Joint Supplements and Vitamins
by: David Ramey, DVM
Q: I have a 2-year-old Quarter Horse gelding who has been in training for three months. When should I start
giving him a joint supplement? Also, when should I begin giving him a vitamin supplement?
Sarah
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A: Well, to be honest, your question supposes that you need to be giving him such things at all. Horses were
made to be able to satisfy all of their own vitamin requirements, assuming that they've got access to good
feed. Many of the available supplements actually contain very little nutrients compared to the horse's daily
requirements. So as long as you're feeding him appropriately for his age and exercise requirements, vitamin
supplements are likely to be unnecessary.
As for joint supplements, that too is a big gray area. In fact, there's little to indicate that such products are
effective in horses, although they certainly don't cause any harm. There's certainly no indication that such
products prevent joint problems--the best way to do that is with appropriate exercise schedules and good care.
Your veterinarian should be able to help you determine if your horse needs either of these products, and if so
which ones to buy.
by: David Ramey, DVM
Q: I have a 2-year-old Quarter Horse gelding who has been in training for three months. When should I start
giving him a joint supplement? Also, when should I begin giving him a vitamin supplement?
Sarah
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A: Well, to be honest, your question supposes that you need to be giving him such things at all. Horses were
made to be able to satisfy all of their own vitamin requirements, assuming that they've got access to good
feed. Many of the available supplements actually contain very little nutrients compared to the horse's daily
requirements. So as long as you're feeding him appropriately for his age and exercise requirements, vitamin
supplements are likely to be unnecessary.
As for joint supplements, that too is a big gray area. In fact, there's little to indicate that such products are
effective in horses, although they certainly don't cause any harm. There's certainly no indication that such
products prevent joint problems--the best way to do that is with appropriate exercise schedules and good care.
Your veterinarian should be able to help you determine if your horse needs either of these products, and if so
which ones to buy.
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Clogged Tear Duct
by: Dennis E. Brooks, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVO
April 01 2007, Article # 9350
My horse has a clogged tear duct. Our veterinarian tried to blow it out with saline, but couldn't. We are treating
her with antibiotic drops, but it doesn't seem to be improving it. She has a "swelling" on her cheek bone area,
and it seems to be progressing up toward her eye. What other treatments are available? Is there a surgical
procedure and, if so, would it be a realistic option? Are there any consequences of doing nothing further?
Sue, via e-mail
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It is likely that this horse has a dacryocystitis-causing tear duct obstruction. Dacryocystitis is inflammation of the
lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct (the tear duct at the nostril), and it is seen frequently in horses.
Dacryocystitis can develop as a primary problem or be secondary to duct obstruction. Eyelid puncta atresia (no
opening in the lacrimal duct at the eyelid), nasolacrimal duct agenesis (incomplete duct development), and nasal
puncta atresia (no opening in the nasolacrimal duct, the part at the nostril) are congenital abnormalities that can
result in severe dacryocystitis. There are many potential causes of acquired obstruction of the nasolacrimal
system (fractures, foreign bodies, neoplasias or tumors, granulomas, or sinusitis), although often an underlying
cause cannot be determined.
An ophthalmic exam is necessary to identify any primary ocular problems causing a mucopurulent (containing
both mucus and pus) discharge or secondary ocular involvement. Patency of the duct (how unobstructed it is)
might be assessed by the veterinarian initially by the fluorescein dye passage test. Fluorescein dye is put into
the eye, and the nasal puncta is observed for appearance of fluorescein within five minutes. Attempts should be
made to flush the duct with saline or irrigating solution from the patent puncta. Topical anesthetic should be
applied to both the nasal mucosa and conjunctiva near the openings prior to flushing. Cannulation of the
nasolacrimal duct is performed in congenital, chronic, or obstructed cases using a French urinary catheter or
polyethylene tubing inserted through the nasal or eyelid puncta. The catheter might appear to hit a blind end
several centimeters from nasal opening and should be redirected.
Dental and oral examination should be performed if dental disease is suspected as the inciting cause of
dacryocystitis. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture and sensitivity of material flushed from the puncta and
duct are beneficial in identi-fying the cause of persistent dacryocystitis. Systemic antibiotics, but not topical
antibiotics, penetrate the nasolacrimal duct.
Skull radiographs are valuable if a fracture is suspected from the history or physical exam. Contrast
dacryocystorhino-graphy is essential and assists in identifying the cause and location of the obstruction. It
involves instillation of 4-6 mL of radiopaque solution (a solution that shows up on an X ray) into the puncta
followed by plane-film radiography.
Acquired obstructions are treated by the veterinarian removing the cause when possible, irrigating the duct, and
catheterization of the duct for two to three weeks. The indwelling stent catheter is sutured to the skin. Systemic
antibiotics are necessary for penetration into the infected tissue.
