Equine Head to Tail by Billie Morris

11/12/2024

This article on having an ex-racehorse is spot on. All you so called horse experts who have absolutely NO idea how to handle let alone ride a racehorse TAKE NOTE.

10/12/2024

This is an interesting article. A few years ago I knew a mare who as she got older started to flip over, I mean just flip over for no apparent reason, she would then get up and stand there as though nothing had happened. She had poor muscle in her neck which just didn’t add up with the way she was worked and appeared to be otherwise fit and healthy and pain free. It was always in the back of my mind about malformation of the C6 and C7.
The mare was put down as a result of her flipping over, maybe now, there would have been some way to help her, but at the time there was little information or indeed treatment available.

There has been so much going on around the topic of ECVM, this congenital malformation is one we are diagnosing, managing and studying at Denali Equine in partnership with Rexos Inc, under the guidance of the legendary Dr. Sharon May-Davis. We wanted to give you the top ten points on ECVM facts. (Sorry this is long- Well worth the full read!)

1. ECVM is a congenital condition, meaning they are born with it. We suspect it is a recessive genetic disorder because two unaffected adults can produce offspring with it. There are several groups racing to find the genetics behind this condition. More information on the horizon.

2. ECVM is not a fatal diagnosis. However, it can be. It depends on the severity of the malformation and how well the horse can functionally compensate.

3. Radiographs of the lower neck are necessary to diagnose the condition. These radiographs must be clear lateral and obliques of C6, C7 and ideally T1. These can be done in the field for most horses. However larger generators do get better images.

4. Variability: Horses can be either a bilateral or unilateral malformation of C6, which in 52% of C6 cases can transpose either bilaterally or unilaterally. To C7; T1 and the first ribs are variably affected.

5. Studies show horses with transposition of the ventral lamina to C7 are more likely to suffer from clinical neck pain than horses with normal anatomy. In our experience horses with rib malformations have more severe clinical signs than those with normal ribs (no clear studies yet).

6. The bones absolutely do not tell the whole story. However, bones do not lie. They often indicate the level of soft tissue malformations present. The more severe the boney changes- the more severe the soft tissue is altered around them.

7. Clinical picture: all horses are not lame, but they do all have subtle clinical signs. Most often the clinical signs are not limb related lameness (but can be). These horses can show signs of the pain ethogram, rearing, sporadic behavior, abnormal front limb flight patterns (especially with equipment), girthiness, resistance to go forward, doesn’t like physical touch (brushing, blanketing ex). The signs are so variable for every horse!

8. The common things heard from owners/trainers:
* The horse was always bad from the start (this is concerning for the more severe cases)
* The horse was fine until it wasn’t. We find this is from something changed in the program. i.e., was imported, switched barns, changed jobs.
* They don’t understand why the horse is failing quicker than usual as it gets older. As the horse ages the clinical signs become more apparent. The body can only manage for so long. Think of it this way- the foundation was built wrong from the beginning. Therefore, it takes time for the cracks in your walls or floors to show, it then takes those cracks a while before they become a structural problem in your house.
* A minor incident happened and now they’re not ok. Suspect an injury can cause the horse to spiral out of stabilization or have the ability to compensate. An example could be getting cast or trailering event then the horse was never the same. Example, you do not know your house wasn’t built well until the storm blows it over.

9. These horses have significant soft tissue pathology on necropsies. Therefore, no matter what the data is showing us: If the horse has ECVM, is clinical, and other differentials have been ruled out these horses are clinically affected by the ECVM.

10. On necropsies we have found:
* Missing, malformed and fractured ribs
* Abnormal nerve patterns, these nerves can be totally entrapped and compressed by abnormal muscle patterns. The dorsal scalene can trap the large nerves of the brachial plexus within its abnormal paths. The phrenic nerve can get pulled inappropriately and leave impressions within the ventral scalene.
* Abnormal muscles: dorsal scalene, ventral scalene, iliocostalis, longus coli, re**us abdominal, intercostal muscles, serratus ventails cervicis. All these muscles have critical roles in stability, proprioception, and biomechanics.
* Abnormal vascular patterns
* Trachea abnormalities
* Fascial changes

ECVM is currently a controversial and sensitive topic so we thought we would share a few known quick facts to help you understand this issue better. Please go to our website (www.DenaliEquine.com) to find more information and links to the current studies on this disease. We are researching and studying these horses! We are working on several angles of research right now throughout Non-Profit Rexos Inc. If you would like more information on how you can help, please reach out!

