The profession of equine therapy is in its infancy, and
its real value is not totally known or accepted by the veterinary community as
a whole. In some instances the techniques are beneficial; however, the
potential for abuse is present with untrained persons and untested techniques.
Equine physical therapy is the non-invasive treatment and
rehabilitation of injuries to animals.
Actually, as one develops an analysis of muscle therapy
it does not emerge as an alternative therapy. Rather, it is best characterised
as a normal part of equine practice that has always existed, but today is
poorly understood and decidedly underdeveloped. This is due, in part, to the
lack of an orderly educational system for properly trained individuals and how
should best work to give relief to animals from their injuries, aches and
pains.
Equine physical therapy, just like any other health care
endeavour, must be applied with clear goals established. These goals include
relief of pain and swelling, restoration of function and regaining strength in
the injured part.
Many conditions, such as laminitis, will not be cured,
but the horse should evidence considerable relief from discomfort early in the
course of muscle therapy treatment.
Injuries to the tendons, particularly those of the
horse’s lower limbs, have a prolonged healing time.
Muscle therapy can provide relief from the early symptoms
of injury, the heat, swelling and pain, giving the appearance of complete recovery.
If adequate time is not allowed for tendon fibre maturation and strengthening,
the tendon will not have developed the tensile strength necessary to withstand
the demands of athletics. A horse put back to work without proper diagnostics
to determine the results of the treatment could re-injure the tendon.
Performing the work of an equine muscle therapist requires energy and vitality.
The therapist must be prepared to give full attention to each horse seen during
the workday. He must be alert to the movements and body language of the horse
during a treatment session and devote full attention to each seen as a patient.
The equine therapist must possess good horseman skills. He must be able to
detect subtle lameness or discomfort in the horse. He must be aware of the
hazardous situations around the barn or stall and do his part in correcting
them. There are often nails that have worked their way out of stall boards,
projecting out into the stall. Snaps on feed tubes or on water buckets that are
broken or turned the wrong way (snap facing out) present a danger of catching
on a halter or the skin of a face. These conditions have to be noted and point
them out to the appropriate person.
Certainly the therapist must know enough about horse
safety to avoid creating a dangerous situation. Is the horse relaxed with the
therapist and ready to accept treatment? If therapeutic equipment is used,
could the horse step on it or get tangled in electrical cords? Does the
therapist have a full understanding of the nature and extent of the injury? As
the horse owner is entitled to know your qualification, you have a role to play
in creating a good environment for muscle therapy treatments.
Questions that need to be asked before treatment begins
include the following;
·
I the horse tied in a safe and comfortable
manner?
·
Are electrical outlets properly grounded to
avoid shock hazard?
·
Is the treatment area clean, dry and well
lit?
The therapist should have a working knowledge of equine
anatomy, physiology and exercise physiology. Finally, the equine therapist must
have a sound physiology or attitude toward their profession. They must believe
that what they are doing is worthwhile, and offer helpful techniques and
information.
The soft tissues-muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia, nerves
and the lymph and blood circulatory systems are the usual targets for physical
therapy. Also there are many scientific studies indicating that specific
electromagnetic wave frequencies can stimulate osteogenesis promoting bone
repair.
Injuries to the soft tissues are the most common. The
largest mass of the soft tissue in the horse’s body is muscle. Often we
overlook the role sore muscles play in decreased athletic performance. Most
people think muscle pain as temporary soreness after a workout. Yes, controlling
muscle pain can be the key to avoiding further decrease in athletic performance
of the horse and in the prevention of joint injury. The manner in which muscle
pain inhibits the horse can help direct you to the solution.
Muscle pain is physical stress. It is a drain of both the
physical and the mental energy. When there is pain, the body sets up protective
mechanisms such as muscle contraction to guard the injured area. The metabolic
processes necessary to maintain this chronic muscle tension take their toll on
the body’s physical energy. Emotional stress is the constant feedback from the
pain site, which distracts the brain from full concentration on the task at
hand.
Electrical stimulation by the application of the Bio
Stimulator Unit, Magnetic Field Therapy and massage provide relaxation to tense
muscles, and the horse’s response suggests that there is a state of deep
relaxation. This state is vital to the restoration of full muscle function by
increasing the blood supply and much needed oxygen.
PROBLEM
Muscle pain sets up a reflex action known as the
pain-spasm-pain cycle. Spasm is the intense, involuntary contraction of muscle
fibres. Muscle spasm is more severe than muscle tension which can be relieved
with rest. Spasm cannot be relieved until the self-perpetuating cycle of pain
(leading to more spasm) is broken. When a muscle is in spasm it feels hard and
hyper-reactive on palpation rather than soft and vibrant. A muscle in spasm has
reduced agility and strength. It appears that muscle spasms if allowed to
persist can cause marked loss of function and discomfort to the horse.
