Equine Nutrition Seminar – May 10, 2013

May 2, 2013 in Educational Programs, Events, Uncategorized

Blue Seal Feed and Kay’s Feed & Supplies are hosting an Equine Nutrition Seminar Friday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m. in Laurel, DE. The seminar includes dinner and will feature the following topics and guest speakers:

“Selecting the Right Feed Type for Your Horse” – Dr. Nettie Liburt, Equine Specialist with Kent Nutrition/Blue Seal

“Ulcers in Horses” – Dr. Carissa Wickens, Assistant Professor and Equine Extension Specialist, University of Delaware

There will be time for questions and answers and the chance to win door prizes during the evening program.

Location:

Laurel Church of Christ in the Family Life Center,1010 S. Central Ave. (alternate 13), Laurel, DE.

Registration:

This seminar is free to attend, but you must call ahead to reserve your seat. The deadline for reservations is Monday, May 6. To make a reservation, please call 302-875-5293.

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Pasture Associated Laminitis: Be Aware of the Risks in Spring

April 26, 2013 in Advice and Tips, Uncategorized

Introduction: What is laminitis?

Laminitis is an important health concern, especially during spring months when horses are given access to or are turned out on pasture. Laminitis is an inflammation of the laminae in the hooves, which is the tissue connecting the coffin bone with the hoof wall. When the laminae become inflamed, depending on the severity of the case, the coffin bone can rotate downwards. Complete downward rotation of the coffin bone is known as “founder.” Even if the case of laminitis is not so severe as to cause the rotation of the coffin bone, it may lead to lameness and other hoof health issues.

Pasture associated laminitis can be prevented by implementing pasture management strategies and the condition, if caught early, is somewhat treatable. Unfortunately once a horse has had severe inflammation of the laminae, the damage is never completely reversed and that horse will be more likely to develop the disease in the future.

Laminitis

Figure 1. Source: http://www.thehorse.com/images/content/hoof_anatomy.html

What causes pasture associated laminitis?

When horses consume excessive amounts of sugars, fructan and starch, they pass though the small intestine (where they are normally digested with the help of enzymes) and spill over into the hindgut where they are rapidly fermented. Horses do not posses enzymes capable of breaking down fructans so they pass through to the hindgut where they are rapidly fermented. Rapid fermentation in the hindgut results in the proliferation of lactic acid producing amylolytic and saccharolytic bacteria.  This may result in reduced hindgut pH, which in addition to hindgut acidosis, may lead to a cascade of events culminating in compromised blood flow (and thereby reduced nutrient supply) to the foot resulting in laminitis.

Laminitis is also associated with insulin resistance in equines, whereby the uptake of circulating glucose by tissue cells normally potentiated via insulin is reduced, leading to impoverished glucose supply to cells (or its metabolism within them), including those of the foot.  Insulin resistance is often seen in very fat horses and ponies, and may be exacerbated by high intakes of sugars and or starch.  While research has shown both digestive and metabolic forms of laminitis, the exact nutritional and physiological mechanisms are not completely understood. In either case, there is a clear link between the high levels of sugars in spring grasses and the resulting laminitis.

Management Solutions

The following are a few management tips that may help reduce the risk of pasture laminitis in horses.

  1. When the time comes to reintroduce horses to pasture in the spring, do so gradually. By turning a horse out for small increments of time (15-30 minutes at first) and gradually working them up to full day turn out, they will be able to acclimate to the change in nutrients and will be less likely to experience grass founder.
  2. If a horse is pre-disposed to laminitis (from previous occurrences or equine metabolic disease), then it may be a good idea to turn them out in the early morning or at night, especially during the spring months. One study found that sugar content is highest in the grass in the early evening and that it decreases to its lowest point in the early morning. This pattern was most prominent in April when compared to data from other months.3
  3. Be sure to graze grass that is at an appropriate height. Overgrazing can result in horses eating the re-growth of the pasture. The new growth of grass usually has higher sugar content. On the other hand, if the grass stand in a pasture is overgrown or too mature, a horse may consume seed heads, which can also have high sugar levels.
  4. Graze a horse with a muzzle on in order to reduce the amount of grass it is able to eat while allowing for exercise.

