Yet it is well known and accepted that some of the most commonly used NSAIDs such as phenylbutazone (‘bute’, ‘PBZ’) and flunixin meglumine (‘flunix’) can cause gastric ulceration, irritation and bleeding, as well as have detrimental effects on kidney and liver function in susceptible horses and/or with long-term use.

These medications inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) inflammatory pathways, resulting in decreased inflammation, swelling and fever. COX pathways can be further divided into COX-1 and COX-2, and historically we have attributed COX-1 being responsible for beneficial effects within the body. COX 1 is known to support normal protective mechanisms in the gastrointestinal (GI) system, kidneys and liver through the production of prostaglandins.

We’ve also historically viewed production of COX-2 to be ‘harmful’- attributing it to excessive inflammation, tissue damage and swelling. So surely, if we can produce NSAIDs that block COX-2 (significantly reducing inflammation), whilst sparring the protective effects of COX-1 then everything should work perfectly. The solution? Preferentially selective COX-2 inhibitors. Medications such as Firocoxib (Equioxx, Previcox) and Meloxicam (Metacam). Which in theory, fit the bill perfectly. The only thing is, the inflammatory process isn’t as simple as we once thought it may be….

Whilst excessive production of inflammatory mediators is largely viewed as harmful to the body, and NSAIDs certainly play an important role in veterinary medicine, it’s not quite as simple as blocking COX-2 production and expecting normal and healthy function and healing in our horses…

When it comes to COX-1 and COX-2, their roles aren’t neatly and distinctly separate. In fact, their activities overlap. Which means by using preferentially selective COX-2 inhibitors, we’re also unintentionally inhibiting protective mechanisms in our animals.

Research has shown that when preferentially selective COX-2 inhibitors are used for extended periods of time, and/or in doses that may be typically prescribed in practice, the ability of the medications to be selective decreases: that is, COX-2 inhibitors may result in spill-over to COX-1 pathways, resulting in similar effects to non-selective NSAIDs. This is really important if we’re considering using these drugs believing they are gentler on the digestive tract of our horses.

Preferentially selective COX-2 inhibitors may also adversely impact the gut microbiome, leading to digestive disturbances, changes in gut motility, compromised immune function, reduction in beneficial short chain fatty acid production, effects on fertility, behaviour, and ironically, may exacerbate low-grade inflammation long-term.

Research has now demonstrated that contrary to earlier belief, COX-2 actually plays a role in GI protective mechanisms, GI mucosal defence and repair. Particularly when an animal is injured, under systemic stress, or has existing damage to the GI tract (such as ulceration) the production  of COX-2 is unregulated, to help facilitate healing. This is true in cases of gastritis, colitis and gastric ulcers. COX-2 contributes significantly to the resolution of gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation. By inhibiting the production of COX-2 in these circumstances, healing and recovery are further compromised. And if we think about it in a practical sense, the horse who is prescribed NSAIDs is generally in pain, stressed, ill, injured and/or on box (stall) rest- states where they are already at risk of gastric ulceration, before they are even prescribed NSAIDs. By further inhibiting the production of COX-2, we may be compromising their healing. Recent research has also demonstrated that the use of preferentially selective COX-2 inhibitors may also increase risk of renal injury in horses.

Ultimately, supporting our horses health, performance and healing requires us to look beyond simply suppressing clinical signs. Whilst NSAIDs have an important place in equine veterinary medicine, we must also consider the horse’s underlying health, gastrointestinal integrity, nutritional status and the factors that may be contributing to inflammation in the first place. We have opportunities to support our horses long before, during and after medication is required. Through optimising diet and feeding practices, supporting a healthy gut environment, and using carefully selected nutritional and herbal therapeutics, we can help promote gastrointestinal health, support the body’s natural inflammatory regulation and optimise the conditions needed for recovery and tissue repair.

sbrumwell

Why Broodmare Body Condition Matters

It’s common practice to maintain broodmares in what is considered “good condition.” In reality, this often means mares are kept overweight, based on the belief that heavier mares are more fertile.

But research and field experience suggest otherwise. Excess body fat in broodmares is associated with an increased risk of developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD) in their offspring, including:

• Osteochondrosis (OC)
• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
• Angular limb deformities
• Flexural limb deformities

These conditions can significantly impact sale value, veterinary expenses, training timelines, and long-term soundness and performance outcomes.

The Hidden Problem: “Good Doers” & Nutritional Imbalance

When it comes to health and nutrition of broodmares, some of the most common issues I see in practice are:

• Misjudged body condition
• Underestimated nutrient requirements
• Over-reliance on pasture alone as a sole or primary feed source
• Haphazard or uninformed supplement use
• Feeding based solely on body weight and condition, not nutrient requirements

This is especially true for “good doing” mares. In an effort to control weight, many broodmares are not feed sufficient quantities of a suitably fortified feed or mineral balancer, meaning they:

• Lack key minerals needed for fertility, immune function and foetal growth and development (e.g. copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, selenium, iodine)
• Receive inadequate micronutrient support
• May not consume sufficient amounts of essential amino acids such as lysine
• Still consume excess energy

This results is a mare that is overweight but undernourished. The implications of these don’t just impact her immediate health, but reproductive outcomes.

At the same time, supplemental feed, vitamin or minerals are often added without a clear understanding of:

• What the mare actually requires
• How her nutrient needs change from preconception, during the different stages of pregnancy, through to lactation
• Correct dosages
• How nutrients interact
• How any medications the mare may be receiving impact nutrient requirements 
• What is already being supplied through pasture and current diet

This can lead to:

• Nutrient imbalances
• Shortfalls in key nutrients required for optimal reproductive health and sound orthopaedic development of the mare’s offspring
• Excesses of nutrients that interfere with absorption of other minerals
• A false sense of “covering all bases”

More supplements generally don’t equate to better nutrition: precision matters. And when it comes to the healthy development of young horses, this is an area which you cannot afford to overlook.

