Strategies for Preventing Founder

The coming spring will bring lush new grass, wild temperature fluctuations and other stresses to our horse's sensitive systems. Besides colic, the most prevalent and dangerous affliction I usually see around this time of year is laminitis or founder.

The terms "founder" and "laminitis" refer to the same basic condition, when restricted blood flow to the laminae structures (that which holds the coffin bone to the hoof wall) causes the laminae to weaken, and the coffin bone to shift downward, away from the wall. The more the coffin bone shifts, the more the condition worsens. Shifting of the coffin bone causes heat, soreness, lameness and permanent changes in the horse's gait. Corrective shoeing can help a horse with chronic pain. Generally, laminitis usually refers to a singular, acute condition, while founder describes the chronic, recurring condition.

A horse that founders tends to be prone to do so again, therefore, prevention is the best medicine.

On April 21, 2009 The University of Michigan is hosting a free one hour webinar called "Countermeasures for Equine Laminitis.” Dr. Bridgett McIntosh from the University of Tennessee will host the session, which will discuss strategies to prevent laminitis based on the most current scientific research.

Click Here to register for the Laminitis Webinar.

The Bran Mash Controversy - Helpful or Harmful?

It's only in the mid-thirties here in Virginia today for a high - the air is cold and dry, the ground in covered in snow and tomorrow we're expecting another small snow storm. I'm thinking bran mash! and, I think, so are the horses in the barn after spending a boring day munching dry hay. But there are the Bran Mash Downers out there, and I thought it would be a good day to highlight some arguments from both sides (for fun, let's call them the Bran Booers and the Bran Brigade).

The Bran Booers:

In this article on About.com Kathy Blocksdorf writes:

"Horses already eat a large quantity of fiber if they are getting 60% of
their diet in fodder such as hay or grass. The addition of bran whether wet or
dry is not likely to be a benefit."

From Equiseach.com (editors of Equus Magazine)"

"Bran is believed to have a laxative effect in people, but to get the same effect in a horse, you'd have to feed huge amounts of it-more than he could eat. Some horses do produce softer stools the day after eating bran, but this probably reflects bran's tendency to irritate the lining of equine intestines. If fed daily over a long period of time, bran may actually contribute to the formation of enteroliths."

The Bran Brigade:

From theHorse.com

"An invaluable aid to veterinarians and horse owners, bran mash adds to its list of helpful qualities an element conducive to a horse's optimum health--water replenishment." This is a well-written article with tips on making the best possible mash and a recipe. Note from the GHP - the carrots, apples, molasses, etc... are a nice touch, but totally unnecessary - most horses love just the bran.

Also from Equisearch:

"It's comfort food, as fulfilling to prepare as it is for your horse to eat. But it's also an effective way to get your horse to eat and drink what might otherwise elicit an upturned nose such as vegetable oil, mineral oil, medicines, and a good dose of water."

Which side are you on?

Oh, and for fun go here to see Smartpaks new Gourmet Bran Mashes (pictured above) - $35 a bag - what a hoot!!

(picture above courtesy of www.smartpak.com)

Horse Health Tip - How to Spot an Ulcer or Other Digestive Problem

The stresses of the domesticated horse, especially the competition horse are many. You may have noticed an explosion of equine digestive medicines and supplements on the market lately - for good reason - but don't implement them just for the heck of it. Here's a few of the more concrete warning signs that your horse could be developing a digestion problem:

1) Change in attitude towards work, i.e. a normally willing horse becomes reluctant, stubborn and yet appears to be sound

2) Change in appearance - a dull coat, listless eye, failure to shed out normally

3) Repeated bouts of colic or tying up

4) Visible amounts of grain in manure (note - for horses on sweet feed or other whole grain feeds a little grain in the manure is normal)

5) Overly stressed at feeding times - especially after eating.

The focus on digestion's effect on the performance horse is still a relatively new emphasis in overall care - if you feel your vet isn't making the connection you are, it's probably best to get a second opinion. Don't forget to talk to your barn manager whenever you notice a change in behavior and/or temperament. Often he or she has noticed something out of the ordinary and just needs prompting to talk about it - the best plan is to catch him/her at an off-peak time to chat.