Hi all! Don't forget your 'homework'...condition score your horses (or just one if you have a few) and take a photo as well! |
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There are eight recognized blood groups in the horse: A, C, D, K, P, Q, T, and U. (These are similar to A, B, AB, and O groups found in humans). However, unlike our blood types, each of the horses' blood groups can exist in one of several forms. For example, to say that a horse has type A blood is not enough because type A may mean type aA1, type aA', type aH, type aA'H, or type a. And, in addition to having a blood type from the A family, a horse may also have a type from each of the other seven groups.
There are over 30 blood groups
in horses, of which only 8 are major systems. Of these 8, 7 are internationally
recognized (A, C, D, K, P, Q and U), whilst the T system is primarily of
research interest. Of these, the Aa and Qa are most important for hemolytic
reactions, especially neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI). Other blood groups can
occasionally give NI reactions, including Dc, Ua, Ab and
Blood types (or groups) are determined by specific antigens
found on the surface of erythrocytes. In humans, there is the ABO system of
blood types, whereas animals have a variety of different blood types. Knowledge
of blood types in the different species is important as transfusion of
incompatible blood (the donor animal has a different blood type from the
recipient animal) can result in severe hemolytic transfusion reactions and even
death, in some instances.
Prediction of Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (Haemolytic Disease)This service is based on the blood group profiles of horses previously blood typed for parentage verification purposes. As DNA typing replaced blood typing for parentage verification in 2003, most registered female Thoroughbred horses born in Australia before 2002 should have blood types which are stored on the AEGRC parentage database. Unfortunately, DNA types cannot be used to identify or predict blood types. As time passes fewer horses will have stored blood-group records which form the basis of the predictive tests for suitability as blood donors and potential to produce foals with NI. A newborn foal may show clinical signs of acute anaemia with in 2-5 days of birth due to an immune reaction between antibodies in the mother's milk (colostrum) and the blood group molecules (antigens) on its red blood cells. This condition is also called neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI). First foals are rarely affected, as a sensitization reaction (during an earlier pregnancy) is usually required. While incompatibility between any of the foal's and the mare's blood groups has the potential to produce haemolytic disease, the majority of cases of haemolytic disease in foals are due to the ingestion by the foal of antibodies produced to Aa, Qa, Qr and Qs (also called Nf17) blood group factors in the mare's colostrum. (For more information, especially about a procedure for testing colostrum for anti-blood group antibodies, see C. Snook, (2001) "Update on neonatal isoerythrolysis" in Recent Advances in Equine Neonatal Care (eds PA Wilkins & FE Palmer) Publisher: International Veterinary Information Service, New York: web site, http://www.ivis.org. Please note that the AEGRC is no longer able to provide this testing for antibodies directed to blood groups). Foals are predicted to be at high risk of contracting haemolytic disease if
the mare has a blood group profile that is Aa and/or Qa negative but the
stallion with whom she has been mated is Aa and/or Qa positive. In
such cases, the foal which inherits the Aa and/or Qa blood group genes from its
father, has a blood group profile that may be seen as being foreign by its
mother, who then begins to produce antibodies to these blood group
molecules. Antibodies produced by the mare during pregnancy do not
cross the placenta, so problems do not appear until the foal is born and begins
to suckle from its mother.
Dentistry and the importance of whole mouth balancing.
The incisors, molars and TMJ create the perfect balance. If the Incisors are unbalanced then the molars will be unbalanced and the TMJ will be affected. The TMJ is crucial to the horses balance as it is one of the primary balancing mechanisms.
At 6-8 days the central incisors appear At 6-8 weeks the Lateral incisors appear At 6-8 Months the corner incisors appear Also at 6-8 months the wolf teeth may appear.
At 1yr of age M1 appears At 2yrs M2 appears and at 2 ½ P2 sheds, permanent erupts At 3yrs M3 appears and at 3 P3 sheds, permanent erupts At 3 ½ P4 sheds, permanent erupts Lower Canines erupt just after 4yrs Upper Canines erupt about 4 ½ yrs
Aging by the teeth is relatively easy and fairly accurate, this will be looked at in more detail in the future.
