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Spring - Too Much of a Good Thing?
Spring is a welcome sign to all of us and to your horse. But Spring also brings with it some concerns of colic, laminitis, runny eyes or noses, and shifts in your horse's internal harmony. Why should you be particularly concerned about your horse in the Spring? This week's tip examines the prominent issues your horse is challenged with at the onset of seasonal change and what you can do to address them.

Spring Overload
With Spring comes concerns for increased riding, upcoming shows, training schedules, breeding, foaling and how nice it is for your horse to once again be able to graze on lush green forage. But, with all this activity in the air, there is a great deal of stress and Spring "overload" placed on your horse.


Spring is generally the time for inoculations, deworming, breeding and foaling. All of these can add up to a metabolic overload that may cause health problems for your horse. Just like humans, some horses have allergies or health issues related to seasonal changes. Compounded with drug reactions and hormonal changes, what might have been a simple case of "the blahs" could turn into bigger issues such as colic, laminitis, or other illness.


 

Inoculation Concerns
With the invasion of new diseases in the last decade, there are many new drugs on the market that help protect your horse against these viruses and bacteria. And then, there are the standard inoculations, such as rabies and tetanus, that need to be done annually . What used to be a customary "3-way" has now become a "5-way" or "7-way" with additional shots on top of those. Apart from all of the other seasonal changes that could stress your horse, some horses cannot tolerate a combination or series of shots given in one application. Many horses have mild reactions to shots and may get a swelling at the injection site, slight fever, and just seem a little out of sorts for the day. However, some horses react with anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis is an acute systemic (whole body) type of allergic reaction. Histamines and other substances released into the bloodstream cause blood vessels to dilate and tissues to swell. Signs of anaphylaxis may be unconsciousness, hives, tongue or throat tissue swelling, rapid breathing and pulse, and elevated blood pressure. This may become a life-threatening situation if obstruction of the airway occurs, blood pressure drops, or if heart arrhythmias occur. It is important to react immediately because the onset is rapid and deliberation often leads to death.


In general, anaphylactic shock occurs within minutes of receiving the injection. It is most often associated with a substance that the horse has had before and previously may have had no reaction to. Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) must be administered immediately to counteract the reaction. Injections are not the only cause of anaphylaxis. Bee stings, bug bites, foods and other types of drugs may also induce allergic reactions. It is a few dollars well spent to keep a fresh bottle of epinephrine on hand for such emergencies. Consult with your veterinary for more information on obtaining epinephrine and how it is administered.


Spacing shots throughout the year or rearranging schedules so that inoculations are done later in the year may have a significant affect on horses that might be prone to anaphylactic shock. Some shots need to be given at particular times, or prior to the beginning of show season, but careful coordination of inoculations and diseases helps reduce Spring shot stress.

Allergies
Spring often brings with it many allergies and reactions to several things that are encountered daily while riding or in the pasture. Some of the allergy risk factors that your horse might encounter are:
Stinging or biting insects which inject venom into your horse's system.
Dust or pollens in the air, which enter the body through your horse's nasal passages, causing irritation and allergic response.
Ingestion of forage containing mold or other contaminants.
Contact with, allergenic plants that may emit harsh oils or inject chemicals via spines, hairs or needles.

The easiest line of defense is to provide protection against these allergens. Applying fly and insect spays and protective horsewear such as fly masks and sheets help prevent excessive insect bites. Check paddock fences, stables, trailers and run-in sheds for bee and wasp nests.

If your horse has runny eyes, coughs, or has a runny nose, then he may be allergic to pollens. Consult with your vet for further diagnosis and treatment. Help regulate your horse's immune system by providing nutritional support. Flax seed, vitamin E, and a quality vitamin/mineral mix are some of the recommendations. Flax seed has proven effective treatment in many horses that are sensitive to insect bites.

Inspect hay for mold. Even if there isn't enough to be evident, there may be enough to cause a cough, runny nose, or sinus infection. Feeding moldy hay could contribute to COPD (heaves) or colic. Other contaminants in forage could lead to laminitis. Familiarize yourself with pasture plants that may be potentially harmful by growing toxic mold spores during certain seasons. Know the plants in your area that are labeled "poisonous" or "stinging" (i.e. poison ivy, stinging nettles). Eradicate them from your pastures and while trail riding don't allow your horse to graze plants that you are not familiar with .

