Summer Pasture-Associated Heaves: Most horse owners have heard of heaves. It’s an asthma-like condition caused by irritation of the respiratory system when dust and mold spores are inhaled. Heaves is most often found in horses that spend a lot of time in stalls. They come in contact with fine particles contained in hay.

Combined with irritating ammonia fumes from wet bedding, these particles cause tissues in the respiratory passages to swell, making it more difficult for horses to breathe. The name “heaves” comes from the audible wheeze and contraction of the horse’s flank as it struggles to move air out of its lungs.

Horses with heaves usually have a normal body temperature and may show a thin, clear nasal discharge. Some heavey horses exhibit worse signs in winter when they are confined to the barn, improving when they are turned out in milder weather.

Summer pasture-associated heaves:

Summer pasture-associated heaves, on the other hand, affects turned-out horses that are sensitive to pollens and molds found in pastures. Signs of illness are the same between the two conditions, but the triggering factor is different. These horses may be more comfortable if they are kept indoors during the warmer seasons.

A nutritional supplement that has gained widespread attention in the fight against heaves is omega-3 fatty acids. They have well-known anti-inflammatory properties. Fish oils are direct sources of DHA and EPA. They are the most useful omega-3 fatty acids in terms of conferring health benefits. Other oils may contain ALA, which must then be converted to DHA and EPA, a complicated and inefficient process. For optimal omega-3 supplementation, use a marine-derived source such as EO-3.

Owners should contact a veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment program if their horses have trouble breathing or become exercise intolerant during any season of the year.

Would you like more information about Summer Pasture-Associated Heaves? Contact us at J & J Farms by clicking here!

Article brought to you by KER.

 

Pros and Cons of Using Haynets: New Information! For every good reason to manage a horse in a particular fashion there seems to be an equally compelling argument to not take that approach. Take haynets, for example. Haynets can be beneficial in some management scenarios. Yet a new study suggests they may increase a horse’s risk of neck or back injury.*

Benefits of Haynets

Feeding horses from haynets reportedly slows feed intake. This allows horses to consume forage for longer periods of time than when forage is spread on the ground. Prolonging forage intake mimics the time spent on pasture, where horses typically allocate 12-18 hours a day to grazing and foraging. Thus, using haynets to extend feeding times more closely matches natural grazing behavior of horses.

“Extended feeding or foraging means the horses’ stomachs are not empty for extended periods of time, which is important for reducing the likelihood of developing equine squamous gastric disease or ESGD,” said Ashley Fowler, Ph.D., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research.

“Forage creates a ‘splash guard.’ So acidic gastric fluid doesn’t damage the wall of the stomach in the less protected upper or squamous region of the stomach,” she added.

Horses at risk of ESGD, such as those on high-grain diets or those fed only two or three meals a day, would therefore benefit from haynets to ensure the presence of that splash guard. These horses would also benefit from a gastric buffer such as the one contained in research-proven digestive health supplements developed by Kentucky Equine Research.

According to Fowler, managing appropriate body condition in horses also helps reduce the risk of insulin resistance. In addition, laminitis, and equine metabolic syndrome.

“For horses that are overweight, decreasing the amount of forage offered may be necessary to encourage weight loss. Haynets can help slow the rate of consumption when owners need to restrict forage intake, which can help avoid stereotypies, such as wood chewing and bedding consumption,” Fowler added.

Disadvantages of Haynets

Suspending the hay net at head level does not mimic the natural position of the head and neck during pasture grazing. When horses consistently eat with their heads elevated, the nasal passages do not drain, potentially putting horses at risk for respiratory infections. Further, hay is often dusty and having horses bury their muzzles in haynets may induce an asthma flare-up.

“A new study measured the pull forces that occur when horses grab forage from small-hole haynets. Pull pressures were measured by attaching the haynet to a pull gauge, which measured the forces in Newtons,” explained Fowler.

