HEALTH & EDUCATION

Health & Education

We all want the best care possible for our horses. The Heath & Education section covers both Learning Institutions, Organizations as well as many sources for equine assistance including Veterinarians and Farriers.

For those who want a to formally study horses, the Education section includes College Riding, Equine Studies, and Veterinary Schools. Learn about the wide variety of horses in the Horse Breeds section. Supplements and Treatments Therapy are also included in the section.

Everyone can learn from Fine Art and there are some specialty Museums that might surprise you.

Horses as a therapy partner enrich the lives of the disabled. These facilities are listed in our Therapeutic Riding section. To help children and young adults build confidence and grow emotionally, please see the resources available on the Youth Outreach page.

Looking for a place to keep your horse? You can find it in the Horse Boarding section. Traveling? Find a Shipping company or Horse Sitting service if your horse is staying home!

Want to stay up to date with the latest training clinics or professional conferences? Take a look at our Calendar of Events for Health & Education for the dates and locations of upcoming events.

Do we need to add more? Please use the useful feedback link and let us know!

By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.

CBD’s popularity has mellowed over the years, but instead of fading into the background, researchers continue to expand and confirm its benefits. Most people think it is just one more supplement touted to relieve aggravating symptoms, but did you know that it is naturally occurring in our bodies as part of our endocannabinoid systems? Boosting levels that diminish due to age, stress, and illness can impact our body’s ability to heal itself.

I have written about CBD in an earlier article[i] where I explained how CBD can promote health for us as well as our horses. The goal of this article, however, is to expound upon the advantages of CBD and other cannabinoids and share with you what’s been recently discovered.

Review of the Endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a major signaling system that exists in you and your animals. It continually monitors any instability within the body and returns it to a state of balance or homeostasis so that the internal environment remains settled.

CBD (short for cannabidiol) and other cannabinoids are compounds that activate the receptors within this system. Cannabinoids, both naturally produced by the body (endogenous), and those supplemented from cannabis (exogenous), act as “keys” to these receptors, turning on a variety of health-promoting functions.

Within the ECS there are two main receptors -- CB1 and CB2:

CB1 receptors exist mainly in the brain and central nervous system. They impact areas such as appetite regulation, memory, emotions, and feelings of pain.
CB2 receptors are concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract and peripheral nervous system (nerve cells outside the brain and spinal cord) and modulate immune cell functions. When activated, they help reduce inflammation.

CBD does not make you “high”

CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most studied, but they are only two, out of more than 80 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. THC is intoxicating, and this is where many misunderstandings occur.

Hemp-derived CBD is not marijuana

Though both hemp and marijuana belong to the Cannabis genus, their genetic composition distinguishes them to produce vastly different amounts of THC. Hemp-derived CBD is high in CBD and very low in THC (less than 0.3%).

Hemp seed oil is not the same as CBD

It is important to understand that CBD only comes from the stalks, leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. The seeds, however, do not contain any CBD. Products just from the seeds such as hemp seed hearts, hemp seed pellets, hemp seed meal, hemp seed protein, or hemp seed oil, do not contain CBD. These hemp products offer quality nutrients and are highly beneficial for you and your animals.[ii]

If you want CBD, however, you should obtain a supplement[iii] that is third-party tested to ensure quality and consistency. You can download a CBD guide at CBDistillery’s website[iv].

How can CBD help you?

There are so many reasons to incorporate CBD and other cannabinoids into your routine. Here are a few conditions that are benefitted:

Insomnia
Anxiety
Stress
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Pain and inflammation from injury
Chronic pain[v]
Cancer management[vi]
Metabolic disorders

Understanding the CBD lingo[vii]

There are three types of CBD:

Full-Spectrum CBD products. These contain naturally occurring cannabinoids such as CBN, CBG, and CBC, as well as terpenes and nutritious flavonoids. They do contain a tiny amount of THC, but it is quite small (less than 0.3%). All these compounds work together to provide a synergistic, “entourage” effect which multiplies their benefit. Full-spectrum CBD products are legal throughout the U.S. as long as the THC content does not exceed 0.3%. But each state has its own laws. The inclusion of a little THC enhances the efficacy in relieving symptoms.

Broad-Spectrum CBD products. These start with full-spectrum extract and process it further to remove THC, resulting in a product with no THC (or no more than a trace -- less than 0.01%). Even so, they offer the entourage effect benefit because the terpenes and flavonoids are still present.

CBD Isolate. This the purest form of CBD. Since it does not contain other cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids, it is generally not as effective in alleviating symptoms. But it is a good choice in situations where testing is required (such as employment drug tests).

