Last Friday night, my horse, Rex, got very sick.  We all dread making the Friday night phone call to our vet, but in this case, it was absolutely necessary.
 
A few days earlier, Rex had broken out in hives.  There wasn't one square inch of him that did not have hives.  It had been many years since he last had hives, but "dex" (dexamethasone, a prescription corticosteroid) usually took care of it in 2 or 3 days.  It was now day 3, and he still had massive hives.  He also had bug bites on his tummy and in between his front and back legs, (probably from culicoides), which I had been battling for the past 2 weeks. 

I took him up to the barn to cold hose him.  I put my hand on the inside of his hing leg, and his skin felt like it was on fire.  He did not want to be touched, and I completely understood why.  Then I took his temperature and discovered he had a fever.  It was almost 3 degrees above what is normal for him.
 
As an aside, I believe every horse owner should know their horse's vital signs including temperature. Generally speaking, a horse's temperature range is between 99 and 101. It's important to know what's normal for your horse so you can determine the severity of a fever.  Here's a link to My Helpful Links page where you can download a free chart I put together many years ago summarizing how to check your horse's vitals.
 
Ok....Back to the Rex story....
At that point, I called my vet.  She said she would be there as soon as she finished up her current call.  When she arrived approximately 90 minutes later, she asked detailed questions about the current situation and took Rex's vitals. His temperature had gone up another whole degree in 90 minutes.  Quite frankly, Rex looked miserable.
 
After discussing various options, we decided to give Rex a Serum Amyloid A test.
 
Do You Know What a Serum Amyloid A (SAA) Test Is?
 
Give Me the Short Story....
SAA is a biomarker protein produced in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream when there is inflammation caused by an infection, trauma etc.  In a normal healthy horse, SAA is found in very very low quantities and is not secreted until inflammation occurs.  The normal SAA range is below 20 mg/L.  (milligrams per liter)  New devices enable your vet to test your horse's blood for the presence of SAA stall-side and get the results in about 8-10 minutes.  This is in contrast to sending blood off to the lab to be tested for other infection markers that can take longer to show up.  Research is ongoing to determine if and when SAA testing will supplant some forms of more traditional blood testing and when each is appropriate.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words....
SAA Production and Response (image by Tridelta Development Ltd)

Reference 1:  Tridelta Development Ltd website

Give Me The SAA Geeky (but not too geeky) Details....

SAA is a member of a group of proteins called Acute Phase Proteins which are thought to be part of the body’s basic first line defense against infection, disease or trauma. In response to a challenge by, for example an infection, the body sends chemical messengers to the liver which then produces and releases SAA into the bloodstream to help fight off the challenge.¹  Researchers have discovered that when there is an infection or challenge to the immune system, SAA levels begin to rise almost immediately... and they can rise to levels hundreds of times above normal.  SAA is extremely sensitive to the onset, duration, and end of the disease process. 
​
The SAA test is a simple blood test performed stall-side with a reader that is about the size of a smartphone.  The device is pictured above.  It takes about 8-10 minutes to get the results.  That means your vet will have additional valuable information about what is going on in your horse's body very quickly and can start treatment immediately.  SAA is normally present only in very low levels. As mentioned above, in a healthy horse, the normal range of SAA is below 20 mg/L (milligrams per liter.)  In response to a challenge, however, SAA is produced in very high levels often 600, 800 or even 1000 mg/L.
 
So, What Were the Results of Rex's SAA Test?
2150!!  (Yes, I did say below 20 was normal.)  In case you're wondering, I'm not missing a decimal place in the 2150. It was two thousand one hundred and fifty.  Needless to say, we started treatment immediately!  By the following morning, Rex had improved greatly.  I am happy to report that 10 days later, Rex is feeling almost 100%.  Phew!!

The Bottom Line.....
There is still much to be learned about SAA and its potential uses in identifying various diseases and medical conditions much earlier than was previously possible. Research is ongoing to determine if and when SAA testing (in horses, humans and other animals) will supplant some forms of more traditional blood testing and when each is appropriate.

• Here's a link to a great SAA Q&A in TheHorse.com
  
• You can also Google Serum Amyloid A and/or speak to your vet if you want to learn more.

Has your horse had an SAA test?  What happened?  Share your story below or on our Holistic Horse Bodyworks Facebook page.

Since this blog is personal, I want to say a BIG thank you to my vet for coming out on a Friday night and to my two good friends and barnmates who stayed with Rex and I and provided excellent support!  I also want to thank the barn owner and the barn manager who helped me care for Rex and were my eyes and ears in between my multiple visits per day taking his temperature and monitoring him.  I owe all of you big time!  It truly takes a village!!  

Q1 Answer: Yes.  Many cases of colic are actually associated with parasites.

Q2 Answer: The correct answer is E.  75% or more of saddles do not fit the horse they are used on.

Q3 Answer:  The average adult horse resting heart rate is 30-40 beats per minute.

Q4 Answer:  This is a trick question!  Horses do not have a clavicle or collar bone.

