Spring 2014
In this Issue
• Dr. James DABVP Pg. 1 • Breeding Pg. 2
• Equilume Mask & Foaling Pg. 5 • EVA Pg. 6
• Dr. Hibbits & Acupuncture/Dr. Winfield Pg. 8
• Enteroliths Pg. 9 • Colic Pg 10
• Feeding the Older Horse Pg. 11
• Helpful Hints Pg 15 • MHP Pg. 16
• SCEC Interns Pg. 17
• Is My Horse Overweight & Manure Solutions Pg. 18
Phone: 831-455-1808
[email protected]
www.steinbeckequine.com
• Horse Books Pg. 18
• SCEC Babies and Kids! Pg. 19 & 20
• Upcoming Events Pg. 20
STEINBECK COUNTRY EQUINE CLINIC
SPRING NEWSLETTER
Dr. Sarah James Has Been Admitted into
American College of Veterinary Practitioners
by Drs. Alexandra and Tim Eastman
Please join all of us at Steinbeck Equine in congratulating Dr. Sarah James for
completing all of the rigorous requirements to become board certified with the
American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Equine Practice. Sarah is now
considered a board certified specialist in General Equine Practice, much like your
own family practitioner.
After completing an undergraduate degree, and successfully completing four
years at an accredited veterinary school, graduates take National and State Board
exams. After passing these exams they are qualified to practice veterinary medicine.
The vast majority of graduates go directly into private practice to begin their careers.
Those deciding to specialize can follow veterinary school with internship and
residency programs. Each year Steinbeck Equine takes two such graduates for our
internship program. Dr. James, Dr. Winfield and Dr. Carlson are all graduates of
our internship program. During their internship year, new doctors gain valuable
Sarah and Wyatt
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experience under the guidance of seasoned practitioners and specialists.
Veterinarians wishing to pursue additional education and specialize further can do a residency. Residencies
last 2-4 years, depending on the discipline.
The ABVP was established in 1978 and serves to allow veterinarians to achieve a much higher level of
education within a specific species than might be possible otherwise. To become eligible to sit the ABVP
board exam Sarah had to do a two-year residency, which she completed at Steinbeck Equine. During her
residency she kept logs of all the cases she saw, turned in detailed case reports, completed training at other
facilities, attended numerous continuing education seminars around the country, gave presentations and
published a research article in a peer-reviewed journal. After completing
all of this, she was approved to sit for a grueling 2-day examination.
Sarah passed the exam and was accepted into the ABVP.
Born and raised in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Sarah went to North
Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine before finding her way to
California and Steinbeck Equine.
While we are not at all surprised by Sarah’s success we are all very
proud of Sarah for her accomplishment and excited to welcome her
as our newest associate veterinarian. We are lucky to have such a
wonderful person and an excellent veterinarian on the SCEC team.
*Dr. Nick Carlson is currently in the process of completing his ACVS surgical residency at SCEC.
A Mare Owner’s Countdown to Breeding
Alexandra Eastman, DVM, MS
Originally Published in Bay Area Equestrian Network
The 2014 breeding season has begun. For mare owners, it isn’t
too late to start thinking about breeding this year. Planning ahead can make
breeding your mare less stressful and more fruitful. Many broodmare owners can
run through breeding programs in their sleep, but for those new at the game the
following may be helpful in demystifying the process of breeding your mare.
Greater than two months before breeding:
Discuss with your veterinarian the pros and cons of breeding your mare.
There are many things to consider. How is your mare’s general health? Healthy
mares that are not over or underweight tend to be most fertile. How old is
your mare? Does she have any congenital problems that you would not want
to pass on? Because of love they feel for their mare, many people overlook
the consequences of breeding mares with undesirable heritable traits. Is she
reproductively sound? A breeding soundness exam can help evaluate the reproductive health of your mare.
If done early, it can help by identifying problems that may need treatment before you are trying to breed.
During this time you may also want to research prospective stallions. You will want to establish a breeding
contract ahead of time with the stallion owner. This is a time for you to familiarize yourself with the details
of the contract. You may want to ask about the pregnancy rates of the stallion, the fees you will incur during
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the process, the collection days, and breeding season.
Which stallion you choose may affect how your mare will be bred. Mares are bred by natural cover or by
artificial insemination (AI). If your mare is to be bred by natural cover, you will probably transport your
mare to the stallion for breeding. If she is to be bred by AI and the stallion ships well, it is possible for her
to be bred with transported semen. Transported semen comes in one of two forms: cooled or frozen. There
are advantages and disadvantages to each method. Pregnancy rates are highest in mares bred by live cover
or artificially inseminated immediately after collection. However, transporting the mare to the stallion may
not be practical or desirable. In most cases cooled semen has higher pregnancy rates than frozen semen, but
cooled semen must be ordered and shipped for each breeding. Depending on the collection schedule and
shipping methods offered by the stallion owner, this can be difficult to orchestrate with the actual ovulation
of the mare. Frozen semen is nice because it sits in the tank waiting for the mare, but the conception
rates are lower and the timing must be more precise so the mares need to be checked more frequently by
a veterinarian. Breed registries have differing rules regarding AI and transported semen. If you intend to
register your foal, you should check the rules of your specific breed association.
Two months before breeding:
Mares are seasonal breeders. They cycle, produce and release ova from follicles, during the months with
the longest day length. During the winter they enter a period of diestrus and stop cycling. As mares begin
to cycle in the early spring, they enter a period of transition. During this time the mares may show signs of
being in heat, but their cycles tend to be unpredictable, making it difficult to achieve good pregnancy rates
during this time. Without any intervention, the ideal time to breed mares in the northern hemisphere is
May through August. During this stretch of time, the mares are usually cycling consistently and are most
fertile.
