Elker Equine Livery

25/11/2023

14/09/2023

08/07/2023

A REVIEW OF THE BENEFITS OF DIFFERENT OILS COMMONLY FED TO HORSES

WHEAT OIL
+ palatable
+ provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
+ cheap (very cheap as a raw material so should be cheap as a finished product)
– low in Omega 3 (7g/100ml of oil)
– very high in Omega 6 (55g/100ml of oil)

OAT OIL
+ palatable
+ some Vitamin E & K
+ cheap (very cheap as a raw material so should be cheap as a finished product)
– low in Omega 3 (2g/100ml of oil)
– very high in Omega 6 (39g/100ml of oil)

LINSEED OIL/FLAXSEED OIL
+ highly palatable
+ highest in Omega 3 (53g/100ml of oil)
+ low in Omega 6 (13g/100ml of oil)
+ Omega 3:6 ratio of over 4:1
+ provides a small amount of Vitamin E

CAMELINA OIL (false flax, gold-of-pleasure, and sometimes wild flax)
Part of the rapeseed family
+Moderate omega 3 (not as high as linseed) - 35g/100ml oil
+provides a source of Vitamin E
+ 2:1 omega 3:omega 6 ratio
-high omega 6 (17g/100ml oil)
-not widely available in the UK
-expensive

CHIA OIL
+palatable
+high in omega 3 (less than linseed oil)
+Omega 3:6 ratio of over 3:1 - not as good as linseed
-very expensive
-not suitable as an energy source due to cost

CORN OIL
+ very cheap
+ reasonably palatable
+ widely available in Supermarkets
+ provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
– highly processed
– very low in Omega 3 (1g/100ml of oil)
– very high in Omega 6 (54g/100ml of oil)

SNAKE OIL
+Widely available
+Treats, Improves and Cures EVERYTHING!
-Can have adverse effects which manufacturer will not take responsibility for
-Will seriously damage your wallet
-When you work it out you will feel so embarrassed!

H**P OIL
+ moderate amount of Omega 3 (21g/100ml of oil)
+ low in saturated fat
– high in Omega 6 (59g/100ml of oil)

RAPESEED OIL (CANOLA OIL)
+ cheap
– Low level of Omega 3 (9g/100ml of oil)
– Moderate amount of Omega 6 (20g/100ml of oil)

COCONUT OIL
+ palatable
+ low Omega 6 (2g/100ml of oil)
+ low in polyunsaturated fat
– very very high in saturated fat
– NO Omega 3
– provides almost no vitamins

RICE BRAN OIL
+ palatable
+ provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
– low Omega 3 (2g/100ml of oil)
– very high Omega 6 (33g/100ml of oil)

COD LIVER OIL
+high in omega 3 (20g/100ml)
+High Omega 3:6 ratio
-low palatability when fed at amounts required to get an effect e.g. on immune system, respiratory health, joint health, etc
-expensive
-not suitable as an energy source due to cost

SOYA OIL
+palatable
+provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
+provides some Omega 3 (7g/100ml of oil)
-very high in Omega 6 (50g/100ml of oil)

SUNFLOWER OIL
+ provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
+ cheap
– NO Omega 3
– very high Omega 6 (66g/100ml of oil)

OLIVE OIL
+ provides small amounts of Vitamin E and K
– low in Omega 3 (1g/100ml of oil)
– high in Omega 6 (10g/100ml of oil)

Buglossoides Arvensis SEED OIL (AHIFLOWER OIL)
+ high Omega 3
+ low Omega 6
+ good conversion to EPA and DHA
– long term feeding safety in horses and people still to be determined
– very expensive (e.g. around 7 times more expensive than linseed oil)
– vitamin E content unknown?

DECIDING WHICH OIL TO FEED
I particularly avoid using WHEAT oil and OAT oil (no matter that some products claim special processing – it’s still wheat oil or oat oil), corn oil, h**p oil, rice bran oil, soya oil, olive oil and sunflower oil for horses with or prone to gastric ulcers, loose droppings, colic, respiratory or skin disease. Coconut oil is borderline acceptable as an energy source and is low in Omega 6 but provides no Omega 3’s and is relatively expensive. Ahiflower oil could be a good option but is currently very very expensive and as it has only just appeared we have no indication of the long term effects of feeding it to horses. Linseed oil is still the best oil for horses based on profile, palatability, availability and price.

