The Blueberry Bulletin Presented By Equine Equipment: Them’s The Breaks

Even before I had a Thoroughbred, I knew how important it was to savor the sweet moments when they happen – a training breakthrough, trotting down center line in the Rolex Stadium at the Thoroughbred Makeover, sunset snuggles – because horse ownership is a journey of ups and downs. After our wonderfully successful outing at last month's Makeover, Blueberry and I have been on the shelf in one of those 'down' phases.

After a short vacation, we had just been getting him back into work when he came in with a bump on the inside of his right cannon bone. My veterinarian examined him and came to the reasonable conclusion that he had popped his splint bone.

Horses have two tiny, thin little bones known as splints that sit on either side of their cannons, running downwards from the knee and tapering off about three-quarters of the way down the leg. They serve no structurally useful purpose and are held onto the cannon with a ligament that runs between the two. It's pretty common for young racehorses to have what we call “popped” splints, which refers to a bump that appears along the bone, where the periosteum (the wrapping layer that sits between the bone and other tissue) has become irritated and inflamed. For young racing horses, this may happen as a response to a sudden increase in high-intensity speed work. In slightly older horses, like 4-year-old Blueberry, who isn't in what anyone would call “heavy” work, you usually see this because they've experienced direct trauma to the leg – banging it against something, getting a kick from a pasturemate in the wrong place, kicking themselves, etc.

Popped splints are not uncommon and usually heal within a couple of weeks with little treatment. Horses have to stop work, but usually can remain on turnout.

At first, what we all thought we were dealing with was a popped splint. It was hot, bumpy, and high up on the leg and it initially responded well to rest and anti-inflammatories. When it got a bit worse again though, I had a feeling it was more serious.

Indeed, two or three weeks into the process, the bump was no smaller but no longer hot and Blueberry was no sounder than he'd been at the start. This time, our veterinarian took radiographs, kicking himself for not doing it on his first visit. They revealed a crack along the inside of the splint bone – so that would explain why it wasn't progressing as we'd hoped. Breaking a splint bone is much less common than just bumping/irritating one, and while I wish we had caught it earlier, it looked up to that point like a very classic case of the more common problem based on its location, his response to palpation and initial response to anti-inflammatories.

The good news is, because his splint is cracked but doesn't have either end broken off, he doesn't require surgery. The bad news is, the only real treatment is time…and rest. Time doesn't worry me; it's winter, and the weather in Central Kentucky doesn't lend itself to really consistent training this time of year anyway. Plus, he's four and we are not Olympics-bound; whatever time he needs, he can have. But rest in this case means stall rest – at least 30 days with no turnout. For Blueberry, that means staring at the same four walls for a staggering number of hours and not getting to rough house with his buddies. For me, that means driving to the barn twice each day instead of once for hand grazing sessions, juggling as much work as I can on my smartphone in the cold, and watching him anxiously for signs of ulcers, colic, new stereotypic behaviors, or basically a hair out of place. And it means I'm spending a stupid amount of money on stall toys for this not-at-all-spoiled little dude.

The barn cats are usually not too far away during our hand grazing sessions

This will be new territory for me though probably not for him, given his previous injuries on the racetrack. I'll have the chance – for better or worse – to see how he reacts to prolonged stress, and what strategies are effective at minimizing that stress. We hope at two weeks we'll get clearance to tack/hand walk, which will open up a new world of possible amusements. In the meantime, I am doing all the research into stall toys and low impact games that I can.

Our verdict on what we've tried so far:

  • Jolly Ball: Hates it. Doesn't see the point of it. Not convinced it's peppermint-scented and thinks it gets in the way of his hay net.
  • Super slow feed hay net with half-inch holes: Convinced it's a solid plastic bag hanging from the ceiling and that there is no actual food to be extracted from it, so mostly ignores it.
  • Slow feed net and bag: We like the net more than the bag, despite them both having one-inch holes. I've no idea why, but as long as he will eat out of something I won't question it.
  • Spinning, wall-mounted chew toy: He doesn't know why I added more plastic to his stall. Hasn't this human heard yet that plastic is killing the planet? Have yet to try: smearing some honey on it to see if I can convince him to start mouthing it – and not his doorframe.
  • Traffic cone: Wonderful. The absolute most exciting thing he could be given (I suspect because it was free). With no honey as a bribe, he will pick it up and throw it around the aisle joyfully.
  • Stuffed dinosaur: Per policy in the Roger Attfield barn, we removed the eyes so he wouldn't actually swallow one – and if there's anything to make you feel like a monster, it's hacking the eyes off a stuffed animal and then hanging it with bailing twine by its neck. Regardless of its rather violent look, he thinks this is great, and likes to grab it by the tail and wave it at onlookers.
  • Dog chew toy stuffed with hay and carrots: He doesn't quite get the concept, or is just lazy. Pulls out the carrots he can see and ignores the bitten-off ends and hay inside the ball, despite (I'm sure) being able to smell them.

