HAT
Chat Articles – January 2007
A word from our
President
Welcome to 2007! I eagerly look forward to serving as President of HAT for the coming year. We have familiar faces in new roles and some in the same roles along with new faces joining the fun and friendships we’ve come to enjoy.
2006 was a very exciting year for HAT. We began offering an
informative program during our meetings last year and the response has been
terrific! Our topics last year included fire and emergency preparedness with
Kevin Lutkenhaus, horse rescue with Paula Johnson (Habitat for Horses), Hoof
Basics and Laminitis by Sandra Shiver, Show Preparation with Robin and Acacia
Chouteau, and a review of Reining at the 2006 World Equestrian Games with Jeff
Petska. This year will be bringing even more programs, including Holly Robinson
with
Breeding season is just around the corner, and hopefully many of you saw our Stallion Showcase in December and were able to get in on our Stallion Auction and purchase a breeding at a great price. If you didn’t, don't despair -- the Stud List will continue printing in the newsletter throughout the breeding season...and be sure to check out the HAT website for additional news about the Auction!
Look for more activities coming up as the weather gets warmer - Adult Riding days, Trail Rides, our Open Shows, and the Youth Clinic with the awarding of the HAT Youth Scholarship. Come to think of it, 2007 sounds pretty exciting too!
Wishing you a year of peace, happiness, and success with your horses,
Happy New Year!
We thought we’d start the new year off with some photos from our Christmas Potluck on December 7th:
Plenty of good folks and plenty of good food too!
Show Secretary Mike Bernier presents the 17 & Under Year-End High Point award to Kelsea Bauer
Mike also presented the 18 & Over award. Trainer Mick Clark accepted this award on behalf of Dena Kirkman.
State/Local News
Horse Owners Urged to Implement Best Management Practices
to Prevent Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
While some infected equine exhibit no signs of disease,
owners should be alert and notify their accredited private veterinary
practitioner if horses or foals develop signs of EVA, including fever,
depression, diarrhea, coughing or nasal discharge, or swelling of the legs,
body or head. Laboratory testing is necessary to confirm a diagnosis, as other
equine diseases can present similar clinical signs.
“EVA is not currently a reportable disease in
Horses can be infected by inhaling the equine arteritis
virus, through natural service of a mare by a carrier stallion, artificial
insemination of a mare with semen from a carrier stallion, or by being exposed
to bedding or other objects contaminated with the virus. Stallions that shed
the equine arteritis virus in their semen can infect unvaccinated mares,
causing a respiratory disease and abortion. Acutely infected horses spread the
infection to other horses via the respiratory route. A pregnant mare may also
be infected through contact with acutely infected horses and may abort.
Cleaning and disinfection of stalls, trailers and equipment can reduce the risk
of EVA exposure.
“Know the EVA status
of stallions, semen shipments and mares before they are introduced onto your
farm. Consult your accredited private veterinary practitioner about vaccination
protocols for brood mares, stallions and colt foals, and ensure that good
biosecurity measures are followed,” said Dr. Hillman. “If you are shipping
breeding horses out of state, check to determine the entry requirements of the
receiving state and allow time to comply with any testing, vaccination or
isolation requirements. Many breeding farms have implemented ‘best management’
practices, testing and vaccination procedures to prevent the introduction or
spread of EVA. Before delivering mares to farms for breeding, owners should
contact the facility managers to determine what testing and vaccination
procedures must be met.”
“Although only supportive treatment can be provided, most
affected mares, geldings or sexually immature stallions will eliminate the
virus and recover,” said Dr. Hillman. “Sexually mature stallions, however, can
become carriers of the disease and shed the virus for long periods. Shedding stallions
should be isolated and bred only to vaccinated mares.”
“It is very important to have breeding horses tested, and
if appropriate, vaccinated prior to the breeding season. After vaccination, stallions
and mares should be withheld from breeding for at least 28 or 21 days,
respectively. Vaccinated horses also must be maintained away from pregnant
mares for at least 28 days,” he said. “EVA vaccine may be acquired only by
veterinarians, with prior TAHC approval.”
