Two hours drive from Budapest in the picturesque Bkk National Park lies Szilvsvrad, a beautiful little village that is home to one of Hungarys premier facilities for equestrian sport: the Szilvsvrad State Lipizzaner stud. Its a perfect vacation destination for history buffs, nature lovers and horse enthusiasts alike.Lipizzaners are a protected breed in Hungary. They were first established by the Austro-Hungarian monarchy four centuries ago by crossing imported Spanish and Italian stallions with local mares. While the breed today is often associated with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, few people realize that there were once two Royal Spanish Riding Schools: one in Austria and the other in Hungary.Budapests Hungarian training facility operated on an equal footing with Viennas institute until 1945. Sadly, the school closed due to World War II.On March 24, 1945, the Russian army waged a fierce battle against the capital, killing or imprisoning most of the Hungarian riders and grooms. Four of the schools Lipizzaner stallions were stolen and used to pull heavy munitions into combat, never to be seen again, while another 18 stallions were shot and eaten.There was one positive result from this horrific episode, however. The advance warning to Colonel Alois Podhajsky in Vienna helped him escape and save most of the Austrian Lipizzaners.The Szilvsvrad StudThe Hungarian government spent over 21 million Euros restoring the grounds of the stud, which include a floodlit international arena. Photo by Jessica MortonDuring the Austro-Hungarian era, horse studs were established all over the empire to improve local breeding practices. Most of these studs closed due to military and social upheavals and agricultural motorization, but a few are still standing thanks to government support. One of the largest (with 300 horses) and most interesting is the Szilvsvrad stud.The Hungarian government recently funded the complete restoration of the stud facilities, and the new, improved complex has several structures split into four separate zones. There is a central area in the village where horses are trained and competitions take place, a mare and foal stable, a stallion station, and summer pastures and stabling for juvenile stallions.The restoration was the largest equestrian development project funded by Hungary in decades, costing over 21 million Euro to complete.Facilities include a floodlit international arena, large permanent stables, two covered arenas, and a world-class cross-country course for marathon driving.Dvid Cseri, director of Szilvsvrad, with one of the studs breeding stallions. Photo by Zsuzsanna SzabadosTrail Riding with LipizzanersThe Bkk Mountains are an ideal trail riding destination, thanks to their well-maintained tracks and lack of fences.The Bkk National Park contains more than 1,000 ancient caves, thermal springs, waterfalls, and lush beech forests. The area is home to fallow deer, wolves, and Eurasian lynxes.From the saddle, you can visit churches and historical buildings that reflect the regions history, and you will be entertained by Attila, the head rider, who is knowledgeable about the local area.Visitors are guided on scenic trails through the Bkk Mountains by head rider Attila, who is knowledgeable about the local area. Photo by Jessica MortonAlong the marathon driving tracks used to host the 1984 World Driving Championships, there are frequent opportunities to canter or trot. During my stay, I rode Ftyol, a 12-year-old mare who handled the steep inclines, descents and twisting turns effortlessly.The most adventurous riders can book an overnight adventure to Csipkskt, a lodge near Hungarys northern border with Slovakia, to visit the young stallions.Its here that future dressage and driving stars spend their first three years of life, enjoying the mineral-rich soils and hilly terrain of the Bkk Plateau, which contribute significantly to their mental and physical development.Driving Lessons with LipizzanersIf trail riding is not your thing, carriage driving lessons are a fantastic alternative or additional activity to add to your trip.The Szilvsvrad drivers are renowned for their accomplishments all over the world, and if you have ever wanted to pick up the reins and try carriage driving, this is the place to give it a go. Spoiler alert: Its harder than it looks.Jessica gets a driving lesson from Dvid. If you prefer a guided carriage ride, those are also available. Photo courtesy Jessica MortonFor those who prefer not to ride or drive