AQHA MAGAZINE May / June 2020 AQHA May-June YB 2020 WEB LR | Page 51

PG.49
Although insoluble oxalate and calcium deficiency (calciumoxalate)
is the major problem, soluble oxalates can also
cause problems – when they dissolve and become free in the
stomach they can form tight bonds with any calcium in the
diet – including pasture, roughage, hard feed or inorganic
calcium supplements. They can also be absorbed into the
blood, where they can bind to the calcium in the blood
forming calcium-oxalate crystals. This prevents the body
cells from being able to take up calcium from the blood –
and the crystals precipitate in the urine and lead to kidney
failure. Although this is a more common problem in cattle it
does occur in horses.
Inorganic calcium is included in Jenquine Bone Formula
Forte® to reduce the amount of free soluble oxalates in the
stomach and blood. Organic calcium provides a source of
absorbable calcium to replenish dietary calcium and support
bone calcium levels.
Calsorb Forte® has a similar formulation to Bone
Formula Forte®. Ideal for horses at pasture where handfeeding
is not required, these self-administering lick blocks
provide organic and inorganic calcium in the paddock, yard
and stable. Also providing salt, they are well-suited to use
as a mineral block in the feed bin and yard. A diet with a
persistent imbalance of calcium and phosphorus causes
generalised osteoporosis (and sometimes ‘bighead’). It has
been described in horses on pasture or stabled and at any
age. It has been reported in unweaned foals, stabled horses,
breeding horses, riding horses, pleasure horses, military
horses, working ponies, racehorses and grazing horses. Cases
occur in Australia, Canada, Ethiopia, Hawaii, Hong Kong,
Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Philippines,
South Africa, Spain, Thailand and the United States.
It can happen on grain, bran and pasture diets and with some
anti-ulcer medications.
Every situation is different - some horses have been grazing
at-risk pastures for years and some for months; some are
at pasture 24 hours a day and some for a few hours. Some
pastures are a mix of oxalate and non-oxalate grasses and
the amounts vary with the season and weather. Depending
on the degree of skeletal demineralisation, some horses have
severe generalised osteoporosis with clinical signs, others
have mild, subclinical osteoporosis which is often difficult
to diagnose and the signs depend on the level of activity
(tendon and ligament problems are more common in working
and competition horses), age (developmental orthopaedic
problems are found in younger horses) and reproductive
status (pregnancy and lactation tetany occur in breeding
mares). Because of different histories and risk factors
between individual horses and properties, a combination of
calcium supplementation may be best in some situations.
We have recently produced a booklet that describes
our products and the science behind them. It provides
information on the role of correct nutrition in the
prevention and management of many common equine
conditions. We have a range of resources on our webpage
www.jenquine.com and you can contact us on 0419 121
314 to speak with Yvette Montgomery, Kristie Morris
or Jen Stewart. Yvette’s online EquiDirectory (www.
equidirectory.com.au) is a valuable reference with a horse
business directory, marketplace, articles and an App. Kristie
Morris was smitten by horses early in life, going on to work
with the Walker family of Marena Stud for over 18 years,
completing a certificate 4 in equine nursing at TAFE under
the guidance of Dr Derek Major and recently completing a
diploma of agriculture, majoring in animal nutrition through
the University of New England, NSW.
www.jenquine.com
MAY/JUNE ISSUE ~ YEARBOOK 2020