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Western Dressage Leading the Way in North America

Cristina Wilkins
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Western Dressage Leading the Way in North America

Western Dressage virtual competitions.

Horse owners can show from the comfort of their own home with North American Western Dressage’s (NAWD) virtual competitions, where video footage of each performance is uploaded and judged remotely.

NAWD is leading the way towards inclusive, fairer and more ethical training and competitions by widening the options and improving the objectivity and transparency of their Dressage Judging Scoring System. 

True to their mission to be the ‘Future of Western Horsemanship’, the NAWD’s judging leadership implements a continual development philosophy, so when they learned about Dr McLean’s proposal for an Objective Judging Scoring system, they decided to act, adopt and implement the reforms.

Furthermore, NAWD are also adopting Dr McLean’s proposal to establish a ‘firewall’ or ceiling for marks instructing judges to award a score no greater than ‘4’ to anyone that rides with their horse’s face (facial profile) behind the vertical and does not make an attempt to correct it

The equitation science judging system is connected to the training scale, which when combined with a solid understanding of equine movement and bio-mechanics, provides the foundation for all horsemanship activities.

By aligning judging scores to a scale of training priorities, the judge’s marks can reflect the training error, something which, in turn, gives trainers a better idea of where they have gone wrong and what elements need to be re-trained or refined.

The revised evidence-based scale adopted by the NAWD will allow judging to become more accurate and fair and would be able to be used in all equestrian sports. The use of a more horse aware judging criteria will ultimately improve the longevity of our equestrian partners and equestrian sports.

A not-for-profit organisation, NAWD prides itself on a philosophy of inclusion and providing its members with fun, affordable ways to participate in this popular new sport regardless of the type, breed, size or colour of their horse and the talent, educational background, or preferred discipline of its rider.

NAWD’s virtual competitions, where video footage of each performance is uploaded and judged remotely, are rapidly gaining popularity.

In 2015, NAWD judges evaluated over 800 rides in virtual competitions and individual submissions for Western Dressage, Ground tests, Western Dressage Trail tests and Traditional Dressage classes. Through the virtual system, riders benefit from being able to review the video of their test as they read through the judge scores and comments – a great enhancement to the educational process that is a benefit of showing.

NAWD professional and Licensed Western Dressage Judge Michael Gerini, PhD said: “At NAWD, we were immediately impressed with the expanded detail and ease of use of Andrew’s system. It ties into the training scale more easily and gives more details to the qualifications and possible reasons for a score.

“In August of 2015, I travelled to the International Equitation Science Conference in Vancouver, Canada, and was able to see Andrew’s system in use. Upon returning home, I met with the executive leadership team of NAWD and we discussed the opportunity to implement this for our Traditional Dressage, Western Dressage, Ground work, Trail and Ranch Horse Western Dressage classes judged through our virtual system and when NAWD licensed judges are used at NAWD specific shows.

“The judging team at North American Western Dressage sat down and worked with Dr. McLean to further refine the system to make it flow from the use of the 0 to 10 score given in dressage to tie this into the Training scale and place all this in alignment with more detailed qualifications and potential reasons for scores.”

NAWD announced it will use this system throughout 2016 in all of its judging to further promote a balanced system that is objective, ethical, transparent and more easily helps riders and trainers stay in alignment with training and showing that is based on the welfare of the equine and education of the horse and rider.

Furthermore, NAWD are also adopting Andrew’s proposal to establish ‘firewalls’ or ceilings for marks where if any steps are not present, the mark is frozen at a step below. From February 1st, judges will award a score no greater than ‘4’ to anyone that rides with their horse’s face behind the vertical and does not make an attempt to correct it.

“I greatly applaud the NAWD for their progressive aspirations in seeking true fairness in the sport of dressage” says Dr Andrew McLean. “I firmly believe that embracing a judging system that is as objective as humanly possible will make for an unparalleled transparent and fair system that will give competitors and judges alike confidence in the justice of judging as well as highlighting and showcasing the highest standards of sport-horse welfare.

“Maintaining this approach of constantly reviewing and improving the judging process will undoubtedly mean the future of this sport is not only guaranteed, but also that it will increasingly become the gold standard of fairness and positive sport-horse welfare.

“I feel sure that this NAWD initiative will lead the way in the eventual transformation of all dressage judging because in the end, it is the increasingly educated public who, by their attendance and the power of social media, praise or condemn what they see.”

NAWD offers a variety of programs—Six Feet on the Ground groundwork tests, traditional Western Dressage, Western Dressage Trail and Ranch Horse Western Dressage, and Pre-Intro Western Dressage for even the youngest exhibitors—as well as virtual coaching and showing opportunities, achievement awards and more.

Learn more about NAWD, virtual testing or its Judges education program at nawdhorse.org and at facebook.com/WesternDressageNAWD.

Fencing Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Dr Adrian Owen, BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Equine Medicine)
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Fencing Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Fencing Injuries and how to prevent them…

This month, Dr Adrian Owen, a member of Equine Dental Vets, talks about the common injuries caused by poorly designed or maintained fencing.

He encourages every horse owner to consider how they can protect their horses from serious, and even fatal, injuries, with a few simple changes, including electrified fencing.

As a horse vet, I see certain types of wounds caused by fences frequently.  Horses can certainly injure themselves in even the best designed and most expensive properties. Economics will dictate that not all horses are going to be kept in paddocks of post-and-rail,  but thoughtful design of less expensive fencing can go a long way towards minimising injuries.

Although barbed wire is inappropriate for horse paddocks, entanglement in plain wire can also cause severe or life-threatening wounds. In forelegs, the typical wire wound is a heel bulb laceration, where the horse has pawed, caught the leg in a low strand of wire and pulled back. When they get a hindleg caught, typically by kicking at a horse across a fence, they lacerate the front of the cannon area or, less commonly, the front of the hock. The extensor tendon is often lacerated in the process, causing a gait abnormality. I have seen the front of hock joints penetrated in these wounds.

In my opinion, by far the most useful tool for stopping horses impacting fences, and sustaining injuries, is an electric fencing unit. They can be either mains powered or battery (+/- solar) powered. Units are rated for the number of kilometres of fence they can power and it is important to use one appropriately powerful for the size of your property.

If multiple electric strands are used on a fence, this obviously increases the power required. You can have earth wires in the fences or have the ground used for earthing. The fence should be switched on at all times and monitored to make sure it is functioning. Horses do quickly work out that fences are no longer live.  Temporary electric fencing using polymer tape or stands does not seem to cause severe wounds, as it breaks when a horse becomes tangled in it. Having said that, it is obviously not appropriate for permanently containing horses.

It is important to note that most fence injuries seem to occur when horses in adjoining paddocks are interacting over a fence. Ideally, laneways should separate paddocks, so that horses cannot socialise over a fence. Failing this, a properly functioning electric fence should be used to keep horses off the fence and apart from each other. Electric strands can either be incorporated into the fence or stand-offs used (preferably on both sides) to keep the horses as far apart as possible. Incorporating electric stands on a pre-existing barbed wire fence will make it safer. Even post-and-rail fencing should ideally have electrics attached for the same reason.

Low wire strands in a fence are a risk.  Most legs seem to get caught in the bottom strand of a fence. Except for foals and small ponies, there is no need to have very low stands of wire in a fence.  So I suggest either having no low strands of wire, or using wire mesh or netting for at least the lower section of the fence.  Mesh has to be of a design that doesn’t have holes in it big enough for a horse to put its foot through. There are several brands of mesh fencing marketed for horses.

