Sommaire pour June 2016 de Equus

Putting others first I loved “Saving Frankie” (True Tale, EQUUS 463). Some people may be critical of author Joan Denton, but I love her wise attitude about her experience. As a born-again Christian I can tell you that in God’s eyes it’s not always about us. Some of the richest experiences in life happen when we put someone else’s welfare ahead of our own wants, which is what Joan did for Frankie. Kudos to you, Joan! Lou Ann Templeman Friendswood, Texas Continuing education I would like to add some comments to “Make the Most of Your Riding Lessons” (EQUUS 463). Any wise trainer and teacher will give the student and her horse some little intermissions during each training session. My old teacher Karl Mikolka, former head rider of the Spanish…

With the return of sunny weather, you’ll want to protect your skin from damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Don’t forget to do the same for your horse, especially if he has pink skin with sparse hair covering---on the muzzle and around the eyes, for example. Sunburn would not only make your horse uncomfortable, it could increase his risk of developing certain cancers and tumors in that area. The most reliable sun protection for most of your horse’s face is a fly mask made with UVblocking fabric. As long as he wears it regularly, you won’t have to worry about sunburn around his eyes. Some models even incorporate muzzle flaps to protect pink skin on the nose. If a mask doesn’t work for your horse, you can use human sunscreen on his…

Definition: severe abdominal pain caused by spasm, obstruction or distention in the digestive tract. Signs: Sweating, pawing and rolling are classic signs of colic, but other less obvious changes in a horse’s behavior or demeanor, such as a mild anxiety, a preoccupied look or a sudden withdrawal from the herd, can also indicate trouble. The horse’s apparent level of discomfort is not always a good indicator of the severity of his colic. If he shows any signs of abdominal pain, call your veterinarian immediately. Types: Possible causes of abdominal pain include: • gas buildup • gastric ulcers • intestinal twists, blockages or strangulation • sand accumulation • inflammation, particularly of the right dorsal colon • intussusception, which is the “telescoping” of one section of bowel inside another • enteroliths, concretions…

TRAINING How to handle a bit puller Q: I have a Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse with a sweet, can-do disposition. But he likes to chew and pull on the bit. When I bought him, he came with the bridle and bit, and he was trained. I have had the veterinarian check him out, tried lots of different bits, have had his teeth done, along with a chiropractic adjustment. I have ridden on a tight rein and a loose rein. Nothing seems to help. Looking for suggestions on what to try next. Name withheld by request A: This is a great question. Pain can often cause problems like yours, and I’m glad that you have done your research to ensure that this behavior is not a result of a dental or…

Have you ever asked a young, horse-crazy girl, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “I am going to be a vet,” is a common reply. At least, that’s what I used to say. Back then, of course, I had not yet learned that the road to becoming a veterinarian is not easy. It can be a long, sometimes difficult journey that leaves its travelers weary. I spent almost half my life just acquiring the knowledge needed to meet the application requirements for veterinary school. Then, after finally completing the prerequisites, I was ecstatic but slightly shocked when I was actually accepted! But about halfway through my second year of veterinary school, I hit a wall. Like many of my classmates, I was feeling burned-out and frustrated,…

EQUUS welcomes freelance submissions for practically any section of the magazine. We prefer to receive manuscripts via email; sent to EQLetters@aimmedia.com.com. We will also consider typed hardcopy manuscripts, but please note: If you would like your materials returned, a selfaddressed, stamped envelope needs to be included with your submission. We do not review or accept simultaneous submissions. Here are a few guidelines for prospective contributors: • Features generally run from 1,600 to 3,000 words. • Medical Front (200- to 400-word items)—Brief articles about the latest research, technological advances, treatments and other veterinary topics pertinent to horse owners. • Hands On (100- to 400-word items)—Short items offering practical advice and useful reminders on everyday horse care issues, ranging from feeding and hoof care to training and breeding. • True Tales (700…

