Interview With A Veterinarian

By Jim Balzotti

In this edition, I was thrilled to ask one of New England's most prominent vets some of the questions most of our readers ask time and time again, namely what do I do if... Dr. Bruce, as he's known here in the northeast, is both a teaching and practicing veterinarian who is at the top of his field. Here are some of his answers to questions every rider wants to know.

Jim: If while on a trail ride, my horse suffers a cut or puncture wound, what should I do?

Dr. Chase: The first step in any wound is to control bleeding, which is generally accomplished by the application of direct pressure. When hemorrhage is controlled, rinse the wound with water to remove contaminants followed by the application of topical antiseptics. The wound should be evaluated as to whether sutures are appropriate. It is generally best to make the decision to suture or not during the first twelve to twenty four hours after the injury. If the wound is on the lower leg, bandaging should be considered.

Jim: While riding and possibly miles away from my trailer, my horse begins to limp a bit. Is it safe to ride him back to the trailer or should I get off and walk back?

Dr. Chase: At the first suspicion of a possible lameness problem, it is always wise to evaluate the foot for injury or the presence of a foreign object. A quick review of the rest of the leg for obvious injuries or swellings is also important. Whether to continue the ride back or not would depend on the cause and severity of lameness. It is always wise to err on the side of caution and not ride a lame horse due to the potential for further injury or the risk of stumbling resulting in the fall of the rider.

Jim: What are the signs that show whether or not you are overworking your horse?

Dr. Chase: The most accurate means of evaluating exhaustion has generally been to evaluate the time required for the pulse and respiration rates return to the normal resting level. This first requires an appreciation for the normal pulse anAdvanced exhaustion is reflected by extreme weakness, staggering and incoordination. This represents an extreme emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Jim: WhatÕs the best way to get your horse into shape, especially if he/she hasn't worked all winter.

Dr. Chase: A routine conditioning program by monitoring pulse and respiratory rate recoveries is the most reliable means of assessing your horseÕs condition. This system allows the evaluation of each horseÕs individual needs in a conditioning program. Jim: Do horses get cold?

Dr. Chase: Yes. Generally hypothermia or decreased body temperature would be reflected by shivering similar to the human population. The horse is blessed with an excellent form of insulation and therefore hypothermia is a relatively rare condition. Monitoring the horse's rectal temperature is the most important step in the diagnosis and management of the problem. The greater concern for horses is the occurrence of hyperthermia or heat exhaustion. During extended periods of work, the process of metabolism releases energy in the form of heat which must be dissipated through sweating and other cooling processes. During extensive work on a warm day a rider should be constantly aware of the horse's body temperature and condition.

Jim: What are the signs of a horse in distress and what should I do about it? What if I am miles away from home?

Dr. Chase: The most common medical emergency experienced by the horse is the syndrome of colic. A variety of activities can be associated with colic such as loss of appetite, sweating and restless behavior including pawing the ground, lying down, rolling and other signs of abdominal pain. The most important step is to attempt to stabilize the horse and send for assistance. If at all possible, getting the horse to a location for treatment is the most important consideration.

Jim: Do you recommend bringing along medical supplies on an extended trail ride? What items? What about a dayÕs ride?

Dr. Chase: A first aid kit would take into consideration that the two most common equine emergencies involve lacerations or the occurrence of colic. Bandaging materials for leg injuries and first aid therapy for colic as suggested by your veterinarian are therefore the most important items in a first aid kit.

Jim: What is the best way to relieve your horse from pain?

Dr. Chase: There are several medications available for pain relief, however, phenylbutazone or "Bute" is still an economical and reliable anti-inflammatory. Colic pain can be relieved by several medications used on a first aid basis. One of the most popular medications at this time is flunixin meglumine or "Banamine" which comes in an oral paste as well as an injectable form and can be administered safely for a wide variety of medical conditions.

Jim: Do horses really need electrolytes?

Dr. Chase: Yes. The electrolytes required in greatest amount for the proper metabolic performance are sodium, potassium and chloride. Sodium chloride is also known as common salt. These electrolytes are often found in adequate amounts in commercially mixed rations and are rarely found to be deficient. They can be lost in significant amounts through sweating and therefore, horses that sweat extensively in their performance should be supplemented. Supplementation can occur by the addition of trace mineralized salt to the diet or the addition of a commercially prepared electrolyte mixture.

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