Douglas E. Pamp, Ph.D., PAS
Technical Services  

In the previous newsletter we discussed rate and extent of digestion and how processing feed ingredients can change both the rate (speed a feed is digested) and extent(how completely a feed is digested) of digestion. Examples of feed ingredients that are processed to improve both rate and extent of digestion are steam flaked oats or chopped alfalfa hay. Remember that this terminology was developed to help better understand and explain factors that determine how efficiently a horse utilizes feed. Another factor that affects feed utilization and thus subsequent animal performance is rate of passage.

Rate of passage is simply how fast a feed ingredient moves through the digestive tract. The amount of time (residence time) that feed ingredients are exposed to the digestive process effects how completely the feed is digested and utilized by the horse. Feeds can be processed to change the rate of passage and thus increase the absolute amount of digestion and utilization of fiber or complex carbohydrates. Following is an example of how processing a forage affects rate of passage and animal performance.

You have poor quality alfalfa/grass hay that you want to feed to mature, open, non-working mares. By feeding the hay long stemmed or unprocessed you slow the rate of passage. This allows more time for the hay to be exposed to the digestive process and gives the mare time to extract the maximum amount of energy possible from the hay. Plus, by feeding the hay unprocessed, the mare is more satisfied because of the “fill factor” provided by feeding long stemmed, bulky hay.

If you had to feed this same poor quality hay to growing yearlings or 2-year olds that require more energy for growth and you do not want to feed grain to close the “energy gap;” chopping or grinding the hay will help improve performance. By processing the hay, you reduce the particle size which increases the rate of passage, thereby:

• Allowing the horse to consume more total pounds of hay and thus more total digestible nutrients (TDN).
• Reducing particle size exposes more of the hay surface to digestive enzymes and fermentation allowing for faster digestion.

The concept is to get as much of the readily available energy as you can out of the processed hay, move the indigestible portion of the hay out of the digestive tract to make room for increased intake. This results in more TDN being consumed, increasing growth and performance for animals when fed poor quality forage.

By processing feeds and thus changing rate of passage, you can dramatically change feeding value and subsequent animal performance. Next time we will look at the importance of fermentation in horses.

In the past several years, the practice of breeding mares with cooled shipped semen has increased in popularity. This type of breeding may be very rewarding or very frustrating. We have learned over the years that there are a number of steps a mare owner can take to increase breeding success.

Put her under lights. A light program should have been started in the first part of December and continued through spring. Programs differ between farms, but some basics can be outlined.

• Mares need to be exposed to 16 hours of continuous light; thus, she needs to be placed in a stall in the evening and exposed to artificial light to extend natural light hours to 16 hours.
• While stalled, light intensity needs to be 200 watts.
• Many barns use timers to turn on/shut off lights automatically. These timers need to be adjusted weekly to accommodate the time change in natural daylight.

Have a pre-breeding soundness exam completed. This would typically include the following:

• A general physical exam to evaluate the mare’s overall health.
• A rectal ultrasound exam to evaluate her ovaries and uterus and to establish at what stage of her estrus (heat) cycle she is.
• If there have been breeding problems in the past or if there is an abnormality detected on the ultrasound exam, a uterine culture and cytology and/or uterine biopsy may be taken. These additional tests help to further evaluate the overall health of the uterus and to determine the mare’s ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy to term.

Research the fertility of potential stallions. How well does a particular stallion ship? Does he have good semen concentration and motility? Does he have a high percentage of mares getting pregnant on limited breeding attempts?

It is very important to closely monitor the mare’s estrus (heat) cycle. To dramatically increase her chance of conceiving, this is best accomplished by boarding the mare at the clinic until she has been bred. This approach allows us to more accurately time her breeding as closely as possible to her ovulation.

Initially, it seems this approach would be more expensive (i.e., boarding fees associated with leaving the mare at the clinic), but, in most circumstances, it becomes less expensive because the success rate is higher. We also offer yearly breeding contracts with a reduced boarding fee.

Get current on her vaccinations prior to sending her to a breeding facility. Breeding farms have a lot of horses coming in and out of their facilities. Therefore, exposure to different diseases increases dramatically when a mare is left to be bred.

Vaccinations

The mare should be vaccinated for all diseases including Sleeping Sickness, Tetanus, Rhinopneumonits, Influenza, and West Nile Virus approximately 30 to 60 days before her due date. In our practice we include Endovac at 60 and 30 days before due date to protect the foal from the common e-coli- and salmonellacaused diarrhea. Vaccination is done to provide maximum antibodies in the first milk of the mare (colostrum). This provides all the protection the foal will get for the first four to six months of its life.

De-Worming

We suggest de-worming the mare about 60 days before foaling. And any time after the foal is born.

Open Caslick

Any mare that has had her vulva repaired or closed after breeding should have it opened at least 30 days prior to foaling. Even if the vulva heals back during the 30 days before foaling, it will open easily during the birthing process. If you forget or the mare foals early and you don’t open the caslick repair, the foal will be born anyway, but the vulva will be more likely traumatized and possibly need more extensive surgical repair afterward.

Foaling

Provide a clean environment of straw, grass hay, or pasture. Avoid sawdust, dirt, and mud. Straw or grass hay over sawdust is usually fine. The stall should be large, 12' x 20' — larger if possible. If the mare has the possibility of foaling up against a fence, care should be taken because the foal could end up on the other side of the fence and then be unable to nurse its mother.

