Hay Net Height: Consider Comfort Of Horses

News — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 13:41:55 +0000

Horsemanship masters and mavens of yesteryear taught their students to hang haynets high and tight. Low-slung haynets invited injury, the experts cautioned. A resurgence in the use of haynets has occurred recently, frequently as an attempt to slow hay consumption among horses on calorie-restricted diets. A high-tied haynet, however, encourages horses to crane their necks and contort their backs over a long period of time. Because habitual, unnatural postures can cause discomfort, even unsoundness, Italian researchers set out to determine the physical effects of haynet height on neck and back shape.^*

“Horses and ponies seem to be quite specific in how they approach eating from a haynet,” said Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research. “Some nibble from them, grasping pieces of hay carefully; some go in for large mouthfuls, aggressively yanking out hay. Others will headbutt the bag, leaving it swinging from its knot.” Whatever their interaction with the haynet, Whitehouse said, changes in body position invariably occur and likely become a matter of routine.

In the study, researchers used geometric morphometrics to evaluate variations in neck and back shape relative to three specific hay-feeding positions. Geometric morphometrics allows scientists to identify and analyze minute postural changes through the use of anatomical landmarks. Specifically, geometric morphometrics eliminates differences based on size and instead focuses on changes in shape of individuals. Hay was fed from three positions:

Control position. The hay was fed from the ground
Low haynet position. The bottom of the haynet was level with the midpoint of the cannon bone
High haynet position. The bottom of the haynet was level with the elbow

Researchers used slow-feed haynets made from high-density polyethylene twine. The openings of the haynet measured about 1.5 in (4 cm), and the haynets were filled with 4.5 lb (2 kg) of the same hay horses were accustomed to prior to the study.

Video recordings were made of six mature Warmbloods as they ate hay from the three different feeding positions. Using a cellphone placed on a tripod, which assured a consistent perspective, horses were recorded for 15 minutes while eating hay at each feeding position.

[Story Continues Below]

Researchers found that feeding positions affected the shape of the neck and back postures during hay consumption, and these changes in shape were well defined for individual horses. With the low haynet position, the back posture more closely resembled that exhibited during the control position, indicating a more natural feeding position, but the same was not true of neck posture. Both neck and back postures were changed considerably when hay was offered in the high position, potentially leading to problems.

“Certain haynets and feeding devices designed to encourage slow consumption have refined the level of management that can be achieved when dealing with challenging horses, such as those that are chronically overweight,” said Whitehouse. “Even though the researchers identified some changes to neck and back shape, the long-term physical effects of feeding from haynets have not been studied. Right now, the benefits seem to outweigh the potential disadvantages.”

Horses on calorie-restricted diets require optimal nutrition, and this scenario calls for a well-formulated vitamin and mineral supplement, according to Whitehouse. “Because these horses are generally fed all-forage diets, they usually miss out on the vitamin and mineral fortification provided in concentrates. An appropriate vitamin and mineral supplement can fill in the nutritional gaps left by forage.”

For safety's sake: in the study described above, haynets were hung low under the watchful eye of professional scientists. In an everyday situation, whether it's in a trailer or stall, haynets should be hung at a height safe for the individual horse. This will decrease the likelihood of a horse pawing and getting its hoof caught in the haynet.

Ring Ring: New Resources For Vet Clinics Taking After-Hours Colic Calls

News — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 13:31:05 +0000

Telephone triage is a critical part of modern patient care in both humans and horses. A British study explored how suspected colic cases called into a veterinarian's office were handled; from there the research team created resources to support decision making.

Drs. Katie Lightfoot, John Burford, Gary England, Mark Bowen and Sarah Freeman created an online survey targeting veterinary practices that took calls from horse owners outside of normal work hours. The team used 116 responses in their analysis: half were from veterinary surgeons, a quarter of responders were members of client care teams, 18 percent were management staff and 4 percent were veterinary nurses.

Of the group, management and client care staff felt less confident offering advice to owners and recognizing critical colic indicators, though they were the ones most likely to answer after-hours emergency colic calls. People in these roles often would not offer advice to horse owners who called the clinic, stating that it was not their role to provide suggestions. Often, information that could affect the speediness of treatment were not asked, like those dealing with equine insurance or transportation to a clinic.

The research team then created evidence-based materials that provide current information about colic and support decision-making made by those taking the calls. The materials included a form for recording information from clients and a flow chat for decision making.

Client care teams were then recruited to employ the new resources and provide feedback. The four teams used worked for East Midlands veterinary practices; they were interviewed before they used the resources and six months after their implementation. All teams reported that the information and resources were helpful, and that they had increased confidence in recognizing critical colic cases and offering owners advice.

The success of the standardization of call response led the researchers to suggest that more should be done to ensure veterinary team members were supported for after-hours emergency calls, including by implementing formal training and standardized protocols. They also acknowledged that some barriers to implementation would include the use of computerized booking systems, practice protocol and owner familiarity may be barriers to implementation.

The resources are available for free through the British Equine Veterinary Association website; they can be used in their current form or adapted to suit other requirements.

Read the full study here.

comfort | Horse Racing Free Tips

Hay Net Height: Consider Comfort Of Horses

Ring Ring: New Resources For Vet Clinics Taking After-Hours Colic Calls