Equine Connection - University of Minnesota College of Veterinary ...

2013Equine ConnectionUniversity of Minnesota Equine CenterAdvancing the health, well-being, and performance of the horseIn this issue of Equine ConnectionHealth & Well-Being: A New Approach to Back PainCare & Treatment: Navicular SyndromeAround the Equine Center: Dudley Barn Resource HerdDriven to Discover: Valberg in Research Hall of Fame

Equine ConnectionUniversity of MinnesotaEquine Center2013ContentsFrom the Director 2Health & Well-BeingAn Integrated Approach to Back Pain 3Care & TreatmentUnderstanding and ManagingNavicular Syndrome 5Driven to DiscoverStephanie Valberg Inducted intoEquine Research Hall of Fame 8Box Elder Trees Linked to SeasonalPasture Myopathy 9Around the Equine CenterDudley Barn Resource Herd HelpsWith Education and Outreach 10Events 11On the coverDr. Stephanie Valberg demonstrates partof a neurologic exam during the PiperClinic Trainer Series. Photo by SadieLuetmerFor more information about theUniversity of Minnesota Equine Center,call 612-624-7414 or visitwww.cvm.umn.edu/umecDirectorStephanie Valberg, D.V.M., Ph.D.Community liaisonKelly VallandinghamContributing writers and photographersSadie LuetmerKelly VallandinghamKami VickermanFROM THE DIRECTORHorses open new doorsfor educationTo our delight, six ever-so-patient horseshoused in the Dudley barn located justbehind the Leatherdale Equine Center arebringing new possibilities for educating veterinarystudents, undergraduates, horse owners, and children. The horses were selected for theirtemperament from backgrounds as diverse as horse rescues to research trials.Mr. Perfect, seen with me in the photo above, is the leader of the pack and keeps theherd in order!What have we achieved with our crew? Experienced equine students who missed theirhorses back home got their horse fix through grooming, feeding, and clean up after thehorses. They in turn, worked with veterinary and undergraduate students unfamiliar withhorses to help them get horse experience. Our experienced students also enthusiasticallyworked with Kelly Vallandingham to get each horse working under saddle.Many exciting opportunities have followed. The herd has become the foundation forGopher Adventures Horsemanship Camp. For the month of July, children ages 9 to15 divide their day between the Equine Center and the St. Paul Gym. To see thesegentle horses being led by the tiniest of kids (or vice versa) is truly heartwarming. Apartnership with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has evolved, which capitalizes ona horse’s power to heal and to teach people more about themselves. Programs offeredthrough the Arboretum help disadvantaged children deal with challenges throughinteractive sessions with horses. The herd will also be used by EAGALA, a nonprofitassociation for professionals using equine therapy to address mental health and humandevelopment needs, for certification training in equine-assisted growth and learningpsychotherapy. Constant care and riding by undergraduate students keeps our horsescalm and interactive with people with varying horse experience.This year, the Equine Center offered a new online course, Introduction to the Horse,through the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Population MedicineDepartment. Over the fall and spring semesters, 50 undergraduate students worked withour herd in interactive laboratory sessions. Students learned about equine breeds, basicnutrition, health and behavior, and horsemanship. More online courses are to come!We also offered Introduction to Horseback Riding on campus for the first time. Anamazingly diverse group of 40 students have taken this class. Students came from as faraway as China, with majors ranging from mortuary sciences to economics! Our herdwas also active with first-year veterinary students who developed confidence in horsehandling and performing physical examinations on such a well-behaved group of horses.A passion for horses is unmistakable at the Equine Center! While our faculty membersare teaching students about horses, our horses are teaching humans to deal with life’sups and downs. You can’t beat that!Editing and designSue KirchoffPublished by the University of Minnesota EquineCenter. Copyright 2013.The University of Minnesota is an equalopportunityeducator and employer.Stephanie Valberg, D.V.M., Ph.D., Diplomate ACVIMDirector, University of Minnesota Equine Center

