Metabolic Health – Optim Equine https://optimequine.com Horse Health Solutions. Unique Approach. Optimal Outcomes. Fri, 23 Oct 2026 19:35:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://i0.wp.com/optimequine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cropped-Untitled-design-7.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Metabolic Health – Optim Equine https://optimequine.com 32 32 Magnesium for horses: Is it helpful? And what do I need to know? https://optimequine.com/magnesium-for-horses/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:23:25 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=3217 Learn the benefits and risks of magnesium for horses, including calming effects, gut health impacts, and correct supplementation for metabolic, behavioural and performance support. 

Magnesium is one of the most commonly used supplements in horses, which when used appropriately, can be significantly beneficial. Yet often little consideration is given to important specifics around the use of this mineral. These generally overlooked nuances can help to determine how effective the magnesium is and if it is actually helpful or harmful to give your horse.

Magnesium plays many vital roles in the body. It is needed for over 300 enzymatic processes. From helping ‘wired’, reactive or anxious horses to reducing inflammation, supporting fertility, promoting bone health, metabolic function, and insulin regulation, magnesium has a wide range of applications.

Because magnesium is a naturally occurring nutrient, it is frequently assumed to be completely safe and free from side effects. Yet in reality, it isn’t quite this simple. Like many other supplements and nutrients, there are many factors which determine the safety and effectiveness of magnesium: how and what it is used for, the quantity of magnesium a horse is given, the duration of supplementation, the form of magnesium used, a horse’s overall diet and intake of other specific nutrients, exercise and activity levels, breed, sweat rate, any health conditions a horse may have, the state of its gastrointestinal health and any medications a horse is on. 

If you’re already supplementing or considering using magnesium for your horse, here are some key things worth considering.

Not all magnesiums are created equal

Magnesium comes in a variety of forms, depending on what it’s bound to. This refers to the chemical structure of the magnesium, not just whether it is in liquid or powdered form. The most commonly used forms of magnesium (which also tend to be the cheapest forms of magnesium) in equine supplements include:

  • Magnesium oxide
  • Magnesium chloride
  • Magnesium sulphate

Each of these forms differs in terms of absorption, bioavailability, and how they interact with the digestive system. Yet they are generally not the most clinically effective forms of magnesium to use.

This matters more than many people realise.

Magnesium can irritate the gut

Some forms of magnesium, particularly at higher doses can irritate the digestive tract.

Clinically, this may present in our horses as:

  • loose and/or more frequent manure
  • gassiness/excessive passing of wind
  • changes in gut comfort and/or signs of mild colic
  • worsening of existing digestive sensitivity

This is often dismissed or overlooked, especially if magnesium is being used for behavioural reasons.

Over-supplementation can disrupt the gut microbiome

High doses, poorly absorbed forms of magnesium or long-term over-supplementation may contribute to gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria). This can have wider consequences, including:

Magnesium can help to promote a healthy gut microbiome and reduce gastrointestinal-associated inflammation, but more is not always better.

  • negative impacts on immune function
  • altered nervous system function
  • changes in neurotransmitter production and function

Our horses’ digestive systems can play a significant role in their behaviour, anxiety levels and learning capacity, thanks to the role of the gut-brain axis. Ironically, this means that excessive magnesium use may actually make some horses more reactive or sensitive, not less.

Magnesium can interfere with other essential nutrients, causing relative nutrient deficiencies

Magnesium doesn’t work in isolation. It interacts closely with other minerals including:

  • calcium
  • phosphorus
  • zinc

Excess magnesium can interfere with the absorption and utilisation of these nutrients, which are critical for:

  • bone strength and development
  • proper neuromuscular function
  • healthy immune function
  • healthy nervous system function
  • reducing oxidation and inflammation 
  • muscle, tendon and ligament health

Calcium and zinc in particular, play key roles in the synthesis and function of neurotransmitters such as:

  • Dopamine
  • Serotonin
  • GABA

Imbalances in these neurotransmitters can directly influence behaviour, sensitivity, pain perception, reactivity, learning ability and response to training.

Magnesium and behaviour: not always a simple fix

Magnesium is often used to help calm or relax our horses, and in some cases, when used appropriately it can be most beneficial. When magnesium doesn’t help to address the underlying cause(s) of anxious or excitable behaviour however, the effects of supplementation will be minimal.

The effectiveness of magnesium supplementation will also be minimal and may compound behavioural issues if the delicate balances of other minerals are disrupted, magnesium is overused, poorly bioavailable forms of magnesium are employed, or the gut microbiome is negatively impacted. In these cases behavioural issues may actually worsen rather than improve.

It is important to remember that many things can contribute to adverse behaviour in our horses, and in the vast majority of cases, there are multiple causes at any one time, not just one single factor. Whilst diet, nutrient deficiencies and gut microbiome all play an important part, it would be remiss to overlooked issues such as pain, learned conditioning, side effects of other medications used (if applicable) and other underlying health issues. Supplemental magnesium will be of very limited benefit if the issues causing a horse’s poor behaviour are not properly addressed.

This is why a blanket approach to supplement with magnesium doesn’t always deliver consistent results.

Where magnesium can be highly beneficial

When used appropriately, magnesium can be valuable, particularly in horses with:

Metabolic Challenges

Magnesium plays a role in regulating blood glucose and insulin levels. It can be especially supportive in horses with:

  • insulin resistance (IR) or insulin dysregulation (ID)
  • equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)
  • laminitis or at risk of laminitis

Increased Physical Demand

Horses lose magnesium through sweat, and in the case of broodmares, through their milk. Requirements may increase in:

  • horses in intense workloads
  • hot and/or humid climates
  • lactating mares
  • during travel

In these cases, intake may increase in the range of 1.5 to 2 times maintenance levels.

Diet still matters: natural sources of magnesium

Like many minerals, magnesium naturally occurs in feeds commonly given to our horses. Lucerne (alfalfa) hay is a useful natural source of magnesium. Fortified concentrate and balancer feeds have varying levels of magnesium.

However, it is not always quite as simple as relying on feed alone (or even, relying on nutritional information on a feed bag or product label).

Feeds or supplements which contain high levels of calcium (such as lucerne/alfalfa) can inhibit magnesium absorption to some degree. This highlights the importance of looking at the whole diet, not just individual nutrients or feed components, nor relying on feed programs or calculators alone.

Medications can change magnesium requirements

Many commonly used medications in horses can alter magnesium absorption, metabolism, or excretion, meaning their requirements may shift.

These include:

If your horse is on medication, magnesium supplementation should always be considered more carefully. Dose, form, timing and duration of magnesium supplementation is crucial to take into account.

In summary: use magnesium strategically, not automatically

Magnesium is a powerful and valuable tool in equine nutrition and medicine, but it’s not without its limitations.

Used well, it can support:

  • metabolic health
  • muscle function
  • nervous system balance and in turn, behaviour 
  • skeletal health
  • fertility
  • gastrointestinal (‘gut’) health

Used poorly, it can:

  • disrupt gut health
  • create mineral imbalances and relative nutrient deficiencies
  • contribute to ongoing behavioural issues
  • interfere with normal bone development and health

The key is not just whether your horse is supplemented with magnesium, but what their actual requirements for it are. The form of magnesium used to supplement, the reasons to supplement it, the duration of supplementation, factors which increase requirements or interfere with magnesium absorption and metabolism should all be taken into consideration.

Take home message

Good equine nutrition is never about using a single supplement in isolation. Assessing the unique needs of the individual horse in front of you is crucial.

Before supplementing magnesium, it’s always worth asking:

  • does my horse actually need it? And if so, how much?
  • is the diet balanced overall? And what role would supplemental magnesium potentially play in this?
  • could there be deeper underlying causes contributing to the reasons which are prompting me to supplement magnesium?

The safest, most effective and sustainable results come from a thoughtful, tailored approach.

]]> What can herbal medicine do (and what can’t herbs do?)…  https://optimequine.com/what-can-herbal-medicine-do/ Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:59:18 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=3197 When used appropriately, herbal medicine can be a powerful support tool for our horses’ health. In my work as an equine naturopath, clinical nutritionist & herbalist, I use herbal medicines in most clinical cases.

Depending on the herb (or combination of herbs used) and their application, they can help to:

Whilst herbal medicines are incredibly versatile, they’re not magic. And they can’t replace a poorly balanced diet….

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that herbs can fully meet a horse’s nutritional needs or correct nutritional deficiencies on their own. 

This is simply not true. 

The vast majority of herbs (with few exceptions) do not provide sufficient quantities of key minerals and vitamins our horses need for optimal health and functioning.

Take the calcium rich herb nettle (Urtica diocia) for example….

100 g dried nettle leaf (~4–5 cups) provides approximately 300–500 mg calcium.

For a 500 kg (1100 pound) horse, calcium requirements typically fall in the range of 20–40 g/day (depending on life stage, workload, and physiological status).

This means:

  • 100 g nettle provides roughly 0.3–0.5 g calcium
  • This equates to approximately 1/40 to 1/133 of daily calcium requirements

To meet calcium needs via nettle alone would require:

  • 4–5 cups × 40–133 = ~160–665 cups per day

This is neither practical nor appropriate.

Whilst strategically employed herbal medicines can help to restore optimal gastrointestinal health and function in our horses (including digestion, absorption and metabolism)- which in turn, can aid in better nutritional status, herbs in and of themselves don’t provide enough levels of nutrients our horses needs to meet daily nutrient requirements.

]]> Broodmare Body Condition & Developmental Orthopaedic Disease (DOD) Risk in Foals, Weanlings and Yearlings https://optimequine.com/broodmare-nutrition/ Sat, 28 Mar 2026 06:47:55 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=3159 Most breeders focus on broodmare nutrition in late pregnancy or once the foal is at foot. However, how you feed and manage your broodmare year-round has a direct and lasting impact on the orthopaedic health of her foals, weanlings, and yearlings.

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.

]]> Joint injections and laminitis…what is the risk? https://optimequine.com/joint-injections-2/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:50:40 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=3155 Intra-articular (joint) injections are frequently used in horses and ponies with the aim of managing pain and inflammation, particularly in conditions such as osteoarthritis. One of the most commonly used corticosteroids for joint injections is triamcinolone acetonide (routinely referred to as TA).

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.

]]> One of the most commonly overlooked factors which can contribute to gastric ulcers https://optimequine.com/gastric-ulcers/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:12:45 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=3141 It’s well known that what and how we feed our horses can significantly influence their likelihood of developing gastric ulcers. It is also appreciated that the use of medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including phenylbutazone (bute, PBZ) and flunixin meglumine (Flunix, Banamine), antibiotics and corticosteroids can all increase the risk of developing gastric ulcers. As can stress, travel and intense exercise.

Yet one factor which is commonly overlooked is hydration in our horses. Even subtle dehydration may increase their chances of developing gastric ulcers. But why is this?

Dehydration leads to reduced saliva production in our horses and ponies. Saliva plays an important role in protecting the stomach. Saliva is alkaline and rich in bicarbonate ions. Bicarbonate helps to buffer gastric acid, especially in the squamous (non-glandular) region of the stomach.

Dehydration also results in reduced mucosal blood flow- that is, blood flow to the lining of the stomach.  Compromised blood flow weakens natural mucosal defence and repair mechanisms making the stomach more susceptible to inflammation and ulceration. It’s commonly believed that horses only become dehydrated in hot weather, yet this isn’t true. Dehydration is common in very cold weather: research has shown that horses may drink less water when it is very cold. This can be compounded by a reduction of fresh pasture intake, when grass is under ice, snow or  its availability is sparse.

Inadequate salt in the diet is a common cause of dehydration in our horses.  As is the reliance upon the use of automatic watering troughs. Studies have shown that horses may not consume enough water due to the slow refilling time, small trough size, fear of the device, stray voltage which can give them an electric ‘shock’ when they go to drink or the unnatural drinking posture it requires.

Whilst ensuring our horses are consuming adequate water is essential to help promote proper hydration, it is vital to be aware of factors which may increase their loss of water and hint..it’s not just hot weather and sweating!

A horse who has diarrhoea or regularly has loose manure, has an increased likelihood of being dehydrated- even when their water consumption seems adequate. Medications such as furosemide (Lasix/Salix), ‘Kidney Flush’ products for horses (which are sometimes promoted as ‘urinary buffers’) and ertugliflozin (a drug which is very commonly used in cases of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), insulin resistance (IR) and laminitis) may also cause dehydration in our horses.

From a management perspective, travelling our horses (even when the weather isn’t overly hot) and over-rugging/blanketing our horses can lead to significant fluid losses. As can diets excessively high in protein.

Being mindful of hydration,  particularly in horses with loose manure or those receiving certain medications, may be another simple but important step in reducing ulcer risk. Is hydration part of your horse’s gastric health checklist?

]]> Carrots: Are they a suitable treat for horses and ponies? https://optimequine.com/carrots/ Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:54:08 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=3107 Most of us love to give our horses and ponies treats, whether as a reward or simply as a way to interact with them. However, it’s important to recognise that not all treats are appropriate, particularly for horses affected by laminitis, insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), or other metabolic conditions.

The good news is there is a commonly fed treat that is suitable for the majority of horses and ponies and as a bonus, it is also widely available, cheap and has several health benefits. What is that treat?

CARROTS!

The vast majority of commercial horse treats are processed and contain added sugars, fillers, grain by products and other ingredients which may not make them advisable or suitable to feed to many horses and ponies. Fresh carrots however, are low in energy and sugar and do not contain artificial ingredients which can have detrimental health effects on our horses and ponies.

From a nutritional perspective, carrots provide beta-carotene, an antioxidant that horses and ponies can convert to vitamin A, supportingimmune health, gastrointestinal health and eye function.

When feeding horses and ponies carrots it is important to take into consideration that they should be fed in moderation. For horses or ponies that eat quickly, have dental issues or are at risk of choke, carrots should be cut into small pieces or grated before feeding.

When used appropriately, carrots can be a simple, nutritious treat option that fits well within many feeding programs.

]]> Side effects of commonly used medications in horses and ponies https://optimequine.com/medications-in-horses/ Wed, 21 May 2025 11:24:23 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2890 The judicious use of many medications in our horses and ponies can be important and even life saving in some situations, yet they are not without their side effects. Some of the most commonly used medications can have the greatest impact on the long term health of our horses and ponies.

Corticosteroids (such as prednisolone and dexamethasone), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as phenylbutazone, firocoxib, flunixin), gastric ulcer medications and antibiotics all impact gastrointestinal (GI) ‘gut’ health through several different mechanisms. These may include: irritating the sensitive tissue which lines the digestive tracts of our horses and ponies, potentially causing gastric ulceration and/or bleeding; causing GI dysbiosis (adversely impacting the delicate microflora populations within our horses’ and ponies’ GI tracts); and altering nutrient absorption and metabolism (the way our horses and ponies digest, utilise and excrete nutrients). 

Good gut health is central to the overall health and wellbeing in our horses. We know that beyond digestive health, gut health in our horses and ponies significantly influences: immune health; bone, cartilage and joint health; respiratory/airway health; metabolic health; reproductive health/fertility; hoof health; laminitis risk; and even behaviour and motor patterns in our horses.

These are just some of the reasons why it is important to use any medications judiciously- even ones that are routinely employed in many situations. In the case that these medications are required, strategic nutritional supplementation and in many cases, appropriately prescribed herbal medicines can help to address some of the nutrient depletions and side effects caused by these medications. Additionally they can help to return the digestive system to the best possible state of health.

]]> Photosensitivity in horses…Lucerne (alfalfa), clover and other potential contributors https://optimequine.com/photosensitivity/ Sat, 15 Mar 2025 11:25:26 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2823 Photosensitization (also known as photodermatitis) is light-induced inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) caused by a heightened sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. This condition is non-contagious and often looks like sunburnt skin on our horses and ponies, and can often be difficult to diagnose or distinguish from sunburn.

It occurs in susceptible horses and ponies when phototoxic or photoactive substances accumulate in the skin and interact with sunlight. This can result in severe itchy, crusty and often painful dermatitis. It generally occurs in non-pigmented (i.e. white) skin and skin with little hair cover (such as the muzzle, eyelids, ears and coronary bands).

Equine photosensitivity may be caused by the ingestion of plant or fungal products, chlorophyll metabolites, or other chemicals. It can also occur in conjunction with the use of some medications.

Effects of ingestion of the offending substance may be cumulative and a horse may not develop signs of photodermatitis immediately.

Using lucerne/alfalfa or clover as an example, horses may not develop any clinical signs of photosensitisation until weeks after initially consuming the hay, chaff or pasture which is causing the reaction. We can be feeding our horses this feedstuff for quite some time without any issues, before seemingly all of a sudden, photodermatitis occurs. This can be difficult and confusing, as we often expect clinical signs to appear immediately or very soon after consumption of the offending feed. This can lead to constantly changing our horse’s feed, in attempt to identify the culprit. As a result, this may significantly increase a horse’s risk of developing colic or laminitis.