Nutrition & Orthopaedic Development Are Linked

When managing DOD risk in young horses, nutrition and body condition cannot be separated.

All of the following may increase DOD risk:

• Overfeeding energy
• Poor gut microbial health (in both the mare and/or foal)
• Underfeeding essential nutrients
• Feeding certain minerals in excess
• Mineral imbalances
• Inconsistent feeding practices
• Sudden changes in feed
• Feeding in ways that promote high insulin levels

A foal’s orthopaedic health doesn’t start at birth: it starts with how the mare is managed before conception and throughout pregnancy.

The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong

Many developmental issues don’t appear immediately. Instead, they show up later as:

• Swelling, stiffness, lameness (sometimes only subtly)
• Radiograph (x-ray) findings
• Inconsistent performance
• Reduced athletic potential

By that point, the financial and reputational costs are significantly higher.

How to Get It Right

Optimising broodmare nutrition isn’t about feeding less or more, it’s about feeding in a way that promotes health and fertility in the broodmare and sound orthopaedic development in her offspring.

That means:

• Maintaining an appropriate body condition score (not overweight)
• Providing balanced minerals and trace elements in forms which the mare can readily digest, absorb and metabolise
• Adjusting feeding based on pasture, environmental conditions, and reproductive stage
• Ensuring energy (calorie) intake is appropriate given the mare’s unique requirements
• Taking a mare’s reproductive history into account and addressing specific nutrient requirements in relation to this
• Monitoring condition consistently and objectively
• Assessing and addressing the nutritional and metabolic impact of any medications a mare may be receiving 
• Feeding to promote optimal gastrointestinal health

Need Help Assessing Your Broodmare Program?

If you’re unsure:

• Where your mare’s body condition currently sits
• Whether her diet is properly balanced
• Specific nutritional requirements of your broodmare
• How to reduce DOD risk in your youngstock
• Why you mare may struggle with fertility or reproductive challenges, despite extensive veterinary intervention

Now is the time to address it, before small issues become expensive problems.

I work with breeders to optimise broodmare nutrition and management, supporting both fertility and the long-term soundness of their youngstock.

If you’d like a clearer understanding of where your mares currently sit and how to improve outcomes heading into the breeding season, feel free to get in touch.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

However, the use of intra-articular steroids come with risks to our horses and ponies. Particularly those with insulin dysregulation, insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) or those who are at risk of, or have previously had laminitis.

Intra-articular corticosteroids have been shown to increase blood glucose and insulin levels and increase the risk of laminitis, particularly in susceptible horses. The risk may be further increased in horses receiving high-grain or high-starch diets.

When giving our horses any medication or supplement, whether natural or pharmaceutical, both the potential risks and benefits should be taken into account.

For the horse with osteoarthritis or any other degenerative joint disease, diet, exercise (load) management, weight and body composition should all be taken into account. Overweight horses or those with insulin resistance may be at an increased likelihood of developing osteoarthritis due to higher levels of systemic inflammation associated with excess body fat. This highlights the need to be particularly mindful of the risk in these horses and ponies if the use of corticosteroid injections are being considered.

Many nutraceutical and herbal medicine supplements can safely and significantly help horses with osteoarthritis, when selected and used appropriately.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

Research has demonstrated that during the last three to four months of pregnancy, the developing foetus will gain approximately 70-80% of its birth weight! To support this rapid foetal growth, a pregnant mare’s nutritional requirements greatly increase.

Without a mare receiving proper nutrition during this important phase of pregnancy, her foal’s long-term health and development may be compromised. Such nutritional implications are associated with a predisposition for skeletal growth disorders (such as osteochrondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans [OCDs]) in her offspring.

Appropriately feeding a mare during this phase can become challenging- especially when she is a ‘good-doer’ or has a tendency to get fat: research has demonstrated that another risk factor predisposing young horses to orthopaedic development disorders is being born to mares who carry excess body weight (and particularly body fat) during pregnancy. Keeping such mares at a healthy bodyweight is even more difficult in areas where there is abundant pasture. Unfortunately, however, pasture alone will not meet a mare  and her developing foetus’ nutritional requirements. Nor will the provision of a mineral salt lick/block.

There is a happy balance however, to support a mare and her developing foetus’ nutritional requirements, whilst also ensuring a mare is kept at a healthy body weight and condition. This helps to give a foal its best chance at life and healthy orthopaedic development and is one critical strategy to help prevent orthopaedic developmental disorders as the foal grows and matures. It is also one of the most important factors to assist a mare getting back in foal, should she be covered or inseminated again. 

The long-term health and athletic performance of our horses starts with conception (and even pre-conception). To learn more about how we can help your horses visit our services page.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

For the owner or rider considering taking on an OTTB, careful thought and planning should go into ensuring that the transition from the life of a racehorse to the next phase of the horse’s career is as smooth as possible. Some of the biggest considerations need to be given to changes in the horse’s diet, routine and optimising health parameters. Equipping yourself with knowledge and enlisting the help of suitably qualified professionals can help to realise your horse’s full potential.

Goals and Capabilities as a Rider/Handler

Before even inspecting an OTTB for potential purchase, clearly know what you are wanting in your new horse and your capabilities as a rider. Are you looking for a future show hack with impeccable conformation and looks? Are you looking for a pony club mount that needs to be calm and versatile? Are you looking for a horse with the potential to be a top-class eventer, thereby needing to be very sound, athletic and able to withstand high levels of training? Are you looking to get a cheap yet athletic horse to re-educate and sell on? Knowing the answers to these questions will quickly help to narrow down the horses you inspect for potential purchase and look to undertake a pre-purchase veterinary examination. By clearly knowing your goals, you can save yourself a lot of time and money and are far more likely to choose the most suitable horse.

