Tabla de contenidos para July 2015 en Equus

Resistance warning In the April issue there was a nice report on using the drug Protazil to prevent equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) (“A Way to Prevent EPM?” Medical Front, EQUUS 451). It is very helpful to know that there may be a method to prevent EPM. However, we have to be very careful how we use it. If this drug is used indiscriminately, like we have seen with the use of dewormers in horses and antibiotics in humans, all we may end up with are protozoans that are resistant to Protazil. The potential for development of resistant organisms can be increased by the use of low doses. Since, I assume, Protazil is available by prescription only, veterinarians will need to do due diligence when prescribing this drug to try to…

Thunderstorms develop when thermal updrafts carry large numbers of positively charged ice crystals into the upper layers of a storm cloud. This leaves a stronger negative charge behind in the lower and middle portions of the cloud. Another, thinner layer of positive charges remains along the lower edge of the cloud. When these differences grow too great, and the insulating qualities of the air can no longer contain them, the negative charges in the center of the cloud create a channel to flow toward the positive charges. Intra-cloud flashes occur when the discharges remain contained within the cloud. However, when negative charges from the center of the cloud flow downward toward the bottom surface, the thin layer of positive charges there may not be powerful enough to contain the surge…

Equine coronavirus has rapidly become established as a recognized disease in mature horses, but many questions about it remain. For one, where did this new illness come from, and why did it appear so suddenly in so many places all at once? “We still don’t know if equine coronavirus is emerging. We haven’t started testing for ECoV until very recently, which has increased our awareness and understanding of this virus. It is possible that ECoV has been around for decades and we just didn’t recognize it. As an alternative, it is also possible that the virulence of the virus and/or horse husbandry has changed,” says Nicola Pusterla, DVM, PhD, of the University of California–Davis. So far, the only outbreaks of illness related to ECoV have been in Japan and the…

I was a toddler when I saw my first horse. It wasn’t real---just a flickering image on our black-and-white television. Yet that moment ignited a passion that has not diminished in more than 50 years. But we were confirmed city people, living 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Here, near the border of East L.A. in the 1970s, “horse” meant heroin, another obsession that fortunately didn’t capture me. The only real equestrian contact I managed to wrangle back then was a Girl Scout horse day camp held near Dodger Stadium. I didn’t really start riding until college, and after graduation I rode whenever I could, even knocking on doors to find horses that people didn’t have time to exercise. But I wouldn’t own my first horse until I was 30.…

Saliva samples may one day replace blood tests as a means of detecting inflammation in horses, according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen. Building on a process previously used successfully to measure proteins associated with stress, the Danish researchers tried a new and innovative testing technique to detect proteins in saliva that are associated with inflammation. “The biomarkers we were interested in---so-called acute phase proteins---indicate the presence of inflammation, which occurs whenever the horse has an infection or neoplasia0 or sustains a trauma,” explains Stine Jacobsen, DVM, PhD. For the study, 13 horses of various breeds and ages were given full physical exams and had their blood tested for acute-phase proteins. Then, based on the blood test results, the horses were divided into two groups ---those with…

Research shows that the small but growing population of Terceira Ponies has a lot in common with the Lusitano and other breeds from the Iberian region. Originating on the island of Terceira in the Azores, the Terceira Pony was recognized as a breed only last year but it has been popular for agricultural and social activities for centuries. Currently, the Terceira Pony population numbers about 100. Recently, a group of researchers at the University of Azores undertook a study of the Terceira Pony population. In addition to analyzing DNA of 52 Terceira Ponies, the researchers took 28 body measurements of 30 animals to construct a phenotype0 for the breed. They found that the average Terceira Pony stands 128 centimeters tall at the withers (about 12 and a half hands) and…

The venom from snakebites isn’t typically fatal to adult horses—their large size dilutes the toxins enough that they rarely do serious damage to the internal organs. But snake venom can cause severe local swelling at the site of the bite, and if a horse is bitten on the head while grazing, the swelling may impede his breathing to an extent that can be life-threatening. Call your veterinarian if you witness a bite from a venomous snake—or if you find your horse with a sudden, dramatic, painful swelling on the head or legs. A bite on the leg is less immediately life-threatening, but because neurological complications and local tissue death are a possibility, your veterinarian will still want to begin treatment quickly. You will most likely need to bring your horse…

Serious storms are in the forecast for the afternoon, and you’ve checked the weather radar: That ominous patch of red is going to pass right over your farm. Is it better to leave your horses in the pasture or to bring them into the barn? There is no one “right” answer. The best course of action depends on several factors: • Your horse’s temperament. A horse who is nervous during storms might relax in a stall with a buddy next door. Others may panic in the confines of a stall and would do better outside in a secure paddock well away from tall trees. • The sturdiness of your barn. If you have a modern barn designed with features for lightning protection, your stalls are probably the safest place for…