Other recognised potential causes of photosensitisation include gluten sensitivity; reactions to drugs such as tetracycline antibiotics and phenothiazine tranquillisers; exposure to certain chemicals; and consumption of pastures rich in phosphorus fertilisers.

These are commonly overlooked, but in the author’s experience, generally contribute to photosensitivity reactions more commonly than consumption of lucerne/alfalfa and clover alone, which are often thought to be culprits.

Photosensitisation may also occur as a result of impaired liver function in a horse (known as secondary photosensitivity/photosensitisation).

For these reasons, the effective prevention and treatment of photosensitisation should involve thorough analysis of diet, management, pasture, supplement and medication use in susceptible horses. In many cases, there may be more than one factor contributing to photosensitisation.

The complexity of the condition can also help to explain why simply applying topical creams or lotions and/or simply removing lucerne/alfalfa from the diet or adding a mycotoxin binder to our horse or pony’s feed often doesn’t provide a long-term or effective solution.  Removing certain feeds from a diet can also contribute to nutritional insufficiencies or deficiencies, which can sometimes further compound the problem.

It is critically important to address the underlying cause(s) of the photosensitivity if we want treatment to be effective and to prevent recurrence.

]]> Salt: Too little or too much? https://optimequine.com/salt-overdose/ Fri, 17 Jan 2025 19:31:10 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2811 Here in the Southern Hemisphere, we’re currently in summer. Which means in many regions the weather is hot and/or humid. This in turn affects the nutrient requirements of our horses. Particularly their salt requirements.

Salt (sodium chloride) is absolutely essential for our horses and ponies. Salt helps to promote: thirst response (so our equines remain adequately hydrated); fluid balance; healthy blood pressure; and normal muscle and nerve function; and is needed for healthy digestion and gastrointestinal (GI) function.

Salt toxicity is extremely rare in horses, provided they have access to unlimited clean water. 

Research conducted in other animal species and humans has shown that excessive intakes of salt, however, can cause dysbiosis (adverse changes in GI microflora). 

Although currently there is no equine specific research on the topic, it does pose the question ‘can we give our horses too much salt?’  

Whilst this is unlikely, it is possible: an example may be where multiple and/or high dose electrolyte supplements are used, particularly in relatively inactive horses and/or those who don’t sweat much.

In clinical practice, I rarely see horses who have excessively high salt intakes: it is very common however, that I see horses who do not receive sufficient salt in their diets.

Furthermore, horses who are receiving ulcer medications (those containing omeprazole, in either oral or injectable form) can have changes in sodium chloride levels. These drugs interfere with salt absorption- meaning our horses aren’t able to utilise all the salt we are feeding them. This can have repercussions in terms of both health and performance.

Ensuring our horses receive adequate salt relative to their individual requirements and taking into account factors such as medication use is crucial for their wellbeing and performance.

]]> Hoof Health: Beyond Biotin https://optimequine.com/hoof-health/ Mon, 15 Jan 2024 19:11:52 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2560 When thinking about nutrition for hoof health, biotin gets a lot of attention. Supplemented in appropriate amounts, biotin may help to improve hoof wall integrity. Conflicting evidence exists as to whether or not supplemental biotin improves hoof growth rate.

But there’s so much more to hoof health than biotin, and if we just focus on one nutrient we miss an important opportunity to help improve not only our horse’s hoof health but their overall health.

It’s also worth remembering that horses with a healthy hindgut microbial population are able to synthesise their own biotin.

Gastrointestinal (GI) health

Poor hoof health can often be indicative of poor gastrointestinal health and/or nutrient deficiencies and/or inadequacies in their diet.

Good gastrointestinal (GI) health in our horses is central to their overall health. The integrity of the cells lining the GI tract, the types and numbers of specific microbes which inhabit the digestive tract and the production of special enzymes within the GI tract all play key roles in many facets of their health.

Long-stem fibre should form the foundation of our horses’ and ponies’ diet: yet fibre intake in many equines falls well below the minimum recommended requirements.  Fibre passes through a horse’s stomach and small intestine undigested, where it reaches the large intestine. Here it undergoes bacterial fermentation by special types of microbes (note: it is normal and healthy for horses to digest fibre in their hindgut, it is not healthy for them to ferment undigested grains and starches). The fermentation of fibre by these microbes results in the production of various substrates important for immune, gastric and nervous system health in our horses. Some of these healthy microbes also produce biotin. A horse with a healthy hindgut microbial population who is fed adequate fibre, can synthesise good levels of biotin needed for hoof health. To read more about the importance of fibre in our horses’ diets, see: Grass, Hay, Fibre and Short Chain Fatty Acids.


Many other nutrients are required for healthy hooves: sufficient quality protein (including adequate amounts of the amino acids lysine, methionine and choline read more about the importance of protein here);  copper; zinc; iodine; calcium; selenium; B group vitamins; vitamin E; vitamin C and vitamin D. Some of these need to be provided in a horse’s diet. Others such as B group vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin D a horse can synthesise if given the right conditions. Simply supplementing biotin alone without ensuring other nutrient needs are met is of limited value. All the aforementioned nutrients also play various key roles in other facets of our horses’ and ponies’ health: fertility; metabolism; immune health; joint and musculoskeletal health; neurological function and behaviour.

Anything that interferes with a healthy GI microflora population in our equines, and/or interferes with the integrity of the cells lining the GI tract, in turn influences nutrient absorption and/or metabolism. Ironically, some of the things which interfere with digestive function are often used to help counteract digestive or other health complaints: gastric ulcer medications; antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids to name a few. To learn more about the influence of ulcer medications in relation to the overall health of our horses, visit: Ulcers in Horses: The importance of understanding how medications work.

It’s worth considering the aforementioned aspects before trying to solve an issue such as poor hoof health by adding more supplements to a horse’s diet. If a horse or pony isn’t consuming sufficient fibre or nutrients, and/or is unable to properly digest, absorb or utilise specific nutrients, then adding more supplements to their diet is unlikely to provide an effective solution to the issue at hand.

]]> Grain Free Feeds….What does this mean, and do our horses really need these feeds? https://optimequine.com/grain-free/ Thu, 02 Nov 2023 20:23:24 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2525 What we feed our horses and how we feed them are crucial to their health. Diet and nutrition are known to play an important role in our horse’s gastrointestinal (GI), immune and metabolic health, in addition to their behaviour. Feed can influence the development and severity of gastric and colonic ulcers, laminitis, developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD), fertility challenges, behavioural issues and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), as well as many other conditions.

In recent years, much attention has been given to grain-free feeds. Low-GI, low starch, ‘calming’ and low sugar feeds also get plenty of airtime. All the terms can relate to different aspects of the feed, but in the majority of cases, it is clever marketing and doesn’t ensure that the feed we are purchasing is necessarily suitable or safe for our horses and ponies.

Clever marketing and loopholes in claims that can be made on feed packages can become very confusing. Feeds can claim to be ‘grain free’, a ‘calm performing feed’ or low GI, yet in some cases the predominant ingredients in the feed may be made from grain! If we take a look at an ingredients list (remembering that ingredients are ordered in descending order of the percentage they make up of the feed) grain may be present in the form of millmix, millrun, pollard, cereal by-products, wheat middlings to name a few! Other products may be truly grain-free but contain large amounts of molasses and other high-calorie oils and ingredients to bind the feed together and/or make it more palatable. In either case, for many horses with metabolic issues, these feeds are likely to not be suitable. Generally ‘grain-free’ refers to the fact that no whole grains are present, yet many of these feeds contain processed grain ingredients- which certainly doesn’t make them grain-free! Along the same lines, there are feeds widely available in Australia that are advertised as suitable for horses with ‘grain intolerance’ which have barley or millrun as the predominant ingredient in the feed!

There are many reasons why it may be preferable to feed a horse or pony a truly grain-free diet, particularly a diet low in starch and sugars. For many equines, they don’t need the calories/energy provided by such grains and concentrated feeds, and in the case of horses with equine metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and many cases of laminitis and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) (formerly known as ‘Cushings’), steering clear of grain is generally a good idea.  For other horses with higher calorie needs, the incomplete digestion of grain products and the resulting fermentation of starch and sugars in the hindgut can increase the risk and/or severity of gastric and colonic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, ’tying up’, developmental orthopaedic diseases (such as OCDs and bone cysts), immune dysfunction, inflammatory conditions and behavioural issues.

If a horse needs to be on a grain-free diet, and more specifically a low starch and sugar diet, we need to pay particular attention to all the ingredients contained in a feed, as well as the feed’s nutritional analysis- not just the marketing claims! We also need to remember that a horse’s or pony’s ‘hard feed’ should only make up a small percentage of its diet. We need to consider the role which pasture and hay play in each equine’s intake: from the perspective of calories, starch and sugar. Additionally remember that for multiple health reasons, long-stem fibre (such as that found in hay) should form the basis of their diets. To read more on the importance of fibre and hay, see the articles Fibre, Chewing and Gastrointestinal Health; Why Basics Matter: The Importance of Chewing; Hay, Stomach (Gastric) & Hindgut (Colonic) Ulcers; and Grass, Hay, Fibre and Short Chain Fatty Acids. 

What and how we feed our horses and ponies plays a crucial role in their overall health. In many cases, we can mitigate the risk of severe health conditions, whilst also ensuring that we are giving our equines everything they need to perform at their best and be in the best of health. Clever marketing and loopholes in regulations governing feed claims can make it both challenging and confusing to feed your horse or pony in a way that is best for each individual equine. Seeking independent advice from suitably qualified and experienced nutritionists and equine health practitioners is one of the best investments you can make in your horses’ health and performance. Prefer listening to podcasts or watching webinars to learn more about equine nutrition, gut health, ulcers, immune health and other horse health conditions? Be sure to visit our Media page for plenty of informative recordings.

]]> How does your stallion’s body condition influence his fertility rate and libido? https://optimequine.com/stallion-fertility-2/ Sun, 22 Oct 2023 18:28:39 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2520 We all love a stallion looking strong, healthy and well. Yet it is all too easy for this vision of how we want a stallion to look to adversely impact his fertility and libido.

It is common for many stallions to have a body composition with a relatively high-fat percentage. This high amount of body fat reduces a stallion’s fertility through several mechanisms.

Total and free testosterone levels are reduced with higher percentages of body fat. Reduced sperm count, sperm motility and increased DNA fragmentation of sperm are also associated with higher body fat levels.

In the Stallion Health and Fertility webinar linked below, we discuss these and the many other factors which impact a stallion’s fertility and libido. More importantly, we also discuss strategies you can implement to help improve your stallion’s fertility and libido.

Web Video

If you are a horse breeder, be sure to check this informative video out!

]]> Why is it important to make dietary changes slowly in horses and ponies? https://optimequine.com/equine-digestive-health/ Sun, 01 Oct 2023 19:50:07 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2504 We commonly read or hear that when introducing a new feed into our horses’ and ponies’ diets that we should make the change slowly. But why is this? And is it actually really necessary?

In short, it relates to the microbiota of our equines’ digestive systems.

The bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses that colonise the equine gastrointestinal tract (GIT) (collectively known as the microbiota), play many crucial roles in horse health.

These microbes influence digestion, energy and nutrient production, immune health, levels of inflammation in the body, overall GI health, body condition, respiratory health, skin health, metabolic health, reproductive hormones and the production of neurotransmitters (chemicals which influence their mood, temperament, learning, motor control and behaviour).

When the microbiota deviates away from what is optimal, a horse is more susceptible to conditions of inflammation, illness, pathology, GI disturbances including colic, gastric and colonic ulcers, stressed behaviour and diminished nutrient and energy production and uptake.

The large population of microbes that inhabit the equine GI tract are influenced by what our horses and ponies eat. The specific types of microbes become accustomed to what our equines are fed and must adapt to different types of feed. This means that when they eat different types of feed, there are different populations and types of microbes.

Sudden dietary changes induce rapid shifts in this delicate balance of microbes and the byproducts they produce, rendering a horse more susceptible to illness. Whilst this is a broad simplification, the sudden changes in the microbes and their activity are largely indicated in many cases of colic, laminitis and other serious health conditions.

When we add new feeds to a diet or change a horse’s diet- we want to facilitate a gradual change in the microbial population and the products these microbes produce. The best way to do this is to introduce new feeds into their diet gradually over a 7-14 day period, slowly increasing the amounts of the new feed as the microbial population adjusts.

It’s a simple process, which is largely overlooked: something which can save a lot of pain, heartache and expense.

]]> Grass, Hay, Fibre and Short Chain Fatty Acids https://optimequine.com/grass-hay-fibre/ https://optimequine.com/grass-hay-fibre/#comments Thu, 17 Aug 2023 20:15:14 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2487 When we transition from winter into spring or from summer into autumn/fall weather, we can suddenly find that our horses have increasing amounts of green grass to graze.

With plenty of fresh pasture available, it can be tempting to stop feeding or reduce the amount of hay we give our horses. Yet if we want them to have good gastrointestinal (GI) ‘gut’ health, then keeping feeding sufficient hay to them is a must! To learn more about the important role of hay in the diet, visit the article: Hay, Stomach (Gastric) & Hindgut (Colonic) Ulcers.

Green grass is predominantly water and as a result, is low in dry matter fibre. Dry matter fibre is incredibly important for our horses and ponies for a multitude of reasons. Dry matter fibre supports the proliferation of and helps to maintain a healthy GI microflora population. To read more about fibre, see Fibre, Chewing and Gastrointestinal Health.

Dry matter fibre is also needed for the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) also known as volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Short-chain fatty acids are predominantly produced by the fermentation of fibre by the GI microbiome.

These SCFAs have many health benefits, including significant anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties. Furthermore, they help to promote the production of specific neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) which help our horses to be calm and relaxed. They have also been shown to help decrease fat accumulation and improve insulin sensitivity (an important consideration with insulin resistance, laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)). 

From a direct gut health standpoint, SCFAs play a crucial role to help promote proper GI barrier function- thereby helping to protect against the development of gastric and colonic ulcers. To read more about ulcers, see articles: Hindgut (Colonic) Ulcers in Horses and Ponies; and Ulcers in Horses: The importance of understanding how medications work.

Sometimes the simplest things can make the most profound difference in helping the overall health of our horses and ponies. Adequate fibre is one important dietary measure we can put in place to help promote calm behaviour in our horses, support sound bone and joint health, reduce inflammation, and reduce the risk of laminitis, insulin resistance and EMS.

Prefer listening to podcasts or watching webinars to learn more about gut health, ulcers, immune health and other equine health conditions? Be sure to visit our Media page for plenty of informative recordings.

]]> https://optimequine.com/grass-hay-fibre/feed/ 2 STRESS: What is stress exactly when it relates to horses? And what do we need to consider? https://optimequine.com/stress/ https://optimequine.com/stress/#comments Sun, 25 Jun 2023 19:24:38 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2445 When we talk about stress in equids, we often think of those horses and ponies that never settle, constantly spook, pace the fence line in the paddock, or sweat up as soon as they see a saddle.

And whilst all these can be examples of a horse or pony which is stressed, sources of stress and the effects it has on their body can encompass so much more.

We can actually have horses and ponies who in their nature are very relaxed and settled, yet their body is under significant stress. Stress is a type of change that causes physical, psychological or emotional strain in our horses.

Multiple forms of stress can have a cumulative effect, creating significant demands on the bodies of our horses. As a result of ongoing stress, our equines have increased requirements of particular nutrients.

Stress is also an important consideration in relation to stallion fertility, pregnancy in mares, gastric and colonic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), laminitis, insulin resistance (IR) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), chronic infections, bone health and failure to thrive.

Some of the many different sources of stress to our equines include:

  • Separation/Isolation
  • Injury
  • Illness
  • Use of certain medications
  • Nutritional deficiencies/insufficiencies
  • Nutritional excesses
  • Travel
  • Dehydration and/or withholding water
  • Withholding feed
  • Weaning
  • Pain
  • Inflammation
  • Intense exercise
  • Parasites
  • Heavy metal burdens
  • Exposure to chemicals, pesticides

What other sources of stress can you think of?

]]> https://optimequine.com/stress/feed/ 1 The Importance of Salt for Horses and Ponies https://optimequine.com/salt-for-horses/ Sat, 27 May 2023 03:55:33 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2436 Whether you’re somewhere in the world currently enjoying warmer weather, or contrastingly, at the other end of the spectrum and starting to experience cooler conditions, salt is a crucial part of our horses’ and ponies’ diets.

