Posted on Friday, Dec 7, 2007 - 8:21 am:

This newsletter offers a way to keep up with the horse information added to Horseadvice.com without overwhelming your email box. Posted every day or two this newsletter will highlight the new topics and discussions added to the main sections of Horseadvice.com. Note that replies to discussions, and some member's only posting areas are not displayed here. For a complete listing of topics and discussions please visit us at Horseadvice.com.

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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Respiratory System: Rhinopneumonitis:
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV1/4) : Research Summary: EHV-5 and Chronic Pulmonary FIbrosis
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Posted by Robert N. Oglesby DVM on Thursday, Dec 6, 2007 - 7:14 am:
After reporting last month on the apparent innocuous behavior of EHV-2 we have a different story for EHV-5. Occasionally you see horses that have heave-like symptoms that are progressive and minimally responsive to COPD therapy. On investigation with radiography or ultrasound nodular lesions are found through the lungs and a metastatic disseminated cancer is suspected. Here is another cause of nodular lung disease in horses. DrO
Vet Pathol. 2007 Nov;44(6):849-62. Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis: a newly recognized herpesvirus-associated fibrotic lung disease.
Williams KJ, Maes R, Del Piero F, Lim A, Wise A, Bolin DC, Caswell J, Jackson C, Robinson NE, Derksen F, Scott MA, Uhal BD, Li X, Youssef SA, Bolin SR.
G380 Veterinary Medical Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 (USA). williamsk@dcpah.msu.edu.
Pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease are poorly understood in horses; the causes of such conditions are rarely identified. Equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) is a gamma-herpesvirus of horses that has not been associated with disease in horses. Pathologic and virologic findings from 24 horses with progressive nodular fibrotic lung disease associated with EHV-5 infection are described and compared with 23 age-matched control animals. Gross lesions consisted of multiple nodules of fibrosis throughout the lungs. Histologically, there was marked interstitial fibrosis, often with preservation of an "alveolar-like" architecture, lined by cuboidal epithelial cells. The airways contained primarily neutrophils and macrophages. Rare macrophages contained large eosinophilic intranuclear viral inclusion bodies; similar inclusion bodies were also found cytologically. The inclusions were identified as herpesviral-like particles by transmission electron microscopy in a single horse. In situ hybridization was used to detect EHV-5 nucleic acids within occasional macrophage nuclei. With polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the herpesviral DNA polymerase gene was detected in 19/24 (79.2%) of affected horses and 2/23 (8.7%) of the control horses. Virus genera-specific PCR was used to detect EHV-5 in all of the affected horses and none of the control horses. EHV-2 was detected in 8/24 (33.3%) of affected horses and 1/9 (11.1%) of the control horses. This disease has not been reported before, and the authors propose that based upon the characteristic gross and histologic findings, the disease be known as equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis. Further, we propose that this newly described disease develops in association with infection by the equine gamma-herpesvirus, EHV-5.

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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Lameness: Localizing Lameness in the Horse :
Bilateral front foot lameness
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Posted by C Buono on Thursday, Dec 6, 2007 - 8:33 pm:
I have a 17.1 hand ISH, 9 yo. Have had for 3 years and has never been lame. Went to a new barn with a new farrier. 3-4 months at the new barn and the farrier started mentioning that my horses feet were tender. They also became soft and crumbly (realized after talking to old farrier that happens when his feet stay wet - new pasture very wet). Then he pulled a shoe and possibly popped a splint left front. Was on rest for 1-2 months. Came out sore on left front (stabbing motion into ground). Xrays ok except for thin sole and no heel. Blocks of his left foot resolved the left lameness and revealed lameness on the right. New farrier - wedges, with "pink stuff" impression material and leather pads. Seemed better - could ride 10-15 min at trot before he got sore. 10 weeks later had feet done (same way)and now is short strided and stiff on both front legs. Not sure if this is expected? Should I keep riding? Should I xray again? Does he just need more time? Is something else going on?

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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Endocrine System: Discussions on Endocrine Disorders not covered by above :
Buffalo girl...
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Posted by Elizabeth Kaufman on Thursday, Dec 6, 2007 - 9:58 pm:
I have a filly who puts on a RIDICULOUS winter coat. Several sets of visitors have remarked that something must be wrong with her, including (today) a pretty reputable local breeder. My question is, does this forum feel the same way? My vet claims to think the filly does this specifically to annoy me.
She has had regular worming: monthly as a foal, and is now (18 months) on the adult schedule-- yearly for tapes, and according to the HA rotation. She does shed out, though she isn't the quickest. Otherwise she seems like a typical awkward baby.
My guests are making me paranoid-- what do you guys think?
[bam-bam buffalo shot-0701081.jpg] Winter shot
[bambolea-portrait-15months1.jpg] Summer shot

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HorseAdvice.com: Equine Reproduction: Horse Breeding & Artificial Insemination: Preparing Your Mare for Breeding:
How big is too big?
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Posted by jos on Friday, Dec 7, 2007 - 6:43 am:
Is there any information about having a small mare inseminated by a big stallion. When does this get dangerous?[birthing problems for instance?] Is it height or 'type'[draft x arab for instance] related? Anyone having experiences? Jos

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Care Tips
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HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Tips and Tricks: 2007 Add New Care Tips Here:
Warm that bit during cold months
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Posted by Christine C. Mills in NC on Thursday, Dec 6, 2007 - 9:55 am:
Your horse will thank you if you take a few steps to warm the bit prior to bridling.
You can loop the crown and reins of the bridle over your head and tuck the bit down the front of your jacket while you groom, saddle, etc.
Or, we have a small, electric space heater on a counter in the tack room that we turn on and lay bridle with bit in front of the stream of warmer air. The trick is to have a safe place to do this and to turn off the heater when you are done. (If it is really cold, we use the heater ourselves!)
Cheers.

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Training Tips
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Product Reviews
Have you found a great product you can no longer do without or how about a stinker that you want to warn other members about? We will publish the best organized reviews in the Newsletter and if yours is published we will add 3 months to your membership.
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Posted on Thursday, Dec 6, 2007 - 8:49 am:

This newsletter offers a way to keep up with the horse information added to Horseadvice.com without overwhelming your email box. Posted every day or two this newsletter will highlight the new topics and discussions added to the main sections of Horseadvice.com. Note that replies to discussions, and some member's only posting areas are not displayed here. For a complete listing of topics and discussions please visit us at Horseadvice.com.

