b"For additional news items, see TheHorse.com/NewsCan a Supplement Help Delay Arthritis Onset in Young Horses?Researchers know that some nutritional solu- Escherichia coli-derived lipopolysaccharide (to tions, such as omega-3 fatty acids and glucos- induce inflammation) or sterile solution (to act as a amine, can help reduce osteoarthritis-associatedcontrol). Then, they collected and evaluated synovial inflammation. But what if there were a better wayfluid samples.to manage or even prevent the condition in youngThe team found that HIGH treatment horses had horses in the first place?lower plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of Amanda Bradbery, a graduate student in Texasarachidonic acida precursor for prostaglandins A&M Universitys Department of Animal Science,(inflammatory mediators) and an indication of joint and colleagues recently sought to determineinflammationthan did controls. LOW horses only whether dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)had reduced synovial fluid concentrations.could benefit horses with arthritis. The team found that LPS administration caused Articular cartilage is slow to regenerate follow- a noticeable elevation in heart and respiration rates ANNE M. EBERHARDT/THE HORSEing trauma or overloading of a joint, ultimatelyand temperatures (indicative of inflammation), but all leading to osteoarthritis in adulthood, Bradberyvalues remained within the normal range.said. Due to this slow repair process, we choseAlso, the team found that while CLA didnt reduce to focus our efforts on reducing inflammationinflammation in knees after challenge, synovial fluid and shifting cartilage metabolism in younganalysis suggested that CLA-fed yearlings experi-horses with the hope of delaying the onset ofenced less cartilage degradation than did controls, osteoarthritis. along with improved cartilage regeneration.The team randomly assigned 17 Quarter HorseWhen horses were exposed to an acute inflam-yearlings to one of three treatment groups, each receiving a supple- matory event, we did not see a significant reduction in joint inflam-ment totaling 1% of the diet top-dressed onto their daily commercialmation as hoped, Bradbery said. However, the observed reduction concentrate rations: either soybean oil (control diet, CON); soybean oilin articular cartilage degradation in supplemented horses alludes to and CLA (low diet, LOW); or CLA (high diet, HIGH).the potential of dietary CLA to improve joint health in young horses The yearlings consumed those rations for 41 days before the teamexposed to acute inflammation.challenged their knee cartilage with intra-articular injections of eitherRead more at TheHorse.com/160534.Kristen Janicki, MS, PASRESPE: Tracking Equine disease surveillance. They can send data andFurther, RESPE hosts samples through RESPE to partner laborato- trainings and events for Diseases in France ries for analysis.all audiences, as well as Depending on the disease, RESPE canscientific conferences.weva One of the French Equine Veterinary Asso-ciations (AVEF) responsibilities is monitoringissue real-time alerts and/or periodic reports,Les Rencontres du RESPE horse health and welfare. To do this AVEFwhich allow owners, horse keepers, andis a daylong Congress that takes place every collaborates with RESPERseau dEpidmioveterinarians to adopt biosecurity measurestwo years. The next one is scheduled for Nov. Surveillance en Pathologie Equine, the Frenchbased on their proximity to the outbreak and29 and will focus on pasture diseases, such epidemiological network for equine diseases.risk level for their horses.as atypical myopathy, equine grass sickness, One of RESPE's main missions is to moni- In case of a biosecurity crisis, RESPE canand other plant-based toxicities in horses.tor equine diseases in France and alert thetrigger a crisis unit that comprises profes- Learn more about RESPE at TheHorse.horse industry when a contagious diseasesionals and experts to allow appropriatebutcom/161191.outbreak occurs. More than 750 sentinelalso realistic and pragmaticsituationEric Richard, DVM, PhD, HDRveterinarians throughout the country conductmanagement. WEVA secretaryFeeding Practices at U.S. Equine Veterinary Hospitals Good or Bad Equine Welfare?Proper nutrition and a balanced diet are important components in keeping horsesIf theres one thing horse owners arent short on, its healthy. But nutrition becomes even more critical when a horses health is com- opinions. From feed types to horse housing and more, promised, such as when theyre hospitalized during serious illness or after surgery.equestrians know what they believe and why. This even ex-Recent study results suggest some clinics might not be placing enough emphasistends to horse welfare, researchers found. Katrina Merkies, on nutrition. I was surprised at the number of equine veterinary hospitals that didPhD, of the University of Guelph, in Canada, and colleagues not have specific nutritional protocols in place for conditions such as laminitis, colic,asked industry professionals to consider scenarios in which tying-up, etc., said Jo-Anne Murray, PhD, MSc, PgDip, PgCert, BSc (Hons), BHSII,a horses welfare might (or might not) be compromised. RNutr, PFHEA, of the University of Glasgow, in Scotland. Of the 24 U.S. facilities thatRespondents agreed most about scenarios suggesting a responded to Murrays survey, 79% reported taking rehabilitative status and healthhorse might be in pain, but there was significant discrep-condition/surgery into consideration when deciding feed types, but 21% reportedlyancy on scenarios in which social and emotional needs fed all patients the same diet. The team believes further work is needed to evaluatemight be compromised. Peoples responses seemed to more hospitals feeding practices and better understand veterinarian perspectives onvary based on their experiences, she said, which indicates equine nutrition.that welfare assessment is subjective and highlights the need for objective and reliable evaluation tools.TheHorse.com | The HorseNovember 201811"