when on holiday, another way to experience the surroundings is to take a private carriage tour with a guide. During carriage tours, visitors can observe staff working with and training different horses and even watch Hungarian Hussar units practicing drills with their cavalry mounts.Dressage, jumping and driving competitions are regularly held at the stud, and historians will appreciate the Lipizzaner Museum, which features artifacts, sculptures and saddlery pieces from the past, along with antique carriages.Accommodation and meals can be booked as part of an all-inclusive package directly with the stud, taking the guesswork out of where to stay and what to do, all while helping contribute to the preservation of the Lipizzaners.For more information on the stud, visit here.How to Get ThereThe nearest airport to Szilvsvrad is Budapest (BUD). The easiest way to travel is by hiring a car at the airport (the drive takes around two hours), but if you are taking public transport, Volanbusz operates a bus from Budapest to Szilvsvrad once daily.Further Reading: Meet the Incredible Lipizzan Horse The Lipizzaner: A Royal LegacyThis article about riding horses at the Lipizzaner stud in Szilvsvrad, Hungary appeared in the October 2023 issue of Horse Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post Riding Lipizzaners in Hungary appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Weve had the first frost of the winter in the UK even snow in some places which triggers the seasonal concern among owners of whether its safe to turn out on, and let horses eat, frosty grass. What are the horse health risks and can it really cause colic?Your Horse asked veterinary surgeon Dr Mike Barton for the lowdown.There is no real evidence of frosty grass causing colic, states Mike. It is more likely that the cold weather has chilled or even frozen the water supply, and your horse becomes dehydrated. Horses dont often love drinking cold or icy water.This is why dehydration in horses is not just a summer problem its a real concern in winter too. Its important to check your horses water buckets twice a day, and remove any ice that has formed. If they are still reluctant to drink, you can add some warm water to take the edge off the icy chill.Frosty grass: the risksOf course, horses living in the wild eat grass frost and all all year round. However in domesticated horses, frosty grass can pose a health concern to those who are at risk of illnesses such as laminitis or equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).Sunny days and frosty nights cause sugars to accumulate in the grass, explains Mike. Sugars lead to high levels of glucose and insulin the horses bloodstream, which increases the risk of a laminitic episode in pre-disposed horses, such as those suffering from insulin dysregulation.Owners concerned that their horse may be at risk should consider limiting turnout when its frosty and provide forage in another source, such as hay, to better control their horses sugar levels.Of course, the other consideration is whether the grass is so frozen that your horse or pony is at risk of injury if they gallop around and slip over.Weighing up the risksWeigh up the risk according to your individual horse theyre all different. For those who arent turned out everyday and so are likely to be excited the moment they hit the grass, the risk is probably higher.If theyre living out, or going out daily and typically behave calmly, the risk is probably lower. Remember that being stabled for long periods also comes with its own risks.Be careful when youre riding too. Look out for slippery patches and hard, frozen ground if youre hacking. You may find that your arena surface freezes too, making it too hard for horses to be safely ridden on.In all situations, when its frosty, apply common sense and do whats best for your individual horse.Dr Mike Barton BVSc Cert AVP (ED) MRCVS is a veterinary surgeon at Fellowes Farm Equine Clinic in Cambridgeshire. He is an advanced practitioner and certificate holder in Equine Dentistry and has additional interest in poor performance cases. He is also a member of the GB mens Horseball team.Related contentWhy dehydration in horses is a winter problem plus 11 ways to prevent itImpaction and gassy colic in horses explainedWhat you need to know about sugar in grassDoes your horse really need to wear a rug?When do horses feel cold? Dr David Marlin explainsThe post Is it safe to turn out on frosty grass and should horses eat it? appeared first on Your Horse.