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HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Worms, Deworming, Parasite Control: Overview of Deworming:
Research Summary: Monitoring Deworming Programs on Farms
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Posted by Robert N. Oglesby DVM on Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 - 9:22 am:
Here is wonderfully helpful study on monitoring parasite activity on farms using fecals. This report also highlights one of the unusual problems we are beginning to recognize in adult individuals. The idea behind the study is that it is impractical to do fecals on every horse so pooling fecal samples and sampling the pool is one way to go.
Their findings were that young (less than 2 years of age) horses on contaminated pastures always developed significant numbers of parasites as measured by fecals and should be wormed regularly.
The more interesting finding is one that has been reported before. Often many adults have acceptable parasite burdens (measured by less than 100 eggs per gram on a McMasters fecal test) on pastures that are not too contaminated even when not frequently dewormed but there are the occasional individual horses that do not respond like most of the adult group. Following the eight week prepotency following a dose of ivermectin, these individuals parasite egg production blooms quickly. It appears the ivermectin is doing its job since they are egg free for 8 weeks but that the horses innate ability to resist low levels of parasites is poor so they are rapidly recolonized. But I am guessing here. This individuals need to be identified and tested and dewormed more rigorously than the rest of the herd. Using aggregated samples can help identify these individuals with less work by examining smaller and smaller aggregates of labeled samples until these "excretory" can be found. For more see the article Overview of Deworming. DrO

Vet Parasitol. 2007 Oct 22; The use of age-clustered pooled faecal samples for monitoring worm control in horses. Eysker M, Bakker J, van den Berg M, van Doorn DC, Ploeger HW. Division of Clinical Infectiology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80165, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
A study was performed on two horse farms to evaluate the use of age-clustered pooled faecal samples for monitoring worm control in horses. In total 109 horses, 57 on farm A and 52 on farm B, were monitored at weekly intervals between 6 and 14 weeks after ivermectin treatment. This was performed through pooled faecal samples of pools of up to 10 horses of the groups 'yearlings' (both farms), '2-year-old' (two pools in farm A), '3-year-old' (farm A) and adult horses (four pools on farm A and five pools on farm B), which were compared with the mean individual faecal egg counts of the same pools. A very high correlation between the faecal egg counts in pooled samples and the mean faecal egg counts was seen and also between the faecal egg counts in pooled samples and larval counts from pooled faecal larval cultures. Faecal egg counts increased more rapidly in yearlings and 2-year-old horses than in older horses. This implied that in these groups of young animals faecal egg counts of more than 200 EPG were reached at or just after the egg reappearance period (ERP) of 8 weeks that is usually indicated for ivermectin. This probably means that, certainly under intensive conditions, repeated treatment at this ERP is warranted in these young animals, with or without monitoring through faecal examination. A different situation is seen in adult animals. Based on the mean faecal egg counts on both farms and on the results of pooled samples in farm A, using 100 EPG as threshold, no justification for treatment was seen throughout the experimental period. However, on farm B values of 100 EPG were seen at 9 and 11, 13 and 14 and 14 weeks after ivermectin treatment in pools 10, 12 and 13, respectively. This coincided with the presence of one or two horses with egg counts above 200 EPG. The conclusion is that random pooled faecal samples of 10 adult horses from a larger herd, starting at the ERP and repeating it at, for instance, 4-week intervals, could be used for decisions on worm control. However, there would be a certain risk for underestimating pasture contamination through missing high-egg excretory. An alternative use of pooled samples would be as a cheap first screening to detect which adult horses really contribute to pasture contamination with worm eggs on a farm. All horses should be sampled and subsequently animals from 'positive' pools can be reexamined individually.

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HorseAdvice.com: Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses: Conformation:
Cat-Hammed?
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Posted by Sherri L. Hueser on Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 - 5:26 pm:
A friend I know has a 2 1/2 year old MFT filly who I believe may be cat-hammed. She is very wide through the pelvis, but narrows through her thigh/stifle. She also stands very base narrow in her hind feet and when she walks, her hind feet are very close together. She doesn't consider her cowhocked, as her hind cannons are straight down from her hocks and she does not toe out. However, she does consider her to have fairly crooked legs with sickle hocks. She has an amazing overstride. Maybe too much so? Not sure what would qualify as "too much". Her hamstrings also seem really long and "stringy" to her. Her question is: At 2 1/2 years old, could this lack of muscling be caused from being stalled most of her life, with little turn out (probably from the age of 6 mo. to 2 years). Or, is it genetics? If she is cat-hammed, how will this be a detriment?
She noticed on pg 21 of PCA series, Dr. Deb says Horse #3 "exemplifies the hind limb conformation known as cat-hammed,..." And she goes on to say that gaited horses need to be able to trot and canter as well as gait.
Her filly does hard trot and canter, so she's relieved that her conformation allows for those gaits, as well as her fox trot gait. She's had her for almost 3 months now, and has seen some improvement in the muscling in her quadriceps, but not enough to get excited about.
She hopes this information will help to give her some insight.
Thanks so much for any help!

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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings: Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses: Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses:
Odd swelling? fx?
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Posted by Kim on Friday, Nov 30, 2007 - 7:03 am:
Hi Dr.O, I visited a 24 y/o QH this week who had injured his hamstring a month ago. It was a phone referral from a vet who hadn't seen the horse. She suspected fibrotic myopathy-and wasn't the horses reg vet. the reg vet had seen the horse that week for mild colic but only glanced at the leg and said it was fine.
The swelling had subsided but the horse wasn't walking normally but didn't appear to be in pain. The owner had taken the horse for a hand walk over uneven ground after which time the leg swelled up again-vet was called when the horse acted colicky as mentioned above.
I expected to see swelling around the injury of the hamstring and planned on using laser therapy to decrease the edema and promote healing. Well, the leg between the mid tibia and top of the hock medially was too swollen to even cause pitting. Was not hot or even warm. No swelling below the hock. The horse had a typical shorten stride with that hind leg consistent with fibrotic myopathy. The hamstring injury was at the lower part of the semitendonosis and had scar tissue. The horse was tender on it's inner thigh at a certain point -which I assumed it meant that it had torn an adductor muscle as well.
I told the owner to get her vet to come out again, but started the laser treatment as it will get the lymph system going to try to move things. I also sent a report to the vet who wouldn't talk to me on the phone.
Could this actually be pooling of blood? Would a vet drain it if it were blood and can a horse have a fx and still carry on as his owner said earlier he had been running around when he was upset by something. The stifle wasn't tender. Can the horse throw a blood clot?
Kim

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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Lameness: Joint, Bone, Ligament Diseases: Arthritis and DJD: An Overview :
How much play can a horse with arthritis take?
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Posted by cp on Friday, Nov 30, 2007 - 3:56 pm:
Would it be a bad idea to bring an arthritic horse home to 2 rambunctious geldings? I’m thinking of adopting, and many of the older horses seem to have arthritis. I don’t mind giving daily meds to help with pain, but am not sure about all the running around my boys like to do—if that would be good or bad for an old fellow.
Any advice appreciated!

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HorseAdvice.com: Equine Reproduction: Horse Breeding & Artificial Insemination: Pregnancy Diagnosis :
Mare 4 months in foal showing in season (?)
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Posted by Imogen Bertin on Saturday, Dec 1, 2007 - 4:45 pm:
An ultrasound scan today showed she is in foal. I was advised to stop riding her though - my vet says the standard advice is that pregnant mares should only be ridden in walk after the fourth month.
Anyone any views on that?
Imogen

