equine
wellness Your natural resource!
Changing Stride Top tips for a successful barefoot transition
It’s showtrim!
The power of
Positive thinking
Trimming for barefoot performance horses
Crushing
cushing’s Winter prep
Feeding tips to get your horse ready
Stuck in the mud? How to deal with
pastern dermatitis
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VOLUME 3 ISSUE 5
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equine wellness
contents Features 14
Magic in your mind’s eye The power of positive thinking
18
How does he score?
A easy-to-use management tool for measuring the need to feed 26
Do it naturally!
Trimming for barefoot performance horses 32
Changing stride
Top tips for a successful barefoot transition 36
Hoofin’ it
Natural support for common hoof issues
14
47
On the case against cushing’s Good nutrition is the main line of defense
52
healing light
Is he recovering from an injury? Does he stiffen up after a long day’s riding? Cold laser therapy might be able to help. 56
Don’t get stuck in the mud Dealing with pastern dermatitis
60
Making friends
How to form an effective relationship with your herd 62
Get ahead of the game Feeding your horse in preparation for winter
65
Enter our 2 Annual Equine Wellness Photo Contest nd
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Send us your best shots and you could win!
68
Setting boundaries Fence options for your equine partner
47 equine wellness
71
On trust
Building a true bond with your equine partner
Click on this icon to visit featured links Sept/Oct 2008
columns 10
Neighborhood news
22
Holistic veterinary advice Talking with Dr. Christine King
24
Horsemanship tip
40
a Natural performer
64
Did you know?
66
Your health
75
Book reviews
82
Tail End Š Bronwyn8 | Dreamstime.com
71 Departments 8
Editorial
42 45
Wellness resource guide
54
Heads up!
76
Classifieds
77
Marketplace
81
Events calender equine wellness
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How does he score? by Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, MS, PhD
R
iders are always concerned about proper equine nutrition, and rightly so. It can be difficult to know exactly how to feed your horse, since his requirements are based on his physiological state (whether he’s a maintenance horse, working horse, or lactating broodmare, etc.). Feed requirements are quite variable from horse to horse.
Keeping track Energy deficiency or excess can be identified in most cases by weight loss or weight gain. A scale can be a good tool for keeping track of body condition, but livestock scales are often quite costly. Many riders rely on weight tapes, which can be purchased at most tack and feed stores. Keep in mind, though, that a weight tape is usually off by 50 pounds in either direction. Whatever system you choose, it’s a good idea to use it regularly so you develop knowledge of your horse’s body condition, which will change seasonally. A horse’s hair coat can also have an effect on accurate observation, since a long winter coat can mask changes in body condition. I recommend measuring body condition at least every three to four weeks so you can detect changes.
Check points The body condition score is measured by visually appraising
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equine wellness
the horse. The rider examines the following six areas to determine the amount of body fat deposited there: • neck • withers • shoulder
• ribs • loin • tailhead
The well known body condition scoring system was developed by Don Henneke and associates at Texas A&M University in 1983. It provides horse caretakers with a management tool that can help them determine the success of their feeding regimen. A score is determined for each of the six areas, based on the parameters in the chart opposite. The six scores are then averaged to determine the horse’s overall body condition score. A quick score can be done by using the ribs and loin only. You should use your eyes to observe, and hands to palpate, Continued on page 20.
Body Condition Score checklist How does your horse weigh in? Use the guide below to assess the amount of body fat in different areas of your horse. Remember to look at both sides of your horse since they could be different. Then average the numbers for an overall score.
Neck Bone structure easily noticeable. Animal extremely emaciated; no fatty tissue can be felt.
1
Neck faintly discernable. Animal emaciated.
Tailhead Tailhead and point of hip and point of buttock project prominently.
1
2
Tailhead, point of hips, point of buttocks are prominent.
2
Neck accentuated.
3
Neck not obviously thin.
4
3
Neck blends smoothly into body.
5
Tailhead prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Point of hip appears rounded, but easily discernable. Spinous processes easily discernable. Point of buttocks not distinguishable.
Fat beginning to be deposited.
6
4
Fat deposited along neck.
7
Tailhead prominence depends on conformation, fat can be felt around it. Hook bones not discernable.
Noticeable thickening of neck. Fat deposited along inner buttocks.
8
Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy.
5
Fat around tailhead feels soft.
6
Bulging fat
9
Fat around tailhead is soft.
7
Fat around tailhead very soft.
8
Bulging fat around tailhead. Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank filled in flush.
9
Withers Bone structure easily noticeable.
1
Withers faintly discernable.
2
Ribs
Withers accentuated.
3
Ribs project prominently.
1
Withers not obviously thin.
4
Ribs prominent.
2
Withers appear rounded over spinous processes.
5
Slight fat cover over ribs. Ribs easily discernable.
3
Fat beginning to be deposited.
6
Faint outline of ribs discernable.
4
Fat deposited along withers.
7
Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt.
5
Area along withers filled with fat. Fat deposited along inner buttocks.
8
Fat over ribs feels spongy.
6
Bulging fat.
9
Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat.
7
Difficult to palpate ribs.
8
Patchy fat appearing over ribs.
9
Loin Prominent spinous processes.
1
Slight fat covering over base of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes are prominent.
2
Fat built up about halfway on spinous processes. Transverse processes cannot be felt.
3
Spinous processes (ridge) along back.
4
Back is level.
Shoulder Noticeable bone structure on shoulder.
1
Shoulder faintly discernable.
2
Shoulder accentuated.
3
Shoulder not obviously thin.
4
5
Shoulder blends smoothly into body.
5
May have slight crease down back.
6
Fat beginning to be deposited.
6
May have crease down back.
7
Fat deposited behind shoulders.
7
Crease down back.
8
Area behind shoulder filled in flush.
8
Obvious crease down back.
9
Bulging fat.
9
Condition:
1= Poor 2= Very thin
3= Thin 4= Moderately thin
5= Moderate 6= Moderate to fleshy
7= Fleshy 8= Fat
9= Extremely fat (Henneke et al, 1983)
equine wellness
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