Stock mesh used for sheep and goats is not suitable, as the holes in it are too big. Mesh fences still need electric strands to keep horses off them. Also, fences should well maintained and properly strained. Loose wire strands are a risk for entanglement.

Paddock layout should not involve acute corners (less than 90 degrees). If a number of horses share a paddock, a more dominant horse can corner another, who may then attempt to jump out of the corner to escape. I have seen properties set up all with paddocks with curved corners.

Another category of injury seen is wounds caused when either being led or running though gateways. Care should be taken when walking horses through gateways. If the horse is not sufficiently clear of the swinging gate as they walk through, they can get the end of the gate caught in their flank and end up stuck with one hindleg over the gate. Likewise, gate latch hardware protruding from a post can cause lacerations.

Some gate fittings are innately more dangerous. The common mushroom-shaped fitting on gate latches is often a cause of injury. Keeping horses in stables with an adjoining yard accessed through a stable door can cause injuries. If the horse takes fright and runs through the door, they can get wounds or even fractures in the hip area (“knocking down” a hip). It is safer to have the horse in either the stable or the yard.

Gates should ideally have electric strands across them to keep horses off them. Standard stock gates, with the curved top corners, pose some risk, as they create a slot that can catch a front leg if the horse rears or strikes over the gate.

Custom-made gates with right-angled top corners are less likely to trap a leg. The mesh on a standard stock gate is often course enough for a horse to put a foot through, and finer mesh is more suitable. Stock grids used for cattle are not appropriate for containing horses and can cause horrendous injuries.

Staking injuries, when a horse comes down on the unprotected end of a steel star post can be severe, and even fatal.  Star posts are safer with protective plastic caps, but obviously wooden posts are preferable for horses. Hardwood split posts are comparable in price to star posts, but are more expensive and labour intensive to install. In my experience, horses tend to chew on treated pine fencing, although some brands are marketed to be unpalatable for horses.  Concrete posts and recycled plastic post should be very durable.

Despite our best efforts, injuries may occur. But, as horse owners responsible for the welfare of our animals, it is important that we try to do everything within our means to provide them with a safe environment.

To check out our Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Fence, click here.

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Equine Permaculture: Part 2 Sub-Dividing Pastures – Advanced Paddock Grazing

Mariette van den Berg, PhD, BAppSc (Hons), RAnNutr
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Equine Permaculture: Part 2 Sub-Dividing Pastures – Advanced Paddock Grazing

Sub-dividing pastures – advanced paddock grazing

Most horse owners recognise a horse-sick pasture; the one with poor quality grasses containing weeds, compacted, eroded soils and manure build-up with parasite pollution. 

Some think the problem is caused by overstocking with too many horses but, did you know that over-grazing and under-grazing are likely to be the biggest issues?  

In this article, Certified Permaculture Designer and Equine Nutritionist Mariette van den Berg explains how a well-planned rotational grazing system could turn your horses from pasture destroyers to eco-friendly land managers and genuine soil builders.

The ultimate forager 

All horses, domestic or feral, typically display patch-foraging behaviour – in other words, they take a couple of bites out of a plant then move on to the next food patch. This instinctive behaviour is important to their survival for many reasons, for example:

  • It allows them to select from a diverse range of plants to meet their nutritional needs.
  • They only disturb and foul the ground for a small period of time.
  • They avoid eating grasses soiled by their own manure, urine and parasites.
  • They move on, giving the grazed or soiled area time to recover over the season.

As responsible horse owners, we should aim to mimic this natural migrating and foraging process as much as we can. One way we can do that is by managing and planning the movement of our horses within our properties.

Plan to succeed  

Many horse owners use a rotation system over multiple paddocks, but sometimes the management and rotations are done without an actual plan.

A proper grazing plan using principles like holistic grazing planning or, in permaculture what’s known as ‘advanced cell grazing’, allows you to gain a clearer picture of where the horses need to be and when, and this determines how you plan their moves.

The first step in creating a better grazing plan is to develop a basic understanding of how pasture plants grow and mature, and how you maintain healthy soils.

Second, you need to look at the layout and design of your pasture areas and identify where you could potentially sub-dividing to increase the number of pastures for horses. The more paddocks available, the more moves you can make and the more you can rest your pastures. Of course, paddock size will depend on how much land you have, how many horses you can (or want) to graze together and your own herd dynamics.

Making more paddocks also means more fencing material and you probably want to check what is available, what is safe, keeps the horses in and is reasonably priced.

When planning sub-dividing pastures, you should also consider the ease of moving horses on your property, such as safe laneway systems and gates.

Last and not least, you should also think about how to get water to the animals. Will you have enough water points for each paddock or will you set up a central point system?

Grazing and leaf area management

We hear a lot about ‘over-grazing’, but what does it look like and why is it important?

If grazing animals remove only a small amount of the active green-leaf area, photosynthesis can proceed and the plant can replenish carbohydrate stores, while top and root growth is progressing.

However, if grazing animals remove most of the available leaf area every few days, the plant allocates nearly all growth energy to new leaf growth, the root system diminishes, and less energy is stored (reduced vigour).

Frequent leaf removal without adequate time for the plant to restore its vigour is the physiological basis of over-grazing. Over-grazed pastures produce far below their potential, have a low stand density (how many stands will grow per plant) and poor vigour.

Rest and recovery

The amount of rest that a grazed plant requires to recover its vigour and replenish an effective leaf area is influenced by the period in the growing season and the amount of active leaf area left after being grazed.

A cool-season grass can recover in two to three weeks during its ideal Spring and Autumn growing periods, but may require six weeks or more to recover during the more stressful (hot and dry) months.

Warm-season grasses, on the other hand, grow very slowly during the cool months of Autumn and Winter, but recover quickly following four to six weeks of rest during their ideal Summer growing period.

Regardless of the season, the rest (or recovery) period can be shortened somewhat by leaving a taller leaf area following grazing. This residual leaf area can contribute photosynthesis energy quickly, supplementing stored energy reserves to aid in a much faster recovery.

A reasonable rule of thumb for rapid recovery of pasture plants is: 

For cool-season grasses and mixed cool-season grasses and legumes, leave 3 to 4 inches of residual leaf area following grazing.

For warm-season grasses, aim to leave about 4 to 8 inches of leaf area following grazing.

Sub-dividing pastures and advanced paddock grazing

One of the dilemmas we encounter with pasture management is that different grasses recover at different rates so, if you only have a few paddocks (and use long grazing periods), you are likely to over-graze and weaken some plants.

Rapid moves favour the growth of fast growing plants, but the horses return too soon for the slow ones.

Slow moves may expose fast growing plants to a second or third bite without having time to recover. Some plants will be weakened and some may even die.

Partial rest is also damaging, so the best strategy is to extend recovery periods by building the highest possible number of ‘useable’ paddocks or develop a strip grazing system.

Plan backwards…

Grazing and recovery periods are always linked! So, to minimize the risk of over-grazing, you have to plan the recovery period first.

The desired recovery period and the number of paddocks you have available will dictate what the average grazing period for each paddock should be.

For example: In a property with 6 equal paddocks, a 90-day (3 month) recovery period dictates an average grazing period of 18 days per paddock, i.e. if you move your horses every 18 days, each paddock will get 90 days of rest before it is grazed again.

The calculation is done as follows:

Recovery Period ÷ Number of Paddocks Minus One = Grazing Period

90 ÷ 5 = 18 days of grazing

During rapid growth, the moves could be faster since severely bitten plants might require only a 30 day recovery period. Thus, during the ‘good season’, the average grazing periods for each of the six paddocks would fall to six days.