Salt is a mineral which remains an important part of the diets of our equines year-round, yet is easily overlooked. Most fortified feeds on the market don’t contain enough salt to meet the needs of our horses and ponies. If we’re not actively providing salt to our equines, then they’re likely falling well short of their requirements.

Salt is an electrolyte which helps to maintain fluid balance and hydration. It is continually lost through saliva, urine and sweat, so, therefore, must be provided in the diet to be replenished. Horses need salt on a daily basis, even when they’re not visibly sweating.

Salt is needed for proper functioning of the nervous system, digestion, balancing pH levels in the blood and helping muscles to function correctly.

Sodium also stimulates the thirst response in our horses and ponies. Without adequate salt in their diet, many equines will not drink enough water. This is one of the many important factors to consider in horses who have suffered from spasmodic or impaction colic, where gastrointestinal (GI) motility and/or dehydration play a role.

]]> Rugging (Blanketing): Increasing the Risk of Laminitis, Insulin Resistance & Equine Metabolic Syndrome. https://optimequine.com/rugging/ https://optimequine.com/rugging/#comments Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:55:44 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2392 As we transition from early autumn/fall and get closer to winter, the conversations around when to start rugging/blanketing and what rug(s) to put on your horse or pony are commonplace.

Firstly, it’s important to remember that all horses should be treated as individuals, and it can be easy to be influenced by what others are doing or saying (both in person and/or on social media!). The following points, however, are really important to keep in mind when making your decision.

Horses and ponies don’t quite feel the cold like you and I do: just because we are reaching for jackets and warmer layers, doesn’t mean our equines need rugging.

Horses and ponies can comfortably tolerate a wide range of temperatures: The thermoneutral zone (TNZ) for horses is the range of temperatures in which a horse or pony maintains its body temperature with little or no energy expenditure. The TNZ for horses and ponies is within a range of 5-25 degrees Celsius (41-77 degrees Fahrenheit).

The TNZ is one important consideration, but in many cases, horses and ponies can safely and easily keep warm in much, much lower temperatures. As low as -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit)!

Horses and ponies have several natural ways to keep warm in cold weather. One important aspect is the way we feed them. To read more see the article: Feeding horses and ponies in cold weather. The way they position their bodies in the weather also helps them to keep warm. To read more about this visit Why do horses and ponies turn their backs to the cold during inclement weather? Another healthy mechanism is increasing their metabolic rate. This is especially important for the fat/well-rounded/ ‘good doers’, particularly those with or at risk of insulin resistance (IR), laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). By leaving these horses and ponies unrugged, they burn extra calories to safely and easily keep warm.

Taking advantage of this is one really critical strategy in stopping horses and ponies from getting too fat coming into spring. It is one easily modifiable tool in helping to reduce the risk of EMS, IR and laminitis. If we rug our horses and ponies, they don’t get the advantage of increasing their metabolism. This means, coming into spring (a time when good doers are more at risk of laminitis and EMS) and when high-energy grass is plentiful, they’re carrying more fat and body weight than nature intended, thereby increasing their risk and making management much more difficult.

In the case of metabolic conditions in horses and ponies, simple modifiable management strategies can have a significant impact on their long-term health outcomes.

]]> https://optimequine.com/rugging/feed/ 1 HELP! My horse won’t put on body condition https://optimequine.com/body-condition/ Wed, 01 Feb 2023 20:02:20 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2357 HELP! My horse won’t put on body condition…

The horse that fails to thrive can be one of the most frustrating challenges for owners, trainers, breeders and riders. The horse who no matter how much you feed it, how many times you drench (worm) it, how long it stays on medications for gastric ulcers or how many supplements you add to its feed- it still fails to put on significant weight, looks lacklustre and just doesn’t thrive like it should. Not to mention costing you an absolute fortune to keep! It’s common (and reasonable) to think that the more you feed the horse (particularly high energy grains and/or concentrates) the more weight and body condition it should gain. If a horse consumes excess calories (energy intake) relative to energy expenditure (calories out) then we would expect weight gain to occur.  And whilst the energy equation is an important consideration in such horses, if it was the sole reason in all cases, then horses that fail to thrive would be in the minority. The number of clinical cases where the primary reason for the owner contacting me is to help their horse gain weight suggests that this certainly is a common complaint. So why does it occur and what can we do to help these horses put on condition and thrive?

Potential contributors to failing to put on weight/condition

Like many health challenges and conditions in our equines, there are multiple factors which can contribute to failure to put on weight. Generally, it comes down to a combination of factors, not just one single reason. In the absence of a serious health condition in our horses, which should be ruled out by a thorough case history and veterinary diagnostics if indicated, the below are the most common reasons I see in clinical practice contributing to horses failing to thrive:

  • Poor gastrointestinal (GI) health
  • Insufficient fibre (particularly long-stem fibre in the diet)
  • The volume of ‘individual hard feeds’ (ie grains and concentrates) too large per feed
  • Horses being fed the wrong ‘type’ of feed
  • Nutritional insufficiencies/deficiencies and imbalances (largely minerals and sometimes protein) which influence metabolic function (for example thyroid function)
  • Side effects of certain medications (such as antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids)
  • The use of gastric ulcer medications
  • High stress levels in the horse
  • High levels of pain in the horse
  • High levels of inflammation in the horse
  • Poor dental health
  • High parasite load
  • Inappropriate/insufficient exercise stimulus
  • Windsucking/Cribbing

Poor Gastrointestinal Health

This is by far the most significant contributing factor relating to failing to put on/maintain weight in clinical cases I see. Poor gastrointestinal health can relate to compromised integrity of the cells lining the GI tract (gastric mucosa), imbalances in the microflora (the population of microbes, largely bacteria) of the GI tract and inflammation of the GI tract. These issues generally occur together. Gastric and/or colonic ulcers are also relevant in many cases, as a result of changes in the aforementioned factors. Many things can contribute to poor GI health (such as insufficient long-stem fibre in the diet, the use of certain medications- including ulcer medications, stress, travel, dehydration, just to name a few). To read more on these topics see articles:Hay, Stomach (Gastric) & Hindgut (Colonic) Ulcers; Hindgut (Colonic) Ulcers in Horses and Ponies; Inflammation & Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories in Horses; Ulcers in Horses: The importance of understanding how medications work; Ulcer Medications: What Nobody Tells You and What You Need To Know; Fibre, Chewing and Gastrointestinal Health.

Insufficient Fibre

Sufficient dietary fibre is crucial in the diet of our horses’ and ponies’. In addition to promoting good GI health (see paragraph and articles above), fibre also serves as an important energy source in our horses. It’s easy to think that a horse who needs more condition needs more calories (the relative energy content of fibrous feeds such as hay is much lower compared to grains and most concentrates). Yet in addition to promoting healthy GI microflora, fibre serves as an important energy source for these microbes. They ferment the fibre to produce short chain fatty acids (SCFA) also known as volatile fatty acids (VFA). These fatty acids are a valuable ‘cool’ energy source for our horses, in addition to producing important anti-inflammatory compounds and promoting and maintaining a healthy GI tract. If we don’t feed our horses sufficient fibre, the lose out on these benefits. We can’t successfully ‘out-supplement’ insufficient fibre in our horse’s diets!

Volume (size) of ‘hard’ feeds

Horses have very small stomachs relative to the size of the animal, accounting for only 10% of the volume of the digestive system. Our horses are designed to be constantly ‘grazing’, which allows optimal digestive function. When our horses are fed large meals, which require relatively little chewing (such as grains and concentrates) the food passes through their stomach quickly. This results in the feed entering the small intestine largely undigested. Consequently, the horse isn’t able to extract the energy and nutrients from the feed properly, and the undigested feed enters the hind-gut, where it ferments and causes changes in the pH and microflora population. Whilst fibre passes largely undigested into the hindgut and is naturally fermented here (and provides significant benefits because of this), no other feed should be fermented in the hindgut. In a mature horse, individual meal sizes should be no more than 2.3kg (5 pounds) in volume.

Horses being fed the wrong ‘type’ of feed

Feeding horses a commercial pelleted or mixed concentrate feed can be an efficient way to help meet nutrient requirements. However, not all pelleted or commercially manufactured feeds are created equally. They vary vastly in ingredients contained, nutrient and energy content. Feeds on the market range from low calorie mineral balancers to high energy concentrates. Feeding a low calorie balancer (even in large quantities) won’t significantly contribute to energy intake in our horses. Hence, selecting an appropriate feed is really important to help the horse failing to thrive.

Feeding large amounts of hard-to digest grains or concentrates is also a common occurrence in the horse failing to thrive. On paper it can make logical sense to feed the lightly conditioned horse plenty of grains as they are generally high in calories. Yet these grains aren’t always readily digested, and feed that isn’t digested properly won’t help to condition our horses well. For example corn (even cracked/rolled corn), despite being relatively high in starch and calories has very poor digestibility. This means our horses are not able to efficiently utilise the calories in it, in addition to it also adversely effecting GI microflora, compounding the whole problem. Remember that many high calorie concentrate/manufactured feeds contain large amounts of grains.

Nutritional insufficiencies, deficiencies and imbalances

In addition to sufficient energy (calories), our horses need protein (made up of amino acids), fats, vitamins and minerals to serve multiple different functions in the body. Sufficient protein is needed to aid in muscle hypertrophy (growth) thus plays an important structural role in conditioning horses. Additionally, the amino acids found in protein are needed for the production and activity of digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes help our horses to properly break down their feed, allowing for the absorption of energy and nutrients. Along with fats, vitamins and minerals, protein also plays key roles in supporting metabolic function and the production of key hormones needed to promote healthy growth in our horses. Insufficiencies or relative imbalances in these key nutrients can both directly and indirectly affect a horse’s ability to put on body condition.

Side effects of certain medications

Particular medications commonly used in our horses have the ability to impact their body condition. Antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone (bute) and flunixin (Banamine), and corticosteroids all impact a horse’s GI microflora and the integrity of their stomach lining. Lesser considered medications include omeprazole and ranitidine (the key active ingredients in most ulcer medications), which interfere with a horse’s ability to properly digest and absorb their feed, and also impact their GI microflora. Other medications such as diuretics (Furosemide/Lasix) influence the absorption, metabolism and/or excretion of key nutrients needed for healthy metabolic function and conditioning in a horse. Medications such as Clenbuterol (Airway Gel, Claire Gel) and synthetic thyroid hormone (L-Thyro) directly influence metabolic rate in a horse, commonly resulting in weight loss or inability to put on sufficient condition.

The use of gastric ulcer medications

It can seem quite ironic- medications commonly used to help aid in healing of gastric ulcers can actually compound the challenge of gaining condition in the poor doer. Gastric ulcer medications work by shutting down the production of hydrochloric acid. Yet without adequate hydrochloric acid our horses can’t properly digest, absorb and metabolise their feed and nutrients in it. As a result, feed passes largely undigested in to the hindgut, adversely impacting GI microflora. To learn more about the actions of ulcer medications, visit the articles: Ulcers in Horses: The importance of understanding how medications work; Ulcer Medications: What Nobody Tells You and What You Need To Know

High stress levels and/or high levels of pain

High and/or continued levels of stress and/or pain in our horses results in changes in the production of the hormone cortisol and chemicals which promote inflammation in the body. This in turn commonly results in the breakdown of muscle tissue, leading to difficulty putting on/maintaining condition- largely lean muscle mass (the kind of condition we want on our horses). Changes in GI blood flow and microflora balance also commonly occur as a result of stress, further impacting digestion. Additionally gastric and/or colonic ulcers, which frequently develop as a result of chronic stress, can further compound the problem. To read more on the systemic effects of injury and pain, see the article: Injury and Pain in our Horses and Ponies

High Levels of inflammation

Long-term (chronic) inflammation in horses reduces the synthesis of muscle protein. It also increases the rate at which muscle proteins break down. Special types of molecules called inflammatory cytokines, which are  involved in cell signalling during inflammation, trigger the release of cortisol and particular neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the body). The combination of cortisol and these neurotransmitters disrupt cellular metabolism and alter a horse’s metabolic rate, which can heighten the breakdown of muscle tissue.

Poor dental health

Dental health can influence a horse’s ability to put on and/or maintain body condition in several ways. Sharp edges on teeth, loosened teeth, tooth infections, tooth loss or uneven wear of teeth can contribute to pain and compromised ability to chew feed well. Properly chewing feed is an important part of initiating digestion in the horse, allowing it to adequately utilise feed.

Less commonly considered aspects of dental health in our horses are gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontitis (where the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and cause pockets of air between the gums and teeth). These conditions affect horses in a similar way to humans. Gingivitis usually precedes periodontitis and begins when bacteria in the mouth proliferate around the teeth and gums. The build-up of large numbers of bacteria that attack the gingiva or gums leads to inflammation. It’s important to note that as the disease progresses and the gums become swollen and bleed, bacteria are able to enter a horse’s bloodstream and travel around the body. This can result in high levels of systemic inflammation and adverse changes to gut microflora, thereby influencing overall health and digestive function. To read more on the systemic effects of dental health in horses, visit: Bad Breath in Horses

High parasite (worm) load

Did you know that there are more than 150 types of parasites that affect horses? The four most common types are strongyles, ascarids, tapeworms and bots. High numbers of parasites (a high parasite load) can contribute to inflammation throughout our horses’ digestive tracts, damage to the lining of the stomach and intestines and gastric and/or colonic ulcers. These inhibit our horses’ ability to properly digest and absorb their feed.

Simply drenching/worming our horses more frequently is generally not the answer. This can contribute to increased parasite resistance to anthelmintics (drugs used to help kill parasite), in addition to impacting a horse’s GIT microflora. Best practices involves the use of appropriately timed faecal egg counts, assessing parasite burden in the horse, and strategic drenching using appropriate anthelmintics. For more information on best drenching/deworming practice visit: Drenching/Deworming with Panacur

Inappropriate/insufficient exercise stimulus

For our horses to develop and maintain muscle mass and body condition there are several important components. Good GI health to properly digest, absorb and metabolise nutrients needed for protein synthesis and muscle cell growth (hypertrophy) are essential. Our horses also need to be fed a diet which meets both their protein and calorie requirements. An easily overlooked factor is appropriate type and quantity of exercise. Our horse need to be engaging the correct muscles in the correct frame to develop good muscle growth and conditioning. Horses who are not exercised adequately, and/or not engaging the correct muscles when working will fail to capitalise on their ability to develop good muscle mass. Horses who are spelling, injured or on box/stall rest will likely not maintain their best muscle mass. A useful analogy can be to think of a person who wants to gain muscle mass or muscle definition. If they eat plenty of protein and calories, yet spend their day largely inactive, sitting on the couch and not exercising, they will fail to properly develop optimal muscle strength and definition. On the other end of the spectrum, someone who trains really hard in the gym, but fails to eat enough quality food to fuel their training will not maximise muscle development gains. It takes a combination of both training and proper fuelling! To read more, visit: What Supplements are best for building Topline?

Windsucking/Cribbing

Windsucking (also known as cribbing or crib-biting) in horses is a stereotypy, or repetitive behaviour which can significantly impact a horse’s ability to put on or maintain weight.

In addition to weight loss and overall poor condition, wind sucking can result in abnormal development of muscles in the neck, and excessive wear of teeth- affecting a horse’s ability to chew properly. Cribbing can interrupt a horse’s daily routine, occupying several hours per day. This reduces time spent grazing and foraging. Cribbing is commonly associated with digestive discomfort, gastric ulcers and imbalances in specific neurotransmitters- all factors which are known to influence a horse’s ability to properly digest, absorb and metabolise their feed. To read more about windsucking/cribbing visit: Why do horses wind suck and crib bite?

The horse who fails to gain or maintain adequate weight and muscle mass can be frustrating. Whilst it is common to look at one likely reason for their weight struggles, there are generally several factors contributing to the state of the horse’s health. The good news is that when contributing factors are properly identified and addressed, the horse who once had difficulty putting on and/or maintaining weight can flourish. Additionally, by correcting the underlying issues, you are helping to facilitate the best health and performance in your horse.

]]> Vitamin B12 for Horses https://optimequine.com/vitamin-b12-horses/ Wed, 12 Oct 2022 18:31:06 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2275 Injectable vitamin B12 is a common treatment given to horses. One of the primary functions of vitamin B12 is to help make red blood cells, which are important to carry oxygen throughout the body. Improving the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells in turn can aid endurance and athletic performance in our equines.

Horses and ponies are able to synthesise (make) their own vitamin B12 when they have a healthy balance of hindgut microflora, sufficient fibre in their diet and a suitable mineral intake- particularly adequate dietary cobalt.