When taking on an OTTB (particularly one that has come straight from a racing stable environment), honestly assessing your capabilities as a rider is critical. Are you confident and competent enough to safely and effectively manage and deal with an anxious, highly geared horse (whose temperament may or may not change significantly whilst in your care)? Or are you better suited to taking on a more relaxed OTTB or even one that has been off the track for some time and has spent time being re-educated with a different owner? One of the many beauties of OTTBs is that there are so many to choose from and at many different life and career stages- you are bound to find one that suits you perfectly! Be patient and choose wisely.

Vet Check

One of the first things to consider (and often most overlooked) when purchasing an OTTB is getting a thorough vet examination prior to purchase. Musculoskeletal soundness and airway health are two of the most significant considerations. Just like human athletes, racehorses’ bodies are put under strenuous physical demands, with the potential to develop injuries. Due to the hard galloping done by many young horses in training, considerable stress is put on bones, tendons and ligaments. This can lead to soundness issues. A thorough vet examination can help to identify previous injuries or any potential issues which may influence the ability of the horse to be suitable for its intended next career. On radiographic screening (x-ray), many racehorses will have some degree of osteoarthritic changes in their joints. With planning, sound dietary practices and the strategic use of appropriate supplements and management interventions, many of these conditions can be well managed. Furthermore, the fact that many OTTBs transition into their next careers at a relatively young age is advantageous. From a physiological perspective, when given suitable nutrition and support, their body is better able to repair and regenerate than an older horse. Referring back to your goals and what you intend to do with your OTTB is an important consideration here. A past injury in a racehorse which may prevent it from high-level eventing may pose no issues for a horse intended for general pleasure riding.

Suboptimal hoof health is a common finding in the newly transitioning OTTB. This is often due to a combination of poor gastrointestinal (GIT) health (which influences nutrient absorption and the production of essential vitamins such as biotin needed for sound, healthy hooves). For more information on the role of GIT in overall health and the role of nutrition in hoof health see articles: Fibre, Chewing and Gastrointestinal Health; Ulcers in Horses: The importance of understanding how medications work; Hay, Stomach (Gastric) & Hindgut (Colonic) Ulcers; and Beyond Biotin: Optimising Horse Hoof Health.

Routinely being shod in race plates can also compound the problem of poor hoof structure and health. Many racehorses have contracted hooves with under-run heels, long toes and thin soles. Encouragingly, hoof health is an aspect that can readily be turned around in a period of around 8-12 months with appropriate dietary changes and good farriery. Including radiographs of the hooves as part of the pre-purchase examination may be a valuable investment in some horses: x-rays can help to demonstrate what is going on in the hoof and can aid the proactive farrier to trim, shoe and manage the hoof appropriately.

It is important to remember that often racehorses in training will initially go footsore when their shoes are removed and they are left barefoot during a spell. This is especially true of the front feet. Some farriers and owners will choose to keep their horses in shoes. In many cases however, it is advisable for the spelling horse to have an extended period of time being unshod: this helps to positively influence hoof shape and integrity and aids in proper circulation and blood flow to the hooves. Feeding the horse a diet which reduces inflammation, using nutritional supplements (nutraceuticals) and herbal medicine under qualified supervision, and potentially easing the transition to barefoot through the use of padded, removable boots are all beneficial strategies.

Another aspect of the pre-purchase examination should also include an upper airway scope. Respiratory conditions which may be evident when assessing an OTTB include a history of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH, more commonly known as bleeding), airway inflammatory disease, and laryngeal hemiplegia (roaring). The first two can generally be well managed with appropriate feeding and supplementation practices and adopting strategies to minimise the inhalation of air particulate matter and dust.

History

Where possible, finding out as much history about the horse as possible can help to make a smooth transition to the next phase of its career. For a horse coming straight off the track, contact with the trainer and/or stable manager can help provide you with valuable information as to any health or injury concerns with the horse, the dates it was last vaccinated and drenched (de-wormed), any medications and/or supplements it may have been receiving, its current diet and any quirks, habits or temperament considerations to take into account. Having said this, it is also important to remember that when a horse is put in a new environment, some of the aforementioned things may change! For example, a horse that was previously often irritable can become much calmer with a more natural diet and living environment. Similarly, horses which may have been very picky eaters whilst in training often become very good eaters once their GIT health has improved and the stress of the training environment has been removed.

Diet

The majority of diets fed to thoroughbreds in training are not conducive to optimal GIT health and function. Practices vary between trainers and stables, but most often, horses in training are fed two or three large grain and/or concentrate-based meals per day. Grass and/or lucerne hay are often provided in limited amounts. Many trainers do not have the luxury of turning horses out to graze. This puts the horse’s digestive system under strain and increases the likelihood of many health issues including ulceration throughout the GIT (gastric and colonic ulcers), colic, disturbances in the GIT microflora (bacterial balance of the digestive system), hindgut acidosis, suboptimal ability to utilise feed properly and nutritional deficiencies/insufficiencies. The addition of high cortisol levels produced by the horse in response to stress and high-intensity exercise further compromises GIT health and digestive function. To read more about the contributors and effects of stress in our horses see: Stress in Horses: Why it isn’t always obvious.

Horses, by nature, are designed to be constantly moving about and grazing high-fibre roughage. This is important as the stomach of the horse is relatively small in volume and has little capacity to expand. As a result, small amounts of feed which are consumed often are digested much better than the large volume feeds given a couple of times per day. The constant grazing a horse does in its natural environment also ensures that there is a physical buffer in the stomach to protect against the breakdown action of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. These substances are constantly produced in the horse and are essential for proper digestion, as well as immune function. To read more, visit: Ulcers in Horses: The importance of understanding how medications work. Grazing and chewing also stimulate the production of saliva. Saliva serves many important functions in the horse, including releasing bicarbonate ions into the stomach (which also protects the stomach lining, another smart natural mechanism of the horse to protect against ulcers). To learn more about the benefits of grazing, visit: Why Basics Matter: The Importance of Chewing.

