Equine asthma is a condition that can affect horses of all abilities, but is most frequently diagnosed in performance horses and racehorses, and is a common cause of poor performance. The term ‘equine asthma’ covers a broad range of inflammatory conditions of the lower airways, which can vary in their presentation and severity. Conditions that were previously referred to as ‘recurrent airway obstruction’, ‘heaves’, ‘inflammatory airway disease’, ‘chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’, and ‘summer pasture associated asthma’ are now all known as ‘equine asthma’.

When a horse has been diagnosed with, or is suspected of suffering from asthma, it is natural for us to want to provide them with relief. From a pharmaceutical standpoint, that can often mean the use of corticosteroids and, in many cases, clenbuterol (often sold under names such as Claire Gel, Broncopulmin, Airway Gel, Ventipulmin, Equipulmin, etc). While use of these medications may help relieve some clinical signs of asthma, they do not address the underlying causes of the condition and may also come with unintended health consequences. Unfortunately, these side effects are often overlooked, or simply not discussed.

Whilst clenbuterol may provide some initial relief in equine asthma, the use of this drug can contribute to a vicious cycle, potentially perpetuating the condition.

Clenbuterol has been demonstrated to deplete the amino acid taurine. Taurine plays a significant protective role in lung health by exerting powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and membrane-stabilising effects. It also helps to inhibit allergic responses, which can play a role in many cases of equine asthma. Reduced taurine levels may increase the severity of equine asthma and the likelihood of lung tissue damage as a result of ongoing airway changes. Taurine is also needed to promote healthy gut integrity and microflora: gut health is increasingly recognised as an important factor in respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Clenbuterol decreases levels of potassium and magnesium in the body—two key nutrients known to support respiratory health and reduce the severity of asthma. Potassium is essential for controlling airway smooth muscle tone and supporting respiratory muscle function.  Low potassium can increase airway reactivity and hamper breathing, further exacerbating clinical signs of asthma. Depleted potassium levels can also lead to cramping in susceptible horses. Magnesium acts as a bronchodilator (helping the airways relax) and helps reduce airway hyperactivity, spasms, and inflammation.

Long-term use of clenbuterol may also have negative impacts on immune function, further contributing to a self-perpetuating cycle of equine asthma.

An often overlooked side effect of clenbuterol is the influence it may have on temperament and behaviour in our horses. Clenbuterol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta-2 adrenoceptor agonists, which work by mimicking the effects of epinephrine (adrenaline) in the body. This results in a stimulating effect, which may lead to changes in behaviour, including increased excitability, reactivity or nervousness in some horses.

Helping a horse at risk of, or diagnosed with asthma, starts with good management practices. Identifying and appropriately addressing the factors that contribute to the underlying pathophysiology of equine asthma, meeting the individual horse’s nutritional requirements (which often differ from basic nutrient requirements due to medication use), and the judicious use of suitable herbal medicines can significantly support respiratory health, allowing a horse to remain healthy and perform at its best. There is much that can be done for the horse diagnosed with asthma, using approaches that not only support airway health and performance, but also promote overall wellbeing. If your horse has been diagnosed with asthma, or you suspect respiratory issues may be affecting performance or comfort, a tailored approach can make a significant difference. Get in touch with Optim Equine to discuss a personalised plan to your support your horse’s health and performance.

At Optim Equine, we regularly work with horses affected by respiratory conditions…

Optim Equine

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

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

It seems almost impossible to read news reports and social media posts these days without coming across someone telling you how important it is to look after your microbiome. From managing our mood and our weight, to reducing the risks of any number of diseases, someone, somewhere, will make a link to the billions of bacteria living in you, or on you.

But a recent study, published in the open-access journal Nature Scientific Reports, made a new and extraordinary connection: a foal’s internal hitchhikers may affect how fast he runs. And not just that – they can predispose to, or protect from, a range of conditions that might even prevent him from racing at all.

The paper followed 52 foals, born between February and May 2018, from five Thoroughbred stud farms in the UK. These foals were followed as they entered training (dispersed between 29 different training yards) and through to the end of their 3-year-old season.

In the earliest part of the study, faecal samples were obtained from each individual on day 2 postpartum and at regular intervals up until one year of age. These samples were then analysed and the number, variability, and different types of bacteria in the samples were assessed and recorded. The study was prompted by increasing evidence that not only are there a range of non-communicable diseases in humans affected by the bacteria within the intestines, but also that babies with differing birth and early-life circumstances may be predisposed to certain conditions, because of differences in their microbiome. 

The clinical and racing histories of the foals were then compared to the results of the microbiological evaluations. 

The results were striking: the gut bacterial community in the first months of life could predict the risks of specific diseases and athletic performance in later life. Foals with lower diversity (i.e. fewer different species of bacteria in their samples) at one-month-old had a significantly increased risk of respiratory disease in later life. A higher diversity was associated with a decreased risk of orthopaedic disease. And, when athletic performance was assessed — judged by comparing official ratings, number of starts/wins/places, and prize money earned — positive effects were again seen in foals with a greater diversity of bacteria at one-month-old and could even be linked to the relative abundance of specific bacterial families.

Foals are born without a functioning microbiome and must acquire all of their gut bacteria from their dam and their environment. This early phase of development, where foals are born with an immune system that is yet to encounter external challenges, is sometimes referred to as a ‘critical window’ — essentially a period when the gut microbial community imprints immunity and future health outcomes onto a blank canvas. There is now a great deal of interest in humans as to how this might be contributing to a variety of diseases: from obesity, diabetes and allergies, to diseases of the circulatory system, bones and neurodevelopment disorders such as autism. 

This particular study did not examine the gut microbial profile of the mares delivering and rearing the foals. But the authors point out that the gut bacterial profile of human mothers is known to be a primary driver of gut colonisation in human infants. Indeed, in human medicine, there is increasing engagement of methods to optimise this ‘handover period’ in neonates. There is limited evidence for how feeding mares may influence foals in this early phase. But a recent study, that fed two groups of mares on the same stud farm separate and distinct rations, demonstrated a stark difference in failure of passive transfer — assessed by levels of IgG in the foals’ blood within twenty-four hours of birth — between the two sets. Other researchers have confirmed that the microbial population of foals varies between stud farms, most likely due to differences in management styles. Numerous studies in other species have demonstrated links between maternal nutrition and various measures of colostrum quality, and there is evidence that a pro-inflammatory profile is seen in colostrum produced by obese mares, along with reduced medium-chain saturated fatty acid levels (important as an energy source and in the development of gut microbiota and immunity).

So, what if the balance could be tipped back in favour of the newborn foal, simply by adjusting how the mare is fed? And what if this could also affect the vigour of our young athletes? The developmental origin of health and disease (DOHaD) — first advocated by David Barker in the early 1990s — seeks to understand how exposure to environmental factors during periods of high plasticity in the early stages of life (including the gestational period) influences the program for development and disease risk in the progeny, that extends well into adult life.

