On Oct. 7, a vaccinated Quarter Horse filly in Beaver County, Utah, tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The filly developed clinical signs on Oct. 1, including reluctance to move and lip twitching. She has fully recovered after a four-day treatment with NSAIDs and antimicrobials.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.WNV 101West Nile virusis transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. Not all infected horses show clinical signs, but those that do can exhibit:Flulike signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed;Fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculation (involuntary twitching);Hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity to touch and sound);Changes in mentation (mental activity), when horses look like theyre daydreaming or just not with it;Occasional drowsiness;Propulsive walking (driving or pushing forward, often without control); andSpinal signs, including asymmetrical weakness; andAsymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia.West Nile virus has no cure. However, some horses can recover with supportive care. Equine mortality rates can reach 30-40%.Studies have shown thatvaccines can be effective WNV prevention tools. Horses vaccinated in past years need an annual booster shot, but veterinarians might recommend two boosters annuallyone in the spring and another in the fallin areas with prolonged mosquito seasons. In contrast, previously unvaccinated horses require a two-shot vaccination series in a three- to six-week period. It takes several weeks for horses to develop protection against the disease following complete vaccination or booster administration.In addition to vaccinations, owners should work to reduce mosquito population and breeding areas and limit horses mosquito exposure by:Removing stagnant water sources;Dumping, cleaning, and refilling water buckets and troughs regularly;Keeping animals inside during insect feeding times (typically early in the morning and evening); andApplying mosquito repellents approved for equine use.

Advertisement featureWhen it comes to helping your super senior horse or pony gain weight theres a simple solution increase their calorie intake! However, this can be tricky to get right, especially as our wise seniors often have their own opinion on what they will or wont eat. The following overview of effective management strategies will help you do best by your own senior horse.Condition vs weightFirst establish whether your horse truly needs to gain weight or simply improve their condition/topline or shape. In equine nutrition terms, condition refers to fat coverage, rather than overall wellness and appearance. Conditioning feeds are higher in calories to promote weight gain or maintenance in poorer doers.Ageing can impact the shape of some senior horses dramatically, especially for those that are no longer able to work. A lack of topline doesnt necessarily mean a lack of fat. Building true topline and muscle is tricky once a horse has retired and has no exercise programme.Fabulous forageForage is key to supporting digestive health and mental wellbeing, it also provides a significant source of calories. Assuming your horses teeth are still good, provide as much forage as your horse will eat, although be mindful of waste. Provide hay or haylage in the field as necessary. If they struggle to eat enough forage to maintain their weight, consider introducing a (partial) hay replacer.If deteriorating teeth makes eating hay difficult, provide a partial hay replacer, such as a mashTerrible teethDental issues are a common cause of weight loss in seniors and regular dental checks are vital. Horses with very poor teeth may need 100% of their diet replaced with a mash. Practically, replace like for like. So if, for example, they used to eat 6kgs of hay overnight, then feed 6kgs of a hay replacer overnight. Remember to weigh this out dry before you add the water.Energy = CaloriesRemember, energy and calories are the same thing calories are simply a measurement of energy. Feeds containing 7-10 MJ DE/kg can be described as low calorie (similar to average UK hay), whilst those containing 12-13MJ DE/kg are high calorie. This means that underweight horses need more energy, while overweight equines need less.Maximise calories in the bucketTo do this, you should:Feed enough:Ensure you are feeding the recommended amount of feed, as stated on the back of the bag.Use conditioning feeds:Underweight horses may benefit from higher calorie feeds.Include balancers:Due to the small amount fed, balancers provide few calories, making them better suited to good doers.Check meal sizes: Weigh each horses feed to ensure youre feeding the right amount. Feed no more than 2kgs per meal (dry weight) for horses less for ponies.Choose fibre-based feeds:Choose feeds that are low in starch and sugar to support digestive health and reduce the risk of excitability.Feed high calorie chaffs: Assuming the horses teeth are still good, choose fibre feeds high in oil to help maximise calorie intake.Sugar Beet and mashesSugar beet is high in calories, low in starch, and an excellent source of digestible fibre. However, after soaking, sugar beet is approximately 80% water and so provides few calories. High-fibre soaked feeds, like mashes, are a popular alternative. Many ensure a balanced diet, and some can be used as total or partial hay replacers.Utilising oil for bonus caloriesOils are another feed option for owners of poor doers in need of more calories. Oil is starch free, making it a useful addition for those prone to laminitis or Cushings disease (PPID). All oils provide similar calories and can generally be fed at up to 100ml per 100kg of bodyweight per day. Consult with a nutrition specialist before adding more than 100ml of oil per day.Energy and calories are the same thing, meaning a poor doer will need higher levels of energy in their feedManagement tips for a poor doerRegular body