DECIDING WHICH OIL TO BUY
Here are some general guidelines to help you decide which oil product to purchase.
1) Particularly avoid wheat oil, oat oil, corn oil, soya oil, rice bran oil and sunflower oil – ALL HIGH in Omega 6 and LOW in Omega 3
2) Don’t buy any oils that are in clear or light coloured plastic containers. Oil is oxidised by even very low levels of UV light
3) Avoid products with a large airspace above the oil – the more air in the container the greater the oxidation
4) Oils with antioxidants added (synthetic or natural e.g. rosemary) improve storage and reduce oxidation
5) Cold-pressed oils will have lower levels of oxidation than highly processed oils
6) Adding oil to the diet requires more Vitamin E (at least 1IU per ml). So if you are feeding 300ml per day your horse needs at least 300IU of Vitamin E more in the diet. Alternatively, you can buy some oil products with the correct amount of Vitamin E already added for you.

http://davidmarlin.co.uk/portfolio/oil-fired-the-value-of-feeding-oil-to-horses-and-how-to-choose-which-oil-is-best/

08/07/2023

ADDING OIL TO YOUR HORSES' DIET WILL NOT TREAT OR PREVENT EQUINE GASTRIC ULCERS!

Despite what you may have heard from many people, including vets, or read on social media or horse forums, adding OIL to your horses' diet will NOT treat or prevent gastric ulcers! But reducing STARCH will!

If you reduce the STARCH in your horses' diet by removing high starch ingredients like RICE BRAN (42%), WHOLE OATS (41%), MAIZE/CORN (72%), WHOLE BARLEY (60%), WHEAT BRAN (23%) or OAT BRAN (48%), this may help resolve gastric ulcers if your horse has them and/or prevent gastric ulcers developing in the future.

Where OIL comes in is that if you replace the energy coming from STARCH with energy from OIL, the OIL DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE TO GASTRIC ULCERS.

The idea to feed corn oil to horses with gastric ulcers goes back to a paper published in 2004 by Cargile et al. This paper is actually open access so you can read it for free (see bottom of post). However, these authors likely got the idea from a 1987 study in rats which showed that feeding oil to rats prevented experimentally induced peptic ulcers (Jayaraj et al., 1987).

Cargile et al. (2004) found that 45ml of corn oil a day for 5 weeks decreased gastric acid secretion in response to stimulation of acid secretion with a drug that mimics the action of the hormone gastrin (which stimulates gastric acid secretion in the body under normal conditions).

The Cargile et al. (2004) study was WEAK and POORLY designed as it only used 4 ponies AND the order of treatments were not randomised. The problem with this study is that the authors DID NOT GASTROSCOPE THE HORSES TO LOOK FOR GASTRIC ULCERS. However, this does not seem to have stopped people promoting 45ml of corn oil a day as a treatment for horses with gastric ulcers.

In contrast, Frank Andrews group at the University of Tennessee published a significantly more robust study in 2005 (Frank et al. 2005). NONE OF THE OIL TREATMENTS HAD ANY EFFECT ON PREVENTING OR REDUCING GASTRIC ULCERS!

SUMMARY
• 45ml of CORN OIL in one poorly designed and very small study (4 animals) slightly decreased gastric acid secretion in ponies. This study DID NOT scope the stomachs.
• In a larger and properly designed study, feeding 240ml per day of refined rice bran oil or crude rice bran oil or CORN OIL for 5 weeks HAD NO EFFECT ON GASTRIC ULCER FORMATION.
• There is no value to feeding CORN OIL to horses. It is highly processed and is one of the highest in inflammation-promoting Omega 6 fatty acids and very low in anti-inflammatory Omega 3 fatty acids.
• At the present time the ONLY value of feeding oil to horses with gastric ulcers is if it is used to REPLACE STARCH...i.e the benefit it REMOVING STARCH from the diet NOT adding oil.
• If you are going to feed oil to your horse then the best thing you can feed is cold-pressed linseed oil balanced with added Vitamin E.

BOTTOM LINE - Adding OIL to your horses' existing diet will make not treat or prevent gastric ulcers. Reducing STARCH in your horses' diet will help your horse to recover from gastric ulcers and or reduce the risk of future gastric ulceration. If your horse needs the energy that was being provided by starch then use oil instead.

REFERENCES
Cargile JL, Burrow JA, Kim I, Cohen ND, Merritt AM. (2004) Effect of dietary corn oil supplementation on equine gastric fluid acid, sodium, and prostaglandin E2 content before and during pentagastrin infusion. J Vet Intern Med. Jul-Aug;18(4):545-9.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2004.tb02583.x

Jayaraj AP, Tovey FI, Clark CG, et al. (1987) The ulcerogenic and protective action of rice and rice fractions in experimental peptic ulceration. Clin Sci (Lond); 72:463–466. http://www.clinsci.org/content/72/4/463.long

Frank N, Andrews FM, Elliott SB, Lew J. (2005) Effects of dietary oils on the development of gastric ulcers in mares. Am J Vet Res. Nov;66(11):2006-11. https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.2006

27/05/2023

02/04/2023

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=alice%20kitching%20equestrian

03/03/2023

👇👇 do contact us at the hospital, or discuss with our ambulatory team when we see you if this may be of benefit to your horse through March 🐴

12/02/2023

💊🐛🐎 Why do we advise not to worm and move? It's all to do with helping slow wormer resistance and ensuring we're not favouring the development of a resistant worm population.