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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Endocrine System: Discussions on Endocrine Disorders not covered by above :
Ravenous Appetite/ Wasted Back/ Pot Belly/ Eating Salt
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Posted by Brenda L on Saturday, Dec 1, 2007 - 5:58 pm:
I joined this forum today hoping that someone can help me with an illness my gelding has that the vet has been unable to diagnose so far. I have just joined and read the basics under the endocrine disorder section. If anyone here can help or point me to another article on this site that would help I would appreciate it more than you could imagine. It is awful to watch my horse wasting away and not know what is wrong.
I have a 15 year old Belgian x TB. For years we have had to clip him regularly due to a thick slow to shed hair coat. We tested him for Cushings in the past and the tests were negative. At the time his only difficulty was his haircoat being think so we did not test further.
About a month or so ago he began eating an excessive amount of salt. At the same time he began to have an extremely ravenous appetite. He behaves almost as if he is starving. He sometimes eats dirt or tries to eat things that are not edible. Wounds do not seem to heal quickly. His topline has wasted quite a bit in a short time and he has developed a "pot-bellied" appearance. These are the major symptoms we have seen with him.
The vet has taken many tests and all of them are normal or borderline. I have a list of tests and will post the findings below. I have noted the tests that were out of normal range with an * and noted the normal range after. I am new to reading lab reports, so I hope this makes sense!
11/02/2007 Tests *Glucose 136 (75-115) Nitrogen 13 *Creatine .5 (.9-1.9) *Bun/Creatinine Ratio 26 (4-17) Sodium 139 Potassium 4.4 Chloride 101 *Cholesterol 130 (59-120) Triglicerides 36 Total Bilirubin .8 Aldaline Phosphatase 120 SGOT/AST 208 *SGPT/ ALT 23 (3-20) *LDH 409 (150-370) CK 310 Total Protein 5.7 Albumin 3.1 Globulin 2.6 A/G Ratio 1.2 Calcium 11.8 Inorganic Phosphorus 3.3 *Magnesium 2.5 (1.7-2.4) Lipase 46 WBC 6.9 RBC 7.52 Hemoglobin 13.9 MCV 57 MCH 18.5 MCHC 32.7 *Neutrophils 86 (22-72) *Lymphocytes 11 (17-88) Monocytes 2 Eosinophils 1 Basophils 1 Absolute Neutrophils 5.9 *Absolute Lymphocytes .8 (2.0-5.5) Absolute Monocytes .1 Absolute Eosinophils .1 Absolute Basophils .1 Calcium 11.8
Vet comments on lab work: Platelets clumped, but appear adequate
11/06/2007 Tests *Free T4 1.05 (1.2-1.8)
11/12/2007 Tests *Urinary Cortisol/Creatinine Ratio 11.5 (vet noted that greater than 7.5 is abnormal)
11/28/2007 Tests Dexamethasone Suppression, 2 samples Time 1 2.7 taken 2:30pm 11/27 Time 2 1.4 taken 9am 11/28 (The reference range is noted as 3.1-6.5)
He has had no changes in diet or management. I appreciate any feedback you can give.
Thanks Brenda

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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract: Mouth, Esophagus, and Liver: Disorders of the Mouth and Teeth:
Loose and chipped teeth in a 2 year old
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Posted by cp on Sunday, Dec 2, 2007 - 9:43 am:
My young horse has 3 loose teeth in the front -- one is kind of hanging in there. Are these baby teeth that are supposed to fall out?
My vet is out of town for another 4-days! How serious is this? Should I get another vet over to check it out?
I took a picture. The one on the bottom left is the REALLY loose one. Others look like they might heal although they're cracked down into the gums. [mrteeth1.jpg]

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HorseAdvice.com: Training & Conditioning Horses: Tack and Training: Types of Saddles and Fitting:
Stirrup length?
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Posted by mary luckett on Sunday, Dec 2, 2007 - 11:10 am:
My boy friend and I have been having a continuing discussion about why different disciplines use different stirrup length. I have been riding dressage, fox hunting, and trail riding all my life. He has been riding only two years so he looks to me for answers. He is a sixth don in aikido and wants answers that are physically and machanically correct.I can only give him my personal experience from years of experimentation. You can't ride dressage effectively with a fox hunting length stirrup. You arn't as safe trail riding with a dressage length. And forget jumping if you don't shorten your stirrups. Our discussions really get complacated when including jockeys. I understand that they want to be high up over the horses shoulders but wouldn't they be safer if their leg was a little straighter and a little more on the horses sides? And why do Bruce Davidson want everyone to shorten their stirrups for their cross country? I don't think these questions are as important as many of the horse health one but I sure would like to know the answers. Thanks for any help!

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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings: Bumps / Nodules / Warts / Tumors: Hives, Wheals, and Urticaria in Horses:
Hives and rain ?????
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Posted by Susan K. Mangus on Monday, Dec 3, 2007 - 5:53 pm:
Dr. O - it is Susan Mangus again and WOW have we had something WEIRD happen with our 2 horses with hives. Remember the stud has been bothered since last year, and 2007 since August, and our 3 YO show filly since mid September. Nothing seems to work other than Dex. Last Tuesday we made an emergency trip to the specialist vet as the 3 YO had warm front hooves and a digital pulse. X-rays show her to be OK but we quit the Dex, continued hydroxyzine and started aspirin (that for 2 weeks). Colt had his last Dex 11/25 and we decided to hold off on more Dex and see if he could shake this on his own. By Sunday AM they were both really "bumped-up", +/- 80% of their bodies, the colt worse. We turned everyone out even tho it was raining, as it was 62 degrees. They stayed outside in the rain most of the day. By 4:00PM when we brought them in 85% of the bumps were GONE !! By 8:00PM 90%+ gone!! By Monday AM they were both just about normal. It was like someone waved a magic wand - if we had not seen it we would NOT have believed it, it happened so fast. Monday horses also outside most of the day (sunny and cold). By 4:00PM the colt was starting bumps and the filly had them on her rump. (It is early evening right now so we have not done the last night-time check yet). So the question seems to us to be, what did the rain wash OUT of the air this time of year OR what did it wash OFF the horses? We intend to wash/hose them down tomorrow.. and I am calling the equine specialist vet but I would REALLY like to know what your take on this is. We can't believe it - the bumps went away so fast... and now back. PS: in the meantime we also bought totally new feed and also a 10 day supply of distilled water for the 3 YO. Husband put a water filter on the barn line using TWO filters...but I don't think that is it after what has now happened out in the rain !!?? We have now changed everything except the air.
Susan Mangus

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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract: Mouth, Esophagus, and Liver: Disorders of the Mouth and Teeth:
Eats everything well except hay
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Posted by joan_H on Monday, Dec 3, 2007 - 9:18 pm:
Hi MLE: My 25-yr-old gelding started spitting out "hay balls" about a month ago. I had the vet check him and float his teeth--he didn't find anything problematic--but then he got worse! It's been 4 weeks since the float and he still can't chew hay or long stem green grass, but has no problem with grain, pellets, carrots, etc. So, I am very interested in what the ultimate outcome was of the removal of that difficult-to-detect hook. Dr. O: Have you any ideas? Thanks for helping.

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HorseAdvice.com: Treatments and Medications for Horses: Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx):
Legend, Hyaluronate, use in Arthritis: Oral HA
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Posted by Shelly Bower on Tuesday, Dec 4, 2007 - 9:46 pm:
I was wondering Dr O if you would please review the current research regarding the use of oral HA and comment? I recently ran across the following article and it seems to point to some efficacy but I lack the knowledge to decipher it fully!