30 ÷ 5 = 6 days of grazing

The rule of thumb is:

Slow growth = slow moves (and longer recovery period)

Rapid growth = rapid moves (and shorter recovery period)

When in doubt… choose slow moves (See why on next page).

When in doubt, choose slow moves

When in doubt and even though this rule may run counter to instinct, use slow moves. You may be tempted to keep your horses longer on green flushing grass and move them on sooner when it is pale and growing slowly but, as mentioned earlier, fast moves cut days off the recovery time of all paddocks combined and this can damage any slower growing plants and the soil through compaction.

For this reason, in holistic planning, they recommend you plan all moves on a chart. The chart enables you to immediately see the loss of recovery time.

A cell grazing system can be applied to small and large properties to increase pasture availability.

The more you divide your land, the more recovery time each paddock gets. These divisions can be made with portable electric fences.

Sacrifice areas

On small properties and during extended droughts, you may have to adopt additional strategies to maintain grass cover. For example, by designating a ‘sacrifice area’ and providing additional forage.

This sacrifice area will help keep animals off the pastures and buys the grass extra recovery time. Jane Myers’ Equicentral system provides many good solutions that can be implemented on most existing properties (Visit www.equiculture.com.au).

 Stocking density

Many horse owners think that over-grazing is caused by stocking density. It is true when the density is high, the impact on a certain area in one day will be great, but if your planning is good, this can actually address many problems and speed up land improvement (it is what happens in natural systems). However, if your planning is sloppy or non-existent, overstocking will dramatically increase the damage you can do to both the land and your animals.

Fencing 

There are many types of fencing systems available that horse owners can choose from and your choice will largely depend on price, safety, aesthetics and ease of maintenance. The safety aspects for avoiding injuries are discussed in detail by Dr Adrian Owen later in following pages of this issue.

While it is important to have permanent boundary fencing, internal fencing can be more flexible. Some people choose a fully flexible design using electric tape, others may use a combination of permanent and electric tape fencing. It will largely depend on the size of your property and the classes of horses you are housing.

When placing fencing, it is important that you consider the landscape and place on contour where possible to reduce erosion problems. This is something we will talk about in a future issue of Horses and People.

Access and water 

Access is very important when sub-diving paddocks. We need to be able to move horses safely, consider the shape of the land and allow access for maintenance.

The width of the laneways needs to be considered carefully and will depend on how many horses you want to run together, herd dynamics and the width of machinery that will require access. A reasonable standard is between 4m and 6m.

The access points and type of gates are particularly important when you want to set up central points for loafing and/or water. Gates should fit the specifications of the laneways and pasture access. The type of gate will depend on personal preferences, safety, price and ease of operating.

Clearly, water is an important aspect of your pasture design (you should make sure that horses always have access to clean drinking water). Allowing horses to drink from a dam can cause soil erosion and can be dangerous if they get bogged. It is best to either have a water point in all paddocks or use a central water point system that makes horses move to a specific area to obtain water.

Plan to be flexible

Grazing planning involves constant monitoring of the growth of your grasses and estimating the recovery period accordingly. Once a plan is made or any action taken, you need to monitor what happens from the outset because unforeseen circumstances always lie ahead. When your planning doesn’t work as you expected, you re-plan and continue your monitoring process.

Grazing planning is a dynamic process, but, with time, you will get to know your grasses better, as well as your horses!

View the complete article “Equine Permaculture: Part 2 Sub-Dividing Pastures – Advanced Paddock Grazing” by clicking here [wpdm_package id=52376 template=”link-template-button.php”]

To compliment, read the next part in this series about being a grass farmer.

How to Fit a Bit and Bridle Correctly

Dr Shannon Lee
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How to Fit a Bit and Bridle Correctly

Horse Bit and Bridle – As horse owners, we have a responsibility to ensure the well being of our horses. Every time you ride, your position, posture and aids have a direct impact on your horse. But, how can you successfully communicate with your horse if your tack is creating discomfort or, at worst, causing your horse severe pain?

Often, we’re confronted with behavioural difficulties that can be fixed by routinely checking our tack for wear and correct fit. Does your horse lug? Do they chew the bit? Do they open the mouth or try to get the tongue over the bit? Do they tip their head? Do they try to get above or below the contact?

The answer may be more simple than you think.

Today, we take a closer look at bits and bitting from the perspective of creating a more comfortable experience for your horse when under saddle. Before we delve into the topic of bits and bitting, it’s crucial we begin with your horse’s future in mind. Throughout your horse’s life, they will change shape – and the same can be said of the horse’s mouth from birth to old age.

Horses have hypsodont teeth, which means the horse’s teeth continue to erupt during its lifetime. Unlike humans, horse teeth do not grow – they are fully formed from a young age and they erupt as they wear through the horse’s life. This means that dental management is ever important and markedly different.

Having hypsodont teeth means, at different ages, there will be less or more space in the diastema (the space between the front teeth and the cheek teeth where the bit sits). This aspect has a significant impact on the thickness of the bit that can comfortably fit in your horse’s mouth at different stages of their life.

Flip the lip!

When fitting or checking a bit, you can only gain so much information from the outside. The number of wrinkles in the corner of the lips is not an accurate indicator of proper bit fit. They simply can’t show you the length, width and height between the bars of the bit and the palate, which is different in every horse. That’s why it’s crucial you safely ‘flip the lip’ and look at what’s going on inside your horse’s mouth.

Communicating with your horse

The physics behind how we train with bits and bridles, reins and ropes is pretty simple. We communicate with our horses by applying pressure signals. Pressure is the signal that motivates the horse to move, yield, bend, or alter their course or pace, and the release of that pressure is the affirmation they responded correctly.

However, incorrectly fitted bits and nosebands, especially those that don’t fit and/or exert a stronger pressure, can cause pain and damage in your horse’s mouth. Indeed, an incorrectly fitted bit and a tight noseband also make our job of communicating and delivering clear aids that much harder.

Communication between horse and rider is possible when the horse is comfortable, their bit and bridle fit well, and you, as the rider, can communicate with your horse using light and deliberate, consistent signals, and by releasing the pressure at the right time.

So, how do you know if the bit is right for your horse?

Fitting the bit

If your horse is exhibiting behavioural problems, is evading or resisting your aids, then one of the first things you should check is your tack. It may be a training or behaviour issue but it may well be that your horse is trying to communicate they’re experiencing pain or discomfort.

Does your tack fit correctly? Is it rubbing or pinching? Is it in the correct position? If your horse is regularly tossing their head, playing with their bit or showing some other sign of unease, then it’s important to check for correct fit of the bit.

Here’s what you need to look for…

1. Check for a small gap

When the bit is correctly fitted, there should be approximately 0.5-1 inch either side of the corner of the lips (the commissures). Any wider and the bit will rub as it slides from one side to the other of the horse’s mouth.

2. Check for a comfortable bit thickness

You can check this one of three ways – either by (1) fitting the bit, (2) flipping the lip and (3) looking at the amount of pressure on the tongue and palate without rein contact, or by carefully sliding your finger through the diastema over the tongue, and using it as a guide to how much space exists between the tongue and the roof of the mouth.

The thickness of the cannons (the mouthpieces either side of the joint) should also be the right fit for the horse’s mouth.

3. Check for any contact

As you can imagine, metal in contact with teeth can hurt. Ouch! Flip the lip and check the bit isn’t sitting too low, i.e. touching the canine teeth in males, or too high, i.e. the horse has a permanent smile and the bit is too close to the molars. Look carefully, sometimes contact with upper canines is not very obvious.

