CONTENTS
Departments
April/May 2020
6 Editorial 8 Neighborhood news 20 Hoof health 26 Acupressure at-a-glance 35 Rider fitness 37 Product picks 41 Business Profile — Betty’s Best
47 From the NASC 57 Equine Wellness resource guide
63 Classifieds 64 Events 65 Marketplace 66 To the rescue
Features 10
6 easy ways to
promote your horse’s gut health Your horse’s gut health affects everything from his temperament to his immune system, so it’s important to make it a priority.
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What you need to know about equine diarrhea
A number of factors can result in diarrhea in horses. Take a look at the most common causes, and some tips on how to deal with them.
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Equine Wellness
Columns
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N ATURAL HORSEMANSHIP 5 steps to prepare your horse for training and competition — mentally and physically Show season is upon us, which means it’s time to condition your equine companion to perform at his best.
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S POTLIGHT What you need to know about EMF exposure and your horses
EMF exposure poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of your horses. Here’s how you can protect them.
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N EWSWORTHY Study shows that rider weight does not affect a horse’s ability
New data from a study in Denmark concludes that rider-to-horse weight ratios may be more lenient than previously thought.
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L EARNING CURVE How learning skills in new disciplines can improve your riding
Trying new disciplines can greatly benefit your riding style and improve your horse’s attitude and understanding at any event.
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E ATING WELL 10 foods that support digestion in horses
When it comes to feeding your horse, there are certain foods that can help “move things along” and promote an optimal environment in the gut. Take a look!
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N EED TO KNOW Caring for your horse after antibiotics
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NATURAL REMEDIES
Equine arthritis and the healing power of hemp
A look at arthritis in horses and why hemp is becoming a popular treatment option for this common condition.
A microchip might seem unnecessary, but it’s one of the best ways to identify your horse in the event of theft, escape or natural disaster.
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Researchers have discovered that exposure to latex could be detrimental to a horse’s respiratory health, and may play a role in some cases of equine asthma.
Social Media Tips, contests and more! /EquineWellnessMagazine News, events, and tips! @ EquineWellness Tips, horse photos, and more! EquineWellness
H EALTH WATCH Understanding your horse’s gastrointestinal tract
Gaining a better understanding of her gastrointestinal tract will help you optimize her health and minimize complications.
Your horse just finished a round of antibiotics. What’s next? Here’s how a natural approach can help restore him to good health.
N EWSWORTHY Can latex exposure cause equine asthma?
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S AFETY FIRST Should you microchip your horse?
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G REAT OUTDOORS The ultimate guide to camping with horses — Part 1 Want to embark on that camping trip you’ve always dreamed of? Proper planning can help ensure a smooth, safe experience for you and your horses.
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L IFESTYLE Tips for supporting pollinators on your farm
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D IET AND NUTRITION Best practices for monitoring a horse’s weight Worried your horse is too heavy or thin? Here are a few easy ways to keep track of his weight to ensure he stays in good shape all year round.
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I N FOCUS A beginner’s guide to protein and amino acids for horses This overview of protein and amino acids will help you better understand these vital nutrients and how they affect your horse’s overall health.
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Bees and other pollinators offer numerous benefits to your farm’s ecosystem, and there are a number of steps you can take to help them thrive.
Equine Wellness
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6 gut health FEATURE
easy ways to promote your horse’s By Virginia Slachman, PhD
Your horse’s gut health affects everything from his temperament to his immune system, so it’s important to make it a priority. Here’s how.
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Equine Wellness
We all want the best for our equine partners, and optimum health is right up at the top of the list. As with humans, a horse’s ability to absorb nutrients is of paramount importance in maintaining health and well-being. In fact, the central role that gut health plays in the overall health of your horse may surprise you. A 2015 USDA NAHMS study notes that GI issues are the second leading cause of death among equines. Other studies indicate between 50% and 70% of working horses can have gastric ulcers, or experience an overly acidic or inflamed gut. Dr. Bill Gilsenan, internal medicine specialist at Lexington’s Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, notes: “Even minor changes in the GI tract can have very large negative consequences.” Dr. Olivia Rulolphi, DVM, member of the USEF Endurance Team Veterinary Commission, agrees, and observes that gut health impacts every system in the body. To maintain optimal digestive functioning, horses must have a proper gut environment, including optimal
“good” bacteria levels and pH balance, especially in the hind gut — the site of fermentation — from which the horse derives over 70% of his energy.
Gut issues — watch for these common signs
Thankfully, there are a number of easy ways to support your horse’s all-important gut health without breaking the bank.
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Clinical signs, Dr. Rudolphi advises, can include back soreness, reluctance to work, lack of weight gain, and a rough-looking coat. Dr. Gilsenan adds that the consequences of gut problems can include colic and diarrhea, pointing out that the latter can lead to laminitis, jugular vein thrombosis, blood clots, and neurological problems.
ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY FORAGE
Horses have a “trickle-in” digestive system that’s meant to ingest forage on a continual basis for optimum health. The colon, notes Dr. Gilsenan, never empties — nor should it, because its stability in terms of temperature, pH balance and bacteria is paramount to proper digestive functioning, and therefore to maintaining health.
In the event your horse has symptoms of digestive disturbance, Dr. Rudolphi stresses the importance of getting a correct diagnosis. Lab tests, as one part of the diagnostic process, can reveal changes in the white blood count, albumin, total protein, and hematocrit levels, among other important indicators, potentially alerting you to a gut disturbance.
However, Dr. Rudolphi advises, if your horse already has an irritated or inflamed digestive tract, try limiting long-stemmed roughage and incorporating more easilydigested forage, such as soaked hay cubes or pellets, until the inflammation diminishes.
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TO GRAIN OR NOT TO GRAIN?
It depends. Some breeds, such as those that evolved in harsh conditions, are able to maintain health on much less nutrition than, say, Thoroughbreds, who typically need higher protein counts than other breeds. So, first and foremost, determine the needs of your horse with the help of your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist. One-size-fits-all does not apply here.
“The use of unneeded dewormers can damage the gut wall, allowing undigested nutrients to pass into the bloodstream.”
If fed in excess, the sugar levels in grain can impact the health of the hoof and might result in metabolic disease in breeds that store fat readily, notes Dr. Gilsenan. But in all breeds, it’s important to remember that sugar in grains can have a large negative impact on intestinal flora necessary for digestion. The goal, says Dr. Rudolphi, is maintaining balance. She notes that not every horse should be cut off carbohydrates, but a large load, especially if introduced too fast, can cause a pH imbalance and inhibit digestion by creating a more acidic environment due to the breakdown of sugars being digested.
Keep in mind that horses didn’t evolve eating grain, so make sure you’re feeding judicious amounts. If you have to make changes in feed, do it slowly — stability in the equine diet is of paramount importance. Increasing or decreasing amounts too quickly can cause problems.
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SUPPLEMENTS
Supplementation isn’t always necessary, but it’s a great way to support your horse’s health. Dr. Rudolphi suggests buying encapsulated digestive aids, such as bicarbonates Equine Wellness
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