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Care Tips
By visiting our Care Tips section you might learn how to throw away that manure fork and replace it with a hammock! Maybe not, but if you post a great and original tip you can have time added to your membership and we will pick up the tab and that is almost as good.
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/667.html

Training Tips
Members, horses not cleaning their own stalls yet? Better yet a little training tip that has made your horses behavior or your riding much improved? Best training tips get published in the newsletter and if your tip is posted you get 3 months added to your membership and we pick up the tab.
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/7/668.html

Product Reviews
Have you found a great product you can no longer do without or how about a stinker that you want to warn other members about? We will publish the best organized reviews in the Newsletter and if yours is published we will add 3 months to your membership.
http://www.horseadvice.com/cgi-bin/advisor/board-auth.cgi?file=/10/5544.html

Posted on Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 - 9:57 am:

This newsletter offers a way to keep up with the horse information added to Horseadvice.com without overwhelming your email box. Posted every day or two this newsletter will highlight the new topics and discussions added to the main sections of Horseadvice.com. Note that replies to discussions, and some member's only posting areas are not displayed here. For a complete listing of topics and discussions please visit us at Horseadvice.com.

New Article: Feeding Beet Pulp to Horses
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HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding: Beet Pulp: New Article: Feeding Beet Pulp to Horses
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Posted by Robert N. Oglesby DVM on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 12:15 pm:
Beet pulp is a byproduct of sugar beets after the sugar has been
extracted. It's use in equine nutrition has been on the rise for the
past 20 years because it offers several advantages over some other
horse feeds:low soluble carbohydrates high fiber much of which is
digestible making its energy content considerably higher than most
forages easy mastication reasonable cost ease of storage a lack of
mold spores as is found in field cured hay.These advantages make it
useful in the diets of horses with metabolic disorders related to
sugar metabolism, difficult keepers, older horses with teeth problems,
and horses with hay mold allergies (heaves, COPD, or recurrent airway
disease). However beet pulp does have some nutritional profile
problems with its use that must be addressed. Beet pulp is usually
available in several forms including chips, ground, or premixed in
with balanced equine rations.
This article discusses the nutritional profile of beet pulp, its
effect on horse metabolism in health and disease, and practical ways
to include it in the horse's diet. You can access the article by
clicking on » Beet Pulp » on the navigation bar above.
DrO

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Updated Article: Gastric Ulcers in Adult Horses
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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract: Gastric Ulcers: Gastric Ulcers in Adult Horses: Updated Article: Gastric Ulcers in Adult Horses
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Posted by Robert N. Oglesby DVM on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 12:31 pm:
Equine gastric ulceration in being increasingly recognized as a cause
of poor performance in adult horses and serious gastrointestinal
disease of foals. Up to 93% of race horses get stomach ulcers,
regardless of age. Almost 60% of other performance horses have stomach
ulcers. Up to 57% of foals have stomach ulcers, particularly during
the first several months of life. Increasingly we are recognizing that
even the activities of pleasure horses can promote ulcer formation.
Most horses and foals with ulcers show no signs of illness but in the
last few decades a constellation of symptoms commonly associated with
horses in training has been associated with the presence of ulcers and
has come to be called "Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome" (EGUS).
Traditionally these horses have been experiencing what has been called
"training let down" and these symptoms center around a horse in
training that begins to do poorly for no easily observed reason.
There are several known causes of gastric ulcers in horses that can be
differentiated by the history and the type lesions they cause in the
stomach. Gastric ulcers in foals have a different cause than EGUS. In
the adult horse we can divide ulcers of the horse stomach into those
caused by training and those caused by the administration of
nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID's). The mechanism and
location of the ulcers is very different with these two types of
ulcers. There may be the rare horse overly sensitive to NSAID's, by
following the recommended dosages of NSAID's ulceration is very
unlikely...more.
This article will focus on the type ulcers that occur in adult horses
in training and describes clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and
prognosis of adult horses with EGUS and has received a major rewrite.
To access the article click on » Gastric Ulcers in Adult Horses » on
the navigation bar at the top of this page.
DrO

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Seedy toe: how wide should excision be?
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Lameness: Diseases of the Hoof: Founder & Laminitis: Rehabilitation and Derotation of Foundered Horses: Seedy toe: how wide should excision be?
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by LL on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 9:43 am:
Hi DrO.
When I once mentioned that my then farrier had excised a triangular
hole with the widest part at the bottom in one of my horse's hooves
due to what he said was seedy toe (although as far as I know she has
never foundered), you said that he didn't understand the abducting
forces involved.
As I don't understand them either (lol), could you tell me whether you
mean that he should have removed a square, or rectangular area of hoof
wall rather than a triangle?
I ask because, several years down the road and with another farrier,
we seem to have the same situation.
Many thanks.

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Loose stifle estrogen therapy
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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Lameness: Diseases of the Upper Rear Limb: Stifle Lameness: Stifle Lock: Upward Fixation of the Patella : Loose stifle estrogen therapy
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Barbara Greber on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 1:57 pm:
We have a 4 year old mare with stifle issues. She had her ovaries
removed when she was 3 to be used as a teasing mare. I have heard from
a local vet that they are treating stifles with Estrogen as it will
tighten the ligaments. Has anyone had any experience with this
treatment. Thank you

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Labored breathing...due to humidity? Stangles shot?
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Respiratory System: Heaves & Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Labored breathing...due to humidity? Stangles shot?
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by REBECCA BALLARD on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 4:09 pm:
THANKS DR.O!!!
I am happy to report that since my mare has been moved to a
well-ventilated barn, with no hay storage, and she has been taken off
hay, all signs of labored breathing are gone.
She has been in the new barn for 2 weeks. She is on senior pellet feed
and hay stretchers, and no signs of labored breathing at all. I will
keep my fingers crossed that this is the answer!
Thanks so much for your dedication and help.
Rebecca

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Pectin-lethicin mixture for managing ulcers
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract: Gastric Ulcers: Gastric Ulcers in Adult Horses: Pectin-lethicin mixture for managing ulcers
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by awa on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 7:25 pm:
Does anyone know where to find such a product? I've had no luck at all
locating it. Thanks in advance for any leads.

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Stolen Horse International 2007 Annual Fundraising Auction
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Equine Associations, Breeds, Colors: Equine Association topics not covered by the above: Stolen Horse International 2007 Annual Fundraising Auction
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Tonya Bauer on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 8:50 pm:
Dear DrO. and HA Friends,
Stolen Horse International is having its 2007 Annual Fundraising
Auction. It is a non-profit organization: About Us - Stolen Horse
International, Inc.
PURPOSE OF STOLEN HORSE INTERNATIONAL, INC
Stolen Horse International, Inc. SHI brings attention to a major crime
against horse lovers, horse theft. The mission of Stolen Horse
International, Inc. is to provide a comprehensive theft awareness
program to all facets of the horse industry and offer educational
opportunities for horse enthusiasts of all types and across all
disciplines: SHIs goals are:
To establish a global resource to aid in the search for:
Missing horses
Stolen horses
Stolen tack
Stolen trailers
Owners of found horses
To promote increased involvement through equestrian organizations.
To build an international network, NetPosse, to disseminate images and
information missing and stolen horses through the Idaho Alerts system.
To provide education opportunities to improve public awareness on
horse theft and identification methods through seminars, presentations
and exhibits.
To provide resources and information to the law enforcement community.
~Never underestimate the power of one!~
The current Stolen Horse International site, with only 500 hits in
June 2004 as made tremendous growth for an unadvertised site.
NetPosse.com now averages 70,000 - 80,000 unique visitors a month with
over 1.5 MILLION hits. posted 01-07
Visitors from around the world are finding NetPosse.com including
those from the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Japan, UK,
Australia, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Trinidad, Tobago, Brazil,
Finland, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Mexico, Norway, Argentina, Italy
and Turkey.
Stolen Horse International, Inc. recently gained 501 c 3 status,
making donations to the seven-year-old horse-theft-recovery network
tax deductible. Horse enthusiasts can donate online through PayPal or
send money to: SHI, PO Box 1341, Shelby, NC 28151
If you are interested in the 2007 Auction, please click on the
following link. www.netposse.com/auction2007index.htm
Near the bottom of the page you will see: Clinician Contributions, Art
Music Books, Gifts/Specialty, Tack, Misc
These gifts will continue to give back for a very long time. So, here
is a chance to get a great start on your Christmas shopping...for
others, and of course...yourself!
Also wanted to add, that you can donate to SHI, and/or other
charities/causes via www.iGive.com About Us--Over 680 brand name
stores, a portion of each online purchase is donated to your favorite
cause! Your stores, your cause, their money!
One last item...
http://www.netposse.com/stolenmissing/missing_1/Searching/LimogeVAsearchMar07.ht m
[12.gif]
Cowboy Quote..
Never slap a mans back if he’s chew’n tobacco.
Tonya

