All Things Horses Australia

08/06/2023

17/04/2023

17/04/2023

Foaling Injuries and Complications
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board Certified Equine Specialist

Foaling injuries and complications call for immediate veterinary assistance. Unfortunately, the entire birth process, from water breaking to delivery, generally takes only 30 minutes, or much less, because of the horse's strong abdominal musculature. This makes for a rapid, aggressive labor that gives you very little time to recognize any problems and call for professional help.

Contact your equine veterinarian today to make sure your horse gives birth in the presence of an experienced practitioner who can cope with veterinary emergencies swiftly and effectively.

Breech Births, Hemorrhages and Other Issues

If your mare has reached the end of gestation, chances are that the foal will emerge normally and in good health; however, just as human births can develop complications, equine births can present complications, and these complications may threaten the mother, the foal, or both. It helps to know what might happen and to be prepared for it by having veterinary assistance available. Keep an equine veterinarian’s phone number written in the barn and/or on speed dial in your phone.

Breech births occur when the foal is positioned abnormally in the womb, presenting tail first instead of headfirst. This can create a variety of complications, including internal damage from the foal's misplaced hooves, and uterine rupture. The mother may retain some or the entire placenta, a situation that can lead to septicemia and other serious conditions. Even if it appears that the entire placenta has been expelled, a veterinarian must make certain that no small parts of it have been retained. This is more likely to occur with any dystocia but may occur even during apparently normal parturition.

Hemorrhage is another possible complication of foaling. Some forms of hemorrhage confine themselves to intra-uterine or local bleeding, but an abdominal hemorrhage can cause lethal shock to the mare.

Some foaling complications involve the digestive tract. Colic is common postpartum. The sudden loss of the fetus and placenta with its associated fluids can lead to colonic torsion or other displacement as space becomes available. Misplaced fetal hooves may also cause recto-vaginal tearing, which requires veterinary treatment to repair.

Help for the Foal
Complications and injuries can also cause serious problems for the foal unless veterinary care is readily available. Premature placental separation, or "red bag delivery", may develop and the foal may not receive adequate oxygen, causing brain damage or death. If the mother accidentally steps on a newborn foal's foot, the foal may need immediate treatment for a severe traumatic injury to the hoof capsule or a fractured limb. Sometimes, a newborn foal receives lacerations or puncture wounds from nearby objects such as exposed wire, bits of glass or nails. Inspect the birthing site carefully to remove any such objects before your mare is ready to give birth. If this sort of wound does occur, the foal will likely need antibiotics, bandaging, and in some cases, drainage of any infections that might develop.

Foals can develop hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (neonatal encephalopathy) , even after an apparently normal birth process. These foals will act as a normal foal for 24-48 hours before losing a suckle response and becoming weak and unable to rise.

Fox Run Equine Center

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

Providing quality medical and surgical care since 1985.

12/04/2023

What scientists are learning about equine parasite resistance to dewormers and how to curb it.

12/04/2023

Dentistry in the Horse
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board Certified Equine Specialist

You would not have your oral cavity and teeth examined by an unlicensed individual, nor would you take your dog and cat to anyone but a veterinarian. Rather, you would seek out someone who received undergraduate education, followed by professional medical education. Your horse also deserves to have the oral cavity evaluated by a veterinarian who is trained in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology over eight years of education rather than a two week course, or worse, picking up tools with zero education. Equine dentistry is much more than simply filing sharp points on molars and premolars.

The goal of equine dentistry is to keep the masticatory unit of the horse functional. In adult horses, this requires dental work at least annually, but the higher the performance level, the more often dental examination should be performed. Small dental problems can affect not only mastication, but the horse’s response to the rider. Dentistry should remove sources of oral discomfort. These include sharp enamel points, wolf teeth, and long, sharp canine teeth, along with a myriad of other problems.

Dental disorders can cause a variety of behavioral abnormalities, including:
• Head tossing
• Bit chewing
• Refusal to carry the bit
• Frequently trying to open the mouth
• Reluctance to take a certain lead
• Reluctance to bend the poll or neck
• Running backwards
• Wide turns
• Not stopping squarely
• Rearing
• Unexplained temper fits

Oral pain may cause a horse to eat slowly or incompletely, dunking hay in the water bucket before eating, have cheek swelling that comes and goes, and may have difficulty maintaining weight in the face of increased rations. Horses with dental problems may not perform to their fullest potential; timed events off by even a second can be the difference between winning and losing.