What to do when your horses legs are lumpy, bumpy, bald, crusty, hot, itchy, runny, scaly, or swollenDraft breeds with heavy feathering can be prone to various skin issues, in which case shaving the fetlocks might help prevent or treat the disease. | Photo: iStockHere it is: The first warm(ish) day since late last fall. With an almost childlike enthusiasm, you bound to the barn for an early spring ride. You hear the birds chirping in trees surrounded by blue sky and feel the sunshine, warm on your face. You give the barn door a push and enter.Ahh, the smell of hay and horses. Then into the tack room, where youre greeted with the soothing fragrance of leather.You pick up your horses grooming tote, then head to his stall where he welcomes you with a nicker. But when you look inside, your heart sinks. Something isnt right with his legs. You stoop to inspect them, then close your eyes, taking a deep breath and wondering what your next step should be.Skin is your horses largest organ. As his bodys covering, it not only envelops his form but serves as the first line of defense against the realm of invadersbacteria, fungus, and much morethat canwreak havoc on both his comfort and beauty.Some skin diseases in horses are asymptomatic and bother the owner more than the horse, says JeaninePeters-Kennedy, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, ACVP, associate clinical professor of anatomic pathology and dermatology at Cornell Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine, in Ithaca, New York. But certain diseases, like allergies and infections, can make horses skin very itchy and uncomfortable.Some skin conditions can lead to swelling. Dr. Fadok recommends calling your veterinarian, then starting the hosing or soaking process (whichever your horse will tolerate), at ay sign of swelling. | Photo: iStockOthers can lead to swelling (which can cause the skin to slough and allow harmful organisms to enter the horses body) or hyperplastic scar tissue, aka proud flesh, or leave permanent scarring, all of which could interfere with movement, says Valerie Fadok, DVM, PhD, Dipl.ACVD, senior dermatologist with Zoetis Pet Care, based in Bellaire, Texas. She recommends calling your veterinarian, then starting the hosing or soaking process (whichever your horse will tolerate), at any sign of swelling.Read on for our sources take on 10 conditions (in alphabetical order) that could be affecting your horse, how to treat them, and how to prevent them in the future.Cannon Keratosis (aka stud crud)Causes Cannon keratosis is a lesser- known chronic cosmetic condition involv ing overproduction of the keratin that forms the stratum corneum (horny outerlayer of the skin). Fadok says veterinarians should consider infections such as dermatophilosis (rain rot, caused by bacteria) and dermatophytosis (ringworm, caused by fungus), which can also appear in this area, when diagnosing.Signs Crusty lesions of unknown origindown one or more hind legs (formerly thought to be from urine dripping on thehorses legsthus, the nickname).Prevention None known.Treatment There is no cure for this condition, but Peters-Kennedy says it can be improved with once- or twice-daily application of keratolytic (keratin-inhibiting) agents such as a 50% mixture of propylene glycol and water or once- to twice-weekly shampoos with sulfur or salicylic acid that will break down the crust.Cellulitis (aka phlegmon)RELATED CONTENT | Cellulitis Treatment and Prevention in HorsesCauses This inflammation of the sub-cutaneous (directly underlying the skins surface layer) tissues frequently results from a Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacterial infection secondary to an injury, such as a cut, scrape, or chemicalirritation/contact dermatitis (skin inflammation), or from vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels).Signs Redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, pain, fever.Prevention Fadok recommends taking care of wounds as soon as they arise and using only nonirritating topical medications on your horses skin.Treatment Peters-Kennedy says treatment is cause-dependent, with diagnosis made via biopsy: If theres vasculitis, immunotherapy might be required. Otherwise, says Fadok, base treatment on your veterinarians recommendation for an antibiotic and, perhaps, topical therapy. She adds that veterinarians often recommend hydrotherapy (cold hosing), as well.Contact DermatitisCauses Direct contact with a substance (such as hoof paints applied above the coronary band, topical medications such as neomycin or antimicrobials, or grass) or abrasion (from sandy pastures) resulting in irritation can cause these inflammatory skin lesions. They can become secondarily infected with opportunistic organisms such as Dermatophilus congolensis (the bacterium that causes rain rot) or Staphylococcus.Signs Moderate itching, hair loss, skin redness.Prevention Find and eliminate the cause, though Fadok says it can be tricky to diagnose. In the case of grass, youd need to