HEALTH & WELL-BEINGwhich can occur with a fall, can result inunstable vertebral joints. The musculaturesurrounding and supporting the spine mustcompensate to stabilize the spine, whichproduces painful muscular spasms. Withsevere arthritis of the vertebral facets,adjacent vertebrae may fuse, leading todecreased back mobility. Clinical signsseen in horses with vertebral facet jointarthritis may include lameness, abnormalgait, a stiff-looking or short-strided trot,difficult downward gait transitions (e.g.canter to trot), and reluctance goingdownhill or jumping. Diagnosis is madeusing a combination of radiography,ultrasonography, and/or a bone scan.Successful treatment of vertebral facetjoint arthritis involves rehabilitation anddevelopment of proper muscle supportfor the spine. Other treatment options thatmay be used in addition to rehabilitationinclude non-steroidal anti-inflammatorymedications, ultrasound-guided vertebralfacet injections, methocarbamol, and rest.Prognosis depends on a number of factors,including the extent and severity of thearthritis as well as the intended use of thehorse. Dressage horses tend to be moresuccessful in return to work than jumpersor three-day eventers since these horsesrequire different types of movement intheir spine.4. Spondylosis. Spondylosis is adegenerative condition affecting thevertebrae. It usually affects older horses.It is caused by mechanical stress on thearea, which results in reduced mobilityof the spine and, in the end stages ofdisease, complete fusion of the vertebrae.Clinical signs include generalized stiffnessand reluctance to work. Spondylosisoccurs more commonly in eventers andjumpers and also in working draft horsesthat endure large amounts of force ontheir backs while carrying heavy loads.Treatment relies on non-steroidal antiinflammatorymedications alone; there isno surgical technique that can stabilizethe spine of these horses. Prognosis for anathletic career is guarded, because there isno way to reverse the disease process andfusion of vertebrae.5. Sacroiliac disease. Sacroiliacdisease affects one or more of the bones,ligaments, muscles, and joints (sacroiliacand lumbosacral joints) of the sacroiliacA veterinary student practices back manipulationtechniques on one of the college’s teaching horses.region. There are generally three typesof injury in the sacroiliac region thatcan lead to sacroiliac disease. The mostcommon cause of sacroiliac disease isdamage to soft tissue and ligaments; thiscan occur from muscle weakness, fatiguefrom improper training, overuse, orrepetitive stress injuries. Profound traumaof the ligaments, such as with a fall, canalso lead to sacroiliac disease. The leastcommon cause of sacroiliac disease issacroiliac joint problems.Clinical signs of sacroiliac disease mayinclude shortened stride length in oneor both hind limbs, asymmetry of thehind end, difficulty in downward gaittransitions, or reluctance to go downhill.Signs are usually best seen during thecanter. A lameness exam and localanesthetic blocks might help localizepain to the sacroiliac area. The imagingmodality that can give you the bestindication of degeneration or damageto the sacroiliac reagion is a bone scan,because ultrasound and radiographs areoften not able to penetrate the necessarystructures. Treatment of sacroiliac diseaseoften involves stall rest, non-steroidal antiinflammatorymedications, and intensiverehabilitation to rebuild musculature.Prognosis depends on the cause, extent,and severity of injury.When putting horses back in work thathave had back soreness, it is essentialthat they work with proper posture andcarriage. The way a horse moves and usesits body has a direct impact on its back. Ahorse can initiate movement in differentways that are more or less efficient andput more or less strain on the back.For example, if a horse uses its neck orhead and "falls on the forehand," it isn'tutilizing the powerful hindquarter musclesas much. This type of motion is inefficientand fails to build core strength critical fora healthy back. If a horse is engaged anduses its hindquarters to initiate motion,it is moving in a more efficient manner.Engagement of the hindquarter musclesin motion and the resulting efficientmovement is important because it meansthat the horse is conserving energy,building core strength, and reducing wearand tear on the body. This