Study Suggests Dangerous Behavior Could Be Caused By Skeletal Pain

Horses that exhibit undesirable behaviors like bolting, rearing or kicking under saddle are often assumed to have poor training or to simply be ill-tempered, but a new study shows that horses acting progressively more dangerously may be reacting to axial skeletal pain.

Dr. Melissa Story studied 14 horses that had exhibited increasingly dangerous behavior, putting their riders' safety at risk, and had subsequently been euthanized.

She and her research team performed spinal exams, gait evaluations, diagnostic imaging, neurologic evaluations, and pathologic and histopathologic exams of the axial skeleton (the skull, the rib cage, and the backbone).

Those evaluations, along with prior medical records, owner and trainer complaints, and an exam completed once the horses had been euthanized, allowed the scientists to tentatively determine that skeletal pain may have been to blame for the horses' behavior.

Ten horses showed severe behavioral responses during both the mobilization and myofascial exams. The most common areas of concern were the lumbosacral and cervicothoracic regions. Additionally, 71 percent of study horses had hemorrhage or hematomas in these areas.

The scientists concluded that structural pain (neuropathic) was the root cause of the dangerous behavior. They noted that ganglia relay peripheral sensory information to the central nervous system and that ganglionitis has been associated with neuropathic pain syndromes. More research is needed.

Read more at Veterinary 33. 

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Pain Management Strategies for Laminitic Horses: Different Solutions For Different Causes 

Very few equine conditions can be as debilitating as laminitis, which can be triggered by a variety of events or occur on its own. Laminitis occurs when the laminae, a set of finger-like structures which support the coffin bone and hold it in place in the hoof capsule, become inflamed. This inflammation is incredibly painful and can be catastrophic for the horse's athletic career.  

Many horses that develop laminitis are not euthanized because of the changes to the laminae, but because of the uncontrollable pain the condition brings on. A virtual session of the 2020 American Association of Equine Practitioners annual convention summarized the current research on the best way to manage pain in different types of laminitis cases.

The pain a laminitic horse feels is multidimensional. It can be brought on by pressure within the hoof capsule, inflammation of the laminae, tearing of soft tissues, a reduction of blood supply to the hoof, contact between the coffin bone and the sole of the hoof, and neuropathic pain.  

Dr. Katherine Ellis of Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University, explained several different strategies for different causes of laminitis. Phenylbutazone (bute) is commonly given to treat laminitis, but that other drugs, including as flunixin, ketoprofen or firocoxib, may be better at controlling laminitic pain.

Ellis stressed that if an NSAID doesn't seem to be providing pain relief to a laminitic horse, another should be considered. A horse that has developed laminitis from overindulging in grain would benefit from having his hooves submerged ice water. This will be helpful for controlling pain and limiting injury. Ideally, the hooves would be submerged constantly for 48 to 72 hours, though this is a labor-intense endeavor. 

Metabolic issues like equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and Cushing's disease can put a horse at risk for chronic laminitis. Gabapentin has been shown to be an effective pain medication for horses with chronic laminitis, but higher doses of pain medications may be necessary to provide relief. 

Ellis noted that acupuncture and use of a TENS unit may offer some additional pain relief. Chiropractic work and massage may offer respite from body pain brought on by the laminitic stance.

A horse that has an injury to a leg may develop supporting limb laminitis. Ellis suggests using morphine and butorphanol blocks and fentanyl patches to help control pain in these cases. A tramadol and ketamine infusion can also be used. Ellis notes that biologics like stem cells and platelet-rich plasma can be used for the anti-inflammatory properties. 

Read more at EquiManagement

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