 3 Common Problems Long Lining Can Help Solve!....and Why It Is Better Than Lunging! What is an amazing technique all riders in all disciplines can do from the ground to improve their horse’s performance, biomechanics, self-carriage, rehab a horse from injuries, as well as improve rider communication (seat, hands, release cues) when riding? Long lining! Yes, long lining… which is not the same as traditional lunging! (also spelled longing) We are very fortunate to have guest blogger, Andrea Quale, with us today. Andrea is a highly experienced dressage and western trainer. In this blog post, Andrea will discuss and demonstrate what long lining is, the 3 most common issues long lining can help solve, and why long lining is much more effective than lunging with or without side reins and much more effective than a pessoa lunging rig. Drum roll….. Take it away Andrea!! What is long lining? Why is it Far More Advantageous than Traditional Lunging or Using a Pessoa? Long lining is the lost art of working your horse from the ground with two reins. It very closely simulates riding. Here is a short video to give you an overview of long lining basics at the walk, trot and canter. When long lining, you can:
When lunging in a traditional manner or using a pessoa, you do not have the benefit of two reins. The communication and effectiveness of your cues is greatly diminished. In many cases, you simply cannot give effective cues at all as you only have a connection to one side of your horse’s body. You also cannot easily do all of the movements mentioned above. It is also much more difficult to get a fully accurate and clear picture of where you and your horse might be having communication issues, or places where you or your horse might “cheat” when doing transitions or movements. For example, a horse who may have a “stickie area” when it comes to bending in their ribs is easier to communicate with and help via long lining because your connection with both inside and outside reins enables you to influence the shape of the horse’s body. A Quick Story About Ilene and Rex It’s Ilene again. When Andrea taught me how to long line my horse, Rex, she explained all of the above. I could immediately see all the benefits versus traditional lunging or using a pessoa. However, I have to admit, I was skeptical about how this could improve my riding ability. Andrea is an amazingly skilled trainer for horses and riders, and extremely ethical. She would not make unsubstantiated claims. Still, when she said long lining would improve my riding, I nodded and smiled and thought to myself, “Yeah right…. I am not so sure about that.” I had a leg injury and could not ride for several months. Rex and I long lined a lot during this time. When I resumed riding, well……. it was time for me to eat my words. One big fat GULP!! I immediately felt the difference in my hands, posture and communication with Rex. When I am wrong, I am wrong… but what a great way to find out I was wrong! I now use and recommend long lining as part of the tools riders can use to improve and maintain their horse’s health….just like stretching! Ok… Back to Andrea…. A Quick Biomechanics and Self-Carriage Primer In a nutshell, in any riding discipline, your horse’s hind end must properly engage so there is seamless transference of weight throughout their body. For example, you can usually see your horse’s haunch drop when you ask them to back up. This movement transfers much of the horse’s weight off of their shoulders and onto their hindquarters. You also want the horse’s neck to be in a very gentle arc, with the throatlatch area open, and the nose either at or slightly in front of vertical. Under no circumstances should your horse’s neck be in hyperflexion (aka rollkur) which can occur in both English and Western riding disciplines. When these things are happening properly, your horse will be able to engage their abdominal muscles and lift their back. As a result, their movement will improve!  Andrea on Norbert demonstrating a good, proper shape of the horse’s topline and neck in dressage. By long lining, you can help your horse improve all of the above-mentioned items from the ground. Then, when you are riding, it will be easier for you to help your horse move with proper biomechanics and self-carriage. Self-carriage means the horse is balancing themselves. The rider's hand are soft and relaxed and do not have a vice grip on the reins to hold the horse in a frame. Self-carriage helps prevent injury caused by improper biomechanics. Two excellent sources of information that provide a detailed explanation of proper equine biomechanics applicable to ALL disciplines are: Tug of War: Classical Versus Modern Dressage, by Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, and Dr. Deb Bennett’s article on the Ring of Muscles. It doesn’t matter what goals you have with your horse or what discipline you ride, this information is essential to keep your horse’s body strong and healthy.  One of Andrea’s students on her mare, Stella, demonstrating a good example of a proper western horse topline. Long Lining Basics: The “Rider” aka You on the Ground! As you long line, your body and posture effects what is happening with your horse, just like when you ride. Stand up straight, engage your core, and bring your shoulders back. This will bring your horse in better balance and will allow your cues to be clear. If your body position is lacking, your horse can: 1) Tend to fall in on their circle or straight line with their body; 2) Lose energy; and 3) Lose the contact on your reins (the long lines.) This short video demonstrates what happens with your horse as your body position changes when long lining. Three Common Issues Long Lining Can Help Solve…. 1. Working on a Weakness in Your Horse Have you ever seen or ridden a horse that was so weak it was challenging for them to canter on the correct lead or change directions correctly in any gait in a balanced, fluid manner? Have you ever ridden or seen a horse that is weaker on one side when being ridden? Long lining can help solve these common problems! Long lining enables you to teach your horse how to engage and strengthen their back and abdominal muscles so they can balance more easily and properly without having to worry about learning this while balancing you, the rider, at the same time. Once your horse has improved on the long lines, it will be much easier for them (and you!) to apply these learnings under saddle. Many training issues can be solved faster and more holistically by fixing them on the long lines first. A Short Story About Athena…. I had a small thoroughbred mare in training named Athena who could not stretch her neck and lift her back when someone was riding her. Athena was so inconsistent in her contact, speed, and balance that riding for her and her mount was uncomfortable. After only three long lining sessions, Athena enjoyed stretching into the reins and quickly learned proper balance in walk, trot, and canter on a circle. The long lines helped support her entire body. Because she learned comfortable contact and good biomechanics without having to balance a rider at the same time, this increased her confidence immensely. Finally, Athena was comfortable! After two months of long lining 3 times per week, Athena was strong enough to move with proper biomechanics, balance and connection all over the arena in both directions, both on the long lines and under saddle! 