What is commonly overlooked is the fact that injectable vitamin B12 is rapidly and nearly completely excreted via bile into a horse’s manure. In essence- they can’t use or absorb this form of B12…it just makes for expensive poo!

Having a healthy digestive system is incredibly important in our horses and ponies to promote many facets of their health: good hoof quality and growth, optimal metabolic and immune function, the production of neurotransmitters (natural chemicals) which help to promote calm behaviour and reducing inflammation.

The production of optimal levels of vitamin B12 to aid in athletic performance are just another reason why we need to focus on sound feeding and management practices and the judicious use of medications in order to promote good gastrointestinal and overall health. It is also an important reminder that we often just can’t out supplement poor dietary practices.

]]> What Is The Safest Time To Graze A Horse Or Pony At Risk Of Laminitis? https://optimequine.com/laminitis-grazing/ Wed, 07 Sep 2022 07:23:21 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2256 Short answer: In the early morning (3AM -10AM)*.

Here’s Why

Several key factors influence the level of sugar in the grass our horses and ponies graze. This includes the weather, how stressed the grass is (over-grazed grass and/or grass under drought conditions), grass maturity, the time of year, species of grass and the time of day.

Sun shining on grass causes the process of photosynthesis to occur. This creates sugar which the plant stores then uses overnight to keep growing. As a result, grass tends to have higher sugar content later in the day compared to earlier in the day: grass has had more sunlight exposure and more time to photosynthesise and produce sugar.

What this means from a practical sense, is the horse who is at risk of laminitis (but is still safe to graze) is best turned out to pasture early in the morning, and bought off grass by 10-10:30 AM (cloud coverage and region dependent).

Some key factors to keep in mind

Turning out late in the afternoon/evening is NOT safe for at risk horses- as grass sugar levels are at their highest at this time. It takes several hours after the sun sets for sugar levels in grass to drop. In most cases, sugar levels are safe to graze again at around 3am.

*Cool or frosty nights combined with warm/sunny days promote very high sugar levels in the grass. When the temperature drops below about 5 degrees celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight, yet the day is still sunny and warm, the growth rate of grass slows. As a result, much of the stored sugars in the grass aren’t used up. In this case, grass sugar levels can still be high in the early morning. This may mean keeping at-risk horses off pasture on these days.

]]> Coco Pops, Feeding Broodmares and Skeletal Development…What’s the Link? https://optimequine.com/feeding-broodmares/ Tue, 19 Jul 2022 20:41:19 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2245 When it comes to feeding our broodmares, we are inundated with choices in terms of commercial feed mixes and concentrates. It’s common for our feed selections to be largely influenced by those marketed as ‘scientifically formulated’ or containing ‘essential nutrients’ for broodmares and healthy foetal development. Whilst we know that sufficient quantities and ratios of minerals and vitamins essential for healthy skeletal development are absolutely crucial, we can neglect to consider the actual crude ingredients in a feed…

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.

]]> Laminitis ‘Prevention’- But at what cost? https://optimequine.com/laminitis-prevention/ Fri, 06 May 2022 07:18:39 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2195 We all want to do what’s best for our horses. Marketing experts employed by large brands know this. Clever product marketing targets this. That’s why it is common to find products which offer a seemingly quick and easy solution to help our equine friends with health difficulties.

The horse or pony prone to laminitis can be a challenge to keep healthy. Poorly managed or severe episodes of laminitis can lead to devastating consequences. Diligence and modification to the diet and management regime of a horse or pony at risk of or with laminitis are required to prevent further deterioration or episodes of the condition and keep the equine in the best health possible. If a supplement on the market claimed to prevent acute episodes of feed related laminitis AND didn’t require changes in the way we feed and manage our horses and ponies, then surely that would be great? On the surface, maybe, but when we understand about HOW such a product possibly prevents laminitis and the potential long-term health repercussions, then stopping to reconsider its use is certainly warranted. Especially when one of the leading equine veterinary authorities in the world completely ban its use.

One widely promoted and used product on the market contains the active ingredient Virginiamycin. Virginiamycin is an ANTIBIOTIC.

It is well known, researched and demonstrated that antibiotics have an adverse impact on gut health through several mechanisms. They kill off not only ‘bad’ but ‘good’ bacteria which play many essential roles in our horses’ and ponies’ digestive systems. Amongst other functions, these healthful bacteria help to break down the fibre in hay and roughage to produce ‘cool’ energy for our horses; they produce substances which play a role in preserving the lining of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) helping to reduce inflammation and protect against ulceration; they produce B group vitamins, biotin and vitamin K- essential for energy production, hoof health, reproductive health, bone health and strength, and recovery from exercise to name a few; they are intimately involved in the production of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers which influence our horses’ moods, temperament, behaviour, gut motility, etc); and these helpful bacteria also play a crucial role in proper and healthy immune function. Furthermore, compositions of specific ‘good’ GIT microflora have been shown to play an important role in metabolism, blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity: all which may have a protective effect in the horse or pony at risk of insulin resistance (IR) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). It is well known that horses with IR and/or EMS are at an increased risk of laminitis.

Antibiotics are also known to increase intestinal paracellular permeability and promote intestinal barrier dysfunction- sometimes referred to as ‘leaky gut’. Episodes of laminitis are commonly a sequelae of the above.

Through the use of antibiotics, bacteria (both ‘good’ and ‘bad’) are kept in check (although with increasing antibiotic use and levels of antimicrobial resistance eliminating the ‘bad’ bacteria is becoming increasingly more difficult) thereby keeping some of the triggering factors to laminitis episodes at bay.

We KNOW that diet has a significant influence in the majority of cases of laminitis. We also know that the integrity of the GIT lining also plays a paramount role. In horses with poor digestive health (which is common and can be caused by many factors- visit the Articles section on Optim Equine’s website to read more) high grain/carbohydrate diets have been shown to change bacterial populations (to non-favourable bacteria) in the hindgut. These bacteria produce lactic acid through fermentation, damaging the GIT lining and contributing to a cascade of events that can result in laminitis. In theory, as long as the horse is kept on this antibiotic, rapid shifts in gut microflora which may precede laminitis are less likely to occur. Therefore helping to ‘prevent’ it.

There are a few issues with this. The constant use of antibiotics actually impairs the integrity of the gut lining through several mechanisms. One of the many supportive roles of ‘healthy’ bacteria are to protect and promote a healthy GIT lining. Part of this mechanism involves reducing intestinal inflammation.

Secondly, when a horse comes off the ‘supplement’ (medication) unless strategic dietary practices are implemented, the microflora balance will more likely default to an unhealthy one as a consequence of the use of antibiotics…thereby actually further increasing their risk of future episodes of laminitis than before they were on the supplement in the first place. Keep in mind too that antibiotics also degrade the protective barrier function of the intestinal lining. 

Then we’ve got the nutritional consequences as a result in shifts in GIT microflora. Horses on antibiotics are now lacking the beneficial bacteria to help them properly digest and utilise fibre as an energy source, in addition to the myriad of roles those healthy bacteria play in overall health and performance as outlined previously.

Virginiamycin has been completely banned for animal use in the UK since 2014. This alone should ring alarm bells! The antibiotic was banned as it posed a risk to increased development of antimicrobial resistance. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) also found no robust evidence that Founderguard prevents laminitis. They supported that this condition can be managed though animal husbandry and pasture management. They declared the use of Founderguard in horses no longer justified. Globally, we need to recognise the very real problem of antimicrobial resistance and responsible prescribing of antimicrobials in the veterinary profession. As the pathology which drives laminitis is not caused by bacterial infection, we must ask ourselves is the use of antibiotics in this instance responsible? 

We have the opportunity to support healthy GIT microflora, promote healthy GIT integrity and feed our horses so they are able to perform at their best and be in the best of overall health and help prevent laminitis. This is largely dependent not only what we feed our horses, but how we feed them too. It also involves looking at the way we use routine medications in our horses and incorporating alternative strategies to minimise unnecessary use and addressing the side effects they cause when they are required…

]]> Selenium- Is your horse actually using the amount on the feed or supplement label? https://optimequine.com/selenium-horses/ Wed, 23 Mar 2022 19:54:47 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2153 Selenium is a crucial trace-mineral in the diets of our horses and ponies. It plays many key roles in the body and is particularly important in reproductive health (both mares and stallions), recovery from exercise, healthy immune function, normal growth and development of young horses and healthy thyroid function.

Selenium is a nutrient which has a relatively low safe upper limit range. High intakes (through diet and/or supplementation) can result in toxicity and even death in severe cases.

Many parts of the world have soils that are notoriously deficient in selenium- and thus the pastures and feeds grown for horses in them are also low in selenium. This has led to selenium being a commonly added mineral to horse feeds and many supplements.

Selenium comes in two main forms: organic and inorganic. Organic selenium has been demonstrated to have superior absorption, tissue uptake and ability to enhance antioxidant status compared to inorganic selenium. This is attributed to selenomethionine, the effective organic part of organic selenium.

One of the most popular sources of selenium used in horse feeds and supplements is selenium yeast (produced by them is the micro-organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Although selenium yeast contains high levels of organic selenium, not all of it is in the form of selenomethionine. Research has demonstrated that there are significant limitations in using selenium yeast to help achieve good selenium uptake and stores in the body. Although the product should in theory contain a certain amount of organic selenium on paper, the actual amount of organic selenium in the form of selenomethionine provided by selenium-containing yeast is often far less. A large percentage of the selenium provided by selenium-containing yeast is in a poorly absorbed inorganic form. This means that your horse is potentially utilising much less selenium than what is written on the label and may well be falling short of their requirements. Not all feeds and supplements use this form of selenium- so it is incredibly valuable to ascertain not only the amount of selenium in a product but also the form it is in. Seemingly minor details in feed and supplement formulations can have profound influences on our horse’s health and wellbeing.

]]> The Importance of Protein https://optimequine.com/protein-intake/ Sun, 23 Jan 2022 20:26:36 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2106 Protein- it’s a most crucial component of a horse’s diet, yet is commonly blamed for causing a whole host of problems in horses: Everything from ‘hot behaviour’, to joint problems, swollen legs, liver and kidney issues. Yet are these issues actually caused by protein? And what happens when we don’t feed our horses enough quality protein?

What is Protein?

Protein is a crucial macronutrient in a horse’s diet and is comprised of long chains of building blocks called amino acids. There are 21 amino acids. The specific order and combination of amino acids determines the structure and function of each protein. Insufficient dietary intake of specific amino acids limits the production of key proteins essential in our horse’s bodies. For more in-depth information on protein quality see the article: Soy: The Good, Bad and Confusing.

Protein is Needed for Growth, Maintenance and Repair of Tissue

We commonly only think of this as important when we are trying to increase muscle mass in a horse. For instance, building top-line on our ridden horse, or conditioning a thoroughbred yearling for sale. Yet protein is absolutely essential for normal growth and development of the young horse, and recovery from riding and training in active horses. Insufficient protein in the diet can therefore increase risk of illness and injury in our horses. Times of illness and injury also increase protein requirements in order to help recover from the illness or heal from the injury. Providing insufficient protein to a sick or injured horse during their recovery can significantly delay and/or impair their healing and adversely impact their future athletic potential.

Protein Facilitates Biochemical Reactions

Enzymes are a specific type of protein that aid in the normal biochemical reactions that take place in a horse. Specific enzymes are needed to facilitate proper digestion (therefore helping to promote optimal gut health and utilisation of feed); energy production (helping a horse to perform); normal metabolism (helping to regulate weight and temperature in a horse); blood clotting; and muscle contraction. Insufficient protein in the diet can lead to digestive problems- a critical consideration given the heightened focus on gastrointestinal (GI) health. A common mistake is to restrict protein intake in the overweight horse: this can further slow metabolism (compounding the problem) and compromise overall health.

Protein is Required for Proper Communication in the Body

Hormones are chemical messengers that aid in communication between a horse’s cells, tissues and organs. They are needed for everything from normal growth, metabolism, reproductive function and digestion. Amino acids are also an important component of neurotransmitters: the chemical messengers which play a crucial role in a horse’s mood, temperament, learning and behaviour.

Protein Provides Structure

Different types of protein are essential for the formation of healthy bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, skin and hooves. Depending on the type of protein, they aid in providing structure, strength, elasticity and rigidity to specific tissues. Insufficient protein in the diet can make a horse more susceptible to injury to muscles, tendons, bones and ligaments. They may also have poor skin and/or hoof quality.

Protein Helps to Maintain pH Balance in the Body

Proteins act as a buffer system, helping a horse’s body to maintain proper pH values of the blood and other bodily fluids.

Protein Helps to Balance Body Fluid Levels

Albumin and globulin are two important proteins found in a horse’s blood. They help to maintain the body’s fluid balance by attracting and retaining water. If a horse’s diet has consistently has low quantities of quality protein, the levels of albumin and globulin eventually decrease. This can result in swelling or oedema as these proteins can no longer keep blood in the blood vessels, forcing the fluid into the spaces between cells. The irony is that protein is often blamed for causing swelling in horses- with the reverse often being the cause!

Protein is Needed for a Healthy Immune System

Protein is absolutely essential for white blood cell production and the formation of immunoglobulins (antibodies) needed to fight infection in our horses. Insufficient protein in the diet can leave a horse more susceptible to bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

Protein Aids in the Transportation and Storage of Nutrients

Transport proteins carry substances in our horse’s blood streams- into, out of and within cells. The substances transported by these proteins include nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, blood sugar, cholesterol and oxygen. Whilst we often think of iron as being a key driver in helping oxygen delivery to the body’s tissues, protein plays a paramount role- yet is often overlooked. Specific proteins also have a storage role: ferritin is a storage protein that stores iron.

Problems with Excessive Protein: Myths or Facts?

So now we can see that protein is absolutely vital in keeping our horses healthy, yet is there a downside to this nutrient? And can we feed too much? Like most things, the answer is relative to the situation and the individual horse.

Excess Protein

To overly simplify, horses are unable to store excess protein that they consume in their diet for later use. The metabolism of excess protein increases levels of nitrogen end-products, such as ammonia and urea. A diet containing excess protein will increase the horse’s water requirements and urine output as the ammonia and urea are flushed out of the body. If a horse is kept out at pasture, is only in light work and has free access to plenty of fresh water, this generally isn’t a problem. It is an issue however where horses are stabled. Exposure to this strong urine can cause lung irritation and other respiratory problems. Extra urination means extra wet bedding, which equates to more mucking out.

Metabolism of Protein Produces Heat

Protein digestion and metabolism is a heat generating process. A horse that is on a high protein diet that is burning a lot of protein as an energy source will sweat more to help get rid of the heat. It is important to remember that the body has a preference for using carbohydrates and fats over protein as an energy source, and will only use protein as a significant energy source when these other two nutrients don’t meet their requirements. Protein fed in appropriate amounts to meet a horse’s needs will not contribute greatly to heat production or sweating. Feeding excessive amounts of protein however, particularly to horses in hot and humid climates, or those undertaking moderate to heavy work, can contribute to dehydration and heat stress.

Protein Causes Poor Behaviour/ Hot Horses: MYTH

Protein is often blamed for making horses ‘hot’, nervy or spooky. This is turn can cause some owners to avoid including quality sources of protein in their horse’s diet. Protein has not been shown to cause behavioural issues in horses. Diets which are high in energy and excessive to a horse’s energy needs which are also high in protein can contribute to a horse being hyperactive or silly. The problem here is the overall energy intake, not the protein!

Kidney and/or Liver Damage: MYTH

In healthy horses, high protein diets have not been demonstrated to cause kidney and/or liver damage. In horses that have pre-existing liver or kidney problems, then protein intake may need to be restricted- ensuring that intake is still sufficient to meet a horse’s daily requirements but does not exceed them.

Take Home Message

As a general rule, I see far more horses in clinical practice with insufficient protein intakes compared to those with excessive protein intakes. Insufficient protein in the diet may leave a horse more susceptible to illness and/or injury and delay or impair their recovery. Including adequate, quality protein in the diets of our horses is absolutely essential in order for them to be healthy, perform and recover at their best.

]]> Horses are meant to MOVE. A LOT… https://optimequine.com/horse-physical-activity/ Wed, 12 Jan 2022 19:26:38 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2097 One of the most significant impacts of modern domestication of horses is the profound reduction in daily physical activity. Even horses who are worked regularly and are in peak fitness are likely to do far less exercise than their wild counterparts.

Many horses spend the majority of their days in small paddocks, yards and stables. They only need to move minimally to have access to feed and water. Essentially, they are quite idle. Although widely variable depending on discipline, many horses in hard work don’t do more than 1-2 hours most days. Ridden time aside, they are essentially quite idle.

