Well, the excitement and hysteria has past, I think. So I am left wondering what we have learned. I have learned that many times, we don't want to believe the truth, we would rather believe the facts that generate emotion and excitement. The truth can be rather dull sometimes. SO what is the truth about EHV-1. Truth is, 80% of the horse population HAS the virus in their systems. They cannot get rid of it. In the same way that many of us harbor the herpes virus that causes cold sores. When we get stressed, or sick, that is when the virus makes itself manifest, by producing cold sores. Well, the EHV-1 virus is a herpes virus. As such the immune system of the horse cannot get rid of it. But just because your horse has the virus, (and it probably does), does not mean that it has the disease. Fact is, the vast majority of horses will never have THE disease, but they will harbor the virus. As we vaccinate against this virus, the object is not to get rid of the virus (we can't), but to keep it under control. A good example is the 3 Rhino vaccinations we give mares through their gestation. (the rhinopneumonitis virus is the EHV-1,4 virus).
Their is some anecdotal (unproven) evidence that horses vaccinated with two certain types of "high" antigen, or Modified live virus vaccines may have a lower incidence of this neurological form of herpes virus disease. Call me if you want to know more. (you're probably sick of hearing about this anyway, right?) Anyway, I have the answers without any excitement and hysteria. (boring)
Sad thing is, most of the horse events around the country didn't need to be cancelled. There is no containing a virus that the general population carries anyway. Oh well, I will stop there. I could be accused of not caring, but knowledge is power right? That is how I have stayed calm throughout this storm.
I did hear reports of Veterinarians that were testing horses for the virus. If the horse came back positive, then treatment was initiated. Wrong!! Remember, most horses will TEST positive, but if they have no symptoms, they are just carriers, just like 80% of the horse population. The only thing treatment will do is empty your pocket book!
Have nice ride!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
EHV-1 update
5 horses have been confirmed positive at one location in Utah. Now we will wait to see if they show symptoms.
EHV-1 update
From all of the western states reporting, 23 confirmed, 24 suspects, and 4 dead or euthanized. NO confirmed cases in Utah.
One other fact. In outbreaks of this same disease in the past, in other parts of the country, there was a pattern that emerged. Those horses that were vaccinated most frequently for "flu-rhino" had the highest incidence of the neurological form of EHV-1. The reason is that immune complexes which are formed when vaccinating, are involved in the nerve damage with this disease. Therefore, DO NOT vaccinate your horses beyond what is normally recommended.
One other fact. In outbreaks of this same disease in the past, in other parts of the country, there was a pattern that emerged. Those horses that were vaccinated most frequently for "flu-rhino" had the highest incidence of the neurological form of EHV-1. The reason is that immune complexes which are formed when vaccinating, are involved in the nerve damage with this disease. Therefore, DO NOT vaccinate your horses beyond what is normally recommended.
EHV-1 hysteria
Our phones are ringing off the hook! Understandably so. The thought of our horses being endangered by a deadly virus is scary. But the Internet, texting, twitter hysteria has blown the extent and seriousness of this outbreak to outlandish proportion! So let's look at the facts (science).
1. If you or your horses have had no contact with the horses at the ogden cutting show in April 30 - may 8, then the risk of your horses contacting the disease are no higher than normal. You see, if no cases are documented in Utah, then we know that the neurological form of rhino (ehv-1), came and went with the horses that HAVE been proven with the disease from colorado and California.
2. If you voluntarily isolate your horses (stay at home) for 3 weeks, no cases are documented in Utah, and yours show no symptoms, you are fine.
3. you can have your horses tested (scientifically proven) with a simple blood test and nasal swab.cost is $100.
End of story. Science can really simplify the situation if you can look past the hysteria that we love to perpetuate.
We then are left with a philosophical question. In our modern society we are inundated with information. I said "information", not necessarily facts, or truth. This begs the question,"with all that we hear, what and who do we believe?"
I believe that most of what we read and hear is merely information, and not truth, or fact. With this last outbreak, my point is proven. I see many people making decisions based on information (much of it inaccurate), and not facts. Facts take effort to discover, whereas info comes at us freely, and all to easily.
My personal feeling is to NOT take anything at face value, until I have investigated the facts, and found them for myself. Decisions based on fact (real science), will result in better decisions.
Give me just the facts, please.
1. If you or your horses have had no contact with the horses at the ogden cutting show in April 30 - may 8, then the risk of your horses contacting the disease are no higher than normal. You see, if no cases are documented in Utah, then we know that the neurological form of rhino (ehv-1), came and went with the horses that HAVE been proven with the disease from colorado and California.