SOLUTION
Muscle therapy techniques such as stretching and ice
massage can break into this cycle. The application of electrical stimulation
such as a Bio Stimulator Unit is excellent. Acupuncture or trigger point
acupressure is thought to disrupt this debilitating cycle , allowing muscle
fibres to relax and begin to contract in a more functional manner.
PROBLEM
When the brain gets a message of pain from a muscle or an
injury in some other tissue, an inhibitory action is setup preventing the body
from using a limb to the extent that it normally would. We say that this is a
nature’s way of protecting the injured body part. But, reduced muscle force and
reduced range of limb movement eventually result in muscle weakness or
stiffness. When the situation is allowed to persist, the muscle fibres atrophy
and lose their contractile power. Loss of muscle tone can be seen in as little
as two or three weeks. The degenerative cycle began with muscle pain.
SOLUTION
Stimulation using a Bio Stimulation Unit can be used to
deactivate these points and might provide significant relief from muscle pain.
Manipulating the injured muscle or using the photonic light is a non-evasive
method of deactivating these points. The pain relief achieved from the modality
often is long lasting. Research suggests that an endogenous opiate acts to help
relieve pain. The body produces these pain-relieving hormones when the
appropriate stimulus is applied. A skilled equine therapist will address muscle
pain as a major part of treatment. Sensitive manual manipulation of the
musculature will reveal sites and the extent of muscle soreness that might not
be evident when simply watching the horse move. In most cases muscle therapy
can provide cessation of the muscle degeneration and allow the horse to recover
more quickly.
WHEN
IS EQUINE PHYSICAL THERAPY NEEDED?
Muscle therapy often is necessary as a preventative
medicine to avoid muscle contraction or soft tissue shortening that can
accompany physical training. Stretching exercises should be a routine part of
the warm-up process before any physical activity to avoid an imbalance in range
and motion in opposing limbs or opposing muscle groups. In cases of severe or
chronic pain, simple relaxation and specific muscle therapy can be more
effective than spinal manipulation or injections.
Physical therapy techniques designed to replace the
muscles, such as massage, electrical stimulation and magnetic fields work well
to induce profound rest and quieting of the brain functions. The state of deep
relaxation is essential to the repair process, allowing chronically tense
muscle to relax. When the muscles are tense or in spasm strengthening exercises
will make them worse, stimulating them instead is the answer.
Equine stretching exercises taught to the owner by the
therapist will be of great benefit to a horse with muscle pain. These should be
carried out after a warm-up so that muscle tissue is in a state of readiness
for stretching. Remember!
DO
NOT STRETCH COLD MUSCLES. AVOID ALL APPLICATION OF HEAT OR HEAT BALMS.
ACHES,
APINS AND SPRAINS
Let us now look at some of the aches, pains and sprains
your animal may encounter from time to time.
Many such injuries will heal by themselves without
veterinary or manipulative muscle therapy; however, some of them if left
untreated can hamper the movements of your horse. It is not my intention to
make you into a physician or therapist but rather to give an insight and
understanding into recognising some of the more common and serious injuries.
There are six internal tissue structures of the body most
commonly involved in painful injuries and these are;
·
Muscles
·
Tendons
·
Bones
·
Joints and Cartilages
·
Ligaments
·
Fascia
The seventh tissue, the skin, which is commonly subjected
to injury, is external and readily visible for treatment. The other six are not
so easy to diagnose unless you understand and apply basic anatomy. For example,
if it hurts to much to move your animal’s muscles,
elbow, shoulder, hip, knee or fetlock, you’re animal most probably has a joint,
ligament or cartilage injury. If it has soreness, the damage is probably in the
muscle itself, or ligament, tendon or fascia (the fibrous sheets that surround
the muscle).
SUMMARY
OF TREATMENT
Understanding cords, fascia and their relation to the
muscle and ligaments is of major importance. Close examination of a torn muscle
will reveal that, in almost all instances, the cords have been torn away from
them. This tearing of the cords retards healing, as they have to grow back and
adhere to their original positions. The first task is to align the muscles and
tendons as near as possible to their correct positions alongside the bone and
tendon. The cords can then adhere to them much faster and the injury heals more
quickly. Nature’s way of healing is to have the cords attach themselves to the
bones and tendons etc., and they draw the muscle back into place.
HEALING
TIME
The time it takes the injury to heal depends on several
factors;
·
Whether you’re animal received adequate early
treatment.
·
You’re animal’s level of fitness at the time
of the injury.