Before the middle of the twentieth century, the foetus was believed to be immune from the effects of the maternal environment. It is now understood that in laboratory animals and humans, which is where of course almost all of this research has been done, numerous external factors influence the health and development of the foetus before birth. Historically, the focus has been on those causing adverse effects, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons — found in vehicle exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke — alcohol, and certain notorious pharmaceuticals. Epidemiogical studies began to link certain aspects of development, some not immediately obvious at birth, with environmental factors that had not been appreciated earlier and may be influenced by microbiome effects. For example, having “furry pets” at home impacts meconium bacterial diversity, and children reared with domestic animals from infancy have reduced prevalence of allergic-related diseases; maternal consumption of artificial sweeteners produces profound metabolic changes and microbiome changes in mouse pups (with profiles similar to those seen in human obesity). ‘Barker’s theory’ on the foetal origins of adult disease considered three characteristics: latency, where the effects may not be apparent until much later in life; persistency, in which conditions affecting the foetus continue; and genetic programming, where specific genes are switched on due to the prenatal environment. Brief windows at the very start of development, when a small number of cells are dividing rapidly and vulnerable to a range of influences, drive the development program of the entire individual, all the way through to adulthood.

Much of the work on the transferability of a healthy microbial population from one individual to another was prompted by early observations, reported in 1958, that patients affected by a particularly unpleasant and intractable cause of severe diarrhoea showed drastic improvements following a novel treatment. Clostridioides difficile is an anaerobic bacteria (it thrives in low-oxygen environments), commonly found in the intestinal tract of normal people. It doesn’t cause any issues until it proliferates uncontrollably, and the commonest reason for this is when the other bacteria in the intestine ecosystem are knocked out, usually by the patient receiving antibiotics for another problem. ‘C. diff’ is the commonest cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, and it is notoriously difficult to treat in some cases — it only responds to a select group of antibiotics, many cases remain refractory, and it has a fatality rate of up to 40%. Back in the 1950s, the doctors were utilising a therapy that had been written about in the fourth century: transplanting gut bacteria from a healthy individual into the affected patient. And they did so by taking faeces from those healthy volunteers and delivering it via an enema (the very earliest records describe it being given as a ‘soup’).

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is now used in cases of C. diff that do not respond to first-line treatments and is well established for this, with impressive success rates of 80-90%. It works because it restores the normal balance of gut microbes, which prevents the Clostridia from maintaining a hold on the intestinal environment and, basically, out-competes them for the resources available. But as well as this, restoring the regular bacteria found in a healthy gut revitalises the relationship between the host —  us, or the animal — and the trillions of single cell organisms we live with.

Estimates of the numbers of bacteria within the body vary, but it’s safe to say it’s in the tens of trillions. It’s also safe to say that in most people the bacteria outnumber the human cells, in some cases by an order of magnitude. Whether the same is true of horses isn’t known, but considering the horse has evolved to rely almost entirely on bacterial activity within the intestine for its existence, it’s almost certain that the numbers involved are even more impressive. But the bacteria (and other microorganisms such as viruses and fungi) don’t just provide the necessary enzymes to digest food — they have evolved with the host and are absolutely vital for the development and maintenance of other functions, particularly the immune and nervous systems. Even within the intestine, it isn’t just a matter of dissolving the food as it passes through for the animal to absorb: the microbes are fundamental to those pathways developing adequately and operating effectively, from the earliest stages of life to the very last day of it.

The most striking examples of the absolutely cardinal role of bacteria in health and development can be seen in laboratory animals. Mice can be born and reared in sterile conditions, so that they develop without any (or very few) microbes in their environment and without the normal gut colonies they would usually possess. These so-called germ-free, gnotobiotic, or axenic mice do not develop normally. They can be fed the optimum diet and housed comfortably but they do not thrive: their immune and digestive systems are stunted, they do not gain weight normally, and they are vulnerable to a wide range of diseases. Even if introduced to ‘healthy’ microbial populations found in conventionally-reared animals they do not recover, most likely because they have missed the aforementioned, once-in-a-lifetime, critical window. Interestingly, germ-free mice can live longer than their colonised compatriots (if reared very carefully), which has recently raised important questions over the role of the microbiome in ageing and its implications for humans. 

Mammals need microbes. So where does a new-born mouse, human, or foal get these essential organisms from and, knowing what we know about the dangers that some types of bacteria present, how do they get the right ones?

It is now established that babies born via caesarian rather than vaginal delivery are more at risk from a number of conditions, including inflammatory and neurodevelopment disorders, and diseases of the bowel, lungs and joints, so much so that the technique of ‘vaginal seeding’ has become a much-discussed technique. Much of the impact of surgical delivery has been attributed to alterations in the microbial community that the infant is exposed to in the very earliest stages of neonatal life. While caesarian delivery is a very much rarer event in horses, the effect of early exposure to the ‘correct’ microbiome (sometimes referred to as ‘pioneer colonisers’) has been demonstrated in other species. The hygiene hypothesis is a term used to describe the way that early exposure to particular microorganisms is protective, and that a lack of such exposure leads to poor immune tolerance. Unfortunately, this term has sometimes been misunderstood: it doesn’t mean hygiene is a bad thing — we all need protection from pathogens — and it certainly doesn’t imply that having more infections during early life is advantageous. But a broad exposure to a variety of certain microbes is an essential part of development.  

But this exposure may begin even earlier. For many years, it was considered incontrovertible that the foetal environment in utero was sterile and that exposure to bacteria and other organisms only began at birth. However, recent work has challenged this ‘sterile womb paradigm’ and a number of studies have demonstrated the presence of microbial material within placental and foetal tissues. The debate is still ongoing, not least around whether the presence of bacterial DNA actually represents viable bacteria or simply fragments of long-deceased organisms; even the ability to breed axenic animals (as mentioned above) suggests foetal microbial colonisation is unlikely. 

What is emerging is a general consensus that the products of bacterial life in the mother may well be influencing foetal development, and could be crucial to it. Maternal microbiota produce bioactive metabolites that can enter the maternal circulation and may be actively or passively transferred through the placenta.

We know that elements of the microbiome that affect offspring are transferable: for example, bacteria taken from the gut contents of obese mice and transferred to pregnant, normal-weight mice, lead to overweight offspring with altered inflammatory responses. Maternal obesity causes changes in microbiota correlated with altered foetal brain development, while maternal undernutrition in humans affects infant immunity by attenuating responses to vaccines in early childhood (among many other effects). There is a huge volume of data concerning nutrition, and its effects on offspring, across many species, and it’s beyond the scope of this article to go into direct nutrient effects. Nonetheless, work has shown that foals born to obese mares are more likely to be affected by osteochondrosis, and supports the hypothesis that maternal relative hyperinsulinaemia may be a contributory factor through its role in cartilage differentiation. Foals born to overweight dams also have evidence of systemic inflammation (higher levels of plasma SAA) which may also affect development through inhibitory effects on bone growth. Crucially, the impact on progeny may be different depending on the alignment of the disturbance: i.e. whether the mares were obese at conception or overfed during the early or later stages of gestation. Maternal undernutrition is much less likely to be a problem in commercial breeding operations, but when it is, mares may develop a syndrome close to gestational diabetes in humans, a condition widely recognised to have potentially very serious consequences to the neonate, and even beyond. Again, timing is crucial: studies of epidemics, famine, and war show that mothers and their children have different outcomes depending on at which stage, from preconception to early childhood, the crisis occurred. 

