Equine Science Center - Equinec

02/09/2024

Vaccines Cause an Increase in Inflammation

by Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.

“You've seen it firsthand – a decline in your horse’s overall demeanor and health following routine vaccinations. Inflammation is the reason for this reaction. A new study from the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, monitored the inflammatory response to vaccinations using a marker known as Serum Amyloid A (SAA).[i]

SAA is protein which increases in the blood in response to acute infection, injury, or stress. Because it rises so rapidly, it is a good biomarker in determining inflammation or infection.

The study looked at thirty-six clinically normal horses. Twenty-eight horses received booster vaccinations that are commonly recommended: Rabies, tetanus, West Nile virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, equine herpesvirus 1 and 4, and influenza. The control group consisted of eight horses, and they only received saline injections instead of vaccines.

Body temperature was recorded, and blood samples were collected daily for 10 days after the vaccinations.

Results:

SAA temporarily increased for up to 10 days following vaccinations. Most horses (85.7%) returned to normal levels within 10 days.
Most horses (78.6%) developed a fever of greater than 101.12°F (>38.4°C). Normal body temperature of horses ranges from 99 to101°F (37.2 to 38.3°C).

Elevated SAA levels did not necessarily indicate illness. Instead, the researchers advised horse owners to be aware of their horse’s overall health and provide a recovery period prior to travel or competition.

Implications for your horses

Not all horses exhibit negative symptoms, even when inflammation is present. But when the horse does not respond well, inflammation can present itself as specific symptoms, including reduced appetite, depression, irritability, sensitivity to touch, or reluctance to move. Or your horse may simply have a general malaise, where he is not feeling or acting normally.

It may be worthwhile having a discussion with your veterinarian about the necessity of certain vaccines, depending on your horse’s age, living arrangements and travel schedule. While the study showed inflammation declining back to normal levels within ten days, it can remain challenging to the immune system and horses who are already immunocompromised (such as with PPID), may experience a longer impact on their health.

Older horses often benefit from spacing out vaccinations to prevent overwhelming the immune system. As horses age, they often experience a phenomenon called immunosenescence, which refers to a gradual weakening of the immune system.[ii]

Preventive care

Feed an anti-inflammatory diet:[iii]

Balance essential fatty acids. These are crucial for a horse’s health but are frequently underestimated. Omega 3 fatty acids, along with omega 6s, in a 4:1 ratio will improve your horse’s immunity by reducing inflammation. Chia seeds and flaxseeds are both excellent sources and mimic the omega 3 to 6 ratio found in healthy pasture grasses. If your horse grazes on pasture for more than 8 hours per day, he is likely eating enough omega 3s. But when growth slows due to seasonal changes, the level of omega 3s in pasture grasses lessens. Consequently, a source of omega 3s must be added to the diet every day since the horse’s body cannot produce them.

Avoid soybean, corn, and sunflower seed oils. Commercial feeds typically contain these to add more fat to their formulas. However, they are exceedingly high in omega 6s with hardly any omega 3s. Too many omega 6s will increase inflammation.

Feed a low sugar/low starch diet. Horses do not need refined carbohydrates to be healthy. Added molasses as well as starchy cereal grains are broken down to glucose when they are digested, which raises insulin. Insulin is an inflammatory hormone.

Avoid feedstuffs that contain glyphosate. Glyphosate is the toxic herbicide found in RoundUp®. Exposure can lead to cancer and absorption problems.[iv] Soybeans and soy-based feeds are genetically modified to tolerate glyphosate unless they are organic. It’s worth noting that beet pulp and alfalfa products could potentially be contaminated with glyphosate.

Fill in nutritional gaps. While hay is a staple in most horses’ diets, it is essential to recognize that it is not a complete source of all necessary nutrients. To address this issue, consider providing your horse with a well-rounded vitamin and mineral supplement in addition to incorporating high-quality, protein-rich whole foods into the diet. When seeking protein sources, it is advisable to avoid non-organic soy. Instead, consider including h**p seeds in your horse’s diet—they provide high-quality protein.

Strive for organic or Non-GMO. Organic and most non-GMO feeds and supplements do not contain chemical preservatives. This will lessen the level of oxidative stress in the body, resulting in an improved immune system.

Reduce stress. Stress makes horses more susceptible to developing infections, allergies, and enhanced inflammatory responses. The main stressors horses experience includes intense exercise, travelling, forage restriction, isolation, confinement in a small space, not enough companionship, and inability to roam. The more you can allow your horse to live like Nature intended, the healthier he will be. For articles that discuss stress and ways to reduce it, visit the Getty Equine Nutrition Resource Library.[v]\

Bottom line

This research study used Serum Amyloid A (SAA) as a measure to confirm an inflammatory response after horses receive vaccinations. Individual responses, however, vary depending on the horse’s overall health and immune system. Discuss with your veterinarian which vaccinations are necessary and which to avoid for your horse’s specific needs, and work on ways to keep your horse healthy through an anti-inflammatory diet and reduced stress.