Foaling time is great fun on Flag Is Up Farms! The best way I know to accustom a foal to lead is with my Foal Handler. My lesson series on Equus Online Uni includes how to make this simple yet effective tool.

In this Stallside episode, we sit down with Dr. Daniel Devis to explore his approach to equine sport horse medicine, rehabilitation, and alternative therapies including acupuncture, regenerative medicine, and laser therapy. Dr. Devis shares practical insights into his methods, discussing how he blends traditional sport horse medicine with cutting-edge techniques to optimize recovery, well-being, and performance.

Photo courtesy of Kentucky Equine Research

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff

Many people are familiar with melatonin as a sleep aid, but horse owners also may be aware of its role in mare cyclicity and reproduction. Few of us, however, know that melatonin, a neurotransmitter, may affect a horse’s temperament.

In the past, melatonin has been related to aggression in some species. For example, studies show that Syrian hamsters with high melatonin levels demonstrated more aggressive behavior than those with lower melatonin levels. One human study also found that participants administered melatonin exhibited more aggression in specific situations than those receiving a placebo.

To evaluate the effect of melatonin on temperament in horses, Korean researchers recruited 32 horses, all residing in a single riding facility in Korea for a minimum of five years.^* The horses were put through a series of tests by three different handlers to determine the following attributes and to assign a score from 0 to 5 with 0-1 being low, 2-3 medium, and 4-5 high:

Docility—the time it takes to catch the horse in an unfamiliar situation;
Affinity—the time it takes to become familiar with strangers;
Dominance—the act of gaining the upper hand with other horses over feed; and
Trainability—the time it takes to achieve a training goal.

The overall temperament was an average of the four scores, and those scores were compared to melatonin levels collected between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

No significant relationship between melatonin and any of the four temperament measures was identified, suggesting that melatonin cannot be used as a biomarker for horse temperament.

“However, melatonin levels were significantly lower in cold-blooded horses than in Thoroughbreds, which are considered hot-blooded. Those horses actively in a training program had higher melatonin levels than fully trained horses used for competition and riding lessons,” explained Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a Kentucky Equine Research nutrition advisor.

Having a test available to potentially identify “safe” horses would be valuable to the equine industry, especially when purchasing horses for inexperienced riders or using horses as therapy partners. This could be used in combination with an evaluation from an experienced horse handler.

In addition to regular handling and training, diet and management strategies can help improve behavior-related issues in horses.

“Consider increasing turnout time with herdmates, maximizing forage availability, and supplying a concentrate feed that matches the horse’s energy needs. Some horses that tend to be hyperreactive may benefit from a feed higher in fiber and fat and lower in nonstructural carbohydrates when additional calories are needed beyond high-quality forage and a ration balancer,” advised Whitehouse.

Reprinted courtesy of Kentucky Equine Research. Kentucky Equine Research is an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company serving horse owners and the feed industry. Our goals are to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, apply that knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses, and support the nutritional care of all horses throughout their lives. Learn more at https://ker.com.

There a more informative articles in our section on Health & Education.

^*Song, Y., J. Kim, Y. Park, and M. Yoon. 2023. Association between the plasma concentration of melatonin and behavioral temperament in horses. Journal of Animal Science and Technology 65(5):1094-1104.

Quality horse stall fans and fresh water aids in horse comfort and heatstroke prevention.

As summer temperatures continue to rise, make sure you’re taking precautions to avoid heatstroke in horses and keep horses comfortable overall. Two important actions to take include installing barn fans and providing horses access to ample fresh, clean water -- always.

Preston Hickman, DVM, Wichita Equine and Sports Medicine, detailed heatstroke in horses and commons signs horse owners need to know:

“Heatstroke resembles a horse tying up and or in shock but can resemble a horse with exhaustion when they collapse. An exhausted horse might be distressed and anxious. He might have a high heart and respiratory rate that does not decrease with rest, and his skin might feel hot and dry. Some horses become stiff and experience pain due to muscle cell damage, which can be detected by observing red or brown urine (hemoglobin and/or myoglobin uria). Horses affected this badly might go down or develop other, often life-threatening conditions such as laminitis, kidney failure or diarrhea.”

Signs of heat stroke in horses include:

Temperature as high as 105 to 107 F
Rapid breathing, rapid pulse
Stumbling, weakness, depression
Refusal to eat or work
Dry skin and dehydration
In severe cases, a horse may collapse or go into convulsions or a coma

BARN FANS | There are many reasons to keep your horse’s temperature under control ranging from heat stroke prevention mentioned above, as well as performance enhancement, fly control and more. When selecting your next barn fan, here are a few things to consider.