Sudden changes in feeding practices (even those that are beneficial to the horse) can increase the risk of colic and other complications. This is thought to be largely attributed to rapid changes in GIT microflora in response to the feed offered. Finding out the horse’s current diet prior to purchasing can help to make smooth transitions to a more fibre-rich feed, whilst ensuring the gut microflora change at an appropriate rate. It is advisable to make the transition of feeds gradual (over a period of 12-14 days) to help best facilitate this.

Whilst horses who come directly out of training will have been maintained on high-energy rations, their relative energy needs during their initial transition into an OTTB will be much lower. Furthermore, if GIT health is optimised as part of their transition (through feeding, management practices and appropriate supplementation), they will be better able to use fibre rich feeds (ie pasture and hay) as energy sources. This is made possible through bacterial fermentation in the hind gut (helpful microbes in the large intestine break fibre down into short-chain/volatile fatty acids, a high source of energy for the horse). It is important to remember that whilst a horse’s actual energy needs may be much lower than when they were in training, their need for specific minerals, vitamins and protein may remain relatively high. Without the excess demands of training and racing the body is in a prime position to help address and heal any niggling injuries, musculoskeletal damage or immune health challenges. To find out more about nutrient requirements and the role of protein for horses visit Nutrient Requirements for Horses: Fortified Feeds and the need for Supplementation; The Importance of Protein. These are commonplace in any athlete involved in demanding sports. To facilitate optimal healing and health, is essential to ensure that the OTTB receives at a minimum the recommended dietary intake of minerals and vitamins, in addition to good quality protein sources. A good quality balancer feed or supplement, in the addition to sufficient pasture, hay and lucerne hay (where appropriate) will help to meet these needs.

Some people find challenges in putting condition on their OTTB and/or the horse being picky with their feed. This is most often due to irritation of GIT, use of ulcer medications and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ‘bute’ (PBZ), and the diet racehorses are commonly maintained on,. These factors can all significantly compromise gut integrity and health. Add to this the stress of a new environment and the change in the horse’s routine and it can take a little time for the horse to adjust. Whilst the prescription of appropriate nutritional and herbal supplementation can help immensely in these cases, basic management practices including turning the horse out to graze, the provision of sufficient roughage (hay, pasture), and keeping the OTTB  with a sensible paddock mate are all effective starting points owners are encouraged to implement. One of the most common mistakes that can be made when wanting to put weight on a newly acquired OTTB is to continually increase the ration of grain or high-energy concentrate feed, without the provision of sufficient roughage and fibre. This contributes to additional compromises in the integrity of the GIT lining and further shifting the hindgut microflora away from that which promotes the best utilisation of feed and energy. As a result, the cycle of struggling to gain weight is perpetuated, and often leads to frustration as the horse seems to take an extended period of time to ‘let down’ and gain condition. To read more about horse’s who struggle to put on condition, visit the article: HELP! My horse won’t put on body condition.

Down Time

One of the best things you can do as an owner of a newly transitioning OTTB is give it some much needed ‘down time’. The majority of racing stable environments are far removed from what is a natural for the horse. Like humans constantly under work deadlines, family demands and everyday pressures, horses too routinely experience stress. This stress is manifested in many forms, primarily driven by changes in levels of the stress hormone cortisol (which can lead to reduced immune function, high levels of inflammation, changes in temperament and behaviour, and reduced capacity to recover). Additionally, the constant physical demands of training and racing can lead to ongoing musculoskeletal ‘niggles’- aches, pains and minor injuries. A period of 4-8 weeks, turned out in the paddock, fed a fibre-rich diet, and not in the demands of work or being fussed with is one of the most beneficial things you can do to help the newly transitioned OTTB. It helps the horse to mentally wind-down, aids in the restoration of GIT health, gives any small niggles the chance to heal, and lets the horse settle into a new environment and freshen up. Just like humans, horses too need holidays. Simply giving them time out before asking new demands from them in their new career, can help them get off to the best start. 

Temperament

A significant (and often highly variable and unpredictable) consideration in the OTTB is temperament. This can be a challenge when acquiring a new horse, as it is difficult to know exactly how much is ingrained behaviour and the horse’s natural tendency, compared to how much it is a result of the environment the horse has been in, the feeding practices and GIT health. An important consideration to note is that 70-80% of the neurotransmitters (the chemicals which influence mood, temperament, behaviour and learning) are produced in the GIT. There are clear links between GIT health and levels of anxiety, mood changes and behaviour. This is useful to take into account: an OTTB which has struggled with compromised gut health in training and may be nervous, edgy or readily spook can change significantly when GIT health is addressed. A combination of appropriate supplementation and feeding, combined with appropriate ‘down time’ can really significantly impact the behaviour of an OTTB for the better. It routinely plays a role in why many horses that are temperamental/nervy/anxious in training become more relaxed away from the stable environment. Keep in mind too, that the actual environment the horse is kept in also plays an important role.

Monitoring and Progress

From a basic health standpoint, once the new OTTB has arrived and settled, it is wise to measure temperature, respiratory and heart rates at roughly the same time each day for a week to establish what is ‘normal’ for your horse. Record these and keep on hand (using the notes section on your mobile phone can be great, otherwise written on a whiteboard or somewhere easily accessible). This information is incredibly helpful in the instance that your horse may become unwell: you know what is ‘normal’ and healthy for your horse, helping to implement appropriate strategies in a timely fashion.

Taking photos of your horse from the side and back (safely), on a fortnightly or monthly basis is a simple tool to monitor body composition changes and progress. The same thing can be done with their hooves front and side-on, in addition to picking the hoof up and taking pictures of the sole and frog. It can be incredibly rewarding to look back over a 4-6 week period and notice the subtle improvement in body condition. Horses can make significant progress in gradual increments, which may be missed when you are seeing the horse on a daily basis. By having photo evidence on hand, you are able to make a more objective assessment. Keep in mind that changes in hoof shape and quality will be much slower to notice: front hooves take a full 8-12 months to grow from the coronary band to the toe.