2. If you voluntarily isolate your horses (stay at home) for 3 weeks, no cases are documented in Utah, and yours show no symptoms, you are fine.
3. you can have your horses tested (scientifically proven) with a simple blood test and nasal swab.cost is $100.
End of story. Science can really simplify the situation if you can look past the hysteria that we love to perpetuate.
We then are left with a philosophical question. In our modern society we are inundated with information. I said "information", not necessarily facts, or truth. This begs the question,"with all that we hear, what and who do we believe?"
I believe that most of what we read and hear is merely information, and not truth, or fact. With this last outbreak, my point is proven. I see many people making decisions based on information (much of it inaccurate), and not facts. Facts take effort to discover, whereas info comes at us freely, and all to easily.
My personal feeling is to NOT take anything at face value, until I have investigated the facts, and found them for myself. Decisions based on fact (real science), will result in better decisions.
Give me just the facts, please.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Satisfaction, finally
The other day it was cold and windy outside, which makes for a slow business day. Luckily, I have my personal horses close by. It was a great opportunity to take care of the things I had neglected such as; dentals, vaccinations, deworming, sheath cleaning, clipping, doing an eye exam, etc. It was really fun AND mostly SATISFYING to finally have them in top shape for the upcoming summer of roping and riding. My grey horse (Trey) had been throwing his head when I was holding him back (in the roping box), and so I suspected he had sharp molar points. Yep, sure enough. So the next time I roped, there was a noticeable difference, and improvement in his demeanor and performance. Believe me, I was watching very closely to evaluate what difference it would make. My other geldings, AL and Jim, hadn't had their sheaths cleaned for over a year. I am a bit embarrassed to say the they had very large "beans" in their urethral orificees!! If you're not familiar with that, call me and I will explain it to you. But needless to say, I felt better every time they urinated, as I am sure they did.
There is a new vaccine that combines Brain fever, Tetanus, Influenza, rhinopneumonitis, and West Nile virus in one injection! It is $10 less also, what a bonus (finally)! And the protection lasts for over a year. So even this early in the year we can vaccinate and be assured that all will be well for the summer. I also felt much better about just stabbing my horses just once, instead of 3 times! (second bonus!)
While I had them in the clinic, and had the time, I took my opthalmoscope and looked at the inner structures of their eyes. I had just attended an opthalmology seminar (eyes) and so I was "up to speed" and wanting to see something strange. Luckily, I didn't see anything abnormal, which is a relief. So the next time Al, my old bay, spooks at the same rock he has spooked at for 15 years on Antelope Island, I will know that it is not because of any vision problem!
As I stood back and looked at them, I took out my clippers and clipped the long fetlock hairs that catch all of the mud in the spring, trimmed manes, bridal paths, whiskers, and anything that looked out of place. This was no "show clip", but for a old vet and roper it was pretty "shiny".
So with all of the annual "spring work" done on my horses, I feel really good about how they will perform, knowing that there are no obvious physical impediments. I had finished shoeing them, and am up to date on that also (extremely important). So guess what? I am left without excuse, any performance deficiencies that might arise in the next few months will probably be MINE!
I feel a pretty good level of satisfaction knowing my horses are all tuned up, fed well, comfortable when they are asked to perform, and in optimum health.
If you have been thinking that you need to get the same "stuff" done for your horse, come in now while business is slow. That way I can lend you my clippers, we can look in those eyes, you'll save $10, and we can take all the time we need. Then you can have that feeling of satisfaction that all is well and you're ready to go!
There is a new vaccine that combines Brain fever, Tetanus, Influenza, rhinopneumonitis, and West Nile virus in one injection! It is $10 less also, what a bonus (finally)! And the protection lasts for over a year. So even this early in the year we can vaccinate and be assured that all will be well for the summer. I also felt much better about just stabbing my horses just once, instead of 3 times! (second bonus!)
While I had them in the clinic, and had the time, I took my opthalmoscope and looked at the inner structures of their eyes. I had just attended an opthalmology seminar (eyes) and so I was "up to speed" and wanting to see something strange. Luckily, I didn't see anything abnormal, which is a relief. So the next time Al, my old bay, spooks at the same rock he has spooked at for 15 years on Antelope Island, I will know that it is not because of any vision problem!
As I stood back and looked at them, I took out my clippers and clipped the long fetlock hairs that catch all of the mud in the spring, trimmed manes, bridal paths, whiskers, and anything that looked out of place. This was no "show clip", but for a old vet and roper it was pretty "shiny".