·
How badly they were injured. The more
extensive the injury, the longer it will take to heal.
·
Whether you rested the injured tissues long
enough for them to adhere to heal.
A successful trainer should be able to read the body
signals that are there to be recognised. As a general guide if the injury is
painful to exercise DON’T. As soon
as you are able start exercising your horse, even if only minimally, and
gradually increase the intensity. If is also important to realise that because
it hurts a little some horses will be more reluctant to resume exercise than
others. The trainer should recognise these types and start treatment anyway.
Even though they may object at the start, you will find these horses soon relax
and your only concern is to get them back on the track. They will respond
accordingly during this time, and thus will help in maintaining most of their
fitness and also their cardio-vascular level.
MUSCLE
SORENESS
At some stage or another, every animal has suffered this
complaint, which usually sets in twelve to twenty-four hours after exercise,
doing exercises or work to which your horse is unaccustomed can cause it. If
the discomfort is localised a muscle may be injured to some degree. However all
muscle soreness is not caused by injury. It is the possible result of swelling
of the muscle fibres, which have been stretched with each muscle contraction.
Such soreness is very common.
Many people rub their animals with hot liniments that
will alleviate the soreness for a short space of time. This does nothing for
the healing process. Even if your animal is in top physical shape, they can
still develop soreness in muscles that they do not use very often. One has only
to use muscles differently and soreness will result.
PULLED
MUSCLES
A pulled muscle is an acute tear of the fibres or cords
in the muscles, or it could occur where muscles are attached to the bones,
tendons or ligaments. This is characterised by sudden and persistent pain in a
muscle that is being stressed. Participation in different events makes some
muscles more prone to injury than others. Trying to continue with training will
only prolong the healing time. Pulled muscles are the result of more tension
being exerted on one muscle than on the opposing ones.
The following factors will also make your horse more
susceptible to this painful injury;
·
Insufficient
Warm Ups - Their muscles are stiff and tight and in this
condition are very susceptible to injury. Before training make sure all the
muscles are warmed up with slow easy movements, gradually increasing the tempo.
·
Poor
Flexibility - Every time you exercise your horse hard,
muscles are slightly damaged. Similar effects occur when you over-train. When
they are healing they shorten and become very taut and will easily tear if they
are not stretched correctly. Restore flexibility by slow warm-up work.
·
Muscle
imbalance - This is a very important point. Do not train any
muscle to overpower it’s opposing one.
·
Mineral
Deficiency - Lack of sodium, potassium, phosphorous,
calcium and magnesium can all cause muscle injuries, because of the effect they
have on muscle composition. Check out vitamins and minerals on the menu list.
·
Poor
Training Methods – All training programs should include a
gradual increase in the workload. The most common fault found with trainers
especially in the Pacing and Trotting fraternity, was their roadwork that was
usually too far too soon. The number of injuries caused by this type of
endurance training is horrendous. Soreness to the feet, flexor tendons, knees,
groins and backs are just some of the problems encountered. These injuries and
the associated pain are being inflicted on horses unnecessarily by uninformed
trainers.
Vets and many animal trainers, owners, riders etc.,
recommend the use of heat treatment up to forty-eight hours after a pull or
strain has occurred. Their contention is that heat dilates the blood vessels
and increases blood supply, brining increased amount of nutrients to the
injured area. Another opinion exists to this treatment.
Application of heat to the surrounding areas of an injury
thins the blood in that area only. This increases the chance of rupturing
further blood vessels or starting the original haemorrhaging. After stopping
the bleeding by the application of ice, line up the cords and ligaments as near
as possible to their normal correct positions and break up the bruising with
the application of “Magic Cream” as soon as possible to enable the blood
vessels to increase the blood supply.
Stimulating the area with the use of a Bio Stimulator
Unit is an excellent means of breaking up the bruising as the stretching action
helps to disperse the congealed blood, accelerates healing and eases the pain.
This in turn dilates the blood vessels and strengthens the injured muscles,
thus allowing extra oxygen to be absorbed from the bloodstream and assisting
nature’s healing process.
Frequent applications of “Magic Cream” will always be
helpful for dispersing bruising.
After the initial treatment with manipulating therapy,
it’s best to follow up treatment with a Magnafield Therapy Unit, This is a
relatively new appliance is very helpful in the relief of pain and the
promotion of healing.
It’s a new approach to magnetic field therapy and induces
micro-electric currents that stimulate the naturally occurring electrical
activity in the body. This means that the effects are more readily accepted in
all cell tissues, being especially noticeable in the nerves and muscle.
Circulation is improved and the toning of ligaments and muscles helps to avoid
further strains and injuries, as well as being valuable in the repair and
healing of the injured tissues.