Maternal stress during early pregnancy has been shown to reduce faecal bacterial diversity and alter taxa composition in pregnant mice and has been replicated in human studies. Conversely, severe maternal stress in the last trimester was associated with increased bacterial diversity in newborn babies. Maternal depression may alter the ratio of certain bacterial families in neonates, specifically by reducing numbers of Proteobacteria, a pioneer taxon which creates the environment for later anaerobic colonisation. 

A number of studies have identified known risk factors for infant severe respiratory tract infections, the leading cause of child mortality globally, including a carbohydrate-rich, fruit-/fibre-/vegetable-poor maternal diet, and/or never breastfeeding. In a 2023 study, researchers demonstrated that mice fed high-fibre diets produced a milk microbiota that increased infant gut propionate levels, leading in turn to increased production of specific cells in the bone marrow that confer protection against respiratory infections. Indeed, therapy with specific propionate-producing bacteria, and even propionate supplementation, were shown to act in a similar way. Fermentable dietary fibre favourably influences the gut microbiome resulting in the production of metabolites that modulate the immune system (particularly short-chain fatty acids — SFAs). It is widely accepted that SFAs play an important part in regulating intestinal barrier integrity, and there is now evidence that they have a role in placental structure and vascularisation. Breastmilk also contains regulatory cytokines, growth factors and oligosaccharides, all of which influence the developing infant. Metabolic disorders, such as gestational diabetes, affect the levels of SCFAs and other metabolically significant metabolites causing changes in the maternal immune system with knock-on effects for the developing foetus. The authors of this study suggested that the “manipulation of the maternal diet during pregnancy and during the pre-weaning period, or through the provision of defined tailor-made prebiotics and/or probiotics directly to infants, may present novel opportunities for enhancing resistance to inflammation-mediated diseases.” Other researchers have described the transport of even more molecules across the placenta, including lipopolysaccharides and other bacterial cell fragments. Preconception infections with some intestinal parasites can lead to maternal imprinting in mouse offspring, thereby suggesting that the transfer of immunity is not solely dependent on the passive transfer of antibodies. 

These metabolites may also exert an effect on the genetic material within cells. Epigenetics is the set of factors and molecules that modify gene expression while not changing the genome sequence itself. Only around 2% of mammalian DNA is associated with protein-encoding genes; the rest (non-coding DNA — what used to be referred to as ‘junk DNA’) modifies the links on the chain to switch genes on and off at crucial junctures. These modifications are commonly associated with environmental cues — good and bad — that can result in significantly different outcomes (phenotypic plasticity) for two genetically identical individuals. In one Danish study, children who exhibited allergic rhinitis at the age of six were found to have a distinct DNA methylation pattern (an epigenetic signature) in their nasal mucosal cells associated with reduced microbial diversity at one week of life. It was folate’s role in countering the development of neural tube defects that first pointed to the foetal nutritional programming hypothesis through epigenetic programming. And as the stage most susceptible to environmental stressors is embryogenesis, where DNA methylation is closely associated with optimal differentiation and growth, consideration of preconception dietary factors is fundamental (folate supplements are recommended when pregnancy planning, but gut bacteria produce significant amounts of folate in humans with a healthy microbiome).

While epigenetic changes do not change the base-pair sequences within the genome, they are heritable, meaning that future generations may inherit far more than just the A–T and G–C building blocks. It seems certain that different epigenetic mechanisms may partly explain why dietary factors at critical developmental stages might affect the susceptibility to diseases in adulthood. 

With microbes contributing 99% of all genetic information present in the body, maternal microbial transmission should be viewed as an additional and important mechanism of genetic and functional change in evolution. Horses are selected for characteristics such as temperament, strength, speed, and endurance. Although genetic selection tools have been developed to assist breeders in the choice of sires and dams, there is also a growing body of research reporting that the maternal environment modulates the genetic potential of the offspring. Under natural conditions, microbes that promote host fitness, especially in females, will simultaneously increase their odds of being transferred to the next generation. Under controlled breeding programmes, efforts to assist this beneficial effect should be encouraged: the trajectory of the young foal’s colonisation process has lifelong clinical implications. And being aware of its influence may not only improve the outlook for your foal, but your foal’s foals as well. 

Guest Author

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?

Optim Equine

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

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

The composition of our hose’s gut microbiota has a profound impact on their behaviour and health. This is mediated through the gut-brain-immune axis. Changes in the composition of their gut microbiota can influence neurotransmitter production and function. Neurotransmitters are the natural chemical messengers which have important roles influencing many processes in our horses. Temperament, behaviour, motor control, learning patterns and digestive function are all influenced by neurotransmitters. Gut microbial population also affects neuroinflammation (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), which can further influence mood and behaviour. Excessive levels of neuroinflammation may worsen stress, anxiety, tension and irritation in our horses.

Many things can adversely affect our horse’s gut microbiota, which may contribute to dysfunction of the gut-brain-immune axis. Clinical signs, changes and conditions we may see in our horses when their gut-brain-immune axis has been disrupted include:

• Faecal water syndrome
• Gastric ulcers
• Colonic ulcers
• Failure to thrive
• Failure to put on/maintain weight
• Susceptibility to infections and/or recurrent, chronic infections
• Nervousness, erratic behaviour, shying, anxiety, irritability
• Equine metabolic syndrome
• Insulin resistance
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Colic
• Scours/diarrhoea
• Laminitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Equine Asthma Syndrome
• Recurrent skin conditions
• Poor recovery post exercise, training and/or competition
• Excessive muscle tension

In some horses, however, dysbiosis (unhealthy balance of the microbial community in the gut microbiota) may result in no obvious outward signs, yet their health is likely impacted under the surface, and this may become evident further down the track. Many of the signs associated with a dysfunctional gut-brain-immune axis health are non-specific, meaning they can often be dismissed or attributed to something else. Unfortunatel,y this means that often the underlying cause(s) of the condition or clinical signs can be overlooked in our horses.

Some of the factors which compromise GI health, and in turn influence immune health and behaviour include (but are certainly not limited to): insufficient dry matter (long-stem) fibre in the diet; large sized ‘hard feeds’ (ie concentrates and grains); large percentages of starch and/or sugar in the diet; abrupt changes in diet and/or pasture; the use of certain medications (including antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids and ulcer medications); viral and/or bacterial infections; high parasite burdens; nutritional insufficiencies, deficiencies and/or excesses (usually certain minerals, but sometimes particular vitamins); heavy metal toxicities; stress; pain; dehydration; high levels of inflammation in the body; extended travel; intense exercise.