take your horse off the pasture and see if he improves, then put him back on it and see if he flares again.Treatment Fadok advises washing the area with a gentle antiseptic shampoo (diluted, because it can be caustic when concentrated; learn about its properties under mange below) and applying emollients such as petroleum jelly, balms that contain essential oils, or diaper rash-type creams, all of which provide a barrier against the irritating substance. If secondary bacterial infection occurs, ask your veterinarian about adding an oralantibiotic.MangeCauses Horses are susceptible to three types of this mite species; however, Chorioptes is most common on the legs. Chorioptes bovis mites (formerly C. equi) feed on skin cells and secretions. The condition is most common in draft breeds with heavy fetlock feathering.Signs Variable pruritic (itchy) dermatitis with self-induced hair loss, crusting, and skin redness. Signs are more common in the winter.Prevention Peters-Kennedy says she doesnt know of a valid preventive method, although some people administer ivermectin, a dewormer that could potentially kill Chorioptes mites. It isnt a great treatment, though, because C. bovis is a surface feeder rather than a blood feeder.Fadok adds that because mange is contagious, inspecting any horses entering your premises can help, as can regular exams and fetlock hygiene for heavily feathered breeds. For severe disease, she says, shaving the fetlocks would be the best way to open the area up to air, but many people have these breeds because they love the feathers, and it can take a long time to grow them back out.Treatment Peters-Kennedy recommends lime sulfur as a topical dip or wash. Its a concentrate that must be diluted, then applied to hair and skin (and left to dry) once a week for about four weeks. It smells like rotten eggs and will turn gray horses yellow, so its not cosmetically pleasing, she says, but its a very effective antiparasitic, antibacterial (fighting the bacterial infections that commonly accompany Chorioptes), and antipruritic treatment.Rain Rot (aka Rain Scald, Dermatophilosis)Dermatophilosis typically manifests as crusted and ulcerated lesions. | Photo: Courtesy Dr. Valerie FadokCauses Chronic warmth and dampness that macerates (softens) the skin, leaving it vulnerable to entry by D. congolensis bacteria, especially in horses with nutritional imbalances and/or following microtrauma to the skin such as scrapes and insect bites.Signs Crusted-over ulcerated spots of skin covered by raised spots of hair that can form on the shoulders, barrel, hindquarters, lower legs, and/or faces of horses that regularly stand in wet grass or mud. Peeling off the crusts results in severe pain.Prevention Fadok says rain rot is contagious, and many horses are permanently colonized with the bacteria, which live in a dormant form on the skin until activated by a combination of dampness and microtrauma to the skin. Keep your horse stalled until grass dries out later in the day, and control insects with a permethrin wipe or spray product to prevent bites.Treatment Fadok says antiseptic shampoos containing chlorhexidine usually work. Peters-Kennedy prefers lime sulfur, whose antimicrobial properties usually knock the bacteria down. Our sources agree that if topical treatments fail, veterinarian-prescribed systemic oral antibiotics such as penicillin or trimethoprim-potentiated sulfonamides (TPSs, oral antibiotics) are the go-to medications for equine skin infections.RingwormCauses Dermatophyte fungus (one of three mold genera: Trichophyton , Microsporum, and Epidermophyton) grows on skin, hair, and other body surfaces and usually invades the hair shafts, causing them to weaken and break off, leading to hair loss. Its contagious and often associated with shared equipment such as boots and grooming tools. Fadok says some fungus species (Microsporum gypseum) might also exist in soil, particularly in the South where sandy pastures are common. Abrasions from the sand can make way for M. gypseum invasion. Young horses, such as foals and yearlings, are more commonly affected, as are horses under stress or with concurrent illness.The fungal species M. gypseum can invade lower leg abrasions, causing ringworm. | Photo: Courtesy Dr. Valerie FadokSigns Rounded, crusted patches of hair loss (hence the word ring). It can sometimes appear as pastern dermatitis but can show up anywhere on the horses body. Veterinarians diagnose ringworm by examining a stained sample of the crust under a microscope.Prevention Avoid sharing grooming tools and other training aids unless you can disinfect them. Peters-Kennedy says the organism can live for 18 months under favorable (warm, moist) conditions.Treatment Peters-Kennedy says mild infections often resolve on their own, but she recommends treating to prevent the disease from spreading. Fadok favors topical antifungals containing azoles: miconazole or ketoconazole shampoo. Peters-Kennedy opts for a leave-on rinse of lime sulfur, as opposed