is even moreimportant when we add the weight of asaddle and rider onto the horse's back.The horse must be trained to carry itselfand the rider in a way that lifts its backagainst this weight. Training young horsesin a "long and low" position facilitatesthe lifting of the back, which makes iteasier for the horse to active their coremuscles. A neck that stretches forwardand down, while avoiding curling thenose inwards, adds further stretch to theback. Training a horse in this way buildsits neck, abdominals, and sublumbar coremuscles, all of which are responsible forlifting the back and stabilizing the spine.Horses ridden with a high head carriageand hollowed back or horses with a longand low head carriage but with a bracedback are not activating their core musclesor lifting their back. The reason the horse'score muscles must be strengthened, likewhen training in a long and low position,is because these muscles must stabilize thepelvis and spine sufficiently to transmitthe forces generated by the powerfulhindquarter muscles during engagement.Team approachDiagnosing and treating back problemsinvolves a team approach at the Universityof Minnesota Piper Clinic in order toachieve the most optimal outcome. Theveterinarians, chiropractor, farrier, riders,and trainers must all work together. Ifyour horse is experiencing back pain, thefirst thing to do is get the best and mostaccurate diagnosis possible. Ruling outall other potential causes of back painand achieving an accurate diagnosismeans that the best and most appropriatetreatment for your horse's particulardiagnosis, as well as a realistic prognosis,can be determined.4

CONSTRUCTION CARE & TREATMENT UPDATEUnderstanding and managing navicular syndromeBy Kami VickermanNavicular syndrome is one ofthe most common causes offorelimb lameness in horses. It’sa chronic, progressive disorder, startingwith mild discomfort. Over time, pain inthe back (caudal) heel region of the footworsens, and lameness becomes moreprominent. Though frequently referred toas “navicular disease,” veterinarians nowknow that navicular lameness is not trulya single “disease,” but rather a widelyvarying “syndrome” with many causes andassociated anatomic changes.For a horse owner, navicular can be afrightening diagnosis to receive fromyour veterinarian. Once your horse hasit, it’s there to stay, and his or her abilityto perform comfortably seems suddenlyand permanently thrown into question.But veterinarians like Dr. Mary Boyceand Dr. Nicolas Ernst at the Universityof Minnesota Equine Center are workinghard to better understand navicularsyndrome, and management techniquesare improving. Understanding the anatomyof the navicular region and the impact ofexercise can help you be smart about hoofcare and keep your horse comfortable.Navicular anatomyThe navicular apparatus includes thenavicular bone, navicular ligaments,navicular bursa, and the deep digital flexortendon (DDFT). Any one or more of theseboney and soft-tissue structures may beaffected in navicular syndrome.The navicular bone is located just behindthe coffin bone within the hoof capsule. Itfunctions as a pivot point for the DDFT,which runs down the back of the leg,changing angles as it stretches over thenavicular bone before inserting on thecoffin bone. The DDFT allows the horseto flex its hoof when lifting its leg andprevents the toe from flipping upwardswhen the leg bears weight. The navicularbursa is a fluid-filled synovial sac thatcushions and provides a gliding surfacefor the DDFT where it passes over thenavicular bone. Two navicular ligaments,Dr. Nicolas Ernst palpates a horse’s coffin joint during a lameness work-up.5

CARE & TREATMENTThis radiograph shows the correct angle for thepastern bone and foot.the impar and distal sesamoideanligaments, support the navicular bone.The coffin joint, located between thecoffin bone and the second pastern bone,is very close to the navicular bursa—which is important to remember whenconsidering treatment options.Causes and risk factorsThe exact cause of navicular syndromeis unknown. There are clear breedpredispositions associated with itsdevelopment, with conformation andbiomechanical forces on the navicularapparatus clearly playing a role.The way structures in the lower limband hoof are affected by weight andconcussion vary depending on the shapeand angles of the horse’s pastern andfoot. Alignment of the pastern and