condition scoring This is an important tool that enables you to monitor their condition. Check poor doers fortnightly; you can also use a weigh tape weekly.RuggingChange rugs as needed to prevent a poor doer wasting energy keeping warm or sweating.WormingSome seniors may be more susceptible to worm burdens and regular faecal worm egg counts are recommended.Behavioural observationsWatch your horses behaviour so that you dont miss changes in their normal. Pain or discomfort anywhere in the body can reduce appetite.Bullying Older horses slide down the pecking order and it might become necessary to feed them separately.Keep them happyStable and feed a poor doer somewhere theyre happy and relaxed so that they dont worry the weight off.Seek adviceContact a vet, nutrition specialist or other expert if youre unsure about anything to rule out problems and gain helpful advice.Tips for tempting fussy eatersTry not to chop and change feeds, instead offer them a buffet and separate different feeds.Feed little and often rather than large meals.Add warm water.Consider adding small amounts of grated apples/carrots, garlic, mint or fenugreek to feeds.Prepare for winterBe proactive this winter and introduce a higher calorie diet before your poor doer begins to lose weight. You can then increase the amount of calories they consume as necessary, according to the weather and as grazing deteriorates.If you would like any nutritional advice for your senior horse or pony, the SPILLERS nutrition team are on hand. You can contact them by phone on 01908 226626 or complete a Care-Line form here and one of the team will be in touch.Related contentThis is why feeding a mash will do wonders for a senior horses health *Promotion*When would a senior horse benefit from a feed supplement? *Promotion*Help for senior horses with ageing joints *Promotion*The post Expert advice for feeding a senior horse that struggles to hold their weight in winter *Promotion* appeared first on Your Horse.

In partnership with Wintec SaddlesHow often do you think about the length of your stirrup leathers and the position of your irons? So often we mount up and ride away without giving them a second thought because your normal length doesnt change, unless youre going to be jumping or doing dressage. Whether you predominantly enjoy hacking a horse or schooling, riding with the incorrect stirrup length perhaps they are too long, too short, or unlevel could leave you unstable in the saddle and feeling sore. Biomechanics trainer Hannah Irons says that she meets many riders who arent aware of the impact their stirrups have on their riding or position in the saddle, and its one of the first things she corrects in a session. It can make an immediate positive change to your comfort, position and effectiveness in the saddle.What I often see is riders with too long stirrups and they have to reach for them, so they hollow their back, says Hannah. Likewise, when the stirrups are too short, riders tend to round their backs.Muscle fatigueWhether youre hacking around the block or heading out for long distances, riding with the wrong stirrup length can leave you with aches and pains.In the short term, youll have muscle fatigue from overworking some muscles and underworking others, explains Hannah. Typically, things like hollowing your back or sitting like youre in a chair. It causes strain and discomfort, and we know it can work its way up to hunching shoulders and headaches.If youve been riding with the wrong length for a long time it can be a much tougher issue to address.We develop postural habits, which leads to longer-term pain complaints, adds Hannah. I think its quite hard to find a rider who doesnt have a back pain issue.How to find the right lengthTheres no definitive guide to finding the right stirrup length as it depends on your conformation and saddle, but Hannah says there are a few ways you can get started:1. Stirrup to armpitHold the top of your stirrup leather where it joins to your saddle.Bring the stirrup leather along your arm and see where the stirrup iron reaches.The iron should reach your armpit.2. Iron to ankleSit in the saddle without your stirrups and your legs hanging comfortably.The bottom of the stirrup tread should rest by your ankle bone.In an ideal world, you look at the angle of the hip and thigh too, says Hannah. A commonly used guide is the thigh bone being 40-45 to the ground. A good way to check this is to get a friend or instructor to take a photo so you can see if you are in balance.Hannah adds that there are variables, and these rough guides wont work for everyone.If you are particularly long through the thigh or the lower leg then youll need to find a balance, she says. These guides are a good starting point. I would always recommend working with an instructor or biomechanics coach to get it right for you personally.Unlevel stirrupsWhether one leather has stretched or youve popped them on mismatched holes, stirrup leathers that are uneven can leave you insecure and uncomfortable sometimes without you even realising it.Its going to completely adjust your balance, says Hannah. If youre longer on one side typically the left from mounting youre going to be reaching for that one a bit more and its going to tip you that way, so youll have to strain to stabilise yourself.If your leather has stretched over time, you may not even notice the change as your body adapts to it but your horse certainly will.If were wonky as the rider, were putting more weight to one side and were affecting the horses balance, explains Hannah. Your horse will end up with overdevelopment and underdevelopment of muscles and it will affect saddle fit too, which could result in it slipping.This can leave you vulnerable if your horse spooks, as you are less secure in the saddle. Its worth checking the length of your leathers after every few rides to make sure they are still even.Making adjustmentsIf you jump your horse and/or do dressage as well as hacking, of course