The majority of horses in training are maintained on a routine drenching (deworming) schedule. Given our current state of understanding in relation to resistance to worming products, it makes sense to adopt a strategic drenching approach. In order to implement this safely and effectively, taking routine faecal samples to be sent off for testing are encouraged. Doing this at the commencement of ownership can help to provide guidance to the most effective drenching requirements of your horse. For more information on drenching/deworming visit the article Drenching/Deworming with Panacur.

Conclusion

Like most worthwhile things in life, effectively transitioning a racehorse to an accomplished OTTB takes time and patience! Knowing your capabilities as a rider and having clear goals as to what you want to achieve with your new mount are important starting points. Enlisting the expertise of suitably qualified professionals and equipping yourself with the knowledge of best practices can help make for a smooth and rewarding journey. Choosing an OTTB can make for one of the most gratifying experiences as a horse owner and rider. Careful consideration, planning and attention to detail can ensure you give your horse every chance to excel in its new phase of life.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

To use a similar analogy, it can be helpful to think of commercial breakfast cereals. Take for example, Coco Pops or Nutrigrain. Both these kinds of cereal are enriched with certain vitamins and minerals which are essential to good health. Marketing of these cereals promotes this fact. But vitamins and minerals alone don’t necessarily make a particular food a good choice. They are only part of the equation. These cereals aren’t marketed as being high in sugar, or devoid of essential and health-promoting nutrients such as fibre. In reality, these cereals are low in nutritive value, yet clever marketing can have us believe that these are nutritious choices.

Some commercial broodmare feeds can be similar in that they are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, with not a great composition of the feed overall. Many feeds designed for broodmares can be high in starch and/or energy, which can contribute to undesirable levels of particular hormones in a mare. These in turn affect the growth and health of the developing foetus. We also know that these hormones, in addition to a mare’s body condition influence her offspring’s risk of orthopaedic lesions such osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). It is common for many broodmares to be overfed and/or overweight which compounds the problem.

How we feed a mare and the body condition we maintain her in pre-conception and during pregnancy have a profound effect on the musculoskeletal development and soundness of her offspring. This influence extends well past the period of birth and weaning, affecting the growing young horse. To only focus on OCD lesions during routine or pre-sale radiographic screening as weanlings or yearlings is like trying to close the gate after the horse has bolted.

Whilst surgery can be effective, and diet and risk factors in young growing horses can be modified, missing the opportunity to set foundations right pre-birth can be expensive, time-consuming and heart-breaking.

It’s worth stopping to have a good look at the ingredients in your stud mix/broodmare feed, looking beyond the marketing claims. There’s much more than vitamins and minerals alone required to promote a healthy pregnancy and the development of a mare’s offspring.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

For the purpose of this article, we will focus on IA: where the solution is injected directly into the joint itself. In this category of joint injections, there are several types of substances which are commonly injected into the joint: hyaluronic acid (HA); polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG); and corticosteroids. In many cases, these joint injections are given in conjunction with an antibiotic, most commonly amikacin.

With any IA injection there is risk of harm involved in the procedure. Joint cartilage damage and septic arthritis are serious complications. A common practice is to combine an antibiotic with the medication injected into the joint, with the belief that it may help to prevent infection and subsequent septic arthritis. Yet, the inclusion of antibiotics in joint injections has not been shown to reduce the risk of infection following injection. Furthermore, use of antibiotics in joints is ‘off-label’, with no data currently supporting the doses of antibiotics equine vets use in joints.

Recent research has demonstrated that higher doses of the antibiotic amikacin used in IA injections causes increased levels of inflammation within the joint, in addition to clear evidence of cartilage damage. Of the multiple antibiotics evaluated in the research, amikacin was the most cytotoxic (harmful) to chondrocytes (cartilage cells), rapidly inducing their death. Remember, this is the antibiotic most commonly used in joint injections.

Damage to the joint may be more profound when corticosteroids are the medication used in the joint: research has demonstrated that even a single intra-articular corticosteroid injection can cause irreversible damage to articular cartilage and underlying bone. Combining both IA corticosteroids and amikacin can potentially compound the detrimental effects to joint integrity.

Whilst there may be instances where the use of corticosteroids in the joint are well indicated, we need to stop and ask the question as to why we are injecting the joints in the first place. Routinely injecting joints with medications including corticosteroids and/or amikacin are unlikely to promote long-term soundness in our horses, and indeed may be doing them more harm than good. Using IA joint injections containing corticosteroids and/or antibiotics as a ‘preventative measure’ in horses who are sound and have no joint pathology should be seriously questioned.

Before joints are injected, a comprehensive assessment should be carried out in order to determine reasons for lameness and/or poor performance in the horse. Joint pathology should be thoroughly assessed by the veterinarian. Is joint pain the actual cause of the pain or poor performance in the horse? Feeding factors should be reviewed (is the horse consuming a diet that promotes inflammation)? Are the feeding of accessory nutrients known to promote cartilage, bone and joint health and integrity indicated? And are these being fed in appropriate doses and highly bioavailable forms to the horse? Workload and work surfaces should be assessed: is the horse following an appropriately periodised training program, and are the surfaces being ridden on conducive to soundness? Consideration of the horse’s build and bodyweight should be taken into account: more weight equates to more mechanical stress and wear and tear through a joint. Furthermore, excessive levels of body fat in a horse increase inflammatory mediators, heightening any joint inflammation. Trimming and shoeing practices can significantly influence the force going through a horse’s joints, thus appropriate farriery is an essential component of promoting soundness in the horse.