Interesting findings in that study included:

Pull forces were higher for hay hung in double or layered haynets compared to a single net;
Horses pulled harder when the haynet was hung at a lower position. In the low position, the haynet was about an inch above the withers. In the high position, it was a foot above the withers (closer to face level); and
Pull forces differed depending on whether hay or haylage (with a higher moisture content) was offered. Horses pulled harder with haylage.

“These pressures may cause some wear on the dental and musculoskeletal system,” wrote the researchers. But further study is needed to further define the pull pressures on neck and back pain while using haynets.

“Haynets are great for horses that need to increase the amount of time spent eating. But this study suggests that perhaps haynet height and hole size should be considered to reduce potential strain on the musculoskeletal system,” concluded Fowler.

Resources:

In conclusion, do you have questions about Pros and Cons of Using Haynets: New Information? Contact us at J & J Hay Farms by clicking here!

*Hodgson, S., P. Bennett-Skinner, B. Lancaster, S. Upton, P. Harris, and A.D. Ellis. 2022. Posture and pull pressure by horses when eating hay or haylage from a hay net hung at various positions. Animals (Basel) 12(21):2999.

 

 

Eight Tips for Healthy Horse Lungs! Inclement weather, medical conditions, management-related issues, overstocking, and limited land. All of these factors play a role in how much time a horse spends indoors. Heaves, a condition in horses that is similar to asthma in humans. Confinement worsens it.

“Heaves, or recurrent airway obstruction, is a common and challenging problem in horses. In many cases it limits their athleticism and lifespan,” said Peter Huntington, B.V.Sc., M.A.C.V.Sc, director of nutrition, Kentucky Equine Research (Australia).

Experts recommend the following guidelines to maximize the respiratory health of horses affected by heaves:

1. Maintain the horse outdoors as much as possible. Unless the horse has been diagnosed with pasture-associated heaves.
2. Soak or steam hay to minimize the amount of dust and mold liberated from the hay that may be inhaled by your horse.
3. When outdoors, avoid the use of round bales. Although convenient, horses tend to plunge their noses into the middle of the bale for prolonged periods of time while feasting. Thus inhaling mold spores and dust. Instead, spread the hay on the ground to promote drainage of mucus from respiratory passages.
4. Even indoors, spread the hay on the horse’s stall floor instead of using a haynet or other elevated feeding device.
5. Never muck stalls, sweep aisles, or otherwise clean the barn while a horse with heaves is indoors.
6. Replace straw bedding with a low-dust alternative such as shredded paper, specialized cardboard products, or even simple rubber matting with a thin layer of absorptive material. Some horses will object to urine splashing on their legs. Some type of bedding will be needed.
7. Supplement the diet with the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as these have been shown to reduce inflammation in the lungs. EO-3, a potent marine-derived oil rich in DHA and EPA, is a palatable oil that is top-dressed onto the feed.

Nappie Benefits:

1. Try an equine diaper (nappie). According to one study*, ammonia, found in horse urine, causes inflammation of the respiratory tract lining. It is undesirable in a horse with heaves. Horses without a diaper had more than 4 parts per million (ppm) ammonia in their stall after 42 hours, whereas horses fitted with a diaper had less than 1 ppm ammonia in their stall in the same time period. Moreover, horses exposed to higher ammonia levels had decreased feed intake. These results prompted the researchers to conclude that “fitting the diaper effectively decreased exposure of horses to ammonia gas, helped keep the horse in good health, and in addition lowered the cost of bedding.” A nappie, however healthy for a horse, may not be a practical solution for most horse owners.

“In sum, take all possible precautions to protecting your horse’s breathing zone. The two-foot sphere around his nose from where he draws his breath,” advised Huntington.

Resources:

In conclusion, do you have questions about these Eight Tips for Healthy Horse Lungs? Contact us at J & J Hay Farms by clicking here!

*Matsui, A., Y. Inoue, and Y. Asai. 2003. The effect of putting the bag with collecting feces and urea (“equine diaper”) to the ammonia gases concentrate in horse’s pen. Journal of Equine Science. 14(3):75-79.

