occur which is debilitating for the foal. All bottles, buckets and any equipment used with mixing and feeding must be absolutely clean and kept in a sterile fluid. Sterilising tablets are included with the pack, along with a teat. Mix the powder with water as per the instructions provided. If the foal is having difficulty accepting the bottle, put the foal’s head under your armpit and keep your hand under it’s chin, keep the bottle angled slightly up to prevent air being sucked in. Remember orphan foals are high risk when it comes to gastric ulcers and post-partum infections so a foal that has trouble taking a bottle may in fact suffering from one of these problems. If in doubt call your veterinarian. Once any opportunity for a foster mare has passed start introducing the foal to drinking Foalmilk from a bucket. This should have happened after three weeks. Water should always be available also. ​ How Much Does a Foal Need During the first 2 days a normal foal will suckle from its mother 6-8 times an hour throughout the day. Depending on its birth weight it will drink approximately 300mls/hour or 6-7 litres a day. To mimic the natural loading of the stomach it is recommended that orphan foals receive frequent small feeds (24 per 24 hours) especially during the first 48 hours. This hourly bottle feeding should be continued for the first 3- 4 days. From day 4 onwards, two hourly bottle feeds are acceptable. By day 7 the foal should be able to go through the night on 4 hourly feeds (although this is not ideal for the foal, it does allow you to get some sleep). From 3 weeks of age an orphan foal can be bucket fed 6 times a day (4 hourly). During the first 48 hours a foal should drink 10-15% of its bodyweight per day. In practical terms this means that a foal weighing 50kg at birth should receive 5-7.5 litres over a 24 hour period, this would be for a foal with an expectation of an average mature size of around 500 Kg, say 16.1 hh. From 2 days of age the same foal should drink 20% of its bodyweight from which it should gain between 1-1.5kg bodyweight per day. This means that an extra 200-300mls of Foalmilk Replacer should be fed each day to allow for the increase in bodyweight. During the first week no more than 500mls should be given at any one feed as over-feeding may cause diarrhoea. Foal birth weights and growth rates can vary considerably between breeds so it is important to weigh your foal to accurately determine the volume of milk required over the first 3 days. Once you know your foal’s bodyweight, the volume of milk required for a 24 hour period can be calculated. Example 50kg Foal Day 1: Bottle feed 300mls of colostrum every hour for the first 12 hours followed by 300mls of Foalmilk Replacer every hour for the remaining 12 hours. Day 2: Bottle feed 300mls of Foalmilk Replacer every hour (total 7.2 litres). Day 3 Onwards: To calculate the daily Foalmilk Replacer requirement, weigh your foal and feed 20% of its body weight at the recommended frequency. Increase Foalmilk Replacer by 200-300mls per day to allow for daily weight gain so for example after 7 days the total becomes 8-8.5 litres per day for the average foal From 3 weeks of age, orphan foals will start to eat hay and hard feed. There are pre-mixed foal feeds available, or you can make up one from the details in the Vetpro Foalmilk instruction leaflet. Make the introduction of hard feed gradually; reducing the intake of the liquid Foalmilk until by 12 weeks it is weaned off it. Foals will eat hard feed as required; any uneaten feed should be discarded each day. A pony foal weighing 25kg at 48 hours should receive up to 5 litres of Foalmilk from which it should gain around 0.5-0.75kg/day. It should receive an extra 100-150mls each day to allow for the increase in bodyweight. Warmblood and draft type foals increase the above volumes of Foalmilk and hard feed by 20-30% at the same frequency. ​ Further Hints on Rearing an Orphan Foal – Orphan foals often get bored so it is helpful to rear them with a companion pony. – If the weather is bad put a cover on for the first few weeks. Allow as much exercise and fresh air as possible. – Do not allow foals to become ‘cute’ with biting, rearing or striking behaviour. – Always allow free access to water. – Bottle feeding increases the human-foal bonding process which is not advantageous. Many hand reared foals become too confident and develop serious behavioural problems later in life with some becoming impossible to handle. For this reason it is important to start bucket feeding as soon as possible. Maintain discipline and do not see the foal as a pet, remember a bump from cute foal may be not a problem but later at 500 kg can be dangerous. ​ Preparation for Birth- Who gives the signal Eleven months, eleven days have passed quickly. It didn’t seem long ago that the stud master had phoned to say that your mare had been served. Nor did it seem that long since you paid the vet’s bill for the 42 day pregnancy scan. The time had passed quickly alright; you had followed the check-list you wrote to the letter. You had taken the vet’s advice on feeding, increasing the energy and mineral content of the diet during the final three months of pregnancy. You had even bought a spare set of batteries for your torch and a film for you camera. Yes, there was no doubt you were prepared and ready as you would ever be for the birth of the foal. Now the waiting game had begun; night after night of interrupted sleep, getting out of bed every 2 hours to check on the mare. After five nights nothing had happened. You started to feel a bit weary; your boss had noticed you yawning at work. How long do I have to keep this up for, you ask yourself. So who decides when the birth process should start? What are the signs of parturition and are there ways of accurately predicting when foaling will take place? In the year 600 BC, Hippocrates stated that it was the foal that controlled the time of birth. It took scientists until the early 1960’s to gather enough evidence to support his claim. Through studying pregnancies in sheep and cows, they found that foetuses with brain and pituitary gland deformities, had longer gestation periods than normal. Possibly there was some chemical interaction missing between the foetus and the mother that caused the pregnancy to continue past full term. The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, is the main endocrine gland in the body. In response to incoming messages from the brain, it produces hormones that are released into the circulation, targeting other endocrine glands throughout the body. Each hormone is able to instruct the gland to produce its own hormones which in turn are released back into the circulation to act on various organs and muscles. The main endocrine gland under pituitary control is the adrenal gland, located just behind the kidney. The pituitary gland produces Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH ) which