Joint health is one of the most significant concerns in working horses. Management, exercise, farriery, nutritional and therapeutic factors all play an important role in promoting optimal joint health and soundness in our equines. Serious consideration needs to be given to the use of IA corticosteroids and/or antibiotics as they may significantly compromise cartilage, bone and joint health and integrity in our horses.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

Supplements. They can be a contentious topic. Yet nearly all horse owners, trainers and riders use them at some stage in one form or another on their equines. As a naturopath, I am sometimes asked that if a horse is fed ‘properly’ then does it really need supplements? The answer is both no and yes! Horses have evolved to live outdoors, on natural land which hasn’t been over-farmed and/or over-grazed, eating a diet of natural forage and plant matter, roaming considerable distances each day, with their primary stress in life to stay alive and outrunning predators. In this case, there would be little need for supplementation. Today’s horses however, generally live in stark contrast to this: most often they spend time in small areas of turnout (many spend considerable time in stables), having minimal access to pasture (which is often over-grazed, and in some cases tried to be compensated by commercial fertilisers); exposed to toxic metabolites such as medications and environmental chemicals (insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, xeno-oestrogens); expected to be trucked all around the countryside to events; exposed to stressful situations; undertaking rigorous activity through training and competition events; often eating highly refined and processed diets; living outside of a natural herd environment; and in many cases developing illnesses, injuries and diseases, often as a direct result of these practices. It is for these reasons that yes- most horses will benefit immensely from appropriate supplementation, even more so if we want our horse to enjoy the very best of health and perform to their full potential.

Types of supplements

Supplements most commonly come in oral or injectable forms. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on those taken orally (either eaten or syringed directly into the mouth). Equine supplements can fall under several broad categories:

General nutritional – most commonly complex vitamin and mineral supplements (similar to multivitamins for humans). The vast majority of processed equine feeds also have extensive vitamin and mineral fortification, so this should be taken into account too.

Single or specific combination nutritional – examples include mineral supplements (such as magnesium) and vitamin supplements (such as vitamin E) or combinations (such as selenium + vitamin E).

Supplements for specific conditions – may be a combination of nutritional and/or herbal products. Supplements for joint health; gastric health; immune health; metabolic health; calming supplements; hoof growth and strength; and ‘blood tonics’ commonly fall under this category.

Herbal – may be dried herbs, tablets, powders or liquid products. Sometimes individual herbs (such as chamomile) or a combination of products (for example an ‘immune mix’ containing Korean Ginseng and Echinacea).

Homeopathic – prescribed in pillules or drops, this form of therapy isbased on the concept of ‘like cures like’. It is guided by the principle that minute concentrations of a particular toxin cure the very same symptoms it would cause in larger doses. Homeopathic remedies contain no traceable amount of the original substance (ie homeopathic arnica does not contain any measurable amount of arnica or its active constituents).

Choosing a supplement- Important Considerations

Purpose for use

When choosing supplements to use, it is of key importance to remember that supplements should not replace a balanced diet. The first step is to evaluate and optimise dietary practices. There are instances where supplements are needed to correct shortfalls in nutrient requirements in an otherwise balanced diet, but they are not an excuse to continue poor feeding practices. An example of appropriate supplementation to correct a dietary shortfallth is the use of selenium in horses maintained on pasture in selenium deficient soils.

Supplements should also not be used to replace poor management practices. A classic example of this is the overuse of ‘nerve/calming’ supplements. Before using such a supplement, the following needs to be asked and addressed: does the horse have good gastric health; is the horse being exercised frequently; is the horse in pain; does the saddle fit correctly; do the horse and rider capabilities match; is the rider relaxed when riding? Without addressing primary root causes, truly effective results will never be obtained. Any benefit derived from the supplement will be a poor ‘band-aid’ fix.

When selecting a supplement, the question needs to be asked ‘why are you adding it?’. Was it because someone said ‘your horse needs it’ or ‘its good for them?’ Supplements added to the diet should only be done when you can confidently answer the question as to why you are using them, with specific modes of action and therapeutic goals to be achieved.

Horses with elevated requirements beyond dietary intake.

Horses at risk of, or with specific health conditions may require elevated levels of nutrients to help optimise health. For example, a horse with insulin resistance (IR) may benefit greatly from appropriate magnesium and/or chromium supplementation to help increase insulin receptor sensitivity and thereby reduce and stabilise blood glucose levels.

Another classic example is a horse with an active infection. The need for particular nutrients during times of infection (such as zinc and vitamin C) are elevated, and the judicious use of indicated supplements can help to hasten and improve recovery from illness.

Interactions

Most nutrients and herbs have the ability to interact with other nutrients, drugs and herbs to some degree. Some of these interactions are beneficial (for example, the use of pre and probiotics together to optimise microflora colonisation), some are harmful, and some negate the benefit of each other (concurrently feeding iron and zinc supplements, which impairs the absorption and uptake of both minerals). For this reason, it is vitally important to seek professional advice when using herbs, minerals and medications: both to minimise risk, and optimise efficacy and safety.

How/when they are given

Some supplements are most readily available to the horse when given in conjunction with feed (for example vitamin E is best absorbed when given with a fat source in the feed), others are best given away from main meals (for example glutamine). Following specific guidelines for individual nutrients allows optimal therapeutic and nutritional effect to be achieved.

Contraindicating conditions

The use of some nutrients is contraindicated/unadvisable in certain circumstances- as it may slow recovery or put the horse at risk of harm. An example is the use of iron supplements during infection or inflammatory conditions, which may worsen or prolong the infection and/or inflammation.

Quality

Supplements given to a horse should always be from a respectable and trusted source, with clearly labelled packaging and full list of ingredients- stating both their form and quantity. This is especially important with herbal and combination products. Supplements which don’t meet this criteria should not be used.

Available nutrients per serve

A very important consideration is how much of the actual nutrient(s)/herb a horse receives per serve of the product. Unfortunately, many products contain such small doses of the actual active constituent they are advertised to have (for example the actual amount of magnesium in a magnesium product) that they are of minimal if any therapeutic benefit to the horse. Another common example of this are expensive products such as omega-3 oils. These products often contain high amounts of vegetable and other omega-6 containing oils (which promote rather than reduce inflammation).