The Magnafield Unit has certain frequencies with proven
beneficial results that can be selected and these are comparable with the
normal body frequencies. It is safe and effective for virtually every condition
fro any animal. The waveforms have been matched to
those of the body.
Often a question is asked, ‘How do you know when any type
of internal bleeding has stopped’? Remember that ice is to be applied to the
injury primarily to thicken the blood and allow it to coagulate much sooner,
and although nature provides us with a coagulation mechanism the application of
cold compresses will help to speed up this process. When an area is properly
iced, and it feels cold to touch, you can assume that the bleeding has stopped.
Next day ice the injury again and apply the Bio
Stimulator Unit. Care should be taken to see that the contusion does not start
bleeding again. This does not often happen if treatment is started the next
day.
Remember that you do not stretch cold muscles! This
initial treatment will soon diffuse the blood and enable a quick healing to
start. You will be pleasantly surprised at the rapid recovery. Applications of
ointments used for the bruising will also assist.
Aches, Pains and Sprains balms for this type of injury
should be avoided like the plague for reason stated earlier.
HAMSTRINGS
This group of muscles is very susceptible to injury. They
are usually 50% to 60% as strong as the opposing quadriceps muscle group.
Participation in any activity can result in strained muscles, but the stresses
encountered in any phase where running and sprinting is involved, can produce
the greatest number of injuries.
Strains occur more frequently in animals with some
deficiency in the reciprocal action of their opposing muscle groups. The cause
of muscle disorder can be obscure, but usually it is incorrect muscle toning or
un even muscle strength.
A fit horse is toned in both muscle co-ordination and in
mind, and when he has to sprint or run all the muscles involved in movement act
in unison. If one group is slower to react than others it puts added strain on
those muscles, and it’s this strain which causes pulled muscles as the stronger
and fitter ones have reacted to the message from the brain instantaneously
whilst the unfit ones have hesitated a fraction of a second. This allows the
responsive ones to make your horse mobile on their own, hence the extra strain
that they bear and the resultant tearing of the muscles.
Strains involve the muscles in the bony attachment of the
tendon. The extent of the strain may vary from a pulling apart of a few fibrous
tissues to a complete rupture. Capillary haemorrhage, pain and the immediate
loss of function of the leg vary according to the severity of the injury, but
the treatment is the same.
Apply ice immediately or hose the injured part with cold
water. Repeat applications during the next 48 hours. During this time all
activity should be kept to a minimum until the soreness has been completely
alleviated. This is where muscle therapy is advantageous as the therapist can
feel the torn muscles and fibrous tissues and if necessary align them. The
closer these tissues are placed back near the bones, tendons ir ligaments the quicker nature will help by adhering them
back to their original position and start the healing process.
The tearing of the hamstring muscle occurs at the point
in which the tension is greatest, tearing the fibrous tissues and cords away
from the home or tendon. Due to the great strength of the muscle the size of
the tear may increase with any sharp or extended movement.
One can feel where the muscle is torn and it is a simple
manipulation to line these up as close to normal as possible. You will be
surprised just how quickly the injury now heals. Strains healed by other
methods seem to recur again because the scar tissue builds up within the muscle
and creates a weakness there. This method prevents this from occurring, as
there is very little scar tissue due to the quicker healing processes.
Even the shortest application of the Bio Stimulator Unit
applied to the affected area will reduce pain in the injured parts. The
treatment by the application of the Bio Stimulator Unit is very helpful in
therapy for any injuries involving muscles, ligaments, tendons and cords. The
Bio Stimulator Unit also known as a T.E.N.S machine is an internationally
accepted form of physical therapy. It passes a low voltage electrical current
through the muscle using two pads is essential for speedy relief of aches, pain
and strains.
These pads, placed at opposite ends of muscles, impart
electrical impulses into the muscle to stimulate the nerves and cause the
muscle to contract and expand at a suitable frequency and strength. This
stimulation has the effect of stretching the muscles and ligaments and
dispersing the congealed blood remaining from the haemorrhage. This means the
injured part can now function properly and the supply of the oxygen is more
readily available to burn muscle fuels.
The Bio Stimulator Unit should be an essential item of
equipment for any trainer, therapist or anyone else involved with the treatment
of injuries. The Bio Stimulator Unit is invaluable in the treatment of
bruising, muscle soreness and open wounds.
HORSE
BEHAVIOUR
All horse owners are responsible on many levels for the well-being
of our animals. Most people will agree that it is important to try and
understand how horses minds work and what constitutes
normal ranges of behaviour, in order to create the most suitable environment
and correct training techniques for all horses.
