As veterinarians owning gypsy horses, we are asked many interesting questions. Each month we will review a question and, if applicable, discuss probable causes, treatments and outcomes. These articles are not meant to replace the relationship you have with your own veterinarian. In fact, we encourage you to seek their advice. As we all know, many times there is more than one approach to any given problem.

An excellent question was brought up by a young horse owner last month. Evelyn said that she didn’t ride her horse on a regular basis, but when she did, it was for a couple of hours at a time. Her question to me was: Should I feed my horse more after I ride her, so that she doesn’t lose weight?

Horses that are ridden infrequently do experience a temporary increase in their energy requirement. The temptation is to meet that temporary need with grain fed only on the days the horse is ridden. If the amount of grain is less than a pound or two, there may be no consequence to that approach. However, if the horse has been maintained strictly on hay, and is fed three or more pounds of grain, colic and founder are real possibilities. The population of microbes in the cecum and large intestine in this situation are primarily fiber fermenting bacteria that require a relatively high pH (7.5-8.5) to live and work efficiently. If significant amounts of starch from the grain don’t degrade in the small intestine and move into the large intestine for fermentation, this can result in the production of lactic acid, which would lower the pH. Lower pH slows the rate of passage, increases gas production, and in severe cases the fiber-fermenting bacteria may die off in large numbers, thus resulting in the release of endotoxins. These endotoxins are a major contributor to colic and founder in the horse. Now though, if the horse has been consuming some grain previously, then the risks associated with increasing the grain on a short-term basis are lessened. In either case, Evelyn, the better approach is to average the feed over a week or more and maintain a consistent daily ration.

If you have a question concerning your horse’s health and well being, email Dr. Bryk at askthevet@goldenlinkgypsies.com

A common question presented to our practice is: When buying a horse, is there anything I can look for that would tell me if she is a breeder or not?

Physical examination of the mare may provide clues to potential causes of infertility. A forward-tilted pelvis, poor perineal conformation, tendency to suck air into the vagina, and overall health of the mare can quickly be determined. A forward tilt to the pelvis may indicate impaired drainage of the reproductive tract or a tendency to pool urine in the cranial vagina. Although urine pooling is not usually associated with uterine infections, the sterile inflammation is sufficient enough to compromise fertility. Mares in poor body condition may be more predisposed to infection overall and may tend to have poorer perineal conformation. Likewise, mares who have failed to shed their hair coat are probably not cycling. These are a few physical abnormalities to consider.

When you are buying a mare for reproductive purposes, it would be well worth having your veterinarian examine, ultrasound, and culture the mare.

If you have a question concerning your horse’s health and well being, email Dr. Bryk at askthevet@goldenlinkgypsies.com