MotorQueue Natural Hoof Care

11/18/2024

Does your horse have over developed temporalis or masseter muscles? It can tell you quite a lot!

The muscles of mastication or can they tell us more??

We often think if we see a problem in one area then that is the area that needs to only be addressed yet I have seen horses with overworked Temporalis muscles due to a pain response in the hock

Teeth and feet are often the root cause of many issues but not the root cause of every issue and we often address an area then do not think beyond the issue we feel it was as we often hear the words all checks have been done

But we always must ask the question if everything checks out right then why is our horse still telling us something is still wrong??

It's why I strongly advise having one professional to do each job, for then you always have a second opinion on the work that has been done, and also the horses system gets a break in between the work that has just taken place.

I will be delving deeper in my my new course to help you understand what stories these muscles are telling us x

11/16/2024

🧬 Did you know that your horse’s kidneys play a major role in regulating thirst and urination through hormonal pathways? When these pathways are disrupted, it can lead to increased thirst (polydipsia) and urination (polyuria), especially in horses with PPID (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction).

Around 31% of PPID horses show signs of these symptoms. Excessive cortisol disrupts antidiuretic hormone balance, increasing urination and thirst. This can strain the kidneys, raising the risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Want to learn about other signs of PPID? Check out this article:
🇺🇲 https://madbarn.com/equine-cushings-disease/
🇨🇦 https://madbarn.ca/equine-cushings-disease/

11/15/2024

Horses are born with about 3-4 inches of tooth root to last them their lifetime. Around age 25, depending on dental care throughout the horses life, the teeth will begin to expire. This is why it is critical to be conservative when making adjustments in the mouth. Over floating can result in premature expiring of teeth.

11/13/2024

**THURSDAY RESEARCH MEME**

Todays meme is from a study that the Utrecht research group did where they studied limb preferences in foals when grazing.

In that study ~50% of the studied foals (24) developed a preference to systematically protract the same limb when grazing. This was associated with uneven feet (i.e a flatter foot vs. an upright foot) and uneven loading patterns.

Where this preference originates from remains to be confirmed, although laterality maybe a cause especially in foals with relatively long limbs and small heads.

In either case, the findings and biomechanical adaptions highlights the importance of working with the equine team to evaluate any asymmetries and support the horse.

Important to note, that the presence of uneven feet is not always related to grazing posture and could be influenced by pathology, further reinforcing the need to discuss this asymmetry with the equine team.

🤓

www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/blog/

11/02/2024

Words of wisdom Wednesdays!
"Educate your client on the 1st day. You won't solve hoof issues with the trim alone."

Read more great words of wisdom from Pete Ramey by visiting our website at http://pacifichoofcare.net/pearlsofwisdom/

10/29/2024

🌿 Understanding the difference between WSC and ESC in hay is essential for balancing your horse’s diet.

WSC (Water-Soluble Carbohydrates) encompasses various types of sugars, including simple sugars, fructans, and pectins. While fructans and pectins are not digestible in the small intestine, they ferment in the hindgut.

ESC (Ethanol-Soluble Carbohydrates) is a portion of WSC that includes simple sugar, which are digested in the small intestine and affect glycemic load.

To learn more about reading a hay analysis, check out our article:
🇺🇸https://madbarn.com/how-to-take-a-hay-sample/
🇨🇦https://madbarn.ca/how-to-take-a-hay-sample/

10/27/2024

Dominance theory was a terrible mistake, that even the scientist who cataloged it, regrets doing. The deep level of misunderstanding that happened based on inappropriate studies just spiraled out of control into a culturally accepted excuse to train and work with animals with force and punishment.

Dominance theory was the idea that animals, horses included, have a linear dominance and set roles within the herd. The idea that there is a set leader, a decision maker, who controls the other horses' behaviors through threats and the other horses love this horse as their leader. The idea that horses have a linear set hierarchy that determines who's in charge and only changes if overthrown by someone stronger. These deeply flawed ideas have lead people to believe that they can be the leader horse by mimicking equine behavior, they misunderstood, justifying their use of forceful physical control and punishment to train behavior. All under the idea of being a "good leader".

The thing is, science is constantly growing and self-correcting. As we spend more time actually studying horses in various scenarios and environments, and each species individually, their family units, their herds, packs, groups, etc... We have learned this concept of dominance is wildly inaccurate and deeply unhealthy, only seen in extreme, inappropriate environments (like old overpacked zoos with many unrelated animals, as the original studies were based on).

What's really going on then? What is Dominance really? Do we need to be dominant?

Horse herds really work in a much more fluid and dynamic manner, it's not a linear hierarchy. Horses make decisions based on need, if someone has a need, they satisfy that need, the other horses stay with them out of social bonds and safety in numbers. A secure, confident horse will be more likely to make decisions that lead away from the group, while insecure, nervous horses might be less likely to make decisions, sticking more closely to the center of the herd. This isn't leadership or dominance, just confidence, in themselves and their world. This changes constantly. A confident horse may be more clingy and insecure if they have a pain problem, if they're pregnant, or if they're sick. This dynamic is constantly flowing. Who makes the decision, is up to how much the individual wants something. Who stays or goes in the herd is based on social bonds, friendships, familial relationships, and resource needs.