The length of gestation is extremely variable but pregnancy usually lasts about 340 days. For many breed
registries the foals have an automatic birthday of January 1st . Foals destined for age group competitions
will have an advantage if they have an actual birth date early in the year. For owners hoping for birthdays
early in the calendar year, May through August is usually considered too late to be acceptable breeding
dates. The simplest and most effective method to get a mare to cycle earlier in the year is to increase her
“day length” 60 days before you want her to start cycling. For most mares this means adding light to their
stall starting on December 1st. The most common method is to add light at the end of the day before dusk
making the mare’s day length 15-16 hours/ day. This can be most easily achieved by placing the lights on
timers to light the stall from around 4:30 p.m. to 10-11 p.m. each day. Leaving the lights on all night or
skipping days will negate the effect. The lights do not have to be overly bright. The rule of thumb is that
you should be able to comfortably read a newspaper.
One month before breeding:
If possible, start teasing your mare to determine her heat cycle. Mares
that are in estrus (heat) usually stand calmly, squat and wink the labia
of the vulva in the presence of a stallion. They often raise their tail and
urinate. Mares that are not in estrus tend to be more agitated in the
presence of a stallion. They are restless and may lay their ears back,
squeal and kick. Some mares will tease to geldings or other mares when
they are in heat. Other mares will not overtly show signs of estrus even
when teased with a stallion. Many mares with foals are so protective of
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the foals that they won’t show estrus behavior. Teasing is not always possible.
Your veterinarian can determine the stage of estrus by examination of the
ovaries, uterus and cervix of the mare.
If your mare is to be bred with transported semen,
contact your veterinarian to determine when they
would like to start following your mare’s cycle. If
your mare is going to travel to the stallion farm,
contact the breeding manager or stallion owner to determine when they would
like you to bring your mare. If your mare is to travel out of state, be sure to check
with your veterinarian about the timing and requirements for an interstate health
certificate and Coggins testing for the state in question.
Desired breeding time:
Arrange for breeding either by your veterinarian or the stallion manager. The attending veterinarian will
probably want to check your mare after breeding to ensure that she has ovulated and that she did not acquire
any post breeding fluid within her uterus. Even with the use of drugs to induce ovulation, some mares do not
ovulate when expected. If this is noted on a post-breeding exam, there may be a chance to order more semen.
Many mares, especially older mares, will have difficulty clearing fluid from their uterus after breeding. If this
happens, it can provide an inhospitable environment for the embryo and the pregnancy will be lost prior to
implantation. Oxytocin with or without uterine lavage can greatly increase the chances of a viable pregnancy.
Pregnancy exams:
Pregnancy can usually be diagnosed by ultrasound 14 days after ovulation. A
fetal heartbeat can usually be detected ultrasonographically at day 24 or beyond.
At the heartbeat check be sure to discuss with your veterinarian protocols for
vaccination (most veterinarians recommend EHV-4 vaccination at 5, 7, and 9
months of gestation as well as core vaccinations 1 month prior to foaling). Specific
recommendations may vary between veterinarians or by region.
It is very nice when everything goes as planned.
You find a stallion, your mare comes into heat, she
is bred in a timely fashion and she takes the first
time. This does happen sometimes. However, like
it or not, mares are individuals and they don’t always come into heat when
you expect them to, ovulate when they should, or they have trouble with post
breeding fluid. Sometimes the semen misses the connecting flight or the stallion
is collected Monday, Wednesday and Friday and they only ship FedEx and you really need the semen on
Monday and you are out of luck.
Generally the most effective tool in a successful breeding season is good communication. If you have all of
your questions answered ahead of time by your veterinarian and by the stallion manager and you are kept up
to date as the process unfolds you shouldn’t have too many surprises.
aaa
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The Equilume Mask as an Alternative to Stabling Under Light
by Dr. Chris Garvey
The breeding season is approaching quickly and with it the challenges of bringing mares
back into season. At this year’s American Association of Equine Practitioners conference,
Steinbeck employees were introduced to a new advancement in mare management
that can help ease this process. The Equilume is a mask that utilizes both innovative
blue light technology and the familiar fly mask design. The blue light is contained
in a durable half cup that sits under one eye on the mask. The light is activated by
a magnet and detects low light conditions. Blue light has been shown to provide the
optimal stimulation to help bring mares back into season. Owners and barn managers need only activate
the mask once per day in order to provide optimal light therapy for cycling. Broodmares can now enjoy
full time pasture living all season long without the hassle and expense of stabling under lights. For more
information on the Equilume mask, you can visit their website at www.equilume.com
Have a Foal on the Way? Important Things to Remember:
by Brittany Taylor, SCEC Veterinary Technician
Red Bag Delivery
Monitor the color of the membranes appearing as your mare begins to deliver her foal. If they appear dark
red in color, this is an emergency called a “red bag” caused by premature separation of the chorioallantoic
membranes. The red membrane should be broken open with a blunt instrument (ex. safety scissors) to
allow your foal access to oxygen and you should call your veterinarian immediately.
The 1,2,3 Rule
When your foal is born, remember the
1, 2, 3 rule:
1.) The foal should stand within 1
hour of birth
2.) The foal should be nursing
Photo 1: Normal Delivery
within 2 hours of birth
3.) The mare should completely pass
her placenta within 3 hours of birth
Photo 2: Red bag Delivery
If there is doubt that your mare and foal have not completed all of these steps within the given time
guidelines, call your veterinarian.
A Healthy Foal! What’s Next?
If your mare and foal complete these steps successfully, we strongly recommended that you have your
veterinarian measure your foal’s IgG level between 12-24 hours of birth to assure that passive transfer of
antibodies through the mare’s colostrum has occurred. Your veterinarian will assess the foal’s health and
the placenta at this time and may administer antibiotics that will prevent a systemic infection during your
foal’s sensitive first days. If your mare has a high risk pregnancy, consider bringing her to the clinic two
weeks before her due date for monitoring.
Photo 1 from http://www.equine-reproduction.com Photo 2 from http://www.rokewoodstud.com/
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Equine Viral Arteritis
Alexandra Eastman, DVM, MS Originally Published in Bay Area Equestrian Network
Since the Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) outbreak in Quarter
Horses in 2006, many horse breeders and trainers have become
more strident in their approach to preventing another outbreak.
Testing and vaccination protocols are becoming stricter in all
breeds of horses. The 2006 outbreak originating in New Mexico
had a devastating impact on the Quarter Horse breeding industry.
The virus was confirmed on premises within five other states
(Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Alabama).