to a shampoo, because it has more residual activity and does not macerate or break hairs like shampooing can, causing the horse to spread contaminated material.SarcoidsCauses Peters-Kennedy says these nonmalignant tumors usually occur when the bovine papillomavirus is present along with skin trauma, and affected horses seem to be fairly young (under 6 years).Signs Sarcoids can be occult (very subtle, often appearing as a circular patch of hair loss that resembles ringworm), verrucous (warty), nodular and fibroblastic (large and ulcerated, resembling proud flesh, but not necessarily associated with a wound), or malevolent (cancerlike). They most often develop on the head, belly, groin, and legs and can be invasive and recurring. Prevention Veterinarians believe the virus might be transmitted by fly bites, so be attentive to fly control, says Fadok. Also, tumors usually form where skin trauma has occurred, so try to prevent wounds and abrasions. The tumor seems to be associated with horses that have a particular major histocompatibility complex (immune system) gene.Treatment Sarcoids are difficult to remove because its hard to get clean margins, but they dont metastasize (spread or migrate to internal organs) so arent usually fatal. Fadok recommends leaving occult sarcoids alone. Although they dont improve, they might not get worse. But, they can progress to the fibroblastic form. Theres no set-in-stone course of treatment, so consult your veterinarian to determine whats best for your horse. Peters-Kennedy says possibilities include surgically debulking the tumor in addition to chemotherapy, such as cisplatin injections.Staphylococcal InfectionsCauses The bacterium typically causes pus formation, especially in skin and mucous membranes. Its always secondary to another condition or has an underlying cause, such as allergies or parasites.Signs Annular (round) areas of alopecia (hair loss) and crusting. With those signs, staphylococcal infection is the veterinarians first differential diagnosis (then ringworm, then dermatophilosis).Prevention Prevent skin trauma, and treat underlying causes such as allergic dermatitis or external parasites, says Peters-Kennedy. And, adds Fadok, practice good hygiene (groom thoroughly using meticulously clean grooming tools), and remember that Staphylococcus species are opportunistic, tending to take advantage of damaged tissue.Treatment Topical or oral antibiotics. If the signs are localized, says Peters-Kennedy, apply lime sulfur; if theyre widespread, then use TPS or topical chlorhexidine according to your veterinarians advice. Fadok adds that if routine measures dont work, contact your veterinarian to check for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections that require a culture and sensitivity test for diagnosis and treatment.VasculitisCauses While the reason for this inflammation of blood vessel(s) usually isnt known, its commonly due to photosensitization (a severe dermatitis that occurs when certain plant pigments damage nonpigmented skin cells in response to sun exposure). Veterinarians note it more frequently in white-haired skin (so on legs and stockinged areas such as fetlocks and cannons).Signs Skin reddening, swelling, and crusting with eventual ulceration. Generally symmetric (in both of a pair of limbs).Prevention Figure out the cause, and eliminate it. If thats photosensitization, then prevent exposure to direct sunlight by wrapping your horses legs and/or turning him out in the early morning and/or late evening rather than during the day.Treatment If you dont know the cause, which Peters-Kennedy says is common, treatment usually consists of topical anti-inflammatory medications (glucocorticoids, aka steroids) or, if youre worried about overusing steroids, a non-steroidal called pentoxifylline. If those arent effective, your veterinarian might try administering oral steroids.Warts (Viral Papillomas)Causes Equus caballus papillomaviruses (EcPV), nine of which are known in horses (compared to more than 200 human papillomaviruses), cause a hard skin growth that is usually benign but contagious.Signs EcPV-1 most commonly appears on young horses lips and muzzles but can also appear on their lower legs. You might see cauliflowerlike raised, scaly gray masses, sometimes near the hoof, that spontaneously resolve over months as the horses immune system develops.Prevention Prevent spread to other young horses by isolating affected animals, says Peters-Kennedy.Treatment None needed, because lesions usually resolve on their own in one to three months. However, Fadok says if you have multiple warts and/or lots of foals or yearlings, you could remove the warts using cryotherapy (freezing) or surgical lasers, or your veterinarian might crush the warts, which is thought to release antigenic proteins and, thereby, generate an immune response.Take-Home MessageSome leg crud is purely cosmetic; other types can be very painful and debilitating for your horse. As you would for any medical issue, consult your veterinarian to determine the type of skin problem plaguing your horse, the best course of treatment, and how to prevent its recurrence or spread to other horses.