What was frequently mistaken as "dominance" was actually determined roles of priority access to resources. If a resource is limited, the herd knows who has first access, usually the bully. This varies by resource, my sweet itch mare has priority access to the shelter, while she doesn't care about defending food resources. She may shove everyone out of her way for shelter from bugs, but someone else may shove her out of the way for food. A group of 2 might pair up to move off a single horse who would typically move either of them individually. This access to resources is determined with little squabbles, but usually is limited to just some body language threatening gestures. It would be unhealthy if the herd were to compromise each other in fights over resources, when they have the bigger threat of predators they need to remain safe for. We only see extreme linear resource guarding in domestic settings where resources are limited. If hay is fed in limited supply one horse may always get priority access. If there isn't enough shelter, one horse may not let the others in it. This isn't dominance, but resource guarding. This isn't leadership, but the opposite, a horse who is deeply insecure in their resources, in their safety, violently defending themselves. If one horse resource guards excessively, most of the other horses avoid them, ignore them, don't want to groom with them, and don't want to risk dealing with them. They're like a human child bully, so insecure in themselves they act out against everyone else to try to soothe their need.

Ethology has also shown that horses do not think humans are horses. Even if we mimic their body language, they do not equate us as horses. We don't have a place in their access to resources, because we aren't sharing their resources. We are their PROVIDERS. We are the ones giving them their resources, it's our job to understand herd dynamics and ensure our horses have adequate resources in appropriate ways so there is no need to fighting, insecurity, or herd stress. It's not our job to challenge our horses for access to the very resources we are giving them! We are their caretakers.

Dominance and access to resources has nothing to do with training, only knowing how to provide care and management without creating unhealthy or dangerous equine interactions.

Training should be done with a compassionate understanding of behavioral science and how to apply positive reinforcement. It has nothing to do with herd dynamics or dominance, or even strong leadership, but rather clear communication, compassionate care and gentle behavior training.

Additional resources
https://www.awla.org/uncategorized/alpha-dogs-dominance-theory-fact-or-fiction/

https://www.clickertraining.com/node/2297

https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/dominance-when-an-outdated-theory-wont-go-away

https://news.asu.edu/20210805-discoveries-myth-alpha-dog

https://journal.iaabcfoundation.org/horse-dominance-1-28/

https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/dominance-leadership

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/debunking-the-alpha-dog-theory/

https://positively.com/dog-training/article/ethology-why-pack-theory-is-wrong

https://www.rover.com/blog/alpha-dog-meaning/?msockid=323ef8c5489068da23bbeaa549916988

https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/dominance-when-an-outdated-theory-wont-go-away

10/22/2024

10/19/2024

For anyone who needs to hear it. It’s more than okay if you’re not riding your horse right now, or if you’re not going to ride at all. Riding is not the only way to enjoy your horse, maybe you want to take them for walks and train on the ground, or maybe you just want to watch them be horses.

You are not “wasting” them in the paddock, they do not “need” to be ridden. So long as they are looked after, that’s what counts. Forage to chew on, Friends to interact with, and Freedom to move and play.

Enjoy your horse, whatever that looks like for you.

❤️🐴

10/15/2024

🌰ACORNS 🌰
As the leaves are changing and Fall settles in, be aware of these little devils that can wreak havoc on your horse’s hooves!

Many of our horses, especially those with PPID/Cushings and EMS, are highly sensitive to simple sugars and starch. Acorns average over 40% starch! Consumption leading to an exaggerated insulin response can result in Laminitis.

They are very yummy to horses so if accessible, they’ll often be found rooting through the leaves and chowing down on the sweet little treats. We must be aware of the serious consequences this can bring!

Removing the acorns manually, removing the trees entirely, or fencing off the area during the Fall are the best ways to prevent access. If all else fails, a grazing muzzle also works to prevent and reduce access.
All the above options are better than the alternative, trust me.

This information and further reading is from Dr.Kellon’s article here: https://drkhorsesense.wordpress.com/2019/11/09/is-acorn-toxicity-in-horses-real/?fbclid=IwAR0c16phA7rx0XcekHcM0iJDe0H2bt2cA285e542wknFZThmrwp5GmPx12s

10/15/2024

Wise words from Daniel. We rely on you, our owners, to work with your horses and make sure you do your best to keep us safe. Our livelihoods and our families depend on us to make it home in one piece to work another day. Who will pay our medical bills if your horse injures us? You can always move on and find another farrier if your horse permanently injures us, but what will we do? We may be expendable to clients, but we are not expendable to our families.

10/09/2024

Owners of horses with metabolic and endocrine problems! Check out some of the very latest info from the PHCP conference this weekend! This is excellent, extremely important info!