Historically the disease has impacted Standardbred horses
most significantly and the last documented outbreak was in
Thoroughbred horses in 1984. For these reasons, the disease has
* EVA Photo Courtesy of the ACVP
not recently been a central issue concerning the breeding program
of other breeds. Because the disease can be spread by infected
semen, there are widespread implications for people breeding with transported semen. With semen
transport becoming easier and easier, these concerns extend beyond state and international lines.
In most instances, horses exposed to EVA exhibit either mild clinical signs of an upper respiratory illness or
no apparent clinical signs. Affected horses may have a fever, decreased appetite, depression, nasal discharge,
and edema (swelling) of the ventral trunk, scrotum, mammary gland and/or lower limbs. The incubation
period from exposure to onset of signs is typically 3 to 14 days. Clinical signs may be present for a week or
more. The mortality rates in adult horses are extremely low and most horses recover without incident. The
primary concern is for stallions and pregnant mares.
The concern in stallions is that after infection the virus localizes within the accessory sex glands where
it can continue to be shed with every ejaculate, potentially for the lifetime of the stallion. 30%-60% of
stallions infected become chronic carriers. Because the virus is present in the ejaculate, stallions can infect
mares during live cover or artificial insemination. There is no known cure for the carrier state in stallions.
After the initial infection and illness, the disease itself does not cause decreased conception rates or abortion
in mares bred with semen from infected stallions. The problem lies with the infection of other horses by
mares bred with infected semen.
Mares bred to infected stallions can infect other horses two possible ways. Post breeding, infected semen
eliminated from the mare’s reproductive tract is potentially infective to other horses. The more common
mode of transmission is for the mare to become transiently ill from the virus and transmit the virus to stable
mates via nasal secretions. Infected nasal secretions can also be carried on people or equipment in contact
with multiple horses. The infection rate for naive mares bred to carrier stallions is 85%-95%. These mares
can infect other pregnant mares (abortion is caused in mares more than three months pregnant) and if those
mares are infected, they may abort within 1-3 weeks. Exposure to the virus causes abortion in up to 5075% of non-vaccinated pregnant mares. Mares exposed very late in pregnancy may deliver term foals that
may be born alive and die within days of severe pneumonia.
Mares and geldings do not serve as reservoirs for the disease. Once the disease has run its course, the
animal will stop shedding the virus within three weeks. Clinical disease will usually cause future immunity.
Because the shedding is testosterone dependent, if a stallion that is a chronic shedder is castrated, he will no
longer be a source of the disease.
There is a blood test available to determine if a horse has been exposed to or previously vaccinated for
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EVA. This test looks for antibodies in the blood to EVA virus. Presently, it is not possible to differentiate
between natural exposure and previous vaccination. Unless they are sick, in mares, geldings, and immature
stallions it does not matter why they have a positive antibody titer. The positive test would simply indicate
that they might not need to be vaccinated. To determine if a sick horse has been infected with EVA, paired
titers may be helpful to determine if the antibody titer is indicative of recent exposure. For mature stallions
with a positive antibody titer, the semen from 2 or more ejaculates should be tested to determine if the
stallion is a chronic shedder. A stallion would also be considered to be a carrier if seronegative mares
convert to seropositive status within 28 days after breeding or insemination.
There is only one vaccine currently approved for vaccination of horses against equine arteritis virus (the
virus which causes EVA). The vaccine is manufactured by Fort Dodge. Because of the increased demand
for the vaccine in the wake of the recent outbreak, there is currently a waiting list to get the vaccine in
some areas. The vaccine effectively prevents the establishment of the carrier state in stallions and abortion
in mares. Proper documentation of the vaccination procedure, including accurate horse identification,
serologic status prior to vaccination and vaccination date(s) is critical. The American Association of Equine
Practitioners has posted vaccination recommendations for EVA on their website (www.aaep.org). Since
each situation is unique, it will be important to discuss specific vaccination protocols for your horse(s) with
your veterinarian.
The American Quarter Horse Association began documenting horses that have been tested for and
vaccinated against the disease. The program, already available to AQHA owners, is purely voluntary. When
a horse is vaccinated for EVA, the owner can complete the official AQHA EVA report form (available from
AQHA www.aqha.com use the link on the left side of the site for forms) and return it to AQHA, along with
the horse’s certificate of registration. The name of the federally-accredited lab that performed the test along
with the accession number and test results must be provided as well as the manufacturer, serial number,
and expiration date of the vaccine and date of vaccination. Once received by AQHA, the form will become
part of the horse’s permanent records. Other breed registries may follow the lead set by the AQHA.
Equine arteritis virus is not considered to be very stable or resistant outside a horse. The virus is
sensitive to sunlight, high temperatures and low humidity. It may persist in the environment for up to 24
hours in cold or damp conditions and in the presence of organic material. EVA may be transmitted on
hands, halters, lead ropes, and other equipment that may be in contact with infective secretions or semen.
A broad-spectrum disinfectant may be used in contaminated examination areas. Indoor areas such as
laboratories or clinics may be disinfected with dilute bleach and water. It may be important to disinfect
breeding phantoms periodically or even between uses.
SCEC Farrier’s Day
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Welcome Dr. Stephanie Hibbits
Last year we welcomed Dr. Stephanie Hibbits, DVM, DACVS to our accomplished
team of veterinarians at Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic. A native of Mariposa,
CA and a graduate of the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary
Medicine, Dr. Hibbits has been a practicing veterinarian since 2001. She began
developing her expertise in equine surgery and emergency care early in her career,
completing both an equine surgical and medical internship at the Arizona Equine
Medical and Surgical Centre and a large animal surgical fellowship at the Oregon
State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2006 she completed her equine
surgical residency at Peterson & Smith
Equine Hospital in Ocala, Florida,
where she stayed for an additional
year as an emergency and critical care
clinician.
In 2007, Dr. Hibbits left the sunshine state for home, spending
time as an emergency surgeon at the UC Davis Large Animal
Teaching Hospital and an associate surgeon at Pioneer Equine
Hospital in Oakdale, CA, as well as providing relief work for
various other equine clinics in California.