 

 

Pros and Cons of Using Haynets: New Information. For every good reason to manage a horse in a particular fashion there seems to be an equally compelling argument to not take that approach. Take haynets, for example. Haynets can be beneficial in some management scenarios. However, a new study suggests they may increase a horse’s risk of neck or back injury.^*

Benefits of Haynets:

Feeding horses from haynets reportedly slows feed intake. This allows horses to consume forage for longer periods of time than when forage is spread on the ground. Prolonging forage intake mimics the time spent on pasture, where horses typically allocate 12-18 hours a day to grazing and foraging. Thus, using haynets to extend feeding times more closely matches natural grazing behavior of horses.

“Extended feeding or foraging means the horses’ stomachs are not empty for extended periods of time, which is important for reducing the likelihood of developing equine squamous gastric disease or ESGD,” said Ashley Fowler, Ph.D., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research.

“Forage creates a ‘splash guard’ so acidic gastric fluid doesn’t damage the wall of the stomach in the less protected upper or squamous region of the stomach,” she added.

Horses at risk of ESGD, such as those on high-grain diets or those fed only two or three meals a day, would therefore benefit from haynets to ensure the presence of that splash guard. These horses would also benefit from a gastric buffer.

According to Fowler, managing appropriate body condition in horses also helps reduce the risk of insulin resistance, laminitis, and equine metabolic syndrome.

“For horses that are overweight, decreasing the amount of forage offered may be necessary to encourage weight loss. Haynets can help slow the rate of consumption when owners need to restrict forage intake, which can help avoid stereotypies, such as wood chewing and bedding consumption,” Fowler added.

Disadvantages of Haynets

Suspending the hay net at head level does not mimic the natural position of the head and neck during pasture grazing. When horses consistently eat with their heads elevated, the nasal passages do not drain. This potentially puts horses at risk for respiratory infections. Further, hay is often dusty and having horses bury their muzzles in haynets may induce an asthma flare-up.

“A new study measured the pull forces that occur when horses grab forage from small-hole haynets. Pull pressures were measured by attaching the haynet to a pull gauge, which measured the forces in Newtons,” explained Fowler.

Interesting findings in that study included:

• Pull forces were higher for hay hung in double or layered haynets compared to a single net;
• Horses pulled harder when the haynet was hung at a lower position. In the low position, the haynet was about an inch above the withers; in the high position, it was a foot above the withers (closer to face level); and
• Pull forces differed depending on whether hay or haylage (with a higher moisture content) was offered. Horses pulled harder with haylage.

“These pressures may cause some wear on the dental and musculoskeletal system,” wrote the researchers. However, further study is needed to further define the pull pressures on neck and back pain while using haynets.

“Haynets are great for horses that need to increase the amount of time spent eating. This study suggests that perhaps haynet height and hole size should be considered to reduce potential strain on the musculoskeletal system,” concluded Fowler.

Resources:

Questions about the Pros and Cons of Using Haynets? contact J & J Hay Farms today at 770-887-0440!

^*Hodgson, S., P. Bennett-Skinner, B. Lancaster, S. Upton, P. Harris, and A.D. Ellis. 2022. Posture and pull pressure by horses when eating hay or haylage from a hay net hung at various positions. Animals (Basel) 12(21):2999.

 

Stereotypies in Horses: New Research. Owners of horses suffering from stereotypies: fret no more! A new study* shows that horses with repetitive behaviors learn at the same rate as horses without stereotypies and do not appear to be cognitively impaired, as once thought.

 

Risk Factors for Squamous vs. Glandular Ulcers in Horses. Despite being grouped together under the umbrella term “equine gastric ulcer syndrome,” one group of veterinary researchers* recently suggested that equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) should actually be considered a distinct entity from equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). This recommendation comes in the wake of their findings that different management and risk factors contribute to the two types of ulcers.

“Considering how prevalent EGGD has become, remarkably few data regarding risk factors and optimal management strategies, including feeding programs, have been designed for horses with this condition,” noted Laura Petroski-Rose, B.V.M.S., a Kentucky Equine Research veterinarian.