2. Working on a Stickie Area The most common “stickie” problem I come across in my daily horse training is difficulty with lateral movement such as bending in the ribs on a circle and doing a proper leg yield. A horse will not completely release and relax their back and topline and step under themselves laterally (to the side) in a relaxed manner if their ribs and intercostal muscles (muscles in between the ribs) are not moving. Horses receive communication through your body language and energy. If you are on the ground with long lines, and using your body language as well as the proper rein cues, you can teach your horse very specifically and clearly how to bend their body around your body position. For example, if you step toward your horse right behind their shoulder, that will teach them to move sideways away from your body. This is the beginning of teaching your horse to leg yield. Here is a short video containing an overview of bending and leg yielding on the long lines. 3. Rehabbing Injured Horses or Releasing Pent Up Energy Ever had to hand walk your horse for 30-40 minutes because they were coming back from an injury? Have you ever experienced that sketchy time where you are riding at the walk when your horse has pent-up energy? It’s much easier and more beneficial for your horse to long line during these times, and you can strengthen your horse’s topline and your communication cues while doing it! Long lining will also keep you safe in case your horse wants to rear or buck. It is easier and safer to teach your horse not to blow up from the ground. Plus, you do not risk falling off your horse. Ready to Long Line? Here is the Tack Set Up! Long lining requires several pieces of equipment. These include:
Conclusion Long lining very closely simulates riding and has the added benefit of the “rider” being able to see and feel how the horse responds to various cues. The entire body of the horse is engaged in the process and cues can be given with the support and aid of the long lines. Long lining also enables the rider to teach their horse many exercises from the ground that can then be done under saddle. The learning process under saddle will then be much easier and quicker (assuming your saddle fits properly!) Just like anything else, in order to achieve full effectiveness, you must use proper form while working with your horse on the long lines. I strongly advise seeking a professional’s assistance in order to ensure you are practicing properly and correctly and for the safety of you and your horse. Are you excited to learn more about long lining? Contact a professional in your areas who knows how to long line to work with you! About Andrea Andrea Quale is a very experienced dressage and Western trainer. She started riding as a kid in 4-H and Oregon High School Equestrian Team in all performance events such as obstacle trail, western pleasure, hunt seat, and dressage. As a kid, she also had a strong passion for dressage and showing at local dressage shows. She now specializes in training dressage. Andrea has helped many horses and owners with restarting and retraining their problem horses, rehabilitating horses from injuries, as well as moving horses of all breeds and disciplines up the levels in dressage. She uses holistic, positive training methods combining riding and groundwork so both rider and horse can achieve their goals and have a close partnership. She is located in North Plains, Oregon.
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Did you know stretching can prevent musculoskeletal aging? Yup, it is true! When a muscle is overused or underused, it responds by shrinking or tightening which can cause stiffness. As explained by Dr. Ava Frick, DVM, "Stiffness can result in injury, leading to inactivity, and eventually speed up the aging of the musculoskeletal system. To remain supple, the connective tissue and muscles need regular stretching. Stretching helps resist the gradual shortening and tightening of tissue that otherwise sets in from both underuse and overuse, reducing discomfort and slowing the progressive loss of capacity that accompanies tightening." See Stretching Exercises for Horses: Are They Effective?, Dr. Ava Frick, DVM, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, Vol. 30 No.1 (2010).
Check out our Horse Stretches Video Tutorial Library now! Learn to stretch your horse correctly and safely. What is your favorite horse stretch??  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.
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!!  Here are 10 horse health questions. Grab paper and a pen or your laptop or tablet to record your answers. (The answers are provided below question 10.) Question 1: Can deworming your horse on a regular basis help prevent colic? a) Yes b) No Question 2: According to recent studies, what percentage of saddles do not fit the horse they are used on? a) 10-15% b) 20-25% c) 30-40% d) 50-60% e) 75% or more Question 3: What is the resting heart rate for the average adult horse? Question 4: Where is the horse’s clavicle or “collar bone” located? Question 5: Can you name 3 of the top 10 most toxic and poisonous plants for horses? Question 6: How many gallons of water per day should the average healthy adult horse drink? Question 7: Can stretching your horse help decrease the aging process of the musculoskeletal system? a) Yes b) No Question 8: Is there a difference between laminitis and founder? a) Yes b) No Question 9: If your horse has asymmetrical shoulders (meaning shoulders that are not the same size and shape), should you use saddle pad shims in: a) Both sides of your saddle pad b) Only the side with the larger, more developed shoulder c) Only the side with the small, less developed shoulder Question 10: How tight should your horse’s noseband be if you use one? a) One finger should fit between the noseband leather and horse's nose. b) Two fingers should fit between the noseband leather and the horse's nose. c) It depends on how hot the horse is. d) It depends on how stubborn the horse is. Here are the answers to the quiz questions.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:
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. How did you do on the quiz? What did you learn?
 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:
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
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. 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.
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.
What are the Treatments for Heatstroke? The best treatment is actually not a treatment. It is prevention. Here are some prevention tips.
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.
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 |
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AuthorIlene Nessenson, Certified Equine Bodyworker, is the creator of Stretch Your Horse, a 25 horse stretching video tutorial collection. Archives
November 2023
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