4. Check the bridle

When buying or trying out a new bridle, start with a quick check of the cheek pieces. Ensure the bit is adjusted to have an equal number of holes from the top on both sides. Make sure the cheek pieces are the right length for the horse and the noseband is adjusted so that two fingers fit between the strap and the nasal bone.

5. Take responsibility for every ride

Examine the commissures before and after every ride. For example, when putting on and taking off the bridle. Cutting, bruising or chaffing are sure signs of incorrect bit fit and mean it’s time to review the bit fit and your training techniques.

6. Talk to your equine dental veterinarian

If your horse hasn’t had appropriate dental care for some time, get your equine dental veterinarian to examine them before using a bit. Go to www.equinedentalvets.com.au to find one in your local area.

Just like you can’t know the ins and outs of every aspect of dental care, we, as equine dental veterinarians, don’t know your horse as well as you do. The best thing you can do for your horse if you encounter behavioural changes or notice signs of poor bit fit is to talk it through with your equine dental veterinarian.

Further, it’s imperative you don’t try to mask contact or behavioural issues by simply tightening noseband straps, using harsher bits or other artificial aids, like tongue ties and tongue surpressors.

The smallest signs from your horse could well be evidence of a looming issue and should be investigated carefully. Sometimes, as horse owners, we make the mistake of thinking our horse is being disobedient, stubborn or just ‘having a bad day’, but often, your horse is trying to communicate there could be a larger problem.

Making time for a quick check of your tack when putting on and taking off the bridle can not only potentially save you time, money and energy, but can have lasting positive consequences for your horse – ultimately, helping to improve your horse’s performance, increase their level of comfort and make riding more enjoyable for both of you.

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Horsing Around the World: Andalucia, Spain

Mariette van den Berg, PhD, BAppSc (Hons), RAnNutr
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Horsing Around the World: Andalucia, Spain

There’s nothing like the practical experience of travelling, visiting and talking with horsemen and women in different countries to learn how they work with horses and their land. This month, we visit several regions of Spain and the Pura Raza Española.

Andalucia (Spain)

My trip around Spain brought me to Sevilla, Jerez de la Frontera and Cadiz, where I visited mostly private and commercial horse properties that breed or train Pura Raza Española (PRE) horses and Lusitanos.

El Patio de Cuadras

One of the first things you appreciate when visiting traditional horse properties in Andalucia is the beautiful old Spanish architecture, with so called ‘patios de cuadras’ (stable courtyards). Typically, only PRE stallions are stabled and ridden, while mares and foals are managed at pasture or in large yards. Stallions, therefore, rely entirely upon humans for their daily exercise and food sources.

Most common conserved forages fed are cereal straw and lucerne hay. The arid climate and variation in quality means grass hay is less available. Most stables supplement with energy-dense concentrates – either a mix of grains (oats and wheat) and/or commercial horse feeds. Daily supplements, such as mineral and vitamin premix and oils, were sporadically used in the facilities I visited, and sporting horses or horses used for shows were fed electrolytes only during the hotter months of the year.

Nutritional Challenges

It is generally accepted for PRE stallions to have a high body condition score (BSC) between 6 (moderately fleshy) to 7.5 (fleshy/fat) (based on the Henneke scale). Amongst equine vets and nutritionists, a BSC of 7 is considered overweight and above 7.5 obese. Not surprisingly, sub clinical and chronic laminitis is relatively common in the facilities I visited. A local veterinarian explained stallions are shod very young and this may contribute to further issues. Interestingly, the only farrier school based in Soto del Real, Madrid, is now teaching up-to-date barefoot trimming techniques.

La Yeguada

Whilst used for riding internationally, mares are mainly used for breeding. They are typically housed in groups at pasture and supplemented with conserved forages and, depending on the facility, concentrates and supplements. You generally see large feeding stations for hay and concentrates in pastures or large yards. Mares may be stabled periodically if they are being showed or in preparation for classification.

Pastures and Maintenance

The grass cover and pasture availability at the facilities I visited was limited. Most pastures had trees and/or shrub vegetation, and it seems the horses browse these. Soils showed severe compaction and erosion problems. Soil or pasture improvement to support grass cover and biodiversity all year round was limited.

Typically, the land is ploughed and seeded each year with ‘improved’ pasture seeds for growth during Spring and the start of Summer. This is left to dry out in Summer and the land prepared again in Autumn/Winter for the Spring growth. Most agricultural practices are very traditional in the south of Spain and it seemed that newer or more sustainable farming methods were left unexplored.

It is clear tradition is still the way of life which is, in many ways, great to preserve. But, when it comes to horses and the land, there is room for improvement. While attempts have been made to modernise horse facilities, the older stable buildings would not always meet standards for aeration, height and/or surface space. This highlights the need for integration of traditional architecture with more up-to-date horse facility standards. Pasture systems could be improved by subdividing paddocks for rotational grazing to support grass recovery and soil development.

I was fortunate to present on soil health at a workshop on equine nutrition at one of the facilities. There was a lot of interest in keyline ploughing concepts! I’m working on my Spanish and hope to visit this region again in the near future.

Andalucia

Andalucia has the most varied terrain and vegetation in Spain. Striking contrasts exist between alpine mountains and pine forests at high elevations, arid and barren deserts, and fertile irrigated plains that support plantations of subtropical fruits. The topography of Andalucia is divided by mountain ranges into several distinct zones, each running southwest to northeast.

Andalucia has been, traditionally, an agricultural region, compared to the rest of Spain and Europe. But, the growth of the community, especially in the sectors of industry and services, is higher than many communities in the eurozone. Andalucia has a rich culture and a strong identity. Many cultural phenomena that are seen internationally as distinctively Spanish are, in essence, Andalucian. These include flamenco, bullfighting, the Spanish horse (PRE) and certain Moorish-influenced architectural styles.

The ‘Cobra’

The string of mares paraded in Spanish breed shows, the ‘cobra’, is referred to as a ‘lote de yeguas’ (a batch, or lot, of mares). In days gone by, mares were used for threshing grain. Linked together with neck collars, two or more mares were tied to a central pole, and made to walk or trot in circles, threshing the grain from the chaff. The tradition is kept alive in the show ring, where the studs compete for the best batch or group of broodmares.

The Spanish Horse – Pura Raza Española

The Andalusian, known as the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE (Pura Raza Española), is a horse breed from the Iberian Peninsula, where its ancestors have lived for thousands of years. It has been recognised as an individual breed since the 15th Century and the ideal conformation standard has changed very little over the centuries. Throughout its history, it has been prized by the nobility,  used as a tool of diplomacy by the Spanish. Kings across Europe rode and owned Spanish horses. During the 19th Century, warfare, disease and crossbreeding reduced herd numbers dramatically and, despite some recovery in the late 19th Century, the trend continued into the early 20th Century. The breed is now experiencing a strong revival that is largely driven by the success of some exceptional individuals at elite level dressage and carriage driving. In 2010, there were more than 185,000 registered PRE horses worldwide.[wpdm_package id=52374 template=”link-template-calltoaction3.php”]

 

The Saddle Fitter Visit

Cristina Wilkins
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The Saddle Fitter Visit

Horses and People speak with Hazel Morley of The Society of Master Saddlers, the most influential professional saddlery-related organisation in the world, about the importance of saddle fitting and why you should use a Society of Master Saddlers Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter.

A correctly-fitted saddle

Just a few years ago ‘saddle fitting’ was something in which the vast majority of horse owners displayed little interest. It was only when something went wrong that they called in the services of a saddle fitter – and, even then, it could be somewhat reluctantly.

Things have changed and for the better. Today’s riding public has far greater awareness of the important part the saddle plays in terms of welfare, comfort and successful performance.