coffinbones is affected by a horse’s naturalconformation and by poor hoof care orshoeing techniques.As a horse supports its weight, the DDFTis stretched and exerts pressure on thenavicular bone. Abnormal hoof balanceor conformation, such as long toes, lowor under-run heels, and broken backhoof-pastern angles cause increasedpressure on the navicular bone andcan lead to navicular syndrome. Thelonger a horse’s toe, the more pressureis placed on the navicular bone. Largehorses with disproportionately small feetare at increased risk, and trauma to theThis radiograph shows a broken angle from thepastern to the foot.heel region may also lead to navicularsyndrome.Navicular syndrome occurs mostcommonly in quarter horses,thoroughbreds, and warmbloods aged4-15 years. It remains relatively rarein Arabians, ponies, and other smallerhorses.DiagnosisSuspecting navicular syndrome isrelatively easy, but determining thenature and severity of each individualcase requires a more thorough diagnosticprocess.Detection often begins with theobservation of typical symptoms such asmild front-limb lameness. Since navicularsyndrome is frequently bilateral, horsesare often short-strided in both front limbswith a short, choppy gait. Lamenesstypically worsens on a circle or on hardground. In an effort to protect painfulheels, the horse may seem to “point” itstoes when standing, and in motion layits feet in a toe-to-heel progression. Asthe frog is anatomically positioned overthe navicular structures, the applicationof hoof testers across the frog willlikely produce a pain response. Coffinjoint effusion (swelling) may be seenand can be palpated above the coronetband. Depending on how the syndromehas progressed, individual horses maydisplay any combination of these commonsymptoms.An initial lameness exam might highlighttypical symptoms and reveal whichlimb(s) are lame, but nerve and jointblocks are used to localize pain to a morespecific region of the limb. In a horse withnavicular syndrome, low nerve blocks canconfirm that the pain is located in the heelregion of the hoof.Imaging of the foot is used to detect whichstructures in the navicular apparatus arediseased. MRIs or radiographs (X-rays)may be used, though comparativelylower costs and greater conveniencemakes radiographs the most commonchoice. Radiographs of a navicularhorse serve two purposes. In addition toshowing whether there are bone changesas a result of the syndrome, they allowassessment of the hoof-pastern angle andcan be referenced when making shoeingand trimming decisions for treatment.In addition to standard views, specificnavicular view radiographs should betaken to properly display the navicularbone and allow accurate diagnosis.MRI, considered the “gold standard” infoot imaging, offers a three-dimensionalview and visualization of very specificareas of both bone and soft-tissueanatomy. MRI provides the most accurateprognosis, as it allows a veterinarianto assess all elements of the navicularapparatus. However, MRI is significantlymore expensive and may require generalanesthesia.Treatment and management:It’s all about the angles!The mainstay of navicular treatment iscorrective trimming and shoeing. It’scritical to return the foot to a more normalbalance and biomechanical function sothat stress on the navicular structuresis reduced. This diminishes pain andslows the progression of the syndrome.With corrective trimming and shoeing,veterinarian and farrier aim to correcthoof-pastern angles, support the heel, andimprove the horse’s breakover.Shortening a horse’s toe and elevatingthe heel aligns the bones of the foot andaids in the correction of the hoof-pastern6

CARE & TREATMENTangle. A lateral radiograph (direct profileof the lower forelimb and hoof) will allowa veterinarian and farrier to accuratelyevaluate the hoof-pastern angle andmake decisions regarding such correctivetechniques. Often a wedge pad or shoe isrequired to adequately raise and supportthe heel of the horse, particularly if thesole of the horse’s foot is too thin.Breakover is the point at which a horse’stoe lifts off the ground when taking a step.Horses with long toes have a delayedbreakover, putting increased pressure onthe navicular apparatus; think of a humanwalking in scuba flippers! Trimming backthe toes, setting the shoe farther back onthe foot, and using a “beveled” shoe witha rounded front edge are all techniquesused to