Q5 Answer:  The top 10 most toxic and poisonous plants for horse are:

• Braken Fern
• Tansy Ragwart
• Johnsongrass/Sudan grass
• Hemlock
• Locoweed
• Oleander
• Red maple trees
• Water hemlock
• Yellow star thistle/Russian knapweed
• Yew

According to Anthony Knight, BVSc, MRCVS, plant toxicologist from Colorado State University, these are the 10 most dangerous plants for horses.  Here is a link to great summary of his study in EQUUS magazine, complete with pictures of each plant, a description of the danger posed, signs and what to do if your horse becomes poisoned.

Q6 Answer:  The average, healthy adult horse that weights 1000 lbs should consume approximately 5-10 gallons of water per day if the horse lives in a temperate climate and is not working. This works out to about a half gallon to a gallon of water per hundred pounds of body weight. If the horse’s workload increases or the horse lives in a hot OR cold climate, the need for water increases. Horses with certain medical conditions may also need more water. Here is a link to great article on horses and water consumption.

Q7 Answer:   Yes.  According to a study conducted by Dr. Ava Frink, DVM, muscles and connective tissue respond to overuse by shrinking and tightening. Its response to underuse is much the same. Stiffness can result in injury, lead to inactivity, and eventually speed up the aging process of the musculoskeletal system.  

Q8 Answer:  In the equine world, laminitis and founder are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. Laminitis is a condition that can lead to founder if the case is chronic.
 
Laminitis occurs when the soft laminae tissue in the hoof become inflamed and swell. There can also be lack of adequate blood flow. Swelling of the laminar bond between layers of the hoof lead to the initial phases of acute laminitis. As the swelling increases, so do the problems for the horse.
 
Chronic inflammation of the laminar bond can result in a bone in the foot, called the coffin bone or pedal bone, separating from the hoof wall. The laminae hold the coffin bone in place and attach it to the hoof wall. Inflammation and/or death of the laminae means they can no longer do their job of holding the coffin bone in place. As the condition progresses (or if left untreated), the coffin bone can begin to rotate and slip downward toward the sole of the foot and even through the sole of the foot. When a horse’s coffin bone rotates downward or sinks, the horse has entered a stage of chronic laminitis or founder.

Q9 Answer:  C is the correct answer.  The purpose of shims is to bring the saddle to a level and stable position.  Therefore, the shoulder that is less developed, more hallow or “smaller” is where the shim(s) should be utilized.

Q10 Answer:  The correct answer is B.  The “two finger” test is the general rule. This means riders should be able to stick two fingers in between the leather and the horse’s nose.  A tight noseband can cause both physical and psychological damage to the horse. Studies are ongoing to determine the extent of the damage.

The question of which vaccines your horse needs and how often to vaccinate him/her is complex. There is a growing debate on this important topic.  Are horse’s being over vaccinated, and is this causing harm?

Publication of a research study conducted by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), (a world renowned hospital and research center), suggested that adults only need a tetanus shot every 30 years, not every 10 years as is current practice.  In their paper, the researchers stated there was very little data to prove or disprove the current “every 10 years” practice.  Study data indicated adults remain protected for at least 30 years. 

This research study and the fact that there are few, if any, vaccines that are recommended annually for humans (and equine and human immune systems function the same way) got me thinking, once again, about all equine (and canine) vaccinations, not just tetanus.  Why are most horses vaccinated annually for the “core 4” if not more?  Is there data to support this vaccination schedule?

Current Guidelines
Let’s take a step back.  The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) guidelines suggest most horses should be vaccinated annually for Tetanus, Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, Rabies and West Nile Virus.  Additional risk-based vaccines may also be given such as Strangles, Flu, EHV and Potomac Fever to name a few.  Of course, the AAEP guidelines state that vaccine decisions should be made in consultation with the owner’s vet, though a majority of horse owners and vets follow the AAEP recommended guidelines.   

How Do Vaccines Work?
Here is a quick, high level and easy to understand overview of how vaccines work provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

1) What is Immunity?

When disease germs enter your body, they start to reproduce. Your immune system recognizes these germs as foreign invaders and responds by making proteins called antibodies. These antibodies’ first job is to help destroy the germs that are making you sick. They can’t act fast enough to prevent you from becoming sick, but by eliminating the attacking germs, antibodies help you to get well.

The antibodies’ second job is to protect you from future infections. They remain in your bloodstream, and if the same germs ever try to infect you again — even after many years — they will come to your defense. Only now that they are experienced at fighting these particular germs, they can destroy them before they have a chance to make you sick. This is immunity. It is why most people get diseases like measles or chickenpox only once, even though they might be exposed many times during their lifetime.

 2) Vaccines to the Rescue

Vaccines offer a solution to this problem. They help you develop immunity without getting sick first.

Vaccines are made from the same germs (or parts of them) that cause disease; for example, polio vaccine is made from polio virus. But the germs in vaccines are either killed or weakened so they won’t make you sick.