Spring "Overlaod" Concerns
inoculations
allergies
metabolic changes
carbohydrate overload
rapid changes
Metabolic Changes
During certain seasons, your horse goes through metabolic changes to help it prepare for or cope with upcoming events. Hormonal changes help escalate the need to breed, prepare mares for foaling and lactation, and direct the horse to eat more or less food. Length of day signals changes that promote shedding. Hoof growth increases with warm weather. Certain diseases and parasites that were dormant during colder weather may be activated releasing toxins into your horse's body causing immune system reactions

As a whole, your horse is regulated at the cellular level. The thyroid gland is the primary controlling factor in cell metabolism. The basic function of the thyroid is to uptake iodine, combine it with the amino acid tyrosine and produce hormones (called T3 and T4) that travel through the blood stream to regulate metabolism in all the cells throughout the body.

How does all this relate to Spring overload? Health at the cellular level is more important than at the exterior level. You can have a horse that appears healthy on the outside and is "sick" inside. Supporting normal, vital cell function can prevent potential problems such as compromised immune systems which contribute to allergies, metabolic disorders that can lead to laminitis, and lymph system dysfunction that results in stocking up.

Supporting healthy thyroid function is imperative to good health and the ability to cope with the stresses of Spring. Nearly a hundred years ago, the US government requested that salt companies provided iodized salt to address thyroid dysfunction in humans. However, they neglected to do so in our horse's feed. Providing a source of iodine is important. Adding iodized table salt to your horse's feed, providing a red mineral block (check the tag for iodine content), or adding a kelp based supplement helps to support thyroid function.

Carbohydrate Overload
Probably the two most common problems associated with Spring are colic and laminitis. What is the relationship to new grass and these disorders? Spring is the optimal season for growth and renewal. Grass is doing its best to fuel its cells for growth. This requires that sugar is stored in the plant. During Spring and Fall, when days are warm and nights are cold, sugars that would normally be stored in the roots become trapped in the upper portions of the plant about 3 inches above the ground. When plants become taller, this is not a problem because horses generally eat the more tender tops and do not graze close to the ground. However, during early growth or overgrazing, the plants are short and therefore, your horse is forced to eat the part of the plant that contains sugar.

So what is the association with colic and laminitis? Colic and laminitis are related in that they can both be triggered by digestive disorders. As a grazing animal, the horse has evolved to digest soluble carbohydrates (sugars) through acidic action in the small intestine (similar to humans), while cellulose (plant fiber) is passed through and digested via bacteria assisted fermentation in the hindgut (large intestine).



When large amounts of soluble carbohydrates are passed through with the plant fiber to the hind gut, a series of events take place that may be harmful to your horse. The pH of the gut environment changes to an acidic state. This results in a rapid die-off of beneficial gut bacteria (often referred to as probiotics). The death of these bacterial colonies releases endotoxins that trigger an enzymatic reaction. These enzymes travel through the body to the horse's feet, and cause inflammation of the lamina (laminitis). In other cases, the results of the acidic gut may lead to colic or both.

Rapid Changes
The final consideration in Spring overload is the potential for rapid changes that can upset the delicate balance of your horse's constitution. When returning your horse to pasture, consider that it is like any other feed change and needs to be done gradually. Your horse's digestive system needs time to adjust to accommodate beneficial digestion of any new feeds. Each time that your horse has been off grass for an extended period and is then reintroduced, there is a potential for digestive upset.

Spring is also the time for growth and rejuvenation. Yearlings get growth spurts, mares are lactating, hooves grow faster, summer coats are coming in. All these things happening at once can drain your horse's body of essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Many horseowners tend to cut back feed as horses are returned to grassy pastures, contributing to the changes. However, it is especially important to keep nutrient levels up at least until their bodies have stabilized. After coping with winter stresses, your horse will be depleted of some minerals and may need a boost as they go into Summer. Providing a quality vitamin / mineral supplement will help with this overloaded adjustment period. Maintaining a consistent feed program throughout the year also helps quell Spring "overload".

Just a Few Reminders
Spring "overload" can be controlled to make things less stressful on your horse. Distribute inoculations over the year so that there is less chance of reactions and anaphylactic shock. Consider that your horse may have short or long term allergies that may be challenging his system. While there is nothing you can do about the natural progression of metabolic changes, considering that they are taxing to your horse's body and planning ahead to reduce other common Spring stresses helps your horse cope. Spring is especially a time for concern for carbohydrate overloads that often lead to colic or laminitis. Reintroducing horses slowing to grass helps prevent problems. The rapid changes that occur in Spring are very difficult for your horse. We are all in hurry to make changes as the warm weather approaches. Make them gradually and with concern for your horse's needs. Provide adequate nutritional support for systems that may be easily depleted from increased metabolic and riding activity.

Note: The information provided here is for educational purposes only and not intended as a guide for treatment. You should consult your veterinary for further diagnosis and treatment instructions.
© Sue Baker, Russo's Tack Shack 2004