Additionally, mares vaccinated for the first time and bred
to a carrier stallion should be isolated from other equine for 21 days after
breeding. Owners of breeding horses considering vaccination should consult
their veterinarians if the horse may also be shipped in interstate or
international commerce. A specific pre-vaccination protocol to assure the horse
was test-negative prior to vaccination may be required, because vaccinated
horses will test positive for the disease.
“Several horse breeders and a number of equine
veterinarians have contacted the TAHC about EVA and to urge
“Horse breeders are urged to work with their veterinarians
to institute best management and biosecurity practices immediately to protect
their investment and the health of their animals,” he said. “EVA can be
prevented and controlled by sound management practices and selective use of the
EVA vaccine.”
Links to additional information about EVA may be accessed
at the TAHC’s web site at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us.
Contact: Carla Everett, TAHC information officer
1-800-550-8242 ext. 710 or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
National News
Update on Equine Herpes Virus Outbreak in
As of December 27th,
nine cases of Equine Herpes Virus type 1 (EHV-1) have been confirmed in Florida
through laboratory testing of horses -- seven in the Wellington area, one in
Ocala, and one in Indiantown. The
[Editor’s Note: there have
been NO cases of EHV-1 reported in
State and Federal
officials are working closely with veterinarians, owners, managers, and others
in the affected equine industry to identify potentially exposed animals and
suspect cases and to prevent further spread of the disease.
There are ten
quarantined premises, seven in the
The following
premises are currently under mandatory state quarantine:
·
J N
Stables –
·
S
& L Farms -
·
Equine
Services Ltd. (Isolation Barn only) –
·
·
·
Reid
& Associates (Isolation Barn only) –
·
Pinehurst
Stables –
·
Tuxedo
Farms –
·
·
Victory
Lane – 14875 Palm Beach Point –
Industry
representatives and state and federal officials have agreed on a number of
steps to contain this outbreak. These include the identification of potentially
exposed animals with appropriate monitoring and bio-security measures taken,
isolation and treatment of suspected cases, and coordination of control efforts
by industry and state and federal representatives. The close working
relationship between cooperators, stakeholders, and the public is the key to
limiting the spread of this disease.
Clinical Signs of
EHV-1:
· Respiratory signs may be minimal and of short duration. Increased rectal temperature may be the only clinical sign. Horses can have two fever spikes. The initial rise in rectal temperature is usually mild -- 101.5 to 102.5°F. After the initial temperature rise, which may be missed, the horse can either be clinical normal, develop respiratory signs of nasal discharge, increased temperature (over 102.5), minimal coughing, can abort if pregnant, or, in a small number of cases develop neurological signs.
· Neurological signs: Horses become ataxic (lose coordination), can be unable to empty their bladder, and may display weakness of the tail. Some horses will become completely paralyzed, and the prognosis for these is poor. In a small number of cases, horses can show abnormal mentation (mental activity) and develop cranial nerve signs. Most horses become mildly to moderately neurological and stabilize rapidly. The neurological signs can persist but most horses are normal by 3 to 6 months after onset of clinical signs.
·
Abortion: pregnant horses can experience
spontaneous abortion between 7 days and several months after exposure. The mare
will exhibit limited initial signs.
Although EHV-1
can be a serious disease of horses and the virus can spread through the air
from respiratory infection, transmission generally requires direct or close
contact between horses. Transmission can also occur through contaminated
equipment, clothing, and hands. Horses with clinical signs should be isolated
and kept 40 feet or more from other horses.
While herpes
vaccines are available, none are specifically labeled for the neurological form
of EHV-1. Concerned owners should discuss whether vaccination of their animals
is recommended, the type of vaccines available, and the frequency of
recommended vaccination with their veterinarian. Vaccination in the face of an
outbreak will probably not prevent infection but may lessen respiratory signs
and reduce viral shedding with future exposure.
For the latest
status, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
website at: www.doacs.state.fl.us
Equine Science News
The Value of Oral Glucosamine and
Chondroitin
Many products are now available that claim to protect joint cartilage when given
by mouth. But do oral supplements really help maintain healthy joints? Until
recently there has been little work in horses to justify such claims.