It can be a hard one to wrap your head around but to do this horses need to go back onto the same pasture after worming* that they were on before for at least one - two weeks. This helps to re-establish a worm population that is more susceptible to wormers. Conversely, moving them straight to fresh pasture favours the development of a resistant worm population.

*Where possible horses should be stabled for 24-48hrs after worming, or if stabling isn't available then grazing land cleared of contaminated dung to prevent metabolites from damaging the environment.

Our top tips on how to slow wormer resistance 👉 bit.ly/Top10ToSlowResistance

20/12/2022

💊🐛❄ Did you know that only two chemicals, moxidectin and five day courses of fenbendazole are licenced for the treatment of the encysted stages of small redworm?

📊📉 It sounds obvious but a parasite can only build resistance to a drug when challenged by medication. The table shown gives the resistance status of the five main wormers and why we advise wherever possible to reserve moxidectin (Equest) for a single winter dose to treat encysted redworm because of widespread resistance to fenbendazole. We can then use other effective wormers through the rest of the seasons to target adult stages of small redworm and other parasite challenges.

⚖️ Best practice parasite control is about testing first, then choosing the right wormer for the right horse at the right time of year. We give free, vet approved, award winning advice, so please don't just reach for any wormer - especially if you have a youngster, veteran or high risk horse - we'd be happy to advise on the most appropriate treatment and together we can help protect key medicines 👉 bit.ly/WormerResistance

30/11/2022

4 million worm eggs!! That’s roughly what this barrow load will have removed from a paddock with horses shedding 200 egg per gram (epg) - the threshold often used for treating from a faecal egg count (FEC). Removal of these eggs from grazing areas disrupts the small redworm life cycle. Horses won’t ingest the hatched and developing worm larvae and this significantly reduces their risk of large worm infections.

29/11/2022

TUESDAY TIP 🦄

BENDING EXERCISES FOR A MORE SUPPLE HORSE

Turns, loops, circles, figures of eight and serpentines are all great exercises that you can incorporate into your horse's training.

Combine them together and you have an infinite number of beneficial bending exercises.

1. Begin with shallow loops and large circles to promote balance, suppleness and accuracy.
2. Progress to tighter turns, smaller diameters and exercises that require more changes of bend as your horse becomes stronger and more flexible.
3. The intensity of all these bending exercises can be increased by varying the gait, degree of collection, speed and tempo.

For more great exercises and advice take a look at the book POSTURE AND PERFORMANCE - https://www.horsesinsideout.com/product-page/posture-and-performance-1

Gillian Higgins

25/11/2022

1 x 40' Storage Container available to rent in secure compound

24/11/2022

Here is Ama (our Director’s horse) being sampled for the this week. She and her companion have been tested twice a year since November 2019. Based on continual low serum scores, low FEC and low tapeworm saliva scores they have not required any dewormer treatments. They last received moxidectin in 2018 (before blood testing was available).

They are low worm-egg shedding horses grazing on clean pasture with regular dung removal and are ideal candidates for testing to inform the need to treat with dewormer. Using the provides reassurance that her total small redworm burden is low and that uneccesary treatments are avoided. This helps preserve effectiveness of dewormers!

Wait for our next post to see if they need treating this year!!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻

14/11/2022

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON EQUINE FLU

The Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance team has reported a significant rise in confirmed diagnoses of equine influenza in GB over the last two weeks. These cases have overwhelmingly been in unvaccinated animals and appear to be linked to a pony sale in the UK and a sport horse sale in Ireland. Neither sale had a requirement for flu vaccination.
BEVA is reminding all yards to be vigilant with biosecurity, quarantine all new arrivals, and (now that flu vaccines are available again) make sure all vaccinations are up to date.
Professional equine keepers can sign up for a text-message alert service for outbreaks of Equine infectious diseases here: bit.ly/3Us6w2z

29/10/2022

27/10/2022

THE true cost of keeping a horse must be appreciated by livery yard owners and clients now more than ever, if businesses are to survive. This is the message from across the industry, which has been as much affected by recent price increases – as any other – but which had existing issues to deal ...

