A team of Auburn University researchers recently compared methods of estimating weight in horses and found that one stood out as a more accurate approach.

"Knowing the body weight of a horse is important in many facets of horse care (i.e. dosing for dewormers and other drugs and determining feed rations)" said Elizabeth Wagner PhD, assistant professor in the department of Animal Science and lead author on the study.

The team weighed 145 adult horses on a portable livestock scale to determine their actual weight before the animals' weights were estimated using the 2 methods described here. Both methods underestimated the horses' weights but the point measurement gave the more accurate estimates (The point measurement underestimated weights by an average of 38 pounds. The weight tape underestimated weights by an average of 145 pounds).

1. WEIGHT TAPE     Encircle horse with weight tape as shown by A in diagram. Read estimated weight on tape.

2. POINT MEASUREMENT     Using a tape measure that measures in centimeters (cm), measure the heart girth (circumference of horse - A) and the body length (B). Plug those numbers into the following formula to determine horse weight in kilograms.

Horse weight (kg) = (heart girth)² * (body length) / 11880

Example:     Heart Girth = 182 cm.      Body Length = 157 cm.

Horse Weight (kg) = 182 * 182 * 157 / 11880 = 438 kg

Horse Weight (lbs) = 438 kg * 2.205 kg/lb = 966 lbs.

1. Offer the horse the equivalent of 1.5% of his body mass each day in grass hay.

2. Divide the total daily hay into 2 hay nets, offering 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. Soak the hay 8 to 12 hours before feeding to reduce water-soluble carbohydrates.

3. Offer a balanced vitamin and trace minereal supplement designed for use in conjunction with soaked hay.

4. Turn the horse out for at least 1 hour per day for exercise, ensuring he wears a properly fitted grazing muzzle.

5. Ensure the horse has constant access to clean water.

She found that horses included in this study lost an average of 6.8% of their body mass and showed significant improvements in body condition scores, belly circumference and insulin sensitivity after only 6 weeks of dietary restriction.

Testing for EMS and for Equine Cushings Disease (PPID) can be done by Dr. McCombs at your horse's stall side - don't wait until your horse suffers from painful laminitis.

To aid in the prevention of impaction colic: (1) Provide moistened feed when possible, soak hay and beet pulp with water and add fresh fruits and vegetables with water to concentrates before feeding. You may add salt or a balanced electrolyte to the soaking water to make it less likely to freeze quickly. (2) Keep drinking water clean, fresh and unfrozen. Ideal temperature for drinking water is between 45 and 65 degrees. (3) Ensure horses are consuming adequate levels of salt. Access to a plain white salt block should meet this requirement for horses at rest in a cold environment. If horses are in work thru the winter, provide them with a balanced electrolyte.

While horses seem predisposed to colic due to the anatomy and function of their digestive tracts, management can play a key role in prevention. Although not every case is avoidable, the following guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitions (AAEP) can maximize the horse's health and reduce the risk of colic:

1. Establish a daily routine - include feeding and exercise schedules - and stick to it.

2. Feed a high quality diet comprised primarily of roughage.

3. Avoid feeding excessive grain and energy-dense supplements. (At least half the horse's energy should be supplied through hay or forage. A better guide is that twice as much energy should be supplied from a roughage source than from concentrates.)

4. Divide daily concentrate rations into two or more smaller feedings rather than one large one to avoid overloading the horse's digestive tract. Hay is best fed free-choice.

5. Set up a regular parasite control program with the help of your equine practitioner.

6. Provide exercise and/or turnout on a daily basis. Change the intensity and duration of an exercise regiment gradually.

7. Provide fresh, clean water at all times. (The only exception is when the horse is excessively hot, and then it should be given small sips of lukewarm water until it has recovered.)

