Is selenium deficiency involved in crib-biting?

Research suggests that changes in the concentration of selenium in the blood may play a role in crib-biting behaviour.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element, which acts as an antioxidant in cellular interactions. 

Research by Arash Omidi and colleagues at the School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran found an association between low serum selenium and crib-biting behaviour.

The study set out to find differences in blood samples taken from crib-biting and non-crib-biting (control) horses.  Researchers measured various parameters including mineral trace elements, electrolytes, and the activity of some enzymes and hormones. 

Ten crib-biting horses were enrolled in the study. They were housed singly in individual box stables in different premises around Shiraz. Ten healthy sex- and age-matched horses with no history of crib-biting were used as controls and maintained under similar housing conditions.

The research team collected blood samples from the crib-biting horses during a crib-biting session (which lasted at least 15 minutes with no gap greater than 2 minutes), and when the horses had not been crib-biting for at least 30 minutes. These samples were compared with those taken from the control horses. 

Researchers found that serum Se concentration was significantly lower in crib-biting horses than in controls. Lowest levels were seen during crib-biting behaviour, but levels remained low compared to controls even when the horses were not crib-biting. No other significant differences between crib-biting horses and controls were found. Zinc (Zn) levels tended to be lower than normal at rest in the crib-biters, but returned to normal during crib-biting behaviour.

The research is published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior. The authors conclude that alterations in serum levels of the essential trace element selenium, may play a role in the pathophysiology of crib-biting behaviour in horses. 

They suggest “Further research should now investigate the functional significance of these alterations, perhaps by studying the effects on crib-biting of dietary supplements of Se and Zn.”

For more details, see:

Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2018) 23, 10-14

Potential role for selenium in the pathophysiology of crib-biting behavior in horses

Arash Omidi, Reza Jafari, Saeed Nazifi, Matthew O.Parker

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.10.003

ISES 15th Annual Conference Guelph, Ontario, Canada

The 15th Annual International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) Conference, is being held at the University of Guelph, Canada’s largest agricultural university, on August 19-21, 2019.

This year’s theme,  “Bringing Science to the Stable”, highlights our past relationship with horses and examines where we are headed.

Speakers include:

• Dr. Sandra Olsen (Curator-in-Charge, Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum, University of Kansas) who will trace how our relationship with horses began. 
• Dr. Camie Heleski (Senior Lecturer, University of Kentucky) will describe the field of Equitation Science and what we have learned about horse-human relationships.
• Dr. Nic de Brauwere (Head of Welfare, Rehabilitation and Education, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, UK) will discuss how human behaviour change into the future can improve equine welfare. 
• Dr. Andrew McLean (Equine Science International, Australia) will present similarities and differences in the application of learning theory across species.   
• Dr. Jonaki Bhattacharyya, Ethnoecologist and Senior Researcher with Firelight Group) has spent time in the interior of British Columbia, observing the wild horses and their impact on the land and interactions with the indigenous peoples. She will highlight how modern research can fit into other ways of knowing and approaches to managing both wild and domestic horses.

Both conference registration and abstract submissions opened on January 18, 2019. 

Researchers in the field of equitation science are invited to submit an abstract of their research findings for consideration to present during the conference. Abstracts are due by April 1, 2019. 

All information regarding the conference, including links to conference registration, abstract submissions and accommodations can be found on the Horse Portal website:

https://thehorseportal.ca/ISES-2019/

Whole Body Vibration effect on hoof growth and paraspinal muscles

Vibration therapy has been gaining popularity in horses, claiming benefits such as improved circulation and lymphatic drainage, promoting healing, increasing hoof growth rate and increasing bone density.

In whole body vibration (WBV) therapy the body is subjected to low frequency vibrations. The horse stands on a plate which is set to vibrate, typically at a frequency of up to 50 times a second. 

Studies have investigated the value of whole-body vibration therapy in horses. So far, researchers have found that horses generally tolerate the treatment well and appear relaxed, but results have shown little evidence of physiological benefits.

Recent reports have described positive effects of WBV on hoof growth and cross-sectional area and symmetry of the multifidus muscle in the thoracolumbar spine.

One study¹, by Bart Tom Halsberghe, looked at the effect of WBV on hoof growth.

Ten horses were included in the study. They were treated with WBV for 30 min, twice daily, five days a week, for 60 days in addition to their regular exercise routine.   Halsberghe assessed hoof growth by measuring from the hairline down to a horizontal groove in both front feet. He took measurements at 30-day intervals, starting 30 days before the start of treatment (WBV) until 60 days after treatment finished.

He found a significant increase in hoof growth after 30 days WBV and after 60 days WB, although the increase occurred mainly during the first 30 days of treatment. There was no prolonged effect on hoof growth rate after the WBV treatment finished. x

A second study², using the same group of horses, looked at the effect of whole-body vibration on the cross-sectional area (CSA) and left to right symmetry of the multifidus muscles at four points along the lumbar spine. 

Halsberghe found a significant increase in multifidus muscle CSA at all points after 30 and 60 days of WBV. The multifidus muscles were also significantly more symmetrical. He also reports a statistically significant improvement in left-right symmetry of the multifidus muscles after 60 days of WBV treatment.

He concludes: “These results indicate that whole body vibration can be used as a non-invasive, safe and non labor-intensive therapeutic modality to accelerate hoof growth in the horse.” 

“WBV may be a valuable alternative to dynamic mobilisation exercises when an increase in size and improvement in left to right symmetry of the m. multifidus is sought.”

For more details, see:

1)   Effect of two months whole body vibration on hoof growth rate in the horse: A pilot study

Bart Tom Halsberghe 

Research in Veterinary Science (2018) 119, 37-42.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.05.010

2)   Whole body vibration affects the cross-sectional area and symmetry of the m. multifidus of the thoracolumbar spine in the horse.

Halsberghe, B.T., Gordon-Ross, P., Peterson, R.

Equine Veterinary Education (2017) Vol 29, pp 493-499 

https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.12630