The topics in this archive are:

Sedation - Horses and Water - Overweight Horses - West Nile Virus

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SEDATION

Many minor treatments can be carried out without a horse having to be fully anaesthetised, it can be r sedated.  The amount of sedative given will depend upon what treatment is being carried out - just how still does the horse need to be (eg foot xrays cannot be taken if the horse keeps pulling its foot off the block) - and the general temperament and disposition of the horse in question.

Depending upon the amount of sedative given you may have to assist your horse to remain on its feet in that they sometimes get a bit wobbly, put their feet a bit close together and so can't balance properly. 

Once treatment has ben effected the horse must be given time to "come round"; how much time obviously depends on the amount of sedation and how each horse reacts; usually its amount 20-30 minutes before a horse is capable of travelling safely although its usually longer before their alertness returns.  Whilst a horse is still dosey, do not offer food as it may not be chewed properly - you don't want your horse to choke.  Sweating (to varying degrees) is a common reaction but this should soon stop as the sedative wears off. 

If your horse has been sedated, after a few hours he should be back to normal so make sure that he is eating ok and has staled;  if there is evidence of continued sweating or he does not seem to be back to his normal self, speak to your vet immediately.

HORSES AND WATER

Where injuries are concerned the use of water as a treatment is known as HYDROTHERAPY, the most commonly known methods being hosing and water walks, but also there are treadmills in water pools, swimming pools of course, and now even jacuzzis!

Once the preserve of racehorses, swimming is becoming increasing popular amongst other equine quarters and consequently it is now not so difficult to find an equine pool.  Veterinary surgeons are increasingly open-minded to the use of alternative therapies that were once perhaps considered to be eccentric whims of eccentric owners!.

Swimming is extremely therapeutic and most horses absolutely love it so it should not be viewed just as something for horses recovering from injury, although this is still the primary reason behind swimming a horse.  Sadly it is the cost that is the prohibitive factor as to why more horses do not get the opportunity to swim.

Because water provides bouyancy, therefore reducing gravitational forces thus providing effective weightlessness, a horse which would normally have to endure complete box rest can undergo some exercise without putting any weight on his injured area.  And as some exercise is taking place, consequently aiding the circulation, improving/increasing muscle tone and working the cardio-vascualr system, recovery is normally speeded up provided the whole exercise is carried out to a planned programme.  The depth of water used is of great importance - the deeper the water the greater the bouyancy factor; this is because any object in water is subjected to what is known as hydrostatic pressure - an "upward force".  There are very few objects that cannot float in deep water, but a considerable number would sink in the garden pond! 

Swimming is benefitial for a wide range of negative conditions such as tendon and joint injuries, back problems, pulled muscles, strains, wounds and viral complaints as well as being an effective guard against stiffness and fillings/swellings after say, a vigorous 3DE.

Be mindful though about suddenly rushing off to the nearest pool as a quick cure all.  Always take professional advice first and consult your veterinary surgeon unless going swimming purely for fun!  For example, if your horse has a suspected back problem, (in which case consult your chiropractor too) so as to prevent unnecessary extra damage or causing additional discomfort before deciding to use hydrotherapy as a treatment.  This is because when a horse swims he does so with his back and quarters completely in line i.e. he is horizontal; if there is back pain the horse will drop its quarters.  Swimming may therefore highlight that a back problem is in existence before you were actually aware of it through riding.

The temperature of the water also plays a part depending on the reasoning behind the swim in the first place.  Warmer water is used for therapeutic treatments whereas cooler water is used when swimming for purely exercise.

Increasingly equine pools also have jacuzzi jets to provide extra massage.  Some water walks and water treadmills also have such jets which can be applied speficially to, for example,  the shoulders or tendons.  Water walks are increasingly popular in trainig yards as they are not so costly but can still provide a very effective treatment as both the depth and temperature of the water can be regulated.

We regularly take horses to the beach to work in the water; this might just be walking in deeper water or trotting and cantering in shallower water.  Water has what are known as cohesive properties i.e it provides a resistance - try walking through increasingly deepening water for yourself and feel how is makes your muscles work - so "water work" is marvellous for conditioning and strengthening the limbs and their associated workings.  Because it is much harder for a horse to move through water, do not overdo any working session. Remember working in water carrying a rider is not like a horse being fully supported and weightless in a pool!