This is in stark contrast to the way horses move in herds in nature. Natural social groups of horses have evolved to never stop moving or eating for very long. Research in semi-feral herds has shown that horses move at least 17km per day! At different periods throughout the year, the distance they cover can increase significantly. When in search of forage or when interacting with other herds, horses may move up to 160km daily.

This movement plays a crucial role in keeping horses healthy. Contrastingly, lack of physical movement in domestic horses is an important contributing factor in many health conditions we see today. The large volumes of physical activity (along with the diet of wild horses) helps to prevent horses being overweight. The physical activity improves insulin sensitivity an important factor in metabolic syndrome, as well as many cases of laminitis. Laminitis in our horses is largely a ‘man-made’ disease.

The constant physical activity increases bone density and strength, as well as promoting muscle, tendon and ligament strength and development. This is likely to lead to stronger, sounder horses.

So how can we implement some of these benefits in our man-made modern settings?

We can take some of the principles and incorporate them into the management of our horses. The suggestions listed below are general suggestions which can be used where they are possible, safe and feasible. It’s about making the best of the situation and facilities that you have.

Where possible:

  • Choose keeping your horse turned outside in preference to stabling.
  • Choose larger fields over smaller paddocks and yards.
  • Choose turning out in mobs as opposed to turnout alone to encourage movement and interaction.
  • Consider the implementation of natural track systems in paddocks to encourage movement.
  • Feed well away from water source- ie water at one end of the paddock, feed at the other.
  • Consider hand walking the horse that isn’t ridden frequently.

For the majority of horses and ponies, increasing their overall daily physical movement and activity is most beneficial. Small changes can have a significant positive impact on your horse’s health, soundness and longevity.

]]> Heat, Humidity and Horses https://optimequine.com/heat-stress-in-horses/ Tue, 04 Jan 2022 07:41:01 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2088 Hot, humid weather brings with it some important health considerations in relation to our horses. Heat stress is one of the most commonly recognised conditions associated with heat and humidity. Heat and humidity can also play a part in some cases of colic, respiratory challenges, exertional rhabdomyolysis (tying up), poor performance and weight loss as outlined in this article.

Heat stress occurs when a horse’s thermoregulatory system cannot adequately dissipate heat. It is most common when exercising in hot, humid conditions, as exercise results in the generation of heat. Heat dissipation relies on evaporation of sweat: sweat cools the skin down and the blood flowing through it by evaporation. In hot, dry air, sweat evaporates very quickly but as the humidity increases, the speed at which sweat evaporates becomes less effective. Overweight and/or unfit horses are less effective at dissipating heat, increasing their risk of heat stress.

As a horse’s sweat levels increase, so does their loss of essential electrolytes. Horses are able to sweat faster than any other animal (thereby helping to cool themselves). Additionally, the electrolyte content of horse sweat is highly concentrated. The most significant electrolyte lost in sweat is salt. Salt must be supplemented in the horse’s diet to meet their daily sodium requirements- this is true even when horses sweat minimally. Processed horse feeds do not contain sufficient salt for basic daily requirements. Grass, hay and other feeds also do not help to meet our horse’s salt requirements. If electrolytes aren’t adequately replaced in the diet, insufficiencies/deficiencies and imbalances in electrolytes can occur in our horses (horses cannot make their own electrolytes). These imbalances and deficiencies in turn increase the likelihood and/or severity of poor performance. They may also be implicated in exertional rhabdomyolysis (tying up) and synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (thumps).

Dehydration is a risk factor in many horses. As they can sweat at such high rates, fluid losses are accentuated. Dehydration can increase the risk of several health conditions, one of the most common being colic. Dehydration can slow the passage of food material in the gastrointestinal (GI) system and make faeces much drier and firmer- resulting in impaction colic.

Respiratory health complications can also arise from dehydration. Respiratory tract irritation, inflammation and infection may all be consequences of dehydration. In a dehydrated horse, the mucus in the airways of the lungs increases in viscosity (thickness) and moves slower- resulting in accumulation of matter in the lungs.

Hot and/or humid weather can cause horse feed to go off much quicker than usual and can change the nutritional content of processed feeds. High fat feeds and oils will quickly go rancid in hot weather (it is important to note that this can occur without the feed or oil smelling ‘off’). This can lead to a horse consuming less feed than normal. Dehydration can also result in reduced appetite.

Some minerals and vitamins in different feeds also deteriorate in quality with heat, further compounding health issues. Reduced feed intake and/or changes in metabolic rate associated with hot and humid environmental conditions, can lead to weight loss in the horse.

Signs and symptoms to look out for that may be indicative of detrimental effects of heat and/or humidity in the horse include:

  • Increased rectal temperature
  • Poor performance
  • Poor recovery post exercise
  • Panting (fast, shallow breathing)
  • Blowing excessively for a prolonged period of time after exercise
  • Lethargy (often accompanied by the appearance of being unsteady on their feet)
  • Muscle spasms
  • Feeling very hot to touch
  • Dark and/or reduced urine
  • Nostril flaring
  • Decreased appetite and/or thirst
  • Irregular heart beat
  • Thumps (synchronous diaphragmatic flutter)
  • Dark mucous membranes
  • Very prominent blood vessels on the skin

Helping to prevent heat stress and/or the consequences of high temperature and humidity takes a multi-faceted approach. Heat acclimatisation (when important competitions/events take place in the heat) is an important consideration. Horses, like humans, can become acclimated to heat. This generally takes 2-3 weeks, and requires them to be sensibly exercised in the heat and/or humidity on a daily basis. It is important to take into account that even fit, well acclimated horses may experience reduced performance in hot and/or humid weather conditions. Quite contrastingly- if you enjoy riding during hot weather (but are not competing in events that take place in the heat) then exercising your horse in the coolest parts of the day is an effective strategy.

Post exercise, adequately cooling down and hosing off your horse is important. In cases where a horse is extremely hot, hosing for 10-15 minutes with cold water may be necessary. Its best not to scrape the water off your horse in this case: water which sits on the skin will evaporate and help to contribute to the cooling process.

Ensure clean drinking water is always provided to your horse and don’t withhold water before or after exercise. Offering water immediately after exercising is recommended, as this is the time when a horse’s thirst is strongest. Try to avoid ice cold water, but don’t restrict intake. Giving water to a healthy horse post exercise is not associated with causing colic. With increased sweating rates, horses have increased fluid requirements- so expect and allow them to drink more.

The daily provision of adequate salt and the appropriate use of electrolytes are important to help maintain normal physiological processes in the body.

Exercising horses in hot and/or humid weather can pose some challenges, but sensible management and riding practices can help to minimise these. Keeping our horses properly hydrated, cooling them effectively post exercise, and ensuring we meet their dietary requirements are important factors in keeping them healthy in hot, humid weather.

]]> Overweight horses and ponies: there’s more to the equation than just feed… https://optimequine.com/overweight-horses/ Sun, 28 Nov 2021 19:44:01 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2078 Overweight horses and ponies can pose a real challenge for owners to manage. Particularly at times of the year where there is an abundance of lush feed. It is well known that higher levels of body fat in horses and ponies is associated with fertility complications, insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome and increased risk and severity of laminitis. Orthopaedic problems such as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in young horses, and osteoarthritis in our older equines are commonly associated with higher body fat levels.

Managing energy intake is certainly a critical strategy in successfully preventing and/or managing these conditions in our horses. It’s important to remember that there are numerous other highly influential factors on body weight, body composition and metabolism. These include exercise and activity levels, various hormonal levels, the effects of specific medications a horse may be on, and specific vitamin, mineral and other nutrient levels.

One of the most fascinating, yet less appreciated influences on a horse’s metabolic rate and body composition are the types and balances of bacteria that reside in their hindgut. Specific types of bacteria in a horse’s hind gut produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) also known as volatile fatty acids (VFAs) through a process of fermentation. Short chain fatty acids help to reduce the development and accumulation of fat cells, promote the breakdown of fats and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (thereby reducing inflammation). Short chain fatty acids may help to reduce body weight and improve insulin sensitivity- extremely important factors in managing the overweight horse and preventing further complications.

These bacteria need plenty of fibre to survive and thrive. This is one of the many reasons why starvation diets for overweight horses are not suitable. Severely restricting an overweight horse’s fibre intake often compounds the metabolic problems.

In order to successfully manage the overweight horse or pony (or prevent at risk equines from becoming overweight) we need to address all the contributing factors which influence their metabolism. Whilst energy (feed) intake is one of these components, the type of feed is just as important. Appropriately addressing activity levels, specific nutritional components and promoting optimal hindgut microflora are paramount.

]]> Stress in Horses: Why it isn’t always obvious https://optimequine.com/stress-in-horses/ Wed, 24 Nov 2021 19:33:39 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2075 When we think of the term ‘stress’, we often think of horses that pace the fence line, shy at non-existent monsters (!), call out incessantly when their paddock mate leaves and seem to poo cow pat like manure as soon as we saddle them. Whilst all these behaviours are clear outward signs of stress, it is important to remember that stress isn’t always obvious, and isn’t always reflected in behavioural changes. Stress caused by seemingly more subtle scenarios still results in the same physiological changes in the horse’s body.

It is well understood that performance and racehorses are subject to significant amounts of stress. This stress in and of itself can result in sub-optimal or poor performance in our horses. Performance aside, prolonged stress has a myriad of flow on effects to the overall health of our horses: it can compromise the wellbeing and function of the gastrointestinal system, the immune system, and the production and function of neurotransmitters (the brain chemicals influencing temperament and behaviour).

What is easily forgotten is that stress affecting our horse’s performance and well being does not necessarily have to originate from sources associated with training or the competitive event. Read that sentence again.

Performance and racehorses are exposed to a range of stressors most of which relate to the way they are kept, fed and managed (this is largely dictated by training regimes, available facilities or convenience). These are stressful because they affect the behavioural needs of the horse as a species.

Behavioural needs are species-specific highly motivated behaviours that are performed by an animal and more often than not have a functional role. The horse has some physiological ‘need’ to perform the behaviour. Foraging (grazing) is a primary example of this. In a natural environment, forage is generally available ad lib with a horse spending up to 70% of its day eating! For horses, the reduction of eating time to two meals per day can meet the nutritional requirements of the animal, but is unlikely to meet the horse’s behavioural need to forage. In the competition horse, restriction of behavioural needs induces a chronic stress response which will subsequently prevent optimal individual performance. It also has a significant flow on effect to gastrointestinal (gut) and immune health.

Some of the most basic feeding and management practices have the most profound influence on our horse’s health and performance. It can be easy to rush in and add the latest fad supplement to our horse’s feed to try and remedy a stressed horse or poorly performing horse, but it is more valuable to ask ourselves:

  • What are some of the less obvious sources of stress in our horses?
  • What are some of the dietary and management changes we can make for true lasting benefit?
]]> Soy: The Good, Bad and Confusing! https://optimequine.com/soy-consumption-horses/ Sun, 14 Nov 2021 19:12:46 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2065 If there’s any horse feed that can cause heated debate about whether or not it is suitable and even valuable for horses- then soy may well take the cake.

For the purpose of this article, we will focus on soy bean meal and feeds containing processed soy- not soy oil or soy bean hulls- as these components alone have significantly different nutritional value and properties.

Pros

Soy is one of the more widely fed significant sources of protein in a horse’s diet. It is a common misconception that protein is only needed to promote weight gain, muscle condition or the development of topline. Whilst it is important in these instances (in combination with appropriate exercise and training), protein is absolutely essential for a multitude of functions in all horses at any life stage and exercise level: it is a critical component of normal immune function; facilitates proper growth and repair of the musculoskeletal system; and is needed for the majority of metabolic processes in the horse. Even horse’s who aren’t in heavy work and/or actually need to lose weight need sufficient protein in their diet.

Protein is comprised of smaller units called amino acids. Horses require 21 amino acids, 12 of which a horse can synthesise (produce) themselves. The remaining nine (and in the case of illness or injury- potentially ten) amino acids must be present in a horse’s diet. These are known as ‘essential amino acids’. In addition to all essential amino acids being present in the diet, they must be present in appropriate quantities- so a horse has enough of each of them to facilitate various bodily functions. If they fall short of any essential amino acids then health, normal development, performance and recovery may be compromised.

With the exception of oils, practically all horse feeds, grains and forages contain SOME protein- Depending on the exact feed source, the actual amounts of protein contained in these feeds will vary. Different sources of protein are comprised of different sequences of amino acids. This influences how useful they are to a horse. Some high protein feed sources are actually of little value to a horse, as they lack decent amounts of essential amino acids that a horse needs, or they are unable to be properly digested and absorbed by a horse.

So how does all this relate to soy? Soy is one of the best dietary sources of lysine for our horses and ponies. Lysine is a very important essential amino acid in the equine and it is generally one which is lowest in our horse’s diets. Lysine is absolutely essential for normal muscle growth and turnover, helps to promote collagen integrity (important for healthy bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments), is critical for proper immune function, and may further help bone health through improving calcium absorption and utilisation. Animal studies have also shown that diets low in lysine may be associated with anxiety. Thus, a diet low in lysine may be one of many potential contributing factors in some cases of horses with an anxious tendency.

For horses competing in endurance events, optimising hydration pre-event is an important consideration. Commercial soy feed products which require soaking before being fed, can help to increase fluid intake in horses. It’s important to keep in mind that there are other feeds which can be used for this same purpose. Soy is not the only option.

Being a low starch and protein rich feed, processed soy meal can aid in stabilising blood glucose levels- thus helping to prevent rapid spikes in insulin levels. High insulin levels are a driving factor of equine metabolic syndrome and are commonly implicated in many cases of laminitis. Horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) (also commonly referred to as ‘Cushings’) and Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM)- a component in many cases of ‘tying up’, may also particularly benefit from a diet low in starch and containing adequate quantities of quality protein.

The phytoestrogen content of soy is an important, yet often misunderstood concept. Soy is unique in that it contains a high concentration of isoflavones, a type of plant oestrogen (phytoestrogen) that is similar in function to the hormone oestrogen but with much weaker effects. Soy isoflavones can bind to oestrogen receptors in the body and can either increase or decrease oestrogen levels in the body. Research has demonstrated that when oestrogen levels in the body are naturally low, then ingestion of phytoestrogens may help to increase the body’s levels.  When oestrogen levels in the body are naturally high, then consuming phytoestrogens may help to reduce oestrogen levels, as they bind to some of the receptor sites that naturally produced oestrogen may bind to.

Potential Cons

The phytoestrogen activity of soy may also potentially be a drawback of this feed. Excessively high intakes of phytoestrogens have the potential to decrease testosterone levels, an important consideration in stallions and colts. Soy certainly isn’t the only source of phytoestrogens commonly found in horse diets: clover grass is rich in phytoestrogens. Before attributing potential positive or negative effects of phytoestrogens in a horse’s diet, the total quantity of all phytoestrogen rich food sources needs to be taken into account.

Soy is commonly attributed to causing allergic symptoms in horses- everything from itchiness and skin irritation, colic and digestive disturbances, to overly-reactive behaviour and respiratory issues. Whilst soy is a common allergen in humans, the same has not yet been demonstrated in horses. Diagnostic tests for equine food allergies are difficult to carry out, time-consuming and often unreliable. In clinical practice, I find that the majority of horses with allergy related symptoms (whether these be environmental or food related) improve significantly when overall nutritional status and specific components of both immune and gut health have been therapeutically addressed. Generally something which may appear to cause allergic symptoms in a horse is not the real culprit.

A significant valid concern with soy is the fact that it is one of the most commonly genetically modified (GM) crops. Whilst this is only an issue in some parts of the world, it is certainly worth taking into consideration. Animal studies with GM foods indicate that they may cause some common toxic effects such as hepatic, pancreatic, renal, or reproductive effects and may alter blood parameters and immune function.

Soy is high in omega six fatty acids. Whilst these types of fatty acids are an essential component in our horse’s diets, they are generally present in higher than desirable amounts. Of further importance is the percentage of omega six fatty acids in proportion to omega three fatty acids. High levels of omega six fatty acids with accompanying low levels of omega three fatty acids are known to promote inflammation. Adding large amounts of soy products to a diet already high in omega six fatty acids further accentuates the shift towards a pro-inflammatory tendency. This can  have wide-ranging effects from impairing recovery from training, competition and exercise; compromising immune function; and exacerbating already existing inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, desmitis, placentitis and laminitis to name a few.

Uncooked or even inadequately cooked soybean meal has some anti-nutritional factors. Trypsin inhibitor is the most significant one. Trypsin is an essential enzyme which helps horses to properly digest protein, allowing for absorption and metabolism of the amino acids which make up the protein. Trypsin inhibitor found in uncooked soybean prevents trypsin from being able to properly break down proteins. This means that in the presence of trypsin inhibitors a large percentage of all protein from all sources a horse is consuming is unable to be properly digested, absorbed and metabolised.