Bioavailability

Bioavailability refers to the actual amount of a nutrient that can be digested and utilised. For example, a product may contain 400mg of elemental zinc. Zinc may be found in many forms including: zinc chelate; zinc proteinate; zinc sulphate; zinc citrate to name just a few! The amount of zinc which the horse is actually able to absorb and metabolise depends largely on what form that zinc is in. Therefore, if the product mentioned in the example above contains a poorly bioavailable source of zinc, the actual amount the horse is able to use is far less than the 400mg.

Toxicity

Some minerals and fat-soluble vitamins have the potential to be harmful (and even fatal) when given incorrectly and/or in large doses. This is especially important to consider when giving fortified feeds, then additionally feeding supplements. The importance of correctly measuring supplements cannot be overstated.

Absorption

A supplement can only be effective if it is absorbed and metabolised properly. This depends on horse having good gastric health. It also means supplements must be given under conditions that allow for absorption (ie a horse on an ulcer medication will not be able to properly utilise supplements fed at the same time!)

Summary

The appropriate use of many supplements can provide outstanding results in a myriad of health parameters in the equine. In order to ensure safety and optimise efficacy all supplements should:

• Have a clear and definite reason for use in the diet
• Have a clear timeline for use in the diet
• Contain highly bioavailable ingredients in therapeutic dose amounts
• Be clearly labelled stating exact ingredients, quantities and dosage rates
• Be used in conjunction with holistic feeding and management practices- NOT used to replace them!
• Be given under conditions which optimise absorption and metabolism
• Be prescribed under qualified guidance and tailored to each individual horse’s needs.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

Spending more time in stables and less time turned out is a significant risk factor, as is feeding diets excessively high in energy (both overall energy and starch), compounded by diets too low in fibre and roughage. High blood insulin levels are likely to play a major role in the progression of the condition. A horse’s natural conformation can also play a part in many cases.If the condition is left unaddressed, without rectifying the contributing factors- the horse is at risk of deleterious effects on cartilage and joint health- with the potential to have repercussions on soundness long-term. Simply giving high dose anti-inflammatories doesn’t address the causative factors.

Through strategic dietary, management and exercise practices, the problem can be largely avoided (and in the case that it has already occurred- can be managed). Addressing the issue should encompass a multifaceted approach: Ensuring that the diet still contains sufficient minerals and protein to promote optimal bone and joint health and integrity, turnout and exercise to help stabilise blood glucose levels and herbal and/or nutraceutical intervention to help reduce excessive inflammation and insulin levels, whilst still promoting optimal gut flora and nutritional status.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

Since that time, some veterinarians have used these products off-label to treat other equine bone issues including osteoarthritis, bucked shins, sesamoiditis and subchondral bone cysts. Bisphosphonates are thought to provide significant analgesic effects and may even help improve radiographic images of conditions such as sesamoiditis. The provision of pain relief can be beneficial in appropriate situations, but we also need to consider the fine line between relieving pain and masking pain. Furthermore, we need to account for the additional risks associated with bisphosphonates.

With our current level of knowledge and understanding of the actions of bisphosphonates, we should seriously question their use. Normally in horses, bone turns over continually (remodels). This is due to the activity of specialised cells called osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Osteoclasts break down (resorb) old bone while osteoblasts create new bone. This ensures bones remain strong and healthy and allows them to adapt to changes in exercise level or mechanical stress placed upon them. This adaptation and strengthening is an important mechanism in protecting against stress-induced bone injuries. Increased bone fragility has been seen in animals given high doses or long-term doses of bisphosphonates, a likely result of the inability to repair micro-damage within bone.

Bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclasts, thereby blocking excess bone resorption. But they’ve also been shown to be anti-angiogenic (preventing new blood vessel growth). New blood vessel growth is an essential component to repair the normal micro-damage that naturally occurs during training, competition and racing. It is important to remember that this normal repair and recovery of this micro-damage actually make bones stronger. Furthermore, curbing the action of osteoclasts interrupts the remodelling process: the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts is a finely balanced process. Inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts interferes with the osteoblasts, therefore they don’t kick into gear to build new bone.

It can be easy to skim over the fine print on pharmaceutical labels and pamphlets, yet it is important to note that the FDA clearly outline some of these risks. They declare that bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast activity and decrease bone turnover, thereby potentially affecting bone growth. Ultimately, this inhibition of bone remodelling can place racehorses and performance horses at greater risk of more frequent and serious injuries.

Whilst the medication is approved for use in controlling clinical signs of navicular disease in horses four years and above, it is important to remember that the action of bisphosphonates is systemic: that is, it affects the whole skeletal system, not just the navicular. We also need to remember that in many horses, some bones (particularly of the spinal column) aren’t fully developed until ages five to six or older.

Athletic performance aside, the safe use of bisphosphonates has not been evaluated in breeding horses or pregnant mares. Studies in laboratory animals have demonstrated bisphosphonates to cause abnormal foetal development, likely due to drug-induced alterations in maternal and foetal bone uptake. To compound this issue further, bisphosphonates have a very long half-life (meaning they can stay in the horse’s system many years after cessation of treatment). As a consequence, they can affect the health of both mare and foal long after the use of the medication has stopped.

When considering the risks of bisphosphonates in lactating mares and nursing foals, we need to be aware that metabolites of these pharmaceuticals may be excreted in milk and absorbed by nursing animals. This has the potential to negatively impact the bone development of the offspring. Again, given the extremely long half-life of bisphosphonates, these effects may still occur years after bisphosphonates were last used in the mare. The use of the vast majority of pharmaceuticals comes with side effects which we need to consider in the context of a horse’s long-term health, performance and potentially reproductive life. Before rushing to ‘treat’ a health, injury or performance issue, we should first address why the health or injury concern has occurred. This requires honestly and critically reviewing training, feeding/nutrition, recovery, medication use and management practices. If a horse has excessive inflammation and/or soreness in an area, it is a sign that things aren’t right. Without identifying and addressing the underlying cause of bone inflammation and injury the problem persists.  To try and rectify the problem with the non-discriminate use of drugs with known serious side effects is risky at best. Whilst providing pain relief can be beneficial in appropriate situations, masking pain and accelerating bone damage and loss is not.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

Understandably, much emphasis is placed on the vendor’s side in realising maximal monetary value for their yearlings. From a purchaser’s point of view, finding a top class racehorse is prime priority.

