Heaves in Horses

Horses' respiratory systems are very similar to human respiratory systems with a few 

differences: just for example, horses don't breathe out of their mouths. However their 

respiratory systems do serve basically the same purpose as ours. The respiratory tract 

takes in oxygen to the lungs to be exchanged with red blood cells for the oxygen to be 

used throughout the body. The respiratory tract is also responsible for clearing the 

system of irritants such as dust, bacteria, and fumes. It does this by trapping these 

irritants in a mucus that covers the airway. An over exposure to irritants can lead a 

horse to have some respiratory issues. Respiratory issues tend to present themselves 

with symptoms such as excessive nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, or mucus secretions. 

   

As we all know, there can be a lot of dust in a barn from a variety of sources such as 

hay, feed, bedding, the horses backs and hooves as well as what people drag in. Dust 

can have molds, bacteria and other particles that can affect horses (and people’s) airways. 

   

Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), also known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary 

Disease (COPD) or also simply called “heaves'' is a noninfectious respiratory disease 

that causes constriction of the lower airways and the accumulation of mucus. When a 

horse has heaves their lung tissues become inflamed and thick. This in turn decreases 

the elasticity of the lungs making breathing more labored.

Heaves presents itself much like other respiratory illnesses which can make it hard to 

be immediately diagnosed. Some of the signs of heaves are coughing, nasal discharge, 

labored breathing, reduced performance, flaring nostrils, and a “heave line”. 

A “heave line” is a line that begins to develop after a period of time where the horse’s 

exhale takes just as much energy as an inhale.

Unfortunately, heaves is not a curable illness and it is progressive and regenerative; 

meaning it will not go away and will tend to get worse in waves. However there are 

some practices and medicines out there to help manage heaves in horses. One of the 

key things to do when you have a horse with heaves is to cut down on dust as much 

as possible. You can change over to less dusty feeds or wet down horses feed to 

prevent inhalation of dust, switch to a less dusty bedding such as pine pellets, and try 

to take horses with heaves out of the barn when sweeping or cleaning stalls.  As far as

medications, there are Bronchodilators out there that can be administered orally or 

inhaled as an aerosol through a mask. In addition, there are corticosteroids for reducing 

inflammation. However, long term use of that medication can cause laminitis or 

infection. There are also traditional Chinese remedies available through your vet. 

While it is unfortunate that heaves is not curable, it does not mean the end of the horse's 

life. If  you have a horse present with heaves like symptoms, call your vet and develop 

a plan that works for you and your operation and do your best to make the horse 

comfortable. If you do not have horses that present with heaves, it may still be wise to 

adopt some of the dust minimizing practices to help ensure that your horses stay free of 

heaves and any other respiratory illnesses.

Heaves – The Horse Version of COPD | Panhandle Agriculture

Equine Respiratory Diseases

Written by Emily Jacobs, Bladen Extension Intern

The Devil is in the Details

Who doesn't want to stop animal abuse?  If you own equines or any other animals, you most likely feel queasy any time you hear of an animal being abused.  The thought of someone purposely causing physical harm to any sort of animal is unbelievable and intolerable.  However, we all know it happens - many times it is unintentional (a person gets in over their heads with the number of animals in their care) but there are cases when people are just plain mean.  And when we think about those cases, we typically automatically feel that any sort of legislation to stop, prevent or criminalize animal abuse is a good thing.

However, I would caution you to make sure you understand the details of those legislative proposals before you decide to promote them because you believe that it will eliminate animal cruelty.  A couple of western states have ballot initiatives that, on the surface, sound terrific.  Similar legislation has been proposed here.  As always, the devil is in the details and I would advise you to make sure you understand all of the implications of such proposals.  

Colorado has recently had a ballot initiative proposed that would criminalize "animal cruelty".  At first glance that sounds great, right?  Who doesn't want to stop animal abuse?  However, the initiative classifies many practices as animal abuse.  One such example is artificial insemination.  This practice would be classified as a "sexual act with an animal" and would be punishable.  Many of you may not utilize this practice with your horses, but I bet you know someone who does.  This practice, which can improve equine genetics quickly and allow matings that might otherwise not happen, would be banned and criminalized.  Other practices that would be banned under this initiative include branding and castrating.  Again, branding is not done much around here, but is used extensively in the west.  And castrating - do we really need all those stallions (or other intact male livestock species) running around?  Assisting difficult births could also be labeled as animal cruelty.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled last week that this initiative could not proceed due to some legal details that I won't go into.  I would be willing to bet, however, that the proponents of this initiative will try again real soon.

The initiative can be found here:

https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2021-2022/16OriginalFinal.pdf

Colorado is not the only state currently dealing with such an initiative. Oregon also has a similar proposed initiative.  It can be found here:

http://oregonvotes.org/irr/2022/013text.pdf

No one wants animals to be abused or mistreated or neglected.  But the broad language in these bills provides for the possibility that many of the practices currently used would be criminalized.  I would urge you to read and understand the details of such bills before blindly supporting them based solely on the suggestion of reducing animal cruelty.

Has Your Horse Been Vaccinated?

