Turkmen Horse Holiday 2012 by Kerri-Jo Stewart

In this special edition some of the special guests talk about their experiences, including Francine Anderson (Canadian Jockey riding in the International Race), Dr. Guillermo Lockhart (Akhal-Teke Uruguay judging the Endurance Race), Pio Olascoaga (Pio Endurance, endurance race participant), Michèle van Kasteren (Asman Teke Stud, jumping judge), Petra Marešová (Farm Achalteke Tukleky, halter judge), Jean de Bannes (Akhal-Teke France president, halter judge and speaker), Kätlin Leisson & Kaido Puusepp (Akhal-Teke Est, founding ATHA members), and of course Kerri-Jo’s comments about her amazing experiences during the celebrations along with some gorgeous photos!

So far she has 102 backers who pledged $13,318; so close to her goal of $15,000!!! Just a small donation and she’ll be off to film a great documentary about our amazing wild horses on Sable Island.

If you haven’t already, check out Rae-Anne’s Kickstart for her documentary, Stable Island:

“The connections I have developed from my project are amazing. I feel so grateful to receive the support I have so far. It is truly beautiful to have others share my dream. I always wanted to work in a field where I could create positive change. Sable Island has a beauty too fragile for all to explore and a history too extraordinary to be hidden.” – Rae-Anne, Horse Journals

Visit StableIsland.com and share the dream!

Clay Webster of Performance Horses Inc. did reining clinics. (Note: Clay trained my horse Abu Dhan in the mid ’90s and Dhanny and I went on to come top 5 in North America for Sweepstakes Competitive Trail. Dhanny was a very reactive horse and I would come off him a lot. He would not just bolt but buck and spin as well. Clay taught me to sit the spin and keep him going on it as well. Both Dhanny and I greatly benefited from his training!)

Jenny Sherbo of Jenny Sherbo Performance Horses, was the first female trainer in the Trainers Challenge and did a great job! It was so nice to see her there and we’ll keep cheering her on!

The Dan’s, Dan Steers and Dan James, of Double Dan Horsemanship in Australia, put on clinics and gave some really fun performances. We hope you spend more time in Canada!

Jonathan Field, Jonathan Field Horsemanship, was there again with his practical horsemanship and great horsesense. He put on clinics and did demonstrations as well. One thing I love about his demonstrations is that they are not so much about the show and impressing people but about the horses. Jonathan donated a set of his CD’s to the Turkmen Horse Breeding and Consulting Cooperative in Jargalan, Iran!! Thanks so much!

Niki Flundra of Cowgirlin Up gave trick riding clinics and put on some great performances.

Because we had our booth there I didn’t get to see everyone, but what I did see was great. It was a fun event and there was also many breeds exhibited as well for everyone to admire. See you there next year!!

Visit Kerri-Jo Stewart at the Mane Event Chilliwack 2012, October 19th – 21st at the Argamak Photography booth. She will have an artwork display and you can check out her books, including Shooting Gold:

Shooting Gold by Kerri-Jo Stewart | Make your own book

A complete schedule of the Mane Event can now be found at www.maneeventexpo.com

This trip was my third to Turkmenistan and the second time I was lucky enough to celebrate their “Day of the Horse”, the holiday of the Turkmen racer. The Turkmen Atlary were our gracious hosts and showed off their amazing horses in many different competitions, including halter contests, jumping, endurance and of course horse racing.

Blog Posts:

1. the initial selection for the halter competition
2. at the races in Ashgabat, trackside
3. the endurance race
4. the art competition
5. jumping
6. visiting horse farms
7. around Ashgabat
8. the halter contest finals
9. the horse races!

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Check out my full set of photos on Flickr

The breed originated when Louise Firouz sought out ponies for children to ride. She selected the small horses as foundation animals from various herds and locations around Northern Iran with the physical attributes she was looking for. Eventually she started a breeding program and called these horses Caspians because of their original locations near the Caspian Sea.

Because of the phenotype of the Caspian they were thought to be descendents of the original small horses in the area who are depicted on historical artifacts and drawings from the time of King Darius, the Persian ruler from 586 to 522 BC. Many believe Caspians to be ancestral to other breeds of horses. It is nice to believe that this new breed is actually directly descended from the foundation stock of the Persian Empire and have managed to remain relatively unaltered genetically.

So why are the Caspian horses different and how did they retain their genetic identity for over two thousand years while they mixed freely throughout various herds in Iran? The answer may be that they are not a breed at all, but rather a group defined by a genetic abnormality creating small horses from regular sized horses. This idea is supported by the work of Dr. Ardeshir Nejati of the University of Tehran,a genomic researcher looking at various native Iranian breeds.