youll have more than one stirrup length that you use but chances are you use one more regularly than the others. Even so, checking your length is still right for you whatever discipline you are riding is in important.If you think its time to make a change to your stirrup length, be careful not to get too carried away.If you put them down too much in one go then youll end up reaching for them, explains Hannah. Or if you put them up you may hollow your back.Hannah recommends changing them gradually and doing some quick stretches before you leave the yard for your hack to get your body prepared.Take your feet out of the stirrups and give them a nice stretch, do some circles with your feet and ankles, swing your legs back and forwards from your hips and just loosen everything up, advises Hannah. If you have a spooky horse or feel nervous, just take one foot out at a time.If youre doing this, remember to be sensible and stay safe. Ask someone to hold your horse while you do it, for example, or do it while youre in a fenced off area such as an arena.Hannah Irons is a biomechanics trainer, riding instructor and confidence coach. She is a Franklin Method Equestrian Level 1 Educator and BHS Stage 2 Foundation Coach, and teaches private lessons, clinics and mechanical horse lessons covering the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and surrounding areas.This content is brought to you in partnership withWintec Saddles, durable, comfortable, easy-care, weather-proof saddles for everyone, and proud partner of Your Horses #Hack1000Miles.The post Hollowing your back or slouching? This is why stirrup length matters when hacking appeared first on Your Horse.

An effective give and retake of the reins in a dressage test or when you are schooling your horse on the flat demonstrates that your horse is in good self-carriage. In other words, they are able to hold themselves upright and maintain an outline without relying on you, the rider, to prop them up.Self-carriage is something that all dressage judges want to see but, like all movements, its something you need to practise at home in order to achieve the best marks. When a horse isnt in self-carriage and you give and retake the reins, they will lose their rhythm, balance and outline. That might mean their head and neck going up or down, falling on to the forehand, and when you take back the reins they will feel heavy in your hand due to the loss of balance.A good give and retakeThe ideal give-and-retake of the reins in dressage is short and sweet, lasting only two or three strides, and is ridden at trot or canter.During these crucial steps, you must demonstrate a clear break in the contact, signified by a looped rein, to show there is no connection between your hands and the bit.While the contact is broken, nothing must change about your horses rhythm, balance and frame.When releasing the contact, I see a lot of riders panic and thrust their hands up towards the horses ears. However, this rarely demonstrates the break in contact the judge is looking for, explains international dressage rider and UKCC Level 3 coach Sarah Higgins.Getting it right is simple. All you need to do is make sure you offer your hand forward in line with the bit to create that loose, looped rein.Just straightening your arm is enough to achieve this, and itll become second nature with practiceBreaking into trotIf the horse breaks into trot when you give and retake the reins in canter, they are likely unbalanced and leaning on you, so they feel heavy in your hands (a bit like youre trying to hold their head up). When youre doing give and retake in trot, youre probably also experiencing rushing when you give with the rein.You wont fix balance overnight, but a good starting point is encouraging your horse to be more responsive to your seat and less reliant on your rein aids, says Sarah. To get started, add more transitions especially between gaits, such as working trot to medium trot and vice versa and focus on closing down your horses stride length by stilling your seat rather than by pulling on the reins.You can also use give and retake as a training tool to encourage your horse to find their own balance. If you feel your horse is heavy on the end of your reins, give them for a few strides. Your horse will soon learn that they cant reliably lean on you and will have to work out how to carry themselves.If the horse switches offThe trick to maintaining rhythm and forwardness throughout any dressage movement, including give and retake of the reins, is preparation. This helps keep your horse focused, active and motivated.The same is true of give and retake and, especially if your horse is a lazier sort, I find that performing half-halts with your seat from 10 or even 15 metres before you begin the movement helps keep horses sharp and engaged. This means they maintain their rhythm and balance more effectively, advises Sarah.Hollowing in the contactGive and retake in a dressage test often takes place on a circle, and circles by their very nature ask your horse for enhanced flexion and softness. But, if they are still losing their frame, Sarah suggests offering one rein forward at a time instead of both at once.Suddenly losing the contact entirely could be a bit surprising, particularly if your horse is young, so introducing them to give and retake gradually in this way, offering extra support, will help, she explains. Establish a rhythm and bend youre happy with, then give with the inside rein while using your outside rein to keep them balanced and soft. Then retake the rein and repeat the other side.Related content7 things we learned from Carl Hesters dressage masterclass at Defender BurghleyStop your horse hollowing in transitions with this advice from Emile FaurieThe Scales of Training in dressage and flatwork explainedHow to build topline and develop correct muscles in your horseThe post This is how to ride give and retake of the reins in dressage appeared first on Your Horse.