During dental examination, the external structures of the head should be evaluated first. Any abnormal swelling or draining tracts are noted. Facial asymmetry may be evident; the ears may not be as mobile as normal, there may be drooping lips, and the eyes may have lid abnormalities or not be level.

The mandible has a normal lateral excursion, usually only a few millimeters, and the cheek teeth should come into contact during this excursion. The jaw should move freely, and if not, this may be a sign of overgrown teeth.

Once the horse is sedated, and a speculum is in place, the soft tissues inside the mouth should be examined for trauma, infection, or tumors. Sometimes the mucosa will be calloused, indicating long-term exposure to sharp enamel points. Any malodorous breath should be noted; if present, evaluation for a tooth root infection is needed, which will need to be corrected surgically.

Fractured teeth should be noted and radiographed; most will need to be removed. Horses can get dental caries, or demineralization of the teeth. They are brown or black areas in the cementum. Diastemata are also important to note; these gaps between the teeth cause food trapping with subsequent rotting and bacterial colonization of the gingiva. These gaps may be due to missing teeth, abnormally positioned teeth, or angulation of the most caudal or cranial teeth causing compression on the other teeth.

Hooks and ramps are common abnormalities that interfere with mastication and affect comfort of the horse. They can sometimes block the side-to-side movement of the jaw and put pressure on the temporomandibular joint. The horse may resist collection because the head carriage required increases pressure on the over-long teeth and the TMJ. Rostral maxillary hooks can pinch the cheek mucosa when pressure is put upon the bit. Hooks require reduction, but if they are too long, care must be taken not to enter the pulp cavity. Waiting several months prior to complete reduction allows dentin formation to protect the pulp.

A wave mouth is an undulating occlusal surface, involving multiple teeth. It can become quite pronounced, causing significant oral dysfunction, and should be dealt with early by flattening the occlusal table; in severe cases it is not possible to completely correct the undulation. In some cases, it may be easier to palpate, rather than see the wave. The most common presentation is for the first one to three mandibular cheek teeth to be long, with the corresponding maxillary teeth being too short.

The cause of wave mouth is unclear, but several factors may affect the conformation of the teeth:
• Different rates of eruption may occur due to asynchronous shedding of deciduous teeth.
• Periodontal disease may delay tooth eruption
• Dental caries may cause increased wear.
• Mechanical forces exerted on static maxillary teeth by mobile mandibular teeth, creating tooth loss.

Treatment is by slowly flattening the occlusal surfaces over 1-2 years. Some cases are impossible to correct completely. Overzealous correction may leave spaces between the arcade occlusal surfaces, leading to the inability to grind food.

Step mouth is due to a missing tooth, leading to over-eruption of the now unopposed tooth. This leads to the tooth growing into the empty socket, damaging the gingiva and to the inability for the jaw to move properly. The teeth may drift toward the center of the gap, leaving diastema, rostrally or caudally, to form. This condition occurs secondary to trauma or to tooth root infection and subsequent extraction. This condition needs to be treated every six months, to keep the tooth short enough not to cause problems.

Shear mouth is an arcade with an angled occlusal surface greater than 15 degrees. The cheek side of the maxillary teeth is quite long, while the lingual side is quite short, even to the gingival surface. The mandibular teeth are a mirror image. The condition may affect one or both sides of the mouth. One sided shear mouth may be due to displacement of the hemi-mandible.

The incisor teeth may develop ventral (smile) or dorsal curvature (frown). The former is associated with increased angulation of the incisor teeth. It may impair lateral excursion and should be at least partially corrected. Dorsal curvature is associated with cribbing. An irregularly uneven incisor surface is called a step bite and is often secondary to trauma. The tooth may become fractured or undergo a tooth root infection, resulting in loss of the tooth.

There are many dental abnormalities that may occur in the horse. Treatments have improved, but some disorders remain difficult or impossible to repair completely. Prevention by regular dental care is a must.

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

Providing quality medical and surgical care for horses since 1985.