Some concerns exist that soy can have a negative effect on thyroid function and can alter the levels of thyroid hormones. Whilst the majority of data is from human studies, it is unlikely that regular consumption of small amounts of soy containing foods have significant impact on thyroid function in healthy subjects. In cases where hypothyroidism already exists (keeping in mind that diagnosis and true cases of hypothyroidism in horses is rare), then reviewing the appropriate feeding of soybean containing products is warranted.

Conclusion

Processed soybean meal and feeds containing this product can be a valuable inclusion in the diets of many horses. Factors which may caution against the feeding of soy to some horses include specific health concerns and where in the world the soy is grown and produced. Soybean meal MUST be properly heat treated to prevent trypsin inhibitor from interfering with protein digestion. The quantity of soy products fed and the overall diet of the horse are crucial factors to take into consideration.

Rarely is anything inherently good or bad: the same may be said of soybean products. The most important consideration is that one size doesn’t fit all: feed the individual horse in front of you!

]]> Laminitis https://optimequine.com/laminitis/ Tue, 19 Oct 2021 03:56:06 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2028 Spring is here in the Southern Hemisphere! Which means crisp nights with longer daylight hours and warmer weather. After a long, cold winter-this weather is a welcome relief. But it also makes for ideal growing conditions for grass high in sugars and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) . This puts susceptible horses at increased risk of laminitis.

What is laminitis?

Laminitis is a painful, often devastating inflammatory condition affecting the lamellar tissue of the foot. Each hoof contains 550-600 primary laminae, and each of those consists of 150-200 secondary laminae. The laminae connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone and function to provide shock absorption during locomotion, holding the coffin bone in place and supporting the horse’s entire body weight against gravity during movement. Laminitis results in the separation or failure of the laminae, causing permanent structural changes in a horse’s foot, often leading to repeated bouts of the condition and lasting lameness. In severe cases, the pedal (coffin) bone in the hoof can rotate and/or sink downward (this is termed founder). The devastating end result can be the coffin bone protruding through the sole of the hoof.

Clinical Signs of Laminitis

Laminitis most frequently occurs in the front hooves, which carry the majority of the horse’s weight (about 60%), although it can affect the hind hooves as well.

Common clinical signs include:

  • Reluctance or inability to walk, and/or looking very footsore or ‘toey’ when walking;
  • Weight-shifting between legs;
  • Increased respiratory rate and frequently increased heart rate;
  • A glazed, painful expression;
  • When front feet are affected, a stance with the hind legs camped under the body and forefeet camped out;
  • Bounding (throbbing) digital arterial pulses; and
  • Increased heat of the feet (this can be felt by touching the horse’s effected hooves).

It is extremely important to note that structural damage to the laminae can occur before obvious clinical signs are noticed.

Causes

Laminitis can be caused by several different factors, many of which can overlap or occur concurrently. At this time of year, the primary focus is on laminitis which results from eating grass rich in NSC. These NSC can cause blood glucose and insulin levels to skyrocket, resulting in excessive inflammation and damage to the lamellae. Fructans (a particular type of of NSC, often high in grass at this time of the year) pose a further risk to horses. Fructans are largely indigestible to equines, causes undesirable changes in gastrointestinal (GI) microflora and the integrity of the cells which line the GI tract. This is a significant risk factor in the development of laminitis.

Horses and ponies most at risk of laminitis at this time of year include those that are overweight and/or have metabolic syndrome, those with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) (which is often referred to as Equine Cushing’s Disease) and those that have previously had laminitis.

Prevention

Prevention is key to ensuring your horse’s best health and welfare- and requires a diligent and holistic approach. Providing sufficient roughage (such as soaked hay) which is low in NSC and minimising grazing of grass high in NSC are key. One thing which can catch many people out is that even grass which is not lush and green can be high in NSC. It is imperative to note that the common practice of locking susceptible horses up and giving them minimal hay and/or feed has deleterious health effects on the horse and can actually increase the severity of laminitis.

Exercise is often overlooked, but is imperative in the prevention of laminitis. The effects are multiple: exercise itself has a direct effect on utilising energy, thus helping with weight management of the horse. It also helps to reduce fat tissue and promote lean muscle mass, thereby increasing energy utilisation at rest. But by far the biggest benefit comes from regulating blood glucose levels, through a mechanism that can only be facilitated during exercise.

Treatment

In the early stages of an acute episode of pasture-associated laminitis, the horse should immediately be removed from the affected pasture. Soaked hay (ensure that the water it is soaked in is discarded away from where the horse can graze it) should be the primary feed source provided until further nutritional advice is sought. Icing the hooves may slow down inflammatory processes and may also impede enzymatic processes associated with the deterioration of the laminar attachments. Icing should be employed for the first 72 hours.

Treatment of the horse with laminitis needs to be tailored to the individual horse and the the factors which have contributed to its condition. Specific feeding plans, combined with appropriate exercise (at a stage where the horse is able to safely and comfortably move), and strategic nutritional and herbal medicine supplementation are imperative. This should only ever be prescribed from someone suitably qualified and experienced. Whilst immediate pain relief may be required for the horse’s welfare in the case of an acute laminitic episode, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ‘bute’ must be judicious. Such drugs may actually worsen the condition by further compromising GIT integrity. Additionally, the pain relief provided by these may allowing the horse to move more than appropriate at that stage of its recovery, thereby further damaging the hoof laminae.

Conclusion

Laminitis is a serious, yet largely preventable condition in our equines. Through appropriate dietary and management strategies, and the use of specific nutritional and/or herbal medicine where indicated, a horse’s risk of developing the condition can be minimised. In the horse that has developed laminitis, appropriate early intervention improves the outcome for the horse.

]]> Iodine & Horses https://optimequine.com/iodine-and-horses/ Fri, 24 Sep 2021 05:45:13 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2019 Iodine is an essential trace mineral in the diets of our horses and ponies and plays many crucial roles. It is vital as a constituent of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their proper function, making them crucial for everything from metabolic rate and body condition, digestive health, fertility, growth and development. Iodine also plays a role in immune function and the integrity of nerve cells and their ability to communicate signals throughout the nervous system of the body.

Many regions in the world have low iodine levels in the soil. Iodine deficient soils are most common in inland regions, mountainous areas, land that frequently floods, and on occasion, some coastal regions. Unless horse diets are adequately supplemented, horses that graze on pastures in these regions and/or consume hay and feed crops grown in these areas, are likely to fall well short of their minimal iodine requirements. Research has also demonstrated reduced uptake of iodine by pastures which have been grown with high levels of nitrogen fertilisers, even in soils with otherwise reasonable iodine levels.

Like many minerals however, too much iodine can be just as problematic as too little iodine. This can easily occur when our horses are given multiple supplements, and/or feeding inappropriate quantities of fortified feeds. An innocent mistake commonly made in relation to iodine supplementation is the use of seaweed supplements. In many cases, this can result in excessive iodine intake.

Many clinical signs and health consequences of iodine excess often mimic those of iodine deficiency. An important reminder that more is not better, and supplementing without taking specific details into account can be detrimental to horse health, fertility, metabolic function, growth and development.

]]> Ulcers in Horses: The importance of understanding how medications work https://optimequine.com/ulcers-in-horses/ https://optimequine.com/ulcers-in-horses/#comments Wed, 15 Sep 2021 11:32:20 +0000 https://optimequine.com/?p=2015 There’s much interest in ulcers in horses and for very good reason.

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) affects 60-90% of adult horses and 25-50% of foals and weanlings. The condition collectively refers to sores or erosions that develop in portions of the horse’s sensitive stomach lining. EGUS is largely a man-made disease: common feeding practices; lack of forage in the diet; stress we place on our horses; intense exercise; travelling; and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example ‘bute’ and flunix), corticosteroids and/or antibiotics are some of the many factors which increase a horse’s risk of developing EGUS.

Ulcers can also occur in the hindgut (colon), however, treatment approaches tend to differ to that from EGUS and for the purpose of this article, we will focus on EGUS.

The function and health of a horse’s stomach significantly influences that of the rest of its digestive system- often referred to as the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Ulcer medications are sold under many different trade names, but generally contain one of two main drugs. The gold standard pharmaceutical for treating gastric ulcers is the drug called Omeprazole. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Omeprazole is available in both oral and injectable forms. The other less commonly used medication is Ranitidine. Ranitidine belongs to a class of drugs known as Histamine (H2) Receptor Antagonists.

Although slightly different in their mechanisms of action, both omeprazole and ranitidine result in the prevention/significant reduction of hydrochloric acid production (HCl). This however, is where the problem begins. Hydrochloric acid is an essential and normal component of a horse’s digestive system. It also plays a key role in immune function. 

Hydrochloric acid acts as a barrier against foreign microorganisms and helps prevent infection.

Hydrochloric acid is a key component to help horses breakdown, digest, absorb and utilise their feed, and hence many of the nutrients contained within it.

When HCl production is suppressed, the proper absorption of many key minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron is inhibited. This in turn can have significant consequences in terms of bone/skeletal health, immune health, energy production, fertility, etc.

The pH of a horse’s digestive tract naturally varies depending on the region of the GIT. The production of HCl is key in controlling the pH in the horse’s stomach. Altering the pH in the stomach subsequently alters pH throughout the rest of the digestive tract. Changes in these normal/natural pH levels for horses influences the community of microbes (bacteria, protozoa, archaea and fungi) that inhabit a horse’s digestive system. Like humans, there are microbes which are beneficial and healthy for horses, and there are also those that are not. When we start interfering with the natural pH of a horse’s digestive tract by shutting down HCl production, we start to create an uninhabitable environment for these beneficial microbes. The result? Commonly an overgrowth of undesirable bacteria, fungi and protozoa. 

The consequences of these changes extend beyond the digestive system. Fine balances in these microbes have significant impacts upon a horse’s overall health, metabolism, ability to digest, absorb and utilise their food and immune function.

In terms of immune function, shutting down HCl production is a double whammy: the horse loses its first line of immune defence from the direct action of HCl in the stomach (helping to counter ingested pathogens), in addition to the changes in microflora further down the digestive tract. Research suggests that approximately 70% of immune function is attributed to the role of specific cells of the GIT and the microbes which inhabit it. Thus adverse changes in the microbial population and balance can result in significantly impaired immune function.

Healthy bacteria further down the GIT are also vital to synthesise B group vitamins (including biotin). Hence it is no coincidence that horses with compromised gut health often have poor hoof quality. B group vitamins play vital roles systemically in our equines: they are required for energy production and proper metabolic function; reproductive function and neurotransmitter production and function (natural chemical substances produced in our horse’s bodies).

In terms of neurotransmitter production and function, again ulcer medications can have a wide ranging effect. Undesirable changes in microbes throughout the digestive tract directly influence the production and function of neurotransmitters (chemicals which influence temperament, behaviour, motor control, pain perception and learning in horses). It is thought that 60-95% of neurotransmitters are produced by microbes of the GIT. This may in part explain why you can still have a cranky, irritable, spooky horse despite extensive treatment for ulcers. Neurotransmitters also play a key role in influencing sensitivity and motility of the GIT. Ever had a horse prone to colic that is routinely on ulcer medication?

Unfavourable changes in GIT microflora are also known to heighten systemic inflammation in the body. Thus any inflammatory condition (including: sesamoiditis; arthritis; inflammatory bowel disease, placentitis, desmitis, laminitis) are potentially exacerbated by adverse changes in GIT microflora.

When it comes to fertility and reproductive function, the use of omeprazole needs to be considered. In stallions, omeprazole use may result in impaired sperm quality, abnormal sperm morphology, reduced sperm motility and reduced sperm count. Omeprazole may also cause a reduction in serum testosterone levels. In mares, particularly those with chronic recurrent infections and biofilms-their ability to colonise their reproductive tract with beneficial microflora may be hampered by the use of ulcer medications.

The effective prevention of gastric ulcers requires an holistic approach that focuses on dietary and management strategies. Through diligent management and qualified prescription, ulcers can be treated effectively with a combination of nutraceuticals and specific herbal medicines. These should always be prescribed in conjunction with appropriate dietary modification. Use of any medication needs to be judicious- as medications rarely come without side effects. Not only is repeated and/or extensive use of PPIs or H2 receptor antagonists financially expensive, their long-term effects on a horse’s health can be extremely costly.

]]> https://optimequine.com/ulcers-in-horses/feed/ 1 The Overweight Horse: An Holistic Approach https://optimequine.com/the-overweight-horse-an-holistic-approach/ Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:34:11 +0000 http://development.optimequine.com/?p=1604 Body weight, body condition and adiposity (levels of body fat) are factors which contribute to equine health in many different ways. Similar to the human population, the percentage of equines which are now overweight and/or obese continues to rise significantly. It is estimated in North America that more than 51% of horses and ponies are overweight or obese. Whilst many may view the well-rounded horse as ‘cute’, the health consequences of carrying excess body fat should not be ignored. In the first of this two part series we will explore what the overweight horse really is and  the factors that contribute to this. Next month’s issue will address how to best prevent and manage overweight or obese equines holistically.

What defines overweight?

Recent research suggests that alarmingly many horse owners fail to recognise that their horse is significantly overweight or obese, believing that their horse is simply ‘big-boned’!

Body condition scoring is one of the most commonly and easily accessible methods used to determine a healthy weight or body composition for the adult horse. Depending on the model used, body condition scoring (BCS) can be rated from one to five (with one being very underweight and five being obese) or one to nine (with one being very underweight and nine being obese). Whilst both scoring systems are used interchangeably, in Australia it is more common to look at the former model. For the purpose of this article, we will refer to this model, aiming for a healthy BCS of three. For general health, respective scores of three (in the one to five model) and five (in the one to nine model) are a useful guide to aim for. Horses in high competition or heavy work will likely need to be slightly leaner than these scores, with the author believing that the scoring system of one to nine is more useful to assess such horses. Regardless, a horse which is kept at a leaner BCS for competition or work needs to have their feed intake sufficiently high enough to meet their energetic demands and remain in good health.

What does a healthy body condition score look like?

When aiming for a healthy BCS, fat deposition (or lack thereof) on several anatomical points of the horse are evaluated. Most commonly the neck, withers, loin, tail head, ribs and shoulder are assessed. For a horse with a BCS of three, the following should be aimed for:

Neck: The musculature of the neck should blend smoothly into the body, with no fat deposits or crests along the neck.

Withers: The withers should appear rounded over the spinous processes, without any fat deposition.

Loin: The back should be level, without either negative or positive crease lines (which are indicative of insufficient or excessive body condition respectively).

Tail Head: This will be dependant somewhat on the horse’s natural conformation, but generally speaking the fat above the tail should begin to feel slightly spongy. In a horse of lighter condition, the hook bones will be discernible, and in the overweight horse the fat around the tail head will feel soft.

Ribs: The ribs can be easily felt, but not visually distinguished. The overweight horse will have fat over the ribs, with increasing levels of fat making the ribs harder to feel.

Shoulder: The shoulder should blend smoothly into the body, without having fat depositions around it.

Health risks and problems associated with being overweight

In recent years, science has clearly demonstrated that adipose tissue (body fat) is more than merely a storage organ for fat (and therefore calories). It acts as an endocrine organ (meaning it produces and secretes hormones) and secretes inflammatory proteins that can greatly affect the horse’s health. Excess adipose tissue is a key component of a number of serious health problems,  including insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, arthritis, laminitis, decreased life span, infertility/subfertility, altered thyroid function, lipomas (fatty tumours which form in the mesentery of the intestines) and may cause colic, and poor heat tolerance.

Contributing factors to equine overweight/obesity

The factors which contribute to a horse being overweight or obese can be varied. In the most basic of cases, it can simply be that the horse has an intake of energy which is in excess of that expended (ie eating more than he/she is burning off through exercise and other basic metabolic activities). However, as in the case of humans, it is not always that simple!

Diet

Many dietary factors need to be considered and addressed when evaluating the contributors to equine obesity. Firstly, how much food is being fed? This is especially important in relation to concentrated feeds and rations. Many people feed their horses based on scoop sizes or even handfuls, which can vary dramatically between owners! The most accurate way to determine how much the horse is consuming is to measure the feed by weight.

An increased reliance upon highly processed, highly concentrated and often overly sweetened feeds also adds to an excessive energy intake. Even feeds which are touted as ‘low carbohydrate’, whilst potentially beneficial for some overweight horses, can actually be very high in energy. This is compounded by the fact that to meet vitamin and mineral guidelines advertised on the packaging, the suggested serving size of these feeds is often quite high, equating to a high energy intake. Additionally, many horses are now constantly grazing on improved, high-sugar pastures, contributing further to an excessive energy intake and lower fibre consumption. Insulin (which is the hormone primarily associated with controlling blood glucose levels) is also influenced by high energy and highly processed diets, leading to further difficulty in managing the obese horse.