Emeritus Professor David Mellorarchitect of the Five Domains Modelexplores the biological and behavioural evidence showing that all bits, regardless of design, cause mouth pain. Drawing on decades of welfare science, he argues that the perfect bit is the one never placed in a horses mouth.The post The Perfect Bit for your Horse appeared first on Horses and People.

Topic Key Points Understanding Girth Fit and Symmetry Primary function of a girth is stability; must distribute pressure; symmetry is essential. Importance of Symmetry and Balance Prevents undue pressure; aids in horse movement; ensures buckles are at similar heights. The Dilemma of Uneven Girth Holes Misalignment can lead to discomfort and performance issues; comparable to a misfitting belt. Discomfort and Performance Impact Can trigger behaviors indicating discomfort; reflects girth aversion or cinch sensitivity. Consequences of Ignoring Uneven Girths Could lead to girth galls or soreness; impacts gait and performance; requires attention. Choosing the Right Girth Choose anatomically shaped, quality materials; consider proper sizing and fit for comfort. Employing Proper Tightening Techniques Gradual adjustment is key; perform symmetry checks often; ensure even pressure distribution. Additional Tips for Horse Owners Pair outfits with jodhpurs and boots; consider treats and gifts for enhanced experience. Conclusion Importance of balancing comfort and symmetry for horse and rider; support from quality products. Balancing Comfort and Symmetry: The Dilemma of Uneven Girth Holes on Horse Tack At Just Horse Riders, we understand that ensuring your horse's comfort is as paramount as ensuring your riding experience is top-notch. One often-overlooked aspect of equipping your steed is the precise fit of the girth a component that secures the saddle in place. But what's the big deal with girth fit and symmetry? Gather 'round as we dive headfirst into the world of equestrian apparel and explore the nuances of uneven girth holes. Understanding Girth Fit and Symmetry Let's get straight to the point. The primary function of a girth is to secure the saddle, ensuring stability while allowing the horse complete freedom of movement. A well-fitted girth distributes pressure evenly around the horse's torso, safeguarding against discomfort and potential injuries. The Importance of Symmetry and Balance Symmetry in girth adjustment isn't just aesthetic it's essential. A symmetrical girth ensures that it lies centrally with buckles at similar heights on both sides, preventing undue pressure on sensitive areas and facilitating unrestricted horsey movements. An even girth is a happy girth! The Dilemma of Uneven Girth Holes What Are Uneven Girth Holes? Imagine strapping on your belt and realizing the holes dont line up! Uneven girth holes are akin to that problem. They occur when the holes for buckles misalign on both sides, often due to poorly sized tack or misaligned buckles during tightening. This seemingly small issue can have sizeable repercussions. Discomfort and Performance Impact on Horses A poorly adjusted girth isnt just uncomfortable; it can trigger behaviors like head tossing, tail swishing, or even biting. These behaviors may indicate underlying health issues or girth aversion. To avoid a grumpy galloper, take girth fit seriously. Behavioral changes are often signs of girth aversion or cinch sensitivity. Long-term Consequences of Ignoring the Problem If unchecked, uneven girths can lead to girth galls or soreness near the elbows. Such issues may cause compensatory strategies by the horse, thus impacting gait and performance. Left unsolved, your ride could turn from graceful to a full-blown tilt-a-whirl. Addressing the Issue of Uneven Girth Holes Choosing the Right Girth Girth Design: Its crucial to select anatomically shaped girths made from quality materials like medical-grade closed-cell foam. These offer better conformity to the horse's body, reducing pressure points. Who wouldnt want a little TLC with their tack? Sizing and Fit: Correct sizing is crucial! A girth too long causes bulk, while one too short increases pressure. Find a happy medium for the sake of stable stability in the stirrups. For optimal fit, check out helpful gear from Just Horse Riders. Employing Proper Tightening Techniques Gradual Adjustment: Slow and steady wins the race. Tighten one hole at a time, alternating sides, to maintain symmetry. Your horse will enjoy the thoughtful care just as much as the robust riding routine. Perform a Symmetry Check after tightening. Ensure that buckles on both sides are level. This step is vital to distribute pressure evenly and keep your equine amigo happy and healthy. For more helpful gear, explore our everyday supplement collection. Additional Tips for Horse Owners Equip yourself with accessories that improve the riding experience. Our collections of jodhpurs and horse riding boots ensure you pair your outfits with practical style. Not to forget, gifts for the horse with a sweet tooth are always delightful; check our horse treats collection! Conclusion Though often underestimated in importance, balancing comfort and symmetry in horse tack is crucial for both horse and rider satisfaction. Uneven girth holes can negatively impact performance and cause long-term injuries if not addressed. At Just Horse Riders, we support you every step of the way with a range of quality products and sound advice. So, take these tips to heart and enjoy a ride thats as comfortable as it is exhilarating. For all your equestrian needs, remember, Just Horse Riders has you covered! Check out our entire collection for more fabulous finds for you and your horse.```html```

