In late November, Barn 4 at the Mahoning Valley Racetrack in Mahoning County, Ohio, was quarantined after one horse tested positive for strangles. Since then, all 75 exposed horses have tested negative for strangles via PCR, and the quarantine on the facility has been released.For at least 30 days, any trainer stabled in Barn 4 or shipping into Barn 4 must provide a negative strangles PCR test within 5 days prior to arrival. This requirement is in addition to the already required health certificates, proof of vaccinations, and Coggins.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About StranglesStranglesin horses is an infection caused byStreptococcus equisubspeciesequiand spread through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses that arent showing clinical signs can harbor and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses remain contagious for at least six weeks, with the potential to cause outbreaks long-term.Infected horses can exhibit a variety of clinical signs:FeverSwollen and/or abscessed lymph nodesNasal dischargeCoughing or wheezingMuscle swellingDifficulty swallowingVeterinarians diagnose horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with either a nasal swab, wash, or an abscess sample, and they treat most cases based on clinical signs, implementing antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can prevent an infected horse from developing immunity. Most horses make a full recovery in three to four weeks.A vaccine is available but not always effective. Biosecurity measures of quarantining new horses at a facility and maintaining high standards of hygiene and disinfecting surfaces can helplower the risk of outbreakorcontain one when it occurs.

Two horses in Canyon County, Idaho, recently tested positive for pigeon fever. One of the affected horses is a 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, who tested positive on December 9 after developing clinical signs on December 5, including fever, purulent discharge from a submandibular lymph node, ventral jaw swelling, and reduced appetite. He is now recovering.In addition to the two positive cases, three horses are exposed.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About Pigeon FeverPigeon fever is a bacterial infection that affects cattle and horses. It can cause large abscesses, most commonly on the chest and under the belly. Horses become infected when bacteria enters through broken skin, such as small scrapes or wounds. Peak season for infection is late summer through fall.Good horse health safety practices are key to limiting the spread of pigeon fever. These practices include:Fly control;Not sharing water buckets or equipment; andAvoiding tying horses in high-traffic areas.If a horse owner suspects that their animal is affected, they should contact their veterinarian.

On December 12, a 20-year-old gelding in Ada County, Idaho, tested positive for strangles. The gelding developed clinical signs on December 3, including fever, decreased appetite, purulent nasal discharge, and throat latch swelling. One additional horse is suspected positive.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About StranglesStranglesin horses is an infection caused byStreptococcus equisubspeciesequiand spread through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses that arent showing clinical signs can harbor and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses remain contagious for at least six weeks, with the potential to cause outbreaks long-term.Infected horses can exhibit a variety of clinical signs:FeverSwollen and/or abscessed lymph nodesNasal dischargeCoughing or wheezingMuscle swellingDifficulty swallowingVeterinarians diagnose horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with either a nasal swab, wash, or an abscess sample, and they treat most cases based on clinical signs, implementing antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can prevent an infected horse from developing immunity. Most horses make a full recovery in three to four weeks.A vaccine is available but not always effective. Biosecurity measures of quarantining new horses at a facility and maintaining high standards of hygiene and disinfecting surfaces can helplower the risk of outbreakorcontain one when it occurs.