As we get into the summer months and see higher temperatures, it’s inevitable that insect pests, such as mosquitoes will be out looking to snack on the blood of horses, humans, and other animals alike. Mosquitoes should be a great concern to horse owners since these insects carry and transmit potentially lethal diseases such as EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) and WNV (West Nile Virus). An unvaccinated horse can show signs of these diseases 5 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms of WNV include fever, weakness or paralysis of hind limbs, impaired vision, head pressing, seizures, and aimless wandering. Typical symptoms of EEE include: muscle spasms, difficulty swallowing, paralysis, staggering, aimless wandering, lack of coordination, and eventually death. Historically, most cases of WNV and EEE in NC occur in July and August. If you haven't already, now is the time to get your horses vaccinated. 

 

There is no cure for either of these diseases and mortality rates range from 30 percent for WNV and over 90 percent for EEE. Unfortunately, horses that contract EEE are often euthanized. This stresses the importance of having your horse vaccinated annually by a large animal veterinarian. Horse owners should talk with their veterinarians about establishing a vaccination schedule to protect horses from these mosquito-borne diseases as well as other diseases, such as rabies. Birds, equines, and humans can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the viruses to other horses, birds, or people through direct contact.

  

There are also some cultural practices horse owners can also utilize to help curb mosquito populations. Mosquitoes can breed in any area of stagnant water that lasts for more than four days, so when possible, remove any source of standing water to minimize their breeding areas. This practice can decrease the chances of exposing animals to both EEE and WNV. Some other management practices such as keeping horses stalled at night, running barn fans, and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Providing protective gear such as fly sheets and masks can also help deter mosquitoes and other insects from irritating horses, especially at night. Certain insect repellants, containing pyrethrins can be effective if used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Many of these sprays only offer temporary relief so it is important that horse owners manage mosquitoes and other insects using an integrated approach.

Now is the time to get your horses vaccinated. Although there are few, most cases of EEE and WNV in North Carolina usually occur from June through August. If you think your horse or other equine animals may have contracted EEE or WNV contact your veterinarian immediately. 

Pay attention to the heat index!

Our hot summer temperatures are finally here and are here to stay! Keep these tips in mind when you are deciding if it's too hot to ride.

 

Gastric Ulcers

What are Gastric Ulcers

Gastric Ulcers are an issue that is very common with active horses. Gastric ulcers are sores that form in the stomach lining. Horse stomachs have 2 regions: glandular and non glandular. The glandular portion of the stomach is highly acidic with the pH averaging at 1.5. This portion of the stomach has a protective layer of mucus that prevents the stomach lining from being damaged by the acid. However, the non glandular region does not have this protective mucus layer because it has a more neutral pH range of 5-7. Gastric Ulcers occur when the acid from the glandular portion of the stomach enters the non glandular portion of the stomach typically during exercise or strenuous activities.

What causes Gastric Ulcers

The horse's glandular region produces acid all day everyday. The average horse secretes about 9 gallons of the gastric acid daily. Horses are built to eat small meals throughout the day, so the acid is being “buffered” and used in the process of digestion rather than just building up in the stomach. When the acid is not buffered and the horse is performing a physically demanding activity, the acid from the glandular stomach will  leak into the non glandular stomach and begin to cause damage to the stomach lining.

Grains can also be a contributing factor to ulcers because they produce volatile fatty acids when fermenting which are the same as the acids that are produced in the glandular region of the stomach. Horses who are fed grains and especially concentrates need to be fed some type of roughage throughout the day as a buffer because they will have excess acid from the grain fermentation.

Another possible contributing factor to ulcers can be stress. This is seemingly unavoidable for horses who show or race considering all of the traveling and new and strange situations. However, when they are in those situations, just do your best to minimize their stress as much as possible.

There are also some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can contribute to the decrease of production of the protective mucus coating which in turn could lead to gastric ulcers; these included Phenylbutazone (aka Bute) and Flunixin Meglumine (aka Banamine). You do not have to all out avoid these products, but if your horse is showing symptoms and you have been using these products, it is something to consider. When you do use these products be sure to offer more roughages and to frequently create more buffer for that acid to minimize chances of ulcer development. 

Prevention

Some of the key things you can do to prevent gastric ulcer development in your horses is to limit stressful situations, feed frequently and/or offer free choice pasture or hay as much as possible to act as a buffer for that acid.The feed and roughages act as a sort of antacid for horses; so when the horse is fed more frequently more acid is being used for digestion, which means less chance of the the acid being able to reach and damage the sensitive lining in the non glandular region of the stomach.

Of course it may not be feasible for every horse owner to feed every horse free choice all day and it’s not really possible to avoid every stressful situation with your horse, but manage your time and horses wisely. Do what works for you to prevent ulcer development in your horses and monitor them daily for changes in mood, appetite, and body condition changes.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Gastric Ulcers can occur in horses of any age, so it is important to care for all horses in a way that can prevent them from developing this painful condition. Horses will begin to show signs of ulcers at varying times depending on the severity of the horse's condition. Signs can include poor appetite, attitude changes, poor performance, diarrhea, increased salivation, pot bellied appearance, weight loss and colic like behavior. If your horse is showing these signs, it is important to contact your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can give you an idea if it may be stomach ulcers or not and they may recommend performing an endoscopy to give you a definitive diagnosis. 

