HANDS ON
•Conditioning Lite • Marishv or something more • Skin Lump alert
A return to easy trail riding after an idle winter probably doesn’t require putting your horse in a formal conditioning program, but be careful to avoid overtaxing him, especially on your first few outings. If you notice any of the following signs, ease up a bit on your riding schedule for a few weeks:
• Your horse seems exhausted when you finish a ride. At the end of even a fairly vigorous ride, a horse will normally seem able and eager to continue. If you feel as if your horse couldn’t go on, you may have pushed him too far. • After fast wor` his breathing doesn’t return to normal within 10 minutes.
Huffing and puffing after a good gallop is to be expected, but if a horse’s respiratory rate doesn’t drop in a few minutes, chances are you’ve overtaxed him.
He seems slightly “ouchy” the day
after you ride. Your horse may not be lame, but he may flinch when you curry him or rub his muscles. Or he may just seem grouchy when being handled. Any of these reactions is a sign you may need to slow down.
In general, just try to be patient at this time of year. It may take a month or so of regular riding to get your horse to the point where go he can handle a moderately paced, hours-long trail over varied terrain. Older horses will need longer, as will those recovering from an injury. By taking your time, you’ll help preserve your horse’s soundness so you can enjoy the rest of the riding season.
“MARISH” OR SOMETHING MORE?
When behavior problems crop up in mares during spring months, the tendency to attribute them to her being “in season” is understandable. But before jumping to any conclusions, do a bit of research.
When you first notice a change in your mare’s behavior, start a diary. Make an entry each time you notice unusual, difficult or aggressive behaviors, both on the ground and in the saddle. Note the day, details of the behavior and the environment/circumstances in which it occurred. If the behavior is truly linked to cyclical hormone fluctuations you will notice a pattern in your accumulated notes: The behavior will persist for a day or two, then disappear for three to four weeks before reappearing.
Medications are available that can regulate a mare’s cycles, potentially minimizing related behaviors. Using
your notes as a starting point, you can confer with your veterinarian to determine whether one of these products would be suitable for your mare. If you compete, keep in mind that some sport organizations have strict guidelines regarding these medications---they may be prohibited or you may need to file specific paperwork to be allowed to compete while using them.
If your notes suggest the behavior is not related to normal cyclical hormones, you’ll know you need to look for another underlying cause. One possibility is a granulosa cell tumor on an ovary; this type of tumor secretes testosterone, which can have a powerful effect on behavior. A mare with a granulosa cell tumor may behave like a stallion, herding and mounting other mares and lashing out with her front hooves if challenged. An ultrasound can detect this type of tumor, and surgical removal will usually eliminate related behavior.
If your mare is persistently unruly and there’s no indication of an ovarian tumor, your veterinarian can investigate other possible causes, such as chronic pain. If no physical problems are found, consider seeking the assistance of a professional trainer who can help work through your mare’s issues.
SKIN LUMP ALERT
One of the joys of spring is watching your horse’s sleek, shiny summer coat emerge as he sheds his winter coat. But shedding can also reveal new skin growths and tumors. In particular, be on the lookout for three “bumps” that may require some action.
• -elanomas. Found almost exclusively on gray horses, these lumps occur on black skin, particularly around the anus, genitals and face. The tumors themselves are dark and have a “cluster of grapes” appearance. Unlike melanomas in people, these growths in horses usually aren’t aggressive but, depending on their location, they can interfere
with tack or eating. Your veterinarian can remove small tumors or “debulk” larger masses. In addition, chemotherapy drugs can be used to shrink melanoma tumors in horses.
• SaRCoIDs. Growths caused by the bovine papillomavirus, sarcoids are the most common skin tumor of horses. They can take on many forms, from flat, gray and hairless (occult) to scabby and “warty” in appearance (verrucose) to fleshy lumps that are prone to bleeding (fibroblastic). Sarcoids can also be a mix of types. Single, localized sarcoids rarely cause problems for horses and may not require treatment. Extensive growths or those that interfere with a horse’s use or ability to eat may need to be addressed, however. Sarcoids may be surgically removed, or liquid nitrogen can be used to kill the tumor cells. Also chemotherapy and immunomodulating drugs can be injected into the affected area. Larger tumors may require a combination of therapies.
• #ollaGen GRanUlomas. These small, firm, painless bumps tend to show up in the saddle and girth areas. They are typically covered in hair and range in size from a grain of rice to a pea. They are caused by minor inflammatory processes, triggered by an insect bite or pressure from (even well-fitting) tack. Veterinarians have a variety of terms for these benign lumps, including “nodular skin disease” and “equine eosinophilic collagenolytic granuloma.” Whatever you call them, most of these bumps require no treatment---they are typically self-limiting and will not bother the horse. If they become large, however, your veterinarian may suggest surgical removal or the injection of a tiny amount of corticosteroid .