A well-designed, well-made and well-fitting saddle is an excellent tool. On the other hand, a saddle that is poorly designed, one that has inherent manufacturing defects or one that doesn’t fit well is, at best, a hindrance and, at worst, a disaster in the making.

What you need to know about saddle fitting

  • Your saddle, new or second-hand, should be fitted by a Member of the Society of Master Saddlers. Their first consideration will always be the horse. This may mean that you need to adjust any preconceived ideas you may have about your own preferences in relation to make and design.
  • If you must use a saddle cloth or gel pad, the saddle fitter must be informed at the time of the original inquiry – and always before the saddle is fitted. Adding any layer under a saddle which fits well without it, is akin to putting thick insoles into shoes that fit perfectly without them!
  • Each horse should have its own saddle. Just as a pair of shoes adapts to the wearer’s foot, so the saddle adopts the contours of the horse. Ill-advised riders use one saddle on several horses because ‘It cuts down on cleaning’ or ‘I ride better in that particular saddle’, without pausing to consider the possible consequences.
  • It may be possible to adjust your existing saddle to fit your new horse, but the advice of a qualified saddle fitter should always be sought.
  • Your horse changes shape regularly. The frequency of these changes will relate to his age, training, management and so on. Try to develop an eye to recognise these changes. Viewed on a daily basis, the changes may seem inconsequential but, over a period of just a week or so, they can be surprisingly substantial. Have your saddle checked – and any necessary adjustments made – regularly.
  • ‘Feed’ your saddle carefully. Insufficiently treated, the leather will dry out. Fed too much, the dressing will not be absorbed and the saddle will be unpleasantly sticky – possibly marking your clothes, or worse, causing the saddle stitching to rot. The regularity with which the saddle requires ‘dressing’ relates to usage, weather conditions and so on.
  • The young horse must be fitted especially carefully. His or her back is ‘virgin territory’ and very precious. Great care must be taken to avoid any damage that may cause problems later in life. Young horses should never be lunged in any old saddle (‘It doesn’t matter, no-one is going to ride in it’). The young back is particularly vulnerable and a swinging/bouncing saddle that doesn’t fit – and may even be damaged – can be the cause of veterinary problems that may be irreversible. Recognise too that some young horses develop at a substantial rate and the saddle that fitted well only a short time previously may need adjustment.
  • The standard ‘general purpose’ saddle is a compromise and can never fulfil the needs of individual disciplines as well as saddles designed-specifically can.
  • Unlevelness, even slight, in your horse’s gait – especially behind – can cause the saddle to move/gyrate, thus possibly exacerbating the existing problem.
  • Mounting from a mounting block should not be restricted to the less-than-athletic! It is infinitely better for the horse’s back and guards against the saddle tree becoming twisted – quite easy to happen if the saddle is regularly used as a lever.
  • When mounting, the rider’s weight should always be lowered gently into the saddle – never ‘thump’ or ‘bang’.
  • If you insist on mounting from the ground be aware that the stirrup leathers should be changed from side to side regularly to avoid the near-side leather becoming longer/stretched.
  • Saddles should be carefully stored on a well-made saddle horse or rack. Never position saddles where they can be knocked off the rack. Appreciate that lifting a saddle onto a very high rack can damage your own back – and often results in the saddle being stored lop-sidedly.
  • Great attention must always be paid to the condition of the saddle flocking. Irregular, uneven or lumpy flocking can cause pressure points that may seriously damage the horse’s back. Severe irregularity in the flocking can cause the saddle to sit to one side. Correct flocking provides a cushioning effect that helps to reduce trauma. Over-stuffed, the saddle will be hard, will not adapt to the horse’s back and may cause pressure sores or sensitivity.
  • The saddle must always be level when viewed from the side. Anything else compromises the horse’s comfort and welfare. A saddle that sits ‘up-hill’ will make the rider sit too far back. One that is ‘down-hill’ will encourage the rider onto the fork.
  • When viewed from the front and rear the saddle gullet must always provide adequate clearance – both before and after the horse is exercised.

Most equine and some home contents insurance can be extended to include theft of tack. Some policies even include accidental damage. These are important considerations – but do read the small print ‘exclusions’ carefully before signing up.

It is important to ask the saddler to check any saddle in use when a horse falls. ‘Hidden’ damage may be substantial and broken or cracked trees can be difficult to detect. Likewise, if the saddle falls from the saddle rack or is dropped it should be checked over by a qualified saddler.

The size of the stirrup irons should be checked when a different rider exercises the horse. Irons that are either too small or too large can be the cause of serious accidents.

Weak or defective stitching on any part of the saddle should be repaired instantly. Saddles should be checked every time they are used; equal attention should be paid to girths and leathers.

The saddle fitter’s visit

Planning ahead and providing the ‘right’ facilities helps the saddle fitter to give the best possible service. Ideally, you should fulfill the following criteria:

  • A flat, hard surface where the horse can be stood up and run up in-hand.
  • An area where the horse can be ridden. Saddle fitting can take a considerable time and the saddle fitter is likely to want the horse owner to ride in a number of short-listed saddles – an essentially important part of the fitting procedure.
  • Show jumping and cross-country: If you are opting for a saddle designed specifically for dressage, polo or showing, it is very unlikely you will be wanting to use the saddle for jumping! If you are considering purchasing a saddle that will involve jumping, it is essential to ride over a few fences.

The rider:

Although this will appear remarkably obvious to the vast majority of riders, it is a fact that some riders believe their presence at the saddle fitting session isn’t a necessary factor! Then again, some horses are ‘shared’ or ridden regularly by more than one person and, in this case, both riders should be present.

Suitable clothing:

Sometimes clients are unsuitably dressed. Jeans and trainers are always inadequate and they certainly aren’t the most comfortable clothes in which to try out short-listed saddles!

Other considerations

The Society of Master Saddlers generally cautions that the well-fitting saddle does not require the addition of anything under it, with the possible exception of a thin saddle cloth. There are, however, exceptions to every rule. When there is a valid reason for using a saddle cloth or gel pad the saddle fitter will need to know, so he or she can allow for the addition.

Have your own stirrup leathers and girth available. The saddle fitter will be carrying girths of various types and sizes, but it is a good idea to have your own available. Using your own stirrup leathers is generally more comfortable and avoids the possibility of the saddle fitter’s new leathers becoming marked and, therefore, difficult to sell.

Groom your horse. The saddle fitter would obviously prefer to preserve the condition of his new saddles but, in addition, the marks left on the well-groomed horse’s back after removal of the saddle are significant, because they indicate bearing surfaces and further identify unwanted movement. When the horse is ill-groomed, the marks left by the saddle may be blurred or indistinguishable.

Finding a saddle fitter

Society of Master Saddlers registered, qualified saddle-fitters will be either a member of the Society in their own right or employed by a member. They will have been fitting saddles for a minimum of three years and hold the Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitters Certificate. To find a local saddle fitter worldwide and for more information, visit:

www.mastersaddlers.co.uk.

 

Equine Permaculture: Part 1 An Introduction

Mariette van den Berg, PhD, BAppSc (Hons), RAnNutr
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Equine Permaculture: Part 1 An Introduction

While many people begin to explore ways to make farming more sustainable and others think of the lifestyle choices they can make to help save the planet, the question is can horse owners be part of the solution instead of adding to the problems? 

To introduce this new series of articles, we ask Mariette van den Berg, an equine nutritionist, pasture and permaculture design consultant about equine permaculture, a new movement that aims to integrate the principles of permaculture with other sustainable farming strategies that can be implemented on horse properties, however large or small.