Squarmous vs. Glandular: Differences

Unlike squamous ulcers caused by the physical splashing of harsh stomach acids on the “higher” regions of the stomach lining, causes for ulcers in the glandular region remain unclear. One theory is simple failure of normal defense mechanisms, while another includes excess nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration. Unlike in humans and other mammalian species, Heliocobacter spp. do not appear to play a role in EGGD.

To gain a foothold on this important, performance-limiting welfare and health issue, Benjamin Sykes, an internist and adjunct associate professor at The University of Queensland, together with his colleagues from the United Kingdom and Australia, set to work. The team examined and collected management data (feeding, exercise, overall health.) They compared 109 Thoroughbreds training in eight different facilities in the U.K. and Australia. They found:

• Horses with EGGD vs. ESGD had different management factors and clinical signs of disease, as suspected;
• Exercising >5 times per week was associated with a tenfold increased risk of EGGD;
• Poor performance, or performing below expectation, was associated with an almost fourfold increased risk of EGGD;
• Horses with stereotypies were more likely to have ESGD. However, ironically, horses displaying aggression towards humans were less likely to have ESGD; and
• Individual trainer was also identified as a risk factor for EGGD.

“Indeed, these two conditions appear distinct and must therefore be managed as such. Without clear knowledge of the underlying processes contributing to EGGD development, outlining the best strategies to approach horses with EGGD remains challenging,” summarized Petroski-Rose.

That said, stress does appear to play a role in EGGD. Therefore, further exploration of stress pathways and cortisol are warranted.

Potential Management:

“Without clear insight into the underlying pathways, management of any gastric ulcer relies heavily on forage-based diets including alfalfa hay, using slow-feeders so that the horse can consume forage for most hours throughout the day, and minimizing dietary concentrates,” advised Petroski-Rose.

Contact a Kentucky Equine Research nutrition advisor once your veterinarian has confirmed the presence of gastric ulcers. Be sure to ask about RiteTrac—a supplement designed to quickly neutralize excessive gastric acid, thereby protecting the stomach lining and restoring the normal gastric environment. Horse owners in Australia should look for these research-proven products.

*Sykes, B.W., M. Bowen, J.L. Habershon-Butcher, M. Green, and G.D. Hallowell. 2019. Management factors and clinical implications of glandular and squamous gastric disease in horses. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 33(1)233-240.

 

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome: Dietary Management. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, approximately 93% of racehorses, 60% or more of performance horses, and 25-50% of foals have or have had equine gastric ulcer syndrome.

Understanding the Inner Workings:

 

Grazing Behavior in Horses: Monitoring Full-Day Consumption. Research suggests horses graze about 16-18 hours a day if given unrestricted access to pasture. Studies on grazing behavior frequently rely on short periods of observation and data collection. Next, data is extrapolated. Lastly, conclusions are drawn for a complete 24-hour dataset.

“Grazing activity varies over the course of the day, and observational studies on nocturnal grazing are clearly limited,” pointed out Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a Kentucky Equine Research nutrition advisor.

Understanding Grazing:

Knowing when and how often horses graze will improve understanding of the “biological, environmental, and nutritive factors driving grazing behavior in horses.”^* In addition, the information could also be used to optimize nutrition and decrease management-related conditions such as gastric ulcers.

To facilitate data collection and ultimately improve understanding of grazing and chewing behaviors in horses, a continuous automated monitoring system called EquiWatch System (EWS), was developed. This remote, automated monitoring unit collects data on feeding and grazing behavior for 24 uninterrupted hours through the use of sensors fixed onto the noseband of the halter. To validate the EWS, the unit was used in horses with unrestricted pasture access and horses offered free-choice hay.

Horses with unrestricted pasture access spent more time eating than horses fed hay (14.8 vs 12.0 hr/d), and horses on pasture had a higher chew rate per minute than when fed hay (84 vs 69 chews/min). Data from the EWS and visual observations for grazing time and total bites were compared. They were similar.