increase the ease of breakover.After diagnosis, most horses are placed ona specific hoof-care regime and prescribeda short course of anti-inflammatories. Aperiod of stall rest may be recommendedto allow time for adjustment to correctiveshoeing and the reduction of painfulinflammation in the foot. This regimenis generally used for a series of shoeingcycles, and is often enough to result innoticeable improvement.If the horse remains lame followingsuch treatment, corticosteroid injectionscan be added. Injections, however,will not “fix” the syndrome. Whilecorrective shoeing and alignment canreduce stress and pressure on parts ofthe navicular apparatus, injections actonly to temporarily reduce inflammationand discomfort. The corticosteroids canbe injected into the coffin joint and/or the navicular bursa, but treatment ofthe coffin joint is much more common.Injecting into the navicular bursa isa notably more complex and riskyprocedure, and studies have shownthat corticosteroids can be found in thenavicular bursa six hours after a coffinjoint injection. While the two structuresdo not directly communicate, they areclose enough for the injected material todiffuse, making the simpler coffin jointinjection a much more desirable treatmentoption.Under the guidance of Drs. Troy Trumble and Nicolas Ernst, fourth-year veterinary students evaluate thecollege’s teaching horses for lameness issues, including navicular syndrome.With advanced stages of navicularsyndrome, more extreme methodsof treatment may be considered. Aneurectomy, for example, involves cuttingand removing a section of the palmardigital nerve, intended to permanentlydesensitize the back of the horse’s foot.However, this procedure may only proveeffective for one to two years and canyield complications such as painfulswelling at the nerve ends, frequent soleabscesses, damage to vessels, and regrowthof the nerves. This procedureshould be considered very carefully.Alternative treatment options fornavicular syndrome include acupuncture,shockwave, or radical surgeries. Fewor no studies exist on these treatments,and some are associated with high ratesof complication and are not generallyrecommended.What can you do?Navicular syndrome can be a scary andoverwhelming diagnosis, but there’s a lotyou can do to be prepared and manageyour horse’s comfort. Start by being awareof your horse’s level of risk, taking intoaccount breed and hoof conformation.Familiarize yourself with your horse’sanatomy, and how he or she bears weight.Consult a qualified veterinarian and farrierto ensure that the angles in your horse’sfeet are being properly supported andmaintained. If your horse shows front limblameness, don’t wait to get it checkedout and be smart about which diagnostictools, such as radiographs, will help youand your vet make an accurate assessment.With proactive care and management, yourhorse’s comfort and career may extend farinto the future.Neuroaxonal dystrophy/equine degenerativemyeloencephalopathyIt’s quite a mouthful, but if your horsehas ataxia and other clinical signscompatible with wobbler’s disease,it’s important to consider neuroaxonaldystrophy (NAD) as another possiblediagnosis. The diseases share asimilar age of onset, occur in allbreeds of horses, and are associatedwith similar neurologic deficits.Dr. Carrie Finno is conductingresearch on these diseases and can bereached at finn0100@umn.edu. Formore information about neuroaxonaldystrophy, visitwww.cvm.umn.edu/umec/END/.7

DRIVEN TO DISCOVERStephanie Valberg inducted into Equine ResearchHall of FameDr. Stephanie Valberg, director of theUniversity of Minnesota Equine Center,was inductedinto theUniversityof KentuckyEquineResearch Hallof Fame inSeptember2012.Established bythe Universityof KentuckyGluck EquineResearchFoundation,the EquineGary Carpenter, industry outreachand liasion director withthe Equine Science programat Colorado State University,inducts Dr. Stephanie Valberginto the Equine Research Hallof Fame.Research Hall of Fame is the highesthonor for a lifetime of contribution to thebody of knowledge in equine research. Fora scientist to have merited such distinctionis a great tribute to their work. The workof the Hall of Fame members spansseveral disciplines and covers nearly 100years of scientific investigation in all partsof the world. Valberg was the first womanto receive the honor.muscle disorders in horses. Through