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Sawdust/wood shaving alternative?
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HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Horse Pasture, Fencing, Barns: Bedding, Flooring, and Footing for Horses: Sawdust/wood shaving alternative?
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by marie anne on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 9:01 pm:
The woman where I board my gelding told me this evening that she is
having a very hard time finding bedding-she usually uses wood
shaving/saw dust, but the last load was very wet, more like mulch.
Other stables in the area are also reporting similar problems finding
bedding (northern Indiana). Does anyone have a suggestion for
economical alternative? She has about 14 stalls-and the main barn has
a concrete floor with pads so bedding is essential.

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How old are TBs when tattooed??
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HorseAdvice.com: Equine Associations, Breeds, Colors: Breed and Sport Associations : How old are TBs when tattooed??
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Debra Dove on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 11:41 pm:
I have a TB with a tattoo that begins with the letter "S". One of my
vets looked up the letter and determined that the letter corresponded
with the year 1989 making him 18 years old.
My primary vet and several other people at my barn have commented that
he just "looks older" than 18. My equine dentist feels that his teeth
are about right for a late teenager "give or take a couple of years."
Does the tattoo reflect the birth year or are they tattooed later in
life when introduced to the track?
I do not have papers with our horse and since the numbers are very
difficult to make out, my inquiries with the Jockey Club make it
difficult to distinguish my horse's history from any other chesnut
gelding with the letter S on its lip.
Thank you,
Debra

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Congratulation Tim Tetrick!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Inspiration, Art, Entertainment members_only: Inspirational: Congratulation Tim Tetrick!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by trotters on Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 - 7:50 am:
I'm not sure how many follow harness racing in the forum but this
young man is truly inspirational! He just turned 26 last week and had
a couple of really nice articles on him that came out last week. This
is the one from USA Today.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/2007-11-22-harness-tetrick_N.htm?csp=34
USTA
http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=24811
Tim, at such a young age has broken the all times record in both wins
and earnings for a driver in one season and still is piling them on
until the end of the year. He is at 1080 wins and over $16.4 million
in earnings! This is really an amazing feat not to mention his
disability he has had to deal with since a child. He drove a few
horses for me back in Indiana/Illinois long before he became such a
star. Couldn't have happened to a better kid, well I mean guy! Just
had to shout out KUDOS!

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Succeed
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding: Probiotics and Yeast Culture Products: Succeed
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Dawn E. Fisher on Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 - 11:49 am:
Good Morning --
I posted this yesterday but it was under 'performance horse
nutrition'. So I'm re-posting here which seems like a better place for
this question Sorry about the mix up.
Good Morning DR O -
I've been using a 'yeast' supplement (Succeed) and it's really helped
my uptight horse immensely. I'd like to continue, however, this
product is very expensive - approx $100 per month per horse. The
ingredients are listed as follows:
Oat Flour
Oat Oil
Irradiated Dried Yeast
L-Threonine
L-Glutamine
Guar Gum
I'm wondering if there's a 'generic' form that I could purchase (Bulk
would be fine)? Or if one of the ingredients in the above combo is
super special when added to the yeast product that it would be hard to
replace with 'generic'? Have I simply bought into marketing?!?!?!
I love the product but with two horses on it - it's costing a bundle!
Thanks in advance!
Dawn, Gunnar & Esprit

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Cat-Hammed?
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HorseAdvice.com: Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses: Conformation: Cat-Hammed?
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Sherri L. Hueser on Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 - 5:26 pm:
A friend I know has a 2 1/2 year old MFT filly who I believe may be
cat-hammed. She is very wide through the pelvis, but narrows through
her thigh/stifle. She also stands very base narrow in her hind feet
and when she walks, her hind feet are very close together. She doesn't
consider her cowhocked, as her hind cannons are straight down from her
hocks and she does not toe out. However, she does consider her to have
fairly crooked legs with sickle hocks. She has an amazing overstride.
Maybe too much so? Not sure what would qualify as "too much". Her
hamstrings also seem really long and "stringy" to her.
Her question is: At 2 1/2 years old, could this lack of muscling be
caused from being stalled most of her life, with little turn out
(probably from the age of 6 mo. to 2 years). Or, is it genetics? If
she is cat-hammed, how will this be a detriment?
She noticed on pg 21 of PCA series, Dr. Deb says Horse #3 "exemplifies
the hind limb conformation known as cat-hammed,..." And she goes on to
say that gaited horses need to be able to trot and canter as well as
gait.

Her filly does hard trot and canter, so she's relieved that her
conformation allows for those gaits, as well as her fox trot gait.
She's had her for almost 3 months now, and has seen some improvement
in the muscling in her quadriceps, but not enough to get excited
about.
She hopes this information will help to give her some insight.
Thanks so much for any help!

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Question on Henneke scoring
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Routine Horse Care: Estimating Weight, Height, and Body Condition Scoring: Question on Henneke scoring
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Debra McKay on Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 - 7:05 pm:
Dr. O, I have read, printed out and reread the information on scoring
for body condition with the Henneke System. My question is, it
mentions that conformational differences may make certain criteria
difficult to apply a score to in some animals.
I board a 30 year old arabian, he has been "bony" his whole
life,(nickname had always been Ickabod Crane) but still full of life,
vim and vigor. Has had his teeth done, wormed, and everything is up to
par health wise as far as it can be at his age. No stiffness, no
sourness, no joint problems, great feet, thick coat which sheds
completely if slowly during the spring. We suspect possible cushonoid,
but Vet reccommends waiting until spring to test due to unreliability
of test this time of year in our area. When he does gain weight, it is
all in his belly unless he is working, being jumped and ridden daily
to make him use his top line to develop muscle. He has been this way
for his whole life. He is willing to do anything, loves the trails and
can go for a three hour trail ride walking and light trotting without
breaking a sweat, breathing hard or seeming to struggle in any way. We
use him for therapeutic children and very young children three or four
times a week to keep him happy. He becomes VERY depressed and goes off
feed if he isn't used. I am being subjected to visits by animal
welfare because of his condition, although the other horses on the
property all are 4 or above on the score. The agent scores this one
horse a 1.5, at 1.5 he should be depressed or dead to me.
After all this rambling, my question is, how does one "discount"
various areas during the scoring process? Does his age and previous
history lend any weight at all to the scoring?