Vaccines containing these weakened or killed germs are introduced into your body, usually by injection. Your immune system reacts to the vaccine the same as it would if it were being invaded by the disease — by making antibodies. The antibodies destroy the vaccine germs just as they would the disease germs — like a training exercise. Then they stay in your body, giving you immunity. If you are exposed to the real disease, the antibodies are there to protect you.

Why Are Vaccine Boosters Needed?
A single dose of some vaccines provides lifelong immunity to most people, while other vaccines require additional doses, i.e. a booster, in order to maintain immunity.  Sometimes boosters are needed because the immune response “memory” weakens over time.  A booster is like a reminder to the body’s immune system.
 
Vaccine Reactions
Vaccines can cause reactions in humans and in horses.  Reactions to vaccines can range from very minor to severe and life-threatening.  Equine vaccine reactions can include, but are not limited to:

• Injection site swelling—for days, weeks or even months
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Lameness
• Swelling in the limbs
• Muscle stiffness and soreness
• Anaphylaxis  (rapidly advancing life-threatening allergic reaction)

Some of these reactions can require extensive treatment and convalescence, while others dissipate on their own.

Are Annual Boosters Needed For Horses? What is the Scientific Data Supporting This Schedule? 
Many vets firmly believe that annual vaccination is necessary. However, there is curiously little research data to support this schedule which is unfortunate.  More research funding is needed.

In recent years, there has been a small but growing number of vets (and horse owners) that are rethinking the annual vaccine protocol.  This is due to mounting evidence that over vaccination is a problem due to the increasing number of negative side effects, some of which can be permanent, broadly called vaccinosis.

Here are links to 4 articles from vets who are rethinking the annual vaccination protocol.
Rethinking Vaccines, By Dr. Joyce Harman
Vaccination Protocol, By Dr. Mark Depaulo
Rethinking Vaccines, By Dr. W. Jean Dodds (article part one)  (article part two)

Each article offers a detailed explanation regarding how vaccines work, as well as the benefits, risks and side effects. They all also discuss the lack of data supporting the annual guidelines and suggest alternative ideas regarding the timing of vaccines, which vaccines to vaccinate for and titers testing.  Titers testing is a laboratory test measuring the existence and level of antibodies to a disease in the blood. Antibodies are produced when an antigen (like a virus or bacteria) provokes a response from the immune system. This response can come from natural exposure or from vaccination.  The amount and diversity of antibodies correlates to the strength of the body's immune response.  That said, titers teting has limitations and a positive or negative titers test is not a clear cut answer as to whether your horse or dog is protected.

Some Questions to Consider When Deciding on A Vaccination Schedule and Consulting with Your Vet

1. Is your horse a performance horse that attends a lot of shows/events, or more the stay-at-home type?
2. Does your horse have their own acreage with a small number of stay-at-home horses, or is your horse boarded at a big facility where there’s more risk of exposure?
3. How old is your horse?
4. How is your horse’s overall health?
5. What diseases are prevalent in your area?
6. Has your horse had a previous vaccine reaction?

 
Bottom line....
My purpose in writing about current common vaccine practices and thoughts is to enable a healthy debate and free exchange of information so each horse owner can make an informed decision about what is best for their horse’s health and well-being.  Vaccines can be a very beneficial tool to fight disease.  I am in no way suggesting that horse owners should stop vaccinating their horses.

There is no one size fits all answer as to how often your horse needs to be vaccinated and with what vaccines.  Sadly, there is little research on this complex issue.  So, stay informed on this topic and talk to your vet and other vets too!

What is your opinion?  Do you think horses are being over vaccinated?  Why or why not?  Has your horse ever had a bad reaction to a vaccine? 

Take the short Parasite Pop Quiz and test your parasite  IQ!  Knowing the answers to these 11 true or false questions could save your horse's life!

QUESTIONS:  TRUE OR FALSE

1. Large strongyles are the most dangerous parasite for horses.
2. There is a single wormer that kills all equine parasites. 
3. There are no negative ramifications if I underdose my horse on dewormer.
4. Horses naturally acquire immunity to ascarids (round worms) after 18 months of age.
5. The best way to manage pastures is to spread manure on them.
6. Hot dry weather kills parasite eggs better than freezing temperatures.
7. Small strongyles are becoming resistant to all available dewormers.
8. All horses on the same property will have the same worm burden.
9. A negative fecal exam means I never need to deworm my horse.
10. I’ve always used the same product. It works, so I don’t need to change it.
11. Moxidectin (Quest) should not be used on foals less than 6 months.
    
    

Answers:

1. Large Strongyles are the most dangerous parasite for horses. False
Almost all dewormers effectively kill large strongyles. Therefore they are quite rare and pose little threat to regularly dewormed horses.

2. There is a single wormer that kills all equine parasites.  False
Moxidectin plus praziquantel (Quest Plus) works well against encysted small strongyles, large strongyles and tapeworms.  However, it does not work well against ascarids in foals and should not be used on foals less than six months old. It is also important to switch classes of wormer to prevent resistant worms from developing on your property.