Its easy to dismiss dehydration in horses as being something to worry about only on hot and sunny summer days but this is not correct? Dehydration is in fact a serious threat in winter too, and its essential to do all that you can to avoid it in order to keep your horse in good health.At this time of year, horses may reduce the amount of water they consume, mainly due to reduced turnout but also because they will generally drink less when the outside temperature is lower. On top of this, many horses prefer not to drink cold water or they may not be able to if the water in their bucket or field tank is frozen.Excretion of water occurs in sweat, urine, faeces and breath. On average, a horse will need to consume 25 litres of water per day to replace these losses. Most of this water will come from the food, of which grass contains the most at around 85%.Hydration is important for optimal body function and a drop in this can compromise the vital functions. Failure to maintain the fluid levels necessary for the specific requirements of the horse can lead to disease or even death.One of the most common problems of dehydration in horses is impaction colic, which requires veterinary treatment.Waters role in survivalEvery horses body has a water content of approximately 65-70%. The actual amount can vary between individuals, depending on health, nutrition and body condition score, with foals having up to 80%.Water makes up a large portion of the blood that circulates the body, and is also found within and around cells throughout the horses body. It is involved in the majority of processes that are essential for life, including the transportation of nutrients. Its very simple: no horse or human for that matter can survive without water.In horses, up to 6% of their total water is found in the intestines. It is used to help move food through the gut, most of which is then reabsorbed in the large intestine when digestion ends. This is why a dehydrated horse is vulnerable to colic, because there isnt enough water in the gut to prevent blockages.Water in the digestive compartments of a horses body has a complex composition which is carefully regulated by the body. The fluid levels can be adjusted by the kidneys, which can increase or decrease the excretion of water depending on the requirements.These regulatory mechanisms are in place to preserve the composition of the body fluids and to ensure adequate circulation of blood.How to encourage drinkingProvide constant access to clean, fresh waterBuckets or automatic drinkers should be cleaned regularly to avoid dirt and grime building up. Ensure the horse can always access the water too this may be harder if the field is boggy or they are worried about bullying from a field mate.On particularly cold days, check troughs or buckets regularly to ensure that the water hasnt frozen over.Make sure they have plenty of foodMost of your horses water intake will be absorbed from their food. Less water will be consumed from hay compared to grass, and as hay becomes the main form of forage in winter it means they will need to take in more water through drinking than they would have during other times of the year.Consider haylageHaylage contains more water than hay so can be fed instead to aid hydration levels. Remember to change over gradually to reduce the risk of diarrhoea occurring.Haylage may not be suitable for all equines, so do what is best for your own horse. Contrary to popular belief, haylage is normally lower in sugar than hay, and it contains more protein. However, soaking or steaming hay can help to reduce its sugar levels.Offer water in buckets This is better than automatic drinkers, because it means you can measure what they are consuming.Add a bit of flavourIf you think your horse isnt drinking enough, flavouring such as apple juice, molasses or mint can be added to encourage the horse to drink it. Some horses may prefer one over the other, so see what is best for your individual.Warm the waterWarming cold water to a lukewarm temperature has been shown to be preferred by horses. Filling buckets early and leaving them to stand can also take the edge of the chill, compared to water straight out of the hose.Add salt or electrolytesThis can increase the horses thirst and encourage them to drink more.Add water to feedA sloppy mash can be quite appealing to horses and is an effective way to increase their water intake and prevent dehydration.Soak hay This will increase its water content, but bear in mind it may affect its nutritional value.Related contentHay vs haylage: which is best?Complete guide to soaked horse feedsWhy every horse will benefit from eating a soaked feedIs it safe to let a horse eat frosty grass?When do horses feel cold? Dr David Marlin advisesThe post Winter dehydration in horses, plus 11 ways to prevent it appeared first on Your Horse.