Treatment

While there is no definite cure for gastric ulcers, there is one USDA approved treatment that can lead to the horse’s ulcers healing; however the results tend to vary from horse to horse. 

Horses who are diagnosed with Gastric ulcers should be allowed a break from strenuous activities immediately and provided with roughages to eat throughout the day and night. They should be administered the medicine as prescribed and have the vet out for regular checks to make sure things are progressing as they should. After a bit of time on that treatment it is likely that your horse will get relief from the painful sores. 

Sources

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome | School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis

Gastric Ulcers » College of Veterinary Medicine » University of Florida

Pathogenesis of Acid Injury in the Non-Glandular Region of the Equine Stomach: Implications in Gastric Ulcer Disease

Written by Emily Jacobs, Bladen County Summer Intern

What can I plant for summer pastures?

It's a typical North Carolina spring that has us bundled up in the morning and in flip-flops in the afternoon; however, with temperatures getting into the 80's, it's undeniable that summer is right around the corner.  As our cool-season forages begin to lose productivity, it's time to start preparing our summer pastures.

In North Carolina, we're fortunate to have a diverse range of warm-season annuals and perennials to choose from for our summer pastures.  However, to establish a strong, healthy stand that can withstand our hot (and often dry) summers, it is important to PREP AND FERTILIZE OUR PASTURES.

Next is determining which warm-season forage will work best in your pasture and grazing management.  Warm-season forages are divided into 2 categories: Annuals and Perennials.  Annuals are cheaper and usually grow rapidly and provide a lot of forage; however they usually only survive one summer.  Perennials on the other hand, once established can potentially last a lifetime if managed properly.  However, they are much more expensive and require more careful management and care after planting than annuals.

The following are a few examples of both annual and perennial forages that work well in North Carolina.  If you have any questions or would like to see what other options grow well in your area, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/local-county-center/ 

Annuals:

Pearl Millet: Millet is a great choice for most grazing animals due to its fast growth. It resembles the corn plant in its early and vegetative stages, but with much more leaves. Millet should be allowed to grow about 18 inches before grazing, and then don’t allow animals to graze it lower than six inches. Grazing below this point will cause the plant to have poor re-growth and your stand will suffer. Planting rate: Broadcast: 20-25 lbs/ac; Drilled: 15-20 lbs/ac; depth of .5-1.5 inch; plant between April 20- June 20

Sorghum/Sorghum Sudans: These grasses are very similar in look and growth to Millet. The same recommendations for grazing heights for Millet also apply to these. One big difference is that members of the Sorghum family contain dhurrin, a glucoside that breaks down to release hydrocyanic acid also known as prussic acid. This acid is released after the plant is stressed, such as in a drought or after a frost. Prussic acid can be deadly so care should be taken when grazing this type of forage. Planting rate: Broadcast: 35-40 lbs/ac; Drilled: 20-30 lbs/ac; depth of .5-1 inch; plant between April 20- June 20

Perennials:

Bahiagrass: This common grass is frequently found along roadsides because of its fast growth. However, some good varieties do exist that are better for hay and pasture, such as TifQuick, Tifton 9, and Pensacola. After planting, bahiagrass should be allowed to grow 6-8 inches before grazing, and not grazed below 2-3 inches. Planting rate: Broadcast: 15-25 lbs/ac; Drilled: 10-20 lbs/ac; depth of .25-.5 inches; plant between Feb 1 and March 31.

Crabgrass: I know it sounds strange to plant crabgrass, but it is a highly nutritious forage that grows fast and is very tasty to livestock. Crabgrass also produces “runners” or stolons just like bermudagrass, so it will tolerate continuous grazing. Crabgrass seed is very inexpensive but usually has to be ordered over the phone or on the internet from seed companies in the midwest. After planting, crabgrass should be allowed to grow 6-8 inches before grazing, and not grazed below 2-3 inches. Planting rate: 1-5 pounds per acre at shallow depth 0-.25 inches; plant after the last frost through early May.

Bermudagrass: Probably the most common pasture grass in Eastern NC, bermudagrass has a lot of research behind it to help you choose a good variety. Seeded bermudagrass can be expensive because of its popularity, but is overall a good choice for all livestock. It tolerates close, continuous grazing because it stores its energy in the “runners” and rhizomes under the ground. After planting, bermudagrass should be allowed to grow 6-8 inches before grazing, and not grazed below 2-3 inches. Planting rate: Broadcast 6-8 lbs/ac; Drilled 10-20 lbs/ac; depth .25-.5 inches; plant by April 15- or through July if irrigated.

Wound Management & Bandaging

 If you own an equine of any kind, sooner or late you will have to deal with wounds that require extra care and bandaging, or you may want to bandage your horse's legs for traveling or exercise..  Check out these tips and guidance from the American Association of Equine Practitioners: https://aaep.org/horsehealth/wound-management-bandaging.