Today we are lucky to have Dr. Hibbits as part of our
ambulatory and surgical team where she is able to serve her
professional interests in emergency medicine and surgery, soft
tissue and orthopedic surgery, and lameness.
Dr. Hibbits Riding with Son Ronan
During her free time, Dr. Hibbits enjoys skiing, cycling and
swimming with her two-year-old son Ronan and husband Gregg.
Dr. Winfield Becomes Certified in
Acupuncture
Dr Laramie Winfield has just completed her certification
in veterinary medical acupuncture. After seeing the
many positive effect of acupuncture on her own
horse Dr Winfield was excited to have an additional
tool to augment traditional western veterinary
medicine. Acupuncture is a wonderful modality for
pain management, improving digestion, decreasing
inflammation, and restoring proper immune function.
Acupuncture is also very helpful in reducing myofacial
trigger points, muscle tension and sacroiliac pain.
aaa
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ENTEROLITHS: A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
Timothy G. Eastman, DVM, DACVS, MPVM
Published in Bay Area Equestrian Network
Enteroliths are one of the leading causes of severe colic in the state of
California. The word enterolith is derived from the Greek terms “entero”
meaning intestinal and “lith” meaning stone (Figure 1). The high incidence
of enterolith formation in California is presumably due to the mineral
content of our hay and water. Commonly referred to as stones, enteroliths
are composed of struvite crystals which coalesce around some central
object like a pebble or a small piece of wire ingested by the horse. When
you cut an enterolith in half, you can frequently visualize a central body
with rings of mineral deposits around it resembling rings in a tree trunk
(Figure 2). The stones can be small and passed unnoticed in the manure or
large enough to cause life threatening obstructions. The largest one I have seen was the size of a basketball.
When they are round in shape, it usually means they are the only enterolith present, when several stones
are adjacent to each other, they often become pyramid shaped by rubbing against each other.
Enteroliths are a very important cause of colic in California
and several other states. All the precursors of the struvite crystals (Magnesium,
Ammonium& Phosphate) are readily abundant in our water as well as our hay. It
is widely recommended to limit alfalfa hay to 50% or less of a horse’s roughage
because horses fed predominantly alfalfa hay are statistically more likely to develop
stones than other horses. While enteroliths have been found in most breeds of
horses, there is a breed predilection for Arabians and Morgans. The classic
presentation for a horse with an enterolith in many practices would be a 10 year
old Arabian horse fed predominantly alfalfa hay with a history of multiple colic
episodes.
Enteroliths of various shapes and sizes. Enteroliths take approximately 2 years to form a sufficient size
to cause an obstruction. Therefore, horses with small enteroliths may or may not exhibit colic signs. In
many cases, there is a high index of suspicion based on breed and diet history. Because the stones can move
within the large intestine, they can cause an obstruction with resultant build up of feed and gas causing
pain, and then roll back out of the way allowing gas and feed to pass. When this happens, horses can have
several episodes of mild to moderate colic over a relatively short period of time. In horses with suspected
enterolithias is, abdominal X-rays are the most likely route to a diagnosis . In a horse held off feed for 12-24
hours, enteroliths will be identified on abdominal radiographs greater than 80% of the time (Figure 3).
Enteroliths too large to pass in the manure must be removed surgically. Almost every year, the most
common cause of emergency abdominal surgery in California is stone removal. Counter-intuitively, the
worst form of the disease is not the largest stones. A baseball sized stone that has passed from the large
colon into the small colon causes more problems than their larger counterparts which are
too large to leave the large colon. Baseball sized enteroliths can cause 100% obstruction
and severe pain. If left untreated, the small colon can rupture causing peritonitis and
resulting in death of the horse. Generally colic surgery for the removal of an enterolith has
a very good prognosis. Greater than 90% of horses undergoing colic surgery for enterolith
removal will survive and go back into full work. However, enteroliths which have moved
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into the small colon have a somewhat worse prognosis for surgical correction than their large colon
counterparts. Unlike the small colon, almost the entire large colon can be exteriorized (lifted out of the
abdomen) during surgery, allowing stone removal to be accomplished in an isolated area. This minimizes
the chance of contamination of the abdomen with intestinal contents.
Prevention of stone formation can be best accomplished by limiting the
amount of alfalfa to less than 50% of the diet, housing horses in an area
not known for stone formation, and attempting to acidify the diet. One
cup of Apple Cider vinegar fed twice daily is commonly used in an effort
to lower the pH of the large intestine to decrease the likelihood of stone
formation. Additionally, a new product Restore ® claims to be effective at
reducing enterolith formation and possibly even an alternative to “dissolving”
enteroliths in horses with stones not requiring immediate surgery.
Colic: A Brief Overview of What to Expect.
by Dr. Kristi Ruby
Colic, it’s one of the most common medical and surgical problems that we see as veterinarians.
Although colic can range from a mild belly ache to a very painful twist of the intestines, there are a few
important things to remember.
First, what should you look for? Signs of colic can vary from very mild to very extreme. Mild signs may
include being off feed, decrease in fecal output, and decrease in water intake. Your horse may have either
firm dry feces or watery diarrhea. Horses will often paw, look at their sides, and lie down quietly. Severe
colics will paw, roll, and often thrash around. The first thing to do is get your horse up and walking to
prevent them from hurting themselves. Secondly, briefly note whether they have eaten, how much water
they have consumed, and if they have passed feces. Once you have done so, call your veterinarian.
The first steps in treating colic are similar whether you are in the field or at the hospital. A full physical
exam will be performed, which can help your veterinarian determine how severe the colic is at this time.