targets the adrenal gland, instructing it to release Cortisol. Scientists have been able to demonstrate a steady rise in the level of foetal cortisol as foaling approaches. This increase appears to be the signal from the foetus that it is fully mature and ready for birth. Because the foetus and the mare share the same circulation, the foetal cortisol passes into the mare, triggering a chain of biochemical events that starts the birth process. So it appears the foal will decide what day it is born, where as the mare will decide the time of day. The signs of preparation for foaling are easily recognisable. Approximately 10-14 days beforehand, the pelvic muscles and ligaments start to soften and relax. This is particularly noticeable between the tail-head and the vulva. Development of the udder or ‘bagging up’ is most obvious sign that parturition is approaching. The final size of the udder can vary between mares so size should not be used on its own to predict the time of foaling. The fluid that can be expressed from the udder (pre-colostrum) changes in colour and consistency as foaling approaches from a clear watery fluid to a thick yellow-cream colour. As it dries, it forms beads on the ends of the teats, commonly known as waxing. This usually occurs 12 to 48 hours prior to foaling. It is a fairly reliable sign but it can vary between mares. Some will not start waxing until hours before, others may not wax up at all but instead drip milk for 3 to 4 days beforehand. By measuring either the calcium, sodium or potassium levels in the pre-colostrum, the time of foaling can be determined. The calcium levels are assessed using the test strips that are used for measuring water hardness. The strips consist of 5 zones of increasing sensitivity for both calcium and magnesium. An increase in calcium causes a colour change on the strip. Testing should be carried out on a daily basis. When 4 out of the 5 zones have changed colour there is a 80% probability that the mare will foal within 12 hours. When all 5 zones have changed, the probability increases to 95%. Measuring the sodium and potassium levels in the colostrum is more involved as it requires laboratory analysis. As foaling approaches, the sodium level begins to fall rapidly while the potassium level rises. At the time they cross over, foaling will occur within 12 hours.One useful piece of equipment well worth investing in is a foaling alarm. These are battery driven devices that are strapped to the mare’s halter and are activated when they are rotated through a 90 degree angle, which in most cases is when a mare lies down. As late pregnant mares prefer to rest standing, they are a reliable indicator that foaling is about to begin. Mares are notorious for having their foals at night, usually 10 minutes after they were last checked. Making sure you are present for the birth is important so that any problems are attended to immediately. Whether you chose to employ these methods depends on what value you place on your sleep. I would recommend using the calcium test strips and if you can borrow or hire a foaling alarm, I would suggest using one of them as well; both are time and money well spent. ​ ​

Left: Dust and moulds can irritate the eyes. Right: An example of equine hives. A clear nasal discharge is another sign. So out of the blue your horse has developed some unusual reactions either on their skin – lumps or itchy areas, or their eyes and nose may have a clear discharge- they may cough or breathing may be noisy. These may be Allergy symptoms. Firstly it is important to assess that they are not the result of bacterial infection or reactions to parasites, or illnesses or viruses that create similar reactions, for example a respiratory virus. All those have a limited life and have medications available to assist. An allergic reaction is a different and difficult problem for the horse owner, can be quite frustrating and also debilitating for the horse. Normally, healthy horses have antibodies that can challenge the allergens and irritants that are around them all the time, however at some point the immune system becomes hyposensitised to these allergens and a reaction is set off whereby an overabundance of antibodies are produced, these then release a flood of prostaglandins, histamines etc. The symptoms we see are actually the reactions to this rush of antibodies and the subsequent response. Once this process has been triggered the horse tends to react even more easily with each exposure and symptoms become more intense. There is no known reason for this, it is not an aspect of breed, age, gender etc. The common signs are either skin reactions – lumps, heat, itching; or more often in New Zealand, the respiratory system is affected, with runny noses (clear discharge) inflamed nasal passages, cough, runny eyes, head movements (mainly from the irritated nose), puffing and generally under par in themselves. There are many triggers and it would seem that it can either be a particular new antigen or the collective effect of too many types that then get over the top of the horses natural protection. Examples are dust, hay spores, moulds, some foods or supplements, insect bites, even sunlight, sometimes treatments for other problems can create a trigger of a new allergic reaction. Horses that are in poor health are likely to be more vulnerable. ​ Allergies Affecting the Skin of the Horse These are most often seen as lumps, sometimes hot and itchy. These often pass once the cause has gone, for example there may have been an eruption of a certain insect that bites and that while they cause a direct skin reaction, the saliva can also create an allergic reaction. It is rare but equine skin reactions can be from a food trigger. The bumps may run together to form welts but they often disappear after a short time. However it is important to try and relieve the itching quickly as scratching may result in an infection and then the result will have to be treated as for a wound. They can be eased with an application of cool gel, maybe a herbal anti-inflammatory or an anti-itch cream. It is better to try more natural responses initially than drugs as these may create side effects and stress the immune system. Of course if the skin reaction is not resolving quickly then a veterinarian will have to assist with stronger remedies. The best option is to provide good insect protection by way of non chemical repellent, or washes. An old fashioned wash for an insect infestation is to use one part Ivermectin to 3 parts water and rinse the horse with this each day for 2-3 days. Other skin triggers can simply be products that in most horses are fine but in your horse he reacts – usually easy to identify and solved by not using that product eg. a certain detergent used in washing a saddle blanket, or even a particular fabric in a rug or saddle blanket. Skin tests are available to try and identify the allergen or allergens, often a combination. Once