3. There are no negative ramifications if I underdose my horse on dewormer.  False
Underdosing horses leads to resistance by only killing the most susceptible parasites and leaving the strongest ones to reproduce.

4. Horses naturally acquire immunity to ascarids after 18 months of age. True
Young horses are very susceptible to ascarid impactions, and should be wormed regularly with fenbendazole (panacur) at a 10 mg/kg dose for 5 days in a row to kill them.

5. The best way to manage pastures is to spread manure on them. False
Spreading manure on your pastures can actually increase the parasite burden on your farm, unless the weather is hot and dry enough to effectively kill all the eggs.

6. Hot dry weather kills parasite eggs better than freezing temperatures. True
More parasite eggs are killed in hot dry weather then freezing temps.

7. Small strongyles are becoming resistant to all available dewormers. True
The adult version of small strongyles are fairly easy to kill while the encysted form are only susceptible to moxidectin for the time being

8. All horses on the same property will have the same parasite burden. False
Younger horses often have higher worm burdens because they have less immunity, and just like people, some horses have less immunity and some have more.

9. A negative fecal exam means I never need to deworm my horse. False
Fecal egg counts can quite often have false negative results, meaning that they come back negative but testing a different fecal ball or a different pile of manure from your horse would actually have a positive result.  Knowing that, all horses should be wormed a minimum of twice per year.

10. I’ve always used the same product.  It works, so I don’t need to change it. False
Using the same product over and over breeds resistance in your parasite  population. It also doesn’t kill all stages and types of parasite. Rotating wormers and using the appropriate one for the age of your horse is important.

11. Moxidectin (Quest) should not be used on foals less than 6 months. True
Horses less than 6 months of age have a higher incidence of adverse reactions, including ataxia, depression/lethargy and recumbency.  Very old and very thin or sick horses should also avoid moxidectin.

How did you do on the pop quiz?  What did you learn?  What worming products and protocol do you use on your horse?  Join the conversation and share your insights and ideas on the Stretch Your Horse Facebook page.

This Parasite Pop Quiz was developed by a staff veterinarian at Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services.  Contact Dr. Jack Root or Dr. Sylvia Ouellette (pronounced Wool-lette) at Oakhurst Equine if you have questions or need assistance devising an effective worming protocol for your horse.  (503) 554-0227. 

Why Sea Salt Is A Rock Star....

Everyone could use a rejuvenating spa treatment and stretches for their own legs. Now you can do this for your horse!   Here’s how….

You don’t have to search hard on the web to find many articles and a study by the National Institutes of Health singing the praises of Sea Salt Therapy in humans.  In fact, it is one of the hottest spa trends.  Even the mainstream media is reporting on the benefits of sea salt therapy including:  relief of muscle cramps, anti-inflammatory properties leading to decreased arthritis symptoms, skin and dental benefits, and asthma relief just to name a few.  Guess what??  Hippocrates (the father of medicine) discovered the benefits of sea salt back in 460 BC.  (NOTE:  There is a big difference between organic sea salt and processed white table salt.  Processed white table salt has almost no beneficial minerals left in it.  Do NOT use it for the treatment discussed below.)

So, what does this have to do with horses?  A lot!  Read on….

Did you know that 65-70% of your horse’s weight is carried by the front legs?  Have you ever stopped and thought about how amazing all 4 of your horse’s relatively small legs are?  They carry around 1000-1400 pounds on average (horse + rider) and jump, navigate obstacles, do sliding stops and spins, cow sort, navigate hills and trails, perform dressage moves and so much more!  That’s pretty impressive!  All this hard work and stress can cause the legs to have small (or not so small) amounts of inflammation, become tired and build up toxins. The legs are also prone to injury.

Give your horse's hard working legs the TLC and special attention they deserve!  Say THANK YOU to your horse.  Here’s an easy Do-It-Yourself Deluxe Leg "sea salt spa treatment” designed especially for horses!

**Use sea salt for even more benefit than the rock salt mentioned in the article

In addition to the deluxe sea salt leg treatment, stretching you horse's front and back legs (and their entire body) is critical to maintain good muscle health, flexibilty and avoid injury.

Check out my Stretch Your Horse Video Tutorial Library.  It contains a total of 25 horse stretching video tutorials!  There are 3 stretches for the front legs and 4 stretches for the back legs.

Front Leg Stretches
#3  Bent Front Leg
#4  Circling and Stationary  Bent Front Leg
#7  Straight Front Leg Low and High

Back Leg Stretches
#12  Farrier Low and High
#13  Farrier Advanced Variations
#14  Forward Farrier Low and High
#15  Forward Farrier Advanced Variations

You can easily learn to do these stretches like a pro!

Take it slowly and learn 3 at a time.  Once you learn them all, varying which 3 or 4 stretches you do after riding is the best way to ensure you stretch all the major muscles of your horse's front and back legs!