The horse will then most likely be sedated. This not only helps facilitate the upcoming treatments, but also
helps to break the pain cycle occurring within the horse. Banamine may also be given at this time in order
to help decrease inflammation and pain. A nasogastric tube will often be passed into the stomach to check
for reflux. Reflux forms when there is decreased forward movement of the GI contents. This can occur
due to a blockage, or simply due to ileus which is a decrease in GI motility. Water, oil, and electrolytes
may be given at this time in order to help re-hydrate the horse if there is no reflux. In most cases, a rectal
exam will also be performed. An abnormal rectal may indicate that the colon is not sitting in the correct
location, or there is a significant amount of gas present. If the horse is being seen in hospital, a full
abdominal ultrasound can be performed. Organs such as the spleen, liver, and kidneys will be observed on
ultrasound. Both the small intestine and large intestine can also be visualized. The ultrasound is helpful in
determining the cause of colic. The peritoneal fluid which is fluid surrounding the intestines and organs
can also be seen. If there is increased peritoneal fluid, an abdominal tap or “belly tap” may be performed
in order to analyze the fluid. If the fluid has increased protein, lactate, or decreased glucose this may signal
that there is compromised bowel present in the abdomen.
If needed, fluid therapy is the next step in medical management of colic. An intravenous catheter will
be placed, and fluids ran to the horse. The idea is to over hydrate these horses in order to help them
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pass more feces and increase their intestinal motility. The biggest indicator that medical management isn’t
working for a horse is pain. If a horse continues to be painful despite multiple rounds of sedation along
with IV fluids and pain management, surgery is the next step. Of all of the types of colic in horses, only
about 10% of them need to be hospitalized for fluid therapy and medical management. Of this 10%, about
80% of these are able to be treated medically, and only a small portion requires surgery. The average stay in
hospital for a medical colic is usually 2-3 days, compared to about 1 week for the average surgical colic.
One of the biggest and hardest questions for many owners is in regards to colic surgery. Is surgery an
option for your horse? This is a question that owners should consider prior to their horse experiencing
any signs of colic. It can be a very emotional time, and therefore it is nice to have considered the option of
surgery prior. There are many factors that need to be considered when asking this question. First, is your
horse a healthy candidate overall? What lesion does your horse have? Are you comfortable with a 60-90 day
rehabilitation program? Your veterinarian can help guide you prior to surgery as to what lesion they think
your horse has, and the expected outcome. Unfortunately, financial considerations must also be considered
when thinking about surgery. In one study, long term survival rate for post-op colic surgery horses was
84%. The most common complications include future colic, adhesions, and ventral hernia formation. The
University of Pennsylvania also showed that age was not a significant factor in survival rates. It was shown
that short-term survival rates for geriatric horses undergoing surgery due to a strangulating small intestinal
lesion were similar to that of mature horses; 86% for geriatric patients (16 to 20 years of age) compared to
83% for mature horses (4 to 15 years of age).
All in all, colic can be very diverse and each and every case can be different. A
majority of colics can be treated once in the field or at the clinic and resolve at that
time. Knowing your horse and paying close attention can help catch signs of colic
at the onset. Consider whether surgery is an option for your horse. SCEC is here
for all of your colic needs from simple one time treatment all the way to surgical
intervention. As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact
SCEC at anytime!
Kristi and Tony
Feeds & Supplements for Older Horses
Older Horse Series by Heather Smith: The Horse Magazine
As horses grow older, their nutrient needs change. This might be due to bad or missing teeth, changes
in metabolism, or less efficient digestion. Some horses become thin, while others gain weight and become
more prone to laminitis. Some develop problems such as Cushing’s disease, insulin resistance, failing
kidneys, or impaired liver function, and they need a special type of diet.
Equine Specialists discuss a variety of feeds and feeling practices to help horses cope with the problems
associated with growing old.
Importance of Balance
Amy Gill, PhD, an equine nutritionist based in Kentucky, says it is important for an older horse to have
good-quality protein with the right amino acids. “Make sure the diet is highly fortified with vitamins and
minerals, and very digestible sources of fiber,” says Gill. Don’t feed overly mature, coarse hay that’s hard to
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chew and does not contain adequate nutrients.
“In general, a healthy older horse that doesn’t have metabolic problems has nutrient requirements a little
higher than a mature horse in its prime,” she says. “An older horse’s requirements are very similar to those
of a young, growing horse. Digestive efficiency is reduced in older horses. Like older humans, many of
them get thin. They are in a more catabolic state-metabolizing muscle tissue.”
Thus, the older horse needs more feed, but it must contain all of his nutrient requirements; you should
not increase calories just by adding more grain. He needs a concentrate with less grain and higher levels of
soluble fiber and fat.
(Your older horse can’t eat like his younger barn-mates. It takes special nutrition to maintain a proper
weight and give him the vitamins and supplements he needs. )
“Find a fat source that has a high omega-3 fatty acid, like a flax oil blend,” Gill says. “This helps with
immune response and is also a pro-anti-inflammatory,” meaning prostaglandins (hormones that regulate
cellular activites) produced in the body will tend to be the anti-inflammatory type rather than the
inflammatory. Omega-6 fatty acids (found in grains) tend to be pro-inflammatory.
She also recommends products containing small amounts of direct-fed microbials, such as yeast and
Lactobacillis, since these are beneficial if the hindgut (the large intestine) is not functioning as well as it
used to. Vitamins E and C are also helpful since they are powerful antioxidants, says Gill.
Avoid Starch and Sugar
Gill says the main thing to watch in older horses is that many of them are sensitive to starch and sugar;
70% of horses over age 20 have Cushing’s disease. “If a horse has Cushing’s disease or insulin-resistance
problems, you can’t just add calories to the diet with straight grain,” says Gill.
“We don’t recommend that at all. If a horse is on hay, make sure there’s not too much soluble
carbohydrate or NSC (nonstructural carbohydrates) in the hay.”
For a horse with Cushing’s disease or insulin resistance, she recommends a lower-quality hay (fewer
NSC) and supplementing with vitamins, minerals, and protein that the hay might lack. “You choose the
lesser of two evils; you don’t want a horse to not have anything in front of him to eat, so you use a lowerquality hay he can nibble on all day rather than a couple small flakes of good hay,” she states. A healthy
horse can handle a better-quality hay, but you don’t want to precipitate an insulin resistance problem by
overfeeding starch and sugar.
“You can feed a good-quality, low-starch, high-fat, and -fiber concentrate like senior feed,” says Gill. “But
an important thing for horse owners to know is that even the senior feeds are not good choices for horses
that are insulin resistant or have Cushing’s disease. Even though it’s a senior feed, it can still be very high in
NSC. You need to look for a product that is low in NSC, so the total diet (forage and concentrate together)
will be no higher than 10% NSC.”