8. Avoid putting feed on the ground, especially in sandy soils.

9. Check hay, bedding, pasture and environment for potentially toxic substances such as blister beetles, noxious weeds and other ingestible foreign matter

10. Reduce stress. Horses experiencing changes in environment or workloads are at high risk of intestinal dysfunction. Pay special attention to horses when transporting them or changing their surroundings, such as at shows.

Virtually any horse is suspectible to colic. Age, sex and breed differences in susceptibility seem to be relatively minor. The type of colic seen appears to relate to geographic or regional differences, probably due to environmental factors such as sandy soil or climatic stress. Importantly, what this tells us is that, with conscientious care and management, we have the potential to reduce and control colic - the number one killer of horses.

For more information about colic prevention, ask your equine veterinarian for the "Colic" brochure provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in partnership with educational partner Bayer Animal Health. Additional colic information is available by visiting the AAEP's website at:

http://www.aaep.org/horseowner

You may think that turning your old-timer out to pasture is the kindest form of retirement. But horses are individuals. Some enjoy being idle; others prefer to be a part of the action. Whatever you do, don't ignore the horse. Proper nutrition, care and exercise will help the animal thrive. Follow these guidelines to develop a total management plan for your older horse:

1. Observe your horse on a regular basis. Watch for changes in body condition, behavior and attitude. Address problems, even seemingly minor ones, right away.

2. Feed a high quality diet. Avoid dusty and moldy feeds.

3. Feed your older horse away from younger, more aggressive ones so it won't have to compete for feed.

4. Feed at more frequent intervals so as not to upset the digestive system. Two to three times daily is best.

5. Provide plenty of fresh, clean, tepid water. Excessively cold water reduces consumption which can lead to colic and other problems.

6. Adjust and balance rations to maintain proper body conditions. A good rule of thumb is to be able to feel the ribs but not see them.

7. Provide adequate, appropriate exercise to maintain muscle tone, flexibility and mobility.

8. Groom your horse frequently to promote circulation and skin health.

9. Be aware that older horses are prone to tumors. Look for any unusual lumps or growths from head to tail as well as beneath the tail (especially on gray horses).

10. Schedule routine checkups with your equine veterinarian. Call immediately if you suspect a problem.

A quick response to ailments or injuries or a decline in fitness can keep your older horse from having a serious or prolonged setback. That means less worry for you and a better quality of life for your old friend.

For more information about caring for the older horse, ask your equine veterinarian for the "Older Horse" brochure, provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in partnership with educational partners Bayer Animal Health and Purina Mills. Visit the AAEP's website at:

http://www.aaep.org/horseowner

for additional information about caring for the older horse.

In this disease, the body starts to reabsorb the affected teeth. The teeth react by laying down more cementum around and in the teeth to retain strength. This reaction is not enough to save the teeth and they become loose, fractured or fall out. This allows bacteria to enter the tooth and the surrounding structures, causing gingivitis and pulpitis. The cause is unknown.

Signs of EOTRH can include difficulty chewing, decreased appetite (especially for hay), rubbing the gums or incisors, pain on pressure on the teeth, irritability when ridden, weight loss, fractured or missing teeth and a swollen red or recessed appearance to the gums. This disease has a very gradual progression. Many horses are stoic and don't show outward clinical signs of discomfort. The goal is that regular, routine dental care will diagnose and begin treatment before the painful signs appear.

Visual appearance is confirmed by dental radiographs for a diagnosis. Most of the disease process occurs underneath the gums so radiographs are very helpful in diagnosis and prognosis. There is no known way to stop the disease process except to extract any affected teeth. After extraction, the horses have almost immediate relief. They do very well with a diet of senior feed and can even learn to graze using their lips to prehend the grass.