12/04/2023

The past couple of days have been difficult, but it’s been very comforting to read your comments and messages about how much Mindy meant to so many people around the world. I’ve read every comment that’s been made and it’s mind boggling how much she impacted so many people’s lives in such a positive way. It’s overwhelming but comforting to know one horse brought thousands of people together for the common goal of improving horsemanship and the quality of horses’ lives by teaching people how to better interact with their equine partners. She meant more to me and did more for the horsemanship world than words can properly express. Thank you so much for your support and your kind words – they’re very much appreciated. Let’s keep moving forward and keep improving our horsemanship. – Clinton

11/04/2023

Still available

11/04/2023

,💔💔

11/04/2023

Yesterday was one of my hardest days as a horseman and an incredibly sad day for Downunder Horsemanship. In the late afternoon, we laid Mindy to rest. She wa...

09/04/2023

Equine Sarcoid
Brian S. Burks DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board-Certified Equine Specialist

Lumps and bumps on your horse should be evaluated by your veterinarian. These can range from innocuous bug bites to bacterial/fungal diseases, or skin tumors.

The sarcoid is the most common skin tumor in the horse worldwide, with prevalence rates from 12.9% to 67%. They can be found anywhere on the body and are cutaneous accumulations of fibroblasts. Their behavior is completely unpredictable. They can be ‘silent’ for many years and then suddenly begin to grow quite rapidly. Sarcoid tumors tend to be locally aggressive, but seldom spread from one site to another; even though they do not spread, they can become quite deep, involving the underlying soft tissue and bone. They do not spread to internal organs.

The etiology of the equine sarcoid is unknown. It has been said that a bovine (cattle) papilloma virus is the cause, and their DNA has been found in the sarcoid, but no active virus has ever been found. Other types of viruses have also been proposed. Several types of BPV have been found, and viral load correlates to severity of the sarcoid; higher viral burdens cause more aggressive tumors. Biting flies likely transmit the virus. There may be genetic susceptibility, with familial tendency.

Sarcoid types include the occult, verrucous, nodular, fibroblastic forms, and mixed sarcoid, containing features of several of the tumor types. The occult form occurs mainly in thin haired areas and is fairly flat. Common areas include around the mouth, eyes, and neck. They occasionally open and drain. They may only show small areas of hair loss initially, before becoming an overt tumor. Sometimes the tumors are mistaken for ringworm.

Verrucous sarcoids are a bit larger and form more crusts. They tend to occur on the face, body, groin, and prepuce. They have local skin thickening around the main area, indicative of further tissue invasion.

Nodular sarcoids are large, round, firm masses in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Some masses are easily moveable, while others are bound to deeper tissues and have no skin involvement. They have a predilection for the eyelids, groin, and prepuce.

Fibroblastic sarcoids are much larger and appear similar to exuberant granulation tissue, or proud flesh. Fibroblastic sarcoids vary in appearance and are usually found on the groin, eyelids, lower limbs, and previous wound sites, where transformation to a tumor has occurred. These tumors are quite vascular, and bleed easily. They may be pedunculated or have a larger base. Many times, these various tumor types are mixed, with occult and verrucous and nodular forms all occurring together.

Malignant, or malevolent, sarcoids have been described. They are “locally malignant”, but do not spread to other areas. A history of repeated surgeries and failed treatment of other sarcoid forms is common. Malignant sarcoids may travel along or infiltrate lymphatic or other vessels, invading deeper tissues.

Differential diagnoses include papillomatosis (warts), chronic blistering, hyperkeratosis (thickened skin from something like sweet itch), lymphoma, equine sarcoidosis (granuloma) exuberant granulations tissue, and squamous cell carcinoma. Sarcoids most closely resemble exuberant granulation tissue.

All skin tumors should be sampled and sent for histopathology to determine the type of tumor and distinguish sarcoids from granulation tissue or other infections. Histopathology also allows assessment of the margins, to determine if the entire tumor was removed. Simple removal tends to make sarcoid tumors much more aggressive, so that they will enlarge rapidly. This is because the entire tumor has not been removed due to its invasion of surrounding skin, so wide margins are recommended. Complete removal of the tumor is curative, albeit difficult. Additional therapy should follow tumor removal.