You must be careful all through a horse’s life to make sure he does not
become insulin resistant later on. “Don’t overfeed the pregnant mare on starch
and sugar, nor the foal, and on down the line,” Gill warns. “It’s like what we’re
hearing today in human nutrition. Our kids should be eating vegetables and
healthy foods instead of sweet, so they don’t have diabetes by the time they are
14 years old. It’s wise to feed horses in a preventative manner also, rather than
after the fact.
“One of the best products I’ve ever seen for older horses is Triple Crown Safe Starch, a complete
mixed ration in a wrapped bale,” says Gill. “It contains chopped forage (easy to chew) with pellets mixed
in that contain all the protein, vitamins, and minerals. All you feed is the bagged product. The hay is
grown specifically to have low NSC, and that saves the hassle of trying to figure out a diet for the older
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horse. Another product made by this company is called Low Starch, a pelleted
concentrate that’s easy to eat. A horse may need a combination of the two, or the
forage product by itself may be adequate if the horse is carrying enough weight.”
When making your own ration, have your hay tested and ask to see the NSC.
Then you’ll know if your forage is a good choice. “If it’s too high in NSC, and
you don’t have any other options for hay, you can soak it in hot water for 30
minutes (then drain and discard the water) to pull out most of the sugar,” says
Gill. (Beet pulp is an alternate fiber source that is usually soaked in water, which
makes it easier to chew and digest, thus allowing the older horse to get all the
nutrients he needs.)
Dental Issues
Stephen Duren, PhD, an equine nutritionist with Performance Horse
Nutrition in Weiser, Idaho, says when you start planning a diet, start with forage
(which, after the water requirement, is the most important element of diet for
any horse).
“If any old horse, because of poor teeth, is quidding (dropping wads of partly chewed feed from his
mouth) or not getting feed adequately chewed, we have to ‘chew’ it for him,” says Duren.
“An older horse that’s not keeping his weight might not be getting enough fiber”, says Kathleen
Crandell, PhD, superintendent of Virginia Tech’s Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
“The biting surface of his teeth may have changed and become wavy, or he’s lost teeth and can no longer
grind forage properly. He may do fine on green grass, but loses weight when you feed hay in winter.” This
is when you need to use alternative forages such as hay cubes or chopped forages-something in which the
break down process has already started (reducing particle size) so teeth don’t have to do it all.
“Ultimately some horses need pellets containing forage that is ground up and doesn’t need much
chewing,” says Crandell. “There are benefits in using chopped hay or hay cubes, since there’s still some
length in that material, which helps keeps the digestive tract functioning more normally than with finely
ground forage.”
If a horse’s teeth are so bad you must resort to pellets, soak them in water so they become a mash and
fall apart. Then they are easier to eat (since cubes and pellets are often quite hard) and you’ve decreased the
risk of choke, Crandell says.
Duren recommends completely covering the pellets or cubes with water so they soak it up and become
soft. “Once the feed is fully moist, I don’t add any extra water; the mass of pellets or cubes just grows in
bulk as they take on water,” he says. When using alternative fiber sources such as beet pulp, these are
soaked also. You can make a mash using hay pellets and add other things to it such as wheat bran or senior
feed. Again, forages are most important in the horse’s diet, and a senior product alone might not be enough
if it’s the type that should be fed like a supplement.
Senior Feeds
“Senior feeds fall into two categories”, says Duren. “One category is complete feeds that contain forage,
grain, vitamins, and minerals all mixed together in a pellet, so particle sizes are small enough to be easily
eaten,” he says. A horse can eat this product as the sole component of diet. Some companies recommend
feeding a small amount of hay along with it, just to give the horse more to occupy his time, but these
products are typically fed at a 1.2-1.8 % of body weight. They are very high-intake products, meant to be
fed in large amounts.
“Many people use these products incorrectly,” states Duren. “They’ve decided they have a senior horse
(because of age or the fact he’s retired from a career) and instead of feeding the proper amount, they just
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use it as a supplement or a treat.” Feeding a small amount does not give proper effect. Owners should note
the recommended feeding rate that’s on the label. Some senior feeds can be fed with additional chopped
hay, hay cubes, or some hay or pasture, but you need to read the tag to know how a particular product
should be fed. They are not all the same. (Joint Supplements: Many people feed joint supplements to
alleviate some of the discomfort of arthritis. “But you must be careful using glucosamine if you have an
insulin-resistant horse or one with Cushing’s disease, because glucosamine contains glucose,” says Amy
Gill, PhD, and equine nutritionist based in Kentucky. However, some veterinarians hold that the amount
of glucose in glucosamine is insignificant to the horse’s total caloric intake, and that the possible benefits
might outweigh any risks from the additional glucose. Gill has been working with bioavailable silicon,
which she feels has a beneficial effect on joints and soft tissue injuries and is a healthy supplement that
does not change the blood glucose levels. Hyaluronic acid is also useful in older horses, according to
Gill. Horse owners who use herbal remedies might try joint products that contain yucca.-Heather Smith
Thomas)
(Several companies now make feeds and supplements designed specifically for older horses.
Such a variety can make it more difficult for an owner to ensure the proper balance between feed and
supplements.)
“The other type of senior product is mainly grain concentrate designed for older horses-they contain
the grain, vitamins, and minerals needed for a horse that’s still eating some hay.” Duren says. “Feeding rate
would be much lower than that of complete feed.”
Senior feeds are quite different from other supplements, however. “A concentrate for racehorses is
mostly starch,” says Crandell. “The senior feed has more fiber, at least 15% crude fiber, and maybe as
much as 20-30%.It might contain alfalfa meal, beet pulp, or some other high-fiber source.” This makes
the feeding rate very important. If a product is meant to be a total ration to replace all or part of the
forage, it cannot contain minerals in high concentration because you’re feeding a lot of volume, and you
don’t want to overdo the minerals. Many people think that if they feed a pound or two of senior feed,
they are fortifying their horse’s diet with needed vitamins and minerals, but they are not, especially if
the recommended feeding rate for that feed is eight or more pounds per day. You should not feed either
product (complete feed or concentrates)) incorrectly or the horse could develop a serious imbalance in
vitamins and minerals (too much or too little).