identified prevention is the best option. ​ Allergies Affecting the Respiratory System of the Horse This allergic reaction is sometimes called heaves or RAO recurrent airway obstruction as the internal swelling narrows down the airways- similar to asthma in people. Common signs are a clear runny nose, sometimes just a light clear trickle which when tested has no bacteria – (unlike infectious discharges linked to respiratory illnesses). Coughing and wheezing may or may not be present, often the eyes are runny and in extreme cases the horse may start head shaking. Prime causes are spores from dust, hay, some grasses, some pollens, moulds and fungi. Protecting your horse from as many of these triggers as possible will help but spores and pollens in particular can travel long distances. Respiratory allergies are debilitating to the horse and will affect performance and often attitude to training . Finding the Cause of the Allergy The owner knows the horse best, so observance is vital. In both cases (skin and respiratory) finding the cause is helpful so that with a change in the management of the horse, it may be eliminated. As well as skin tests some note keeping and detective work are very important. Does it happen at the same time each year? Are other horses affected? What are the symptoms each day. With skin allergies check for insects and bites, eliminate all products applied to the skin, saddle blankets, wraps etc. and introduce them back one by one. The cause may surprise you, it could be quite innocuous in other horses but not for this one. Feed testing is just the same, start from scratch and gradually reintroduce each foodstuff and supplement watching for signs to worsen. Feedstuff allergies can stem from breathing in spores from the feed or within the gut itself as two thirds of the immune system is contained in the walls of the intestines. Taking the horse to another place for a while may help pinpoint that it could be the local trees , or a neighbours sprays. ​ Achieving a Resolution of the Allergy The solution is to remove the culprit or culprits. Firstly direct good management of never having horses in a dusty or mouldy environment, scrupulous cleaning of feed bins and managers. Not using strong chemicals. Damp all feed and wash hay, damp bedding. Keep the horse out in a fresh air environment. Even though spores may not be the actual trigger, all moulds, dust and spores are irritants and so can exacerbate the response to an allergen, or prevent or slow down recovery. Sadly some trees may affect the horse when pollens are let go and then it’s either remove the horse from the area while this happens or clothe him and use a nasal cream as a block to inhaling the pollen. Corticosteroids and other drug therapies are available from your veterinarian, they can ease the symptoms to give the horse some relief but are not a cure, nor are they a long term solution. They can create new problems for the horse, for example laminitis can be a result of long term use. The other option is to help the immune system and some good results have been seen with a boost of vitamins C, A and D plus a product called rutin – a flavonoid. While not purported to be a cure – it can provide a natural aid to the horse to increase his own ability to challenge the antigens. There is also some evidence that feeding a oil product such as flax oil or rice bran does assist to reduce the inflammatory reaction. There is a limit to the amount of liquid oil that can be fed daily but stabilised rice bran will provide a good source of omega 3 in a palatable and moist form. Allergic reactions are a complex issue and the problem may often be a combination of triggers and reactions, so the solution is a multiple of various factors; from good management, good observance and knowledge of the horse, removing obvious potential triggers and providing assistance to reduce symptoms, improving the health and the immune response to help the horse challenge the antigens. It is important to keep trying, rarely is there a silver bullet one off solution. Once a horse has become vulnerable it is then likely that it may always be reactive to other antigens. Primarily good management, working with the target of creating a healthy horse by providing a balanced diet in a healthy environment, being quick to rest the horse when signs of virus or infection arise, maintaining a regular pattern of working and feeding and being watchful for changes, will all help to prevent the onset of allergic reactions.

Feeding for Hoof Health is paramount for excellent hooves. A more apt title would be ‘how to feed your horse’ as feeding for hoof health is the same as feeding for the whole body. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ TB hoof on Best Guess mix. Photo: Sarah Kuyken ​ Whole body = everything including coat, tail, mane, hooves, immune response, and even behaviour response where nutrition plays a part. A horse requires a broad range of nutrients; proteins including essential amino acids that must come from the diet, carbohydrates, minerals,vitamins, antioxidants and a very small amount of fatty acids. Many of the nutrients are produced from the activity of microbes fermenting the otherwise indigestible fibre, for that reason a high fibre diet with grass and/or hay should make up the bulk of the diet. In fact, the higher the fibre level of the diet, the better. Photo is of a Thoroughbred, taken by hoof care practitioner Sarah Kuyken. Keeping in mind what is needed for great hoof quality and growth is the same as what is needed for a healthy coat, mane, tail, well being in general and a robust immune system, let’s have a look at the key ingredients: ​ Protein Keratin is an extremely strong protein and is the major component in skin, mane and tail, hooves, and teeth as is the case for us with our skin, hair and nails. Keratin is made up of a chain of amino acids with unique properties depending on the sequence; it can be inflexible and hard like hooves or soft as is the case with skin depending on the levels of the various amino acids. Many of the amino acids that are needed for keratin are never deficient; horses can manufacture them from other amino acids. One that has to come from the diet is methionine as it cannot be manufactured from other amino acids. Methionine has a sulfur bond which has confused some people into thinking that sulfur should be supplemented in the diet. There is no recommendation to supplement sulfur on it’s own and can be harmful. Horses do have a small requirement for sulfur but it’s easily satisfied by pasture/hay and other feeds as part of amino acids with sulfur bonds. Feeding sulfur doesn’t create more methionine. If you think your horse may be deficient in methionine, it’s also likely to be deficient in lysine and threonine. In that case Balanced Equine equine amino www.hvhoofandequinehealthcareproducts.com/product-page/balanced-equine-nutrition-equine-amino will help. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Only change was mineral, amino acids supplementation. Photo: Maja Stocker Fats The periople consists of dense keratin and fatty acids. Most people can recognise the periople at the top of the hoof wall at the coronet band at the transition between soft skin and the hoof but it actually extends all the way around the hoof wall providing a protective outer layer. The periople seals moisture in the deeper parts of the hoof and keeps water out. ​ Fat is never deficient in the diet if grass is the predominant forage, there is no necessity to supplement more fat. A horse’s natural diet is grass which is less than 6% fat and contains the anti inflammatory omega-3 and pro inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids, both have very important roles to play in the immune system. However, if a horse was on hay rather than grass then a small amount of fat supplementation is necessary as the curing process destroys these fragile fatty acids. In grass the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 is about 4:1 to 6:1. If we want to ensure more omega-3 fatty acids than omega-6 fatty acids are in the diet then avoid vegetable oils like rice bran oil or canola oil and seeds like black sunflower seeds and instead linseeds . ​ Minerals First of all, a diet with all the mineral requirements covered is essential for all processes in the horse’s body, not just what is happening in the hooves. But it isn’t just enough to have levels of minerals satisfied, it’s also important to have the minerals in the right proportions to each other to prevent one mineral interfering with the absorption of another. ​ It’s known that too much zinc in the diet interferes with copper absorption and it’s strongly suspected that the reverse situation applies as well, something to consider if you are adding copper sulphate to a feed without knowing what the zinc intake is. ​ Copper and zinc are the most likely trace minerals to be deficient in the diet, especially copper as plants have a lower requirement for these minerals compared to horses. Both are involved in many processes, especially enzymes which must be present for chemical reactions to occur. Little wonder then if either or both are deficient that slow hoof growth or thin walls are the result. ​ Sulfur interferes with absorption of copper and is suspected of hindering other minerals, for example it has been used as an antidote for selenium poisoning. Too much phosphorus in the diet will hinder the uptake of calcium and too much calcium will hinder the uptake of phosphorus. Feeding a correctly mineral balanced diet including correct amounts and proportions of essential fatty acids and adequate quantity and quality protein will support optimum hoof growth and quality. This is further explained in What is a balanced diet for horses? www.hvhoofandequinehealthcareproducts.com/what-is-a-balanced-diet-for-horses ​ Vitamins Vitamin E is an important antioxidant and one of it’s roles is to protect fats. Not likely to be deficient in horses on grass or hay but if the horse is in regular work then supplementation is a good idea. For more information about feeding vitamin E see the section vitamins on the Which Mix page. ​ Most vitamins like vitamin A and the B vitamins like biotin, folic acid and B12 are plentiful in grass and hay or are manufactured by microbes in the gut so are unlikely to cause hoof problems. Most hoof supplements contain biotin as some studies found that supplementation did improve hoof quality but in others there was no improvement. If not deficient then more is not better, any excess is excreted. Biotin supplementation is advised for horses on high grain diets with little forage or compromised gut function. Biotin is included in Balanced Equine HoofXtra Mix www.hvhoofandequinehealthcareproducts.com/product-page/balanced-equine-hoof and you can also purchase the high concentrated Balanced Equine biotin www.hvhoofandequinehealthcareproducts.com/product-page/balance-equine-nutrition-biotin-450 ​ To sum up, poor hoof quality could be caused by: ​ inadequate protein in the diet methionine deficiency – unlikely on a pasture and/or hay diet. Horses on a high grain diet with little hay or grass may need supplementing a lack of fatty acids in hay diets – freshly ground linseeds or cold pressed linseed oil is the best source of the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the same ratio as grass. See the article called ‘Linseed, is it safe?’ biotin deficiency – less likely on a high forage diet vitamin E for horses in work a deficiency in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium but particularly copper and zinc either caused by insufficient amounts or in the wrong proportions. Nutrition, hoof care and movement go hand in hand No discussion about hoof quality should leave out other important factors. To get fabulous hooves, the best approach is combining regular excellent hoof care with an optimal nutrient intake (based on data). Where this isn’t possible, a quality mineral supplement is the next best option such as HoofXtra. To prevent cracking in hooves, there are 3 aspects of horse care that are all very important – hoof care, nutrition, and exercise/movement. Quality hoof care is all about optimal balance allowing the hoof to grow stronger and to function properly. If the hoof wall is too long, it will magnify leverage forces on the laminae, stretching and weakening the laminae, allowing pathogens in. These pathogens can eat away the laminae, preventing the transfer of nutrients to the outside wall, drying out the connective tissue between the tubules. With the drying and weakening of the hoof wall, mechanical forces can cause the more obvious large cracks or breaks in this hoof. A horse on a balanced mineral diet will be set up for a robust immune system, as the immune system is built on nutrients. The immune system is dependent on many factors like workload, stress, wellness (for example, an underlying infection). However a horse with the best possible intake, even the gold standard with it based on data from pasture or hay testing, whichever is applicable, can’t avoid infections like seedy toe and thrush if the conditions are set up for it. Assuming a horse is not stressed (for example, separated from a paddock mate or new location and so forth), a workload that stresses a horse, not unwell, then seedy toe and thrush can still occur if the conditions are present that allow these microbes to flourish. Nutrition and hoof care work together. If there are any gaps/cracks in the hooves which allow the microbes to penetrate the hoof, it gives those microbes an opportunity to have a population boom in that environment and you have what we call seedy toe. The minerals will support a horse’s immune system but once established, you have to remove the infection and support recovery. With thrush, manure, wet conditions make it so much easier for these microbes to become established. Movement will stimulate blood flow/perfusion (nutrients to cells) and hoof growth. ​ Further reading Links may change over time. If a link doesn’t work, search the title in your search engine. This article is based on Dr Eleanor Kellon’s VMD (2008) Feeding the Hoof http://www.naturalhorsetrim.com/FEEDING%20THE%20HOOF,%20Dr.%20Kellon.pdf To learn how to balance your own horses’ diets enrol in the NRCPlus course presented by Dr Eleanor Kellon VMD http:/drkellon.com Dr Kellon Diet or Trim – What’s More Important for Hoof Health https://drkhorsesense.wordpress.com/2019/04/28/diet-or-trim-whats-more-important-for-hoof-health/ Pete Ramey Feeding the hoof http://www.hoofrehab.com/diet.html