Yet to try:

  • A snuffle mat with food or hay pellets sprinkled inside
  • A Likit toy
  • Moving into the barn and putting on a variety show outside his stall each hour

The sun is setting on Day 9 of our 30 days, and while Blueberry has grown a little impatient and grumpy, he's still basically himself. We're taking each day one grazing session at a time. We will get through this [someday] and move along to bigger and better things. In the grand scheme of bones he could have broken, this one really won't have long-term consequences for him. In the big picture, it's a blip, but for now it feels very overwhelming and unending. I have to remind myself though, that the nature of rollercoasters with horses is that the dips don't last forever. Sooner or later, you end up back on top again.

The post The Blueberry Bulletin Presented By Equine Equipment: Them’s The Breaks appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Ask Your Veterinarian Presented By Kentucky Performance Products: When Stall Rest Isn’t So Restful

Veterinarians at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital answer your questions about sales and healthcare of Thoroughbred auction yearlings, weanlings, 2-year-olds and breeding stock.

Question: Sometimes stall rest is part of a horse's recovery program but some horses don't tolerate it well and may even self-injure. What makes them do this, and what can be done about it?

Dr. Lindsey Rings, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital: Stall rest can be a very important and necessary part of your veterinarian's treatment plan for your horse and finding ways to make this time less stressful for you and your horse can be a challenge. Stall confinement can lead to the development of unwanted behaviors such as cribbing, weaving or stall walking. To help to avoid these behaviors, efforts to keep your horse engaged or entertained throughout the day should be utilized.

As herd animals, horses benefit from the companionship of other equids. Stall rest can make this difficult to impossible. Placing a calm companion animal within eyesight of a stall-rested horse can be of benefit and can help to reduce the stress in the stall confined horse. If a companion horse in an adjacent stall is impractical or impossible to provide, the placement of a shatterproof mirror in the stall may be of benefit. Horses that engage with their reflection are found to have reduced stress and anxiety.

Dr. Lindsey Rings

Toys placed in your horse's stall can occupy their down time. Commercial horse toys are available on the market and some even dispense treats or feed to your horse. The addition of stuffed animals, traffic cones, or make-it-yourself stall toys can also engage your horse's mind during confinement.

Adjustments to your horse's diet should also be implemented while maintaining a horse on stall rest. A stall-rested horse may not require the same caloric intake as they did while being more active. Therefore, reductions in concentrate/grain intake should be implemented. The use of a slow feeder or nibble net can extend the amount of time a horse spends consuming their hay and this can help to reduce their unoccupied time.

In a horse that is behaving in an unsafe manner towards either itself or its human care takers or whose behavior has remained retractable to management changes, the use of pharmaceuticals should be considered. Medications such as acepromazine, reserpine or fluphenazine have classically been used to reduce anxiety or induce long term sedation in stall confined horses. The use of trazadone orally is relatively new and seems to offer a safe and effective means to facilitate confinement and enhance calmness. Other products such as alpha-casozepine (Zlykene), magnesium sulfate and herbal combinations are also available and can be effective when used appropriately. Always consult with your veterinarian prior to starting treatment with any of these medications or supplements.

While stall rest is never easy for the horse or its human caretakers, there are several key areas of consideration that can help to make this event much less stressful on all involved.

Dr. Lindsey Rings aspired to be a veterinarian since she “could ride around in a car” with her mother, Marylou, who has a farm animal ambulatory practice and her father, Mike, an Internal Medicine Specialist himself.

After graduating from The Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012, Rings, a Columbus, Ohio native, interned in New Jersey before completing an internship in 2014 at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. After completing the internship, Rings returned to her alma mater and completed a three-year residency in Equine Internal Medicine while earning her Master's degree in Comparative and Veterinary Medicine.

 Dr. Rings practices at Rood & Riddle in Saratoga hospital as an internal medicine specialist working heavily with ambulatory veterinarians and other veterinary specialists.

The post Ask Your Veterinarian Presented By Kentucky Performance Products: When Stall Rest Isn’t So Restful appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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PR Back Ring Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale: Bernardini’s Deep Roots At The Spa

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS EDITION OF THE PR BACK RING

The latest issue of the PR Back Ring is now online, ahead of the Saratoga Select Yearling Sale.

The PR Back Ring is the Paulick Report's bloodstock newsletter, released ahead of every major North American Thoroughbred auction. Seeking to expand beyond the usual pdf presentation, the Back Ring offers a dynamic experience for bloodstock content, heavy on visual elements and statistics to appeal to readers on all platforms, especially mobile devices.