22/10/2022

L

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

We are pleased to invite you to our Equine First Aid and Emergency Workshop on Wednesday 2nd November, 6.30-8.30pm. The evening will be a hands-on, practical workshop that aims to equip you with the knowledge of what to do should the worst happen.

The evening will run in 3 parts:
𝟭. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 '𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹' 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲?
This session will focus on knowing the signs of good and ill health, and will consist of practical guidance on how to take your horse's temperature, pulse and respiratory rate, feel their digital pulse, check mucus membranes and palpate limbs. Make sure you bring your hat along with you for this session as it will be hands-on with a real horse.

𝟮. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴
During this session you will learn the most common reasons for bandaging the horse's foot and limbs, the types of bandages you can use and why, and have a go at applying them yourself using a model horse kindly supplied by Millbry Hill Country Store.

𝟯. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆?
Learn to identify common illnesses and injuries, find out what is an emergency and what can wait in the presentation and discussion session. The presentation will show real life case studies with pictures and videos to help you to confidently recognise an emergency situation and when you might need help from a vet.

Tickets are £10 per person, and places are limited. Please book early to ensure availability!

Tea, coffee and nibbles included.

Send us a message, email or phone to book - [email protected] / 01904 788 840

To be held at the Minster Equine Practice, Northfield Lane, York, YO26 6QF, Wednesday 2nd November 2022 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

22/10/2022

Learn FACT over fiction

Dechra are holding a client evening on Thursday 3rd November at Tykes, all very welcome. 7pm start.

21/10/2022

ATTENTION PLEASE! This post has been generated due to an unprecedented number of horses/donkeys seen by vets across the UK and at Rainbow Equine Hospital and through Rainbow Equine Lab for Atypical Myopathy (Sycamore toxicity).

Prevention strategies, as advised by the RVC Neuromuscular Lab (which leads UK research in this area), include:

Provide supplementary forage in Autumn (not from the ground).
Clear fallen sycamore leaves and seeds from grazing areas or fence away from heavily contaminated areas.
Check neighbouring areas for high risk plants/ seeds as the seeds ‘helicopters’ can travel far in windy conditions.
Limiting grazing time, especially on windy autumnal days, is also helpful.
Check water troughs for contamination with seeds and clean regularly.

12/10/2022

Project WORMS- We need your help!

With support from the BEVA - The British Equine Veterinary Association, this collaborative project between VetPartners’ Equine Clinical Board, CVS Group Plc and IVC Evidensia UK & IE, aims to help find a solution to the rapidly growing problem of resistance to equine worming products.

Horse owners and carers are being asked to complete a short questionnaire about how they currently control worms in their horses. This information is important to help us develop and promote new ways of controlling worms that do not add to the problem of wormer resistance.

The survey will remain open until the end of October, and you can make your contribution to this valuable research here: projectworms.co.uk

06/10/2022

🍂🍁CLINIC DATES OCTOBER 🍂🍁

22nd October - Harrogate riding centre - course riding - suitable for all levels

23rd October- Elker Equine York - pole work/ Grid work - suitable for all levels

Message to book💌

Prices (including arena hire)

🛑Private- £35

🛑Group 2/3 £25

🛑group of 4 £20

More dates and venues will be announced soon for November❗❗️

UKCC qualified and first aid trained.

01/10/2022

Now I am settled in my new job I am now available to take on new clients ( as well as old) 🦄

Available to travel and coach at your base or at a venue to suit. (Selby/York/ Harrogate area)
Clinic dates to be announced shortly!

If you would be interested in me running a clinic at your yard then please get in touch!

Also still availability as a freelance show groom if anyone has any dates then please message me 🙂

UKCC coach and first aid trained ⛑

Message for more details 📫

15/09/2022

25/08/2022

We need to report

25/08/2022

25/08/2022

13/08/2022

Equine Welfare Awareness Month – Is your horse fit for purpose?

Whether you ride for pleasure or competition, it is always beneficial to have a well-designed exercise program to work towards. Do not rush! If you do too much too soon, your horse is more likely to sustain an injury.

For an unfit horse, a basic fitness programme should be planned over a period of six to eight weeks, starting with short slow sessions, working up to longer faster periods of work. Each week the length and intensity of the work should increase to improve strength and fitness but remember to incorporate rest days into the timetable too.

You can check how well your horse is coping with the fitness programme by monitoring heart rate and how quickly it recovers to a normal rate after exercise (see image).

After each session of training, you should time how long it takes before your horse’s heart rate returns to a normal rest rate. The fitter your horse gets, the more rapidly it should recover. As a general rule, if your horse does not recover to the required rate after a ten-minute rest period, then the exercise is too hard for its stage of fitness and should be reduced.

19/07/2022