Treatment modalities are many, and only very rarely do these tumors resolve on their own. Cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen) immunologic treatment with BCG or Eqstim, and repeated intra-lesional injection with cisplatin, bleomycin, and 5- fluorouracil (5-FU) have all been used. Cisplatin and 5-FU are the most successful, with

08/04/2023

21/03/2023

Some Good Info That's Helpful To Know 🤩

19/03/2023

Syd Hill Leather saddle for sale $300

17/03/2023

PERICARDITIS IN HORSES
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board Certified Equine Specialist

Pericarditis is inflammation of the membranous sac in which the heart is contained- the pericardium. It may lead to pericardial effusion- fluid and/or fibrin buildup within the sac. Infectious causes include bacterial, viral, and possibly mycoplasma infections. These infections most often are spread hematogenously (via the blood) or extend from the endocardium, myocardium, or lungs. Pericarditis may also be parasitic, neoplastic, or traumatic in origin. Many cases of pericardial effusion are idiopathic. Sterile, inflammatory, and eosinophilic effusions have been recognized. A number of years ago, an outbreak of pericarditis was found in Kentucky, associated with a caterpillar vector. Actinobacillus spp. were associated with the heart. Traumatic cases may be from rib fractures that puncture the pericardium, or from penetrating foreign bodies, including metal, wood, and plant stems. These may pe*****te the thorax directly or migrate from the stomach or duodenum. Pericarditis is most usually effusive, although fibrinous, and even constrictive pericarditis may also develop.

Clinical findings associated with pericarditis are associated with its effects on the heart and cardiac displacement. This leads to a triad of signs: a weak, rapid pulse; muffled heart sounds; and venous hypertension. Other findings include fever, pericardial friction rub (like creaking leather), cardiac murmur, jugular pulsation, edema, weight loss, anorexia, and depression. Pericardial friction rubs are only evident early in the course of disease since fluid distention of the pericardial sac prevents further rubbing. Edema and jugular distention are due to the compromise of the right side of the heart; systemic arterial pressure is maintained since the left heart is more robust, which enhances formation of ventral edema. Later, cardiac tamponade (compression) may result in continuous distention of the jugular veins, without pulsation. The capillary refill time is prolonged, and the distal extremities are cool, indicating compromise of the peripheral circulation.

Clinical signs are those of congestive heart failure, although the myocardium is normal, including fever, lethargy, depression, anorexia, tachypnea, ventral edema, colic, and weight loss. Pericardial effusion causes tamponade and reduced cardiac filling.

Diagnostic evaluation includes laboratory studies, radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. Usual findings include anemia, hyperproteinemia, and hyperfibrinogenemia. Cardiac troponin I and CK-MB enzymes may be elevated in cases of pericarditis or myocarditis and are thus not specific. Thoracic radiographs may show an enlarged, globoid cardiac silhouette, and enlarged pulmonary vessels. Pulmonary infiltrates and pleural effusion may also be present. The ECG shows altered electrical activity that is often not specific for pericarditis. A regular, repeating change in the morphology of the P, QRS, and T waves is pathognomonic for pericarditis. It occurs due to regular movement of the heart within the pericardial fluid.

Echocardiographic examination is the best non-invasive diagnostic modality, as fluid is within the pericardial sac. Fibrin tags are often visible; extensive fibrin production is possible, though uncommon, possibly due to the constant motion of the heart. There may be collapse of the right ventricle or atrium, indicating cardiac tamponade. Up to 12 liters of fluid may be present, causing cardiac tamponade and respiratory embarrassment. Pleural effusion may also be noted. The position of the heart can also be determined. Typically, the pericardium is thickened, the chambers are small, and there is reduced fractional shortening and exuberant movement of the ventricular septum.

Pericardiocentesis (tap of the sac) allows further diagnostic studies. This is often achieved by entering the pericardial sac with an intravenous. Continuous drainage or drainage of thick fluid may be accomplished via a chest tube. The fluid should be analyzed for total protein and white blood cells. Evaluation helps differentiate septic, aseptic, and neoplastic processes. Fluid should also be submitted for culture and sensitivity testing. Streptococcus spp. are the most common isolates, but Actinobacillus equuli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pasteurella spp., and Mycoplasma felis have all been isolated. Viral diseases most encountered include equine influenza, equine viral arteritis or equine herpesvirus-1 abortion may be associated with these viruses.