Horse breeds can generally be classified as a set of individuals with distinct qualities and who produce similar offspring having the same distinct qualities. Inbreeding is consistently defined as an inbreeding coefficient (IBC) of 0.0333 (3.33%) or higher (a 3-3 match). The acceptable cutoff for inbreeding tends to be 0.0667 (6.67%). Linebreeding would be an IBC between 0.018 (1.8%) and 0.0333 (3.33%). Less than 0.018 (1.8%) is considered outbreeding, or a Hybrid.

In the paper, “Molecular Marker Genotypes and Measuring their Relationship with Caspian Horses”, they found that extreme heterozygosity existed between the Caspian horses tested, with an inbreeding coefficient of -0.0634 (-6.34%). These numbers indicate that Caspian horses can in fact be considered hybrids, meaning they have a great genetic variance. So even though they look similar (phenotype) they are actually genetically diverse, which makes sense as they were originally collected because of a similar phenotype but from distinct herds throughout the region.

Further research may indicate that the phenotypic similarities actually come from a set of genes that cause miniaturization. This is distinct from dwarfism and may be unique to this group of horses. It has been speculated that cross breeding throughout the region could have spread the genetics between the groups.

The good news is that the hybridization is beneficial for a population, usually accompanied with both health and performance benefits. Also of interest is that it should be possible to segregate the genes and create small versions of any horse breed. But despite their genetic background, the Caspian horse is becoming more popular as a child’s mount, which is the original purpose tfor which Louise Firouz sought them out.





Research is continuing and I will update this information as I get it! Kerri-Jo Stewart, MSc

Forage is a staple in any horse’s diet, and the best sources are natural grasses and hay. But if your horse has special needs, here are 8 alternatives for consideration.

by Kerri-Jo Stewart, BPE, MSc
as published in Equine Wellness, Vol 7, issue 1; Jan/Feb 2012

Horses rely on a fairly continuous source of forage as their sustenance. In fact, at least 50% of their diet needs to consist of forage. Natural grasses and legumes can fill all the nutritional requirements for horses, and the fiber is needed to maintain a healthy digestive system. Hay is the common alternative when natural forage is unavailable. Unfortunately, good quality hay is not always easy to find, which means forage substitutes may be required.

The most difficult challenge with a forage substitute is to ensure adequate fiber and roughage. It appears there’s a relationship between behavioral issues and the time a horse spends chewing. Usually, the first problem to develop is wood chewing; tail chewing is also not uncommon. It’s believed that a certain amount of saliva production is necessary to act as a buffer in the hindgut. Reduced saliva production from decreased chewing time means digestive tract functionality is compromised.
Here are eight possible alternatives to feeding hay, along with their pros and cons.

1. Hay cubes

Hay is forage that is cut, sun cured and baled. For hay cubes, the forage can be either sun cured or dehydrated. Typically using timothy, alfalfa, or a combination of both, the forage is cut at an early stage of maturity and only partially dried in the field before being shipped to the processing plant and dehydrated. Then, instead of baling, it is coarsely chopped, mixed with a binder, compressed and set into a form. Different manufacturers use different supplements and binders which are listed on the label. Types and amounts of protein, minerals, molasses and oils all vary between brands, as does the caloric content. Check for the mixture that best matches your feeding needs.
There are some noted advantages to feeding the cubes over hay1. The processed cubes have lower moisture content, less mold and spores, and stay better longer, retaining their nutritional profile. They are easier to store and can generate less waste than hay. The nutritional profile is more uniform and the values are displayed on each bag. They can also be easier for older horses to chew, and may be more digestible. Soaking the cubes for easier chewing or for highly sensitive animals is also simpler than soaking hay, and may result in less dust and mold. For horses on special regulated feeding programs, it’s easier to monitor how much has been consumed with pellets or cubes than it is with hay.

On the downside, cubes are more expensive than hay because of processing costs, and horses finish them faster so spend less time chewing. It’s suggested that an appropriate type of hay is fed along with the cubes to prolong the feeding (a half to one pound daily). Also, you can’t see the purity of the feed because everything is ground together and looks the same. While some horses don’t like the texture of cubes, others may wolf them down, which means those predisposed to choke or digestive problems should have their food soaked. Because cubes are in a compact form, you need to guard against overconsumption.

In several research studies at Rutgers, Ralston reports good results from using hay cubes as the sole source of fiber2. Although they found an increased incidence of wood chewing in every study, Russell and Johnson3 reported that cubes made from coarsely chopped hay appeared to eliminate wood chewing.