Choke can look alarming, especially if you’ve never seen it before. When a wad of poorly chewed feed or a big chunk of apple gets stuck in a horse’s esophagus, the muscles may spasm and clamp it in place, causing him to cough, gag and produce prodigious amounts of drool and nasal discharge. Unlike choking in people, however, choke in horses doesn’t interfere with the ability to breathe, so it does not pose an immediate threat to life. In fact, choke will usually subside on its own. If it doesn’t, however, you’ll want to take quick action to prevent a minor problem from leading to serious complications. Here’s what to do. SUSPECT A HORSE HAS CHOKE, IF HE • abruptly stops eating, and perhaps takes on an alarmed or confused…

Designed by the World Champion Barrel Racer, the Fallon Taylor helmet line (suggested retail, $99.95), from Troxel, adds colorful Western-inspired graphics to an ultralight, low-profile helmet. Features include large vents to maximize airflow, a dial-fit system for a customizable fit, and a self-locking buckle that can be opened and closed with one hand. Available in tie-dye, turquoise Aztec, pink bandana, rave splatter and snow leopard, in sizes S (up to 7) to L (7 ¼ and up). Visit www.troxelhelmets.com. With the same low-profile design, centrally located ventilation holes and soft, secure harness as the Ayr8, the AyrBrush (suggested retail, $370), from Charles Owen, also features an impact-absorbing shell with glass-reinforced fibers for strength, coated with a mark-resistant matte paint for a durable finish. Available in black, navy or brown, in…

Any riding helmet marketed as protective headgear must be labeled “ASTM/SEI certified” or carry an equivalent rating from the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) or the European Committee for Standardization (CEN or EN 13158). Those labels have been in our helmets for years, but it’s good to remember what they mean: • ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) publishes specific rules for certification. For example, a helmet must be able to withstand blows of specified forces at four distinct locations around the head; it must withstand blows on a flat anvil as well as on an anvil with a raised edge to simulate a horseshoe; it must slow the acceleration of the head on impact; it must perform just as well at temperature extremes. • SEI (Safety Equipment…

Worldwide equine flu outbreaks are monitored by the Expert Surveillance Panel on Equine Influenza Vaccine Composition, which is supported by the World Organization for Animal Health (which uses its historic French acronym, OIE). Virus samples are collected during each outbreak and analyzed—with a primary goal of helping to keep vaccines up to date. “The panel meets every year in February or March to review the situation for the previous year,” says Thomas Chambers, PhD, of the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center of the University of Kentucky, who sits on the OIE panel. One of the panel’s more interesting findings is how vaccination rates seem to influence the frequency and severity of equine influenza outbreaks. “In the United States, there is a certain level of vaccination, and the disease is…

When my 26-yearold gelding, Zeke, died 15 years ago, I believed my on-again, off-again equestrian life was over. But as it turned out, I just couldn’t stay away from horses. And so I bought Ria, a young Thoroughbred-Percheron cross. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly. At 66, I was way past the expiry date for serious riding. My finances were limited. My barn and fence needed repairs. And all my former horsey buddies had either stopped riding or disappeared from my life. It was neither logical nor practical for me to get involved with horses again, let alone own one. I bought Ria anyway, well aware of the physical risks, financial drain and the emotional roller coaster that riding has always meant for me. She was sound, with good…

antigen---substance, often a protein, that the body’s immune system recognizes as foreign and reacts to by producing an antibody. ascarid (Parascaris equorum)---large intestinal roundworm, about the size of a pencil, that infects foals and young horses and may retard growth or block the intestines. Banamine---trade name of flunixin meglumine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to control inflammation and pain primarily associated with colic and muscle injuries. blastocyst---early stage of an embryo’s development, when the cells form a hollow ball. contracted tendons---abnormal condition of the flexor tendons at the back of the leg preventing normal extension of the fetlock and/or coffin joint. endoscope---small, flexible tube equipped with light and a viewing device; used to examine or operate on body passages or internal organs. endotoxins (bacterial pyrogens)---poisonous substances produced within bacterial cells and…