On the flip side of excessive energy intake, a diet too low in energy can also contribute to obesity, likely through several mechanisms. A chronically low energy intake can cause the body’s metabolic rate to slow down, starve the body of essential nutrients needed for normal metabolic and hormonal health, interfere with thyroid function, and alter optimal gut microflora which is essential for energy production and metabolic health. This is further compounded by the diet which is low in roughage (hay and/or pasture).

Exercise

Many owners underestimate the amount of exercise their horse is undertaking. As for humans, for exercise to be effective both for fitness and weight management, it needs to be undertaken regularly, and gradually introduced. Most of us know of horses which are ridden infrequently (for example only on the weekends), then left in a small paddock for the rest of the week. Not only is this demanding on the horse’s body, but it also plays a role in contributing to low calorie burn and can contribute to aberrations in the stress hormone cortisol (see below).

Management

Keeping horses in stables, yards, small paddocks and isolation likely contributes to reduced energy expenditure through restriction on the amount of natural wandering and physical movement the horse undertakes daily. Left in their natural habitat, horses cover many kilometres daily, grazing and roaming- especially when in the company of other horses.

Medication

The increased use of and reliance upon conventional medications may contribute to the rise in obesity in horses. Medications which alter natural gastrointestinal tract microflora (such as antibiotics, NSAIDs- including bute, ulcer medications) and synthetic hormones used to regulate mare cycles- all have the ability to interfere with normal metabolic processes of the body. Fortunately, in most cases, optimal metabolic function can be re-instated with professional, natural, targeted treatment.

Stress

Stress can be a result of many factors: isolation; change in routine; alterations in feed; changes of paddock mates, etc, all of which can potentially contribute to a horse being overweight. Stress effects the production of the hormone cortisol, which in turn influences the hormone insulin: important for controlling blood glucose levels. Aberrations in cortisol levels through persistent stress is known to contribute to obesity.

Genetics

Similar to humans, another important factor influencing weight in horses is genetics. It is believed that some genetic populations are more prone to being overweight and suffering from metabolic conditions than others. This may be shadowed in the equine world: think of horse and pony breeds that are notoriously ‘easy keepers’ and gain weight very easily. Combine this with the fact that some of these breeds are known to have considerably lower metabolic rates, increasing their risk of obesity. In addition, it is believed that some breeds have less sensitivity to insulin, compounding the problem.

]]> An Holistic Approach to Mare Behaviour https://optimequine.com/an-holistic-approach-to-mare-behaviour/ Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:27:58 +0000 http://development.optimequine.com/?p=1601 For those of you who ride mares and/or fillies you may have noticed somewhat erratic changes in her mood and behaviour during spring. The mare who was steadfast and easy going over the winter months may have at times started to become irritable, anxious, ‘girthy’, aggressive and painful or sensitive around her flanks. Gait abnormalities and a reluctance to being ridden may also occur. Excluding injury or an underlying medical condition, it is highly likely that this behaviour is related to her oestrus cycle.

The Oestrus Cycle in the Mare

Horses are seasonal breeders: that is, they are programmed to mate and become pregnant at certain times of the year. Over the winter months, the majority of mares (particularly those in temperate climates) are anoestrus- meaning they don’t cycle. As daylight hours increase over the spring and leading into the summer, hormonal changes occur in the body, acting as a stimulus for them to become reproductively active. Nutrition and climate also play an important role in influencing a mare’s oestrus cycle. Some mares appear to cycle all-year round (this is more likely in far-north Australia).

Early in spring, as a mare transitions from aneostrus to cycling, the timing of when she comes into heat may be prolonged or erratic, with accompanying unpredictable behaviour. As the season progresses, the mare’s cycle should become more regular: having three week cycles. The average oestrus cycle of a mare is 21 days, which can be divided into two distinct phases: the oestrous phase (when a mare is ‘in heat’ and receptive to a stallion; and the dioestrous phase (when a mare is generally not receptive to a stallion). The oestrous phase usually lasts somewhere between 5-7days. At this time, the hormone oestrogen is at a high level, and this is the period often associated with changes in behaviour in susceptible mares. The dioestrous phase is generally lasts for 14-16 days, characterised by high levels of the hormone progesterone and a mare generally having little or no receptivity to a stallion.

It is these two female sex hormones- oestrogen and progesterone which strongly influence behaviour patterns demonstrated by many mares and fillies during the breeding season. Most commonly, a mare who is susceptible to displaying ‘mareish’ behaviour will demonstrate this behaviour during the oestrous phase, in associating with elevated oestrogen levels. It is important to remember though that there are always exceptions to this- especially in mare’s/fillies who have erratic cycles.

Important Considerations

Before concluding that a mare or filly’s behaviour patterns are purely related to her oestrus cycle, it is important to ensure that there are no significant other contributing factors. As in all animals, horse behaviour is comprised of several components, including: innate (genetic); learned (environmental); pain-associated behaviour; and sexual (hormonal). Keeping this in mind, it is important to remember that some behavioural problems are the results of genetics, injury/illness, poor training and/or past bad experiences.

Additionally, some diseases can result in behaviour that appears very similar to what many mares experience during the breeding cycle. An ovarian tumour can cause consistently high levels of oestrogen, which may cause the mare to be constantly ‘in season’. Bladder infections can cause a mare to raise her tail and urinate frequently; and injury, nerve impingement or arthritis in the spine or hind legs can result in a mare frequently squatting down. These are all signs that may be typical of a mare in season, with only subtle differences. For these reasons, ongoing behavioural issues should be thoroughly investigated by a vet to rule out illness or injury.

Natural strategies and treatments to managing behaviour in the oestrous cycle

For the healthy mare whose signs are purely related to hormonal changes (having excluded other conditions/reasons mentioned above), there are many useful dietary, nutritional and herbal strategies which can be employed.

It is of upmost importance to remind owners/riders of mares and fillies that many of these horses who experience sensitivity to physical touch during their cycle are actually experiencing some degree of pain or cramping, similar to many human women! Hence some care and compassion are called for, and appropriately addressing and rectifying this through the use of nutritional and herbal strategies is invaluable.

Dietary and  management strategies aim at reducing excessive oestrogen levels during the oestrous period- thereby helping to reduce classic signs associated with the dominance of this hormone. Keeping a mare at a healthy weight and avoiding becoming overly fat is one of the first considerations. Fat tissue itself acts as an endocrine organ (meaning it produces hormones), and commonly results in the production of high oestrogen levels and inflammatory mediators, thereby aggravating behavioural symptoms, in addition to cramping and pain. Another important dietary consideration is keeping the mare/filly on a nutritional program which stabilises blood-glucose levels, thereby keeping the levels of insulin (another hormone) balanced. Generally, a diet which is high in roughage and low in refined grains, starches and added sugars can help to meet all of the above goals. Ensuring the diet has sufficiently high omega-3 fatty acids and proportionally lower levels of omega-6 fatty acids is important. For the horse with high energy requirements, additional sources of healthy fats may be used to meet these needs. The importance of balancing feed intake with appropriate exercise cannot be over-stated: physical activity plays an important part in weight management; regulating blood glucose and insulin levels; and keeping inflammatory mediators at healthy levels. Cooked and/or crushed linseed is a beautiful addition to the diet: helping to balance inflammatory mediator levels; providing a rich source of dietary lignans (which can help to reduce excessive oestrogen levels); and helping to promote a healthy coat and skin (thanks to the high oil content).

Nutritional supplements can be a most valuable addition on several fronts when aiming to promote health and happiness in the hormonal mare! Strategic use of appropriate nutrients can help to reduce inflammation; minimise spasm and cramping; and optimise blood glucose and insulin levels. Depending on the individual horse, these can include: high quality fish oils; magnesium; B group vitamins; vitamin C and chromium. As with any nutritional supplementation, professional consultation should be sought to ensure safety and efficacy.

Herbal medicines are a most effective form of treatment in holistically managing a hormonal mare. When prescribed appropriately, herbs such as Vitex and White Peony can help to regulate a mare’s cycle, aiding in  ‘normalising’ behaviour, balancing oestrogen and progesterone levels and reducing spasmodic cramping and associated sensitivity to touch (think of the mare who hates her flanks being touched or leg pressure applied when in season). Additionally, the herbs Ginger, Sarsaparilla  and Cramp Bark are incredibly effective at modulating inflammation, cramping and associated pain when in season. For the mare who still remains somewhat edgy and irritated, Chamomile, Vervain and Valerian can be incredibly useful. As with any herbal prescription, seek professional, qualified advice to ensure the safety, efficacy and appropriate use of such herbs. In particular, the use of hormone modulating herbs (such as several of those mentioned above) need to be strictly monitored. Several of the herbs previously mentioned also have restricted use in some forms of competition.

Mares and fillies can be some of the toughest and most competitive horses. A little understanding of the oestrus cycle, how to best manage it, and effective strategies for those horses that become ‘out of sorts’ during this time can go a long way to achieving the results you are after, not to mention having a happier, more co-operative horse!

]]> Tying Up https://optimequine.com/tying-up/ Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:00:04 +0000 http://development.optimequine.com/?p=1589 Tying up is a broad term used to classify a wide variety of muscle disorders which result in the dissolution of muscle cells during exercise. Technically known as ‘exertional rhabdomylosis’ (ER), this syndrome is the most common muscle disorder which affects exercising horses.

Clinical signs of ER vary, depending on the severity of the condition. Symptoms of tying up can occur during exercise, and are most commonly exhibited within two hours of completing exercise. The classic picture of a horse effected by ER is that of one with an increasingly short, stiffened stride during exercise, then being very reluctant or unable to move after exercise. Many adopt an unusual stance, looking as though they wish to urinate. The muscles of the hindquarters are usually the most severely effected: being firm, painful and cramping. Other signs such as profuse sweating and elevated heart, temperature and respiratory rate are commonly part of the ER picture. Many horses will paw the ground with their front legs. In severe cases, horses will pass a red-brown coloured urine (known as myoglobinuria). This occurs due to the extensive damage of muscle fibres leaking myoglobin (a muscle protein) into the blood, which is then subsequently excreted through the kidneys.

Classification

Based on current understanding of tying up, horses can be classified into two different types:

  • Sporadic ER: these horses experience generalised signs of tying up on rare occasion;
  • Chronic ER: these horses experience repeated episodes of tying up, with the first occurrence usually at a young age.

Some research suggests that a third type exists: Subclinical tying up. These horses do not exhibit severe clinical signs, but may have an associated loss of performance, poor finishing ability (in races), pain over the effected muscle(s) and subtle gait abnormalities.

Recent research differentiates between two distinct types of Chronic ER: Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomylosis (RER) in which there is a defect in the mechanism of muscle contraction; and Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM), a disorder which results in excessive carbohydrate storage in muscles.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of ER and RER is based on a history, or current clinical signs of stiffness and muscle pain after exercise, combined with confirmation by elevated blood enzyme levels of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).

Contributing and risk factors

Current understanding of tying up suggests that there are multiple potential causes and contributing factors associated with ER. Those which result in a case of tying up will vary between individual horses, and most horses who experience ER will be sensitive to a combination of different factors. These include:

  • Exercising beyond current fitness level
  • Hormonal influences
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Various vitamin and mineral deficiencies/insufficiencies
  • Long periods of travel
  • Rest days
  • Fillies: Fillies have four times the risk compared to geldings
  • Age: the incidence of ER generally decreases as a horse ages
  • Nervous disposition
  • Genetic predisposition
  • High grain/high starch diet
  • Altered carbohydrate metabolism
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure)
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Dehydration
  • Viral infection
  • Medication use (for example corticosteroids)

Prevention and Management Strategies

As with any health condition in a horse, a holistic approach which covers nutritional, exercise, management and supplementation practices is the most effective approach to preventing and managing ER episodes.

Exercise

Ensuring a horse is properly fit for the competition/exercise it is about to undertake is one of the first considerations in relation to tying up, particularly sporadic ER. Although self explanatory, it is amazing how often horses are taken to competitions with minimal riding and conditioning prior to the event.

Horses which have suffered a prior episode of tying up are best exercised on a daily basis, following a consistent, structured program. Complete rest days are best avoided. This does not have to mean they are ridden daily: hand-walking and longeing are also suitable.

Ensure that a thorough warm-up and cool down are completed before and after ridden work at home and competitions- this helps stimulate oxygen delivery to prepare the muscles for exercise, and reducing lactic acid levels in muscle tissue.

Management

The incidence of tying up episodes can be reduced by effective management practices. Keeping a horse turned out in a paddock (as opposed to stabled) is preferable, as this encourages natural, incidental movement. Avoiding situations and environments which unnecessarily stir-up a horse is also important. Horses which become unduly anxious or excited experience fluctuations in cortisol levels, which further disrupt other hormone levels in the body, increasing the risk of tying up.

Travel

Many competitions are associated with travelling long distances to and from the event, thus providing important opportunities to adopt practices which may help prevent tying up. Ensure horses are properly hydrated before and after travel, and offered electrolytes when travelling long journeys and/or in hot weather. At a minimum, horses should have free access to a pure salt lick (such as a Himalayan salt block). When arriving at the competition, it is advisable to handwalk the horse for a minimum of 15-20 minutes upon unloading (also remember to do this upon arrival back home after the competition!). When travel involves overnight stays away from home, turnout in a

medium sized yard (as opposed to a small yard or stable), which the horse can freely walk around in is most preferable. It is important to ensure that at completion of competition, horses are cooled down properly before being loaded to travel home.

Diet

In many cases, easily implemented dietary changes can have a most profound impact on horses susceptible to tying up. One of the first steps is to significantly reduce grain intake, substituting with fat sources to meet the horse’s energy requirements.  Ensure that the horse is also receiving a minimum of 1.5% of its body weight in forage daily, this is important for the provision of energy, stabilising blood glucose and in turn hormonal levels and optimising health of the gastrointestinal tract.

The inclusion of free access to salt in the diet is important, as most feeds are generally very low in sodium chloride.

Nutritional Supplementation

Despite the wide availability and use of fortified feeds, the judicial use of specifically indicated nutritional supplements is most beneficial for horses susceptible to ER. Electrolytes (potassium, sodium and chloride), magnesium, calcium, vitamin B1, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, chromium and selected amino acids may all help to prevent tying up. Each of these nutrients plays specific roles in the body. When supplementing a horse, it is essential to seek professional advice, both for your horse’s safety and in the best financial interests of you as the owner! No horse should ever be on a cocktail of supplements: each therapeutic given to the horse should have a clear role and timeline for its indicated use. It is of vital importance to know that specific nutrients can be toxic in high doses; the bioavailability (how much of the supplement a horse can absorb and use) varies dramatically between supplement brands and forms; and some nutrients compete for absorption, therefore decreasing the amount available for the horse’s body to use.

Herbal Therapy

Herbal medicine offers a valuable toolbox of therapeutic options for the horse susceptible to tying up. Suitable herbs can effectively aid in naturally regulating hormonal levels; relaxing muscles; promoting increased blood flow to muscles and removal of lactic acid and metabolic by-products from the muscles; balancing electrolyte levels; and supporting immune function.

As with nutritional supplementation, it is important to seek the guidance of a fully qualified professional when using herbal therapies. For both safety and efficacy, the selection of appropriate herbs, using pure unadulterated extracts, in suitable doses for each horse is essential. Furthermore, some herbs have restricted use in competition and are swabbable.

Conclusion

Despite being the most common muscle disorder of exercising horses, ER is a condition which the occurrence of can be reduced by effectively implementing a holistic approach. Adopting appropriate exercise, management, dietary and supplementation regimes are vital factors in the horse at risk of tying up.

]]> Laminitis: How Naturopathy Can Help https://optimequine.com/laminitis-how-naturopathy-can-help/ Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:46:30 +0000 http://development.optimequine.com/?p=1581 What is laminitis?

Laminitis is a painful, often devastating inflammatory condition affecting the lamellar tissue of the foot.  Each hoof contains 550-600 primary laminae, and each of those consists of 150-200 secondary laminae. The laminae connect the hoof wall to the coffin (pedal) bone and function to provide shock absorption during locomotion, holding the coffin bone in place and supporting the horse’s entire body weight against gravity during movement. Laminitis is inflammation of the laminae that anchor the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. This can result in the separation or failure of the laminae, causing permanent structural changes in a horse’s foot. In severe case, the coffin bone in the hoof can rotate, drop and/or sink downward. This is known as ‘founder’

Types

Laminitis can be categorised into three main types:

  • Subclinical (where the horse or pony is not yet showing clinical signs, but changes have already occurred within the hoof);
  • Acute (rapid onset with a short but severe course);
  • Chronic (lasting a long period of time or marked by frequent recurrence).