• Work with your veterinarian to design an appropriate vaccination program for all horses in your care
• Be sure that all horses entering your facility have up-to-date vaccinations as required and that they are free from communicable diseases
• Isolate incoming horses for at least 2-3 weeks before allowing them exposure to horses currently on the grounds
• Do not share water or feed buckets among horses
• When cleaning or filling buckets, be sure not to let the hose nozzle touch the bucket itself
• Assign a set of grooming tools to each horse in your facility and clean them regularly
• Remove all manure and waste products to an appropriate location away from the barn
• Take steps to limit horses' exposure to pest disease vectors like biting insects, barn birds and mice
• Consult with your veterinarian about ongoing wellness care for your horses, including regular physical and dental examinations and a recommended deworming program

• Immediately isolate sick horses away from the herd
• Follow disinfection techniques with all equipment that comes in contact with sick horses
• Consult with your veterinarian about needed health care or vaccination protocols
• Carefully sanitize all stalls, buckets, flooring and other equipment when a sick horse leaves the facility
• Use a shallow basin full of properly mixed disinfectant for people to wash their shoes in before leaving the area containing sick horses
• Offer hand sanitizers to any people who have touched sick horses before any healthy horses are touched

• Remove all excess debris or dirt from items to be disinfected
• Wash the item first with a detergent such as laundry or dish soap
• When applicable, use a high pressure washer or steamer to clean surfaces
• Follow this washing by dipping the item in a disinfectant
• For disinfection, you may use bleach, Roccal-D, Simple Green or other commercially available products. Be sure to follow label instructions for concentration and ventilation
• Disinfection may be completed on items such as nylon halters, bits, lip chains, grooming equipment, shovels, pitch forks, shoes and clothing
• Be sure to rinse the disinfectant off completely. Use clean water at least 2-3 times before you use the item to make sure the excess disinfectant is removed

• Be sure to maintain an up-to-date (within 1 year) Coggins test for all your horses and carry it with you when you travel, along with a list of all current vaccinations, your vet's phone number and any medications needed. If you cross state lines or for many other equine events, you will also need a current health certificate (within 1 month).
• Do not use common water buckets or feed areas
• Do not share any equipment that may have touched another horse's eyes, nose or mouth
• Keep daily temperature logs for your horses, particularly if they show signs of depression or are off feed
• Isolate any sick animals immediately when signs are recognized

As a horse owner, it is important to recognize the signs of laminitis and seek veterinary help immediately. Signs of acute laminitis include the following:

• Lameness, especially when a horse is turning in circles; shifting lameness when standing
• Heat in the feet
• Increased digital pulses
• Pain in the toe region when pressure is applied with hoof testers
• Reluctant or hesitant gait, as if "walking on eggshells"
• A "sawhorse stance" with the front feet stretched out in front to alleviate pressure on the toes and the hind feet "camped out" or positioned farther back than normal to bear more weight

• Rings in hoof wall that becomer wider as they are followed from toe to heel
• Bruised soles or "stone bruises"
• Widened white line, commonly called "seedy toe" with occurrence of blood pockets and/or abscesses
• Dropped soles or flat feet
• Thick "cresty" neck
• Dished hooves, which are the result of unequal rates of hoof growth

http://www.aaep.org/horseowner

Purchase examinations may vary, depending on the intended use of the horse and the veterinarian who is doing the examination. Deciding exactly what should be included in the purchase examination requires good communication between you and your veterinarian. The following guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) will help ensure a custom-tailored exam:

• Choose a veterinarian who is familiar with the breed, sport or use for which the horse is being purchased
• Explain to your veterinarian your expectations and primary uses for the horse, including short and long-term goals (e.q. showing, then breeding)
• Ask your veterinarian to outline the procedures that he or she feels should be included in the exam and why
• Establish the costs for these procedures
• Be present during the purchase exam. The seller or agent should also be present
• Discuss with your veterinarian his or her findings in private
• Don't be afraid to ask questions or request further information about your veterinarian's findings in private

For more information about purchase exams, ask your equine veterinarian for the "Purchase Exams: A Sound Economic Investment" brochure provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in association with educational partner Bayer Animal Health. Additional information can also be found on the AAEP's website:

http://www.aaep.org/horseowner