Some examples of imbalances that will affect the balance of the mouth are: Ramps, hooks, waves, shearing, stepping, supernumerary teeth, excessive transverse ridging, over and under bite/jetting (the bite is complete malocclusion, jetting is partial), slanting or wedging of incisors
Relating to collection and movement…Mackinnons exercise …. feel what your lower jaw does as you tilt your head up adn down, side to side...remember to have a relaxed jaw doing this...and try it with a pen held through your mouth (grip pen with your molars) if you want to feel what a bit feels like Psychology…operant and classical conditioning.
Classical conditioning:
Discovered by Ivan Pavlov. Q: all heard of Pavlovian response or Pavlovs dogs? He was researching digestion when he noticed the dogs began to salivate prior to feeding. (During his experiments, he would put meat powder in the mouths of dogs who had tubes inserted into various organs to measure bodily responses. What he discovered was that the dogs began to salivate before the meat powder was presented to them. Then, the dogs began to salivate as soon as the person feeding them would enter the room…when he started to actually experiment he rang a bell before feeding…soon enough the bell elicited the salivation response) Basically, the findings support the idea that we develop responses to certain stimuli that are not naturally occurring ie we will still pull our hands back from a stove element that is not turned on. Re the dogs… Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) = meat powder Unconditional Response (UCR) = salivation The dogs became conditioned to the bell. The bell is the Conditioned Stimulus (CS) and Conditioned Response (CR) = the salivation to the bell. The key to distinguishing between classical and operant conditioning is whether or not the response to the stimulus is voluntary or not. What we do naturally is classical (salivate, withdraw from pain, yell with fright etc) Operant Conditioning
This applies to how we act on the environment… operant conditioning comes from how we respond to what is presented to us in our environment. These responses are voluntary. It can be thought of as learning due to the natural consequences of our actions. B.F.
Skinner was the discoverer of the fundamental principles. The
experiments done to research Operant conditioning this time used cats (Thorndike) The cat was placed in a box with one way out. Freedom is reinforcing so the cat will try to escape. Eventually the cat will trigger the release mechanism. When placed back into the box the cat will try to remember what gave him his freedom…he has learned through natural consequences how to gain his freedom. Operant Conditioning has reinforcing effects…positive or perhaps aversive/ punishing. Thorndike actually preceded Skinner, who used similar boxes where Pigeons had to learn to peck at a lever or button to be fed… known as a ‘skinner box’. Every time someone flushes a toilet in the apartment building, the shower becomes very hot and causes the person to jump back. Over time, the person begins to jump back automatically after hearing the flush, before the water temperature changes. This example is classical conditioning because jumping away from hot water is an automatic response. The hot water is the US The jumping back is the UR The toilet flush is the CS The jumping back to the flush alone is the CR Your father gives you a credit card at the end of your first year in college because you did so well. As a result, your grades continue to get better in your second year. This example is operant conditioning because school performance is a voluntary behavior. The credit card is a positive reinforcement because it is given and it increases the behavior. Your car has a red, flashing light that blinks annoyingly if you start the car without buckling the seat belt. You become less likely to start the car without buckling the seat belt. This example is operant conditioning because buckling a seat belt is voluntary. The flashing light is a positive punishment. The consequence is given . The behavior of not buckling the seat belt decreases. Example Number 4 You eat a new food and then get sick because of the flu. However, you develop a dislike for the food and feel nauseated whenever you smell it. This example is classical conditioning because nausea is an automatic response. The flu sickness is the US. The nausea is the UR. The new food is the CS. The nausea to the new food is the CR. An individual receives frequent injections of drugs, which are administered in a small examination room at a clinic. The drug itself causes increased heart rate but after several trips to the clinic, simply being in a small room causes an increased heart rate. This example is classical conditioning because the increased heart rate is an automatic response. The drug is the US. The accelerated heart rate is the UR. The small room is the CS. The accelerated heart rate to the room is the CR. A lion in a circus learns to stand up on a chair and jump through a hoop to receive a food treat. This example is operant conditioning because standing on a chair and jumping through a hoop are voluntary behaviors. The food treat is a positive reinforcement because it is given and it increases the behavior. John Watson conducted an experiment with a boy named Albert in which he paired a white rat with a loud, startling noise. Albert now becomes startled at the sight of the white rat. This is an example of classical conditioning because a startle response is an automatic behavior. The loud noThe startle is the UR.. The white rat is the CS. The startle response to the white rat is the CR. Horses
and training….Answer the following... 1) Your horse salivates (the belief that horses do NOT salivate prior to eating has been disproven) as you bring the buckets into the stable. Is this a
classical or operant response? 2) You
‘squeeze water’ out of the reins (connected to a snaffle) to communicate to
your horse that you want him to come on the bit. He ‘breaks’ at the poll to
give the head carriage you desire Is this a classical or operant response? 3) You have a young untouched horse. You want to teach him to move his shoulder away from you. Can you teach this response classically? 4) The horse bites. You have stopped this behaviour by slapping the horse on the nose each time he tried to nip you. Did you use classical or operant conditioning 5) Is
clicker training classical or operant conditionin Nutritional factorsThe entire digestive tract of a mature light horse is approximately 30metres long, or about one-third the length of a football field! This 30m is coiled and looped many times, but is usually very small in diameter and has a total capacity of about 150 -190 litres.