herresearch, previously unknown muscledisorders were discovered, their geneticbasis identified, and nutritional strategiesdeveloped to minimize muscle pain.Valberg established the University'sNeuromuscular Diagnostic Laboratory,which receives muscle biopsy submissionsfrom horses around the world. Themuscle samples formed the foundation foridentifying novel myopathies, includingglycogen branching enzyme deficiencyand polysaccharide storage myopathy.Working with Dr. Jim Mickelson, afellow faculty member at the Collegeof Veterinary Medicine, she identifiedthe genetic basis for these diseases anddeveloped commercially available genetictests.Her work led her to other key insightsinto muscle diseases such as recurrentexertional rhabdomyolysis, immunemediatedmyositis, and atypical myopathy.Valberg developed the first low-starch,high-fat feed for horses, which hasbecome a staple in the treatment ofexertional rhabdomyolysis or “tying up,” acondition characterized by skeletal muscledegeneration with light exercise. She wasalso a member of the team that sequencedthe equine genome and identified thegenetic basis for overo lethal whitesyndrome, a condition in which newbornfoals die because of a nonfunctioningcolon.Valberg has trained more than 44 internsand residents and 13 graduate students andpost-doctoral fellows, many of whom arecontinuing her passion for equine research.She has over 125 research publicationsand, through more than 250 nationaland international presentations, broughtawareness of new methods to diagnoseand treat muscle disorders to veterinariansand horse owners."I am honored to be among suchdistinguished scientists in the Hall ofFame," Valberg says. "My research hasbeen fueled by a passion for horses, bythe wisdom of colleagues such as Dr. JimMickelson, and by the hard work of terrificgraduate students."Born in 1958 in Kingston, Ontario,Canada, Valberg was an avid horsewomanfrom an early age. She completed a degreein veterinary medicine at the OntarioVeterinary College at the Universityof Guelph in 1983, and was awarded aPhD in equine exercise physiology fromthe Swedish University of AgriculturalSciences in 1986. After postdoctoraltraining in muscle disorders at theUniversity of California, Davis, shecompleted a residency and became boardcertified in large animal internal medicinein 1991. In 1993, she joined the Universityof Minnesota College of VeterinaryMedicine, where she became directorof the University of Minnesota EquineCenter in 2003.Valberg has been a pioneer in unravelingthe mystery of “tying up” and otherValberg recognized byAAEP and MVMAThe Equine Research Hall of Famehonor wasn’t the only recognitionDr. Stephanie Valberg received thispast year. On December 3, she deliveredthe American Association of EquinePractitioners (AAEP) Frank J. Milne Stateof-the-ArtLecture, becoming the first femalepractitioner selected for the honor. Presentedduring the AAEP's 58th Annual Conventionin Anaheim, Calif., "Muscling In on theCause of Tying Up" reviewed muscle formDr. Stephanie Valberg accepts theOutstanding Faculty Award from Dr. JohnBaillie, president of the MVMA.and function and discussed the management of exertional muscle disorders. Atthe Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) Conference on February8, Valberg was honored with the Outstanding Faculty Award, an award given toa University of Minnesota faculty member who has provided outstanding serviceto Minnesota veterinarians, given time and talent to the veterinary profession, andbeen a dedicated contributor to organized veterinary medicine.8

The culprit: the seeds ofthe box elder treeDRIVEN TO DISCOVERBox elder trees linked to seasonal pasture myopathyAteam of researchers ledby Dr. Stephanie Valbergfrom the University ofMinnesota recently discoveredthat a toxin called hypoglcyinA found in seeds of the boxelder tree is the likely cause of adeadly disease, seasonal pasturemyopathy. Horses with seasonalpasture myopathy suddenlydevelop muscular weakness,trembling, and stiffness, laydown, and are reluctant to rise,which is often mistaken as colic.In most cases, however, horsesdie within three days of showingsigns. The research implicatingbox elder trees was publishedrecently in the Equine VeterinaryJournal. Preliminary comparisonsindicate that a similar Europeanmuscle disease, known as atypicalmyopathy, is linked to a relatedtree, the European sycamoremaple.Seasonal