Be safe! Choose horse stall fans with an enclosed motor. This will keep dust and debris out and the fan operating as expected. More so, an enclosed motor barn fan helps prevent barn fire risk for your animals. While box fans are commonly found in horse barns, they present greater fire risk as dust and hay can more easily reach the motor, which can potentially cause a fire.

Keep barn fans clean to keep fresh air circulating in your barn. Choose a waterproof model for easy cleaning.
Keep all barn fans pointing in the same direction, with the natural flow of air to maximize circulation.
With a powder-coated mounting bracket and aluminum blades, this premium 18" indoor or outdoor fan stands up in humidity, rain and fog and ranks high among agricultural fans with its increased longevity and corrosion resistance. With a fully enclosed motor, this direct-drive waterproof outdoor fan is maintenance-free and can easily be sprayed down to remove dirt and dust build-up to help ensure both safety and function.

FRESH WATER | The most important nutrient horses receive, and especially during warmer weather, is water. Always make sure horses have access to ample amounts of fresh water. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, “An idle 1,100-pound horse in a cool environment will drink 6 to 10 gallons of water per day. That amount may increase to 15 gallons per day in a hot environment. Work horses require 10 to 18 gallons of water per day on average but could require much more in hot weather.”

The amount of fresh water available to your horse, and the source from which it originates, is critical. During warmer weather especially, water sources such as ponds and troughs can quickly generate dangerous algae. While most algae are harmless, certain types can increase horse colic risk, such as blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria. Automatic horse waterers can conveniently offer horses ample fresh and safe water when it’s needed the most

Visit Valley Vet to learn more.

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff

Competitive horses often present to veterinarians with concerns about upper respiratory noise and poor performance. Researchers determined the prevalence of upper airway obstruction by retroactively reviewing medical records of barrel racing horses subjected to overground endoscopy. Upper airway obstruction was common, and over half of those horses were diagnosed with multiple causes of obstruction.

Upper airway obstructions involve structures located in the region of the soft palate and larynx at the back of the throat and include conditions such as:

Pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia;
Nasopharyngeal collapse;
Palatal instability;
Intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate;
Medial deviation of the aryepiglottic fold;
Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy;
Vocal fold collapse;
Ventromedial luxation of the apex of the corniculate process of the arytenoid; and
Cricotracheal ligament collapse.

“Any of these conditions can have detrimental effects on ventilation and gas exchange, resulting in poor performance,” said Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., of Kentucky Equine Research.

Barrel racing is an anaerobic event that involves sprinting through a cloverleaf pattern at high speed, typically in less than twenty seconds. According to veterinary experts, barrel racing horses are frequently referred for airway evaluations with complaints of roaring and gurgling.^*

To improve their understanding of upper airway abnormalities in barrel racing horses, the researchers reviewed the videos obtained during overground endoscopy. This procedure is performed by placing a portable endoscope into the airways of horses and then evaluating the upper airway structures during rest and exercise. In total, 164 Quarter Horses involved in barrel racing underwent overground endoscopy.

No abnormalities were identified in 15% of the evaluated horses during exercise, which means most of the horses were diagnosed with upper airway obstruction. Over half of the horses with abnormalities (56%) had more than one upper airway obstruction, with a total of 279 observed obstructions during exercise. In the 140 horses with upper airway obstructions, the most common abnormalities were nasopharyngeal collapse (49%), pharyngeal instability (42%), and intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (39%). This means that abnormalities of the soft palate and pharyngeal walls occurred more commonly than those involving the larynx.

While airway obstructions are traditionally believed to occur at high speed, the upper airway obstructions noted in this review showed that 55% occurred at low-speed, low-intensity work rather than during the high-speed, high-intensity portion of the exam (only 22%). Specifically, intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate was 19 times more prevalent during low-speed exercise. Some horses experienced upper airway obstruction during both low- and high-speed exercise.

“The researchers noted that finding more upper airway obstructions during low-speed, low-intensity exercise was unexpected. They suggested that dynamic upper airway obstructions are not simply due to extreme airway pressures experienced during high-speed exercise or muscle weakness. They proposed it could instead be due to muscular tension or increased contraction of the upper airway secondary to situational stressors or an anticipatory effect of exercise,” explained Whitehouse.

When abnormalities were observed during high-speed exercise, it was primarily during the final straight-line sprint to the finish rather than when turning around the barrels.