This poses the question…are we creating (and purchasing) resilient racehorses or superficial sales horses?

When producing and purchasing a sales horse, both the vendor and buyer should never lose sight of the bigger picture. In order for even the most impeccably bred and conformed racehorse to realise its full potential, it must be healthy and sound, and remain so when put through the rigours of training and racing. Given the crucial role that management practices from conception through to yearling age (and beyond) have on horses in relation to health and soundness- intelligent vendors and purchasers will keep this in mind.

As bloodstock agents and trainers inspecting yearlings on farms- how much are you considering the routine and the environment the horse is bought up in? How much time is the horse spending (if any) being out in the paddock just being a horse? What feed it is being given? Certainly, when you’re looking at a yearling, assessing its conformation, its walk, its demeanour are all important, but you looking beyond that? As stud owners and yearling managers- you worry about how well the horse is groomed, turned out, presented, walks, how tidy the barn is. Yes these are important, but what is far more important in terms of athletic potential and health and development is the daily routine that goes on behind the scenes…

The astute agent and buyer will look well beyond the horse parading in front of them if they truly want an athletic, resilient horse.

So what impact can a sales prep have on a horse…..

Firstly, lets look at routine stabling of horses for yearling preps. Stabling (and the associated lack of incidental activity, even with the addition of regular handwalking/exercise on the walker), leads to reduction in peak bone strength and development. The lack of continual grazing which would normally occur whilst out in the paddock has significant impacts on gastrointestinal health, in turn influencing immune function, metabolism and behaviour. I’m a realist. Very few studs (if any!) are going to prep sales horses completely out of the paddock. So then consideration needs to be given to next best options. In terms of musculoskeletal health and development and gastrointestinal health, small paddock turnout is definitely far preferable compared to stabling full time. Large paddock turnout with other horses is even better.

Next consider nutrition. Rapid weight (even muscle gain) and the associated spikes in insulin and growth hormone levels are likely to increase a horse’s risk for OCDs and musculoskeletal developmental problems. Having the biggest, strongest horse (with rapid weight gain and growth, whilst in a confined environment, in around a 12 week preparation), does not make for a resilient, healthy athlete long term.

Whilst on the topic of nutrition, the vast majority of diets fed to horses in sales preps are of a pro-inflammatory nature. High fat diets are often used (with many of the belief that they are healthier and help to promote a better behaved horse, being a ‘cool’ source of feed). So often these diets are comprised heavily of omega-6 fatty acids. Which drive inflammation. High levels of inflammation in a young developing horse do not bode well for long-term soundness.

Then how about the consideration of medication use in the sales horse? Routine use of antibiotics, bute and other NSAIDs, ulcer medications all have the potential to influence long term soundness and performance. Each medication has its own specific implications- but put simply, they will all alter the production, absorption, and/or metabolism of various nutrients critical to optimal musculoskeletal health and development, not to mention immune function.

Corticosteroid joint injections which are used in some yearlings throughout their preps are an important consideration. Studies have shown that even a single intra-articular steroid injection can cause irreversible damage to articular cartilage and underlying bone.The reason these are so often used in yearling prep is to reduce puffiness in joints, before even considering or addressing the effects of the horse’s current diet and management on this issue. This includes reducing the inflammatory components of the diet; assessing the diet for excess energy; and looking at ways to reduce time spent standing in stables, which promotes swelling of joints in susceptible horses.

The smart consigners/breeders/managers have it fundamentally right. The astute buyers, trainers and agents have it right. Yet there is always room for improvement and more to learn.

Even changing one or two factors can have a significant positive impact.

The choice is yours. Just because you have always prepped yearlings a certain way, doesn’t mean you can’t change aspects for the better.

When preparing and buying yearlings, keep the long term goal in mind. Are you after an athlete or sales horse? Short term gain or long term success? Because no matter how good the horse looks, how nicely he is conditioned, how well he walks, how impeccably he is bred: If he can’t remain sound and healthy in training, then his odds of return on the track are poor.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

This is a very important consideration, given that many people like their mares in ‘very good’ condition leading into breeding season, and that horses can often be more overweight than we perceive them to be.

This has serious implications in the foal’s growth and development; its potential value in the sales ring; and its future racing and/or performance career.

Strictly cutting or restricting a mare’s energy intake alone is not a healthy solution. To optimise fertility (leading into the season) and to ensure the best health and development of the foal in utero (and later in life), takes a balanced, holistic approach.

Ensure your horses get the OPTIMal start to life. Prevention is better than cure…

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.

OC is a disease that causes lesions in the cartilage and bone of growing horses’ joints. It is a result of cartilage failing to properly turn into bone. OCD occurs as a progression of the OC: resulting in the formation of a cartilage flap or osteochondral fragment.

Like many health conditions, there are numerous potential causes and contributing factors to the development of both OC and OCD. One such factor which has been identified to increase the risk of developing osteochondral lesions is restricted turnout of foals. Research has demonstrated that foals (particularly those younger than two months) who are able to exercise freely in a moderate-sized paddock, have a much lower risk of developing osteochondral lesions when compared to foals that are stabled.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Sound management and feeding practices can save a lot of time, heartache, and expense. Getting back to the basics and not overly ‘protecting’ our horses can go a long way to ensuring we have the happiest, healthiest athletes.

Optim Equine

Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.

As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.