My Stretch Your Horse Coach 25 video tutorial collection is on sale now!  71% off!  Check it out!!

Questions?  Contact us anytime!

Scenario #1
It is time for your horse’s vaccinations. A vet is coming to the barn in the morning to vaccinate your horse and many others in the barn. You plan to go out to the barn in the evening knowing your horse may be a bit under the weather, but not expecting anything serious. When you arrive, you find your horse standing in the corner with his head hung low. When he turns around, you see a white stringy substance oozing from his eyes, and they are bloodshot and glassy. He is hot to the touch and just looks generally miserable. You decide to take his temperature. It is 102.9 degrees F (Fahrenheit).  Since horses can have a normal resting temperature range of 99-101 degrees F, is this a high fever?
 
Scenario #2
You go out to the pasture to get your horse and bring her in for the evening.  As you approach, you notice a cut on your horse’s chest and a fair amount of blood though the wound does not appear to be bleeding too much at the moment. Your horse does not really want to move, but eventually she starts to walk back to the barn with you. You call the vet. She asks:  What is your horse’s heart rate?  Do you know why your vet asked what your horse’s heart rate is?  Do you know how check your horse’s heart rate?  (Technically pulse and heart rate are two related but different vital signs, but for most people they are referring to the same thing.)
 
Scenarios Discussion
In Scenario #1, you will only know if this is a high fever if you have previously taken your horse’s temperature at rest when he/she was healthy.  If your horse’s normal resting temperature is 99 F, then 102.9 F is a lot more cause for concern than if your horse’s normal resting temperature is 101 F.
 
In Scenario #2, the answer is your vet is concerned about shock.  Shock essentially means that something is preventing your horse’s body from delivering adequate blood supply to the tissues.  This can be the result of an acute trauma and resultant blood loss.  Also, a horse that has been sick for several days can go into shock.  While the signs and symptoms of shock can vary, a rapid heart rate is usually present.
 
These scenarios are unfortunately not uncommon. There are many more common scenarios as well such as colic, getting a limb stuck in a fence, equine influenza, and trailering related accidents, including loading and unloading, just to name a few.  Also, for some reason, things often seem to happen at 10pm in the evening, so your call to the vet starts with, “I am so sorry to bother you this late at night, but my horse…..” 
It is extremely helpful to your vet when your description of the situation includes your horse’s vital signs.  It can help him or her assess the severity and urgency of the situation, and potentially literally save your horse's life!
 
In short, I believe it is essential that every horse owner, including teenagers, know how to take their horse’s temperature, heart rate (pulse), and respiration rate as well as know how to listen for gut sounds and assess their horse’s mucous membranes to look for additional signs of shock and/or illness.
 
Here is free downloadable chart of the common equine vital signs and how to take them.  Holistic Horse Bodyworks/Stretch Your Horse Helpful Links page. 

Common Mistakes in Taking Vital Signs
Be aware of these common errors that can occur when taking your horse's vitals.

• Double-counting heartbeats (lub-dub is one beat, not two)
• Getting a false low temperature reading because the thermometer was not left in long enough
• Failure to observe your horse is nervous when taking their vitals. A horses' pulse and respiration can increase quite a bit if they are nervous, so the readings may not be reliable. If you horse is nervous when you take his/her vitals, be sure to tell the vet this.

And the biggest mistake is…..

• Waiting until there is an emergency and trying to take your horse’s vitals for the first time. Not only will you have no resting vitals baseline to compare them to, but if you have never done it, you may not be doing it correctly! 

Bottom line….
Practice taking your horse’s vital signs often so you know what is normal and so that taking them becomes second nature to you. Doing so can literally save your horse’s life! 

It is hot (or getting hot) in many parts of the world, and riders are out and about enjoying riding their horse.  Whether riding in shows and competitions, enjoying trail rides, taking lessons in an arena, sorting cows, racing at the track or feeling the thrill of a fast canter along the beach, there is no better time to own a horse!

However, high temperatures can pose a serious, sometimes deadly, risk to your horse. Heatstroke aka overheating or heat stress can occur not just from riding, but also from trailering, being in a hot stuffy stall or even being out in the field with the sun blaring down and no shade.  I believe every rider should know the 5 key signs of heatstroke and what to do if this occurs. Equally important, every rider should know how to prevent it!

What is Heatstroke?  What Can It Cause?
Heatstroke is not a stroke in the conventional sense of how you may think about a human having a stroke.  Rather, it is the horse’s inability to cool him or herself down and get rid of excess heat.  Like humans, horses have a natural cooling process in their body.  This involves sweating and purging heat from nasal breathing/respiration (much like a dog may pant).  But, in some cases of exposure to high heat levels, the horse may be unable to cool themselves.  To try and compensate, the horse may sweat excessively, increase its respiration rate, and even redirect blood flow closer to the skin to aid in the cooling process.  However, excess sweating can cause dehydration and loss of electrolytes, and redistributing blood flow closer to the skin can cause the brain and other organs to receive less oxygen.  Left untreated, this can cause colic, seizures, severe muscle cramps and even death.