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Care Tips
By visiting our Care Tips section you might learn how to throw away that manure fork and replace it with a hammock! Maybe not, but if you post a great and original tip you can have time added to your membership and we will pick up the tab and that is almost as good.
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/667.html

Training Tips
Members, horses not cleaning their own stalls yet? Better yet a little training tip that has made your horses behavior or your riding much improved? Best training tips get published in the newsletter and if your tip is posted you get 3 months added to your membership and we pick up the tab.
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/7/668.html

Product Reviews
Have you found a great product you can no longer do without or how about a stinker that you want to warn other members about? We will publish the best organized reviews in the Newsletter and if yours is published we will add 3 months to your membership.
http://www.horseadvice.com/cgi-bin/advisor/board-auth.cgi?file=/10/5544.html

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 8:41 am:

This newsletter offers a way to keep up with the horse information added to Horseadvice.com without overwhelming your email box. Posted every day or two this newsletter will highlight the new topics and discussions added to the main sections of Horseadvice.com. Note that replies to discussions, and some member's only posting areas are not displayed here. For a complete listing of topics and discussions please visit us at Horseadvice.com.

Succeed- Equine Fecal Blood Test , do it yourself Ulcer sceening
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract: Gastric Ulcers: Gastric Ulcers in Adult Horses: Succeed- Equine Fecal Blood Test , do it yourself Ulcer sceening
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by TOD on Friday, Nov 23, 2007 - 8:34 am:
Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving
Has anyone heard about, or better yet, used the new Succeed Equine
Fecal Blood Test for detecting ulcers?
The new test sounds great; do it your self test strips that can detect
minute amounts of blood in the stool which may be caused by
gastric/colonic ulcers, parasites, post colic surgery.
They retail for about $40 through Veterinarians.
I haven't heard of any of my local Vets using this product, but if
it's as accurate as Succeed claims, it sure would make
diagnosing/treatment of ulcers, and other digest problems much faster,
easier, and cheaper, than performing endoscopy.
the website is www.succeedfbt.com

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Feeding in the Dark...
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Tips and Tricks: 2007 Add New Care Tips Here: Feeding in the Dark...
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Imogen Bertin on Friday, Nov 23, 2007 - 2:32 pm:
Just wanted to bring this thread back to the attention of Christmas
present buying members!
I used to use headtorches when I was a theatrical stage manager many
moons ago. They have radically improved with the introduction of
better elastic straps, light batteries and LED bulbs (I just got given
one of the new types).
They are FANTASTIC. If you can't think of what to buy your horsey
friend for Christmas, get them a headtorch. They are on sale in Argos
(UK and Ireland mail order store). Ok, you look like a spanner when
you're wearing it, but job done...
All the best
Imogen

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Low Temps and feeding
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HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding: Fat or Obese Horse Nutrition: Low Temps and feeding
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Diane E. on Saturday, Nov 24, 2007 - 9:24 am:
Dr.O. as you know my horses are on a continuous diet. The temps here
are now getting in the teens at night and 20-30 degrees during the
day. I have read to keep the horses warm they need more hay, at these
temps I am not worried, they seem to like this weather and no one is
cold. They are still getting 1 flake of hay morning and evening with
their 3 hay cubes. Grazing is pretty much over. Wind and rain/snow
isn't a big factor, they usually stay in the lean when the weather
turns foul. I also feed them in there when it is foul out. The horses
are use to are VERY cold winters and temps in the teens are not
bothersome to them.
How does a person determine when to up the hay for cold weather. I
don't want to wait to they shiver...especially with the 2 senior
citizens in the picture. I think their weight is ok putting them at a
5-6 on the bsc. Their hair throws me a little, well actually a lot. I
can feel all their ribs. As stated in this article the stemmy hay can
put weight on them and they have pony metabolism it seems. They roam
the pasture all day, playing and even galloping a bit. Riding is
pretty much out of the picture now.
At what temps. should I consider upping their hay, or maybe I
shouldn't at all? 6-8#'s of hay a day doesn't seem like much for
frigid weather.
With this dense winter hair it really is hard to tell if they are
gaining or loosing weight even with the tape, and it seems as tho they
can gain 100#'s in a blink of an eye.
The updated article is wonderful and so true, but really doesn't
address fat horses and very cold weather.
Maybe I need a winter Hanks weight watchers diet, the members seem to
know better than me just from pics and surprisingly winter is much
harder for me than summer. Thank you for any words of wisdom..I need
them... I really want to see Hank stay sound this winter and spring.

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Throat injections
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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Respiratory System: Noises and Decreased Performane in Exercising Horses: Roarers: Throat injections
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by USHO on Saturday, Nov 24, 2007 - 10:33 pm:
I've heard trainers talk about "blocking the throat" or "injecting the
throat" for horses that have breathing problems. None of the trainers
could tell me what was being injected (either the drug or the exact
part of the throat). This is done for horses who are racing.
Would you have any idea of what they're injecting and the purpose or
effect that it's having? any long term effects?
Sorry that I don't know more, but that is all they can (or will?) tell
me.
Thanks

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TB in PA in trouble TODAY!!!!
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HorseAdvice.com: Member's Services members_only: The Lounge: Kick back and relax.: Regional Inquires: TB in PA in trouble TODAY!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Cyndy on Sunday, Nov 25, 2007 - 9:54 am:
I got this today from a horse hauling website. Walt is in UP right now
and cannot get there in time to help. Thought if there is anyone
local, PA to get him out of harms way TODAY. This trainer has a
history of sending to slaughter. NO JOKE!!! Last one's name was Fire
ALarm FLyer...last week.
"With Jade is a 5yo 16h off the track TBG that was injured 'on the
track' TUesday. Trainer wants him out of his stall by today or he will
be sent off on the next slaughter truck. He is a nice boy and does not
deserve to die. HE will be coming to my rescue, CHanging Leads in
Decatur,Ind to be rehabbed. Today he is at great risk.
Lindsay is looking for a hauler to get Jade from Pa to Indiana, but
failing that,needs a local person to just get him out of harm's way
today.
Any local HAers in Pa with a 2 horse who can help please contact
Lindsay Asher at lindsayasher@comcast.net . phone is 260-224-4187.
Thankd Guys

