Page 110 - June 2021

VETERINARY VIEWS
“There should be a period of rest for all horses
to provide an opportunity to refresh
and diminish the volume of persistent cyclic loading that occurs in the absence of rest.” - AAEP
vaccines every six months. Rabies boosters are given yearly as are tetanus toxoid boosters. Influenza and rhinopneumonitis vaccinations are given at least twice yearly and, in some cases, every four months depending on risk.
DEWORMING
Deworming is a routine health care strategy that can greatly reduce the risk
of colic, ill health, and performance
issues in equine athletes of any discipline. The best strategy relies on strategic (also called targeted) deworming protocols that recommend deworming horses with fecal egg counts > 200 eggs per gram. Fecal egg counts should be done twice yearly to ensure that deworming products being used are
still effective.
Routine cleaning of manure from stalls and paddocks at least twice weekly greatly reduces the opportunity for parasite eggs to mature to the infective larval stage.
DENTAL CARE
Young horses tend to have fewer dental issues than older adults although some may need removal of wolf teeth or retained caps if they prove to be a bother. It is important to check a horse’s teeth at least 2-3 times a year to look for broken or injured teeth or periodontal disease that can cause dental discomfort.
ANHIDROSIS
The ability of a horse to perform well, especially at speed, relies on the ability
to dissipate heat from the muscles during exercise. An important series of physiologic responses relieve such heat buildup in the horse. Fitness and conditioning develop a horse’s cardiovascular system to maximize movement of heat from deep in the working muscles to the skin where the heat is
then evaporated from the sweat glands. “Evaporative cooling” uses sweat as a means to convey heat from the horse’s skin to the ambient air and it accounts for about 65%
of a horse’s cooling process, while the lungs may blow off as much as 25% of internal heat. Release of the heat load through the respiratory tract is evident as a hot horse stands blowing or panting after an exertion.
Conditioning develops a horse’s ability
to perform as easily and as efficiently as possible. Yet, climate may factor into the potential to develop heat stress. In hot and humid climates, exhaustion of a horse’s sweat glands can lead to overheating problems during training and exercise. This situation
is referred to as anhidrosis or the inability to sweat. An at-risk horse may do better training early in the coolness of morning followed
by an immediate cool down with misting fans that reduce ambient temperature by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintaining a horse’s hydration and electrolyte balance
is essential. Offer water and salt free choice. Potassium chloride (LiteR salt or KCl) is purported as useful although horses with anhidrosis usually have normal electrolyte
The ability of a horse to perform well, especially at speed, relies on the ability to dissipate heat from the muscles during exercise.
It is important to check a horse’s teeth at least 2-3 times a year to look for broken or injured teeth or periodontal disease that can cause dental discomfort.
108 SPEEDHORSE June 2021