pasture myopathyaffects horses in the MidwesternUnited States and Canada, andthe European equivalent is becomingincreasingly frequent in Britain andNorthern Europe. Outbreaks of bothdiseases tend to be seasonal, with mostcases occurring in the autumn. Horsesthat developthe disease areusually kept insparse woodedpastures and areoften not fed anysupplementaryhay or feedbecause theyseem to be ingood flesh andthe grass is stillgreen. The research identified that seedsfrom box elder trees were consistentlypresent in the autumn pastures of allhorses enrolled in the study. Subsequently,Dr. Adrian Hegeman in the Department ofHorticulture found the toxic amino acidhypoglycin A in the seeds. Hypoglycin Ablocks the enzyme step in fat metabolismthat is impaired in horses with seasonalpasture myopathy. Hypoglycin metaboliteswere identified in the serum or urine of allaffected horses, demonstrating that horsesate the toxic seeds.“This is a really important step forwards,”says Professor Celia Marr, editor of theEquine Veterinary Journal. “We don’tyet know for sure that the cause of theNature features equine researchDrs. Jim Mickelson,Molly McCue, andJessica Petersenwere amongthe authors of"Mutations inDMRT3 AffectLocomotionin Horses andEuropean disease, atypicalmyopathy, is the same asseasonal pasture myopathy inthe U.S. But the clinical signsand metabolic aberrations areidentical, and both conditionshave a high fatality rate. Itremains to be seen whether thisresearch will help Europeanhorses, but there is no doubtthat it will allow Americanhorse owners to prevent thisdevastating condition affectingtheir horses with immediateeffect.”Valberg has establishedcollaborative links with groupsin Europe to investigatewhether a similar toxin isinvolved in European atypicalmyopathy. Working withProfessor Vince Gerber and Dr.Lucia Unger at the Universityof Bern, Valberg has obtainedseeds from a tree related tothe box elder found on manypastures where atypicalmyopathy has occurred. Thesolution to the cause of both musclediseases now seems to be in hand.If you have box elder trees on your horsepastures, make sure horses get plenty ofhay when pastures are sparse, shortentheir time on these pastures in the fall,and consider moving pastures during themonths of October and November. Younghorses and horses new to these pasturesare at highest risk.Spinal Circuit Function in Mice," apaper published in Nature on August30, 2012—and featured on the cover.The paper detailed the discovery of anaturally occurring genetic mutationin the domestic horse that likely altersthe transmission of nerve signals in thespinal cord, affecting the horse’s gait.9

AROUND THE EQUINE CENTERDudley barn resource herd helps witheducation and outreachThe Leatherdale Equine Centerhas developed an education andoutreach program using a resourceherd of six horses that live in the Dudleybarn behind the Piper Clinic. The horsescome from varied backgrounds, includingdonations from Equine Center employees,subjects from research studies, andrescue cases from the Minnesota HoovedAnimal Rescue Foundation. The mostrecent additions to the resource herd arethree University of Minnesota PoliceDepartment (UMPD) mounted policehorses, Louie, Casey, and Redford. Whenthe UMPD mounted unit disbanded earlythis year, the Equine Center adoptedtheir three equine members, who are nowhappy participants in the new program.University of Minnesota undergraduatesand veterinary students are excitedabout this new opportunity to immersethemselves in equine care. The programfocuses on providing opportunities fora community of students to developskills and confidence handling, caringfor, and in some cases, riding horses.Community liaison Kelly Vallandinghamcoordinates the students that provide carefor the resource herd. Students with moreexperience are able to get their horse fixand mentor those who are new to thehorse world.The resource herd is also used for equineassistedtherapy taught by outside partnersduring weekend events in the NutrenaConference Center and BarenscheerArena. Partnerships with the MinnesotaLandscape Arboretum and EAGALA(Equine Assisted Growth and Learning)offer opportunities for the community toengage in equine-assisted learning andequine-assisted therapy.Introduction to the Horse: Care, Handling,and Recognizing Behaviors, a new onlineundergraduate course offered throughthe Veterinary Population