The level of success when treating horses depend upon
many variables – time spent with horses, areas of learning and expertise and
the variety of individual horses with which the discussed treatment is applied.
A significant factor will be the accuracy of the understanding of horse
behaviour and how horses learn.
When called upon to help with a problem horse, the equine
therapist often finds that at least some of the problem is caused by the
misinterpretation of the causes of a horses behaviour.
As humans we tend to give them human needs and characteristics. This will deter
us from making correct assessments of the horse’s needs, creating unnecessary
stress for the animal. Approaches to training will be based upon incorrect
information and therefore, may results in many different problems ranging from
simply ineffective training to dangerous behaviour on the part of the animal.
Often the beginning of an undesirable behaviour will be
caused by pain and then exacerbated by the lack of understanding of the actual
thought patterns of the horse, the behaviour may escalate into a more serious
situation. Oddly enough, once the pain and discomfort has been totally removed
the animal abandons the resistance or undesirable behaviour more quickly than
one would expect. In this case, the speed with which the horse changes his
actions is directly related to the effectiveness of the problem-solving of the
behaviour problem and the completeness of the pain relief.
Misunderstanding of the horse’s needs will most likely result
in one or more stereotype behaviours commonly called “naughtiness”. Other vices
are labelled experimental and result from responses to factors in the
environment, which may lead to frustration. Bad management or failure to
provide adequate outlet for normal internal drives will also contribute to the
formation of vices.
The study of equine behaviour has seen progress in the
last few years. Since people place a high value on a horse’s behaviour and many
breeds have had much accentuation placed upon their good temperament the
knowledge of what has become suitable behaviour and the current applications of
that knowledge has become valuable. Never lose sight that the behaviour pattern
may be caused by an injury, pain or some other form of discomfort. Always
assume that this is the case and check the animal all over to obviate that the
horse has got a behavioural problem.
MUSCLES
WHAT MUSCLES ARE AND HOW THEY WORK?
A muscle is like its Latin word, meaning mouse. It has a body which is
the muscle itself and a tail which is the tendon. The tendon for most purposes
acts as an extension of the muscle and is usually attached onto a bone to
assist in the raising and lowering of a limb. Muscles act like small motors
that move every part of the body. You can’t talk, eat, breathe or blink without
using some muscle. All muscles produce movement by the same method. When they
shorten or contract they pull on tendons or their attachments to bones and
these in turn lift or bring those bones towards the body. Each muscle is
activated by a nerve which relays the messages from the brain to affect every
single function of the body.
HOW THEY WORK BETTER
Endurance is a basic element in the performance of any sport. In
competition winning is usually the paramount factor and training revolves
around just this. How does a trainer enhance the endurance levels of the horses
of his team? His training program concentrates on getting top performance out
of the muscles of those in his charge.
PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE DEPENDS ON:
- The capacity of the muscles
to store and burn muscle fuel,
- The ability to get delivery
of oxygen to the muscles in order that these muscles can burn fuel
efficiently
WHAT ARE THESE MUSCLE FUELS?
PROTEINS – these are never a source of immediate energy and are a poor substitute
of energy during exercise. Proteins are a building block for the tissues in the
body. The body has no way to store extra protein.
FATS – a secondary source of energy especially during the later stages of
sports. Fat is stored in the muscles, under the skin and around the inner
organs.
CARBOHYDRATES – the primary fuel for exercise. Your body can store
carbohydrates in muscles and the liver in the form of glycogen. Glycogen and
fat are the main fuel the muscles burn up for energy.
To burn these fuels efficiently, oxygen is needed and this is delivered
to the muscles through the bloodstream by the red blood cells. This is why I
stress the importance of muscle toning. The toned muscles have larger blood
vessels allowing more blood to flow through them, hence taking in more oxygen
to the muscles for them to burn up glycogen and fats.
By training horses properly you can improve oxygen utilisation. In so
doing you are improving the ability of the heart to push more blood to the
muscles and you are improving the ability of the muscles to extract the oxygen
from the bloodstream. Training will strengthen the heart so that it has the
capacity to pump a greater volume of blood to each heartbeat, enlarge your
arteries and blood vessels so more blood can flow through them, increase the
number of your red blood cells so that your oxygen-carrying capacity is
increased and increase the rate at which enzymes in your muscles pick up oxygen
from the bloodstream.
FACTORS LIMITING MUSCULAR ENDURANCE
Loss of muscle glycogen – the primary fuel of muscles.
Loss of fat reserves – a secondary fuel of muscles.
Low level of blood sugar – called hypoglycaemia.
Lack of oxygen.
Heat build-up in the muscles (Hypothermia).
Accumulation of lactic acid – a break down product of exercising without
oxygen.