DeClue Equine saddlefitting.us

09/12/2024

Look at how all the bones, muscles, nerves, ligaments, tendons and fascia are all connected.

We know so little about the horse's body!
However, we now know that the skeletal muscles do not function as independent entities or actuators. Muscles, defined just by their origin and insertion, are artefacts of dissections. Muscles are linked by connective tissue, forming functional chains.

When I look under the skin during dissections, it is very clear.
Look at this picture. Extensor carpi radialis are in a 'pocket', which is a continuation of the periost. There is also an interconnected common digital extensor. To aid further, in that fascial septum, there is an embedded tendon of pectoral muscle and biceps brachii.

Years ago, Tom Myers said, "Are there really 600 muscles or only one muscle in 600 fascial pockets?" This was a very thought-provoking question at the time.

When I look at this picture my mind can be creative as well - maybe muscle island in the fascial ocean?

I share many pictures from my soft tissue-oriented dissections on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/c/equineanatomyinlayers
or introducing them in my class - https://ivanaruddock.podia.com/

06/12/2024

The adverts are stilling there for older horses and ponies, trying to squeeze the last breath and pound out of them.

Doing the right thing - Euthanasia.

Smartie has been gone two months today.

I’m seeing a lot of adverts of people trying to sell or loan their horses or ponies. A lot of them are older equines who have probably passed their sell by date, but their owners are still trying to pass them off as still fit for work with plenty of life in them. If I can change the outcome for just one elderly horse with this post then so be it.

This was on the day that Smartie was pts. The hardest part for me was making the actual phone call to the company who do the deed. The lady I spoke to offered to come out straight away, but seeing as Smartie was comfortable we arranged for the following morning. I also needed to properly get my head around the fact that this was finally happening. I didn’t want the vet to do it, she looked rather relieved when I said that I would use the fallen stock people.

So there I was waiting at home for the phone call to say that the woman who was going to put my beloved mare to sleep was on her way.
Why am I at home you might ask? Today of all days the mobile phone signals have all gone down and I was waiting on the home phone. Maybe this worked out for the best, otherwise I would have been looking at Smartie hoping for a miracle that all would somehow come right again. In truth, I didn’t want to look at her for any length of time because I was afraid that if I did, then all my self control would desert me and I would let my mare down when she needed me the most.
I stayed in survival mode if you want to put a name to it, all through that day and for next 6 or 7 days. It wasn’t until I met a friend in the lanes who said to me ‘I’m sorry for your loss’ that it hit me.
I was never going to see her again.
I was never going to stroke her again.
I would never hear her whicker to me ever again.
It was all over, she was gone forever.
What I did have were my memories and photos of her. I didn’t want her hair or any other bits of her. I do have her mucky head collar that is full of her smell and that’s enough for me.

What I was surprised to hear about by both the fallen stock lady and the vet who had come out the previous day to affirm what I already knew, that it was Smartie’s time and that I was doing the right thing. Was their comments on how well she looked (I really didn’t want hear that at the time). As I talked to them I began to realise that Smartie was indeed ‘lucky’. I was a rarity because I was taking responsibility for her death. Both said that the majority of the time they are called out when the horse or pony has gone way past looking even halfway decent. The fallen stock lady went even further to say that she had had to step in with strong words when the owner of a horse was to be pts and the livery yard owner was bullying the owner into keeping the horse alive even though it was plain to see that the horse needed to be pts. All he was thinking of was the money. The welfare of the horse wasn’t even being considered. In fact it seems to be a more of a common practice to put the welfare of the horse way down the line after everything else.

There are far too many older horses and ponies on the market for sale, loan or companion. Most adverts stating that the horse is full of life, got plenty more years of work in it. Who checks up on these horses? Who makes sure that they aren’t just on a one way trip to a slaughter house.