Given the modern demands, management, feeding and medication use in horses, most horses will have compromises to their gut microbiota. The effects of these can be long-lasting, unless specific, targeted, supportive and corrective action is taken. This is crucial not only for their GI health, but in turn their immune health and behaviour, in addition to their overall health, performance and recovery.

Optim Equine

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

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

Understanding pain in our horses

The experience of pain is unique to each individual horse and pony: in the way it presents, the intensity, frequency of the pain and how the horse or pony responds to treatment. In recent years, we have come a long way in better understanding the many different physical signs a horse or pony may display to indicate that they are in pain.

Pain seldom appears alone: it can impact a multitude of different aspects in a horse or pony. A horse or pony in pain can concurrently experience changes in behaviour or temperament: this may be one of the first indications which alerts us to the fact our horse or pony is experiencing pain. If the pain is new/acute in nature, these behavioural changes can appear totally out of character. If the pain is chronic/ongoing, the horse or pony may become withdrawn or ‘shut down’ in order to manage their pain. Poor performance, immune health challenges, digestive health issues and compromised fertility may all be associated with pain in our horses and ponies.

To effectively address and relieve pain in our horses and ponies, it is important to consider that pain can be multifaceted and complex. When we think of pain in our horses and ponies, we commonly think of pain which is a result of a direct physical cause. That is, pain that is associated with injury, lameness, poorly fitting tack or saddles, etc. This is what is referred to as ‘somatic pain’.

Yet pain can (and often is) so much more complex than this. Which in part, helps to explain why the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids doesn’t effectively resolve pain in many cases.

Different types of pain respond better to different treatments due to their varying mechanisms, mediators, impact on the brain and inflammatory pathways.

To provide the best pain relief for our horse or pony, an individual, targeted approach is essential. Read on to learn more about the different types of pain our horses and ponies can experience.  

Nociceptive Pain

Nociceptive pain is experienced due to ongoing activation of nociceptors (pain sensing neurones located within body organs and internal cavities). Nociceptive pain is caused by damage to body tissues as a result of trauma and/or inflammation. When we think of pain in our horses and ponies, nociceptive pain is generally the first type of pain that comes to mind.

Nociceptive pain serves as a protective response to injury or potential harm. In cases of chronic pain however, nociceptor activation can remain ongoing, even after healing of damaged tissues is complete and there is no further sign of damage/injury. Accurately identifying and understanding the causes and mechanisms behind this chronic pain in our horses and ponies can be incredibly difficult: an injury may be visibly healed (even on thorough imaging and diagnostic methods), yet the horse is still demonstrating signs of pain.

Nociceptive pain can be further divided into two main categories: somatic pain and visceral pain.

Somatic Pain

Somatic pain has a direct physical cause and arises from the musculoskeletal system (muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, connective tissues) and skin. Osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, ligament injuries, hoof abscesses, cuts and wounds are all examples where a horse or pony may experience somatic pain. It is what many vets, body workers, farriers and other equine health care professionals are often looking for when trying to identify the source of pain. In order to help identify the pain, lameness exams, nerve blocks, imaging (radiographs, MRIs, PET scans, CTs, nuclear scintigraphy etc) may be used.

Yet sometimes our horses and ponies still clearly demonstrate they are in pain, even when these avenues have been exhausted and there seems to be no explainable cause for their pain. So why is this? Despite the best technology, we can’t always see structural issues, so the pain can indeed be somatic in nature, but despite our best efforts, we can’t physically see what is causing the pain. Another reason, which may be overlooked, is the pain they are experiencing may not be somatic pain (or not just somatic pain alone). 

The pain our horses or ponies may be experiencing in this case is likely one (or a combination of) any of the other following types of pain.

Visceral Pain

Visceral pain is pain which originates from internal organs of the body, including the stomach, intestines, liver and kidneys. It may arise due to distension, inflammation or lack of blood supply to internal organs. Colic is a common clinical sign of visceral pain in our horses and ponies. The chronic, inflammatory nature of inflammatory bowel disease may cause visceral pain in some horses and ponies. In many cases we may not be able to visually ‘see’ the source of pain using diagnostic methods, instead relying on history and assessment of clinical signs in the horse or pony. Identifying visceral pain can be even more challenging as it may be masked by other conditions. The discomfort a horse or pony experiences from visceral pain can vary from mild to intense.

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is what we commonly think of as ‘nerve pain’. It is caused by nerve damage or dysfunction, resulting in dysregulation of the transmission of nerve signals into the spinal cord. Many causes of neuropathic pain are often linked to excessive inflammation in both the peripheral and central nervous system. Inflammation however, is typically only one element of neuropathic pain. The pathophysiology of neuropathic pain is generally complex and multifactorial, which partly explains why the use of anti-inflammatories and/or rest may only provide minimal relief in many cases.

Central sensitisation

Central sensitisation is pain without identifiable nerve or tissue damage, which makes it challenging to diagnose. This type of pain is thought to result from persistent neuronal dysregulation. It may play an element in cases of neuropathic pain. Some types of neck and back pain without structural pathology may be examples of central sensitisation.

Inflammatory pain

Although somatic pain can definitely be a type of inflammatory pain, immune responses in our horses and ponies can also result in inflammatory pain. This may arise in cases of infection.

Referred pain

Referred pain is pain felt in a different location from the actual source. This form of pain can be challenging to diagnose. An example of referred pain may be highlighted by a horse or pony experiencing problems with its temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or teeth: in such cases, a horse or pony may have referred pain in the neck- with the neck appearing as if it is the source of pain itself.

Psychogenic Pain

Psychogenic pain is physical pain that is caused, increased or prolonged by emotional, mental or behavioural factors, without evidence of physical injury or illness. Psychogenic pain may not yet be commonly recognised as a clinical diagnosis in horses and ponies, but as we understand more about the role of stress, social isolation, anxiety, lack of freedom of movement, insufficient forage in the diet, boredom and frustration in the equine- the role of psychogenic pain should not be overlooked. From a clinical perspective, monitoring and/or observing signs such as heightened reactivity, increased heart rate and/or respiratory rate, stereotypies (wind sucking, cribbing, weaving, box/stall walking, paddock walking) may all be indicative of psychogenic pain.

So how can we help a horse or pony in pain?

In any case of a horse or pony experiencing pain, taking a thorough case history and conducting a comprehensive, holistic assessment gives us the best chance to understand the potential causes and contributing factors to their pain. It is important to note that in many cases, whilst clinical signs can be useful to help understand pain better in our horses and ponies, they are often non-specific.

Viewing, managing and treating pain from a holistic perspective gives us the best possible chance of helping our horses and ponies. We are fortunate that a wide range of judiciously employed nutraceuticals, herbal medicines, dietary and management strategies can significantly help horses and ponies who are experiencing pain. Within the scope of herbal medicine and nutraceuticals alone, we have multiple options in the choice of the herbs and nutrients which can be used to best help treat and manage different types of pain.