PRODUCTS THAT MAY ASSIST WITH THESE ISSUES BEHAVOURIAL ISSUES? When a horse changes in attitude – particularly becoming less obliging, grumpy, right through to excessive exuberance, aggressive etc – there may be many reasons so keeping a record of when and what he is doing will help to analyse the why. ​ The number one reason for a change in demeanour is pain, whether from internally like muscle or joint soreness, gut discomfort and low grade colic type pain, or from equipment that doesn’t fit properly. The most common pain source is from issues within the gut of the horse from poor processing of food. Many horses have difficulties when digesting starch and sugars, some suffer from ulcers or disturbances to the mucosa lining the stomach and gut wall. The next possible reason is a lack of correct balance of work to feed ratio and also a poorly balanced diet, some nutrient levels too high or some too low. Sometimes it’s a simple as lack of knowledge and understanding of the horse and how to manage and train it. Obtaining the help of a professional is the answer to that. To assess pain that maybe from injury or soreness the examination of a veterinarian is needed with such diagnostic tools as flexion tests, nerve blocks, x-rays, scans, blood tests and others. To check for pain from equipment again ask a professional instructor to look at this and an experienced qualified saddle fitter. However it’s worth noting that a sore back is often not the primary cause and has resulted in great expenses of new saddles etc. A horse will become sore in the back because he is getting off a limb and changing the way he carries himself thus causing back discomfort. The primary cause of a sore back is 90% in a lower area or limb. ​ Diet issues can create gut pain and are often overlooked unless it develops into the obvious signs of colic. Nevertheless it is a very common cause of negative attitudes. Dietary imbalances, high grass sugars, difficult pastures like kikuyu. This can be easily resolved by supplementing with Digest-Rite which provides enzymes to assist digestion, rice ban to slow the process down and provide antioxidants, prebiotics and toxin binder. Many horses have become docile again within a few days when on Digest-Rite, if the cause is from gut discomfort. The other reason to do with diet is from supplements – like selenium either too high from selenium enriched pasture or too low because the pasture level is too low. This is a very important mineral and if overfed may be toxic to the horse. Check out the article Selenium – What Why How. Finally many horses do not have high enough levels of certain minerals or vitamins that affect behaviour, like tryptophan, or thiamine (vitamin B1) or magnesium. A daily supplement can assist that and reduce the level of tension which can result in poor behavioural responses. Thiamine is recommended for horses on a grain intake (such as high performance horses), as high levels of carbohydrates actually destroy the natural thiamine (vitamin B1) . ​ Relax provides all three of these in the correct daily levels. Note the magnesium myth Magnesium itself does not create a calming effect in the horse, it is only if it is a little low in the normal levels that the horse may become edgy. So once the level has been topped up (as with the daily amount in Relax), additional intake, or fast acting expensive liquids or other sources will not create a calmer horse. Once the horse has the daily requirement and is at the level is required it will excrete all excess – so that can be expensive manure! Find out more on Vetpro Equine Relax.

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Why Have Toxin Binders Been Developed Mycotoxins are an issue for animals, most particularly swine, poultry and to some degree cattle, with a few that are particular for horses. Large international corporations have large manufacturing plants producing tonnes and tonnes of toxin binders for the swine, poultry and cattle industries. These are designed to prevent loss of life, sickness and also loss of productive development (better – bigger animals) more efficient body development. An offshoot of this industry is the application of these binders for horses. Toxin binders used on horses are exactly those developed for the other species as there is no real demand for a specific one as horses are the least affected, the problem of toxin ingestion in horses is not nearly as prevalent as with swine and poultry since the latter species are fed predominately grain, (mainly corn) and this is often subject to poor storage conditions which lend themselves to producing mould on the feed (storage of grain for horses is usually not in large silos, there is usually has much better supervision and management of feed for horses, often processed). Indeed if binders were not required for species other than horses, then none would be produced as there would be insufficient demand to validate large scale production. It should be noted that very little scientific research has been carried out on mycotoxin effects on horses as there is a much reduced risk, details of mycotoxins often quoted in horse media are sourced from the data on pigs and poultry to infer that horses have a similar vulnerability because of this data is misleading. In New Zealand the main area for consideration is in the pasture. Unfortunately there has been a certain amount of scare mongering amongst amateur owners that grass is not good for horses and we are seeing many animals being removed from paddocks to stand in pens. This is just not natural and not good for the horse’s health and welfare. It is perfectly natural for horses to graze grass and this is validated by professional establishments (eg. studs) who maintain animals in paddocks with great success. There are a few times that grass mycotoxins are negative to horses, mainly pastures containing endophyte protected ryegrass, found in some dairy pastures. Also paspalum pastures that have gone to seed, cut pastures that have been left to rot in damp conditions especially those containing white clover, accidental ingestion of noxious plants from the bush or garden. ​ What Are Toxin Binders Toxin binders come in two basic formats, either