Treatment of pericarditis varies, depending upon cause and the clinical situation. Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy is indicated while waiting for culture and sensitivity results. Pericardiocentesis and drainage are always appropriate with significant fluid. Drainage should be slow to prevent cardiac collapse. The procedure is performed ultrasound guided with ECG monitoring and IV access. Pericardial lavage may be necessary to prevent or remove excessive fibrin formation. It may also remove inflammatory cells, immune complexes, and viral particles. Several liters of warmed intravenous fluid can be slowly instilled into the pericardial space, and then drained. Antibiotics may also be placed directly into the cavity to allow extremely high local levels. Intravenous, broad spectrum antibiotics are indicated, such as penicillin and an aminoglycoside. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or corticosteroids are used to treat inflammation, controlling the rate of fluid accumulation.

In cases where constrictive pericarditis has developed, surgery may be indicated. A band of thick, fibrous tissue may surround the heart, causing compression and compromise of cardiac function. This band may be cut by thorascopic techniques and is commonly employed in humans. The tissue forms on the pericardium and the epicardium, and directly on the surface of the heart. Fortunately, this is not common in horses.

Historically, the prognosis for pericarditis has been considered poor, but, more recently, successful outcomes have been reported. Death may occur in a matter of days, weeks, or months; however, with aggressive treatment, many horses return to athletic function, including cases I have treated. Repeated lavage and early treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics have greatly improved the outcome of this disease.
Pericarditis may result in myocarditis and congestive heart failure (CHF). Clinical signs include weight loss, exercise intolerance, coughing, tachypnea, ventral edema, ascites, pleural effusion, and colic-like signs. The jugular veins have pathologic distention and pulsation. There may be moist bronchovesicular sounds, as well as crackles. Clinical signs may vary depending on which, or both sides of the heart are involved. Congestive heart failure may be left or right sided, but often is biventricular. Most commonly, CHF is from valvular disease, especially the pulmonic and tricuspid valves. Therefore, murmurs are common over the right hemithorax. Arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation, are also common with CHF.

Echocardiography allows the determination of irreversible structural cardiac disease. These include ruptured chordae tendineae, severe valvular degeneration, myocardial fibrosis, dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart), and congenital defects. Cardiac contractility can also be measured.

Treatment of CHF includes diuretic medication and those used to increase the contraction of the heart. Treatment of the underlying cause is necessary.

Fox Run Equine Center

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

Providing quality medical and surgical care for horses since 1985.

17/03/2023

16/03/2023

Come and see Marlie Stud in action this March.

16/03/2023

Good night!

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

We’re for the horse.

16/03/2023

😆

16/03/2023

Inspiring Australian Women

Edna Jessop (Nee Zigenbine) 1926-2007

Edna Jessop was a well-known legend of the northern Australian stock routes and her name is written into Australian history because of her achievements as the first female boss drover. She died, aged 80, in Mount Isa last weekend, where she had lived for about 40 years.
Edna was a well-known legend of the northern Australian stock routes and her name is written into Australian history because of her achievements as the first female boss drover. She died, aged 80, in Mount Isa, where she had lived for about 40 years.

According to an article on the riversandswines.com website, Edna was born to the saddle. Her parents were drovers, and at age 15, she was droving with her family across the Northern Territory on the Murranji Track.

Her father took delivery of 1550 bullocks near Halls Creek in 1950 and then became ill after a fall from a horse. The article says that he called on Edna to take over as boss drover (she was 23), and with her brother Andy and four ringers, moved the mob 2,240 kilometres across the Barkly Tableland to Dajarra, near Mount Isa.

This droving trip wrote her into the history books and made headlines around the country and overseas.

Information credited ABC Local 2007 http://bit.ly/3IJcmrB
Image NPWHF

The Drovers Camp

16/03/2023

⭐️⭐️ Hall of Fame ⭐️⭐️

The ARCHA Hall of Fame recognises the people who, over the years, have contributed in many ways to the organisation. These men and woman have been so impactful in our sport and have shaped the course of Reined Cow Horse in Australia.

We were so proud to induct two Hall of Fame inductees at our recent National Finals and the first we would like to present to you is Ian Francis.

Ian has been training and showing cow horses since 1970 and has won all major cow horse contests in Australia - his name is undoubtedly synonymous with Reined Cow Horse.

Ian has conducted cow horse clinics in all Australian states, NZ and Canada. He has also conducted the cow horse segments of judging clinics for the AQHA and the Horse Show Assoc. of Australia on numerous occasions.

Ian has been both a mentor and a benchmark to so many in the Reined Cow Horse arena and we are extremely pleased to induct him into our Hall of Fame.

Ian Francis