The treatment approach we take for specific types of pain should be different if we want the pain relief to be truly effective for our horses and ponies and to resolve the source(s) of the pain.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

Many factors can contribute to developing colic and we know that in many cases, diet plays a significant role. What and how you feed your horse or pony can significantly increase or decrease their risk of developing colic.

Research has shown that a diet high in concentrates (ie mueslis, grain-based feeds) increases the risk of colic. In one particular study, horses fed a diet ‘high’ in concentrates (where ‘high’ was considered more than 2.5kg day- which in reality, is a small amount compared to what many horses are fed) had a significant increase in the risk of developing colic.

The more concentrate/grain or ‘hard’ feed a horse receives (and the less roughage they consume) the higher their risk of colic episodes. For every 1kg increase in concentrated feed per 100kg of body weight, the risk of colic increased by more than three times.

On the flip side, for every 1 kg increase in roughage (forage/hay) per 100 kg bodyweight fed per day, the risk of colic dropped by more than three times!

There are many likely mechanisms for the significantly increased/decreased risk of colic with the associated dietary changes.

The most important take-home question from the above is that what we feed our horses matters- not only for their performance, growth, body condition and health- but also in terms of increasing or decreasing their risk of colic.

Optim Equine

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

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

One welfare issue which may be associated with the use of gastric ulcer medications and which is commonly overlooked is rebound gastric hyperacidity.

Omeprazole and esomeprazole belong to a class of drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). These drugs work by stopping the production of hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is a healthy, key component of normal digestive and immune function in our horses.

When we shut down the production of hydrochloric acid through the use of PPIs, we also interfere with our horses’ own negative feedback mechanisms which regulate hydrochloric acid production. When we stop the use of omeprazole or esomeprazole, particularly abruptly, as commonly occurs at the conclusion of a course of ulcer medication, or in racehorses, prior to racing- then rebound gastric hyperacidity may occur. That is, for a period of time, their bodies lose the ability to regulate the amount of hydrochloric acid produced, resulting in a production of excessive amounts.

This in turn, can increase the risk of EGUS and feed into a self-perpetuating cycle: where a horse is put on ulcer medications, and may (or may not) experience some relief in clinical signs, believed to be associated with EGUS, before coming off the medication and reverting to displaying clinical signs and/or developing EGUS

The use of ulcer medications in any instance should be critically evaluated and when prolonged use is felt necessary, the contributing factors to the development of EGUS should be addressed.

EGUS is often considered a ‘man made’ disease in our horses and ponies: that is, it occurs largely due to our feeding, management and medication practices. The good news is that there is much which can be done to help treat and prevent further episodes of EGUS: Through changing what and how we feed our horses; managing our horses in a way that is conducive to good gastrointestinal ‘gut’ health; providing therapeutic support where appropriate; and reviewing medication practices.

Optim Equine

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

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

Commonly, the first thing a trainer or owner does is request ‘bloods’ (a full blood count) be taken from the horse. In many cases, a full blood count may yield no significant abnormalities. That however, doesn’t guarantee that a horse is healthy. Nor that the horse isn’t suffering from the lingering consequences of viral infection.

Acute viral pathogens can survive in their latent (inactive) forms driving chronic, and persistent poor performance, impaired recovery and symptoms. This is often not reflected in pathology (blood test) results. Viral infections progress in the body in a multistep process. There is very little that can be done from a pharmaceutical (standard medication) perspective to help a horse recover from post-viral illness.

Fortunately, there are many nutritional supplements and herbal medicines which when employed appropriately, can aid in our horses’ recovery from viral illness. Tailored treatment can aid in promoting optimal health in our horses and help them return to their full athletic potential. Treatment is often targeted at aiding different components of the immune system, whilst concurrently reducing inflammation and supporting antioxidant status.

Optim Equine

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

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

But does this actually help our horses with their recovery? And what are the potential downsides to such practices?

Unlike muscles, blood flow to tendons and ligaments is actually poor. Yet blood flow to tendons and ligaments is needed to provide nutrients and specialised cells to these structures, allowing for connective tissue remodelling that naturally occurs in response to training and exercise. This is an important part of adaptation and how tendons and ligaments become stronger. Blood flow is also a key component which helps injured tendons or ligaments heal, and for this reason, can partially explain why injured tendons and ligaments can take so long to heal.

Anything that further hinders this already poor blood flow compromises recovery and repair. The application of ice and cooling boots causes localised vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels). This in turn further reduces already low blood flow to the areas that have been iced. 

Icing may also lead to a decrease in the production of important hormones which help to repair damaged tissue.

Whilst icing in the initial stages of some acute injuries can be helpful (in order to reduce swelling and excessive inflammation)- using it ‘proactively’ or as a form of recovery may do more harm than good.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

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

Goals and Capabilities as a Rider/Handler

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

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

Vet Check

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

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

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

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

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

History

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

Diet

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

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

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

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

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

Down Time

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

Temperament

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

Monitoring and Progress

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

Optim Equine

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

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

What we know from current research is that simply giving our horses tryptophan as a supplement doesn’t help promote calm behaviour- in fact, it may do the very opposite. Low doses of tryptophan given to horses actually promotes excitement, whilst high doses have been shown to reduce endurance capacity and cause haemolytic anaemia. In either case, hardly helping with overall health and performance.

The reasons for the effects of tryptophan supplementation on horses are likely multifaceted. We know that responses to tryptophan are species dependent- whilst it can be helpful in humans and some animal species, the same cannot be said for horses.

It is important to remember that very few nutrients act in isolation. For tryptophan to be converted to serotonin, it has to go through several metabolic processes. Each of these processes requires key nutrients to facilitate the conversion. Without sufficient nutrient levels and good gastrointestinal health to facilitate this, the conversion and metabolism of tryptophan are effected.

We also need to remember, like many facets of health- there is a sweet spot between not too little and not too much. The same is true for serotonin- too little, and our horses can be anxious, too much and they can become agitated.

The take-home message is that whilst some supplements can be incredibly useful, not all are. We can better promote healthy neurotransmitter levels (such as serotonin) by ensuring our horses are receiving a balanced diet providing all key nutrients in appropriate quantities and forms. Additionally, we want to ensure that we’re promoting optimal gastrointestinal health, as this in turn helps to facilitate both healthy nutrient production and neurotransmitter levels.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

In many cases, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as phenylbutazone (bute/PBZ) is used with the belief that it may help our horses. Other NSAIDs that may be used include flunixin (Banamine), meloxicam, aspirin or firocoxib.

When our horses undertake hard exercise, micro damage occurs in connective tissue (bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments). This micro damage is normal and is an important part of how our horses get stronger, fitter and adapt to training. Natural prostaglandins (special hormone-like compounds produced by the horse’s body) are produced in response to exercise and help to promote blood flow and to heal connective tissue after exercise. These prostaglandins play a key role in inflammation. We tend to think of inflammation as ‘harmful’ and excessive inflammation can negatively impact our horse’s health. There is a happy medium, however, and our horses need a certain amount of inflammation, particularly post-exercise to promote healing and recovery. When our horses are given NSAIDs, the production of these important prostaglandins is inhibited, in turn reducing our horse’s normal healing capacity and adaptation to training.