Care needs to be taken when switching over from hay to a cubed feed. As with any change of feeding regime, it needs to be done slowly over time. In general, the cubed feed can be fed in the same amounts as hay, based on weight. Start by gradually adding the new feed in, and eventually feed up to 75% to 80% cubes over hay by weight5.

2. Hay pellets

Pellets go through the same manufacturing process as cubes, but they also go through a more intense grinding process. Again, different manufacturers use different mixes, binders and supplements as detailed on the labels. However, because of the smaller particle size of pellets, they have not been found to maintain a healthy digestive system. Pellets have also been linked to behavioral issues such as wood chewing and tail biting2 as well as increased searching and non-restful behavior6. A minimal recommendation is to feed 1% of the horse’s body weight per day with hay; however, that may not be sufficient. Pellets are not recommended as a complete forage substitute6.

3. Haylage

When creating haylage, forages are harvested at moisture levels between 45% to 70%, then stored in a container such as a plastic bag. The exclusion of air and the resulting low pH is required for preserving high-moisture forage. However, the risk of spoilage and toxic development during fermentation is very high for horses. Horses that are going to be fed haylage should be vaccinated against botulism2. Many people have used haylage to feed their horses, but how many fatalities there have been isn’t known. Research is also lacking about the effects of feeding a highly acidic feed to horses.

When haylage is exposed to air for feeding, it needs to be quickly consumed and should be monitored to ensure there is no mold or spore development3. Moving bales must be done carefully, as any tears or holes in the bag will cause a secondary fermentation and spoilage. Haylage should be used very cautiously if it is needed as a forage replacement. Also, because of the high moisture content, more haylage needs to be fed on a per weight basis than compared to hay.

4. Beet pulp

Beet pulp is a very digestible source of fiber. Because of the high fiber content it is considered a long-stemmed forage substitute. It is a popular supplement because of its low sugar content, high calcium and moderate protein levels (8%). In general, one pound of beet pulp is fed for every one-and-a-half pounds of hay that it replaces.

When used as a hay substitute, beet pulp shouldn’t make up more than 40% of the total forage. That’s because it doesn’t provide the long-stemmed forage component required for gut health. The traditional form has to be soaked, but the new pelleted form doesn’t. Up to ten pounds (dry weight) of beet pulp can be fed to an average mature horse, but he will also need a balanced vitamin/mineral supplement since beet pulp doesn’t contain vitamins. Some horses will also require additional protein.

5. Bran

Although wheat bran is often fed as a fiber supplement, it is not beneficial to horses, especially in large quantities over long periods of time. Bran has an inverted calcium to phosphorous ratio that can cause imbalances, as well as debilitating problems from the high phosphorous content. Rice bran has also been promoted as a source of fiber and energy (fat) for horses. However, rice bran has an even higher concentration of phosphorous than wheat bran. Neither rice nor wheat bran are recommended as a forage substitute2.

6. Chaff

Chopped hay and straw is known as chaff. Chaff can provide indigestible fiber essential in maintaining digestive tract health. It may also be used as something the horse can chew for an extended period of time. The quality of chaff can often be a concern, so it is important to check that it’s not contaminated with any molds or other substances that could be toxic to horses.

7. Complete feeds

Concentrates are sold as “complete feed” and some are labeled as a complete forage substitute. They can contain a mixture of hays, grains, beet pulp, and vitamin and mineral supplements, and are developed around various standard nutritional profiles (i.e., growth, maintenance, performance, broodmare). However, complete feeds don’t have the required fiber to maintain a horse’s health. It’s better to use them as a supplement to forage, not as a complete replacement.

8. Straw

Straw is the stalks remaining after harvesting a grain crop. It contains very little nutritional value but can be a good source of fiber. Straw may satiate a horse’s desire to chew when he is restricted from adequate sources of long-stemmed forage or sufficient fiber. Straw is not a source of nutrition.

Summary

The only true forage substitute for hay is hay cubes. The best hay cubes for supplementation are the ones with long-stem fiber of at least an inch in length. Pelleted feed, beet pulp and complete feed can be great nutritional products but don’t replace the long-stemmed fiber required for intestinal health. Straw can be added as a fiber source if no hay is available.

The increased consumption of dense, higher energy forage substitutes over hay can be a benefit or a drawback depending on the type of feeding requirements your horse has. Overweight horses on a restricted diet need sufficient nutrients. Processed feeds with nutrient details on the labels make it easier to manage and monitor nutrient intake.

At the other end of the scale, hard keepers are more likely to consume more feed overall with cubes or pellets (up to 25% more over hay3), and better maintain their weight. An animal unable to maintain a healthy body condition can be having dental or other problems to do with his ability to intake feed (pituitary problems, pain, or herd competition7), all of which should be looked into. Soaked hay cubes, beet pulp and/or complete feed can add needed nutrition in an easier to consume form.