What is permaculture and how is it relevant to horse owners? 

“Permaculture is a design system for sustainable living, devised by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970’s. It’s one of the movements that can help make farming cleaner, less costly, and more resilient and resistant to disasters.

“Although permaculture is best known to be about growing food and being self-reliant, it’s also about how we build, how we can live more sustainably and how we deal with water, energy, soil and all living beings. The permaculture principles can be adapted to any situation, from city to county and, indeed, in our own horse properties.”

What are the main objectives for introducing a permaculture system into equine management?

“The main aim is to begin implementing sustainable or holistic farming practices such as, but not limited to, permaculture is to address the current challenges in conventional farming systems, such as high input costs to maintain pastures using prescription farming – relying on chemical fertilisers, mineral inputs and herbicides to manage weeds.

“When it comes to managing pastures, horse owners typically lack knowledge and are generally overwhelmed by problems, such as overgrazing, weeds or pasture-related health disorders in their horses. This drives owners to lock up their horses and rely on importing feed, such as hay and concentrates. This is not only detrimental to your pocket and the wellbeing of the horses, but it’s also detrimental for the soil. Permaculture is a call to action to work with natural and animal systems, to improve soil heath and create better environments for you and your horses.”

Most permaculture advocates dismiss horses when they talk about livestock systems. How do you integrate equines into permaculture principles and is it possible to find a balance?

“There are many permaculture principles that can be integrated in equine systems and management. In equine permaculture we have similar ethics, such as earth care, people care and fair share, but when setting up equine properties, we also have to include horse care ethics. With horse care, we address human-horse Interactions, which involves evidence-based education to support responsible horse keeping; improving the health, performance and wellbeing of all horses. This includes education about horse behaviour, feeding management, general health, husbandry practices and pasture management/grazing planning.”

For someone with a ‘traditional’ equine management system in place, are there elements of permaculture that can be implemented without starting from scratch that would still prove to be valuable?

“Many permaculture principles and designs can be integrated into existing horse properties, and the three main aspects that can be easily adopted are:

  • Soil development and pasture health,
  • Hydration and water harvesting, and
  • Stacking functions, which simply means that one solution should not have a single function but, rather, multiple applications.

“Nevertheless, permaculture may not provide all the solutions to horse properties. For example, in my consulting, I use many other principles such as Keyline Design, Holistic Grazing Management, Behavioural Educations for Human, Animal, Vegetation and Ecosystem Management (BEHAVE), and I integrate my own research into foraging behaviour and diet selection by horses.

“In my consulting and workshops, I promote the use of vegetation systems that can provide edible fodder for horses and other livestock, which can be planted on swales (contour level banks that improve land hydration).

“You can use cut and carry systems to take branches to your horse paddocks or pastures and this will enrich their environment and, at the same time, offer additional fibre. In cases where horses are sugar sensitive and need to be managed more intensively, you can use this browse fodder (which is typically lower in soluble carbohydrates) in their sacrifice areas and/or designed laneway systems. These are examples of systems that can be easily integrated in existing property layouts.

“I’m looking forward to sharing with Horses and People readers some of the ideas, principles and design elements that can help horse owners improve their horse properties to make them more sustainable and resilient to climate extremes, as well as improving the health and wellbeing of their horses and their land.

When can we expect to see an equine permaculture course being offered? Will it be applicable on a global level given the vast differences in climate, soil and native forage? 

“Our aim is to start later this year with a more detailed curriculum (and manual) that integrates equine permaculture for different climates (e.g. arid, tropical, temperate, etc). We hope that, by the end of 2016, we will be offering full PDC courses with an equine focus.

“During 2016, we are also establishing our new research centre, in Armidale, New South Wales, which will be the home of equine permaculture.

I recently completed my PhD project on foraging behaviour and diet selection in horses, and the objective is to continue researching equine grazing behaviour and pasture management. Most of this work will be conducted at the new location and, at the same time, our aim is to set the property up as an example equine permaculture site.

For more information about all our changes and upcoming events, go to www.equinepermaculture.com.

Coming Up

In the next part, we begin to share ideas; outlining the permaculture design principles and sustainable management strategies that can be integrated into your horse property and management system to help improve your land, and benefit the lifestyle and health of horses and people.

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Recognising Concussion

Katy Luxon
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Recognising Concussion

Recognising Concussion: Concussion in any sport is common and presents a significant public health issue, yet it remains poorly understood and is frequently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. So what do riders need to know? Recognizing concussion is the first step. 

Equestrian sports present one of the highest risks for concussion when considering the injury incidence in proportion to the number of participants in a sport. Dealing with horses in any way inherently involves accepting a degree of danger. For some riders, that very risk is part of the appeal however, there is immense scope for improvement in the education, prevention, and management of concussion in horse sports.

This article outlines the key findings and recommendations of the International Consensus Statement for Concussion in Sport (1) released in 2012, and represents the latest in medical recommendations for the diagnosis and management of concussion in sport.

Editor’s Note: Sinc the article was first published, the International Consensus Statement for Concussion in Sport (2017) has been updated and can be read HERE.

What is concussion?

Concussion is an injury to the brain and does not necessarily involve a direct external blow to the head. Our brain floats in fluid, within our skull, therefore a rapid deceleration, from a kick, fall, or whiplash-type movement, can cause the brain to be damaged against the inside of the skull.

Diagnosing concussion

Physical symptoms such as a loss of consciousness and amnesia (memory loss), make the concussion diagnosis more obvious, but concussion can also occur without a loss of consciousness.

Symptoms vary from person to person so there is no single diagnostic checklist.

A suspected diagnosis can include cognitive symptoms (e.g. confusion, forgetfulness, slowed reaction time), somatic symptoms (e.g. headache), emotional symptoms (e.g. lability, irritability), or sleep disturbance. These symptoms evolve over time and are not always obvious immediately following the injury.

Fortunately, the symptoms of most concussions are short-lived, and resolve spontaneously. This is where correct injury management becomes critical. A second injury, before recovery from the first, can have a disproportional effect.

Recurrent concussions can result in persistent cognitive deficits and have been implicated in progressive deterioration in brain function and generally poorer outcomes (2).

What do we do once we suspect a concussion?

What is universally agreed is that no return to sport should occur on the day of the concussion, and if in doubt, sit them out.

Once a concussion is suspected it is important the person is not left alone, and monitoring for deterioration should continue at intervals over the following few hours.

The treatment for concussion is essentially rest. Decisions about return to sport should only be made by a medical doctor. Concussion can effect work and social activities and it is recommended that return to these occur before a return to sport.

After a concussion, all activities should be approached in a stepwise manner, increasing gradually as tolerance allows, and reducing to a lighter level if symptoms become aggravated. A rider should be symptom free, that is, all symptoms completely resolved without the use of medication, before returning to riding. A more conservative management approach is required for children and adolescents, as well as riders who have sustained previous concussions.

How do we prevent concussion?

A formal review of the research on brain injury in equestrian sports established that helmet use results in reduction of risk of head injury in general, yet rates of helmet use among riders remains dismally low (4).

You need a fitted helmet, and you need to wear it with the harness secured. Regularly check the date of manufacture on your helmet. Most helmet manufacturers recommend replacement after approximately 5 years or immediately after the helmet has sustained a heavy impact.

A substantial proportion of concussions in equestrian sports occur from kicks which are not necessarily sustained while riding, so it is good practice to put your helmet on before you catch the horse, and leave it on whenever you are working around the horses.