The equine digestive tract can be a bit terrifying: There is a lot of tissue packed into a relatively small space, and it seems like hundreds of things could go wrong with any part of it. While many horse owners are familiar with the stomach, the small intestine, and the large intestine, there are quite a few other organs integral to ensuring a horse is digesting, absorbing and excreting properly. One lesser-known yet vitally important organ is the cecumwhere a cecal impaction can take place. Dont overlook this sneaky form of colic that can have mild symptoms but a devastating result if not treated properly.Photo by Pascale Gueret/Adobe StockGet to Know the Cecum What is the cecum? This large, comma-shaped pouch is located at the junction of the small and large intestines; it takes up a large portion of the right side of a horses abdomen.The cecum is a blind pouch located between the small and large intestine that holds up to 8 gallons of material. Illustration by Tami ZigoThe organ is a blind pouch, meaning that the entrance and exit to the organ sit dorsally (to the back, nearer the anus); if gastrointestinal motility is in any way compromised, material passing through the intestine may settle to the bottom of the organ instead of being pushed through it, increasing the likelihood of material buildup and an impaction.Between 4 and 5 feet long, the cecum acts as a storage area; it can hold roughly 8 gallons of material and water. Its often referred to as part of the large intestine (along with the colon, into which it empties). The cecum assists in three things: Storage. The cecum stores electrolytes and water. Digestion. Bacteria in the cecum help ferment food passing into it from the small intestine. Fermentation. Enzymes in the cecum break down food.With the ability to hold this much material and liquid, its easy to see why any slowdown of material moving through in this area could be significant. While a cecal impaction is not the most common cause of colic in horses, the mortality rate from such an impaction is shockingly high: between 25 and 57 percent.These deaths are mainly attributed to cecal rupture, which can come on rapidly with minimal signs of onset. A horses digestive tract can still function (thought not as effectively) as a cecal impaction builds, so signs of impending impaction are easy to overlook.Presentation of Cecal ImpactionsLike other types of colic, early intervention is key to a favorable outcome. Cecal impactions can be particularly tricky to diagnose, as they often present very mildly. An affected horse may look slightly uncomfortable, trot around, or lie down with minimal fanfare; he may find relief with just a small dose of pain medication.However, as the impaction grows, so does the horses pain. A horse with a cecal impaction may exhibit the following signs, but not necessarily over a consistent time period: Reduced manure output Pawing Pacing, rolling or stretching out Reduced intestinal sounds Increased heart rate Pale gums SweatingReduced intestinal sounds, especially along the right side of the horses abdomen where the cecum is located, may indicate cecal impaction. Photo by 135pixels/Adobe StockIts important to also remember that none of these signs may be pronounced.A lot of owners see colic and think [the horse] has twisted his intestine, explains Ann Andrews, DVM, of Park Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. Then when they see their horse acting a bit more normal, if uncomfortable, they think theyre in the clearbut they may not be. Owners expect a violent, thrashing colic, but a cecal impaction may appear very mild. These mild signs in and of themselves dont mean the issue isnt important or doesnt necessitate follow-up attention.Cause: DehydrationA few things can cause a cecal impaction, but the most common is dehydration, says Andrews.The most common cause of cecal impaction is dehydration, so a supply of clean, cool water should always be available. Photo by Alexia Khruscheva/Adobe StockHorses that live in hot, humid environments are more susceptible to this condition as they sweat, sometimes profusely, to cool themselves down. The ability to get out of direct sunlight, whether that means in a stall under fans, in a run-in shed, or in shade from trees, will prevent the horse from experiencing a spike in body temperature and an overabundance of sweat production, which could deplete his bodys store of electrolytes.Additionally, its