A new study has looked at the value of oral supplementation with
glucosamine and chondroitin in competition horses.
Dr. Martha Rodgers, DVM is a veterinarian in private practice in
She studied ten working show hunters and jumpers that had been trained by
the same trainer over an eight-year period. For the first two years of the
study, the horses received no supplementation. But for the last six years, each
horse had been given an oral supplement containing 3.9g glucosamine and 1.2g
chondroitin per dose twice daily. *
To assess the value of the supplement on the incidence of lameness, she
reviewed clinical records to see how often the horses had been treated for hock
pain.
Dr Rodgers examined the horses if the trainer complained of soreness,
improper gait transitions or lack of jumping impulsion. She evaluated the gait,
and used flexion tests, radiographic changes and intra-articular anesthesia to
determine the source of the pain. If a diagnosis of distal tarsal pain was
confirmed, she injected the tarsometatarsal and distal hock joint with
corticosteroids and hyaluranon.
She found that the number of times she needed to inject the joints fell
while the horses were receiving the glucosamine / chondroitin supplement. The
frequency of distal tarsal joint injections fell from an average of 1.7
injections a year when the horses were not receiving glucosamine/chondroitin,
to 0.85 injections a year once they were receiving the supplement. There was a
marked reduction in frequency of injections after 5 - 8 months of treatment.
“Distal tarsitis is a progressive disease. It would be expected that with
increasing age and the demands of show horse performance the horses would need
more therapy, not less” Dr Rodgers points out. “In the light of this, the
overall drop in the number of injections required and the decrease in injection
frequency over the eight year study period can be seen as an even more
convincing argument for the beneficial effects of long-term supplementation.”
Regular, twice daily administration of a combined glucosamine / chondroitin
supplement resulted in longer duration of soundness and fewer joint injections.
Six to eight months of regular administration were needed before the favorable
response was seen.
*GL5500 GLC Direct,
For more details see:
Effects of oral glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplementation on the frequency of intra-articular therapy of the horse tarsus. M R Rodgers, International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine (2006) 4, 155 - 162.
© 2006 Equine Science Update
Reprinted with permission
Extension Service News
by Eddie Baggs,
CEA-Agriculture
Hay Is For Horses
There are many grass
and small grain hays that are available to feed, especially since there is
quite a bit of hay being brought into the area from out of state as a result of
drought conditions that have limited what we can produce here. They can vary
greatly in nutritive value and palatability depending on variety, where it is
grown, fertility provided and the stage of maturity at harvest. Grass hays can
normally be safely fed free choice to horses with just a few exceptions.
Bermudagrass is the
most common grass hay fed in the
Timothy hay has an average nutrient content at 6.8 - 9.6%
protein, (DE - .72-.83, CA - .34-.45, and P - .13-.25). The highest quality
timothy hay is grown in the north. It usually does not have dust or mold
problems. It is highest in quality and palatability when cut pre-bloom and is
frequently grown with a legume to add quality.
Sorghum hays
(Sudangrass, johnsongrass sorghum/sudan hybrids) can be average in protein
content at 6.7 and higher (DE - .68, CA - .8, and P - .27). There is the danger
of prussic acid poisoning with these hays if not properly cured. It there is a
doubt - test. Some reports have indicated that sudangrass and sorghum/sudan
hybrids may cause a urinary tract inflammation called cystitis in horses. This
should be a serious consideration when feeding this type of hay to equine.
Bromegrass is fed to
many horses. It grows extensively in the High Plains and is usually brought in
from there. It is best when harvested at mid-bloom and runs 6-13% protein (DE -
.7-.85, CA - .24-.25, and P - .2-.25). It is highly palatable and has a feeding
value very similar to bermudagrass.
Prairiegrass is a
mixture of wild and native grasses from the mid west. Many prairie hays will
contain a high percentage of bluestem. When it is cut at an early maturity, it
can make a 6- 9% protein content and will vary on other values. It is best to
visually inspect prairie hays if possible or buy from a reputable producer.