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More "forward" needed for collection...
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HorseAdvice.com: Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses: Basic Riding Skills: Help with the Canter: More "forward" needed for collection...
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Erika L on Sunday, Nov 25, 2007 - 8:22 pm:
Okay, holiday break is over! All you experts please weigh in on your
opinions for me here.
Cleo, my four year old, is a pleasure to ride in most aspects. Soft,
brave, consistently responsive to everything BUT the forward cue! By
that I mean, she will sidepass, do turns on the forehand and rear.
Supple with the reins, but she's LAZY.
I am trying to get her collected at the canter. She canters "strung
out" willingly both under saddle and on the lunge, but if I even
half-halt to try to gather her up a bit, she breaks to the trot.
Almost feels like she is quitting under me and eager to slow down. Any
rein pressure or seat signal is taken as a stop sign more than a "get
ready" signal!
I realize that to get some collection I need to get her in front of my
leg, but I just can't seem to get enough energy out of her at the
canter. A crop doesn't help (too much imprinting as a foal? she
couldn't care less if you crack her with one). We are just getting
started with this, and I'm sure it isn't a soundness issue. She is a
bit opinionated and I just think she's not crazy about putting that
much energy into this.
No problem with other gaits. In fact, she will almost piaffe at the
trot! Am I just expecting too much at this stage? I don't want to rush
her, but I feel like we should be making some progress.
She was ridden consistently five days a week for an hour or two at a
time starting last March until the heat of the summer, probably early
July, then again starting mid August through now. Most of this was
just goofing around, and a little conditioning. Not too serious
training. I mostly ride on trails, but will use pasture for training
like this, i.e. circles and lungeing, and such. Canter work has just
started in the past couple of weeks.
Any thoughts or suggestions on getting a little more energy to the
half-halts?
Thanks!
Erika

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Bareback pad-can it not "fit"?
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Training & Conditioning Horses: Tack and Training: Types of Saddles and Fitting: Bareback pad-can it not "fit"?
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Patricia Fritz on Monday, Nov 26, 2007 - 10:31 am:
This is a ridiculous sounding question, but I ride my Peruvian Paso
mare only with a bareback pad any more, yet I still get a dry spot on
her spine where I sit. My understanding is that a dry spot indicates
pressure and possibly an area that could become sore. What do you do
when your butt doesn't fit your horse?
I started out with various saddles on her and did have fitting issues
due to her shoulder movement and elevated spine. One thing led to
another and now I love my bareback pad and am no longer comfortable
with a saddle and stirrups. We do a lot of trail riding and she is a
heavy sweater. I love the bareback pad but I am concerned about the
dry spot. She doesn't seem sore when I palpate the area and there is
no change in hair color. Should I just ignore this, get a butt
fitting, or what?

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DMSO as colic treatment
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Treatments and Medications for Horses: Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx): DMSO : DMSO as colic treatment
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Sandra Ross on Monday, Nov 26, 2007 - 4:02 pm:
One of the horses at the boarding barn where my horse lives was
recently at a vet clinic being treated for impaction colic. As part of
his treatment, IV DMSO was administered. Upon his return, the entire
barn reeked from the smell! I just read the article on DMSO but did
not see anything that would explain the use of DMSO for impaction
colic.
Why would DMSO be used to treat colic?
Has anyone else here used DMSO for colic treatment?

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IV Oxytetracycline- administering
---------------------------------------------------------
HorseAdvice.com: Treatments and Medications for Horses: Antibiotics and Antimicrobials: Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline, & Doxycycline: IV Oxytetracycline- administering
---------------------------------------------------------
Posted by TOD on Monday, Nov 26, 2007 - 10:41 pm:
Hi Dr.O,
my gelding's going into his 9th day of IV OxyTet for his Lyme
treatment.
Everything has been going very smoothly, but after reading the article
on Tetracyclines I was curious.
I thought the reason we were using IV Oxytet was because oral Doxy was
NOT well absorbed by horses, and there fore was not as effective at
"clearing" the Borrelia infection, so I was wondering if this was
different in the case of Lyme disease?
Secondly, I've been taking any where between 3-5 minutes to administer
35cc's of OxyTet, after first flushing with Heparin, followed by a
second Heparin flush after the OxyTet, so now I'm wondering how fast
is too fast when pushing the Oxytet thru the line, and next, I see
that Heparin Sodium is Contraindicated??
Obviously I'm sure my Vet is very aware of these concerns, but I was
wondering just how important these issues are, since they were not
overtly explained at the beginning of treatment. Did I explain this
well??
Just want to really understand as well as I can, since I am
administering these potent drugs right to his jugular (:
Thank you !
TOD

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Quick-release trailer ties
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HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Horse Trailers, Trucks, & Trailering Horses: Traveling With Horses: Quick-release trailer ties
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Posted by Jerre R on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 12:39 am:
Question: should the quick-release be on the horse or the trailer?
I've heard that having the quick-release end on the trailer gives you
the option of release a little bit farther from the horse and also
leaves a lead on the horse.
Thanks,
Jerre

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Care Tips
By visiting our Care Tips section you might learn how to throw away that manure fork and replace it with a hammock! Maybe not, but if you post a great and original tip you can have time added to your membership and we will pick up the tab and that is almost as good.
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/667.html

Training Tips
Members, horses not cleaning their own stalls yet? Better yet a little training tip that has made your horses behavior or your riding much improved? Best training tips get published in the newsletter and if your tip is posted you get 3 months added to your membership and we pick up the tab.
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/7/668.html

Product Reviews
Have you found a great product you can no longer do without or how about a stinker that you want to warn other members about? We will publish the best organized reviews in the Newsletter and if yours is published we will add 3 months to your membership.
http://www.horseadvice.com/cgi-bin/advisor/board-auth.cgi?file=/10/5544.html

Posted on Friday, Nov 23, 2007 - 9:20 am:

This newsletter offers a way to keep up with the horse information added to Horseadvice.com without overwhelming your email box. Posted every day or two this newsletter will highlight the new topics and discussions added to the main sections of Horseadvice.com. Note that replies to discussions, and some member's only posting areas are not displayed here. For a complete listing of topics and discussions please visit us at Horseadvice.com.

Article Update: Fat or Obesity in Horses
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HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding: Fat or Obese Horse Nutrition: Article Update: Fat or Obesity in Horses
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Posted by Gail Anderson on Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 - 2:00 pm:
Overly fat or obese horses have become the number one nutritional problem in horses kept in affluent societies and continues to grow toward the overall number one health problem of horse owners. We define obesity not by any particular weight of a horse but by body condition score which is a rough measure of how much fat the horses is carrying. Horses are healthiest when they are carrying a Henneke body condition score of between a 5 and a 6. This will vary a bit depending of the type work a horse does ...more on body condition scoring.
Horses tend to eat the amount of feed needed to meet its energy needs but also has some amount of chewing time requirements and fullness feeling requirements that control their desire to feed. There are several reasons horses under modern management regimens may become obese:If the feed is very palatable or has high energy density horses easily eat more than required to meet their energy needs. The amount of exercise low so caloric needs are low. The horses metabolism is unusually energy conserving. Though this is related to exercise it is also a factor unto itself with a almost 300% range in energy requirements in similar horses.Even mature (stemmy) cultivated pasture and hays represent much better than average that occurs naturally and simply restricting access to pasture may not be enough. With restricted access to forages horses speed up their rate of consumption and can consume a whole days forage in as little as 6 hours as opposed to the more leisurely 16 hours when offered free choice.
If a horse chronically takes in more energy than he expends, weight gain occurs and if it continues the horse becomes obese with a body condition score greater than a 7. There are serious medical and psychological effects from chronic excessive feeding. This article discusses the causes and health consequences of obesity and how to go about correcting it while keeping your horse happy. To access the aticle click on » Fat or Obese Horse Nutrition » off the navigation frame above. DrO