Carbohydrates serve as the primary energy source for horses. | Getty imagesQ: I have two ponies with metabolic problems. Ive been researching the best ways to feed them, but there are several terms I dont understand. I see terms such as nonstructural carbohydrates, hydrolysable carbohydrates, and so many more, but I cant make sense of them. Help!A: Carbohydrates serve as the primary energy source for horses and can be divided into two broad categories: structural and nonstructural. The equine gastrointestinal tract is designed to handle large amounts of structural carbohydrates, which are abundant in forages. Sugars are nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) and a key concern for owners managing horses with metabolic or digestive disorders.An important factor when classifying carbohydrates is where in the gastrointestinal tract they are digested. For example, those digested and absorbed in the small intestine provide more energy to the horse than those digested by microbial action in the hindgut, which includes the cecum and large colon (or large intestine). When enzymes break down carbohydrates in the small intestine, the resulting sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream as glucose, stimulating an insulin response.Common Equine Nutrition TermsYoull likely come across a variety of terms when reading about equine nutrition, especially if you research how to manage your metabolic horses diet. Youll likely see the common term NSC, but you might also read about starch, fructans, water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs), ethanol-soluble carbohydrates (ESCs), and hydrolysable carbohydrates (HCs).Feed manufacturers use these terms in a variety of places, from educational articles to hay analyses and feed labels, so its valuable to understand what they mean and how to navigate the terminology. The authors of Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 2007, propose a three-prong partitioning system for carbohydrates in the equine diet: slowly fermentable carbohydrates, rapidly fermentable carbohydrates, and hydrolysable carbohydrates.Slowly Fermentable Carbohydrates: The horses gastrointestinal tract has evolved to consume large amounts of slowly fermentable carbohydrates. These complex molecules are not digested by enzymes in the horses foregut (stomach and small intestine). Instead, they are fermented in the hindgut to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as an energy source. Examples include cellulose and hemicellulose.Rapidly Fermentable Carbohydrates: These carbohydrates cannot be broken down by enzymes in the horses foregut but take less time to be fermented in the hindgut than fiber, for example. The fermentation process produces both VFAs and lactic acid. Examples include fructans, oligosaccharides, and resistant starch.Hydrolysable Carbohydrates (HCs): Hydrolyzable carbohydrates are made up of the simple sugars and starch that can be digested by enzymes in the horses foregut. The body absorbs these molecules as glucose, and they have a direct impact on blood insulin levels. Examples include glucose, sucrose, and fructose. The calculation for HC is ESC + starch.Ethanol-soluble carbohydrates (ESCs): ESCs are the simple sugars (mono- and disaccharides) digested by enzymes in the foregut. Glucose is an example of an ESC.Nonstructural Carbohydrates (NSCs): Nonstructural carbohydrates are calculated values composed of both the hydrolysable and rapidly fermentable carbohydrates. The calculation is WSC + starch.Water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs): Water-soluble carbohydrates are a subsection of NSC and include the simple sugars and fructans.Fructans: Fructans are a type of nonstructural, or rapidly fermentable carbohydrates. They cannot be digested by enzymes in the foregut and, therefore, pass on to ferment in the horses hindgut.Take-Home MessageAlthough carbohydrates in horses diets occasionally get a bad reputation, they serve as the primary energy source for horses and are critical to balanced nutrition. Understanding the different carbohydrate terms can help you ensure that your horses are on a safe nutrition program if they are sensitive to excess starch and sugar.

New research carried out by the University of Glasgow has discovered that horses in Asia have been infected with avian flu. These infections have been occurring in horses undetected.Antibodies for avian flu, more commonly known as bird flu, were found in blood samples taken from horses in two regions in Mongolia. One was a wetland area which is home to many wild birds; the other was a dry area with a low bird density.The disease has been known to affect other mammals and also, occasionally, humans. While it is not common for humans to be infected with avian flu, there can be serious consequences if they are.The latest study, which was undertaken by the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research alongside a team of scientists from countries including the US and Mongolia,comes as concerns have been raised about the rapid spread of avian flu in dairy cattle in the US since March 2023.No symptomsAccording to the research, there were no reports that the horses in the study had experienced recent outbreaks of respiratory disease. It concluded that the horses who tested positive for bird flu antibodies may have experienced asymptomatic infections.It is already well known that horses carry equine flu. As a result of researchers discovering they can also be infected with avian flu, there are calls for horses to be monitored to help prevent the viruses combining.Horses, too, have their own influenza strain, known as equine influenza, which is endemic in North America, said Professor Pablo Murcia, lead author of the study from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research.With the rapid spread of avian influenza among cattle in the US, the likelihood of horses coming into contact with infected cows, and the chances of horses becoming co-infected with both avian and equine influenza viruses, may increase.This raises the risk of generating novel viruses with unknown pathogenicity, potentially posing a threat not only to horses but to other mammals, including humans.Avian flu is primarily spread between wild birds, such as ducks and gulls. However, it can also infect farmed and domestic birds like chickens and turkeys.The results of the latest study have been published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. See the research in full here.Main image ShutterstockRelated contentEquine flu: how to lower the risk to your horse7 common winter vet call outs and how to avoid them this seasonHandy guide to horse health insurance and vet fees cover Horses are designed to get wet, so many dont need to wear a rug, says vetThe post Bird flu antibodies discovered in horses appeared first on Your Horse.