Clinical Signs

Laminitis most frequently occurs in the front hooves, which carry the majority of the horse’s weight (about 60%), although it can affect the hind hooves as well.

Common clinical signs include:

  • Lameness: varying from mild to near refusal to weight bear. Often lameness is worse when walking or turning on hard surfaces;
  • Reluctance or inability to walk;
  • Weight-shifting between legs;
  • Increased respiratory rate and frequently increased heart rate;
  • A glazed, painful expression;
  • When front feet are affected, a stance with the hind legs camped under the body and forefeet camped out;
  • Bounding (throbbing) digital arterial pulses; and
  • Increased heat of the feet (this can be felt by touching the horse’s effected hooves).

Structural damage to the laminae can occur before obvious clinical signs are noticed.

Causes

Laminitis can be caused by several different factors, many of which can overlap or occur concurrently:

  • Endocrine disorders. These include Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) (formally referred to as Equine Cushing’s Disease), and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). These often go hand in hand with pasture-associated laminitis, diets high in non-structural carbohydrates (sugars, fructans, starch) and insulin resistance.
  • High blood insulin levels and associated insulin resistance are common causes of laminitis. High levels of insulin can increase laminitis risk through several mechanisms: vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) leading to decreased blood flow to the hooves; excessive inflammation, increasing the activity of enzymes which cause destruction to the lamellae and weakening of the hoof lamellae.
  • Nutritionally induced laminitis is another common form of the condition. This primarily occurs through carbohydrate overload. Horses are designed to digest carbohydrates (starches, sugars) in the small intestine and fibre in the hindgut. If the capacity of the small intestine is exceeded however, the digestion of starches and sugars overflows into the hindgut, disrupting the microflora and in turn increasing the acidity of the hindgut. The beneficial microflora die off, creating a toxic environment, damaging the hind gut epithelium and are released into the bloodstream through the now highly permeable epithelium.
  • High fructan intake. Fructans are another form of carbohydrate, comprised of fructose and glucose. Horses do not have the enzymes needed to break fructans down so the hindgut bacteria must do this. Fructans are highly fermentable, and if large amounts are consumed it disrupts the hindgut microflora and pH balance.
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) or toxaemia. This is associated with post-foaling uterine infection/retained placenta, and infectious diarrhoea, among other causes;
  • Exposure to black walnut extract, either digested or via contact with hooves (in the case of horse bedding).
  • Supporting limb laminitis, where one leg is injured and the weight-bearing supporting limb is affected.
  • Traumatic laminitis, once called “road founder,” from overuse, often on hard surfaces.
  • The systemic use of corticosteroids in susceptible horses and ponies.

Other less common causes include allergies, infections, fever, cold weather, severe colic cases, hormonal change; drug inducement. All possible causes are worsened by poor hoof care and obesity.

How naturopathy can help laminitis

Naturopathy can help the laminitic horse or pony as part of a holistic treatment approach, in conjunction with appropriate farriery. Nutritional and herbal medicine, combined with naturopathic management and feeding practices can help prevent laminitis; reduce severity, duration and frequency of recurring cases, and help to promote optimal laminae health and hoof growth.

Naturopathic treatment is customised to each individual horse, and therapeutics used are determined by the predisposing cause(s) of laminitis and specific factors pertaining to each case. Discussed below are some of the key treatment aims achieved through naturopathy in cases of laminitis.

Restoring intestinal endothelial integrity and function

One of the keys to reducing the incidence and severity of laminitis is to ensure that the integrity of the intestinal lining is restored. In the majority of laminitic cases, it is believed that the integrity of the cellular lining of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is compromised and is a key factor in endotoxicity, inflammation, altered gut microbiota and activating metalloproteinases which break down laminae. These factors combined all contribute to laminitis. Endothelial integrity is further exacerbated by the use of anti-inflammatories such as phenylbutazone (‘bute’/‘PBZ’), flunixin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are commonly used to help manage pain and inflammation in laminitis. Gut membrane integrity can be restored by nutrients such as zinc, vitamin C, B-group vitamins, glutamine and herbs such as Golden Seal, Chamomile and Meadowsweet.

Restoring bowel microflora

Bowel flora is often compromised in cases of laminitis, and often goes hand-in-hand with altered intestinal permeability. This alteration in microflora is likely to contribute to inflammation, increased insulin and blood-glucose levels and obesity as well as being a result of these factors too, thus making it a central mechanism in laminitis. The use of specific pre and probiotics as well as herbs such as Golden Seal, Slippery Elm, Aniseed and Marshmallow Root can help to restore and promote optimal bowel flora.

Reducing inflammation

As discussed earlier, inflammation is a central mechanism in laminitis: both at a local (laminar) level, as well as systemically. It is known that inflammation in the bowel alone can influence systemic inflammatory mediators- thus contributing to and exacerbating laminitis. Herbal and nutritional medicine offer a plethora of natural anti-inflammatories, which are devoid of the side effects common to NSAIDs such as bute/PBZ- which may worsen the pathophysiology of laminitis. Some of the many anti-inflammatories on offer include: Pure fish oil; zinc; Chamomile; Devil’s Claw; White Willow; Meadowsweet; Bilberry; Licorice; Cat’s Claw and Withania.

Reducing Oxidative Stress

Inflammation causes the production of free radicals in the body, and when inflammation is severe and/or chronic (as in the case of laminitis), these free radicals are unable to be eliminated by the body’s natural protective mechanisms (antioxidants) leading to oxidative stress. This increase in oxidative stress leads to further degradation of cells and molecules in the body, and can result in further destruction to the laminae. Naturopathically, we can increase the levels of many different antioxidants in the body, helping to combat free radicals. Nutrients which may be used include: vitamins C and E; minerals such as zinc and selenium; amino acids such as glutamine; and herbs such as Bilberry, Cat’s Claw, Ginkgo, Hawthorn, Rhodiola, Schisandra and St Mary’s Thistle.

Regulating blood flow to the laminae

Alterations in blood flow to the hoof are complex and are believed to vary throughout the progression of laminitis. In the early prodromal and acute phases blood flow to the hoof is thought to increase. As the condition progresses, vascular damage and decreased blood flow in the capillaries is believed to occur, contributing to the further degradation of laminae and poor hoof quality and growth. Herbs such as Ginger, Bilberry, Hawthorn, Gotu, Butcher’s Broom can help to optimise the blood flow and help to maintain vascular integrity, preventing further damage.

Weight management

Weight management is vital in helping to manage laminitis. From a simplistic point of view, the more weight the horse has to carry, the more stress upon the laminae and the hooves. Excess adipose tissue (fat) acts as an endocrine organ: meaning it has an influence on hormone production in the body. It alters peripheral oestrogen levels, promoting and feeding inflammatory mediators and processes. This is also closely associated with high blood glucose levels (which, when sustained leads to blood vessel damage) and high insulin levels and insulin resistance. Naturopathic methods employed to help promote and maintain a healthy weight include nutritional and management advice. Herbs such as Licorice, Bladderwrack, Coleus and Globe Artichoke may be a valuable inclusion, when combined with appropriate management and dietary interventions.

Insulin and blood glucose stabilisation

Insulin is needed to help keep blood glucose levels stable. Carrying excess body fat is one of the primary causes of insulin resistance.  In cases of insulin resistance, the body becomes less sensitive to the actions of insulin, leading to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. This further drives inflammation and oxidation in the body, leading to further damage of the laminae. Nutrition and management practices are fundamental considerations in regulating insulin and blood glucose levels. Cinnamon, Fenugreek and St Mary’s Thistle are fantastic herbal additions to aid in insulin sensitivity and regulation. Nutritionally, chromium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, fish oil, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, acetyl-L-carnitine, B group vitamins, zinc and manganese can all play valuable roles in promoting good blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity.

Hormonal regulation

Horses with PPID produce insufficient dopamine, which leads to the pituitary gland being unregulated. This in turn results in over-production of the hormone ACTH (amongst others). Up to 70% of horses with PPID are thought to develop laminitis, most likely due to the exaggerated insulin response, which occurs when sugars (such as those naturally found in grass and feeds) are ingested. The herb Vitex is able to bind to and activate dopamine receptors, thereby helping to regulate ACTH levels. Nutritional cofactors essential for dopamine production are also important considerations. These include: Phenylalanine, tyrosine, B group vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and iron.

Promoting healthy hoof growth

Hoof growth in horses with laminitis can be varied, but is typically faster than horses without laminitis. The heel of laminitic horses often grows faster than the toe (due to changes in blood flow), but the quality of the hoof tends to be poor. In addition to regular specialist farrier care, it is essential to provide the nutrients needed for healthy hoof growth, as well as regulating circulation to the entire hoof through the use of herbal medicine. Biotin, zinc, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, selenium, manganese and protein (particularly the amino acids methionine, cysteine and lysine) all play crucial roles in healthy hoof growth. Ginger, Hawthorn, Prickly Ash, St Mary’s Thistle, Gotu and Bilberry are all valuable herbal medicines to support optimal hoof health in the laminitic horse.

Promote healthy diet

When treating any equine health condition, the importance of facilitating optimal overall health cannot be forgotten. Treatment plans must take into account meeting each horse’s individual nutritional and therapeutic needs, and not just treating the presenting disease process (in this case laminitis). For this reason, the nutrients and herbs used to treat each horse will vary between individuals.

Stress

Controlling the stress response in the laminitic horse is essential to help prevent further destruction of the laminae, and to help facilitate healing. Stress- whether caused by pain, environmental factors, diet, or the horse’s natural temperament tendencies, all contribute to elevating the hormone cortisol in the body. High cortisol levels can drive inflammation; promote insulin resistance; elevate blood glucose levels; interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption; compromise integrity and function of the gut lining; disrupt bowel microflora; deplete the body of vital nutrients such as vitamin C, magnesium, B-group vitamins; contribute to elevated levels of oxidative stress; alter hormonal levels; and cause changes in blood flow. The importance of optimising cortisol levels in the laminitic horse can therefore not be underestimated. Depending on the stressors involved and the individual horse, important nutrients to consider include vitamin E, magnesium, specific amino acids, B group vitamins and vitamin C. Herbal medicines used may include Valerian, Chamomile, Withania, Lemon Balm, Corydalis and Vervain.

Conclusion

From the factors discussed above, correctly prescribed naturopathy has a vital role to play in the prevention, treatment and management of laminitis. There are a plethora of effective nutrients and herbs to help achieve specific treatment goals in laminitis, and those employed must be selected to best fit each individual horse. It is paramount to know that specific herbs and nutrients have carefully calculated effective dosage ranges, cautions, contraindications, toxicity levels and interactions between other herbs, nutrients and conventional pharmaceuticals. The importance of professional prescribing is therefore essential in order to appropriately select safe and effective therapeutics, achieve treatment goals and facilitate the best possible outcome for each individual horse.

]]> Mare Body Condition: Osteochondrosis Risk in Offspring https://optimequine.com/mare-body-condition-osteochondrosis-risk-in-offspring/ Mon, 09 Aug 2021 08:08:02 +0000 http://development.optimequine.com/?p=1430 Recent research has clearly demonstrated that foals born from obese mares are at much greater risk of developing osteochondrotic lesions.

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…

]]> Levothyroxine Use in Performance Horses and Racehorses https://optimequine.com/levothyroxine/ Mon, 09 Aug 2021 07:51:37 +0000 http://development.optimequine.com/?p=1397 Levothyroxine, also known as L-thyroxine or T4, is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine, which is normally secreted by the follicular cells of the thyroid gland.

In the case of race and performance horses, levothyroxine is commonly supplemented to help strip weight off horses and/or to help horses ‘perk up’. Yet research indicates that in fit horses- supplementing with thyroxine actually resulted in the horses fatiguing quicker. Its use was also associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia- hardly performance enhancing! In cases of respiratory infection, the use of levothyroxine may actually prolong the infection.

Supplementation of synthetic hormones in horses is not something which should be taken lightly. True hypothyroidism in horses is a rare condition- and when it does occur, reasons as to WHY it has occurred should be addressed first, or in conjunction with appropriate treatment. Thorough assessment of thyroid function MUST extend beyond just testing thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Testing T4 levels alone (or in conjunction with TSH) is also insufficient to provide reliable information to determine the true state of thyroid function. T3 also needs to be included. As does a thorough physical assessment and case history, analysis of the horse’s diet/nutritional intake, current medication and/or supplement use.

It also needs to be remembered that abnormal thyroid hormone concentrations can occur after a high grain diet meal, after extensive travel, training stress, or if a horse is ill.

In cases of sub-clinical hypothyroidism, specific nutritional insufficiencies/deficiencies are commonly implicated. Similarly overtraining without sufficient rest/recovery/adaptation periods can lead to impaired thyroid function. No amount of levothyroxine supplementation can rectify these performance and health limiting factors- thus without addressing the causes, the problems remain.

]]> Vitamin D and Rugging: An Important Consideration https://optimequine.com/vitamin-d/ Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:45:23 +0000 http://development.optimequine.com/?p=1440 Blanketing/rugging horses is a topic which sparks much debate, primarily due to its influence on weight regulation, metabolic function and thermoregulation in the horse. Yet an often forgotten consideration is its effect on vitamin D synthesis and hence levels of this important vitamin/hormone in the horse.

Vitamin D is produced by the horse when their skin is exposed to sufficient sunlight. Rugging a horse interferes with this natural process. Whilst forages do contain some vitamin D- it is not in a readily bioavailable form for the horse to use. 

Adequate Vitamin D is essential for optimal bone health and strength, immune function and modulating inflammation levels. Studies have even shown adequate vitamin D to play an important role in preventing inflammatory airway disease.

Whilst supplementation of this nutrient in a highly bioavailable form and in appropriate dosages can be crucial to make up shortfalls in the horse, naturally exposing our horses to the sun in the first instance is a free and logical step to take to help optimise their health.

]]> Horse Dental Health and Systemic Inflammation https://optimequine.com/horse-dental-health/ Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:02:03 +0000 http://development.optimequine.com/?p=1460 Periodontal disease (inflammation of the structures that support the tooth -including the gum, periodontal ligaments and the bone within which the tooth sits), is believed to effect at least one third of all horses, with statistics much higher in older horses.

Human research has clearly linked periodontal disease with systemic inflammatory conditions and illnesses such as arthritis, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, recurrent infections, infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Some real food for thought (excuse the pun 😉 ) given these are some of the most common health concerns experienced in the equine patient.

]]> Vitamin K: The role of Gut Health and the Effect on Bone Health and Insulin Resistance https://optimequine.com/vitamin-k/ https://optimequine.com/vitamin-k/#comments Sun, 08 Aug 2021 23:21:54 +0000 http://development.optimequine.com/?p=1458 Vitamin K is a most important nutrient, which is derived from bacterial synthesis in the horse’s large intestine. For optimal levels of vitamin K to be produced, the horse must have sufficient fibre/roughage in the diet and a healthy microbial population and composition in their GIT. Keep in mind that many of the most frequently used medications in the equine industry and commonly implemented management and feeding practices adversely alter the composition of the equine microbiome.

Vitamin K is known to be essential for bone mineralisation and calcium metabolism and improves bone calcification. Evidence suggests that vitamin K also improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, preventing insulin resistance.

The importance of promoting optimal GIT health in the equine must not be overlooked. The influence of GIT health is systemic. Yet another reason for looking at each horse holistically, evaluating and treating each horse as an individual.

]]> https://optimequine.com/vitamin-k/feed/ 1 Salt: An Essential Component of the Horse’s Diet https://optimequine.com/salt/ Sun, 08 Aug 2021 23:14:36 +0000 http://development.optimequine.com/?p=1476 Salt is made up of the minerals sodium and chloride and is an essential yet often overlooked/forgotten component of the horse’s diet.

If you aren’t providing supplemental salt to your horse or pony’s diet, they are most likely falling short of their needs. Although many processed feeds and balancers contain sodium and chloride, they are generally very low in these minerals and fail to meet a horse’s daily requirements of them.

Sodium and chloride each play crucial roles within the body. Sodium is involved in central nervous system function (including nerve impulse transmission), transporting numerous substances such as glucose across cell membranes, and muscle cell activation. In addition, it is a key electrolyte involved in maintaining body fluids’ acid-base balance and osmotic pressure regulation.
Similarly, chloride plays an important role in acid-base and osmotic regulation. Chloride additionally is essential for normal digestive function in the horse, being a component of bile and hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Sometimes the simplest inclusions in a horse’s diet make the most significant difference.

]]>