If a horse is pre-disposed to laminitis, for instance due to genetics (breed) or obesity, there are further steps that may need to be taken in order to reduce the possibility that the horse will experience laminitis. A webinar by Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, available through My Horse University, has several tips on managing a horse that may be more likely to develop laminitis.3

Conclusions

Pasture associated laminitis can be a serious problem and it is more commonly seen when pastures are lush and horses are transitioning back to grazing pasture after being inside or housed in a sacrifice lot and maintained primarily on hay. Some horses are especially sensitive to the sugar levels in lush pastures while others may not have a problem making the transition. By being aware of the management techniques that help prevent laminitis, horse owners can take the steps necessary to help avoid the disease.

 

Article prepared by: Sarah Thorne, Pre-veterinary and Animal Biosciences Honors Student, Susan Garey, Animal Science Agent, and Carissa Wickens, Assistant Professor and Equine Extension Specialist, University of Delaware

Article reviewed by: Bridgett McIntosh, Assistant Professor and Horse Extension Specialist, University of Tennessee

References and Further Reading

  1. Wickens, Carissa and Stephanie Fraze. Equine Laminitis. September 2011. Accessed 12 April 2013: http://extension.udel.edu/equine/files/2010/07/EquineLaminitisFactSheet.pdf
  2. Valberg, Stephanie, Peterson, Paul and Krishona Martinson. Founder and Spring Pastures. Accessed 12 April 2013: http://www.extension.umn.edu/forages/pdfs/Founder_and_spring_pastures.pdf
  3. The Role of Nutrition in Horse Colic and Lameness. October 2011.  Accessed 12 April, 2013: http://www.extension.org/pages/12213/the-role-of-nutrition-in-horse-colic-and-laminitis
  4. My Horse University. (21 April 2009). Countermeasure for Equine Laminitis [Webinar]. Accessed 11 April 2013: http://www.myhorseuniversity.com/resources/webcasts/equine_laminitis_april09
  5. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation RIRDC Newsletter. Pasture fructan concentration as a cause of equine laminitis. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.  December 2004. 24 (12): 542.
  6. Normal and Chronically Foundered Hoof Anatomy. Accessed 10 April 2013 : http://www.thehorse.com/images/content/hoof_anatomy.html

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International Society for Equitation Science Conference – July 18-20, 2013

April 26, 2013 in Educational Programs, Events, Uncategorized

ISES2013

The International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) announces the 9th annual conference with the theme of “Embracing Science to Enhance Equine Welfare and Horse-Human Interactions” to be hosted by the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania on the 18th – 20th July, 2013.

This premier event will gather together over 200 equine scientists, veterinarians, applied ethologists, advanced practitioners (horse-trainers, instructors & riders), advanced students pursuing equine science degrees and influential stakeholders in the equine industry to present and discuss research related to the field of equitation science. It will focus on ways of improving horse training as well as encouraging the development of science-based criteria to measure the welfare of the horse in its interactions with humans.

Dr Carissa Wickens (Co-chair of the Local Conference Organizing Committee) states “It has been a tremendous honor to organise the 9th International Society for Equitation Science Conference in collaboration with Dr. Camie Heleski (Michigan State University),Dr. Sue McDonnell (UPenn, New Bolton Center), Angelo Telatin (Delaware Valley College), Dr. Sarah Ralston (Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey), and Dr. Amy McLean (North Carolina State University). I am extremely excited to be hosting the conference at the University of Delaware.  

Keynote speakers for the 9th International Society for Equitation Science Conference include:

  • Dr. Hilary Clayton (Michigan State Universitiy, College of Veterinary Medicine, McPhail Equine Performance Center) - Research on the Rider-Saddle-Horse Interface
  • Dr. Jan Ladewig (Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen) – What about the other 23 hours?: How does what we do during the other hours when we are not training impact behavior and welfare?
  • Dr. Andrew McLean (Australian Equine Behaviour Centre) & Dr. Paul McGreevy  (Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney)- Arousal, affective state and attachment

For additional information including conference registration, please visit the following link.

http://www.equitationscience.com/upcoming

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Twenty-Five Teams Test Equine Knowledge at Delaware 4-H Horse Bowl

March 26, 2013 in Events, Youth Corner

Eighty Delaware 4-H members representing 25 teams competed recently in the State 4-H Horse Bowl Competition held at Lake Forest North Elementary in Felton, Delaware.  The Horse Bowl event is a knowledge- based, quiz bowl competition.  The Delaware 4-H Horse Advisory Committee, a group composed of 4-H volunteers from all three Delaware counties that are dedicated to providing quality 4-H horse programs to members, sponsors this annual event. Members compete on teams of up to four individuals and teams are divided into brackets based on age.  4-H volunteer adult leaders coach young people to prepare them in the months leading up to the competition.  Thirty-eight Delaware 4-H volunteers assisted with the Horse Bowl event.