critical that you ensure your horse has fresh water, and that the water he has access to isnt hot, says Andrews. This may mean extra work filling and refilling buckets and troughs, or making sure there are multiple areas from which your horse can drink (an automatic waterer and a trough, for example).The even bigger part of having access to water is ensuring that the horse is actually drinking, Andrews says, though she notes that this can be hard if he lives in a herd.The majority a horses water absorption (98 percent!) occurs in the cecum and distal colon, according to Andrews. This means that if a horse is dehydrated, his body tries to remove even more water from the material that is in the large intestine, causing the fecal matter to dry out and get firmer, making it difficult for it to pass around the pelvic flexure. She notes that this area is often where horses end up getting impactions.Cause: ParasitesA horse with a heavy worm burden may also be susceptible to a cecal impaction. Tapeworms in particular appear to put horses at risk, as they tend to gather around the narrow junction between the large and small intestine, blocking the passage of food into the cecum. Tapeworm attachment at this junction can also irritate the intestine, leading to spasmodic colic.Routine fecal egg counts, usually performed by your veterinarian, can help identify which parasites are affecting your horse and how heavy of a load hes carrying. A deworming strategy created in conjunction with your vet can ensure that your horse is not negatively affected by a high worm load.Routine egg counts and a deworming strategy created in conjunction with your vet can help prevent parasite-related causes of colic. Photo by chelle129/Adobe StockCause: Age-Related IssuesOlder horses with cancerous polyps in their gastrointestinal tracts may have slowed motility in the large intestine.Food and matter that sits in the cecum encourages the body to keep trying to pull out water, says Andrews. At some point, there is no more water to pull.Additionally, older horses with poor dentition, either from lack of routine care or because they no longer have teeth to chew their food well, are also candidates for cecal impactions. Their feed is not as broken up as it should be, and these larger balls of feed and matter can fluff up in the intestine, she cautions.Older horses may benefit from feed that is soaked or from a less-coarse feed that is more readily broken down in the digestive tract. Ongoing, quality dental care is critical during a horses golden years.Ongoing, quality dental care is especially important during a horses golden years, when sharp or missing teeth result in the inability to chew food properly. Photo by Vagengeim/Adobe StockTreatment of a Cecal ImpactionThere is no specific age or breed of horse that is most at-risk of a cecal impaction.I have seen cecal impactions across the board, says Andrews. They occur in a variety of ages [of horse], for a variety of reasons. Early detection is key to the horses health.Like other types of colic, cecal impactions can be treated medically or surgically based on the horses clinical signs, results of a physical exam, rectal palpation, health history, bloodwork results, and the horses response to medical management. Andrews will often ultrasound a horses abdomen to help determine if the horse is experiencing a cecal impaction.Administration of fluids, both intravenously and orally, is the first line of defense to try to soften the mass in the horses cecum. Laxatives and pain relievers may also be administered. Surgery, or euthanasia if surgery is not an option, must be considered if the impaction remains unchanged or enlarges, or if pain escalates, as this indicates that rupture is often imminent. Once the horses cecum ruptures, he may briefly appear more comfortable as he bleeds internally, which eventually causes death from blood loss or septicemia.Surgery must be considered if the impaction remains unchanged or enlarges, or if pain escalates. Photo by Grubarin/Adobe StockBecause of this possible outcome, its important to know if surgery is an optionfor a cecal impaction or other problemlong before the need arises, according to Andrews.If I cant manage a cecal impaction medically, I dont waste a lot of time before getting them on the table if surgery is an option, mainly so I can try to preserve the integrity of the GI tract, she says.Owners who know their horses well are cherished by their horses care team and offer solid ground for the veterinarian-client-patient relationship to flourish.I value the owners who look at their horses every day, says Andrews. When they say, Somethings not right, I know that something truly isnt right. Long-term, I know their horses as well as they do, and it helps me catch things really early and begin treatment.This article about cecal impaction colic appeared in the October 2024 issue of Horse Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post An Overview of Cecal Impaction Colic appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.