Acquired obstructions resulting in dacryocystitis are often more difficult for a veterinarian to treat than congenital
abnor-malities. Foreign body and periodontal causes have the best response to therapy for acquired
obstructions. Cannulation of the duct might be impossible in cases of neoplasias and maxillary fractures, and
permanent correction of the obstruction and subsequent dacryocystitis might not be possible.
by: Dennis E. Brooks, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVO
April 01 2007, Article # 9350
My horse has a clogged tear duct. Our veterinarian tried to blow it out with saline, but couldn't. We are treating
her with antibiotic drops, but it doesn't seem to be improving it. She has a "swelling" on her cheek bone area,
and it seems to be progressing up toward her eye. What other treatments are available? Is there a surgical
procedure and, if so, would it be a realistic option? Are there any consequences of doing nothing further?
Sue, via e-mail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is likely that this horse has a dacryocystitis-causing tear duct obstruction. Dacryocystitis is inflammation of the
lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct (the tear duct at the nostril), and it is seen frequently in horses.
Dacryocystitis can develop as a primary problem or be secondary to duct obstruction. Eyelid puncta atresia (no
opening in the lacrimal duct at the eyelid), nasolacrimal duct agenesis (incomplete duct development), and nasal
puncta atresia (no opening in the nasolacrimal duct, the part at the nostril) are congenital abnormalities that can
result in severe dacryocystitis. There are many potential causes of acquired obstruction of the nasolacrimal
system (fractures, foreign bodies, neoplasias or tumors, granulomas, or sinusitis), although often an underlying
cause cannot be determined.
An ophthalmic exam is necessary to identify any primary ocular problems causing a mucopurulent (containing
both mucus and pus) discharge or secondary ocular involvement. Patency of the duct (how unobstructed it is)
might be assessed by the veterinarian initially by the fluorescein dye passage test. Fluorescein dye is put into
the eye, and the nasal puncta is observed for appearance of fluorescein within five minutes. Attempts should be
made to flush the duct with saline or irrigating solution from the patent puncta. Topical anesthetic should be
applied to both the nasal mucosa and conjunctiva near the openings prior to flushing. Cannulation of the
nasolacrimal duct is performed in congenital, chronic, or obstructed cases using a French urinary catheter or
polyethylene tubing inserted through the nasal or eyelid puncta. The catheter might appear to hit a blind end
several centimeters from nasal opening and should be redirected.
Dental and oral examination should be performed if dental disease is suspected as the inciting cause of
dacryocystitis. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture and sensitivity of material flushed from the puncta and
duct are beneficial in identi-fying the cause of persistent dacryocystitis. Systemic antibiotics, but not topical
antibiotics, penetrate the nasolacrimal duct.
Skull radiographs are valuable if a fracture is suspected from the history or physical exam. Contrast
dacryocystorhino-graphy is essential and assists in identifying the cause and location of the obstruction. It
involves instillation of 4-6 mL of radiopaque solution (a solution that shows up on an X ray) into the puncta
followed by plane-film radiography.
Acquired obstructions are treated by the veterinarian removing the cause when possible, irrigating the duct, and
catheterization of the duct for two to three weeks. The indwelling stent catheter is sutured to the skin. Systemic
antibiotics are necessary for penetration into the infected tissue.
Acquired obstructions resulting in dacryocystitis are often more difficult for a veterinarian to treat than congenital
abnor-malities. Foreign body and periodontal causes have the best response to therapy for acquired
obstructions. Cannulation of the duct might be impossible in cases of neoplasias and maxillary fractures, and
permanent correction of the obstruction and subsequent dacryocystitis might not be possible.
Improving Turns
by: Brandt Clark
Whether we're riding our horse down the trail or pushing a cow down the fence, our horses need to
be able to turn freely and quickly.
I think today we see a lot of people getting in the way of their horse. By that, I mean that they pull him off
balance by "plow reining" or pulling on the direct rein, to the point that the horse can not
lift his head/neck to balance himself for the turn. The only reaction this horse can have is to overload
his front end (with weight) and rotate his hindquarters.
The correct maneuver is to raise his head and neck slightly with his nose TIPPED to the turn so that he can lift
his front end (take weight off from ) and move his shoulders towards the turn.
A horse carries up to 70% of his weight on his front feet. That is where he gets most of his balance. So I focus
on moving his front feet in the direction I want him to go. His body will follow. Remember, your horse will go
where his front feet take him.
If your having trouble with your horse's maneuvers contact me and I can give you some good pointers on how to
free up your horse's front end.
Email Brandt at:
Bar23horses@yahoo.com
by: Brandt Clark
Whether we're riding our horse down the trail or pushing a cow down the fence, our horses need to
be able to turn freely and quickly.
I think today we see a lot of people getting in the way of their horse. By that, I mean that they pull him off
balance by "plow reining" or pulling on the direct rein, to the point that the horse can not
lift his head/neck to balance himself for the turn. The only reaction this horse can have is to overload
his front end (with weight) and rotate his hindquarters.
The correct maneuver is to raise his head and neck slightly with his nose TIPPED to the turn so that he can lift
his front end (take weight off from ) and move his shoulders towards the turn.
A horse carries up to 70% of his weight on his front feet. That is where he gets most of his balance. So I focus
on moving his front feet in the direction I want him to go. His body will follow. Remember, your horse will go
where his front feet take him.
If your having trouble with your horse's maneuvers contact me and I can give you some good pointers on how to
free up your horse's front end.
Email Brandt at:
Bar23horses@yahoo.com