The top three teams in each age division were:

Beginner (8-10 year olds)

1st Place- New Horizons- Kent County

            Team Members: Jenna Davis, Jazz Peterson, Rylee Ridgely

            Coach: Jennifer Ridgely

2nd Place- Bridgeville Mustangs- Sussex County

             Team Members:  Jenna Anger, Gerald Carroll III, Tanner LeCates, Paige Taylor

             Coach:  Melissa Layton

3rd Place- East Coast 4-H Mini Stars- Sussex County

             Team Members: Derek Jones, Sundene Lodge, Ruby Phillips, Layne Smith

             Coaches: Jodie Gravenor, Heather Smith

 

Junior (11-13 year olds)

1st Place- Holler-N-Hooves 4-H Club- Kent County

            Team Members: Rebekah Baughman, Blaine Doel, Katie Messick, Jenna Rischitelli

            Coach: Rosemary Baughman

2nd Place- New Horizons 4-H Club- Kent County

             Team Members: Kelly Howe, Peyton Ridgely, Ryan Wheatley

             Coach: Jennifer Ridgely

3rd Place- Holler-N-Hooves4-H Club- Kent County

             Team Members: Sierra Kane, Claudia Little, Richard Sheppard III, Maggie Vrem

             Coach: Rosemary Baughman

 

Senior (14-19 year olds)

1st Place- Buckin Beauties- Sussex County

           Team Members: Jackie Arpie, Mikayla Ockels, Whitney Records

           Coach: Cindy Ockels

2nd Place- Horse Sense-Kent County

           Team Members: Carissa Lilly, Molly Johnson

           Coach: Cara Lilly

3rd Place- Holler-N-Hooves 4-H Club- Kent County

            Team Members: Sara Deason, Christie Little, Hayley Reynolds, Hannah Ziccarelli

            Coaches: Sharon Little, Rosemary Baughman

4-H is a community of young people across Delaware learning leadership, citizenship and lifeskills.  Join the Revolution of Responsibility!  For more information on becoming a 4-H member or volunteer in Delaware please contact your county extension office:

New Castle County: (302)831-8965

Kent County: (302)730-4000

Sussex County: (302)856-7303

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Equine Herpes Virus (EHV): What do you need to know?

March 23, 2013 in Advice and Tips

Background Information

EHV stands for Equine Herpes Virus and encompasses different strains of the virus. Three strains that are of concern to a horse owner are EHV-1, EHV-3, and EHV-4.  EHV-3 is less common and causes a disease that affects the external genitalia. EHV-4 is associated with a non-fatal upper respiratory disease in foals. EHV-1 is the most concerning strain to horse owners as it can manifest in a few ways: abortion in pregnant mares, respiratory infection, neonatal death, and/or neurological symptoms. EHV-1 does not always lead to neurological symptoms, but infection with certain strains of EHV-1 may result in neurological disease. The neurological disease associated with EHV-1 is called Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

EHV-1 is a fairly common occurrence and many horses have been exposed to it by the time they are 2 years old1. Once a horse has become exposed to EHV-1, it becomes a carrier for life and the virus is latent within the horse’s body. While the virus is latent, the horse will not show any symptoms. At times of stress, the virus can become reactivated and the horse can shed the virus, therefore infecting other horses.

Symptoms of EHV-1 are usually nonspecific and may include a fever of greater than 102 ̊F, coughing, and nasal discharge2. In young foals, EHV-1 can cause weakness, jaundice, and/or respiratory distress3. If EHM develops, neurological symptoms will become apparent. These symptoms include hind-end weakness, incoordination of the limbs (usually rear), and lethargy3. The horse may also have difficulty urinating and defecating or the horse may be observed dribbling urine. In severe cases, the horse may become recumbent and unable to rise.