“If you don’t understand the feeding directions, there should be a phone number on the feed tag so
you can call the company and ask questions,” says Duren. “I would not buy a product unless I can call
the company and find someone with the technical knowledge to answer questions.” The only way to
get maximum benefit from any feed is to feed it properly. It is important to get feeding rate correct since
other nutrients in a senior diet (vitamins and minerals) help stimulate the immune system in older horses,
explains Duren.
Get Your Vet Involved
The wild card that horse owners might not expect is disease that can occur in older horses. “If the older
horse is losing weight and it’s not just a dental issue, it may be metabolic or a kidney or liver problem,”
says Crandell. Have your vet check the horse for proper diagnosis. Sometimes cumulative damage from
worms might make the digestive tract less efficient at absorbing nutrients. “After a certain point there may
not be as much functional tissue,” she says. “The horse may be able to keep his weight if you simply offer
more feed.” But if it’s a metabolic problem, the horse needs a different type of diet. Veterinarians can now
diagnose most of the disease problems in older horses, and we can help them live longer by feeding special
diets.” Gill says you need to make sure you know what you are dealing with so you can feed the horse
properly and not make his condition worse: “Cushing’s disease is a pituitary disorder, whereas the insulin
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resistant horse just can’t handle starch and sugar. A normal horse can handle limited amounts of starch and
sugar, and you don’t have to be quite as careful. But with many older horses you may be sitting on a time
bomb, so it doesn’t make sense to feed a lot of starch and sugars and then later have a problem.”
If the horse just has trouble utilizing feed, senior cubes or high-fiber complete feeds in cube form can be
helpful. Crandell explains, “If it’s a weight issue, a high-fat/high-fiber feed can help supply needed calories.
But if a horse has liver problems, you can’t feed a high-fat diet.”
It’s wise to request a thorough exam and a blood panel if a horse starts losing weight, rather than just
adding fat to the grain or more grain to the diet. Horses with Cushing’s disease become prone to laminitis,
and you need to reduce the amount of starch and sugars (or lush green grass) they consume. If the horse is
at pasture for exercise, you might have to use a grazing muzzle.
Gill recommends having your vet draw a blood sample once a year to see if the horse is deviating from
his normal baseline liver and kidney function. If these organs are impaired, you’ll need to work closely with
your veterinarian and a nutritionist to design the best kind of diet and monitor the horse’s condition.
When is a horse old?
In addressing feed needs of the older horse, we must define when a horse is “old,” since horses age at
different rates. You can’t just say that horses past a certain age fall into the “old” category. Stephen Duren,
PhD, an equine nutritionist with Performance Horse Nutrition in Weiser, Idaho, says there’s an emotional
definition of when a horse is old-when he retires from a career. He might be put out to pasture just because
he’s no longer being ridden regularly.
“There’s also a nutritional definition of old, when he can no longer eat a normal diet and maintain body
weight,” says Duren. When the body starts to change, regardless of what is affecting it (teeth, Cushing’s or
whatever), that’s when you must think of the horse as geriatric and reconsider his diet. Aging rate is affected
by genetics and the lifestyle the horse has lived. If he had good care all his life and was never used hard,
‘old’ may be mid-20s or early 30s,” says Duren. “On the other hand, if a horse went to every branding and
team roping events every weekend and was used hard, he may be arthritic and have old injuries.”
An older horse might lose weight because he’s stiff and not as aggressive in the herd-he’s dropped down
in the pecking order and has been chased away from the hay. Dental problems and loss of teeth can also be
a factor: In many ways a horse is only as ‘old’ as his teeth. Some horse’s teeth develop problems sooner than
others.
Take-Home Message
Older horses have their own set of problems, from physical disorders such as Cushing’s disease to issues
as simple as bad or missing teeth. There are ways to feed these horses to supply their daily requirements,
but all problems cannot be addressed the same way or with the same feed. Consult your veterinarian and
equine nutritionist to develop a feeding plan best suited for your older companion.
Helpful Tips for Horse Owners
* To make a foal lay down safely, hold it’s jaw in your hand while standing on the near side and slowly
point it to it’s stifle as you step back. Most will lay right down.
* Turmeric is a spice with tons of medicinal qualities in horses... Turmeric
* Although Banamine is labeled for intramuscular (IM) use, please do not give Banamine IM. It can cause
Clostridial myositis, which can cause necrosis and abscessation of the muscles.
* Do not give both Banamine and Bute at the same time. They are both NSAIDs and can be exceptionally
hard on their kidneys when given simultaneously.
* It is recommended to schedule joint injections and dentals at separate times. Dentals can possibly cause
bacteremia, which could lead to secondary problems within the joints.
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Helpful Tips for Horse Owners Continued...
* Don’t feed your horse lawn clippings, or allow them to graze on recently mowed pastures.
* Avoid Oleander, it is toxic to horses.
* AAEP and equine dental experts recommend all horses have an oral exam and dental yearly.
* If your horse steps on a nail, do not pull it out. Contact SCEC immediately. Depending on the situation,
the veterinarian may recommend leaving the nail in place in order to take a radiograph to see what
structures have been affected.
* It is recommended that all foals have IgG levels tested at 12-18 hours old to ensure adequate colostrum
intake. This is important for proper immune function.
Monterey Horse Park Updates
Having survived the threat of last year’s referendum vote, the MHP is up and running with lots going on
and moving full steam ahead toward project approval later this year.
A recent report to the Seaside City Council reported that the EIR will be presented to the council early
summer, with a period of public comment to follow. At that time, the MHP will be asking supporters to
demonstrate their support through attending meetings, writing letters, etc.. After public comment, we look
forward to approval of our project.