Furthermore, we know that the use of NSAIDs has adverse effects on gastrointestinal (GI) health. These drugs can cause damage to both the lining of the stomach and intestines, contribute to ulcers (both stomach and colonic) and cause undesirable changes in GI microflora (to read more, visit Inflammation & Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories in Horses). The effects of NSAIDs on GI health can further compromise recovery and adaptation to exercise in addition to the direct effects of impaired prostaglandin synthesis.

Whilst excessive levels of inflammation in horses can contribute to poor health, a certain amount of natural inflammation, particularly post-exercise is absolutely key to optimal recovery and improving fitness and strength.

Optim Equine

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

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

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…

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

Exercise (or lack thereof) SIGNIFICANTLY influences bone strength and density in the horse. For horses turned out in paddocks where they are free to move about, bone gets the opportunity to strengthen and increase in mass- due to the natural loading that occurs through daily movement.

Research has clearly indicated that young horses kept in stables/stalls have a significant reduction in bone mass- even when they are walked for an hour a day. Most sales yearlings undergo a prep where they are stabled for anywhere from 8-12 weeks. In many of these cases, turnout is restricted to small yards. Some facilities have no turnout for yearlings during this time. This immobility results in significantly decreased bone mass and strength at a time when horses should naturally be developing significant increases in bone mass.

So what can we do to improve this? For yearlings in sales prep, maximising paddock turnout time (where facilities allow) is one of the best ways to help. For the recently purchased yearling, turning them out for at least 8-12 weeks prior to commencing breaking allows bone density to increase. This is important, as in many breaking setups, horses will spend significant time stabled and/or in small yards and do relatively little ridden work, again resulting in reduced bone density. Having 2-3 months between the two periods gives bones a better chance to improve in mass, rather than continuing to decrease in density.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

Problems start to occur when levels of inflammation are excessive, and/or occur for extended periods of time- beyond that which the body needs for normal healthy repair and functioning. Inhibiting the body’s own repair and defence mechanisms however, can also be problematic.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are one of the most widely used classes of drugs in horses. The most commonly used NSAIDs in equines include phenylbutazone (bute), flunixin meglumine (commonly sold under brand names including Banamine, Finadyne, Flu-Nix, Flunixamine), firocoxib (Equioxx, Previcox) and meloxicam (Metacam).

How do Non- Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories Work?

When it comes to using NSAIDs in horses and ponies, understanding how these drugs work can help to make an informed approach about their appropriate use.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work on a chemical level. They inhibit the effects of special enzymes: specifically cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 enzymes. These enzymes play a key role in making prostaglandins which promote inflammation. By blocking the COX enzymes, NSAIDs reduce the production of prostaglandins and in turn inflammation. It is important to remember that other inflammatory pathways exist in the horse: COX-1 and COX- 2 are most commonly targeted.

COX-1 is expressed in nearly all tissues in the horse’s body and is necessary for proper gastrointestinal (GI) function, renal (kidney) function, and blood coagulation. COX-2 is also expressed at low levels in many tissues, contributing to normal kidney function and interestingly, playing a critical role in the healing of the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa (cells lining the GI).

The potential risks

Most people are well aware of the deleterious effects the use of NSAIDs can have on the GI lining in our horses. Although ulcers commonly come to mind, the effects of these drugs on the digestive tract of our horses extend far beyond this. In the case of phenylbutazone and flunixin, the production of mucin (which is one of our horse’s internal mechanisms for protecting and maintaining a healthy gut lining) is stopped. This is the primary way in which damage to the GI (including the development of ulcers) can occur with NSAID use. It is critical to note that this occurs regardless of whether the NSAID is given orally or by intravenous (IV) injection. It is not the physical presence of the drug in the GI system that causes the damage, it is the changes in inflammatory pathways.

It is common practice to give ulcer medications (specifically those containing omeprazole) in conjunction with NSAIDs, with the belief that this may help to offset the detrimental effects to the GI. Research has demonstrated however, that this practice can further compound damage caused to the GI mucosa. This is likely due to changes in blood flow to the gut lining and shifts in protective microflora of the GI.

Changes to GI microflora associated with NSAID use is a lesser discussed but equally important aspect in terms of our horse’s health. Although beyond the scope of this article, specific microflora serve crucial protective and anti-inflammatory actions in the GI of our horses. Significant changes in these fine balances of microflora can occur in association with NSAID use. This in turn has significant implications on the nutritional status of our horses. To read further on this topic visit the Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health heading in ‘Article’ section of the Optim Equine website.

Research has also indicated that the use of NSAIDs following hard work, competition or training is likely to inhibit desired adaptations and proper recovery to the exercise undertaken. Changes in blood flow and cellular repair mechanisms vital for proper recovery are altered by the use of NSAIDs. The practice of giving NSAIDs as a precautionary or ‘preventative’ method after hard work, racing, competition or training may in fact work against what is trying to be achieved.

What about selective and preferential COX-2 inhibitors?

In more recent years, the use of NSAIDs that selectively or preferentially inhibit COX-2 and don’t (in theory) inhibit COX-1 may cause fewer adverse effects than nonselective NSAIDs. Examples of these drugs include firocoxib and meloxicam.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors don’t entirely spare COX-1. They also inhibit COX-1 to a small degree, but generally carry a lower risk for direct damage to the gut lining. An interesting point to note is although COX-2 selective drugs may decrease the risk of developing GI ulcers compared to non-selective NSAIDs, they can impair the healing of pre-existing ulcers.  Additionally, similar to non-selective NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors are associated with changes in gut microflora, which in turn can lead to adverse effects on the GI system.

It is important to note that COX-2 is involved in normal, healthy kidney and cardiovascular function (thus administration of selective COX-2 inhibitors can still cause adverse renal and hameodynamic effects in susceptible horses).

The dosage amounts of COX-2 inhibitors needs to be taken into account when evaluating their potential risks and side effects. When COX-2 inhibitors are used in higher doses, their ability to be selective in their action on COX-2 enzymes decreases. That is, higher doses may cause effects similar to those of nonselective NSAIDs. Combining NSAIDs (for example, administering firocoxib and phenylbutazone together) has also been shown to increase the risk for adverse effects, including that to the kidneys.

Takeaways

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories have their place in illness and injury in horses and like all drugs, their use should be judicious. Selective and preferential COX-2 inhibitors may have less adverse effects on the GI system than non-selective NSAIDs, but still come with risks. Appropriate dietary, nutraceutical and supplementation practices may help to decrease detrimental effects to the GI, cardiovascular system and kidneys associated with NSAID use. Employing specific therapeutics and dietary strategies to restore gut mucosal integrity and reinstate a healthy GI microflora following NSAID use is highly advisable. In low and appropriate doses, selective COX 2 inhibitors may be a better choice in reducing adverse side effects when NSAID use is necessitated

Optim Equine

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

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

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?