Is your horse plagued with gastric ulcers despite a diet rich in good-quality forage? Even horses with full access to pasture can have gastric ulcers. If ulcers are suspected, consider endoscopy. This will reveal definitively if ulcers are present. If so, a veterinarian will usually prescribe a course of omeprazole. Omeprazole will clear the ulcers. Lastly, at the tail end of omeprazole therapy, a digestive supplement designed to keep new ulcers from forming should be started.

Resources:

In conclusion, do you have a specific question about Grazing Behavior in Horses? Contact J & J Hay Farms today at 770-887-0440!

Article Source: Kentucky Equine Research

*Weinert, J.R., J. Werner, and C.A. Williams. 2020. Validation and implementation of an automated chew sensor-based remote monitoring device as tool for equine grazing research. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 88:102971.

 

Gastric Ulcers in Horses: Facts and Fallacies. A recent web-based survey queried horse owners on their knowledge and familiarity with equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Based on over 1,100 responses from individuals with and without direct experience with EGUS, here is a summary of what horse owners know, and perhaps more importantly, don’t know about gastric ulcers in horses.

Fact or Fallacy?

Survey respondents indicated that EGUS most commonly occurs in racehorses followed by sport horses. Leisure horses are only rarely affected.

Fact or fallacy? Both, actually. All horses are at risk of developing EGUS, but some horses may have an increased risk based on diet, water intake, lifestyle (use, training level), breed, concomitant diseases, and more.

Horse owners who have prior experience with ulcers were more aware that multiple types of ulcers exist.

Fact. EGUS is an umbrella term that collectively refers to ulcers (erosions in the lining of the stomach wall) that occur in either (1) the squamous or nonglandular region of the stomach, where ulcer presence is called equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) or (2) the glandular region, where ulcer formation is considered equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD). Some horses can even suffer from EGGD and ESGD simultaneously.

Common Factors:

Low forage intake and infection are the most common factors associated with EGUS by survey respondents.

Fact and fallacy. This is based on a recently published consensus statement on EGUS. Apparently, a high-starch diet is more reliably a predictor of EGUS than low forage intake.

** Those experts wrote that “free access to fibrous feed or frequent forage feeding is widely considered to reduce the risk of gastric ulceration, although strong evidence supporting this belief is also lacking.” That said, to be on the safe side, all horses should get 1.5 to 2% of their body weight in forage daily for overall digestive health and motility. If free-choice access to forage is not suitable for certain horses or is not possible in some management scenarios, horses should go no longer than four or five hours between forage meals.

No specific mention of infection as a risk factor for EGUS was discussed in the consensus statement. Infection causing decreased feed intake, delayed gastric emptying, or stress could potentially contribute to the development of gastric ulcers. Helicobacter pylori infection does not cause ulcers in horses, as it does in humans. The latest consensus statement on EGUS clearly states that antibiotic administration is not justified.

Identifying Ulcers:

Reliable signs of gastric ulceration identified by horse owners included change in behavior when fed, aggression, anemia, low white blood cell counts, and changes in behavior when ridden. Interestingly, respondents with prior experience felt that clinical signs could effectively diagnose EGUS, whereas individuals with no direct experience felt clinical signs were only moderately effective at diagnosing the condition.

Fact. As described by the EGUS expert panel, “Gastric ulcers have been loosely associated with a range of clinical signs in adult horses, despite a paucity of strong epidemiological evidence to support these associations.”

Such clinical signs include decreased appetite, poor body condition, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, poor coat condition, grinding teeth, behavioral changes, acute or recurrent colic, and poor performance.

The best method of diagnosing EGUS by a veterinarian is gastroscopy.

Fact. The expert panel wrote that, because EGUS is poorly associated with clinical signs, “the committee therefore does not support the practice of diagnosing EGUS based on ‘characteristic’ clinical signs and recommends that EGUS be confirmed by performing gastroscopy.”

Effective Treatment?

Both groups of respondents recognized omeprazole as an effective treatment.

Fact. Omeprazole blocks the production of gastric acid (hydrogen chloride) and increases the pH of the fluid in the stomach. This is in line with human ulcer treatments where the adage “no acid, no ulcer” is widely embraced. For examole, the horse should undergo follow-up gastroscopy prior to discontinuing treatment to ensure full healing. This is particularly true for EGGD because resolution takes longer than ESGD.