During the last year, the MHP welcomed several new board members—Bea di
Grazia, Stacie McGrady, Sabrina Miller, Rolando Cabrera, Caitlin Antle Wilson,
Sally Hudson, and Christine Monteith. Bea is an internationally renowned eventer
and lives and trains in Carmel Valley. Stacie is well known in law enforcement
circles for her work in Search & Rescue and for training numerous mounted patrol
officers. Sabrina Miller conducts The Riding Academy at the former Pattee Ranch
to follow her passion of introducing riders of all ages to the world of eventing and
dressage. Rolando Cabrera, M.D., breeds Friesian horses and lives and practices
medicine in Salinas. Caitlin Antle Wilson competes successfully in Non-Pro Cutting,
MHP Directors
and works for the family business Tanimura & Antle. Sally Hudson is a well-known
Barbra Higgins
Dawn Poston
and respected hunter/jumper horse show manager and a life long Monterey County
Christine
Monteith
resident. Christine Monteith is a local Realtor© and follows her passion for dressage
at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Company.
A number of outreach activities are planned throughout the year. An early summer barbecue is in
the planning stages for MHP supporters. A variety of opportunities for children to meet the “stars” from
competitive equine and canine sports will begin this year. As in the past, informational meetings designed
to explain the who, what, when and where of the Monterey Horse Park will be held. For these, and
many other planned activities, go to www.montereyhorsepark.org, sign up as a “supporter” and you will
receive emails providing more specific information. Also, don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook. For more
information, contact the Monterey Horse Park at [email protected]
*Getting Bigger Article
* What is Underneath Article
aaa
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SCEC Interns
Chris Garvey is a native of the beautiful Finger Lakes region of Western
New York. She received her bachelors degree in animal science from Cornell
University in 2008. While an undergraduate she captained the school’s
IHSA hunt seat team and held a working student position at On Course
Ventures, a local hunter jumper boarding and training facility. She continued
on to veterinary school at Cornell where she worked as a student surgery
technician. She also was a coordinator for the Southside Community Center
Healthy Pet Clinic and the Equine
and Farm Animal Hospital Foal Team.
Highlights of veterinary school included
trips to the Dakotas and Puerto Rico
for low income spay neuter clinics and
running the Nashville Country Music
Marathon with several of her classmates.
Chris was thrilled to be joining the SCEC team for the 2013 internship
year. Her professional interests include surgery, dentistry and emergency
medicine. Outside of work she enjoys long distance running, playing
guitar and rooting for the Buffalo Bills.
Kristi Ruby grew up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Minden, Nevada.
She attended the University of Nevada, Reno from 2006-2009, where
she received her Bachelor’s of Veterinary Science degree with distinction.
She then attended Colorado State University for veterinary school, and
graduated in 2013. Kristi has been showing and raising Paint and Quarter
horses since she was 3 years old. She currently owns and shows multiple
paint horses, and is an active member of the American Paint Horse
Association as well as the Nevada Paint Horse Club. Kristi also enjoys raising
and working her Labrador Retrievers. Her professional interests include
lameness and surgery, reproduction, and acupuncture.
In the near future, Kristi hopes to become equine acupuncture certified.
Kristi also enjoys working on cows as well as horses. She is Bovine Artificial
Insemination certified. Kristi is ecstatic to be a
part of Steinbeck Country Equine!
* In July we will be welcoming our new Interns, Marianne Marshall from
Colorado State and Sean Hardcastle from UC Davis.
Former Interns Dr.
Weston Warnock
and Dr. Nick Carlson
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Is My Horse Overweight?
by Brittany Taylor
How to tell if your horse is over or under weight? A good
guideline for determining if your horse’s weight is healthy is
by looking at the rib cage. You should be able to run your
hand softly over the rib cage and feel the rib bones, but
when you step away they should not be easily visible. An
overweight horse will also hold weight in fat pads behind the
shoulder, at the withers, above the tail head, along the ridge
of their back and at the crest of
the neck.
Manure Solutions
LifeSoil Systems manufactures a two phase composting unit in a sealed and covered structure to eliminate
water contamination and minimize odor and fly problems. Our attractive VermiComposter unit is designed
to resemble a horse barn structure and can be painted to match surrounding buildings.
In addition to being attractive, once installed on your horse property you can turn over your horse
manure management to us. No more messy stables or paddocks, ever growing mounds of stockpiled horse
manure, or tractor work to load and remove your horses waste. And rest assured that our process converts
your horses waste into an agriculturally useful product that will not end up in a landfill contributing to
environmental degradation. Call us for an affordable solution to your manure management problems.
Gary Toet 831-682-0049, [email protected]
http://lifesoilsystems.com
Recommended Horse Books
This recommendation came from Karen Landau: “The current best horse books are the young adult series
written by Jane Smiley, starting with “The Georges & the Jewels.” Don’t know if you’ve mentioned these
before, but they are really great.”
The Georges and the Jewels: Book One of the Horses of Oak Valley Ranch
A Good Horse: Book Two of the Horses of Oak Valley Ranch
True Blue: Book Three of the Horses of Oak Valley Ranch
Pie in the Sky: Book Four of the Horses of Oak Valley Ranch
Gee Whiz: Book Five of the Horses of Oak Valley Ranch
From the Good Reads Website:
Good Reads Horse Stories for Youth
Good Reads Horse Stories for Adults
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SCEC Babies and Kids!
Dr. Nick Carlson
and Son Ben
Ben (Photographer
Gary Dangerfield)
Dr. Laramie Winfield and Son Ben
Laurel’s Son Tate--GreatGrandson of Roy and Andre Forzani
Dr. Nora Grenager’s
Daughter Sally
Tate with big brother Clayton
Sally and Nora
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Dr. Jonathan and Wendy Hirsch with Ellie and Jake
Dr. Stephanie Hibbits with Son Ronan
Cub Scout Ashton Eastman (2nd from Left) with Troop
Upcoming Equine Events
http://www.bayequest.info/Event/
http://www.horsepark.org/calendar.php
Tim G. Eastman, DVM, DACVS
Alexandra Eastman, DVM, MS
Matt Durham, DVM
Stephanie Hibbits, DVM, DACVS
Sarah James, DVM, DABVP
Laramie Winfield, VMD, DACVIM
Nick Carlson, DVM, DACVS
pending
Please contact Analynn if you have suggestions for the newsletter or questions you would like addressed by
the doctors.
*Cover Mare and Foal Photo from Wikimedia Commons
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