How did we as a so-called nation of animal lovers become so callous. Determined to squeeze every last morsel of life out of these creatures. Have we become so hardened to abuse that we can’t see right from wrong?

And one more thing, do the right thing.
Man up and hold their rope, you’ve looked after them, why should the last thing they see be a stranger.

For me, it was a relief that I was there right to the end.
Smartie was 33 years old when she died. I had owned her since she was an unbroken 3 year old.
I owe her everything.
She owed me nothing.
This photo was taken a week before she was pts.

28/11/2024

Doing a regular stretch routine helps to keep your horses muscles and joints supple over the winter months. It will help to keep his back strong for when you are able to ride. It can also help to reduce loss of muscle due to inactivity.

21/11/2024

But there is snow on Dartmoor❄️👀

21/11/2024

I got quite excited earlier, it was sort of snowing here in South Devon, now it’s just wet and cold. Ah well, these are from a few years ago in Lambourn.

20/11/2024

There are plenty of adverts going around.
So I’ll just leave this here👇

20/11/2024

Do you ever consider homeopathy when thinking about long term treatments for your horse?

My first horse Ziggy was diagnosed with arthritis in both front fetlock’s at the age of 15. Luckily for the pair of us, my vet was also a homeopathic vet. He, the vet went off and prepared Ziggy a treatment. I admit I was sceptical at first but from the time I started Ziggy on his homeopathic treatment he was sound as a pound with no problems at all.

It cost the grand total of £1 per year. Yes, you read that right £1. Admittedly this was over thirty years ago, but even so, conventional treatment would have been so much more.

There are homeopathic vets around that could possibly help all animals, you just need to know where to look.

I have enclosed a link to help you find a homeopathic vet in your area.

British Association of Veterinary Herbalists – list of members.

14/11/2024

With the temperature dropping, old horses and ponies along with a lot of thoroughbreds will be dropping their weight.

To help them to keep their weight, it’s important to keep them warm and try to feed more than once or twice a day. Their bodies cannot absorb huge feeds in one go.

Smartie would often get three to four smaller feeds in order to help keep her looking her best. I know not everyone can get to their horses this amount of times in a day, but maybe you can team up with other people on your yard and help each other and your horses.

Smartie at 33 👇❤️🐎

05/11/2024

Ligaments and Tendons.

Ligaments are connective tissue.

They connect bone to bone - therefore stabilising the skeleton both at rest and in exercise.

Ligaments are mainly made up of collagen with elastic fibres to allow the ligaments to give a little. This is Type I.

When a ligament is overstretched either through strain, tiredness or injury it takes a long time to heal properly. There are no blood vessels running through to help with the healing. And the ligament may never fully recover its original range of movement.

Tendons connect muscle to bone again they are made up of collagen and elastin, but in order for healthy tendons to stretch a little like ligaments, they are made up of Type I collagen which contains more elastin.

After injury, the tissue is repaired with Type III collagen. This is less resistant to repeated damage. Type I is made up of straight lines, whilst Type III is put down rather haphazardly to help heal an injured tendon or ligament. If the horse is not allowed to recover properly the chances are that the horse will be injured again.

Over time the Type III collagen will be replaced by Type I but the horse needs slow methodical exercise once he is sound in walk. This is in order for the ligaments and tendons to realign correctly.

Type II collagen is what cartilages are mainly made up of. They cushion the ends of the bones that come together.

A regular stretching program can help reduce injuries by keeping joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles in the legs, neck and body flexible.

01/11/2024

People looking for a farrier in the Powys area.
Sam shod my mare Smartie whilst she was in Lambourn.

Welcome to Samuel Towell Farrier Services

I am a farrier based in Llanidloes, Powys

With over 14 years of experience we offer a wide range of services from:
•barefoot trimming
•shoeing
•hoof boot fittings
•remedial shoeing and consultations

To get in contact see Email on the profile page

31/10/2024

Connective Tissue.

You hear all the time that everything in the body is connected, be it in humans, equines or any other animals.