Lack of attention and carelessness have been identified as causes of concussion so it would be wise to approach riding and horse handling as you would driving, for example, making sure you are alert and sober, and acting within your capabilities. Some clubs offer training in falling techniques, although the degree to which this reduces concussion or general injury is unknown.

Horses have their own self-protection mechanisms, many of which cause our injuries in the first place – that refusal at the water jump or spook at the hedge – but with rider education and basic behaviour change, a reduction in injury in equestrian sports can be achieved.

Current recommendations (Updated July 2019)

Equestrian Australia is placing a renewed emphasis on concussion – both how they identify and manage suspected cases. They circulated the following advice (26th July 2019):

Officials and Organising Committees (OCs) are working hard to ensure that any suspected concussions are recognised as soon as they happen, and that appropriate action and medical care is taken.

Concussion is a serious condition.

If you are suspected of having a concussion by the medical service at the event, you will be provided with an advice card as shown HERE. The provisions of which include:

  • Being monitored by another adult for a period between 4 and 24 hours; and
  • Not being able to drive or operate machinery until receiving medical clearance.

If you are suspected of having a concussion, please co-operate with our OCs who will facilitate these arrangements for you. The OCs will also facilitate alternate transport arrangements for you and your horses in the same way as they would if you were incapacitated through another injury.

In the event a friend or travelling companion will be able to drive you and your horses back home – please let the OC know to save them arranging alternate logistics. To assist the OCs, please ensure your emergency contact details on your entry forms are up to date.
If you have any questions, please contact our NSO via nso@equestrian.org.au

TIP: Download the Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool, the recommended tool for non-medically trained people to use (coaches, other players/riders etc) here: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/47/5/267.full.pdf

References: 

  1. McCrory, P., Meeuwisse, W.H., Aubry, M., et al. (2013). Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 4th International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, November 2012. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 47, 250-258.
  2. Makdissi, M., Davis, G., McCrory, P. (2014). Updated guidelines for the management of sports-related concussion in general practice. Australian Family Physician, 43(3), 94-9.
  3. Srinivasan, V., Pierre, C., Plog, B. et al. (2014). Straight from the horse’s mouth: neurological injury in equestrian sports. Neurological Research, 36(10), 873-7.
  4. Zuckerman, S.L., Morgan, C.D., Burks, S. et al. (2015). Functional and structural traumatic brain injury in equestrian sports: a review of the literature. World Neurosurgery, 83, 1098-113.

 

Read 20 (More) Reasons to Wear a Helmet

When is it ethical to euthanize your pet?

Professor Bernard E. Rollin
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When is it ethical to euthanize your pet?

In the 1960s, I knew people who, before going on vacation, would take their dogs to a shelter to be euthanized. They reasoned that it was cheaper to have a dog euthanized – and buy a new one upon returning – than pay a kennel fee.

Two decades later, I was working at Colorado State’s veterinary hospital when a group of distraught bikers on Harley-Davidsons pulled up carrying a sick chihuahua. The dog was intractably ill, and required euthanasia to prevent further suffering. Afterwards, the hospital’s counselors felt compelled to find the bikers a motel room: their level of grief was so profound that the staff didn’t think it was safe for them to be riding their motorcycles.

These two stories illustrate the drastic change in how animals have been perceived. For thousands of years, humans have kept animals as pets. But only during the past 40 years have they come to be viewed as family.

While it’s certainly a positive development that animals are being treated humanely, one of the downsides to better treatment mirrors some of the problems the (human) health care system faces with end-of-life care.

As with humans, in many cases the lives of pets are needlessly prolonged, which can cause undue suffering for the animals and an increased financial burden for families.

Recommended reading: “Will you know when it’s time?” on horse euthanasia.

The growth of veterinary medicine and ethics

In 1979, I began teaching veterinary medical ethics at Colorado State University’s veterinary school, the first such course ever taught anywhere in the world.

A year later, the veterinary school hired an oncologist to head up a new program on animal oncology. Soon, our clinic was applying human therapeutic modalities to animal cancer. The visionary head of the veterinary program also hired a number of counselors to help pet owners manage their grief – another first in veterinary circles.

I’d been under the impression that people would be reluctant to spend much money on animal treatments, so I was genuinely shocked when the following April, the Wall Street Journal reported individuals spending upwards of six figures on cancer treatments for their pets.

As a strong advocate for strengthening concern for animal welfare in society, I was delighted with this unprecedented turn of events. I soon learned that concern for treating the diseases of pets besides cancer had also spiked precipitously, evidenced by a significant increase in veterinary specialty practices.

One of the family

So what’s behind the shift in how pets are perceived and treated?

For one, surveys conducted over the last two decades indicate an increasing number of pet owners who profess to view their animals as “members of the family.” In some surveys, the number is as high as 95% of respondents, but in nearly all surveys the number is higher than 80%.

In addition, the breakdown of nuclear families and the uptick of divorce rates have contributed to singles forming tighter bonds with companion animals.

Such attitudes and trends are likely to engender profound changes in societal views of euthanasia. Whereas before, many owners didn’t think twice about putting down a pet, now many are hesitant to euthanize, often going to great lengths to keep sick animals alive.

Vets caught in the middle

However, veterinarians continue to experience extensive stress as they experience two opposite – but equally trying – dilemmas: ending an animal’s life too soon, or waiting too long.

In a paper that I published entitled Euthanasia and Moral Stress, I described the significant stress experienced by veterinarians, veterinary technicians and humane society workers. Many chose their profession out of a desire to improve the lot of animals; instead, they invariably ended up euthanizing large numbers of them, often for unethical reasons.

These ranged from “I got the dog to jog with me, and now it’s too old to run,” to “If I die, I want you to euthanize the animal because I know it can’t bear to live without me.”

In other cases, the animal is experiencing considerable suffering, but the owner is unwilling to let the animal go. With owners increasingly viewing pets as family members, this has become increasingly common, and many owners fear the guilt associated with killing an animal too soon.

Ironically this, too, can cause veterinarians undue trauma: they know the animal is suffering, but there’s nothing they can do about it unless the owner gives them permission.

The consequences are manifest. One recent study showed that one in six veterinarians has considered suicide. Another found an elevated risk of suicide in the field of veterinary medicine. Being asked to kill healthy animals for owner convenience doubtless is a major contribution.

How to manage the decision to euthanize

Here is my suggestion to anyone who is thinking about getting a pet: when you first acquire it, create a list of everything you can find that makes the animal happy (eating a treat, chasing a ball, etc). Put the list away until the animal is undergoing treatment for a terminal disease, such as cancer. At that point, return to the list: is the animal able to chase a ball? Does the animal get excited about receiving a treat?

If the animal has lost the ability to have positive experiences, it’s often easier to let go.

This strategy can be augmented by pointing out the differences between human and animal consciousness. As philosopher Martin Heidegger has pointed out, for humans much of life’s meaning is derived from balancing past experiences with future aspirations, such as wishing to see one’s children graduate or hoping to see Ireland again.

Animals, on the other hand, lack the linguistic tools to allow them to anticipate the future or create an internal narrative of the past. Instead, they live overwhelmingly in the present. So if a pet owner is reluctant to euthanize, I’ll often point out that the animal no longer experiences pleasant “nows.”

In the end, managing euthanasia represents a major complication of the augmented status of pets in society. Ideally, companion animal owners should maintain a good relationship with their general veterinary practitioner, who has often known the animal all of its life, and can serve as a partner in dialogue during the trying times when euthanasia emerges as a possible alternative to suffering.The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article

Recommended reading: “Will you know when it’s time?” on horse euthanasia.