10/06/2024

10/04/2024

Important info about blister beetles! Remember that they are absolutely here in Texas and they absolutely can infest your local alfalfa. Always important to know the symptoms, and to know what the beetles look like too!

Here is your reminder to check your alfalfa for the presence of blister beetles prior to feeding it to your horses—especially if you feed alfalfa hay from a new or unknown harvesting source.

"The blister beetle (Epicauta) is highly toxic to sheep and cattle, but primarily to horses," says AAEP member Dr. Benjamin Espy. "As little as four (4) to six (6) grams of blister beetles can be deadly to a 1100-pound horse. Blister beetles swarm in alfalfa fields and are drawn into bales by accident. Even small parts of these beetles are toxic to a horse, and whole insects need not be present to be dangerous. Although cantharidin can exist in the alfalfa used to make pellets and cubes, cantharidin toxicity is very rare by this route. Some people believe that it has to do with the processing, others believe that it’s because the feed companies are using alfalfa from reputable sources that have good insect control."

If you suspect your horse is showing signs of toxicity, call your veterinarian immediately. While there is no antidote for the toxin found in blister beetles, your veterinarian may still be able to save your horse by providing supportive care to combat dehydration, help evacuate toxins from the gastrointestinal tract and delay potential absorption. Since there are many representatives of the species Epicauta, contact your local agricultural agent so they can help you identify any beetle that looks suspicious.

10/02/2024

Why do biomechanics matter?

No one uttered this term to me, in all my years of riding and lesson-taking, until I was well into my 20's. I heard lots of other words: contact, responsiveness, connection, rhythm, impulsion, suppleness. All of them felt like these ethereal concepts that had multiple meanings depending on who you talked to. They also had varying degrees of importance or ranking in terms of what you need first before the horse can offer the next thing, depending on who you talked to. I still see this all the time, and hear about how frustrating it is from other horsepeople trying to do the best they can.

Biomechanics are the physical relationships and structural laws that govern how living things move. Biomechanics are the HOW in all of those aforementioned ethereal terms. They are vital in understanding how to correctly develop a horse for riding. This is the first reason why biomechanics matter.

The second reason is because horses weren't designed to be ridden. I cannot overstate how important this is to understand if you want to ride horses and ride them well: horses were NEVER designed to be sat on. The horse is born with a specific set of biomechanical tools available to him, and they serve him very well...when they are needed.

The thing is, those tools were designed for maximum efficiency if the horse's life is in danger: used for brief moments, blips in between long stretches of calm. Those exact tools can cause injury, unsoundness, and degeneration if used every day, day in and day out, for years.
. . . . . . . .

I want you to look at these two photos.

The top horse is using what nature gave him (and what work with humans helped him turn into long-standing patterns in movement). The bottom horse has been given new tools and taught how to use them to move in ways that preserve soundness, not encourage degeneration.

The top horse is moving in a way that directly ties into the same sympathetic nervous system responses that kick in when a horse is in danger. The bottom horse is demonstrating all of the power potential the nervous system makes available when the horse is in danger, but accessing it through relaxation and completely different biomechanics.

The top horse is using the ground to support his weight in movement, putting a lot of pressure on his joints. The bottom horse is doing a lot of that supporting himself by virtue of his posture, putting significantly less strain on his joints.

You may have already figured out this is the same horse. These photos were taken approximately two years apart.

I guess what I'm getting at is this: the way to develop the bottom horse isn't to simply take the top horse and add contact, impulsion, responsiveness, ride circle after circle, do pole and hill work, etc. Whatever you apply to the ridden horse will only reinforce what is already in him.

You must teach him, literally from the ground up, a new way of moving, a different biomechanical perspective. Some horses will come by this easier than others, but not a one is born knowing how to put all of these things together on their own when the human asks it. Not a one.

We have to show them how.

PC: Mandy Helwege. Thank you for permitting me to share your lovely boy.

10/01/2024

Wondering how you can help in the aftermath of devastating Hurricane Helene? Please consider a donation!

We are devastated to see the disastrous effects of Hurricane Helene that have impacted thousands of people and equines far and wide. Please join The Foundation for the Horse, the AAEP's charitable arm, in aiding the victims of the hurricane with a donation to help those affected.

The Foundation for the Horse works directly with equine veterinarians on the ground to make sure supplies, hay, feed and veterinary care are provided to animals in need.

Pictured is an example of the devasting effects the residents of Hendersonville, NC have suffered during Hurricane Helene.

If you would like to join us in aiding those affected, donate at: https://membership.aaep.org/FFTH/Shared_Content/Donation-Pages/Give-Now.aspx?ItemId=DISASTER_RELIEF&SourceCode=GiveNow&fbclid=IwY2xjawFnmcNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaHxoC1eLyh3A4yhmAjxmWHPmr_MlVVwcEAQlS7eG9dEchYSrXaPsyTwdQ_aem_XLRekJJPklcJ9rVpFvH-Tg