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De-rotation 3 final outcome video
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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Lameness: Diseases of the Hoof: Founder & Laminitis: Rehabilitation and Derotation of Foundered Horses: De-rotation 3 final outcome video
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Posted by Diane E. on Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 - 8:08 pm:
I wanted to share what I thought was going to be an impossible feat. My horse walking on gravel and pavement barefoot sound!!! The gravel is huge stone in our driveway.
The final outcome is not what I expected, but thanks to Dr.O., you wonderful HA members who supported us with good advice and of course my vet and farrier.
I had a duh moment and forgot to switch my camera to the memory card...I had taken a video of him totting also....but not enough memory.
My next post will be of hopefully better x-rays in a few mos.
Hank says THANK YOU and have a Happy Thanksgiving! http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t90/scooter_098/?action=view&current=100_1804 .flv http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t90/scooter_098/?action=view&current=100_1803 .flv

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Gadgets vs. Broundwork
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HorseAdvice.com: Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses: Tack and Training: Questions on Training Aids: Gadgets vs. Broundwork
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Posted by Terri on Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 - 4:18 pm:
I need a little assistance in the art of gentle persuasion. Some time ago I free-leased my daughter’s large pony to a dear friend who lives nearby. She is an inexperienced horse person but an animal lover with a huge heart. I had hoped she would get some regular lessons for herself and send the pony for 60 days of training with a very good NH trainer that I know, but because of time restraints, she hasn’t done so. For a while my daughter worked with her showing her how to do some basic ground work and lunging, but she hasn’t been able to maintain any consistency because of her work scheduled (which I totally understand!)
This pony is about 11 or 12 and is a very crafty guy. When he was being used regularly he was an outstanding trail mount, but we never gave him a true, solid foundation of the basics and since Lauryn outgrew him several years ago, he’s been a tri-colored pasture ornament. He never had a good stop on him, but he could cover ground like a 16H TWH and we forgave him for what he didn’t do well. It was our fault for not teaching him what he needed to know.
Our friend who is free-leasing knew of his idiosyncracies and didn’t care…she’s very bold, no fear, but is still a green rider who hasn’t fully developed an independent seat. She recently bought a trailer and is READY TO RIDE. But of course, the pony (whose name is Pony), still has the same issues. A mutual friend of ours who rides and trains Saddlebreds went over to help my friend and Pony this weekend. She rigged him up in a German martingale and Kimberwick and off they went. She is now riding him this way and is happy that he stops.
I’ve let her know that she is jumping the gun and that he needs to get reacquainted with basics on the ground, and then under saddle. Can you all help me put this into a convincing argument for someone who is convinced she’s solved the problem? I really don’t want them to get hurt. And I love this horse and want to see him enjoy being ridden regularly…but under optimal circumstances. He has been ridden in a snaffle and a low-port curb in the past. We’ve never used any kind of tie-down. Am I too worried???

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING-- The Sky Angel Cowboy
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HorseAdvice.com: Member's Services members_only: The Lounge: Kick back and relax.: General Interest Stories and Discussions: HAPPY THANKSGIVING-- The Sky Angel Cowboy
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Posted by Tonya Bauer on Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 - 3:45 pm:
Dear DrO. and Friends...allies of the heart,
Paul and I thank, God, for each and every one of you!
www.sonnyradio.com/skyangel.html
Our Best, Paul and Tonya

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Hay dispensing machine.
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HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding: Fat or Obese Horse Nutrition: Hay dispensing machine.
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Posted by Mason on Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 - 12:10 pm:
Hi all, I have a horse that is a very easy keeper so I can't free feed him but feed twice a day. The problem is he eats his hay in about 2 hours then is all day without. Im looking into getting a machine called The Grazer to help slow down his eating. Its supposed to simulate grazing as you put the hay in it and it is spring loaded then as the horse eats off the top the spring keeps the hay pushed up. It will hold two flakes at a time. Anyone had any experience or know if these work? They aren't cheap selling for about $350.00. Thanks for any input, Thanks loads..Donna

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Horse kicked in mouth
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HorseAdvice.com: Diseases of Horses: Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings: Wounds / Burns: Wounds: First Aid Care: Horse kicked in mouth
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Posted by Sherred Williams on Thursday, Nov 22, 2007 - 5:02 pm:
My horse got kicked in the mouth 2 days ago. He has an inch and a half slice inside his mouth below his teeth in his lower right gum. As the swelling has gone down and the pain has subsided, I've been able to look at it more carefully and can now see what looks to be a fairly deep, open laceration. I was told not to worry unless there is swelling, drooling and inability to eat. So far, none of these signs have occured. My concern is that it looks as if the food he eats and the dust and dirt from the ground as he grazes are getting into the wound and I wonder if that will cause an infection? I assume it's way too late for stitches, but should he be on an antibiotic?

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Stone dust for paddock
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HorseAdvice.com: Horse Care: Hoof Care, Hoof Trimming, Shoeing Horses : Hoof Care Topics Not Covered Above: Stone dust for paddock
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Posted by Patricia Fritz on Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007 - 11:50 am:
I recently completed covering our outdoor paddock area with stone dust, and am very happy with the footing and no mud. However our farrier says stone dust is terrible to use in horse areas because the small particles work into the laminae of the hoof and cause abcess etc. We have five barefoot horses on it now and there doesn't seem to be a problem. I asked the local extension service about the best way to drain and cover this area, and they recommended stone dust. I also thought it was used a lot in arenas. Has anyone had problems with it, or more to the point, what is recommended instead? Some of my horses get ouchy on the larger gravel.

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Rearing filly/chains/ be nice halters...
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HorseAdvice.com: Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses: Behavioral Problems: The Rearing Horse: Rearing filly/chains/ be nice halters...
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Posted by Ann on Thursday, Nov 22, 2007 - 12:28 pm:
[PB170018_opt.jpg] This is my long yearling out of the above mare... I have started him from weanling age doing the Parelli 'games' with him. He understands how to disengage his hind end from the end of a 12 ft. rope by just a lean of my body, He understands that when I point he is to look in that direction and even at times will put his nose on the post or ? Last week when I took these photos, we had sent him thru a small course, the tarp , ground poles , barrels,, We got him to push the barrel with his nose again on the end of the 12ft. lead line.. I taught him to lead behind me at the end of the line not beside me and that he is not allowed to come up any closer unless asked.. He loves the games all this only at the walk as his knee growth plates are wide open still. I expect him to be as tall as mom or taller in the next two years.. The key here was to start his language early on as he like mom is growing quickly.. Have fun..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..

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Horsetography
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HorseAdvice.com: Inspiration, Art, Entertainment members_only: Images: Horsetography
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Posted by Ann on Thursday, Nov 22, 2007 - 1:23 pm:
[PB220018_opt.jpg] her blue eyes just glow on my computer
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..

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Care Tips
By visiting our Care Tips section you might learn how to throw away that manure fork and replace it with a hammock! Maybe not, but if you post a great and original tip you can have time added to your membership and we will pick up the tab and that is almost as good.
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/667.html

Training Tips
Members, horses not cleaning their own stalls yet? Better yet a little training tip that has made your horses behavior or your riding much improved? Best training tips get published in the newsletter and if your tip is posted you get 3 months added to your membership and we pick up the tab.
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/7/668.html

Product Reviews
Have you found a great product you can no longer do without or how about a stinker that you want to warn other members about? We will publish the best organized reviews in the Newsletter and if yours is published we will add 3 months to your membership.
http://www.horseadvice.com/cgi-bin/advisor/board-auth.cgi?file=/10/5544.html