an adsorbing agent or a bio-transforming agent. Also there are substances which do not directly interact with mycotoxins like antioxidant agents and although not strictly considered as detoxifying they are very efficient for reducing the toxicity of mycotoxins. In the adsorbing category there are two options: a series of aluminosilicates, bentonite, montmorillonites and zeolite, all basically mineral clay structures and then there are the yeast type – mannon protein/carbohydrate (glucan) options. Neither totally capture all toxins but both will cover the serious ones and reduce their effects. Either will effectively assist horses to reduce the effect of their specific challenges. The adsorbing types cover a larger spectrum than the biotransformers and therefore they are the ones most commonly available. The main mycotoxins are aflatoxins and fusariums. They are both mainly in corn and peanuts that have become mouldy, and are very serious to animal health particularly pigs and poultry. Aflatoxins can affect cattle in that they can contaminate the milk and influence the level of production. Also the performance of cattle reduced ie. reduced weight gain, reproductive performance, milk output, hence much more research has been carried out on this form. The other common form, and this is the type that may affect a horse are the fusariums, which can be found in grass as well and mouldy feed and hay. Some research indicates in NZ that one in particular called Zearalenone may affect the efficiency of reproductive performance of breeding ewes. No known effect has been recognised in horses. It is accepted scientifically that horses are less vulnerable than other species, firstly because the nature and care of feed storage, and also that they are less susceptible to the performance limiting effects of grass related mycotoxins. So why does the horse need a toxin binder – well in reality the large majority don’t except that in certain circumstances they may be vulnerable to a few specific conditions, if those situations are possible then a binder can help prevent a toxin effect. ​ How Can Toxins That Affect Horses be Avoided? Issues for horses can often be reduced or removed by a change in management. For example care and attention to feed and hay storage to reduce the possibility of moulds, grain stored in clean dry containers and the bin cleaned out and emptied before new product is added. Clean stable conditions with the removal of old hay, also the washing of hay. With Paspalum pasture, the risk is easily reduced by mowing the pasture before the seed heads appear. With endophyte protected rye grass pasture it will be better to remove the horse prior to the autumn or at any time when the pasture is short (e.g. drought conditions). Make sure any hay fed is not from the same pasture. ​ Why and When Should You Feed a Horse a Toxin Binder So why do you think the horse needs to be fed a binder? Sadly there have been some misleading facts introduced by businesses trying to establish a toxin binder as the solution to a horse’s high energy or even perfectly natural ebullient behaviour. Many owners are often concerned when their horse responds with negative, seemingly out of character of the quiet placid animal they wish to own. This concern leads to a plethora of products which purport to provide a solution, the highest of these is a toxin binder. Now let’s look at this from a pure common sense point of view – Ingestion of toxins create sickness in an animal – a sick animal does not exhibit high energetic behaviour, it will show signs of being ill. Toxins that affect horses can be from native trees and plants like ngaio or tute, weeds like nightshades, if you have seen horses after eating these – they are very sick, scour badly and lose weight rapidly. Horses that ingest mouldy feeds react similarly, horses that get their head in the garden and eat oleander – will probably die, none of those horses will be unruly, but they will need the services of a veterinarian. The most well-known toxin that affects New Zealand pasture fed horses is lolitremB, this is the one that creates the neurological reaction called staggers. It is found in rye grass that has been endophyte protected, to prevent a weevil from destroying the grass. (Recently new species of rye grass has protections that do not have lolitremB). It is mainly found in dairy pasture and horses are vulnerable when they are grazed on these paddocks when the grass is short. The fungi is found at the base. Often showing up in the Autumn, the answer is to remove the horse from this type of pasture and also feed a toxin binder prior to and during the high risk time to reduce the response. If your horse is likely to ingest foodstuff that may come under the above list (ie badly stored, signs of age or mould) a binder may assist, but if he shows signs of sickness then it is imperative to discuss with your veterinarian. Whilst it may be helpful to feed a binder to horses who may be vulnerable to the above: mouldy feed, poisonous plants, endophyte protected rye grass, it is important to recognise that it is not the magic bullet to solve the issues of behaviour shown by many horses, nor is it acceptable to remove the horse from all grazing because he is negative exhibiting behaviour issues. Happy fizzy energy will come from the sugars in the grass not mythical toxins, so help them digest those sugars. If your horse is exhibiting unhappy difficult behaviour, negative responses to being ridden – or even touched, it is not a mycotoxins reaction but much more likely to come from pain, either hidden injury, gut pain or discomfort, even poor equipment not fitting comfortably, or a lack of a balanced diet with fibre, protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals and electrolytes in correct ratios. Read more about supplements and ratios in our article ‘What supplements does your horse really need each day’. Most likely it is digestion difficulties – ie lack of processing the sugars in grass and grain effectively in the gut creates discomfort to the point that he reacts as described above because poorly digested feed creates excess acid in the hindgut, that is the high level of discomfort that he is trying to indicate to you through the change in his demeanour. A product like Digest rite , that contains not only a silicated oxide type binder and a yeast mannan oligosaccharide type binder (Biomos®), but also alpha and beta enzymes to improve the digestion and rice bran a high antioxidant, makes sense in that it can help prevent many issues that influence the wellbeing of the horse and its reactions. Many horses change character after only a few days of being given Digest Rite . Equine Athlete Digest-Rite Sport Formula is a nutritional supplement formulated for both sport and pleasure horses whose diets are based on pasture and some hard feed, covering many issues that can show up as negative responses and behaviour of a horse.