If you witness the foaling process, remember that most mares go unassisted with foaling. However, if the mare needs help, and the foal is presented normally with both front feet and head, you can help the birthing process by pulling the foal by its front legs in the direction of the mare’s hocks. Don’t pull the foal straight out, pull down towards the hocks — this is the natural direction for foaling. If the foal is presented abnormally — for example, the feet are upside down, there is only one foot presented, or the head is the only structure presented — start walking the mare so she doesn’t lay down and push, then call our clinic immediately for advice or help. If the mare is in labor for more than 30 minutes without any part of the foal being presented, start walking the mare and call us immediately.

Nursing

The average foal will stand within an hour of foaling. It will nurse within two to three hours, if it has not nursed within three to six hours, please contact us so we can assist providing the colostrum to the foal with a naso-gastric tube. If the foal is having trouble finding the nipples, it is usually best to just hold the mare still so she doesn’t move or lift her hind leg and discourage the foal. Often, we will have to twitch the mare: hold her still until the foal has the opportunity to nurse. Don’t let the mare discourage the foal, especially maiden mares. Call us for advice if you have questions at that time. If the mare starts dripping milk (colostrum) heavily before foaling, milk her out and freeze it. Call us the next morning after foaling and we will use a naso-gastric tube to provide the colostrum. Remember, it is paramount that the foals receive the colostrum within the first 12 hours after birth.

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Over 120 U.S. veterinarians participated in a 3- year field study that supports six year’s of clinical research with ReStore™, a product that increases digestive efficiency of horses. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that ReStore™ was as effective under local field conditions as it was in the earlier clinical trials.

What researchers found:
Regardless of region, breed, use or diet, horses supplemented with ReStore™ showed significant improvement in:

• Digestive efficiency measured by reduced clinical incidents of colic and diarrhea.
• Growth rate, body condition restoration and maintenance.
• Overall performance, regardless of athletic discipline.

How ReStore™ works:
It stimulates growth of naturally occurring bacteria of the hindgut; the bateria the horse depends on to fully digest feed. These baterias are vital to prevention of what vets call Dietary Distress Syndrom, or (DDS).

Since DDS can trigger a host of horse maladies, Re- Store ™ should be as integral to preventive medicine programs as routine worming and vaccination.

Data developed by this study showed a strong correlation between horse health and consumption of readily fermented carbohydrates, i.e. starches and sugars found in grain-based concentrates.

Veterinary literature links readily fermented carbohydrates with the induction of a diabetic-state. This condition has been associated with serious health problems such as Cushing’s Syndrome, rhabdomyolosis, HYPP, and even long bone disorders in young horses.

In response to the problem, Biovance Life Sciences developed a concentrated nutrient source to serve as a “grain substitute.”

As the product evolved, we recognized the need to marry the physiologic benefits of ReStore™ with this new source of nutrients that reduce the risks associated with starches and sugars in conventional feeds. This powerful combination was introduced in 2004.

This new product, Revolution™, prescription equine diet fortified with Re- Store™, is not available in all areas. Until it is, ask your feed supplier for a low glycemic index feed and fortify it with ReStore™. Or, have him contact us for details about an authorized dealer program for your area.

One of the best ways to get maximum return on your financial and emotional investment in the horse you love is a wellness program. Many veterinarians now offer programs designed specifically for older horses. The pay back is the joy of helping your horse live a longer, healthier, and more productive life.

Genetic Potential
Studies show many horses 20 years or older are still being ridden; some still competing. But even when the genetic potential is there, researchers stress that optimal care for older horses requires aggressive preventive medicine.

Special Concerns
At Tuffs University, North Grafton, MA studies with older horses found the gastrointestinal and musculoskeltal systems were the most common source of problems. Colic was the most common clinical sign; lameness the next.

Recommendations
Consult with your vet about a wellness program for your horse. It should include an annual physical and blood work, a vaccination and parasite control schedule, a dentistry program, and nutritional consultation.

The immune system of the older horse may not be as effective as that of a young horse. So, more frequent vaccinations may be necessary.

To avoid dietary distress, feed Revolution™ the prescription diet fortified with ReStore™. If Revolution™ is not yet available in your area, feed ReStore™ as an oral supplement with your regular feed ration. This will enhance the horse’s natural digestive process.

My gelding, foaled in ’96, broke down, and was left on the track by his former owner. I got Jack on 8/20/06. He could not pass a “road apple”, was uncomfortable chewing grass hay, looked like a bag of bones, was starving, and had bleeding sores on hips and front fetlocks. I thank my lucky stars we chanced on Biovance’s Revolution™ fortified with ReStore™, locally. I got him to eat Revolution™ fortified with ReStore™, and saw improvement in two months. I was stupid though and tried some other things that usually put on weight fast, but those products didn’t work; certainly not the restorative power like Revolution™ fortified with ReStore™. I went back to Revolution™ fortified with ReStore™, and got him glossy with body fat filling in again. He is now running with my other horses and, believe it or not, even smiles.

I’m ecstatic that there’s the technology now to save a horse that’s so far gone as Jack was. It can certainly only enhance the nutrition of a normal horse. Revolution™ fortified with ReStore™ made a difference for Jack! Many thanks.

P.S. My rescued Arab colt and five adopted black mustangs get it also and all are looking good.