What Are the Signs of Heatstroke?
Here are 5 key signs.

1. Elevated respiration rate
2. Elevated body temperature
3. Excessive sweating, or the absence of sweating
4. Elevated heart rate
5. Stumbling, muscle cramping and/or lethargy

As you can see, some of the signs involve not only observation but taking your horse’s vitals.  If you don’t know how to do this, the time to learn is not in an emergency situation.  Learning to take your horse’s vitals is also important so you know their baseline values and can compare them to the situation at hand.  For information about taking your horse’s vitals and a free downloadable vitals chart, visit my Knowing Your Horse's Vital Signs blog post.

What are the Treatments for Heatstroke?
The best treatment is actually not a treatment.  It is prevention.  Here are some prevention tips.

• Don’t over exercise or overwork your horse in high heat situations (or any situation).  Heat stroke can occur even if the temperatures are not hot.
• Always thoroughly cool your horse down by walking after exercising.
• Make sure your horse has access to plenty of clean water to drink.
• Be sure your horse has access to shade.
• If the horse is in a barn or stall, be sure the area is well ventilated.  Use fans if necessary.
• Replenish salts/electrolytes if your horse is sweating excessively
• Bathe or hose your horse off with cool water paying close attention to the large blood vessels inside the legs, on the belly and the neck.
• Make sure your horse has access to adequate hay which provides fuel and energy to regulate their body temperature and cooling processes

Here are the key treatments for a horse with heatstroke. 

• Stop riding immediately.
• If you believe it is serious, always contact your veterinarian immediately.  Providing your vet with your horse’s vital signs will help him or her assess the situation on the phone.  IV electrolytes may be needed among other veterinary care modalities.
• Seek shade, and fan your horse on all sides if possible.
• As noted above, douse your horse with cold water/cold hose your horse down, paying special attention to the large blood vessels inside the legs, and on the neck and belly.  You can even mix the water with ice cubes as was done at the Olympic games. A 50/50 water and alcohol mixture is also good.
• Offer your horse as much water as they will drink.
• Continue to monitor their vitals to see if they improve

The Bottom Line…. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be prudent about the duration and intensity of your ride so you can enjoy the whole summer with your horse and many more seasons together!

​Have you ever dealt with a horse that suffered from heatstroke?  What happened?  Share your story on our Stretch Your Horse Facebook page.

Last Friday night, my horse, Rex, got very sick.  We all dread making the Friday night phone call to our vet, but in this case, it was absolutely necessary.
 
A few days earlier, Rex had broken out in hives.  There wasn't one square inch of him that did not have hives.  It had been many years since he last had hives, but "dex" (dexamethasone, a prescription corticosteroid) usually took care of it in 2 or 3 days.  It was now day 3, and he still had massive hives.  He also had bug bites on his tummy and in between his front and back legs, (probably from culicoides), which I had been battling for the past 2 weeks. 

I took him up to the barn to cold hose him.  I put my hand on the inside of his hing leg, and his skin felt like it was on fire.  He did not want to be touched, and I completely understood why.  Then I took his temperature and discovered he had a fever.  It was almost 3 degrees above what is normal for him.
 
As an aside, I believe every horse owner should know their horse's vital signs including temperature. Generally speaking, a horse's temperature range is between 99 and 101. It's important to know what's normal for your horse so you can determine the severity of a fever.  Here's a link to My Helpful Links page where you can download a free chart I put together many years ago summarizing how to check your horse's vitals.
 
Ok....Back to the Rex story....
At that point, I called my vet.  She said she would be there as soon as she finished up her current call.  When she arrived approximately 90 minutes later, she asked detailed questions about the current situation and took Rex's vitals. His temperature had gone up another whole degree in 90 minutes.  Quite frankly, Rex looked miserable.
 
After discussing various options, we decided to give Rex a Serum Amyloid A test.
 
Do You Know What a Serum Amyloid A (SAA) Test Is?
 
Give Me the Short Story....

SAA is a biomarker protein produced in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream when there is inflammation caused by an infection, trauma etc.  In a normal healthy horse, SAA is found in very very low quantities and is not secreted until inflammation occurs.  The normal SAA range is below 20 mg/L.  (milligrams per liter)  New devices enable your vet to test your horse's blood for the presence of SAA stall-side and get the results in about 8-10 minutes.  This is in contrast to sending blood off to the lab to be tested for other infection markers that can take longer to show up.  Research is ongoing to determine if and when SAA testing will supplant some forms of more traditional blood testing and when each is appropriate.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words....
SAA Production and Response (image by Tridelta Development Ltd)

Give Me The SAA Geeky (but not too geeky) Details....