Sucralfate was recognized as another effective treatment by individuals with prior experience with EGUS but was unknown by those without experience.

Fact. According to experts, sucralfate should be used in conjunction with omeprazole to treat EGUS. The recommended dose is 12 mg/kg orally twice daily for 8 weeks. Overall, the proposed mechanisms of action of sucralfate include: adhering to ulcerated mucosa to protect damaged, healing tissues; stimulating mucous secretion and prostaglandin E synthesis, both of which protect the lining of the stomach); and enhancing blood flow. In Australia, horse owners should look for the sucralfate supplement Sucralox.

In Conclusion:

“A great deal of information regarding EGUS has been uncovered in the past 20 years. Failing to quickly identify EGUS in horses or inappropriately managing horses with EGUS and without the support of their veterinarian will delay appropriate treatment and potentially culminate in adverse outcomes,” said Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a Kentucky Equine Research nutrition advisor. “Once a veterinarian has diagnosed EGUS, omeprazole treatment should be implemented.”

Resources:

Questions about Gastric Ulcers in Horses: Facts and Fallacies? Contact J & J Hay Farms.

*Marlin, D.J., J. Williams, K. Pickles, et al. 2019. Horse owner understanding of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 76:55.

**Sykes, B.W., M. Hewetson, R.J. Hepburn, et al. 2015. European College of Equine Internal Medicine Consensus Statement—Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in adult horses. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 29(5):1288–1299.

 

 

Advantages of Haynets and Hay Feeders for Horses: While forage is the most important part of a horse’s diet, circumstances arise when intake should be limited. Obese horses and ponies with metabolic conditions, for example, may need to have calorie intake controlled carefully to avoid overconsumption of energy. Limiting forage intake can mean less time spent chewing, and with this comes a reduction in saliva production and stomach-acid buffering, all of which sets the stage for gastric ulcers and possible colic.

Haynets:

Haynets help prolong the time it takes a horse to consume forage by providing a physical barrier that prevents fast consumption. They are manufactured with holes of varying sizes, and differences in this design feature can affect how fast a horse consumes hay.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that horses took longer to consume hay from haynets with small holes (3.2 cm) or medium (4.4 cm) holes compared to large holes (15.2 cm) or the control group fed without haynets*. The researchers even found a difference in consumption rates between haynets with small and medium holes.

Aside from slowing consumption, there is another benefit to using barriers to extend consumption of forage. Researchers concluded that the use of haynets decreased overall stress in horses on restricted diets, while simultaneously achieving weight loss**.

Hay Management:

Depending on the management situation, owners sometimes find that a lot of hay is wasted when not fed in a haynet or feeder. Hay wastage can be minimized with proper use of a square-bale feeder. A study on feeder design (basket, slat, or rack) found that feeders reduced the amount of hay wasted when fed outside compared to hay fed without a feeder+. With less waste, feeders reduced the overall cost of providing hay.

Further, while many horses can maintain their weight on all-forage diets, forage does not provide all of the nutrients horses need for top-notch nutrition. Mature horses should be fed a vitamin/mineral supplement to make up for any nutritional shortfalls.

Whether the goal is to carefully control forage intake or simply to minimize waste, haynets and hay feeders offer practical solutions.

Resources:

Interested in learning more about the Advantages of Haynets and Hay Feeders for Horses? Visit or call J & J Hay Farms for more information!

*Glunk, E.C., M.R. Hathaway, W.J. Weber, C.C. Sheaffer, and K.L. Martinson. 2014. The effect of hay net design on rate of forage consumption when feeding adult horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 34(8):986-991.

**Glunk, E.C. 2014. Methods of restricting forage intake in horses. Dissertation abstract, accessed online.

+Grev, A., A. Glunk, M. Hathaway, W. Lazarus, and K. Martinson. The effect of small square-bale feeder design on hay waste, hay intake and economics during outdoor feeding of adult horses. University of Minnesota Equine Extension.