Publication Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

Finally, I can proudly announce the official publication of my Master Thesis work in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science: Fecal pH and Microbial Populations in Thoroughbred Horses during Transition from Pasture to Concentrate Feeding. This research was conducted at the Massey University in New Zealand.

Abstract:

Abrupt dietary transitions and feeding of rapidly fermentable diets are common practices in the horse industry and have been associated with digestive and metabolic disorders that can impair the performance of horses. The present study investigated the effect of dietary transition from pasture grazing to confinement with concentrate feeding, and back, on fecal pH and bacterial populations of Streptococcus spp and Lactobacillus spp. Six Thoroughbred fillies, previously grazing perennial ryegrass and white clover-based pasture, were housed in individual stalls and fed an increasing ratio of concentrate to conserved forages for 13 days (days 1-13), followed by an abrupt transition back to only pasture-grazing for 3 days (days 14-16). The concentrate was initially offered at 0.83 kg dry matter (DM)/d and increased to 5 kg DM/d, whereas ensiled alfalfa was initially offered at 0.61 kg DM/d, increasing to 1.22 kg DM/d. Meadow hay was initially offered at 6.73 kg DM/d, decreasing to 1.6 kg DM/d. Fecal specimens were collected daily for determination of pH, and every 2 days for quantitative analysis of Streptococcus spp and Lactobacillus spp. Mean fecal pH increased significantly from pasture baseline values (pH 6.18) during the initial confinement and supplementation on day 1 (6.37), day 2 (6.52), day 3 (6.58), and day 4 (6.43) (standard error of mean [SEM]: 0.056; P < .001). By day 5, mean fecal pH values had decreased to, and remained at, baseline values until the horses returned to pasture, when another increase occurred at day 15 (6.45). Fecal colony forming units (cfu) of Streptococcus spp and Lactobacillus spp increased linearly (r = 0.94; P < .001) from 6.0 and 6.1 log10 cfu/g on day -4, to 7.8 log10 cfu/g on day 14 (SEM: 0.2 P < .001), respectively. Fecal cfu decreased on return to a pasture-only diet (P < .001). In this study, the increment of bacterial populations was associated with a relatively stable fecal pH and highlights the difficulty in identifying the effects of dietary transition on the equine hindgut health, without microbial culture.

http://www.j-evs.com/article/S0737-0806%2812%2900324-3/abstract

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (JEVS) is an international publication designed for the practicing equine veterinarian, equine researcher, and other equine health care specialist. Published monthly, each issue of JEVS includes original research, reviews, case reports, short communications, and clinical techniques from leaders in the equine veterinary field, covering such topics as laminitis, reproduction, infectious disease, parasitology, behavior, podology, internal medicine, surgery and nutrition. JEVS is also an official publication of the Equine Science Society.

Dressage Riders & Safety helmets

The FEI Dressage Committee strongly recommends that all riders should wear properly fastened safety helmets when training and in pre-competition warm-ups at all international Dressage shows.
Riders still have the choice of wearing protective headgear in the competition arena. However, there is a movement happening in the dressage top and we see more elite riders with safety helmets during their GP dressage test (like on the last London Olympics).

In Europe there was up till a few years a very loose policy when it came to riding with helmets (maybe still in some countries – I can only speak of my experiences in Holland and Germany). It was advocated in the riding schools, but once riders started to ride at private training stables and/or at home and they entered a certain level we kind of left the helmet on the bench (including myself!). However also in Europe we see more dressage riders with helmets in their training and competition arena. Now I would not think twice about wearing a helmet! It’s a must – as horse riding (even at top level) is and remains a dangerous sport ( we work with flight animals! they can do “horse” things at any time!).

Because I support this movement and would like to set a good example 🙂 I also made my “Logo” Rider wear a safety helmet!

For more information about the importance of wearing helmets:

http://www.riders4helmets.com/

 

Equitana Horse SA Stand

This year MB Equine Services will be hosting two seminars on horse and land management at the Equitana in Melbourne. We won’t have our own stand, but we will be visiting stands of organisations and horse magazine for Q&A hours!

You can find us at the Horse SA stand – together with some other educators! Worth a visit!

Equitana: Horse SA Stand No.473 Epsom Hall

Visit Horse SA at Equitana and check out

** Large animal rescue equipment, books  & information ** Horse SA information ** Check back to this webpage soon for item listings!

Guests in the stand- available for Q&A  and book signings (as indicated) include

Behavioural Education for Humans, Animals, Vegetation & Ecosystem Management (BEHAVE) – Australia Course

BEHAVE Australia Course – Dubbo (August 2012)

You are invited to apply to attend the Behave Australia course in Dubbo, NSW from the 27th- 31st August 2012.

Emeritus Professor Fred Provenza from the USA has been researching animal behavior and nutrition for 30 years. During that time he and colleagues produced ground-breaking research proving that grazing animals learn and manage to balance their own dietary needs and to self-medicate using diverse pastures as their pharmacy.
The Behave course is a very special opportunity to experience this high level knowledge in Australia. Experts in grazing management, shrubs, stockmanship and dietary mixing will join Fred to share the local experience and research in this field.

Brought to you by TAFE Western with funding provided by the Central West Catchment Management Authority and with the support of Little River Landcare and Stress Free Stockmanship.
This course is a special occasion delivery of the USA Behave materials and demonstrations. This will be the only opportunity to experience this course in 2012 and has been generously supported by the organisations above. Limited places available- don’t miss this opportunity. For background info go to: extension.usu.edu/behave

For Bookings contact Corinne:
Phone (02) 68402127 Fax (02) 68402190
corinne.cooper2@tafensw.edu.au

Flyer: BEHAVE Australia Course

 

Equitana Melbourne – November 2012

We are half way through the year and the Equitana event is almost insight! The next event will be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds from 15th to 18th November 2012.

This year MB Equine Services was selected to join the team of horse care & health educators. We will be hosting two seminars on integrated horse and land management. Our  topics will focus on:

  • Decision Making in Horse and Land management – How do you vision your horse property?
  • Regenerative Horse Property Design & Pasture Management –Healthy soil = healthy horses

Over the months we will be working on our program and try to compile something that applies to all horse owners – that have small or large acreage, have their horses in agistment or are running a horse business such as breeding stud, training stable, spelling etc. So keep checking our website and facebook page for more information about our program and times.

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