“The final sprint is when airway pressure changes are likely the greatest. Also, airway muscle fatigue may be a contributing factor at this point in the competition,” Whitehouse added.

Finding a high prevalence of dorsal displacement of the soft palate brings to light a recent study suggesting that upper airway abnormalities could be a result of asthma. That study suggested looking for evidence of equine asthma rather than focusing on the soft palate exclusively when faced with horses presenting for upper respiratory noise or poor performance.^**

For equine asthma, allergen avoidance and using medications such as bronchodilators and corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs in conjunction with high-quality marine-derived omega-3 supplement are the treatments of choice based on the most recent guidelines.^***

“EO-3 and other antioxidant products developed by Kentucky Equine Research are recommended for horses exhibiting poor performance. Providing these nutrients can help reduce the negative impact of oxidative stress created by intense exercise and demanding competition schedules. Consider adding EO-3, Nano-E, and Nano-Q10 to your feeding program to support health and performance,” Whitehouse recommended.

There a more informative articles in our section on Health & Education.

^*Massie, S.L., and R. Léguillette. 2023. Upper airway endoscopy in exercising horses: Findings in 164 barrel racing horses with respiratory clinical signs and/or poor performance. Veterinary Journal 300-302:106038.

^**Joó, K., Á. Povázsai, Z. Nyerges-Bohák, O. Szenci, and O. Kutasi. 2021. Asthmatic disease as an underlying cause of dorsal displacement of the soft palate in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 96:103308.

^***Couëtil, L.L., J.M. Cardwell, V. Gerber, J.-P. Lavoie, R. Leguillette, and E.A. Richard. 2016. Inflammatory airway disease of horses—Revised consensus statement. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 30(2):503-515.

The daughter of an equestrian and team roper -- and granddaughter of a 4-H horsemanship leader and farrier -- 3-year-old Payton was simply born into the horse world. Smiling ear-to-ear pictured upon her pony, Taco, with a blue ribbon on his bridle, it’s easy to see the family passion runs deep. She’s a horse girl through and through.

For parents with children who dream of getting a horse one day, or maybe already have horses and would like to help start their kids off on the right hoof with horseback riding, where does one begin?

Ashley Wheeler -- ranch rider, former collegiate equestrian, wife and mom of Payton -- explains three key factors that helped to encourage young Payton’s love for and involvement with horses.

1: It’s her decision.

“She loves her pony, Taco -- a little Palomino pony with stocking legs and blue eyes. She goes to horse shows with us, and she goes out with us when my husband ropes. She’s playing in the arena when we ride.

We make sure that it is her choice and her decision to be involved in horses. Of course, my husband and I want her to be involved in horses, but we know that it’s her choice, and it has to be a decision that she makes.

If she wants to ride when she gets home every day, she wants to. But if she says she doesn't want to ride today, then we're not going to force it. So, anytime she shows the interest, we support it fully, but we're never going to say, ‘Hey, we have to ride.’

I've seen kids that have been forced to ride, and as soon as they can stop, they do. We want to encourage them to be involved, whether it's showing or barrels -- whatever -- but it needs to be their idea. And while that's kind of frustrating, at the same time, it is awesome when you see her be excited about it.”

2: Horse care is a priority.

“We have a similar approach to my dad's, when I was a little kid. ‘We have these animals, and it's our job to take care of them.’ That's definitely something that was important to my parents [both horsemen] when growing up. Payton continues to get more and more involved in the horses as she gets older. She’s even started helping me clean stalls now. She understands that if it's hot outside, we need to go check the water for the horses, or that Taco is hungry, and we need to go feed him breakfast.”

3: She has a kid-safe pony or horse.

“I see a lot of people wanting to get a young horse for their young kids, so they can ‘grow together.’ But I think there is nothing better than a ‘been there, done that’ safe, older horse for a kid. I believe these horses know it’s a reward for being good for their earlier parts in life. They get to be brushed on and have bows put into their mane.”

Find everything needed to support your young rider’s love for horses, including tack, horse riding helmets and more at ValleyVet.com.

This safety video brought to you by Certified Horsemanship Association (www.cha.horse)

Fred and Stan will demonstrate an easy and safe method of putting up a Highline for your horse.

CHA Master Instructor and Clinician Mitzi Summers explains the hows and whys of long lining or double lunging a horse in this educational video by the Certified Horsemanship Association

For more information on the largest certifying body of riding instructors and barn managers in North America, Certified Horsemanship Association, please visit www.CHA.horse. To find a certified equine professional or accredited equine facility near you, visit www.CHA.horse

Page 21 of 60