Connective tissues are ligaments, connecting bone to bone, tendons connecting muscles to bone and then there is fascia.

Fascia is a white fibrous tissue which is made up of elastin, collagen and a ground fluid substance which holds the fascia together. It is extremely strong, being able to withstand huge amounts of pressure per square inch.

Fascia is wrapped round the body inbetween the skin, skeleton and muscles. This fascia is called the Superficial Fascia.

Fascia which is wrapped individually round each muscle, bone, organ, blood vessel, tendon, ligament and nerve is called Viscerial Fascia.

Fascia which lines cavities in the body like the pelvic area is known as the Parietal Fascia.

Fascia is there to protect the body, but it can become tight due to injury, scar tissue (it can stick to other parts next to it) repeated exercise when the body hasn’t been able to rest properly, ill fitting tack, saddles and girths especially.

Tight fascia can reduce movement and become uncomfortable for the horse or anyone else.

Massage can help detect and loosen not only tight, sore muscles but fascia as well.

Stretching also helps.

There is so much amazing stuff going on under the skin.

18/10/2024

15/10/2024

Benefits of Rein Backs.

There are many benefits of asking a horse to back up. It can be done in hand or whilst someone is onboard.

The easiest way is from the ground. Asking the horse to move away from you via some pressure to the front of the chest, it reminds the horse of his manners in a stable for instance, to move away from the door. It is also a good way to help build stability and strength when a horse cannot be ridden for a reason. But always check with your vet.
Backing up, turning small circles and walking over raised ground poles will help engage the core and hind leg muscles.

Asking for a couple of steps backwards whilst riding helps to rebalance a horse, especially if he is on the forehand. Again, it engages the hocks and hindquarters so that the horse is pushing himself along rather than pulling himself.

As soon as the horse has stepped back a couple of paces ask him to move forward straight away. You should feel that the horse has come up in front of you, he is lighter in the hand and he will be more responsive to the aids.

I used rein back on Smartie during our schooling sessions. I would then send her straight into canter from the rein back. It set her up nicely for collected canter. She could be quite busy. After she was retired, I continued to use back up to help keep her core strength and muscles toned.

05/10/2024

Leading on from my last post. This could be an excellent place to gain extra knowledge.

04/10/2024

I’m seeing quite a few posts from people who are advertising their services as riders and or selling young inexperienced horses and ex racehorses off the track.

Retraining an ex racehorse takes time, patience and experience. From what I have read lately a lot of these horses have come straight out of training to be picked up cheaply by inexperienced people, who know next to nothing about how a racehorse is actually trained. They are clearly just wanting to make a quick buck and sod the consequences for the horse and the potential buyer.

This also goes for the young horse or pony that needs careful handling to produce a calm, confident animal. Again these horses and ponies have been picked up cheaply to sell on quickly. There appears to be no idea that horses and ponies need to be given time to understand what is being asked of them and to get used to having a rider on their back, probably for the first time.

In these riders quest to get people interested in buying these horses, there are pictures of young underdeveloped horses jumping fences that are a) too high and b) shouldn’t be jumping anything anyway. Then there is the comment saying that the horse in question is still getting used to being handled!! I mean really???

Then you come to the actual experience of the rider. Some people are excellent riders and are willing to learn and adapt to the horse they are training. But a lot of what I read are young inexperienced riders who still have so much more to learn. A clue here is that you never stop learning. I know I certainly haven’t.

Maybe some of these experienced riders should spend a season working in a race yard, they will learn the ethics of work riding and learn to ride the proper quirky horses that are looking for an excuse to bury you. That is not just staying on, but actually riding the horse through it. Learning what makes that horse tick.

Personally, I knew at the time when I was younger that I couldn’t just ride anything. It took years of riding every horse that was in the yards I was working in at the time and yes I was run off with and I was dumped at times. it’s all part of the learning curve.

Any decent rider will tell you that.

Also I’ll add that when you pass your exams for equine massage therapy, that is just the start of learning about the horses body. Maybe riders should adopt that idea.

Hopefully this post will encourage people to be patient, learn to put the horse first and gain proper experience.