Ultrasound is a first-line imaging tool to assess tendinous tissue. | Photo: Danielle Schiller Photography, Courtesy Dr. Sherry JohnsonEquine athletes can sustain a variety of orthopedic injuries, but tendonswhich attach muscle to boneare especially prone to strain and damage. Superficial digital flexor tendon injuries remain a frequent and frustrating cause of morbidity (disease) in athletic horses, having been noted as the primary reason for retirement of Thoroughbred racehorses over a 12-year period (Lam 2007). The initial tendon injury leads to not only pain and an inability to work but also re-injury rates as high as 82% (Genovese 1997). Subsequently, tendon healing strategies and optimized rehabilitation have become big-ticket items for the equine sports medicine community.What Do I Do if I Suspect an Injury? The classic signs of tendon injury in horses include general symptoms of inflammation: heat, pain, and swelling. Depending on where the injury is located, you might not detect obvious swelling or heat (for example, deep digital flexor tendon injuries within the hoof capsule dont cause overt swelling and are best diagnosed with MRI). Tendon injuries of the mid-metacarpal (or cannon bone) region, however, often cause noticeable swelling, heat, and pain upon palpation. Initially, tendon-associated lameness can be severe, depending on the extent of the injury and its severity and chronicity. If you suspect your horse has a tendon or soft-tissue injury, connect with your veterinarian immediately to get an appropriate diagnosis and begin therapy. Most commonly, a complete musculoskeletal and lameness evaluation will help the veterinarian determine which soft tissue structures are involved. Your vet might recommend an ultrasound evaluation as a first-line imaging tool to assess tendinous tissue, but MRI evaluation might also be indicated in some cases to further characterize the injury. Once your veterinarian has made a diagnosis, you can discuss treatment options to get your horse on the road to recovery.My Horse Does Have a Tendon Injury Now What? The bodys intrinsic tendon repair process involves three continuous phases. The initial inflammatory phase typically occurs during the first one to three days following injury. Initial triage strategies usually consist of decreasing inflammation using cryotherapy (icing), rest, anti-inflammatories, and supportive care. The subsequent phases of repair (two to 28 days) and remodeling (60 days onward) are characterized by tissue reorganization and scar tissue formation. Once you and your veterinarian have gotten the initial pain and inflammation under control, you can aim rehabilitation strategies toward encouraging organized scar tissue formation that more closely resembles the tendons uninjured architecture. Several treatment options are available for tendon injuries, yet no singular one-size-fits-all therapy currently exists. Researchers have described significant success using mesenchymal stem cells to treat tendon injuries in racehorses, with the most notable statistic being a significantly reduced re-injury rate. Despite the exciting research around biologic treatments such as these, controlled exercise and physical therapy remain the most important cornerstones of tendon healing. RELATED CONTENT: Applying Human Tendon Rehab Techniques to HorsesEccentric loading exercises have been shown to be particularly effective. These involve lengthening the muscle or tendon fibers while theyre load-bearing. Take, for example, the down phase of a biceps curl or a heel raise in humans. While the exact mechanism behind its therapeutic effect remains unknown, researchers believe this controlled mechanical stimulation helps the bodys scar tissue become more organized and functional. Horses most commonly perform eccentric loading through assisted physical therapy exercises such as the withers pull (applying gentle lateral pressure to the side of the withers until the horse shifts his weight subtly toward your pull; hold that stretch for 3-5 seconds). Similarly, controlled forelimb loading can help strengthen the soft tissues of the entire limb, including the supportive musculature of the shoulder, elbow, carpus (knee), and digit. Other eccentric physical therapy aids include surface changes, ground pole work, backing exercises, and modifications of the withers-pull exercise. Your veterinarian can prescribe specific therapy recommendations. In summary, stem cell and physical therapy represent promising strategies for tendon repair. Recognizing the clinical signs, contacting your veterinarian, and getting appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plans in place will ultimately lead to the fastest recovery.