Feature Details Material 600D ripstop, waterproof and breathable outer Insulation 200gsm insulated fill, suitable for 5-10C Fit Shoulder pleats, adjustable cross surcingles, elasticated detachable leg straps Neck Cover Detachable, extra warmth and protection Weather Suitability Ideal for spring and autumn, protection from rain and wind Horse Type - Clipped Provides necessary warmth Horse Type - Unclipped Offers versatility for fluctuating weather User Feedback Good fit, comfortable, durable Versatility Suitable for various weather conditions, both stable and outdoors Value High-quality materials, durability, value for money Conclusion Optimal protection, comfort and fit, durability, versatility for different horses Are Gallop Toofan Mediumweight Rugs Worth the Investment for Your Horse? When it comes to selecting the right rug for your horse, the decision involves numerous factors such as your horse's coat, weather conditions, and its activity levels. The Gallop Toofan Mediumweight Rugs are a popular choice among equestrians, but do they deserve their acclaim? Let's explore this in detail. Understanding the Gallop Toofan Mediumweight Rugs The Gallop Toofan Mediumweight Rugs, especially the 200g models, offer exceptional comfort and protection for your horse during the transitional seasons of spring and autumn. Waterproof and Breathable Outer Crafted from a durable 600D ripstop outer layer, these rugs are both waterproof and breathable, ensuring your horse remains dry and comfortable. [source] Insulated Fill The 200gsm insulated fill provides the right level of warmth without overheating, perfect for temperatures between 5-10 degrees Celsius. Adjustable and Comfortable Fit Features like shoulder pleats, adjustable cross surcingles, and elasticated detachable leg straps ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your horse. Detachable Neck Cover Many models come with a detachable neck cover, adding extra warmth and protection against adverse weather, making it particularly beneficial during rainy or windy conditions. Weather and Temperature Considerations Temperature Range The mediumweight rug with a 200g fill is ideal for temperatures between 5-10 degrees Celsius, making the Gallop Toofan Mediumweight Rugs perfect for spring and autumn seasons. Rain and Wind Protection The waterproof and breathable construction ensures your horse is shielded from rain and wind, making these rugs a dependable choice for outdoor use. Horse's Natural Coat and Clipping Clipped Horses For fully clipped horses, more warmth is necessary to substitute the natural coat. The Gallop Toofan rug provides sufficient warmth for these animals. Unclipped Horses Horses with their natural coats, especially native breeds, may not need as much insulation unless temperatures drop. However, the mediumweight rug offers versatility for fluctuating weather conditions. User Reviews and Feedback Fit and Comfort Users have consistently reported a good fit, with shoulder pleats and adjustable straps contributing to a comfortable fit that adapts well to the horse's shape. [source] Durability The enhanced tough fabric leads to resilient protection suitable for all seasons, justifying the investment due to its longevity. Value for Money Versatility These rugs are apt for a host of weather conditions and can be used both in the stable and outdoors, offering versatility to your horse's wardrobe. Quality and Durability High-quality materials and craftsmanship provide long-lasting wear and value for money. Conclusion In summary, the Gallop Toofan Mediumweight Rugs are a worthwhile investment due to several factors: Optimal Protection: Offers a balance of warmth and breathability for cooler months. Comfort and Fit: Adjustable features guarantee a safe and snug fit. Durability: Constructed from high-quality materials designed to endure. Versatility: Suitable for clipped and unclipped horses across various weather scenarios. Whether your horse is a champion in the stable or galloping freely outdoors, ensuring it is well-equipped with a reliable and durable mediumweight rug like the Gallop Toofan makes the investment worthwhile. Looking to upgrade your equestrian gear? Check out our Jodhpur Collection, Horse Riding Boots Collection, and Gloves Collection. ```html```

