Body Care & Health for Horses

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1 Need to Know: Body Care & Health for Horses Things you need to know about the health of horses. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF HORSES Anatomy refers to the form and structure of organisms. In comparison, physiology is the study of the functions of the body and its parts. Physiology looks at the body systems, organs, tissues and cells. A horse s anatomy includes its skeletal system, muscles, the brain and nervous system, all internal organs and the hair and skin. Forelock Poll Crest Withers Back Loin Croup Hip Tailhead Throat Latch Shoulder Point of Shoulder Arm Thigh Forearm Knee Flank Stifle Elbow Gaskin Fetlock Hock Cannon Pastern Coronet Hoof 1

2 A horse owner has a responsibility to know and understand their animal s anatomy and physiology. Skin & Hair The skin is the horse s largest organ and makes up between 12 and 24 percent of the animal s total weight, depending on its age. The skin has many functions: It protects underlying tissues from injury, drying, water absorption and bacteria. It regulates the body s temperature. It excretes water and salts through sweat glands, senses the environment and synthesizes vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. The hair also provides protection as well as warmth in the winter and cooling in the summer. The hair filters ultraviolet light. Horses can lose large amounts of water through sweat, so a constant supply of clean, fresh water is important. Eyes The horse has unique eyes they are both monocular and binocular. Monocular means that the horse can see objects with one eye. As a result, the brain often gets two images simultaneously. With binocular vision the horse can focus with both eyes and the brain receives only one signal. People only have binocular vision and see with both eyes at the same time. Thorough and detailed information on horse s anatomy and physiology can be found in Parts of the Horse: 4-H Horse Project Manual at www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/ all/4h7933/$file/g_partsofhorse.pdf. Go to this weblink on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website. A horse s eyes should be bright. The membranes surrounding the coloured portion of the eye should have a healthy soft pinkish colour and appear moist. If there is infection or inflammation these membranes become bright pink and inflamed. Poor blood circulation to the membranes, such as during shock, will cause them to appear almost white. During an illness the eyes may appear to sink back into the skull, usually due to dehydration. Skeleton The skeleton gives the horse its physical structure. The structure of a horse s skeletal system and the angles at which its bones connect determines the horse s physical capacity and athletic potential. Joints and ligaments allow the horse to move smoothly. Digestion A horse has the same requirements for water, energy, protein, vitamins and minerals as do all animals but differs in the type and function of its digestive system. The horse falls between a ruminant and non-ruminant. Non-ruminants (humans, pigs and dogs) digest carbohydrates, protein and fat by enzymatic action. Ruminants (cattle, sheep and deer) use bacteria in the fore stomachs to digest fibre by fermentation and use enzymatic digestion in the small intestines. 2

3 The horse s foregut includes the mouth, esophgus, stomach and small intestine. The hindgut includes the large colon small colon and rectum. A horse s stomach can hold only about 8 to 15 litres. The food passes through the stomach into the small intestine and then to the cecum, large intestine and colon, called the hindgut. The process of fermentation, which allows horses to break down cellulose, takes place in the hindgut of the horse. This system allows the horse to digest simple carbohydrate sources such as starch from grain in the foregut. Fibrous sources such as oat hulls, soy hulls, beet pulp, hay and pasture are digested in the hindgut. The small intestine is where the nutrients from carbohydrates are absorbed. Nutrients from fibre in the diet are absorbed in the hindgut. The sounds made by the gut in the flank of the horse can provide indicators of health. Gut sounds is the term used for the noise heard as food and water moves down the gastric intestinal track. You should hear intermittent gut sounds two to four times a minute. Abnormal or no gut sounds at all can indicate an intestinal blockage or a twist of the gut, which may be very dangerous. This is called colic. High pitched frequent sounds can indicate a gas build-up, which can also be a sign of colic. Information used with permission from Equine Digestive Tract Structure: Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Queen s Printer for Ontario (1999). english/livestock/ horses/facts/info_digest.htm and Equine Vital Signs (Western Horse Review: May 2011): Horse Council British Columbia. customelements/uploadedresources/equinevitalsigns.pdf 3

4 WHAT BEHAVIOUR TELLS US ABOUT NORMAL OR ABNORMAL HEALTH In general, a healthy horse should appear alert with bright, clear eyes and erect ears that move in the direction of sound. The horse should display a healthy appetite, have a body condition score of 4 to 6 and move soundly on all four legs. Its coat should be sleek and short in the summer and heavier and longer in the winter. The hooves should be smooth and correctly shaped and a digital pulse should be barely perceptible. The horse is a social animal with a herd instinct. Poor health can change this behaviour. It is common for a sick animal to leave the group completely or maintain a distance from the herd. In some cases, the horse will be unable to keep up to the herd and becomes separated. This is different from chronic problems such as lameness or poor eyesight. With these types of problems, horses will often pair off for company. Adapted with permission from Health. 4-H Horse Project Manual: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. www1.agric.gov. ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/4h7933/$file/k_health.pdf When an animal is feeling ill, it will change its behaviour. Some deviations from normal behaviour and appearance that may be observed include: 1. Droopy acting and lethargic appearance (head down) 2. Off feed and water. Healthy horses are always interested in feed. A lack of interest is often one of the first visible signs of serious illness. 3. Dull eyes, watery eyes 4. Coughing 5. Nasal discharges 6. Loss of weight 7. Change in breathing 8. Flared and/or inflamed nostrils 9. Limping or posturing (standing in an unusual way) 10. Diarrhea or does not pass manure for more than 12 hours 11. If your horse seems in pain, gets up and down repeatedly, rolls often, kicks at his belly or bites at his side, he may have colic. 4

