Horse Care | Horse Racing Free Tips

Study: Hungry Ponies May Want To Hibernate

If you've ever jokingly referenced having “the urge to hibernate” when the weather turns cold, you're not alone! Interestingly, ponies may feel the same way—especially if they don't have enough to eat.

Animals that hibernate experience a decrease in both their heart rate and their body temperature when winter weather hits; their metabolism also slows. Drs. Lea Brinkmann, Martina Gerken, Catherine Hambly, John Speakman and Alexander Riek created a study to se if ponies had similar physiological adaptations.

The research team used 10 Shetland ponies and studied them through the year, measuring each pony's vital signs and using blood tests to check metabolic rates. During winter months, they fed all 10 ponies a diet that met 100 percent of their maintenance needs. They then divided the ponies into two groups: one group received meals that met tall their metabolic needs and the second group was put on a diet that provided only 60 percent of the pony's energy requirements.

The team discovered that the ponies on the restricted winter diet had lower metabolic rates and their body temperature dropped. The scientists say that these changes, which are similar to changes hibernating animals experience, compensated for a decreased energy supply during the time of year when energy is needed to maintain warmth.

The pony's behavior didn't change, but the reduction in metabolic rate and temperature enabled them to minimize the effect of limited energy stores.

Power Down The Protein: What A Horse Eats Impacts The Air

Though changing what a horse eats may seem an odd thing to adjust for air quality, research has shown that reducing the amount of protein in a horse's diet can protect his respiratory health. Protein is broken down into nitrogen in the horse's small intestine and then excreted as urea, which becomes ammonia in a horse's stall.

Ammonia can irritate nose and lung tissue, causing excess mucus production and respiratory issues like heaves. Drs. Jessie Weir-Chouinard, Hong Li, Lori Warren and Erica Macon created a study that fed nine horses forage-based diets with three different levels of protein. The highest-protein diet was 12 percent.

The study horses wore harnesses that collected their urine, which was then combined with wood shavings or straw and tested for ammonia levels. Study results showed that the higher-protein diets led to significant increases in nitrogen levels in urine. Straw bedding had higher levels of ammonia emissions than shavings no matter the diet. Shavings absorbed more of the urine, and ammonia, than the straw did.

The scientists concluded that lowering the protein in a horse's diet can decrease the amount of ammonia in his stall. This, coupled with cleaning stalls regularly and thoroughly, can combat ammonia and help keep horses airways safe. Proper ventilation is also key.

2021 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Accreditation Application Now Available

The 2021 application for accreditation by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is now available on OpenWater, a grant application and review platform, and can be accessed by clicking here.

Thoroughbred aftercare nonprofits interested in applying must complete the application by the closing date of April 1 at 6 p.m. EST. Since TAA accreditation is only granted for a specific period of time, organizations with accreditation status ending in 2021 that want to remain accredited need to re-apply.

Accreditation status is determined after a complete review of five areas of an aftercare organization: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Organizations passing the application review will be subject to site inspections of all facilities housing Thoroughbreds.

Organizations that receive accreditation are eligible to receive financial grants from the TAA, but prior grants awarded are no indication of potential future awards. In 2020 the TAA awarded $3.5 million to accredited organizations as grants earmarked specifically for equine care, totaling more than $20.7 million awarded since 2012.

Any organization interested in applying for TAA accreditation must fulfill the following five minimum requirements:

Organization must have a current status as a 501(c)(3) federal not-for-profit (U.S.) or must be a registered charity within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Organization must have been in operation for at least three years. The TAA will confirm operation information, including with the secretary of state or provincial business registry.
At time of application, organization must either (1) currently exclusively own and provide care for a minimum of five (5) registered Thoroughbreds, or (2) currently exclusively own and provide care for at least 3-4 registered Thoroughbreds AND must have exclusively owned and provided care for at least 10 registered Thoroughbreds over the previous 12 months. Registered Thoroughbreds leased by the organization or owned by third parties at the same facility should not be included.
Organization must have a written euthanasia policy consistent with the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Organization, or a principal of the organization or individual directly related to the organization, shall not have any current legal proceedings pending against them which adversely impact the aftercare operations, the organization's standards of care, or the 501(c)(3) status of the organization.

For more information on the TAA accreditation process, please visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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Tuesday Talks: Virginia Tech Offers Webinar Series For Horse Owners

During the winter months from January to April, the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia, hosts “Tuesday Talks” on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. This year, due to COVID-19, we are unable to host guests on-site, but will offer the program as a series of complimentary webinars.

Click here to register.

January 12: 7 p.m. My Horse has a fever: Now What?

A fever is often the first sign of a problem in the horse. We will discuss what causes fevers, the approach to diagnosis and treatment, and when referral to the hospital may be recommended. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald, Clinical Instructor of Equine Medicine, will be happy to answer your questions during a Q&A session.

February 9: 7 p.m. Staying Sound: The Importance of Foot Balance in the Horse

Balance in the foot of the horse is achieved when weight is equally distributed over the foot of each leg, protecting each limb from undue weight-bearing stress. Abnormal weight distribution can result in the overload of a ligament, tendon, or bone, resulting in lameness.

This presentation will explain the importance of foot balance to the soundness and athletic ability of your horse and will provide insights into necessary hoof care to achieve and sustain balance with the goal of protecting your horse from injury. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Maureen Kelleher, Clinical Assistant Professor, Sports Medicine and Surgery, will be happy to answer your questions during a Q&A session.

March 9: 7 p.m. Equine Insurance

At the end of the presentation, Dr. Norris Adams, Clinical Assistant Professor, Equine Lameness and Surgery will be happy to answer your questions during a Q&A session.

April 13: 7 p.m. Toxic Plants in Your Pasture: What You Need to Know!

Summer is coming and, along with it, many ambitious plants that may or may not be welcome in your pasture. While intoxication is rare, recognizing these plants can make you feel more at ease about your horse's environment. Dr. Emily Schaefer, Clinical Assistant Professor, Equine Medicine, will describe the appearances of many of the mid-Atlantic's plants that are potentially toxic to horses, as well as clinical signs associated with intoxication. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Schaefer will be happy to answer your questions during a Q&A session.

Learn more and register here.

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