You can tell a lot about the way a horse is feeling by learning to read their behaviour and facial language, which includes ear positions, nostrils and eyes. Learning to spot the first signs of facial tension means that you can see when your horse is becoming anxious or afraid. Then you can either reassure them or remove them from the situation instead of them needing to resort to using louder or more dangerous types of behaviours, such as bucking, biting or napping to try to escape.When a horse is anxious, fearful, frustrated or aggressive, there will be early changes in their behaviour and it is this facial language that you need to be able to identify and read. Understanding what a horses ear positions are telling you is a key part of this. It puts you in a much better position to avoid potentially dangerous situations or behavioural problems escalating.As well as a horses ear positions, we can learn a lot about how they are feeling from the level in tension in their face. Some horses are always a little anxious around people, so watch your horse when theyre dozing to see what their face looks like when totally relaxed. When anxious, fearful, angry or in pain, we see the facial muscles tense and become tight, especially around the chin and cheeks. Blood vessels may also become more pronounced.What a horses ear positions meanThe position and movement of a horses ears are a great indicator of where a horses attention is directed. They can also signal levels of arousal and mood. This is what a horses ear positions mean:Ears pricked forwardsThis means the horse is directing their attention and listening in front of them. Once they have satisfied their curiosity, the ears quickly relax.Ears pricked forward, watching and listening in front of themOne ear turned backwardsIf something behind your horse catches their attention, they may split their focus and turn one ear backwards to listen out for anything interesting.Flicking ears back and forthYoull often find your horse splits their attention by flicking their ears back and forth when being ridden. This means theyre listening to both you, their rider, and are aware of whats in front of them.Ears turned to the sideThis could mean that your horse is paying attention to something beside them or, if the ears are drooping to the side, it could indicate relaxation, drowsiness or pain.Ears backEars turned backwards mean that your horses attention is focused behind them, while ears pinned back indicate aggression or fear. How flattened the ears are is a great indicator of the severity of the horses threat. A horse with their ears pinned flat back instantly looks very angry.Ears pinned back and nostrils strained: this horse is clearly angry about somethingEyes as mood indicatorsAs well as ear positions, a horses eyes are a core part of their facial language too. A horses eye is the largest of any land mammal and vision is believed to be the horses primary sense. It is really useful as a rider to understandhow horses see,and recognise that eyes can tell us a great deal about a horses emotional state.A nervous horse in a new environment may have extremely expressive eyes.A tired horse may have limited eye movement and a dull, vacant look.In a horse becoming nervous or anxious, the muscles in the inner brow area contract, causing the upper eyelid to change shape and the eye to become triangulated.Stressed horse: according to research, how many and the depth of wrinkles (or worry lines) forming above the eye is a good indicator of this.Signs of a stressed horseThe ear position of a horse who is stressed will usually be turned back.A horse who is constantly stressed may have numerous deep wrinkles on their upper eyelid as their eyes are continually triangulating in this way. Eye wrinkles are common in horses, but differ in number, depth and shape between individuals. A horse who isnt blinking could be frozen in fear just prior to exposure behaviour, whereas a dull stare could be an expression of depression, illness or pain.One of the first indicators that a horse is scared is in their eyes.As well as their ears andeyes, horses use their whole body to communicate with each other and also with people.All images ShutterstockRelated contentHow to tell if a horse is happyHow to stop a horse bitingHow to stop a horse buckingCan you read your horses body language?How to take care of a horseThe post This is what a horses ear positions tell you about how theyre feeling appeared first on Your Horse.