Optim Equine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Optim Equine

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

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

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!

Optim Equine

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

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

Successful rehabilitation should certainly address physical aspects (farriery, bodywork, laser and other therapies where appropriate), management factors (restricted turnout, etc if relevant) and graduated exercise and training. Yet one of the most influential factors in a horse’s successful recovery is its nutrition- something which is often given very little consideration.

One of the primary concerns for many owners, trainers and riders are to stop their injured horse from getting overly fat- particularly in an extended layoff. As a result, many people understandably cut their horse’s feed right back. However, during the initial phases of healing post-injury- a horse’s energy and nutrient requirements are actually elevated. Healing of the body is an energy-requiring process. Structurally, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments need specific nutrients to ensure their optimal repair and integrity.  Thus, drastically cutting both their energy and nutrient intake can significantly impair, delay or compromise healing. It is important to note, however, that a horse’s energy and nutrient requirements will change throughout its recovery. After the initial phases of healing have occurred, there is generally a decrease in energy needs. Depending on the type of injury, nutrient needs (for example certain minerals, vitamins and specific nutraceuticals) often remain elevated beyond normal.  This is where it is important to adjust a horse’s diet so that it still receives proper nutrition for continued good health, whilst also ensuring that it doesn’t get too heavy. In terms of musculoskeletal injuries, particularly of the lower limbs, weight is an important factor. More weight equates to more force going through the limbs, which can compromise healing. A healthy balance needs to be achieved between appropriate weight given the phase of recovery, whilst ensuring optimal nutritional intake.

Nutritional requirements are further compounded by the medications used in many cases of illness or injuries in our horses. Anti-Inflammatory drugs including NSAIDs such as phenylbutazone (‘bute’) and flunixin interfere with our horse’s ability to synthesise B group vitamins (including biotin) and vitamin K (essential for proper bone and connective tissue healing). They also adversely impact a horse’s gut microflora, which in turn is likely to result in increased production of inflammatory mediators (thus more inflammation, despite the use of anti-inflammatories). The effects of corticosteroids on nutritional status are more complex than NSAIDs: they are known to reduce the absorption and/or increase the excretion and/or impact on the metabolism of important nutrients essential for optimal healing. Some of these nutrients include magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium and selenium.

Antibiotics also significantly influence the nutritional status of the horse. Through changes in gut microflora in the horse- the production of B group vitamins and vitamin K are compromised. Some classes of antibiotics also interfere with the normal metabolism of vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. Similar to NSAIDs, they may also influence the production of inflammatory mediators through changes in gut microflora.

Ulcer treatments are another commonly used medication in the horse recovering from illness or injury.  Those containing key active constituents of omeprazole (the ‘gold standard’ ulcer medications on the market) or ranitidine, drastically reduce the uptake of minerals essential for healing- including calcium and magnesium. These medications also may influence the production of inflammatory mediators: their mechanism of halting or drastically reducing hydrochloric acid production significantly changes the environment needed to promote healthy gut microflora in the horse.

So the effect of such medications during injury or illness is a double whammy: a horse already has increased nutrient requirements to properly heal AND many of these critical nutrients are at decreased levels because of the use of such medications.

Whilst pharmaceutical drugs are certainly indicated in the recovery from many illnesses and injuries, their use needs to be judicious. When they are used, the appropriate supplementation of specific nutrients is critical to firstly compensate for what is altered through medication use, and secondly to meet the body’s elevated needs of certain nutrients essential for optimal healing.

Illness or injury in the horse can be used as a most valuable opportunity to review your horse’s feeding, supplementation, management and riding practices. Whilst many injuries and accidents are unavoidable- there are plenty where appropriate dietary and supplementation practices tailored to the individual horse may have helped to prevent or reduce the severity of the setback. The same may be said of the review of medications used in the horse where relevant. These factors, combined with appropriately structured training and competition (which includes ‘down periods’ and rest days), farriery, and bodywork are keys to keeping our horses healthy, sound and well.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Optim Equine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Optim Equine

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

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

In barn settings, ammonia is produced when the urea in urine hydrolyses (breaks down) through the action of the enzyme urease. Urease is a protein found in bacteria associated with faeces and stable flooring materials that have been fouled with faeces.

Ammonia can cause inflammation and irritation of both the upper and lower airways and can lead to the development of pulmonary oedema. Horses which are stabled have demonstrated more signs of respiratory inflammation than horses turned out at pasture.

Ammonia sets up an inflammatory cascade in the respiratory tract: increasing mucous production; interfering with the action of cilia (microscopic hairs which line the airways and help to prevent dust and debris from going further down the respiratory tract); and adversely affect immune function and health in the horse.

The negative effects of ammonia are further compounded by poor ventilation in the barn, dust and other particulates inhaled by the horse.

The good news is there are many practical strategies which can be employed to help reduce ammonia build-up in the stable:

• Provide excellent barn ventilation and where possible, avoid closing up the barn.
• Ensure stalls are cleaned once or twice daily to remove all urine-soaked bedding. Ensure stalls are stripped at least twice weekly.
• Ensure horses are removed from stalls whilst mucking and cleaning to minimise exposure to ammonia gases that are stirred up with pitching the bedding and raking.
• Use highly absorbent bedding materials.
• Mix an ammonia-neutralising product with clean bedding.
• Provide good drainage in stables and barn aisle ways to facilitate exit of urine. If matting is used in stalls, regularly clean under the mats when possible.
• Open windows where possible.
• As much as possible, keep horses outside or turn them out regularly to offer a clean air environment.

Treating horses with specific therapeutic herbs and nutrients can help to reduce inflammation and mucous production, in addition to supporting immune function. The most effective results are obtained however, when therapeutic intervention is used in conjunction with addressing the causative factors (such as ammonia and environments high in dust and other particulates). If the cause(s) is/are not addressed, then the initiating factor(s) of the irritation remain….

Optim Equine

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

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

The quality of these supplements and ingredients contained within them vary greatly. Many contain nutritional and/or herbal constituents such as: magnesium, tryptophan, B group vitamins, chamomile and valerian.

But do these actually work?….

Supplementation is only advisable where there is an understanding of how they will help achieve specific therapeutic treatment aims. They should not be used to replace poor management practices. Before using a calming supplement, the following needs to be asked and addressed: does the horse have good gastric health; is the horse being exercised frequently; is the horse in pain; does the saddle fit correctly; do the horse and rider capabilities match; is the rider relaxed when riding? Without addressing primary root causes, truly effective results will never be obtained by any supplement. Any benefit derived from the supplement will be a poor ‘band-aid’ fix.

For a supplement to be truly effective, it needs to be given in sufficient quantities (often, to achieve a therapeutic effect, the actual amount of the supplement required by the horse is much greater than the dose suggested on the label.) It also needs to be given in a form which the horse can readily digest, absorb and metabolise. It needs to contain sufficient ‘active constituents’ (the actual parts of the supplement which exert a biological effect). Many commonly available products, (especially those with herbal ingredients), actually have minute amounts of these very important active constituents.