Drug Resistance in Horse Worms: An Australian Study

Dr Anne Beasley, BAgSc (Hons) PhD
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Drug Resistance in Horse Worms: An Australian Study

Three years on from the launch of an Australian study into drug resistance in horse worms, the results are in! The project produced some really useful data which was lacking in the Australian literature and also shed light on some concerning issues that impact all facets of the equine industry. Here is a short summary of the background of the project, what I did and what I found.

Worms to watch out for

There are two horse worms that demand most of our attention when managing equine parasites; small strongyles and the large roundworm of foals, Parascaris equorum.

Small strongyles are, by far, the predominant parasite group infecting horses of all ages and have the potential to cause clinical disease when they synchronously emerge from the gut wall en masse. P. equorum only infects young horses under two years of age and, due to its impressive size (up to 20 cm), can cause major intestinal problems for foals, but more commonly impedes growth.

The anthelmintics we regularly use to combat these parasites contain active ingredients that belong to one of only three available drug classes – the Benzimidazoles (BZ’s), the Tetrahydropyrimidines (THP’s) or the Macrocyclic Lactones (ML’s). That’s a pretty limited artillery, especially when you consider that drug resistance among worm populations is becoming a major hurdle. Understanding the efficacy of the drugs we use is absolutely essential in building an effective and sustainable approach to controlling these important parasites.    

The driving force that underpinned the research project was the lack of surveillance carried out in Australia of the resistance status of important horse worms like small strongyles and P. equorum, particularly to the ML drugs Ivermectin, Abamectin and Moxidectin, which make up the lion’s share of our registered horse worming products.

The hypothesis: do we know if the drugs work?

For many years, reports have been emerging from overseas documenting cases of ML-resistant worms (especially P. equorum) and, yet, we have not been proactive in keeping an eye on how well these drugs are working for us here. Do we really know if the drugs we are using actually work?

To address this question, a cross-sectional study was designed to investigate whether or not the ML drugs are still providing 100% efficacy against small strongyles and P. equorum worms on Australian properties.  The way in which we assessed resistance status was by conducting Faecal Egg Count Reduction Tests (FECRT’s) on groups of horses on a number of properties across eastern Australia.

FECRT

The FECRT is a simple comparison of faecal egg counts immediately before and two weeks after worming.

When the drug being tested is fully effective against the target worm population, we expect to see a 100% (or very close to 100%) reduction in faecal egg count. Conversely, in cases where the worms have built up resistance to the drug, we would only see a reduction of 95% or less, indicating that some horse worms were able to survive the treatment and continue shedding eggs.

The concept of ‘resistance’

Resistance is very common among small strongyles to the BZ class of drugs (which contain the active ingredients Oxfendazole or Fenbendazole) and so we often see sub-optimal reductions, sometimes reaching as low as 0%! That’s right, in some cases, the BZ’s are completely ineffective. You may as well be treating your horses with water!

The research was funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and was co-ordinated from the School of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland. A call was put out via various media outlets, including articles in Horses and People Magazine, to attract interested and willing participants.

Keen participants!

There was an unexpected and overwhelmingly high level of interest in the research topic, and many horse owners and managers who fit the research criteria were recruited. Participating properties were located throughout the eastern parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, with a handful of Tasmanian and South Australian recruits also. Each participant collected samples from their own group of horses, and submitted the samples to UQ for processing and analysis.

The good news:

The positive news emerging from this study is that there was no sign of ML-resistance in any of the small strongyle populations tested, which suggests that we can continue using the ML wormers with the confidence that we are eliminating strongyle egg shedding after treatment, at least for the short term.

That’s the good news, however, there is some less encouraging news that follows…

The not so good news:

During the study, some properties submitted follow-up samples in the weeks after the FECRT which suggested that strongyle egg shedding is recommencing faster than expected after worming. We call the time frame between worming and when faecal egg counts begin to rise again the ‘Egg Reappearance Period’ (ERP).

When the ML drugs first came onto the market, the ERP for Ivermectin was at least eight weeks and for Moxidectin it was even longer – at least 12-14 weeks. You may be surprised to know that other countries have recently reported strongyle ERP’s following both Ivermectin and Moxidectin treatments of just 4-5 weeks.

Again, we have not been proactive in measuring ERP’s for Australian small strongyle populations, but there is no reason to expect that our worms are evolving any differently to those overseas. The shortening of ERP’s indicates a shift in drug sensitivity towards resistance and should be considered as an early sign of resistance. In light of these findings, there has never been more incentive to adopt worm management strategies that slow the development of resistance and prolong the life of our anthelmintic drugs.

The bad news:

The other major finding of the study was that we do indeed have ML-resistance in our P. equorum populations.

A faecal egg count reduction of just 65% was recorded after treatment with Ivermectin on one south-east Queensland horse property; far less than the 95% reduction that we deem as acceptable in terms of drug efficacy.

This result has major implications for horse breeders on any scale – large or small. If you are relying exclusively on ML drugs to treat your foals and weanlings, you may be leaving them vulnerable to the effects of resistant  worms.

Take-home message:

It has become clear that our ‘broad-spectrum’ drugs are not so ‘broad-spectrum’ anymore.

The ML’s are still effective against small strongyles in the short term, but are failing against P. equorum.

At the other end of the spectrum, the BZ’s have already failed against small strongyles, but are still effective against P. equorum (although we need to keep an eye on this too as it is likely to change!).

We need to know what type of worms we are targeting and what drugs are effective against them. So, we should all get into the habit of looking at the active ingredients in the wormers we choose. Forget the brand name, it’s all about the drugs. (Check the table in this article).

Practical advice

  • Careful consideration needs to be given when choosing wormers, especially for young horses.
  • It is important to realise that every property is not the same.
  • If you currently rely on ML wormers in your foals and weanlings, it would be wise to carry out a faecal egg count two weeks after treatment to check drug efficacy.
  • If resistance has reared its ugly head, switch to a combination wormer that contains two active ingredients, one of which should be a non-ML (and there are several on the market to choose from e.g. Equimax Elevation, Equitak Excel, Strategy-T).

Managing foals

Foals should first be treated at about eight weeks of age – no earlier – and then again around the time of weaning. For these first treatments, a wormer that targets P. equorum is essential, so a combination product is ideal. Another two treatments are recommended at nine months and 12 months of age when small strongyles are likely to have taken over as the main target parasite. For these treatments, the ML products should be sufficient. Ensure that one of those treatments contains Praziquantel, which is a narrow spectrum drug that specifically controls tapeworm.

Mature horses

For people managing mature horses, the message is clear: ML resistance in small strongyles is just around the corner unless we begin to change our practices. There are no new drug classes under development. We need our ML’s to remain effective for as long as possible. Evidence-based, targeted and strategic approaches to worm control have been covered in a previous article and these are absolutely essential to delaying the onset of resistance.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, I would like to send a personal message of thanks to the horse owners and managers who showed so much interest in the topic, and who generously contributed samples and information. It was clear to me throughout this study that the horse industry is made up of people who care deeply about the health and welfare of their animals, and are equally thirsty for knowledge on topics like this. I could not have completed the project without your support.

Table 1. Classes of drugs available for treatment of horse worms

  • BENZIMIDAZOLES (BZ’s) Oxibendazole, Oxfendazole, Fenbendazole – The ERP is four weeks
  • TETRAHYDROPYRIMIDINES (THP’s) Morantel, Pyrantel – The ERP is four weeks
  • MACROCYCLIC LACTONES (ML’s) Abamectin – The ERP is six to eight weeks
  • MACROCYCLIC LACTONES (ML’s) Ivermectin, Moxidectin – The ERP is 12 weeks

Download our Ultimate Guide to Worming, click here.

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