Horses evolved to communicate with each other primarily through body language. The herd establishes its pecking order initially in “strong terms,” such as biting and kicking, but thereafter relies on more subtle gestures, a variety of small movements of the ears, tail, feet and body. This ability to silently communicate and create a smoothly functioning group has helped horses to survive by enabling them to stay together and travel in the safety of large herds. They are able to live in harmony and get along with each other because of the entire herd’s ability to practice the flawless social skills of acceptance, tolerance, kindness, honesty, patience, understanding, forgiveness and compassion. The horse’s extraordinary ability to read equine body language translates to humans as well: You may think you’re acting “normal,”…

ORTHOPEDICS Living with a muscle abnormality Q: My 21-year-old Arabian gelding, a retired endurance horse, was diagnosed with fibrotic myopathy a little over a year ago. One hindquarter is more affected than the other, and he exhibits a mild “slapping” gait on that leg until he warms up. My veterinarian told me that, although my horse was not in pain, it would be best for him to work only on flat trails. Can you tell me more about the cause and progression of the disease? There was no trauma in the limb that I’m aware of, and I’m always very careful about proper warming up before work. Does the myopathy eventually stabilize, or does the muscle continue to shorten/scar over time? If it stabilizes, can the horse be slowly exercised…

antibody---disease-fighting substance produced by the body in response to the presence of an antigen. aspiration pneumonitis---lung inflammation due to an inhaled substance such as food, drugs or misdirected mineral oil administered to treat constipation or choke. Banamine---trade name of flunixin meglumine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to control inflammation and pain primarily associated with colic and muscle injuries. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)---organic chemical that has a number of medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic; DMSO can pass readily through the skin. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)---large organic molecule that consists of two chains of nucleotides wound around each other; the material of which genes are made. Genes are responsible for the individual inherited characteristics of living organisms. encephalitis---inflammation of the brain. enteric---pertaining to the intestines. epithelium---tissue layer covering and/or lining internal and…

In the woods at the back of my land is a section of trail I call Tranquility. The path here follows an old roadbed lined with wild flowers and teeming with moss. Embankments on either side rise high above shoulder level and are dripping with a variety of ferns. An underground spring nearby keeps the air damp and misty. The place always gives you the feeling that you are not alone, but it is not eerie. Cassara, my black Arabian mare, was a fiery sort, but she was calm and confident under saddle. This section of trail, however, awakened her fires, and she would always stop and raise her head upon entering. She opened her nostrils to blow and look up at the trees. She danced on her toes and…

“A horse is a beautiful animal, but it is perhaps most remarkable because it moves as if it always hears music.” —Mark Helprin, Winter’s Tale The Jorden Ladies’ Tech Show Shirt (suggested retail, $54.95), from Ovation Riding, is constructed to keep you cool, with Dry-Tex microfiber mesh sleeves and back, sheer undersleeves for breathability, and a moisture-wicking, smooth-stretch jersey cotton front. The shirt is solid white when closed, with a choice of four floral patterns inside the collar and cuffs: aster, larkspur, dahlia and wildflower. Available in sizes 32 to 40. Visit www.ovationriding.com. To protect you from the sun, the Competition Shirt, Long Sleeve (suggested retail, $80), from F.O.A.L. Equestrian, is made of a breathable, moisture-wicking polyester that offers an SPF of 50. The shirt also features a hidden magnetic…

Definition: gastrointestinal illness caused by infection with the equine coronavirus (ECoV) Causes: The virus is thought to pass from horse to horse via the fecaloral route, but airborne transmission via respiratory excretions is also possible. Signs: Fever of 101 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, lethargy and loss of appetite are the most common signs; 10 to 15 percent of horses may have softened stools or diarrhea. In about 7 percent of cases, horses may experience serious complications including shock, organ failure, septicemia and neurological signs. Diagnosis: Bloodwork will show a drop in white blood cells consistent with viral infections. ECoV can be identified in fecal samples. Treatment: Most horses recover fully within two to four days, or longer if they experienced loose stools. Supportive care, including fluids and anti-inflammatories, may be…

When teaching natural horsemanship over the years I often told my students that establishing a positive working relationship with one’s horse requires becoming a well-liked, trusted and respected leader— which are the same qualities that it takes to be a good parent. And just as we must understand, honor and respect how a child sees the world, we must learn to see the world from the horse’s point of view. Today, when I share what I have learned from horses, the most important message I try to pass on is that the horse also wants the same healthy, loving leadership from his person as a child wants from his parents. And the more we learn about horses and how they live their lives, the more we, as humans, can identify…

TOE BLING Product: Hoofies Description: These pliable plastic decals adhere easily to hoof walls to add a splash of color to your horse’s turnout. Hoofies come in more than 10 colors, most with a glitter finish, as well as flag or flame designs; customized colors, embossed lettering and designs are also available. The manufacturer recommends cleaning the hooves before applying the peel-and-stick decals, then removing them after no more than eight to 12 hours. Price: $19.99 for a set of four in medium, $20.99 in large Source: W2 Innovations; www.horsehoofies.com 817-975-8814 BREECHES THAT GRIP Product: Signature Cordoba Woven Full Seat Breech Description: Designed for a contoured, mid-rise fit, these breeches are made of a moisture-wicking, woven micro-polyester/cotton stretch fabric with a full-seat micro-suede insert. A silicone patch on each knee…