SAA is a member of a group of proteins called Acute Phase Proteins which are thought to be part of the body’s basic first line defense against infection, disease or trauma. In response to a challenge by, for example, an infection, the body sends chemical messengers to the liver which then produces and releases SAA into the bloodstream to help fight off the challenge.¹  Researchers have discovered that when there is an infection or challenge to the immune system, SAA levels begin to rise almost immediately... and they can rise to levels hundreds of times above normal.  SAA is extremely sensitive to the onset, duration, and end of the disease process. 
​
The SAA test is a simple blood test performed stall-side with a reader that is about the size of a smartphone.  The device is pictured above.  It takes about 8-10 minutes to get the results.  That means your vet will have additional valuable information about what is going on in your horse's body very quickly and can start treatment immediately.  SAA is normally present only in very low levels. As mentioned above, in a healthy horse, the normal range of SAA is below 20 mg/L (milligrams per liter.)  In response to a challenge, however, SAA is produced in very high levels often 600, 800 or even 1000 mg/L.
 
So, What Were the Results of Rex's SAA Test?
2150!!  (Yes, I did say below 20 was normal.)  In case you're wondering, I'm not missing a decimal place in the 2150. It was two thousand one hundred and fifty.  Needless to say, we started treatment immediately!  By the following morning, Rex had improved greatly.  I am happy to report that 10 days later, Rex is feeling almost 100%.  Phew!!

The Bottom Line.....

There is still much to be learned about SAA and its potential uses in identifying various diseases and medical conditions much earlier than was previously possible. Research is ongoing to determine if and when SAA testing (in horses, humans and other animals) will supplant some forms of more traditional blood testing and when each is appropriate.

• Here's a link to a great SAA Q&A in TheHorse.com
• The University of Miami also posted an excellent short article about all the potential uses for SAA testing including testing the effects of racing, competition and endurance riding.
• You can also Google Serum Amyloid A and/or speak to your vet if you want to learn more.

Has your horse had an SAA test?  What happened?  Share your story below or on our Holistic Horse Bodyworks Facebook page.

Since this blog is personal, I want to say a BIG thank you to my vet for coming out on a Friday night and to my two good friends and barnmates who stayed with Rex and I and provided excellent support!  I also want to thank the barn owner and the barn manager who helped me care for Rex and were my eyes and ears in between my multiple visits per day taking his temperature and monitoring him.  I owe all of you big time!  It truly takes a village!!  

Reference 1:  Tridelta Development Ltd website

“Sit up straight.”  “Roll your shoulders back.”  “Don’t drop or round your shoulders.” “Arch your back just a tiny bit.”  “Don’t arch your back so much.”  “Lengthen the front of your body from your rib cage to your hips.”

We have all heard these directions from our trainers, from friends trying to help us, and/or read about the need to start or stop doing these things.  Often they are easier said than done!  But what is common thread among these things, and why are they important?  Is it just to look professional or “pretty” when we ride?

The answer is good posture.  This blog post will explore why correct rider posture is a very important aspect of helping your horse perform to best of their ability in a safe and comfortable manner.  Correct rider posture can also reduce rider back and neck pain.

Horse Movement Fundamentals

Let's take a step back and look at a few fundamentals regarding how a healthy horse moves. The horse moves from back to front. With each step taken by the hind legs, energy is transmitted up the horse’s legs, through the horse’s back and the ring of muscles, and toward the horse's front end including the neck and head.

This forward energy can be blocked by the horse themselves simply due to the lateral (side to side) motion of their ribcage or the degree to which their back is not lifted (hollow) or feet issues.  Other things such as poor saddle fit can also block this energy. 

But, did you know that incorrect or poor rider posture is one of the major causes of blocked forward energy?  Poor posture will impede your horse's performance and can cause back, neck, ribcage, and TMJ pain and tightness in your horse.

My good friend and excellent trainer Rebekah Larimer summed it up best, "It is the rider’s responsibility to learn how to get out of their horse’s way, not block their forward energy, and be able to properly influence them and work in partnership."

 What is Correct Posture?

As seen on the right above, correct rider posture requires sitting with a neutral spine so your back is neither overarched nor completely flat but rather has a slight natural concavity.  The shoulders, hips and heels are all aligned on the vertical. This means that if a vertical line was drawn between these three areas, it would intersect all 3 areas. The head, neck, shoulder and back are in a neutral position. They are not tipped back or slouched forward. The rider feels “solid from the base” and has relaxed hands, arms and fingers. Correct posture enables the horse’s natural back to front motion to be transmitted through its body in a relaxed manner. 

In case you are panicking, don’t.  This is easier said than done, but with practice and the correct stretching and strengthening exercises, you can make great strides (no pun intended) toward achieving correct posture.

Three Common Postural Challenges .... and Some Remedies 

1)  The Base: Let's Talk Pelvis
The first two common posture issues are a pelvis that is tipped too far forward (image A above) or too far backward (image B above). To test your pelvis, stand up (on level ground), and place your hands on your hip bones.  Tilt your hips backward so the top of your hip bones move back toward your spine.  You should feel your back flatten and your hips tuck under you.  Then do the opposite.  Move your hips forward so the top of the hip bones move toward the front of your body and your back arches.  Do this several times and then find your natural resting position. Is your back overarched or too flat? 

