Table of contents for November 2016 in Equus

For a tidy trailhead I read the Letter to the Editor (“Another Trail Courtesy,” EQUUS 468) about riders not picking up manure and hay droppings at trailhead parking. I have a simple solution for this issue: I keep a pail and fork in the back of my trailer for quick cleanups. Justine Knott Salem, Oregon Don’t mind the spray “From Tolerance to Acceptance” (Conversations, EQUUS 467) offered some good pointers for training a horse to accept the spray from a water hose. Here are a few more tips I have found that work. First, use warm water! A nice, warm spray is much more soothing to a horse than the shock of cold water. As the horse becomes fully saturated you can slowly reduce the temperature of the water. Usually,…

INVESTIGATING REPEAT HOOF ABSCESSES Your horse has had three hoof abscesses this year, but his barn mate hasn’t had a single one. What could account for that difference? Plenty of things. Abscesses are pockets of pus that form within the hoof after bacteria gain entry through a crack or another defect in the horn. A horse with an abscess typically becomes lame quickly and remains that way until the pressure is relieved, either when the pus is drained by a veterinarian or farrier or the abscess bursts on its own. Healthy horses with good-quality feet aren’t typically prone to abscesses, but they can certainly develop them with enough provocation. On the other hand, repeated abscesses are a sign of a predisposing condition that needs to be addressed. These include: •…

External abscesses—Horses with external pigeon fever abscesses usually don’t need systemic antibiotics, but they sometimes receive anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and swelling. Swellings that do not interfere with breathing, swallowing or movement are often left to mature and drain on their own. In some cases, however, a veterinarian may determine that it’s best to lance an abscess once it is mature—that is, the body has fully encapsulated the infection. To speed maturation process, hot compresses may be applied to the affected area. After abscesses are drained, daily flushing of the wound will help promote healing. Internal abscesses—Ultrasound imaging may be used to locate and evaluate internal pigeon fever abscesses as well as to guide efforts to aspirate the infected mass for culturing. Several common antibiotics are effective against C.…

You’ll take care of him right?” asked Leslie. “What? Of course,” I replied, “I’ll take care of all of them.” “Oh no, that’s silly. But Pallie. You’ll take Pal right? I mean if something should happen to me.” “Sure, whatever you want,” I said nonchalantly But she stopped. She was staring at me. She needed to know. “Of course, Leslie. Of course we would.” Finally, my mother-in-law was satisfied. She took a deep breath, pulled her shoulders up by her ears and exhaled all at once. Nodding her head, her wonderful hair popped out of her helmet, frizzy and wild. “OK, then,” she went on. “What were you saying?” “I don’t know,” I said. “Let’s trot.” And just like that, on an ordinary winter day along the Blue Trail in…

antibody---disease-fighting substance produced by the body in response to the presence of an antigen. antigen---substance, often a protein, that the body’s immune system recognizes as foreign and reacts to by producing an antibody. body condition score (BCS)---a designation, based on a nine-point numeric scale, indicating the amount of fat on a horse’s body. A BCS is assigned after a visual and hands-on appraisal. carbohydrates---large group of carbon-based compounds, including starches, sugars and cellulose, that are found in plants and form the largest class of animal foods. Carbohydrates, together with proteins and lipids, are principal components of cell protoplasm, the viscous fluid that fills plant and animal cells. complete blood count (CBC)---number of various types of cells in a blood sample. dorsal---toward the surface of the back. equine herpesvirus (EHV)---a family…

Colic---a catchall term for any abdominal pain---is not a possibility to take lightly. At best, the source of the discomfort might be a slight accumulation of gas or a mild impaction that passes on its own. More severe blockages might be caused by ingested sand, enteroliths (stonelike mineral concretions that form in the horse’s gut) or other obstructions. These are more likely to require surgery. The most serious colics tend to involve entrapments and strangulations that “pinch off” sections of intestine, cutting off blood flow and causing the local tissue to die. In cases like these, prompt surgery is the only way to save the horse’s life. Fortunately, advances in diagnostics and treatments are making it easier for veterinarians to identify the causes of colic and help more horses recover…

Throughout my 35-year-long endurance-riding career, I have enjoyed the company of some wonderful trail companions, including several talented Arabians, a super-smooth Tennessee Walker and a feisty, opinionated Morgan. In recent years I have suffered a few injuries, including one that led to an emergency hip replacement nearly three years ago. I was warned by my physician never to risk falling off, because I am now much more fragile. Thus, after completing 5,000 American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) miles, I briefly considered giving up the sport I love. But a life without riding is no life at all, so instead I searched for a mount who could carry me smoothly and safely down the trails. Early this year I found him. ZGC Phoenix is a curly-coated sorrel Fox Trotter gelding. Everything…

“Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, Ring-ting-tingling too, Come on, it’s lovely weather For a sleigh ride together with you.” For a dash of holiday spirit, decorate your home or barn with handmade Arctic Sleigh Bells (suggested retail, $19.89 for 12 bells on a 30-inch strap), from Weaver Leather. The 1 ½ inch bells are mounted on a one-inch wide black leather strap that is carefully creased for a finished look. They can be hung with burgundy latigo leather lacing. Also available with three bells on a 12-inch strap ($6.89) or six bells on a 15 ½-inch strap ($9.79). Bells can be plated in nickel or brass. Visit ridethebrand.com. Made of genuine leather with a soft lining for comfort, the Padded Leather Bracelet (suggested retail, $29.95), from SmartPak Equine, comes…

Currently, there is no vaccine available against pigeon fever. “A protective vaccine is one of my career goals,” says Sharon J. Spier, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, of the University of California–Davis. “There is research in progress, and some products are still undergoing safety testing. We are definitely getting closer to a safe vaccine, but we don’t have one yet.” For now, the most effective way to protect your horse against pigeon fever is with protective management strategies: • Keep up with fly control. Fly sheets and repellents can help protect horses, but measures to reduce the flies breeding on your farm—such as parasitic wasps and feed-through products called insect growth regulators (IGRs)—are also important. “A fly-control program should be started early enough in the season to prevent a large buildup of…