LACTIC ACID – for sports persons I wish to describe
briefly what lactic acid is and the effect it has on performance.
When glycogen is burned up it is broken down into a chemical called pyruvate.
If there is enough oxygen available, pyruvate converts it into
carbon dioxide and water, which are blown off from the lungs.
However, if there is not enough oxygen in the muscles, pyruvate
converts it into lactic acid, which builds up in the muscles and then overflows
into the bloodstream.
Lactic acid impedes muscle contractions and makes it increasingly
difficult for muscles to move. As a result, you’re animal can feel fatigued.
A high level of lactic acid will eventually stop the muscle from
contracting altogether. When this happens you lose all control over the muscles
and they become very painful and may cramp. As soon as oxygen becomes available
again, lactic acid converts back to pyruvate and to carbon dioxide and
water and the horse has a feeling of a new lease of life.
Lactic acid is mentioned here to make owners and trainers fully aware of
the importance of proper training and exercises so that they build up and tone
muscles and ensure that these muscles receive a plentiful supply of oxygen via
the bloodstream. Tiredness and fatigue will be prevented and the athlete will
be able to perform much better with the same amount of effort.
EQUINE
NUTRIENT TECHNOLOGY
Equine nutrient technology has helped athletes around the
world and more specifically horses in training.
It has log been know and is
well documented that horses experience significant lactic acid accumulation
during high intensity training sessions and performance events. This lactic
acid accumulates fifty times faster than muscle ability to facilitate it.
Muscles become acidic, hindering speed and /or desired performance.
Additionally valuable muscle cell structures are sacrificed for the fuelling
process during exercise helping cause horses to “tire-up”.
Knowledge of horse physiology is developed to meeting the
metabolic needs of today’s equine athlete, while at the same time adhering to
the strict drug free guidelines of the industry.
The use of nutrient technology of course, must be drug
free and designed to significantly reduce the rate of lactic acid production
and improve the metabolic efficiency of even highly conditioned athletes.
A leading London physician , who is internationally known
for his contributions to “Fuelling Human Stress Patients” recently write; “No
athlete stands to benefit more from the breakthroughs in modern nutrient
technology than does the horse”. Only a few years ago it was discovered that
certain unique combinations of Branch Chains, when elevated after trauma could
achieve a “Muscle Sparing” effect in a critically stresses patient. These
findings have been published and acknowledged worldwide to be among the most
significant medical contributions of the century.
The metabolic response to stress is much the same in all
mammals. The horse, due to its unique metabolism, is best positioned to realise
the benefits of sparing valuable muscle proteins, which are inefficiently
sacrificed for the feeling process during exercise/. Literally hundreds of
studies point directly to what represents to be a one-time opportunity to
improve the metabolic efficiency of today’s equine athletes.
CONTUSIONS
OR BRUISES
A contusion is an injury, due to external violence to
parts beneath the skin, without division of the skin. It may be looked upon as
a “subcutaneous wound”. A bruise, which is a somewhat vague term, may be
regarded as a superficial contusion.
For practical purposes we may divide contusions into two
kinds;
1. Those
in which there are effusions beneath the skin, without marked injury to the
parts beneath it.
2. Those
in which the tissues below the skin are more or less severely hurt.
In a contusion there will always be rupture of at least
some of the smaller blood vessels. Hence the effusion or swelling will consist
of blood as well as of serum. The usual causes of contusions are blows and
unequally distributed and prolonged pressure.
In repair of a contusion we may have absorption of the
effusion, the formation of adhesions, and the formation of pus, either simply
or combined. In all cases of contusions, stimulating and evenly distributed
pressure, as for instance with cotton wadding, act well.
In mild cases we may trust to stimulating the superficial
circulation to remove the effusion by rubbing into the part with the hand a
small quantity of spirits, such as brandy or whisky. If we think that such
simple means will be unavailing to prevent the formation of pus, it will be
well to check the process as far as possible by the application of an
antiseptic of which we have an admirable example, for this purpose, in
eucalyptus oil.
Turpentine will act probably just as well but it produces
a severer effect on the skin, and is probably due more to its antiseptic
influence than to its effect in stimulating the circulation.
It is essential that consideration of the work the horse
is involved in will generally be worthwhile when deciding as to the remedy. For
instance, if we are anxious not to put on the sick list a horse which is
suffering from a recently inflicted contusion on the withers, owing to an
ill-fitting saddle, we would naturally be inclined to try the effect of
friction with spirits, rather than that of an agent which more or less blister
the skin.
If pus forms, we should lance it with the knife and
should treat the injury as an open abscess, bathing and fomenting the part with
warm water should not be used in the early stages of contusions, as these
operations encourage the formation of pus.