This method of diagnosing IBD might offer veterinarians and horse owners a less invasive and more cost-effective alternative to traditional options. | Adobe stockIn horses, just as in people, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and pain. Although the conditions impact on equine health and welfare is becoming more widely recognized, diagnosing it can still be tricky. Traditional diagnostic methods for IBD, including endoscopy and biopsy, are invasive for horses and costly for their owners. Could examining manure be a viable alternative? A team of researchers from Finland recently evaluated fecal microbiota compositionthe diversity and composition of bacteria in the horses fecesas a potential biomarker for equine IBD.How Gut Bacteria Could Help Diagnose IBD in HorsesDriven by the need for a noninvasive and cost-effective screening method for IBD, the research team analyzed fecal samples from 27 healthy horses and 49 horses previously diagnosed with IBD. They used a molecular testing method called 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing to assess the microbiota.Gut Bacteria Differences Between Healthy Horses and Those With IBDTheir findings revealed significant differences in microbiota composition between healthy horses and those with IBD. Specifically, the researchers discovered that different bacterial types were either depleted or enriched (increased) in IBD horses. This finding suggested a potential link between gut microbiota composition and the inflammatory processes associated with IBD.The researchers also measured fecal calprotectin levels, a protein in white blood cells used as a marker for IBD in humans, cats, and dogs, said co-author Silva Uusi-Heikkil, PhD, a visiting scientist in the Department of Biological and Environmental Science at the University of Jyvskyl, in Finland. But they found no differences in calprotectin levels between healthy and IBD horses.A New Way to Detect IBD in Equine Fecal Samples?As part of their research, the authors also turned to a machine learning model to predict the likelihood of IBD based on microbiota composition. This model accurately identified IBD in 100% of cases, but Uusi-Heikkil noted this was based on a small test set consisting of 15 samples. A larger sample set and different sequencing batches are needed to validate the model, she said.IBD can occur in either the foregut (stomach and small intestine) or the hindgut (cecum and large colon, also referred to as the large intestine), but fecal samples mainly represent the microbiota composition of the hindgut, said Uusi-Heikkil, describing another potential limitation of the study. They do not represent the microbiota composition of the foregut very well, though some human studies have shown that even if IBD occurs in the small intestine, microbiota composition from fecal samples is altered.Exploring More Uses for Fecal Microbiota AnalysisUusi-Heikkil said that in the future her team wants to explore whether the model can distinguish between IBD and other functional impairments and if fecal samples could be used to detect other gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastric ulcers.Take-Home MessageResearchers showed that horses with IBD have significantly altered gut microbiota composition, suggesting a potential noninvasive biomarker for diagnosing the condition. The approach could change how veterinarians diagnose equine IBD, reducing their reliance on invasive and more costly procedures.