Energy is derived from carbohydrates, fats, and even protein; but, because of their abundance in plant feeds, carbohydrates are the horse's major source of energy. Naturally occurring fats make up less than 5% of the horse's diet. Fats act as a source of linoleic acid (a fatty acid which affects growth, and condition of the skin). Fats are an excellent source of energy for the animal and can be added up to 10% of the diet to increase energy and make the feed more palatable.
Protein is needed by the horse for growth, muscle development, reproduction, lactation, repair of body tissues, and skin and hair development.
Vitamins play a variety of roles in the body, and quite often they are catalysts for metabolism. While only a minute amount of each may be needed, a deficiency can cause severe side effects or illness once the reserves are depleted. Vitamins are classified into two groups. The fat-soluble vitamins, which can be stored in the body for future use, are A, D, E, and K. Because they are stored, toxicities can occur if fed in excess. The water-soluble vitamins, which are not stored and must be supplied continually are the B-complex vitamins.
Mineral content of a horse's diet is determined by the soil and water in the area, the quality of feed, and the proportion of grain to hay in the diet. The main minerals are often classified as macro minerals. These are Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Sodium (Na), and Chlorine (Cl). Depending on the area, trace minerals of concern are Iodine (I) Iron (Fe), Selenium (Se), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), and Copper (Cu). These trace or micro-minerals are also referred to as electrolytes. The amount of Calcium and Phosphorus, and the ratio between these two elements are vital to bone development and maintenance. The ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio is 1.5:1.0. The ratio of Ca to P in the diet should be between 1:1 and 3:1 for all horses. Adult horses can tolerate a ratio up to 6:1 before problems occur, but growing animals have trouble on Ca:P ratios above 3:1. A supplement with more phosphorus than calcium should be used when feeding good legume hay and no grain. With a deficiency of calcium or an imbalance of the two elements, the horse's bones will become soft and weak or simply won't develop properly.
Maintainence: 1.5% bodyweight Light work: 2% bodyweight Medium work: 2.5% bodyweight Hardwork up to 3% bodyweight
As the intensity or duration of the work increases from light to moderate to intense, the requirements for energy increase 25%, 50%, and 100% above maintenance, respectively.
General guidelines are : Feed whole foods. Any feed weighing over 4 kg needs to be split (smaller weight for smaller horse) Never feed mouldy foods Feed around but not exactly at the same time each day Place out more hay piles than there are horses Boil barley/oats/corn for poor doers Lucerne is not evil!!
Grains (and all other feeds) should be fed by weight rather than by volume.
Feed is not 100% nutrients. Common feeds range from 85-92% dry matter and the rest is water. Only the dry matter contains nutrients. Oats, corn, barley, soy bean meal, linseed meal, speedi beet, pollard, rice bran, bran, lucerne hay/chaff, oat chaff, Rhodes grass,
Supplements: kelp, garlic, rosehips, various commercial products.