So with all of the annual "spring work" done on my horses, I feel really good about how they will perform, knowing that there are no obvious physical impediments. I had finished shoeing them, and am up to date on that also (extremely important). So guess what? I am left without excuse, any performance deficiencies that might arise in the next few months will probably be MINE!
I feel a pretty good level of satisfaction knowing my horses are all tuned up, fed well, comfortable when they are asked to perform, and in optimum health.
If you have been thinking that you need to get the same "stuff" done for your horse, come in now while business is slow. That way I can lend you my clippers, we can look in those eyes, you'll save $10, and we can take all the time we need. Then you can have that feeling of satisfaction that all is well and you're ready to go!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Easy and cheap nutrition
Alfalfa hay, or alfalfa grass mix, Grorite vitamin/mineral supplement, water, white salt block, and MAYBE some oats or sweet feed if your horse is working hard. There, I said it! How can it be so simple? My question is; "how did nutrition get so complicated?" Now, of course there are situations and conditions where it is a little bit more complicated. But i am talking about 90% or more of the horses I see everyday. How can it be so simple?
First, lets talk protein. Proteins are made up of amino acids. Essential amino acids are the ones that are necessary for building tissue (muscle, tendon etc). Alfalfa hay is very high in protein (most of the essential amino acids), but it lacks 3 of the Essential amino acids. Grorite provides these essential amino acids along with vitamins, minerals, and yeast culture to enhance digestion. Your horse will be able to maintain muscle mass and weight with less feed. Simple!
Grain- who needs it? Very few horses do. But if they are working hard, simply adding Whole oats or a quality sweet feed to the Grorite supplement may suffice. The amount is totally dependent upon how much work is being done.Simple!
Grorite is important because it resupplies the horse with electrolytes in the proper ratios (calcium to phosphorus), adds the essential amino acids alfalfa lacks (build tissue) and enhances digestion with "diamond V" yeast culture. Another wintertime benefit is that adding Grorite to the ration will help " drive" thirst. Electrolytes are inherently "salty" tasting. Therefore a daily intake of electrolytes can stimulate the horse to drink more, and hopefully avoid impaction colic, which is so common in the winter.
With a few basic principles, nutrition can be so much simpler.
First, lets talk protein. Proteins are made up of amino acids. Essential amino acids are the ones that are necessary for building tissue (muscle, tendon etc). Alfalfa hay is very high in protein (most of the essential amino acids), but it lacks 3 of the Essential amino acids. Grorite provides these essential amino acids along with vitamins, minerals, and yeast culture to enhance digestion. Your horse will be able to maintain muscle mass and weight with less feed. Simple!
Grain- who needs it? Very few horses do. But if they are working hard, simply adding Whole oats or a quality sweet feed to the Grorite supplement may suffice. The amount is totally dependent upon how much work is being done.Simple!
Grorite is important because it resupplies the horse with electrolytes in the proper ratios (calcium to phosphorus), adds the essential amino acids alfalfa lacks (build tissue) and enhances digestion with "diamond V" yeast culture. Another wintertime benefit is that adding Grorite to the ration will help " drive" thirst. Electrolytes are inherently "salty" tasting. Therefore a daily intake of electrolytes can stimulate the horse to drink more, and hopefully avoid impaction colic, which is so common in the winter.
With a few basic principles, nutrition can be so much simpler.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Great horse people
In the past 25 years I have come across some really great horse people. It has been my priviledge to learn a great deal from them. Just yesterday one of the finest Horseshoers and horsemen I know said to me. "If we had fewer horses, we'd have better horses".
Maybe having too many horses means they get too little work ,or too little attention, training and grooming, or less than the best veterinary care, or lower quality, less expensive feed, or less frequent hoof care. We have to ask ourselves if our finances, energy, and time are just being stretched too thin? Do our horses get what they deserve from us? Every time I question the quality or ability of my horse, I first need to ask that question of myself. Do I give my horses what they need to excel, or do I short change them, and then put the blame on them, instead of on myself? When I find myself saying,"stupid horse",what I am really saying is "stupid me". I am amazed that they put up with "stupid me" so much!!
e care
Maybe having too many horses means they get too little work ,or too little attention, training and grooming, or less than the best veterinary care, or lower quality, less expensive feed, or less frequent hoof care. We have to ask ourselves if our finances, energy, and time are just being stretched too thin? Do our horses get what they deserve from us? Every time I question the quality or ability of my horse, I first need to ask that question of myself. Do I give my horses what they need to excel, or do I short change them, and then put the blame on them, instead of on myself? When I find myself saying,"stupid horse",what I am really saying is "stupid me". I am amazed that they put up with "stupid me" so much!!
e care
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