THE LATEST ON GASTRIC ULCERS

Whilst most people are aware these days that at least 90% of racehorses suffer from ulcers, they are not so aware when it comes to horses within other equestrian spheres of activity. The presence of an ulcer is far more common than owners realise.

Vets in Amercia, as is so often the case, seem to be far more advanced than in the UK and have been busy bringing ulcers to the attention of the general horse owner. This is because their research has shown that the incidence of occurences appears to have risen in recent years amongst horses which do not necessarily lead particularly stressful lives.

The reason for this is obviously the improved equipment available to vets enabling better , quicker and easier detection of ulcers, but also because so many horses are fed diets which are so far removed from their natural foraging instincts. 

Tests on 15 show horses that were not performing to their best or just seemed to be a bit "off" or did not gain weight despite a healthy appetite or showed evidence of teeth grinding, dull coat, etc.  despite daily turn-out, were scoped.

The results showed that 8 horses had an ulcer.  Whilst this does appear to be a huge figure, it is actually just over half, so that in itself is food for thought.

Amercian vets are also developing a much easier way of ulcer diagnosis without the need for an endoscopy. It would seem that by analysing a urine sample for the presence of sucrose.  Sucrose molecules are not normally present in a horse's urine or blood as they are too large to pass through the stomach lining and are broken down as soon as they hit the small intestine.

If the stomach lining is damaged due to ulceration then the sucrose molecules can "escape"; they are then filtered out of the bloodsteream by the kidneys in the normal way as any waste material and so end up in the urine.

Let's hope British vets catch up as this is a much simper way and of course non-invasive way of detecting ulcers - and without the need for sedation either.

RAGWORT POISONING

Dr. Derek Knottenbolt and his team at Liverpool University are confident that the blood test for ragwort poisoning they are currently developing will be routinely available by the end of 2004.  The test will hopefully save lives - 6,500 horses died last year - and whilst it is sadly accepted that some will continue to die, a good many will have the chance of being saved as owners will be able to have their horse tested if they suspect ragwort is being or has been ingested long before irrepairable damage is caused; it will be very reassuring to know that a horse can be helped if it has had access to ragwort despite the best efforts of its owners to ensure against this - e.g. in hayAs usual with all research projects, it has been lack of funding which has delayed progress (at one point earlier this year it was thought that the project would be halted for a while) and so financial assistance is still required to keep progress in the right direction.

Meanwhile, despite the introduction of the Ragwort Control Bill, owners will still have to remain diligent and keep grassland ragwort free -  if you have not already got one invest in a "Ragfork" which is specially designed to dig out the toughest of clumps! 

It must be remembered that whilst poisonous to horses, ragwork is the staple diet of many of the country's native insects, etc. Thus in no way can it be completely eradicated without ecological implications and, being fair, we should not expect this as, after all, it is up to us to protect our horses.  However the bill will at least make landowners more accountable for ragwort clearance where it can be proven to be a hazard to equines.



CRIBBING


The latest reseach results have revealed that some horses may crib because of the build up of acids in the stomach; the action of cribbing produces saliva which then neutralises the acids in the stomach.

Whilst there are those individuals who crib because of boredom, poor environment, etc. (and obviously these factors should be addressed as a matter of urgency) and there also may be those that inherit the trait as there is evidence of very young foals cribbing, the acid build-up notion is indeed a very valid one and one which we support.

We have a horse that has cribbed for as long as we have owned it (an racehorse rehab case); not happy to fit a collar but not happy either to let the horse crib because of the health implications, we lowered his stable door height and fitted a chain at standard door height (to keep him in!).  The horse was not able to crib on the chain so we have successfully put an end to this behaviour when stabled (he will sometimes crib when out at grass which puts paid to the boredom theory in his case).  Mindful that the horse could stress because he could not crib we watched him very closely for signs of negative behaviour etc. Having successfully stopped the horse from cribbing, the immediately noticeable result of this was that he began to drink more water.  This supports the acid theory.  The horse has not displayed any other adverse behavioural signs and at 21 years of age is as fit and happy as he has ever been.

There is now a new product on the market from FEEDMARK called  SETTELEX  which is an antacid; given as a feed supplement it neutralises stomach acidity. so if your horse cribs or windsucks we recommend that you try it as these "vices" are detrimental to health and well-being but yet there may be a valid reason for it.

Please contact FEEDMARK on 0800 585525 (next day free delivery).  The product is also available from retail outlets.


LAMINITIS

Be mindful that, although laminitis is associated with the spring and summer, it can still strike anytime really as it not just a disease which affects fat little ponies with access to too much lush grass -  stabled horses can also be affected; also some horses/ponies can be affected by the addition of certain feeds to their diet.

Most feed companies have telephone helplines which you can call for advice and information about suitable products for the laminitic prone so if you have any doubts, it is best to make contact. 

Also the Laminitis Trust has set up telephone helpline so that worried owners can ring for advice. The number is 0905 105 105 1.

The helpline operates Monday – Friday between 10.00am and 4.00pm and is manned by a veterinary expert who can discuss laminitis related problems. Calls cost a £1.00 per minute with money such raised being directed to much needed further research.

Robert Eustace, the Director of the Trust, has set up a website – www.laminitis.org - which also has valuable information relating to Cushings Disease.

Whether or not you have owned a horse or pony which has suffered from either of these "ailments" or worse, lost one (sadly I am amongst those that have) the website makes important reading. You can go there right now by clicking here

The Animal Health Trust has announced that a thoery which w researched years ago but not proven, has been reveiwes and very compellin evidence ound as to the cause of this killer disease.  It seems that grass sickness is indeed linked to the toxin botulinium. 

Tests have shown that animals injected with a serum derived from infexted horses actually developed resistance to the disease, thus the serum obviously contained some form of anti-toxin. 

Results from post mortem examinations have established that infected horses had a much higher amount of the toxin in their intestines than that of a healthy horse. 

It is now hoped that a vaccine can be developed against the botulinium toxin as soon as possible.

Let us pray that this indeed will be the case and finally we can do something to protect our horses from this deadly disease.  As one who has lost a horse through grass sickness and follows the progress of research very avidly, I am delighted that there finally looks as if there might be some light at the end of the tunnel.  Rowena