BLOOD GROUPSThere are eight recognized blood groups in the horse: A, C, D, K, P, Q, T, and U. (These are similar to A, B, AB, and O groups found in humans). However, unlike our blood types, each of the horses' blood groups can exist in one of several forms. For example, to say that a horse has type A blood is not enough because type A may mean type aA1, type aA', type aH, type aA'H, or type a. And, in addition to having a blood type from the A family, a horse may also have a type from each of the other seven groups.
There are over 30 blood groups
in horses, of which only 8 are major systems. Of these 8, 7 are internationally
recognized (A, C, D, K, P, Q and U), whilst the T system is primarily of
research interest. Of these, the Aa and Qa are most important for hemolytic
reactions, especially neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI). Other blood groups can
occasionally give NI reactions, including Dc, Ua, Ab and
Blood types (or groups) are determined by specific antigens
found on the surface of erythrocytes. In humans, there is the ABO system of
blood types, whereas animals have a variety of different blood types. Knowledge
of blood types in the different species is important as transfusion of
incompatible blood (the donor animal has a different blood type from the
recipient animal) can result in severe hemolytic transfusion reactions and even
death, in some instances.
Prediction of Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (Haemolytic Disease)This service is based on the blood group profiles of horses previously blood typed for parentage verification purposes. As DNA typing replaced blood typing for parentage verification in 2003, most registered female Thoroughbred horses born in Australia before 2002 should have blood types which are stored on the AEGRC parentage database. Unfortunately, DNA types cannot be used to identify or predict blood types. As time passes fewer horses will have stored blood-group records which form the basis of the predictive tests for suitability as blood donors and potential to produce foals with NI. A newborn foal may show clinical signs of acute anaemia with in 2-5 days of birth due to an immune reaction between antibodies in the mother's milk (colostrum) and the blood group molecules (antigens) on its red blood cells. This condition is also called neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI). First foals are rarely affected, as a sensitization reaction (during an earlier pregnancy) is usually required. While incompatibility between any of the foal's and the mare's blood groups has the potential to produce haemolytic disease, the majority of cases of haemolytic disease in foals are due to the ingestion by the foal of antibodies produced to Aa, Qa, Qr and Qs (also called Nf17) blood group factors in the mare's colostrum. (For more information, especially about a procedure for testing colostrum for anti-blood group antibodies, see C. Snook, (2001) "Update on neonatal isoerythrolysis" in Recent Advances in Equine Neonatal Care (eds PA Wilkins & FE Palmer) Publisher: International Veterinary Information Service, New York: web site, http://www.ivis.org. Please note that the AEGRC is no longer able to provide this testing for antibodies directed to blood groups). Foals are predicted to be at high risk of contracting haemolytic disease if
the mare has a blood group profile that is Aa and/or Qa negative but the
stallion with whom she has been mated is Aa and/or Qa positive. In
such cases, the foal which inherits the Aa and/or Qa blood group genes from its
father, has a blood group profile that may be seen as being foreign by its
mother, who then begins to produce antibodies to these blood group
molecules. Antibodies produced by the mare during pregnancy do not
cross the placenta, so problems do not appear until the foal is born and begins
to suckle from its mother.
Body condition scoring involves the palpation and visual assessment of the degrees of fatness of various areas of the horse, such as: over the ribs, tailhead area, neck and withers, and behind the shoulders. (see plate one to the above right). | Body Condition ScoringFigure 2 shows the profile lines for the various body condition scores. When evaluating your horses, there will be an animal-to-animal variation; thus the use of the terms "easy-keeper" and "hard-keeper". Easy-keepers include any of the individuals of the draft breeds, ponies and quarter horses. They also include the dominant animals in a herd situation. Hard-keepers include many of the individuals of the following breeds: Arabian, thoroughbred and gaited horses. Hard-keepers will also include the shy individuals who are lower on the pecking order in a herd situation. Table 1 summarizes the various body condition scores, while Figure 3 depicts the changes in body appearance. | Top of Page | Table 1. Descriptions of Anatomical Differences Between Body Condition Scores
As a guide to learning the scoring system and interpreting the results, examples of "typical" condition scores are listed below. There will be a range of condition within each score so it is sometimes convenient to assign +'s and -'s or half point scores as in 2.5 or 3.5.
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more plates will be up shortly...
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