Here is what's inside this issue…

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS EDITION OF THE PR BACK RING

  • Lead Feature presented by Mill Ridge Farm: Bernardini's name has been synonymous with success in Saratoga since the horse first raced at the track as a 2-year-old. Bloodstock editor Joe Nevills examines just how deep the late champion has set his roots at the Spa on the racetrack, and in the sales ring.
  • Stallion Spotlight: Headley Bell of Mill Ridge Farm on Oscar Performance, whose first foals are yearlings of 2021.
  • Lesson Horses presented by John Deere Equine Discount Program: Record-setting trainer Steve Asmussen discusses what a calm, careful racehorse taught him about life in his youth.
  • Ask Your Veterinarian presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Dr. Lindsey Rings of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital explains why some horses might not take well to extended stall rest, and offers some solutions to help keep them calm as they heal.
  • Pennsylvania Leaderboard Presented By Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association: Ninetypercentbrynn is one of Pennsylvania's leading earners from the state's lucrative incentive program, and she's gotten there without a stakes start in 2021. Chelsea Hackbarth examines how she got there.
  • First-Crop Sire Watch: Stallions whose first crops of yearlings are represented in the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, including the number of horses cataloged and the farm where the stallion is currently advertised.

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS EDITION OF THE PR BACK RING

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Webinar: Tips For How To Train When Riding Isn’t An Option

Winter weather often limits training for horses of all kinds, and although much of the country is now experiencing warmer temperatures, spring rains could continue to create headaches for equestrians.

With this challenge in mind, the Retired Racehorse Project recently hosted a webinar titled, 'How To Train When You Can't Ride' to offer tips for riders of all sports to keep horses physically and mentally engaged when the ground is icy, rain-soaked or snow-covered.

A few key takeaways:

  • Dr. Shannon Reed, associate professor of equine surgery at The Ohio State University and off-track Thoroughbred advocate, said that even for a horse in rehabilitation from an injury, there are ways to keep things from being monotonous. If a horse is limited to hand walking, check with your veterinarian to see if it's ok to hand walk outside rather than in the barn aisle, whether tack walking or trailer loading practice are acceptable forms of exercise. Stall-bound horses may still be able to work on vocal cues and lateral work (“Move over”) in the stall. Walking over ground poles or under saddle may also be an option for some horses.

    “You should come out of six months of rehab with a better horse than what you went in with,” said Reed. “There are a whole lot of things that you can do with your horse that have nothing to do with being under saddle, which is someplace we sometimes put ourselves under pressure.”

  • Always check with the veterinarian when brainstorming things that could fit within the guidelines – don't ask the Facebook peanut gallery.
  • Hand walking, especially a brisk walk, can be a surprisingly good way to get a horse (and rider) fit. Reed recommends hand walking in whatever environment you safely can. While walking the roads of her neighborhood, Reed was able to introduce her OTTB to ditches, mailboxes, driveways, trash cans, and other items. The horse learned to stop and wait for people to pass, and to turn on the forehand when required.
  • Reward curiosity in your horse. It's better for a horse to encounter something new in a low-pressure, non-time sensitive situation than at a competition.
  • Hand walking is a safe way to begin teaching herd bound horses that they will return to their friends eventually, and that it's ok to trust and focus on the human handler despite separation anxiety. That trust will likely translate to under saddle work.
  • Lateral work can be done in hand with the help of a dressage whip to help direct a horse's haunches. Lateral movement from the walk is a good way to help a horse stretch and stay limber without putting stress on joints and soft tissues.
  • Walking through puddles is another easy lesson that doesn't require a perfect surface. Water can reflect light and movement in unexpected ways, and even if you don't plan to run your horse cross country and encounter water on a routine basis, odds are that he will encounter a puddle at some stage that must be crossed safely.
  • Standing and ground tying are underestimated skills. Horses, especially young or high-energy horses, need to become comfortable with some degree of boredom waiting for their class at a horse show, or waiting by a trailer. Standing by the mounting block is also a challenge for many horses, since they don't realize the significance of the block and may be used to being mounted while in motion.
  • Ask your local farm supply shop for old sale banners that you can add to your arena so your horse has experience with something bright that may flap in the wind.
  • Trailer rides don't always have to be about going somewhere for competition. Those who have a truck and trailer have the opportunity to not only haul horses to schooling shows as non-competitors to stand and watch the proceedings. They also have the chance to take horses on short errands, like running to the grocery store for 10 minutes and taking the horse back home. This will make traveling less of an “event” and keep horses relaxed about the process – especially if they have a hay net to munch on.

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