How does EHV-1 spread?

The most common way that EHV-1 spreads among horses is through direct contact. EHV-1 can spread among horses through aerosolization when a horse coughs or snorts. It can also be spread among horses that are in contact with each other or the same environment. When disease particles can be spread by objects in the environment, the objects are called fomites. For example, shared tack or feed buckets can become fomites for EHV-1 because the disease particles will attach to these objects and may spread the disease to the animals that come in contact with the object(s). This is one reason EHV-1 outbreaks can be associated with horse shows or events. Other reasons for outbreaks of infectious disease at shows or events are stress and having a large number of horses from different regions and with varied immunological status commingled in one place. In a show setting, there are many opportunities for direct contact or aerosol transmission as well as transmission through fomites.

How is EHV-1 connected to EHM?

EHM occurs when a horse is infected with a mutant or neuropathogenic strain of EHV-11. Through research it has been discovered that an EHV-1 strain that has a change in a certain amino acid in the genetic code of the virus leads to EHM. This change in amino acids seems to allow the virus to better infect the cells lining the blood vessels, which could lead to a problem with the blood supply to the central nervous system. A decreased blood supply to the central nervous system may lead to the development of neurological symptoms 6. Additionally, horses which harbor the virus from an exposure earlier in life can suffer from EHM if the latent form of the virus emerges from the latent stage and becomes an active infection.

How can you help protect your horse from contracting EHV-1?

Keeping up to date on vaccines and consulting with your veterinarian on a vaccination protocol will help keep your horse healthy. The current vaccine for Rhinopneumonitis is recommended for preventing EHV-1 and EHV-4, however for EHV-1 this vaccine only protects against the abortion and respiratory forms. A  few studies have demonstrated that vaccinated horses have shown decreased shedding of the virus after exposure and decreased development of neurological symptoms7; however, there are other studies which show the converse. Further research is needed to determine whether there is significant association between vaccinating against Rhinopneumonitis and a reduction in EHM or spread of EHV-1.

Other actions that may help prevent your horse from contracting EHV-1 include refraining from sharing tack between horses, cleaning and disinfecting your horse trailer after horses other than your own have been transported in it, and isolating new horses from your herd for a minimum of 30 days4. Some additional prevention strategies include refraining from sharing water and feed buckets among horses, keeping horses vaccinated against other neurologic diseases, and following bio-security measures for ill horses (handle sick horses last, change clothing and wash hands after handling sick horses if you will handle other horses).

Be aware that EHM is not the only neurological disease that can affect horses. Tetanus, Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, and Cervical Stenosis (Wobbler’s Disease) can also lead to neurological disease4. By consulting with your veterinarian, you can determine which of these diseases are of concern in your area and decide which vaccinations your horse requires.

Article prepared by Sarah Thorne, Pre-veterinary and Animal Biosciences Honors Student and Carissa Wickens, Assistant Professor and Equine Extension Specialist, University of Delaware

Article reviewed and edited by Heather Hirst, DVM, State Veterinarian

Further Reading and References

  1. Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy: A Guide to Understanding the Neurologic Form of EHV Infection. USDA-APHIS. December 2008.
  2. Equine Herpes Virus. AAEP. http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Equine%20Herpes%20Virus.pdf.  2006. Accessed March 2013.
  3. EHV-1 General Information.UC Davis Center for Equine Health. http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh/ehv1_general.cfm .  Accessed March 2013.
  4. Rood, Kerry and Earl Rogers. Neurologic Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). Utah State University Cooperative Extension. April 2008.
  5. Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis). AAEP.  http://www.aaep.org/ehv.htm.  2012. Accessed March 2013.
  6. Pronost, S., R.F. Cook, G. Fortier, P.J. Timoney, U.B.R. Balasuriya. Relationship between equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy and viral genotype. Equine Veterinary Journal. 42, 8: 672-674. November 2010.
  7. Pusterla, Nicola, W.David Wilson, John E. Madigan, Gregory L. Ferraro. Equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy: A review of recent developments. The Veterinary Journal. 180, 3: 279-289. June 2009.

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