We have familiar instances of contusions in enlarged
knees, and bumps on shins and fetlocks from knocks when jumping timber out
hunting. In swollen withers from pressure of the “Tree” of the saddle, in
capped hocks from kicking and in capped elbows from pressure of the heels of
the shoes. It is evident that when removal of the cause is possible, it is the
best treatment.
OVER
REACH
An Over-reach is a wound or bruise caused by a hind show
or hind hoof striking a fore leg. In the shod horse, it is generally inflicted
by the inner edge of the toe of the hind shoe and the wound will then, as a rule take the form of a flap. In exceptional causes,
particularly when leaping it may be made by the front part of the toe of the
shoe, in which event, it will almost always occur above the fetlock.
The seat of injury is usually:
·
On the soft horn just above the heels
·
On the coronet a little in front of the heel,
that is to say, on the near portion of the inside or outside quarter, or
·
On the back of the tendons.
We know that in the canter or gallop an Over-reach can
occur under ordinary conditions, only on the leading fore leg. In the leap
also, this leg is far more liable to this injury than the non-leading leg. As
in almost all cases, it is the one which, on landing, is the first to be bought
down, and which has to bear the whole weight of the body, until the other fore
leg is carried beyond it and placed on the ground.
The walk and the amble are the paces at which the horse
is, manifestly, least liable to over-reach. In the trot, both fore legs are
equally liable to injury from a hind one. Unless, in the case of a horse being
thrown off his balance, the hind foot that inflicts the injury will always be
the one on the same side as the wounded leg.
From the foregoing considerations, we may see that when
an over-reach occurs, it will have been caused by the injured fore leg nit
having been lifted off the ground in time to make way for the hind leg which
followed it. Hence, this accident is usually brought about by some mechanical
impediment – such as that caused by stepping on soft, irregular, or slippery ground
– or by weakness or inability on the part of the horse, or incorrect shoeing.
Preventative measures may be employed by regulating the
movements of the horse, or by adopting mechanical precautions, such as shoeing
etc. It’s best to naturally teach the horse to carry himself during movement,
in such a way that more or less of the weight on his forehand will be
transferred to his quarters. In other
words, to “lighten” his forehand so as to make readily lift his fore legs out
of the way of the hind ones. The methods to attain this end are to train your
horse by making the animal rein back, circle, change legs and perform other
school movements.
WOUNDS
AND BRUISES
Treatment:
If the wound is just above the heels, our chief objective
will be to prevent moisture getting on the part, which is so akin to horn, that the action of water on it would tend to decompose
it. Hence, we should remove any jagged ends that may be present, as the fluid
resulting from their decomposition would irritate the wound.
We may apply “Magic Cream” that will stimulate and dry up
the cut. If these applications are not at hand, we may use a saturated solution
of camphor in turpentine. The part should be kept dry and should not be washed.
When the Over-reach is just above the heels, the horn which is immediately
below the wound should be pared thin, “so as to allow it to expand to the
swelling which occurs in the injured parts”. If the heels are bruised, the
injury may be bathed in cold water.
If the coronet on one of the quarters of the front of the
foot is injured, there will generally be separation, of the horn of the hoof
from the coronet immediately below the injury. In which case, the whole of the
separated horn should be removed, so that any discharge there may be from the
wound does not collect in the recess thus formed. Also ensure that the edge of
the horn remaining does not press upon and irritate the wounded tissue. As a
consequence of inflammation, it will become swollen. In any case, I think it
well to pare away the horn below the injured coronet. The wound itself may be
treated in the same manner so that described in the preceding paragraph.
When an Over-reach is on the back tendons, the injury may
be confined to the skin, or may involve the tendons themselves, in which case
the usefulness of the animal may be permanently impaired. The treatment here will
be the cleansing of the wound, with special attention to the preservation of
tissue. Hence the process of separation should be checked as much as possible.
Unless dirt is seen to have gained entrance into the wound, I would advise that
the part should not be washed. If bathing were imperative, it would be well to
use Hydrogen Peroxide 3% solution strength as this will froth out the dirt and
assist in the healing process.
A high-heeled shoe will be useful for keeping the back
tendons at rest. If the wound is very serious, the animal may be bedded down
with sawdust, so that he may readily place his foot in any easy position.
If the wound still continues to suppurate, it may be
rendered healthy by the application, twice a day of a 3% solution of hydrogen
peroxide or a little saturated solution of camphor in turpentine. If a scab
forms and if pus appears underneath it, the scab should be removed by bathing
with tepid water, or it may be gently picked off. The part stimulated by one of
the applications just mentioned or the application of the Bio Stimulator Unit
will be beneficial.