There are many grass
hays not covered in this article that may have become an option for horse
producers. For a complete listing of grass hays and information on nutritive
and digestibility averages you can access the
Educational programs
conducted by the
A Bit of Humor
Equine Reality Shows
We’d Like To See
Joanne Millionaire: Rich young women are first introduced to the exciting world of horses. They become completely hooked on the finest purebreds, the best trainers, fabulous stabling and expert instruction. In the last episode...they discover they’re penniless.
Survivor – The
Endurance Ride: 10 elite show riders leave their oak tack trunks, their
minimum wage grooms, their canopies and their gooseneck living quarters behind
to spend 2 days on a ride through
American Show Idol: Thousands of equestrians must audition in front of exacting judges who pick apart their rides using colorful evaluations such as “try another sport” and “clucking to your horse makes you sound like a chicken”.
I’m A Dressage Queen, Get Me Out Of Here!: A Prix St. George rider and her Hanoverian stallion are shipped to a working cattle ranch. In Episode 3 she ruins her full-seat Eurostar breeches while closing a gate. Unable to ride until her new attire arrives, the local wrangler round pens her horse and starts roping off his back.
Matched By
Ask The Vet
by Dr. Katie Hayes, DVM
AAEP Meeting
I went to the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners)
meeting in
Colic
Research showed that horses fed hay only, or were out on pasture only 24 hours a day, had the most water in their intestines, the least amount of gas, and the least amount of colic. The more water in the intestines keeps the ingesta soft and flowing through. When grains and hay were fed, the amount of water in the intestine decreased because of absorption by the grain, and the amount of gas increased.
Course hay with low digestibility increased the risk of impaction colic, along with feeding round bales. Lush clover and lush pasture caused gas, therefore increasing colic. Horses fed grain 5-10 lbs or more per day had 4 to 6 times the risk of colic. Horses transported to shows and events also had more colic.
In conclusion, the speaker said jokingly, “Keep the horses out on pasture and don’t do anything with them to have the least amount of colic.” Seriously, the more free choice hay or pasture and the less grain fed, the better for the horse’s digestive system (the way God made the horses to roam and graze). The new low-carb feeds, senior feeds, or horse chows have a lot of roughage alfalfa and less grain products in them, so with them there is less chance of colic.
The colic seminar also contained a lot of information about twisted intestines and how after untwisting with colic surgery, the blood supply moves back into the intestine, but there are many problems with the damaged tissue including sloughing of the lining of the intestine, no gut motility or movement to push ingesta through, systemic toxicity and death of tissue. Often after colic surgery the horse is on IV fluids for one week, which is very expensive.
New research shows that bran (wheat bran) is not a laxative for the intestine as the old timers used to say. Bran has a large amount of carbohydrates which bind with water and reduces the amount of water in the intestine – having the opposite effect from a laxative.
For impaction colic, it was found a tube can be put into the stomach and taped to the nose and an electrolyte solution of salt, light salt, and baking soda in water put down it at a rate of 1-3 gallons per hour to dissolve an impaction in 1-2 days.
Do not give
Reproduction
Fetal Age – A study was done that can determine the age of the fetus by ultrasound and measurements of the fetal eyes, which can determine how far along the mare is to estimate a foaling date.
A uterine treatment protocol for problem mares that retain fluid includes oxytocin 4 hours post breeding, lavage with intra uterine antibiotic infusion 24 and 48 hours post breeding with oxytocin 4 hours later, and estrumate 12 hours later to stimulate uterine contraction and clear the uterus.
Prostaglandin, the shot that makes a mare come into heat, can be given at 1/2 and 1/4 of the dose to reduce the side effect of sweating after the injection.
Recipe of the Month
Creamy Chicken Stew Servings:
4
|
3/4 lb |
red potatoes, quartered |
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|
2 tbsp |
water |
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|
1 tbsp |
oil |
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1 lb |
boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into
bite-size pieces |
|
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1 can |
(10 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup |
|
|
|
1/4 cup |
Italian dressing |
|
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2 cups |
frozen peas and carrots |
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1/2 cup |
sour cream |
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