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Heartbeats and Hoofbeats Newsletter | |
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Greetings Sheena,
Winter is here!
We all dread those words... colder days, frozen ice troughs, extra spunky horses, having to wear multiple layers to the barn, then shedding those layers as you get hot, then putting them back on when you get cold again!
Whatever your plans are for the winter months, we hope you and your horse are enjoying the less busy time of the year as far as horse related events in New England. Kick up your heels and get cozy under a blanket and enjoy this issue of our newsletter.
In this issue, we are expanding on learning about horse Cushings testing in the winter months, keeping an eye on your horse's weight in winter, and making sure your horse is not too cold.
If you have any ideas for topics that you want us to cover, please email Sheena at: sheena@northbridgeequine.com
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Dr. Shen and Sheena visit San Diego for the AAEP Conference!
You may have seen already on our Facebook page, but Dr. Shen and Sheena flew out to sunny San Diego the week after Thanksgiving to attend the annual equine veterinary practitioners conference. Every year the AAEP hosts a multi-day learning conference where equine veterinarians and other equine professionals come together to share their knowledge and new therapies and treatments for their equine patients. Both Dr. Shen and Sheena were able to sit in on some good conversations about the state of equine veterinary practice around the country and learn ways to make our passion for our four-legged friends sustainable into the future.
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Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID aka "Cushings")
Cushings is a word that can strike fear into some owner's hearts but these days it is not nearly as troublesome as it once was. There are many ways to keep an eye on it and manage your horse accordingly.
ACTH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Overproduction is seen in horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), more commonly referred to as Cushing's disease. These horses tend to be over 15 years of age, overweight, exhibit a characteristically long, heavy, curly haircoat and excessive drinking and urinating. Less frequently horses can exhibit dramatic muscle loss, usually of the top line, and difficulty building muscle and gaining weight. Sometimes inability to heal infections or chronic hoof abscesses can indicate immunosuppression which is a side effect of high circulating levels of ACTH in the blood.
If you suspect your horse to be showing symptoms consistent with PPID, contact us to schedule a visit to have a physical exam done and bloodwork taken.
Fortunately, there is a highly effective medication available that can help manage symptoms. Treatment seldom achieves complete resolution or remission of disease, but dramatically improves the symptoms and quality of life. In addition, infertility in older broodmares may be temporarily overcome by treatment of confirmed PPID. Pergolide, specifically in the approved form of Prascend, is the drug of choice for treatment of PPID. Prascend, unlike its compounded variants, is considerably more stable and therefore more reliable. The dose can be adjusted based on response to therapy or repetitive testing.
Supportive care is also important for enhancement of the quality of life of horses with PPID. High quality preventative medicine such as regular deworming, dental care and consistent farrier work is critical. In the warm months, clipping of unnecessary hair will keep furry horses significantly more comfortable.
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Horses in History!
Gunrock
Gunrock (1914-1932) was/is the UC Davis Aggie official mascot. He was an American Thoroughbred that was donated by his owner August Belmont Jr. in 1921 to the U.S. Army Remount Service and was brought to the UC Davis campus, which was breeding horses for the Calvary at the time. Gunrock covered 476 mares during his breeding career. Some of his progeny also included successful racing mare Sugar Pie (1928). He also has descendants registered as Holsteiners and Irish Sport Horses.
In 1924, Gunrock became the official mascot of the men's basketball team and he accompanied the team to rallies and games. A few years later, a traditional mascot was created and named "Gunrock" by the students. In 1970, the mascot was replaced by "Ollie the Mustang" but was not as popular and didn't last long. In 2003, the school officially identified the mascot as a mustang with the name "Gunrock" chosen again by a vote of the student body.
Gunrock is related to Man O' War, whose dam was the daughter of Gunrock's sire, Rock Sand.
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When is it too cold to ride?
The answer is, of course, that it's different for every horse and rider but here are some useful guidelines:
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Adaptability of Horses: Horses are better equipped to handle temperature extremes than humans. Their circulation system in the lower legs prevents frostbite, and their respiratory system warms and hydrates subzero air before it reaches the lungs.
