Equine Health Management - Essay Example

Equine Health Management Insert (s) Equine Health Management Question one: Horse accidents and their causes Horses have been used by humans for travel, work and entertainment through races. However, many accidents can occur in the cause of using the animal in different activities and even in the stables and yard. Accidents which have occurred include to the horse and to the people interacting with the horse or within the horse environment. In the yard the presence of barbed wires as a method of fencing can cause an accident. In this case the horse can get scratched on the skin and develop a wound (Micoud et. al., 2015, p. 70). During races the horse can be involved in an accident due to its heavy weight and the force it uses to race. Injuries in this case have been reported to be in the animal’s hooves. When the ground is not even and is coupled by the presence of cobbled ground. The environment of the animal and time of day can cause an accident. Early mornings, late evenings and inclement weather can present themselves as hazards for any type of accident to happen to the animal if it is outside the stable (Micoud et. al., 2015, p. 86). Accidents arising from the use of machinery in the farm can cause harm to the horse. Loading and offloading the animal of boxes and other luggage can cause accidents both to the animal and to the person handling the animal. These types of accidents depending on severity can cause damage to the soft tissue or even to the skeletal muscle. Preventive measures to curb the accidents Given that many accidents can occur at the stable, yard or outside the farm, precautionary measures need to be taken to reduce these accidents (Micoud et. al., 2015, p. 90). First of all it is important that the person undertaking the care of the horse need to be trained on horse welfare, have enough experience and knowledge in handling the animal. Accidents involving barbed wired fences can be eliminated by using wooden fences or stone wall fences. Fences can also be made by strings which are not barbed. Alternative fencing materials which are safer to the animals can also be implemented. During races the runways should be streamlined, stones and foreign materials likely to cause accidents to the horses and the riders should be eliminated. Levelling of these grounds is very important before the races. Inspection is an important part in ensuring that the field is well prepared for the race users. Question Two a. Types of horse wounds and their causes There are mainly five types of wounds that can occur to a horse. These are; incised wounds, tears, puncture wounds, abrasions and contusions (Micoud et. al., 2015, p. 70) . Incised wounds are as a result of sharp objects piecing the tissues. Tears wounds have more jagged edges, they are less likely to cause bleeding and are caused by barbed wires. Puncture wounds are caused by nails or stakes they usually don’t bleed due to the elasticity of the blood vessels but fatal when a major vessel is punctured. Abrasion wounds are caused by friction like the one with ropes. The effect is seen on the hair and skin. Contusions only occur where internal tissues have been damaged and they are bleeding. The skin is usually not broken, there might be a swelling and the horse might show discomfort. b. The process of inflammation after injury Once injury sets in a tissue communication is carried out by protease activation of the PAR. The inflammation process is initiated with the main aim of killing and eliminating agents of infections, removal of debris and preparation of the healing process. Two major proceses are involved in the cytokinesis. First is the growth factor alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). As different as they may seem their actions overlap. They are released almost immediately after injury by the resident macrophages and the epidermis which a major rich source of the IL-1a. The change in phenotype in most cells of the wound is initiated by the TNF-a and IL-1 from the dermal fibroblasts and cells. Diagram of the inflammation process after injury (Henderson, 2012, p. 12) c. The healing process in close and open wounds The changes initiated by NF-kB include the initiation of matrix degradation and cell recruitment and proliferation. TF-1 and IL-1 signals stimulate the production of Chemokinesis and this immediately attracts neutrophils. After the first release of cytokine there is a continuous supply of mediators for wound healing process. These are affected by the environment of the wound and signals such as the PAR signalling. PAR activation is important in duration of the inflammation response and the healing process. Question 4: internal parasites that affect horses  Horse Internal Parasites Methods of Control Strongyles (Bloodworms) Deworming, Clean stalls Large Roundworms (Parascaris equorum) Clean stalls Tapeworms (Anoplocephala perfoliata) Deworming, Pasture rotation Bots (Gasterophilus intestinalis) Pasture rotation, deworming Question 5; New Vaccine leaflet Question seven Role if microorganisms in the internal and external environment of the horse The external environment of an animal affects its internal environment. A poor housing with non-controlled air movement is likely to affect the immunity and exposure of the animal to diseases (Micoud et al., 2015, p.89). Diseases are transmitted by contact, air-borne and through microorganisms. Insects biting horses could also pose risks to the health of the animal. The waste management of animals if poorly handled will cause transmission pathogenic microorganisms. This is usually from the external environment to the internal and causing a disease such as brucellosis. For example, Effective MicroOrganisms (EM) Equine Bran is a completely ordinary feed addition for horses and it is produced by fermenting wheat fiber with EM only, molasses and water which boosts the horses’ immune system when given to them, keeping them fit, healthy and give them a wonderful glossy coats. (Emsustains.co.uk, 2015) Generally there are six types of these micro-orgasms basing on their functionality, they include Cellulolytic bacteria, these ones are responsible for the digestion of fibre. The second most important bacteria is the proteolytic bacteria which helps in the breakdown of protein. The other bacteria among the six not to be forgotten are the Protozoa which helps to produce volatile fatty acids. The fifth and second last in the list is the Yeast/ Fungi which help in breaking down fibre. The remaining group of bacteria usually helps to produce B- vitamins. The bran is fermented with EM (Effective MicroOrganisms), which include lactic acid bacteria and yeasts to make a product called symbiotica.  The Product (Symbiotica) is a mixture of both prebiotics and probiotic compounds.  These probiotics contain more than one property, which includes working as good bacteria that stimulate the activity of the internal microflora in the intestines.  The prebiotics are nutrient fibres which support the growth of these good bacteria. The lactic acid bacteria assist with the breakdown of food fibres, aiding digestion. The yeasts present will then produce Vitamin B and other substances which will improve the microbial fermentation and absorption of fibres in the horses gut. Finally, EM also reduces hoof ailments by improving the quality of the stable litter. References Henderson, B. (2012). Equine Health and Emergency Management. Cengage Learning. Print Micoud, N., McKnight, G., & Mauchlen, H. (2015). Scoping study on the equine industry in Scotland. 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