Care should be taken though regarding riding on the sand itself.  At the water's end the sand is surprisingly compacted and actually very hard so causes jarring and concussion same as with trotting too fast on the road; higher up the beach obviously the softer sand can give false and uneven ground which can cause tendon injuries.

Before going to a beach, check with the coastguard regarding the tides and regarding permission to ride there in the first place as it may be prohibited or time-restricted.

Beach riding is great fun and we can recommend it - provided of course you can keep control of your horse whether out of the water or in it; you can soon find yourselves literally in deep water - we had a horse that decided to try and swim back to his homeland - mainland FRANCE!!

OVERWEIGHT HORSES

With the showing seasonwell under way, now is a very opportune time to give a timely reminder about the dangers of producing show stock that look ready for a livestock market.

You may well laugh at this comment, but it is oh so true.  Too many owners are letting their horses pile on the pounds and it is not good for their health.  Admittedly this trend has been accepted by judges who should know better, but let's face it, there is so much controversy over judging at the best of times so if owners make a stand, then the judges will have to sit up and listen.

Apart from thestresses and strains carrying too much weight puts on the body in general -heart,limbs/joints, lungs - there is an even greater ever present danger - LAMINITIS.

Robert Eustace (the Laminitis Trust) has been busy (with the full support of the ILPH) promoting this danger.  Of course the "overweight" trend is an even greater danger to native ponies who, by their very evolutionary makeup, are used to surviving with a reduced food intake.  Unfortunately there is the trend amongst owners that weight = rounded outline; this is merely a literal cover-up to hide conformational weaknesses and lack of muscle tone through a lack of proper work and schooling.  Fat is not substitute for muscle!

As a consequence of the increased number of laminitis cases cropping up (70% of the Dodson and Horrell helpline calls are related to laminitis) - not just the typical scenario of small pony on too much spring grass - Mr. Eustace is very concerned and wants obesity to be declared a recognised welfare issue.

Make sure you are not putting your horse and pony at risk by overfeeding him. As an immediate check - if you can't feel the ribs then your horse/pony is at very high risk of contracting laminitis. Then look at the crest, the quarters in the tail region and along the spine; fat in these areas also puts your horse in a higher risk category.

NB: Some of the additional health problems that can be a result of a horse carrying a signifcant amount of extra weight - fat - are:

Diabetes mellitus, Peeripheral Cushing's Disease, Insulin resistance, ineffective body cooling mechanism, organ disfunction because of the fat built up around them.

WEST NILE VIRUS

West Nile Virus is continuing to spread across North American and is now affecting parts of Canada.

It is a deadly viral disease, killing approx 30% of its victims, affecting birds and people as well as horses, but whilst it is spreading, measures have been so speedily taken with over 3M horses having been vaccinated that the effects have not been as devastating as otherwise could have been the case.

It is accepted that the virus will now not ever be eradicated from the States just as with equine encephalitis but it can be controlled provided everyone is prepared to be vigilant and take appropriate measures.

As with all viral infections, it is the old, young and those with weakened immune systems which are most at risk. It being an encephalitis i.e. brain and spinal cord inflammation, symptoms of WNV can vary considerably between horses but general symptoms are similar to those experienced by grass sickness suffers over here – drooling, muscle tremors, depression, difficulty swallowing etc. Vaccination at present appears to be protecting those horses that have been jabbed, those succumbing being those who have not had a vaccination or are between their does i.e. not yet having received the full dosage (as with tetanus/flu over here). But because vets do not yet know enough about WNV they are recommending that owners ensure their horses receive boosters as often as 3 – 4 months in hard hit areas. Such areas are those which have mosquitoes all year round, unlike the states that have lots of frost and snow. Scientists are continuing with their research as they know that relying on the vaccine in its present format will not provide long term protection as any disease gradually becomes resistant.

The virus is spread by a single mosquito bite so owners in America are being urged to keep their horses well vaccinated and also do all they can to reduce the number of mosquitoes by eliminating breeding zones by pumping away any stagnant water pools and filling in the resultant hollow as well as any areas that retain water after rain, ensuring that rain water does not collect in puddles from defective guttering etc. but again, readily drains away, plus making sure that ditches can drain properly and that all undergrowth is kept well mown along ditch sides; other measures include regularly changing water in troughs and buckets, installing fans in stables and barns to keep the air circulating and ensuring that no water can collect anywhere – even in a child's toy in the garden. With diligence the virus can be kept under control and at least there is a vaccine for horses – there is not yet one for people.

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