For racehorses and performance horses/ponies competing at a high level, the use of specific herbs are not permitted in competition. Many of these herbs are those commonly used in calming products.

When selecting a supplement, the question needs to be asked ‘why are you adding it?’. Have you adequately identified and addressed all possible reasons as to why you feel your horse needs it?

Supplements should only be added to the diet when you can confidently answer the questions: why you are using them; what specific modes of action they are targeting; and what therapeutic goals will they achieve?

Specifically indicated nutrients and herbs can be extremely valuable to use in some cases of anxious or stressed horses. The correct selection and and application of appropriate herbs and nutrients is key to efficacy: always remembering that they do not replace good feeding, riding and management practices.

Optim Equine

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

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

A vital consideration in bone and joint health is bone density. Bone density refers to the amount of bone mineral in bone tissue and plays a significant factor in bone strength and durability (and hence resistance to injury).

Many factors influence bone density- and many of these factors can be positively or negatively influenced by feeding, management practices and medication use. Put simply, owners and caretakers of horses have the ability to positively or negatively influence the bone density and hence resilience and strength of a horse’s bones….

Sufficient minerals and vitamins in a horse’s diet, in appropriate proportions are important. These include (but are not limited to): calcium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin D, copper, magnesium, manganese, vitamin K. Appropriate energy availability is also crucial in helping ensure adequate bone development.

Many medications have the ability to negatively influence bone density through various mechanisms: increasing the excretion of key minerals needed for bone structure; altering the gastrointestinal microflora balance (in turn impairing the body’s ability to synthesise some key vitamins needed for bone health); and altering the absorption of essential minerals for bone health.

Keeping horses in stables/box stalls is an often overlooked consideration in regards to bone health. Several studies have documented a substantial decrease in bone mineral content in horses kept in stables/ box stalls.

Think about foals, weanlings and yearlings, confined to stables in order to ‘keep them out of the elements’ or for sales preparations. These horses are going through crucial stages of bone development and laying down bone mass. The practice of keeping them stabled may hamper their ability to be strong, resilient performance horses.

Optim Equine

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

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

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.

Optim Equine

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

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

Stables are full of tiny particles that can infiltrate and subsequently irritate their respiratory system. Barn air quality is difficult to visually assess: the particles that irritate the airways are generally microscopic in size.

Fortunately, there are many feeding, management and supplemental strategies which can help prevent the narrowing and spasms of the air passages (bronchoconstriction and bronchospasm) and excessive mucus production associated with Equine Asthma Syndrome.

Before or in addition to the use of strategic supplementation, there are three super simple steps any stable can implement to improve the respiratory health of their horses:

• Only muck stalls out when horses are not in the barn
• Avoid the use of blower vacs in barns.
• Only sweep the barn when horses are out.

Doing these things whilst the horses are out (working and/or turned out) and allowing at least half an hour after completing the above tasks before the horses are brought back in will help to reduce the particulates they inhale. The result? Healthier, less irritated airways and horses who are better able to perform.

Optim Equine

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

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

Equine asthma (EA) is a common cause of poor performance in racehorses and performance horses. Yet, the side effects of a drug commonly used to help mange clinical signs in the condition may play a significant role in anxious, worked-up, stressed, irritable behaviour in some horses.

Two commonly used medications in EA are Claire Gel and Airway Gel. The active ingredient in these products is the drug Clenbuterol. Clenbuterol is a beta-2-adrenoceptor agonist. Beta-2 adrenoceptor agonists work by mimicking the effects of epinephrine (adrenaline) in the body.

It is widely known that the use of this drug has been exploited due to its ability to burn fat whilst preserving lean muscle tissue. Sadly, this practice can severely compromise the horse’s health.

Clenbuterol, being highly stimulating, can adversely affect the temperament and behaviour of the horse. It has also been shown to deplete the body’s levels of taurine and potassium- which may lead to cramping (amongst other undesirable side effects). Additionally, animal studies have demonstrated that the drug depletes zinc levels and causes irreversible damage to cardiac tissue.

Negative effects upon stallion fertility have also been postulated. The drug has been shown to permanently damage the Sertoli cells in the testes-these are the cells where sperm is produced.

In the case of preventing and managing airway disease- there are many steps which can be taken to reduce the need for the drug. These include practices during feeding and stable management which reduce airway irritation and inflammation in the horse. The strategic use of several permissible nutritional supplements can help to alleviate airway inflammation, spasm and mucous production.

For a horse not currently in competition, correctly prescribed herbal medicine provides many therapeutics to support immune function, reduce mucous production, thin mucous and treat respiratory tract infection- all which may help to rectify breathing difficulties in the horse..

Optim Equine

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

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

Whilst no nutritional supplement will prevent estrus in the mare/filly: signs, symptoms and behaviour may be able to be preferentially modified. Modulating specific hormonal, neurotransmitter and inflammatory pathways and correcting nutritional insufficiencies can have a significant impact. This is a key area where therapeutic nutritional intervention differs distinctly in just meeting a horse’s daily nutrient requirements.

Time and energy can be wasted on being angry/frustrated by the current rulings, or minds can be opened to explore other options, gaining knowledge and tools to use to one’s advantage. 

Optim Equine

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

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

Whilst iron deficiency in humans is an all too common problem, in our horses it is fairly rare. When it occurs, it is not usually due to an insufficient intake of iron in the diet. Instead it generally occurs due to low-grade, longterm blood loss (the causes of which deserve to be written about in a separate post). Losing large amounts of blood in an acute injury/health complication are also a cause.

One of the most commonly seen scenarios I see in practice is when trainers and riders give horses iron supplements in response to a horse performing poorly or a horse which has had an infection (viral or bacterial).  Iron is perhaps the most important micronutrient required for bacteria to proliferate and cause disease. Viruses also depend on iron in order to efficiently replicate.

It is important to remember too that iron is needed by inflammatory cells. Any condition a horse has where there is significant inflammation (Equine Asthma, placentitis, sesamoiditis, ligament or tendon damage, endometritis- just a few examples!) could be further worsened by iron supplementation.

Takeaway messages:

• By supplementing iron in the poor performing horse/horse that has a ‘virus’ or infection, or any significant inflammatory process, chances are you are making the condition worse.
• ‘Natural’ supplements aren’t always safe/appropriate/indicated
• Get professional advice to help identify and address the cause(s) of the poor performance/challenging health condition in your horse.

Optim Equine

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

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

Would you still give them such substances if you knew that it significantly decreased muscle mass, strength and performance, and impaired recovery?

Animal research has demonstrated that manipulating hormone levels to keep oestrogen levels low, results in decreased muscle mass and strength and an increased risk of muscular and bone injuries.

Altrenogest and synthetic progestin products suppresses oestrus (and thus normal peaks of oestrogen production) in mares and fillies.

By artificially manipulating their cycle, not only are you potentially increasing injury risk, but it is likely that you are not allowing fillies and mares to realise their full athletic potential.

Optim Equine

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

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