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Warm-Up and Cool-Down: In cold weather, spend double or triple the usual time warming up and cooling down. For instance, if your regular warm-up is 10 minutes, extend it to 20-30 minutes. Use a quarter sheet to keep your horse’s back and gluteal muscles warm during the ride.
- Hypothermia Risk: A sweaty horse in winter can be at risk of hypothermia due to a damp coat losing its insulating properties. Ensure your horse is dry and sweat-free before putting on blankets.
- Clipping Considerations: If your horse works regularly in winter, consider a trace clip or full body clip to help them dry faster after exercise. Adjust their blankets accordingly.
- Thirsty Horses: After riding, be aware that your horse may be very thirsty and want to drink immediately upon returning to their stall.
Remember, every horse is different and you can do your horse the eternal favor of getting to know what works best for them.
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The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and freedom. | | |
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Riding in winter:
Don't forget that riding is a partnership and you need to look out for human health and comfort too! Because riding relies heavily on the legs and seat, it is easy for extremities to get cold even while you are working hard. This is especially important to children's lesson programs. Many children never seem to get cold no matter how snowy and frigid it is, but please consider that tiny hands and feet can get cold very fast and the chill can predispose them to frostbite.
If you are the rider, remember the most important thing about horses and riding is that it should be fun! So if the idea riding with 20 layers isn't appealing, grab your skis or stay in with a good book after you make sure your horse has dry blankets, plenty of hay, and unfrozen water. If you decide to ride, bundle up, lengthen your warm up, consider a quarter sheet, and go for a hack. Try group rides to keep your motivation and spirits up or spend the winter downtime going back to basics to improve your own strength and equitation.
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Have more questions by something you read here? Call us at: 978-337-1260 or visit our website link to learn more about the services we offer! | | |
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The Terminology Trot
Have you ever read over a medical report by your veterinarian or even you own doctor and wondered what some medical terms meant?
Here we will share a veterinary term and give insight into how and why it is used. Let's dive in!
Body condition score - what does that mean, and why do vets use a number.
Instead of simply categorizing a horse as “skinny,” “average,” “overweight,” or “obese,” veterinarians use a numerical scale to evaluate how much fat covers a horse’s body. Here’s why:
- Complexity: Determining a horse’s weight appearance is more intricate than a simple label. Factors like muscle mass, build, and breed play a significant role. The BCS system accounts for these complexities.
- The BCS Scale: The BCS scale ranges from 1 to 9. Each grade level corresponds to specific characteristics related to fat distribution. Veterinarians assess six areas: neck, withers, spinous processes (part of the back vertebra the saddle sits on), transverse processes (portion of vertebrae projecting outward), tail head, ribs, and behind the shoulder.
- Subjectivity: While BCS can be subjective, veterinarians follow specific guidelines to the best of their ability.
- Consistency: Using the BCS scale ensures consistency over time. When different veterinarians compare the scale to previous documentation, they can identify any changes in a horse’s condition.
- Healthy Range: Most healthy horses fall within a BCS of 4-5 out of 9.
This system allows for precise classification into underweight, overweight, or obese categories.Next time you’re with your horse, take a look at the BCS chart and see where they fall on the scale. It’s an essential tool for maintaining optimal health and performance!
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Dr. Nostrant will be in Aiken, SC and available for appointments the end of Fabruary! If you would like to schedule an appointment while he is down, please call our office! | |
Love is in the air!
Please help us in congratulating our tech, Lexi, and her fiancé Liam, on their engagement back in December! They are high school sweethearts and we are so excited for them!
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Burghley says "Baby, its cold outside!!" | Corey giving his owner Michelle some kisses during their holiday photo shoot. Corey's favorite thing after loving on Michelle is a never ending supply of carrots! | |
Submit a picture of your horse!
We love it when owners send iin pictures of their horses doing what they love. Please send us pictures of your horse at a show, or doing something funny! We will try to feature the horses we get submissions on in our next issue!
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North Bridge Equine Associates | info@northbridgeequine.com | 978-337-1260 |
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