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Study: Diode Lasers Can Alleviate Iris Cysts In Horses

The structure of the equine eye is unique for many reasons, one of which is the presence of the corpora nigra. The corpora nigra diminishes glare from light, similar to how a shade cloth operates.

Horses can develop cysts on their irises, the colored part of their eye. Called corpora nigra cysts, these appear as round structures around the margin of the pupil. Though they're painless and slow-growing, if the cysts become big enough they can interfere with a horse's ability to see, which can cause issues like spooking and head shaking.

Researchers from the Utrecht University Equine Clinic in the Netherlands used a diode laser to treat cysts in horses that were referred to their clinic. A diode laser emits a beam that can cut soft tissue. The scientists looked at 35 horses that had been treated with a diode laser in the clinic between 2008 and 2020.

In total, 46 eyes were treated with laser therapy. The data showed a significant decrease in cyst size in 35 of the eyes the day after the treatment was administered. It was noted that if multiple or thick-walled cysts were present, the effectiveness of the treatment was reduced. Eight study horses developed minor complications.

Long-term, eye cysts diminished or disappeared in 93 percent of the cases; 83 percent of the owners would recommend the treatment.

Chew On This: Horses Make Eating Motions For A Variety Of Reasons

Horse owners and caretakers are taught that horses may make licking and chewing motions for a variety of reasons, like processing new information or relaxation. Horse Nation attempted to dispel some of the common misconceptions about why horses make licking and chewing motions when they're not eating.

One misconception is that horses lick and chew when they're processing what they're being taught. Horse Nation explained that belief can be either true or false.

Trainers in every discipline teach their clients that a horse licks and chews when he's learning, and at times this is true, but in others the horse may just be changing his perspective on how the energy around him is changing – from amped up to quiet, for example. A horse may also make the motion when his fight or flight response is alleviated – he licks and chews in relief.

A horse may also make licking and chewing motions when he has gotten away with something – like dominating his owner. Horses lick and chew as a stress response to training that uses older techniques, Good Horse explained; a horse that licks and chews after training may be expressing that the training techniques are stressful.

Other research reported that the licking and chewing motions are an automatic behavior process to encourage saliva production after a tense situation dissipates. Other research noted that horses lick and chew when they are relaxed, but it was not determined whether horses made the motions because they were relaxed already or in an effort to relax.

The bottom line: Horses lick and chew for a variety of reasons, so the motion must be taken in context with what the horse is doing and its environment.

Decoding Poor Performance: Is It Lameness, Behavioral, Or Something Else?

Horses very rarely misbehave simply to be bad, Dr. Erin Contino of Colorado State University (CSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science's Equine Orthopaedic Research Center told The Horse. Oftentimes what people perceive as “naughty” behavior is the horse trying to tell his owners and riders that he's hurting.

Contino notes that many owners and trainers underestimate how much pain a horse is actually feeling – even when they aren't performing up to their usual standard. When called out to assess a horse that is “grumpy,” “lazy,” or even “misbehaving,” Contino will perform a lameness exam as well as look for negative behaviors while administering nerve blocks to targeted areas.

Negative behaviors are those related to the ridden horse pain ethogram (RHpE), which recognizes 24 behaviors that can be related to pain when taken in combination of eight or more. These behaviors include tail wringing, rushing, grinding teeth, and more.

If Contino finds that blocking doesn't resolve the behavior, she keeps digging, looking at everything from the footing and environment to the rider's ability, tack fit, and more. She stresses that to truly pinpoint what is wrong, one thing must be changed at a time.

Additionally, Contino sometimes administers a course of anti-inflammatories for 10 days to see if the behavior abates. She encourages her clients to work the horse consistently and journal each day so even small improvements can be noted. If the horse gets better during the treatment, Contino can be assured that she's looking for an inflammatory condition.

However, no change in pain doesn't rule out pain as the underlying cause of the behavioral issue. Poor performance can also be caused by gastric ulcers, upper or lower airway disease, or exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) – all conditions that would not be affected by anti-inflammatory administration.

A vast array of conditions can cause poor performance in horses and it sometimes takes repeated trial-and-error attempts to find out exactly what is causing the negative behaviors.

Bennings Designates Thoroughbred Makeover People’s Choice Award Winnings To TAA

Prince of New York, piloted by professional trainer Chris Bennings, won the People's Choice Award, sponsored by Achieve Equine, at the 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover. The achievement comes not only with the recognition of a job well done, but the liberty to choose an equine-related 501(c)3 nonprofit to receive a $2,500 donation sponsored by Achieve Equine.

For Bennings—who's first introduction to retraining off-track Thoroughbreds was with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)-accredited Florida TRAC—choosing the TAA as the beneficiary of the People's Choice Award was a no-brainer.

“My wife Celia and I knew that the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance carefully allocates its grant funds to off-track Thoroughbred nonprofits all over the country, and we are confident that this donation will be the most effective in their hands,” said Bennings.

“We are honored to be the recipient of the People's Choice Award donation,” said TAA Funding and Events Manager, Emily (Dresen) Scandore. “Every dollar counts and we thank Chris and sponsor Achieve Equine for this contribution to the TAA and our 81 accredited organizations.”

In the preliminary round of competition at the Makeover, Bennings and Prince of New York dominated in both Show Jumpers and Show Hunters, finishing in the top three out of more than 70 competitors in each discipline. When Bennings called on the six-year-old stallion to again bring the heat in the Finale, Prince of New York answered in spades, proving victorious in Show Jumpers, earning reserve champion in Show Hunters, and being awarded by text-in popular vote the People's Choice Award.

The son of Cairo Prince sold for $100k as a yearling and made all eight career starts for owners Harold Lerner LLC, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables, Scott Akman, and Paul Braverman. After a final start at Finger Lakes, Prince of New York retired from racing with a record of 2-1-1 and earnings of $40,256.

“I've always been a Thoroughbred fan and a racing fan,” said Bennings. “Thoroughbreds are incredibly versatile, making them excellent sport horses. Prince has a lot of class and I'm eager to continue his career as a sport horse stallion at our Paris, Kentucky farm— Morning Line Equestrian.”

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