A parasite is an organism that lives on or in an organism of another species, known as the host, from which the parasite obtains nutriment (Yuck!). Internal parasites of horses, therefore, live within the bodies of our horses and grow, feed, and reproduce there. Although there are a number of internal parasites, worms are the ones most horse owners think of when parasites are mentioned. We’ll focus on the different types of worms that infect our horses and how to treat for them and to control their numbers in the environment. As the name implies, parasites gain their nutrition from their hosts and give nothing in return. However, it is in their best interest not to kill their food source. Horses in the wild live a nomadic, grazing lifestyle, covering large areas in search of food. These horses carry a small worm burden, but their exposure is relatively low due to their constant movement that keeps the worm egg population low in any given area. Domestic horses, on the other hand, often carry very high, potentially health and life threatening worm burdens, due to high exposure and re-infection from confinement on small areas of pasture. Each parasite has a specific life cycle, but in general they follow a similar pattern. Eggs or larvae are passed in the manure and contaminate the environment. Horses grazing in that environment ingest the egg or larvae. The larvae develop and mature in the digestive tract (stomach or intestines). Some larvae migrate to other internal organs such as the lungs and blood vessels and can cause damage there, before returning to the intestines as mature adults to lay eggs. The adult worms lay eggs that are passed out in the manure (or develop into larvae that are passed) to start the cycle again. ​ What are the signs of parasites? Clinical signs of worm parasitism generally include weight loss, anemia, poor growth in younger horses, colic, diarrhea, poor hair coats, and death. Many horse owners are familiar with the typical pot-bellied, dull coated worm infested horse. Although this clinical picture may be easy to recognize, most infected horses will have much subtler signs even with serious infections that can result in death. It is very important to do a fecal egg count on your horse. A fecal egg count is more informative than a simple fecal floatation. This will tell you whether your horse is carrying any internal parasites, how many, and how effective your de-worming program is. A fecal flotation test to detect eggs will not detect most tapeworm infections, however. A blood test to determine exposure has been used to determine the prevalence of tapeworm infections What types of worms are common in horses? The most common and important worms that affect equine health are: Roundworms (Ascarids) – Parascuaris equorum or roundworms usually infect young horses age 3-15 months. Adult horses acquire a fairly strong immunity to ascarids. These worms have an unusual life cycle that involves the larvae migrating through various internal organs (causing damage as they travel) until they reach the lungs. The larvae are then coughed up into the horse’s mouth where they are swallowed and continue their life cycle in the digestive tract. Mature round worms can be several inches long and as thick as a pencil. These worms can cause an impaction of the intestines or stomach when found in large numbers. Caution should be taken when de-worming a heavily parasitized horse, as the dying roundworms can also cause an impaction. Consult your veterinarian if you suspect your horse has a heavy roundworm infection. Broodmares should be de-wormed thirty days prior to and /or at foaling to help decrease the foal’s exposure. Large Strongyles – Strongylus edentates, Stongylus vularis. Both the larval and adult stages of the large strongyles cause damage. The larvae migrate through the vessels of the intestinal mesentery and can cause thrombi (clots), infarctions, or inflammation of the vessels that, in turn, result in damage to the intestine. The adults are plug feeders, that is, they take bites of the intestinal lining that result in anemia and decreased absorption of nutrients. Fortunately, these worms are susceptible to most de-wormers. Small Strongyles – Referred to as the cyathostomes, the larvae of this group are of the most importance. The larvae burrow in to the intestinal lining and become encysted for several months before completing their life cycle. During this time, the larvae are resistant to de-worming. The intestinal mucosa is damaged when the larvae burrow in, especially when large numbers are present. Horses exhibit signs of weight loss, poor hair condition, lethargy, poor growth, and colic. Adult worm infestations also cause similar signs. Before and after they become encysted, they are susceptible to most de-wormers. Tapeworms – Anapolcephala perfoliata, Anophlocphla magna. Tapeworms were once thought not to be of much significance in horses, with a few exceptions in foals. Recent research has shown that large numbers of horses are infected. Tapeworms have an affinity for attaching at the ileum and ileocecal junction. This can lead to inflammation and ulceration, which impairs normal intestinal function. This intestinal malfunction can lead to three common types of colic – ileocecal intussusception, ileocecal impaction, and spasmodic colic. Fortunately, praziquantel has recently been approved for the treatment of tapeworms in horses and is very effective. Bots – Gasterophilus spp affect horses age two months and older. Horses may develop mouth ulcers where the eggs burrow in after entering the mouth. Some horses can develop stomach ulcers where the bots attach. Sensitive horses may have a decrease in performance due to the ulcers. Good grooming to remove the eggs from your horses legs will help to reduce their exposure, as will a targeted ivermectin treatment that is very effective in killing bots. The following worms are less of a threat to your horse’s health, but should be taken seriously and considered in your prophylactic de-worming program or when a problem arises. Lungworms Pinworms Pinworms– Oxyuris equi lay their eggs around the horse’s anus resulting in persistent itching and tail rubbing. Stomach worms Thread worms