[i] Baumgarten, C. M., Delph Miller, K. M., Davis, E. G., Beard, L. A., Blevins, C. A., Wottowa, M., Hill, M., & Larson, R. L. (2024). Serum amyloid A increases following routine vaccination of healthy adult horses. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(9), 1181-1187. https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/262/9/javma.24.04.0244.xml

[ii] Equine vaccination Q&A. August 8, 2022. The Horse. https://thehorse.com/148729/equine-vaccination-qa/

[iii] Getty, J.M. Immunity. Resource Library at Getty Equine Nutrition. https://gettyequinenutrition.com/pages/resource-library-immunity

[iv] Getty, J.M. Organic and Non-GMO. Resource Library at Getty Equine Nutrition. https://gettyequinenutrition.com/pages/resource-library-organic-and-non-gmo

[v] Getty, J.M. Stress Prevention. Resource Library at Getty Equine Nutrition. https://gettyequinenutrition.com/pages/resource-library-stress-prevention “

By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. You’ve seen it firsthand – a decline in your horse’s overall demeanor and health following routine vaccinations. Inflammation is the reason for this reaction. A new study from the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University...

16/08/2024

15/08/2024

01/08/2024

18/07/2024

You know that old saying, "egg on your face?" - that's exactly what happens when you steal images (without credit) and misrepresent them to support an outdated theory you can't let go of.

Luckily, Ann Ramsey, we have the originals and the two previous x-rays of this horse, all taken within four months of each other.

Now, Ann, if the outdated, spurious theory that you cannot let go of was correct that 'the DDFT is pulling P3 through the capsule', then to prove this theory without a shadow of a doubt, the capsule would had to have remained exactly the same from the first x-ray to the last.

But that has never, ever been shown - not once, ever. The theory is bogus.

Because when you look at the timeline leading up to rotation, which we have shown you here (which you didn't care to show) the hoof capsule changes. It is manipulated.

The problem is, the horse goes lame, the vet comes along and takes a picture - one moment in time - believing the hoof capsule in front of them is the true hoof capsule - sees P3 'rotated' and assumes it was all the act of the devil DDFT, and the long toe... so then you go CHOP, CHOP, CHOP. And ultimately it gets worse and horse is pts. Bravo. 👏

Instead of assuming (because you know what happens when you assume) look at the images of the x-rays prior to the x-ray with rotation - or better still, understand capsule manipulation.

Look at the images of the x-rays prior to the one stolen from us. Same horse remember.

Look at the change in the hoof capsule. Heels are going up, and the toe is being removed. The rotation of P3 has nothing to do with the long toe or the DDFT.

A child playing a game of 'spot the difference' could tell you that. But not apparently grown adults.

Also, please check out the link below showing x-rays of a rehabbing toe with a healing angle, growing in a tighter wall connection, proving again that the DDFT and the long toe are not at play here.

Additionally, observe horses rehabbing by establishing the capsule back to its correct position, bringing sole depth back under P3, and allowing the hoof capsule to grow out naturally.

Here is a good place to start: https://youtu.be/OSrt8xnsdds

You can find plenty more examples at Gawsworth Track Livery - real-life, real-time case studies proving that the old theory of the DDFT and the long toe tearing laminae, is incorrect - it is bogus. No examples have ever been given.

And yet DDFT tenotomies are still performed, and horses pts because of rotation when it had nothing to do with the DDFT, the SADP theory, or long toe.

PTS based on theories that cannot be proven. Over and over again.

The issue has never been the DDFT.

It is, and always has been, human error and hoof capsule manipulation. Not following Mother Nature’s constants. All resulting in screwing up the balance points.

So next time you take a photo or x-ray that isn’t yours, let your followers see the real truth behind what has happened. And those of you who have shared this all over FB, could you also credit us and credit back to this post please so that your followers can SEE with their own eyes what is happening to the foot.

And one final note - everyone going round the internet calling what we do the LOW HEEL, LONG TOE method have completely missed the point. That could be exactly how you describe an NPA.

Please refrain from using misleading language. Whilst attempting to scoff and undermine us, please call it 'following the horse's constants' - eg the HSP.

Whilst we refer to your version of trimming as PPT - personal preference trimming.

If you want to disprove what we do, do the following:

1. be totally transparent with your images, dates and times (like we do)
2. show a full set of photos from below, the top, caudally and laterally (so we can actually see your balance - like we do)
3. show the animals walking, trotting and cantering (like we do)

One more time... there is no strain, no pull, no pain from the DDFT - unless you've completely misunderstood balance (as was the case with these x-rays in this post).

It's getting boring guys - horses are dying - stop hanging on to outdated, disproven theories - chuck them in the bin where they belong.

What we do is follow Mother Nature’s constants, we don’t guess, we follow what the horse is showing us, and we know EXACTLY how to balance a foot correctly.

If you want to try and use old outdated science to outwit, discredit or undermine us, please get your facts right first. Less of the spin.

Cheers.



HM.

p.s. if you don't understand what is happening in these x-ray images, please join our free rehab group - The Phoenix Way: Path 2 Hoof Health

p.p.s. if you want to hear the full story of what happened to the horse in these x-rays, go here: https://youtu.be/3TMM65tisd0

28/06/2024

21/06/2024

It’s a ‘helpful’ little warning 🐴🌿🤠💝

21/06/2024

Hindgut acidosis is a tricky condition to understand and diagnose

Check out this infographic

A disruption of your horse’s gut biome can have devastating effects. Here’s what you need to know about how hindgut acidosis happens and what you can do to prevent it.