MedicineDepartment, is in its second semester. Theresource herd is an integral part of threeKelly Vallandingham, left, in a “class photo” with students and Jealousy, one of the horses in the DudleyBarn resource herd.required labs where students observe,handle, and learn from the horses at theEquine Center.The Equine Center also offer a horsebackridingcourse. In Introduction toHorseback Riding, undergraduate studentslearn basic handling and grooming skills,how to tack up a horse before riding,and introductory mounted walk-trotskills. Students are encouraged to focuson improving their physical ability andA new addition to the resource herdIn July 2012, the Equine Center welcomed a pintomare named Elderberry from the Minnesota HoovedAnimal Rescue Foundation. Elderberry was seizedfrom Lowell Friday’s farm in East Bethel last year,along with 17 other malnourished horses. After somerecovery time at Hooved Animal Rescue, she joinedthe Equine Center for training and participation ineducation and outreach programs. Elderberry has avery sweet disposition, and is happy and willing abouther new job.self awareness, as well as developing awell-rounded sense of communicationand consideration for the non-verbalpartnership required in riding.“We are so grateful for all of the supportprovided by the College of VeterinaryMedicine, donors, and the equinecommunity,” Vallandingham says. “Horsesand students are very happy in this newprogram!”Elderberry10

EventsAROUND THE EQUINE CENTERPolo ClassicOn August 12, 2012, the 23rd annual Twin City Polo Classicwas held at the Twin City Polo Club field in Independence,Minnesota. The Leatherdale Equine Center was the charityof choice for the second year in a row. The crowds enjoyed arousing game of polo, an exhibition of Cindy Piper’s huntinghounds, and a competitive hat contest. Hercules, the EquineCenter’s resident blood donor and local celebrity, made anunforgettable appearance, for the first time under saddle! Markyour calendar for another exciting Polo Classic on August 4,2013. For more information about the Polo Classic, visithttp://thepoloclassic.com/.Horsemanship & Vet Careers Camp2012 proved to be another fantastic year for horse camps at theEquine Center. The Horsemanship camp shared informationabout many aspects of horse care, including introductoryhandling groundwork and everyone’s favorite activity, grooming!The Vet Careers Camp provided hands-on experience checkingvital signs and trying out wrapping techniques. Camp begins inJuly this year. For more information and to register, visithttp://recsports.umn.edu/youth/kidsu.html.Trainer’s ChallengeFor the fifth year in a row, the Equine Center was home to theHooved Animal Rescue Trainer’s Challenge. Each trainer isgiven a rescue horse for 90 days of training and preparation. Thechallenge culminates at the August event, where trainers competeto show off their hard work. To finish the day, the newly trainedhorses are auctioned off to permanent homes. The Equine Centerwill be hosting this event again this year. For more informationabout this year’s challenge, visitwww.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org.Yves Sauvignon ClinicOn November 10-11, 2012, the Equine Center hosted a showjumping clinic by internationally renowned eventing coach YvesSauvignon. The clinic focused on bending lines and gymnasticwork to improve the jumping ability of both the rider andthe horse. With a large new set of jumps now available in theBarenscheer Arena, the Equine Center hopes to host many morejumping clinics in the future.Upcoming eventsDanise Grice Jumping ClinicMay 4-5, 2013EAGALA Level 1 TrainingJuly 26-28, 2013Kids’ University CampsJuly-August 2, 2013Learn more at www.recsports.umn.edu/youth/kidsu.Polo ClassicAugust 11, 2013Learn more at http://thepoloclassic.com.Trainer’s ChallengeAugust 17, 2013Learn more at www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org.David Lichman - Master Parelli Horsemanship TrainingAugust 23-25, 201311

Host your next eventat theLeatherdale Equine Center’sBarenscheer ArenaandNutrena Conference CenterThe University of Minnesota EquineCenter offers a great event space with theBarenscheer Arena and Nutrena ConferenceCenter. For best availability, reserve your eventspace now. Contact cvmumec@umn.edu or612-624-7414 for more information.Visit the University of Minnesota Equine Centeron the Web at www.cvm.umn.edu/umec