5 WHAT EVERY HORSE NEEDS: AN OWNER WHO KNOWS HOW TO SCORE BODY CONDITION Body scoring assigns a numerical value from 1 to 9, based on the amount of fat on horses in the areas of the loin, ribs, tailhead, withers, neck and shoulders. The system works by assessing fat both visually and by palpation, or feeling for fat in each of these six body areas. This body condition scoring system is a helpful management tool that can be used across breeds and by all horse people. It helps to determine if a horse is being underfed or overfed. Detailed information, videos and tools for body scoring are provided on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website. Find out more by going to these videos and tools. Body condition scoring is a method of evaluating the percentage of body fat on a horse s body. For most recreation horses, a body condition score of 5 to 6 is ideal. Horses with a body condition score of 7 are probably being fed too much. Horses with a body condition score less than 4 require more energy in their diets and may need a veterniary examination to determine whether they have health issues. Along the neck Along the withers Crease down back Tailhead Ribs Behind the shoulders Used with permission from Body Condition Scoring Your Horse: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/ all/agdex4830 5

6 What does the Code of Practice say about body condition scoring for horses? The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Horses will be updated and completed by the summer of Information on the progress of this new Code can be found on the National Farm Animal Care Council website at Score Description 1 POOR Extremely emaciated. Spinal vertebrae, ribs, tailhead and point of the hip and buttock are prominent. Bone structure of withers, shoulders and neck easily noticeable. No fat can be felt anywhere. 2 VERY THIN Emaciated. Slight fat covering over base of spinal vertebrae, transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Spinal vertebrae, ribs, tailhead, point of hips and buttocks are prominent. Withers, shoulders and neck structure faintly evident. 3 THIN Fat built up about halfway on spinal vertebrae, transverse processes cannot be felt. Slight fat cover over ribs. Spinal vertebrae and ribs easily discernible. Tailhead prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Point of hip appears rounded, but easily seen. Point of buttock evident. Withers, shoulders and neck accentuated. 4 MODERATELY THIN Slight ridge along the back. Faint outline of ribs visible. Tailhead prominence depends on confirmation; fat can be felt around it. Point of hip not evident. Withers shoulders and neck not obviously thin. 5 MODERATE Back level. Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt. Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy. Withers appear rounded over spinal vertebrae; shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body. 6 MODERATELY FLESHY May have slight ridge along back. Fat over ribs feels spongy. Fat around tailhead feels soft. Fat beginning to be deposited along the sides of the withers, behind the shoulders and along the sides of the neck. 7 FLESHY May have crease down back. Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat. Fat around tailhead is soft. Fat deposited along withers, behind the shoulders and along the sides of the neck. 8 FAT Crease down back. Difficult to feel ribs. Fat around tailhead very soft. Area along withers filled with fat. Area behind shoulder filled in flush. Noticeable thickening of neck fat deposited along inner buttocks. 9 EXTREMELY FAT Obvious crease down back. Patchy fat appearing over ribs. Bulging fat around tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders and along neck. Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank filled in flush. In the Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals Horses ( 1998): Modified from: Henneke et al. (1983) Equine Vet. J. 15(4):372. Images courtesy of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. 6

7 WHAT EVERY HORSE NEEDS: AN OWNER WHO KNOWS HOW TO MONITOR VITAL SIGNS All horse owners should know what is normal for their horse. A horse s vital signs include its temperature, pulse and respiration. The normal parameters of the horse s vital signs can be an essential benchmark in monitoring its health. Temperature The temperature is taken using a lubricated (veterinary) rectal thermometer. A digital thermometer is safer and easier to use. To prevent the loss of thermometer into the anus, tie a string to the top end of it and clip it to the tail hairs. To insert the thermometer, stand to the side of the horse. Lift the tail with one hand and slowly slide the thermometer into the anus with your other hand once the horse has relaxed. Try to slide the thermometer gently on the top or bottom of the rectal opening, as opposed to down the center of the tract, which may contain feces, which can cause an inaccurate reading. Inserting the thermometer is easier if a lubricant has been applied to it. After a minimum of three minutes the temperature may be read. The average rectal temperature is 38 C, but 37.5 C to 38.5 C is considered normal. An abnormally high temperature reading may be false and should be checked again in ten minutes. Pulse The heart rate (pulse) is measured using a watch that gives seconds and minutes. Time for 15 seconds then multiply by 4. The heart rate tells you how fast the horse s heart is beating. The pulse rate is affected by air temperature, exercise, excitement and age. The normal heart rate for a mature horse at rest is 32 to 48 beats per minute. The heart rate is faster for a young horse. To take the pulse you need to find an artery near the skin surface. Most arteries are located well inside the body to reduce injury but three arteries can be used. They may be found: At the margin of the jaw where it comes from the underside At the inside of the elbow joint Under the tail. Adapted with permission from Health. 4-H Horse Project Manual: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. www1.agric.gov. ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/ all/4h7933/$file/k_health.pdf Respiration To measure respiration, place your hand on the flank of the horse to feel the movement as the horse inhales and exhales, count one for each inhale and exhale, not two. You can also do the count by watching the flank. In winter, you can count the number of times the horse exhales by watching the warm puffs of air coming from the nostrils. Remember the respiration rate will also be higher after exercise, in warm weather and when the ventilation is poor. Under these conditions the breathing will also be deeper. A rate of 8 to 16 breaths per minute is normal for a horse that is at rest. 7