The postoperative period is critical for older horses undergoing colic surgery. | Photo: iStockAs equine care has evolved, the proportion of senior horsesthose 16 or olderwithin the population has grown. While transitioning your horse from a successful performance career to a well-deserved retirement can be straightforward and satisfying, medical decision-making can begin to feel more complicated during this stage. In two large studies gastrointestinal (GI) disease was the most common reason for admission to a referral hospital, with colic being the major cause.Colic is stressful for any owner, especially when trying to decide whether to send a horse to colic surgerya decision that can become more complex as your horse ages. To help you with this difficult choice, here are considerations to discuss with your veterinarian.Colic TypeColic falls into many categories. Here Ill focus on small intestine vs. large intestine and strangulating (when something obstructs the blood supply to the tissue) vs. nonstrangulating. Of these distinctions, geriatric horses are at increased risk of a strangulating lesion of the small intestine (Krista et al., 2009). This is because geriatric horses are more likely to develop strangulating lipomas, which are essentially balls of fat with a stalk that ensnares a piece of the GI tract, than young adult horses. Unfortunately, horses with small intestine lesions have lower rates of survival to hospital discharge than those with large intestine lesions. In one study, however, Southwood et al. found no significant difference between short-term survival rates of surgically managed geriatric and adult horses with small intestine strangulations. They did note that upon adding a subcategory of horses ages 20 or older, those surgically managed cases had lower short-term survival than the adult horses. It appears that while geriatric patients are at higher risk of having a colic type with a more guarded prognosis, if taken to surgery they typically have similar short-term survival rates as adult horses undergoing surgery for the same lesion type. AnesthesiaRELATED CONTENT | General Anesthesia for Senior Horses: What Are the Risks?Anesthetizing any equine patient comes with risk. The size of horses, necessity for them to stand following the procedure, and critical status of some colic patients are just a few of the factors that can translate to equine anesthesia difficulties. In a 2020 study of 1,161 equine anesthesia cases Laurenza et al. found increasing age was a major risk factor for complications and/or mortality. Of those, neuromuscular, respiratory, and cardiovascular complications were associated with increasing age. Understanding the risk of anesthesia is prudent for any owner of a colic patient; however, you might want to discuss with your veterinarian any major contraindications he or she might expect with your horse.Postoperative HealingA surgical colic patients journey to a successful hospital discharge does not occur as soon as he or she is standing safely in recovery. The postoperative period is critical. Again, colicking geriatric patients are more likely to have strangulating lesions of the small intestine. These lesions are also associated with a postoperative complication known as reflux, where GI fluid accumulates and, instead of being expelled through reabsorption and defecation, fills the stomach and must be removed by nasogastric intubation. In addition, a common disorder of geriatric horses is pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, formerly equine Cushings disease). The alterations in PPID patients inflammatory and immune responses might create difficulties in the postoperative healing period. Therefore, it is important to understand that geriatric surgical colic patients might require more supportive care postoperatively.Financial BurdenThe financial burden of colic surgery is a reality for most horse owners, because the associated costs have increased (Blikslager et al., 2020). While insurance policies cover a portion of the equine population, an owner might be less likely to insure a geriatric horse. In addition, strangulating lesions of the small intestine have been associated with higher expenses compared to those for large intestine nonstrangulating lesions. The more intensive postoperative support small intestine lesions sometimes need can significantly impact total cost.While each case differs, geriatric horses can respond as well to colic surgery as adult horses with similar lesions. As with surgical colic of any aged horse, discuss the lesion type, possible anesthetic and postoperative complications, and financial impact with your veterinarian.