Horse cooling off. HYDRATING YOUR HORSE Horses always need electrolytes, it is an important part of their health to maintain a correct balance of electrolytic salts. Horses in work need to be supplemented as sweat is a direct loss of these salts. The amount can vary, for example in winter a lower dose may be given (but a horse that hasn’t been clipped will sweat more and so need full levels). In summer, even no or light work the horse will benefit from a daily dose and horses in full work they are an absolute necessity. It is important to understand the need for a fully balanced formula that replaces all the salts lost in sweat in the right ratios. For horses in hard work such as racing or competing in hot conditions a more direct top up like Quicklyte will provide an instant replenishment and help recovery. Tye-up can often occur in horses just from dehydration. ​ Electrolytes – Why, When, What, How ​ When horses are working the muscular activity associated with training and competition results in a rapid increase in body temperature. The only way for horses to lose this excess body heat is via sweat production; in fact efficient muscle function is dependent on it. Sweat is the major route of fluid and electrolyte loss in horses, taking with it significant amounts of water and electrolytes from the body. It is a natural process so why worry about it – well the loss of water alone is debilitating but combined with a serious loss of vital salts and minerals can result in negative neuromuscular reactions from muscle cramping to tying up, systemic alkalosis. Without replacing the losses, the horses’ ability to sweat is reduced and therefore the ability to reduce body temperature is also reduced. It seems ironic but when the sodium is reduced by sweating, the horses’ thirst is also reduced and so it will not want to drink and therefore it exacerbates the condition of dehydration. In this instance a quick replacement is needed, ideally with chelated actives which are absorbed more quickly than standard salts and minerals. A product such as Quicklyte has been developed to help resolve the problem. Working a horse without providing electrolytes may result in dehydration which can damage the health of the horse. A salt lick is definitely not enough and anyway it has been proven that it is not possible for a horse to determine for itself how much it needs. Some horses chomp away and overdo the intake, others will not take enough. A horse does not have an innate ability to work out what they need, the human has to help. ​ When do Horses Need Electrolytes In very light work, or just resting in a paddock, a horse may get by without extra supplementation, especially when conditions are not unusually hot, or the horse is not sweating under his cover or getting stressed and running around – in other words no sweat. Sweating for whatever reason, training or competing or just hot weather does create a need for proper electrolyte supplementation, the harder the work or the hotter the condition – the greater the need. So when things get more serious and horses get ridden, the owner has to provide a correct electrolyte supplement. The greater the combination of hard work and hot weather – then the need will be greater so a high performance formula will be needed also in high performance days in hot conditions there will be a need for an instant fast acting electrolyte. Otherwise for more normal conditions a horse can be kept well balanced with a daily supplement of a standard formula added to the feed. Horses with gastric illness that creates diarrhoea will need electrolytes to prevent dehydration from the water lost from the gut. ​ What are Electrolytes for Horses Salts and minerals are a necessary daily requirement to support the health of the horse. The harder the work – the greater the level of supplementation. It’s not just about fast work as in racing or eventing, but all riding disciplines and especially when in hot conditions. It is important to know what constitutes sweat, what is lost and to check out what you are using to replace the losses with. Electrolyte composition of sweat: ChlorideSodiumPotassiumMagnesiumCalciumPhosphorus 7gms/litre4gms/litre1.3gms/litre.13gms/litre.25gms/litre.03gms/litre So you see that it is more than just sodium chloride and therefore merely giving a horse some salt is not going to replace the losses. We talk about the Dietary Electrolyte Balance (DEB) as being the total amount of electrolytes, a standard type mixed diet is usually not enough to meet the required DEB. To demonstrate this point, consider a basic diet of 6kg Grass/Hay + 3kg Oats + 3kg Sweet feed with no added electrolyte supplement. If we analyse this diet it equates to: ActualRequirementActualRequirement Calcium60gm47gmMagnesium19gm22gm Chloride46gm80gmPotassium145gm55gm Crude Protein1200gm1300gmSodium18gm42gm Digestible Energy30mCal30mCal This diet has a low DEB with Chloride, Magnesium and Sodium levels being low. Potassium is rarely deficient in diets based on grass and hay. An increase in the work of a horse will create a requirement for an increase in daily electrolyte supplementation as horses do not store sodium, potassium or chloride from one day to the next. Therefore electrolytes need to be adjusted according to the work level of the horse and the environmental conditions. Working in hot conditions will create a higher rate of sweat and therefore a need for greater replacement. When not in work the horse needs less, if over supplemented, it will increase water intake and urine loss. A correctly formulated Electrolyte supplement should contain Chloride and Sodium at a ratio of approximately 2:1 as well as Calcium and Magnesium at low levels. The equine kidney has developed to handle forage diets which are high in Potassium and low in Sodium. They easily excrete any excesses with no detriment to the physiology of the horse. As long as the kidneys are functioning properly and the DEB is correct, they will regulate and maintain the body’s Electrolyte levels. The idea of acid and alkaline Electrolyte supplements is now regarded by equine physiologists as unnecessary. Horses can develop a mild metabolic acidosis after intense exercise and may develop a metabolic alkalosis in situations of heavy sweat loss. In both these cases so long as there is sufficient Chloride in the DEB then the horses kidneys will sort out its own acid/base balance. Vetpro Equine Electrolytes are a neutral PH composition . How to Provide the Right Salts and Minerals It is difficult to assess a horses electrolyte status from a blood test, samples of blood and urine need to be taken at the same time and you need to consult your veterinarian for this. It is important to look for a full formulation to cover the basic needs of normal work and warm weather, and add this to the feed each day then as work increases and or the weather gets hotter, increase the recommend dose to the higher levels. For a higher demand – hardest work – hottest days – use a formula with higher levels such as the Vetpro Performance Electrolytes. To quickly support a horse on race or competition days or travelling – use Quicklyte with fast absorbing chelated actives for a rapid result. Daily supplementation should be continued as normal. Do check out the labels on products you are using, see if they are PH neutral, and if they have the correct amount of all the necessary salts and minerals in the right ratios. Warning: some premixed feeds say they contain electrolytes but will only deliver the amount on the label if you feed the amount of feed they recommend, often 5 to 7kgs of that feed. It is rare that happens and so the amount of actives will be reduced proportionately and therefore will not be sufficient for the needs of the horse. If you feed half the recommended amount of feed then you will only get half of the ingredients including supplements. ​