As soon as the horse can be walked without his showing
any marked symptoms of lameness, I think it well to exercise him with every
proper precaution, so that adhesion may not be allowed to form to an extent
that would interfere with his usefulness.
If injury is on the off fore, it is well to give him the
exercise in a circle to the left, and visa versa, for
by doing so, we shall, as much as possible, keep the weight off the bad leg.
During recovery after a severe blow on the back tendons, we should be very
careful not to allow the horse to lead with the injured leg, in the canter or
gallop. Not only would it, when leading, have to bear more weight that the
non-leading fore leg, but in its weakened condition, it will also be less able
to than before to get out of the way of the hind foot on the same side.
BRUSHING
Bruising is caused by the out edge of the inner quarter
of a shoe, or, sometimes, by the rough clenches of its nails, wounding the
opposite leg, generally on the fetlock. Sometime the injury is inflicted higher
up or on the coronet or even on the hoof. Owing to its retired position, the
pastern is seldom hurt in this manner. It may be due to weakness, in which
case, with increased strength, the habit frequently leaves the animal. The
presence of mange insects (symbioses)
which prompts the animal to hit and scratch his legs etc. can be another
symptom.
Preventative
Measures:
When brushing is caused by the fact of a horse turning
out his toes, lowering the wall of the outside portion of the foot which gets
hit, will generally serve to move the fetlock out of the line in which the
offending foot moves, and is, I have found, a better plan that thickening the
inside half of the shoe.
Rasping should not thin the wall of the foot that
inflicts the wound, which would weaken a part that is intended to bear weight.
Lowering the toes of the hoof, and leaving the heels alone, so as to make the
foot more upright, will also help to prevent brushing. With this object in view,
the horse may have to be shod, or his shoes removed, once every three weeks.
Horses will rarely brush, if allowed to go bare-foot, or if shod with light
tips.
When brushing is due to bad shoeing or the presence of
mange, insects, flies etc. removal of the cause will be the best preventative measure.
Treatment:
In slight cases, the application of some antiseptic
dressing will be sufficient. If the wound was inflicted on a previous, “brush”,
the part should be poulticed until the scab comes off, and then treated with an
antiseptic or “Magic Cream”. The same course should be observed when much
inflammation is present.
SPEEDY
CUTTING
Is the act done by the horse when he wounds the inside of
one leg, near the knee, or hock, by the other fore or hind foot? In the vast majority
of cases, the injury is inflicted on a fore leg although I have known horses to
speedy cut on both hind legs below the hocks. Some make a compromise between
brushing and speedy cutting by hitting themselves on the side of the cannon
bone midway between the knee and the fetlock.
The term “interfering” is sometimes applied to both
brushing and speedy cutting. The seat of the injury is generally a little below
the knee although it may be just above it on the internal lateral prominence of
the lower extremity of the bone of the forearm (the radius).These lateral
processes are particularly prominent in blood horses. Their object is to give
attachment to the lateral ligaments of the knee joint. Speedy cutting I s generally met with among well-bred animals with free
action. The wound is usually inflicted in the gallop, or when the horse is
dancing about from restlessness. Horses which turn their toes out, are particularly prone to speedy cutting as well as to
brushing. I have seen a case in which the inability to speedy cutting was due
to a “knock kneed” condition of the affected limb, which naturally, turned out,
I had no remedy to suggest, except that the animal should not be used at fast
pace. As a rule horses do not speed cut in the gallop, until they begin to
tire.
Before purchasing a horse which may require for fast
work, we should examine its legs to see if there be
the marks of old speedy cuts. It’s best to see whether there are any signs of,
for instance, the hair being rubbed off the animal having worn a speedy cutting
boots.
Speedy cutting is not only the cause of disfigurement,
but is also extremely dangerous to the rider, especially when jumping.
The preventative measures are of a nature similar to
those for brushing. The speedy-cutting boot should come high up on the side of
the knee, if the defective action is in front, which almost always the case in
animals is given to this fault. The bony prominences at the inside of the knee
may get hit with disastrous results to the animal or its rider, or both. The
boot should be of fairly stout leather, and lined with some soft material, such
as felt, to take off the jar of the blow.
Much can be done in checking the tendency to speedy cut,
by good breaking and capable riding, so as to make the horse move in a well
collected manner. Sometime, removing the shoe and adjusting the “bearing”
surface every three weeks will prevent thus injury. Young horses that speedy
cut may subsequently abandon the habit as they grow older and stronger.
Symptoms:
They can be heat, swelling, with fever and pain. In two
or three days as abscess may appear. Sometimes the part is wounded rather than
bruised.