Do the same thing next time you are sitting in your saddle getting ready to ride.  Is your pelvis in neutral, tipped forward or tipped back?

Another way to assess your pelvis is to do a rudimentary test of the curvature in your spine. Stand with your back up against a wall making sure your heels and upper back are firmly touching the wall.  Assess the position of your lower back.  Is it flat against the wall? Is there a pronounced arch? Is your spine in a neutral position with a just a slight curvature? Can you push your shoulders against the wall without arching your lower back?

Impact to Your Horse of Overarched Back/Pelvis Tipped Forward (anterior)

If your back if overarched, this means your seat bones point backwards toward the horse’s back legs.  Rider’s with overarched backs tend to appear stiff or tense and tend to have stiff or locked hip joints making it hard to follow the horse’s motion.  So, guess where the horse’s energy is sent in this scenario?  Yup.  You got it. Toward the hind end.  An overarched back makes your horse work extra hard to keep the forward energy moving forward.  It is like a salmon swimming upstream.  It can also cause your horse to hollow their back.  As you may recall, at the very beginning of this blog post, we said that a horse with a hollow back blocks the flow of energy forward.  So, this is sort of double whammy!

I will discuss the impact of the backward (posterior) tipped pelvis in the next section since that is often accompanied by rounded shoulders.

2) Rounded Shoulders/Jutting Chin
This is the third common postural challenge many rider’s struggle with.
Many of us work at computers all day.  Some of us like myself work on horses.  Both of these activities can cause posture problems.  Specifically, it can cause your shoulders to round forward, your neck to curve excessively when looking up and your head to be forward with a jutting chin. This is often accompanied by a pelvis that is tipped backward (posterior.)  

Impact to Your Horse of Round Shoulders/ Jutting Chin/ Pelvis Tipped Back
Rounded shoulders are often accompanied by pelvis tipped toward the back of the body.  This causes the rider’s weight to be distributed unevenly. The top of the rider’s body is usually slightly forward, the upper back is back behind the vertical, and the bottom of the rider’s body pushes down on the last third of the horse’s thoracic spine.  The leg usually also moves forward. This causes the rider to be behind the motion, and imbalance in the horse.  It pushes the horse onto the forehand and blocks the forward energy.

The other interesting thing that often happens to the round shouldered/ backward (posterior) tipped pelvis rider is that when rider tries to move their leg back into the correct position, it can cause the knee and ankle to hike up. This can cause loss of the stirrup (my own personal nemesis) and/or result in less effective leg aids.

Remedies

In order to select the correct remedy for your posture problem, it is important to get an accurate evaluation of all of the aspects of your posture including your feet, legs, hips, pelvis, back, shoulders, ribs, chest, neck and head position. I suggest you see a physical therapist or chiropractor who is specifically skilled in postural assessment and treatment.  Familiarity with riding is a big plus!  Be sure they do not just treat you, but also teach you how to do the specific exercises to address your posture challenge. 

That said, there are many do-it-yourselfers out there.  Here are a few stretches and exercises that can potentially be beneficial.  (Here comes the legal disclaimer.) These exercises are being provided for informational purposes only. This should not be construed as any type of medical advice. These exercises may or may not be appropriate for your individual situation and could cause harm if done incorrectly or if contraindicated. This is why I suggest seeking professional medical assistance as a first step.

For those who are round-shouldered like myself because I work on horses and at computer so I am in terrible ergonomic positions most of the day every day, lying over a roll with your arms in “stick ‘em up” is a great stretch for the pecs, upper back and neck muscles and the spine. 

This stretch stretches the pectoral muscles in the front of your body which have become shortened due to being constricted and helps relieve the tension in the muscles in your upper back that have become overstretched.

I prefer to keep my legs straight when doing this stretch.  However, then you must be careful that your back does not 'hollow out. " Start out with a rolled up towel under your back horizontally and gradually increase the size of the roll.

Here is a link that has great illustrations of the muscles the stick ‘em up stretch targets as well as more detailed instructions such as making sure you keep your chin slightly tucked so you are not arching your neck. 

If your back is overarched, that means the muscles in front of your hips, aka the hip flexors, are probably tight.  The hip flexors can also become tight from doing a lot of sitting in front of a computer all day.  Tight hip flexors and an overarched back can also cause lower back pain.

This article provides a detailed explanation of the relationship between an overarched back and tight hip flexors as well as some stretching exercises to release the tension.  Also, here is a link to a “brutal stretch” for the hip flexors.

There are pluses and minuses to doing “brutal stretches” versus more gentle, gradual stretches.  I leave that choice to you and your health care professional.

The Bottom Line….

There is a direct correlation between your posture and your horse’s movement and performance.  Correcting your posture challenges is not easy and takes dedication.  However, if you commit to an improvement program, both you and your horse will enjoy even greater success and a more relaxed ride no matter what your riding discipline.

What is your posture challenge?  What are you doing to correct it?  Share your story here or on our Facebook page.