8 What does the Code of Practice say about vital signs for horses? VITAL SIGNS FOR A 545 KG HORSE AT REST AT 15 C [The table] gives vital signs for an adult, 545 kg horse at rest at 15 C. These will vary according to age, physical fitness and environmental conditions. Younger horses tend to be at the higher end of the range. Vital Sign Normal Range Average Rectal temperature 37.5 C-38.5 C 38 C Pulse beats/minute 44 beats/minute Respiration rate breaths/minute 12 breaths/minute In the Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals Horses ( 1998): Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Horses - New Zealand

9 WHAT EVERY HORSE NEEDS: REGULAR DENTAL CARE WHAT EVERY HORSE NEEDS: REGULAR CARE OF HOOVES In order to digest food efficiently, a horse needs healthy teeth to grind the feed and allow enzymes and bacteria to attack the plant cell walls. The front teeth of a horse are designed for clipping grass and, with the help of the tongue, move the grass to the back of the mouth. The premolars and molars are designed to grind feed. Horses only salivate when the premolars and molars are grinding and the enzymes in saliva help to break down the feed. Regular grooming improves a horse s appearance, helps increase circulation and stimulates the oil glands which make the horse s coat look shiny. Grooming also provides an opportunity to check for injuries, skin irritations or other health problems. A foot refers to the hoof and all its internal structures including bones and sensitive structures. The hoof is the hard outside covering of the foot. Horse hooves are one single solid structure while cattle, sheep, goats and pigs have a hoof that contains two digits (referred to as cloven-footed). Hoof care is an essential part of maintaining a healthy horse s foot. Horses can weigh over 453 kg, all supported by their hooves. Problems in the hoof can be very painful and can ultimately decrease a horse s production, performance and longevity. A horse s teeth should be examined regularly to ensure that they are By utilizing good hoof wearing normally and management practices, are effectively grinding hoof problems can be the feed. greatly reduced and WHAT ABOUT GROOMING? this can ultimately avoid or decrease health issues. Thorough and detailed information on grooming a horse can be found in Grooming : 4-H Horse Project Manual at www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/ deptdocs.nsf/all/4h7933/$file/l_grooming.pdf. Go to this weblink on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website. 9

10 Cleaning A hoof pick is an essential tool in a grooming kit. Always clean your horse s hooves before and after riding. Whether or not they are ridden, horses kept in stalls or confined areas should have their hooves picked out daily to prevent thrush. Horses on pasture should have their feet cleaned periodically. Trimming Just like our fingernails, a horse s hooves grow continuously. They need to be trimmed every six to eight weeks to keep them in proper shape. Trimming should be done by an experienced horse owner or a farrier. An inexperienced person can easily trim the hoof wall too short or pare too much sole, causing the horse to be sore. To avoid lameness, the hoof must be balanced precisely which requires skill and expertise. In the long run, it may be better to pay for a good farrier than to risk the well-being of the horse. Shoeing Horses doing a lot of work or working on hard ground will need to be shod. Some horses with weak hoof walls, flat soles or other problems might need shoes even if they re not working. Consult a farrier and veterinarian for advice. Shoes need to be reset every six to eight weeks, and leaving them on too long can damage the hoof. Healthy hooves are key to the overall heath and productivity of an animal. Hooves kept in good condition reduce the expense of treating lame animals in addition to contributing to their overall health and well-being. What does the Code of Practice say about care of body systems for horses? Hooves should be trimmed as often as is necessary to maintain the health of the foot. The frequency of hoof trimming will depend on such factors as age, season, nutrition, management and injury. When a horse is shod, shoes should be properly fitted and maintained. Horses teeth should be examined at least annually. Uneven wear and abnormalities of teeth should not be allowed to interfere with normal eating habits. Dental care will depend on such factors as age, nutrition and management system. Dental care should be performed by a veterinarian or under veterinary supervision. Excerpts from the Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals - Horses ( 1998) have been used with permission, Equine Canada. The process for the development of updated Codes can be accessed through the National Farm Animal Care Council at 10