References
1. Kentucky Equine Research, Inc, “Nutrition and Convenience in Cube Form”, Equinews, vol.9:2, www.ker.com/library/equinews/v9n2/v9n203.pdf.
2. Ralston, SL, Wright, B., Forage Substitutes For Horses, Government of Ontario, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 2008, www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/05-055.htm.
3. Russell, Mark A., Department of Animal Sciences and Johnson, Keith D., Department of Agronomy, Cooperative Extension Service, Purdue University, Selecting Quality Hay for Horses, http://www.agry.p­urdue.edu/ext/forages/publications/ID-190.htm
4. Coleman, RJ, Lawrence, LM, Henning, JC., Alfalfa Cubes for Horses, University of Kentucky, www.uky.edu/Ag/AnimalSciences/pubs/id145.pdf.
5. Johnson, Debra, “Feeding horses hay cubes”, http://horsehints.org/HayCubes.html.
6. Elia, JB, Erb HN, Houpt, K., “Motivation for hay: effects of a pelleted diet on behavior and physiology of horses”, Physiol Behav. 2010 Dec 2;101(5):623-7.
7. Jarvis, NG. Nutrition of the Aged Horse. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice
Volume 25, Issue 1 , Pages 155-166, April 2009
8. Kentucky Equine Research Center: Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 27, 2011

by Kerri-Jo Stewart, BPE, MSc
as published in Equine Wellness, Vol 7, issue 3; May/Jun 2012

Although free feeding is considered best for horses, it is not always beneficial (or easy to do) in captive situations. Many people feed their horses three times a day, including hay, complete feed and/or grain. Although some horses eat slowly and others only eat what they need, many will eat their portions quickly and continuously until they are gone. Then they have to wait for the next feeding.

Forage, naturally

One problem is that we feed hay, which is concentrated grass, or have lush pastures, and our horses don’t have to move around much to obtain their food. In the wild, a horse may eat for 16 to 20 hours a day, grazing on sparse natural pasture, and travel an average of 12 miles in order to find adequate food. The purpose of slow feeders is to try to feed horses at a similar rate to wild foraging.

Slow feeding is called “restricted feeding” versus “free feeding”. Feed intake is limited by speed, not quantity. Horses can only take small bites, but the food is available at all times. In general, since the horse is meant to have a constant supply of small quantities of food travelling through the gut, the idea of slow feeding makes sense.

Touring the digestive tract

The equine stomach holds around four gallons. This is actually a small size for such a large animal and limits the amount of food a horse can eat at one time. There is a continuous production of acid in the stomach, and chewing creates saliva, which provides a protective coating. It is thought that without a continuous supply of saliva, stomach ulcers can become common.

The food then goes into the foregut or small intestine, which is 50’ to 70’ long and holds around 10 to 12 gallons of food and water. Almost all the protein digestion is done here, as well as around 50% to 70% of simple carbohydrate digestion. The nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. The primary mode of digestion here is enzymatic — enzymes break down proteins and carbohydrates, making them available for absorption. Food and water travel though the foregut in a matter of hours.

The hindgut of the horse is where digestion occurs, primarily through microbial fermentation. The first part of this system is the cecum, which is a sack about 4’ long and holds around seven to eight gallons. Then things move along to the large colon, which is around 10’ to 12’ long and holds up to 20 gallons. This is where fiber is broken down by fermentation into nutrients the horse can absorb. Impaction colic can occur here, especially when food isn’t constantly available.

The opposite problem of having too much food available at once also creates dramatic problems in the hindgut. Large grain meals cause a hindgut acidosis as the microbes increase the rate of fermentation. The increased acidity can damage the cellular walls and result in a leakage into the bloodstream.

The small colon is about 10’ to 12’ long and can contain around five gallons of now digested food and fluids. For the hindgut to work properly and remain intact (untwisted or un-kinked), the gut needs a constant supply of fiber and water. This will keep fermentation going consistently, effectively keeping the hindgut weighted and healthy and, as a result, preventing conditions that can contribute to colic.

Selecting or creating your slow feeder

There are numerous types of slow feeders being used and developed, and many people are creating their own as well. The basic idea is to make the horse work to get the food and thus not permit large mouthfuls of food. Small mesh nets are made so that horses can eat naturally close to the ground (preventing certain respiratory problems that can occur when horses eat with their heads elevated). The mesh needs to be small enough so the horses can’t get caught up on the nets. People use all kinds of netting, including hockey nets or commercially available purpose-made netting arrangements.

There are also hard grates as well as mobile hard feeders made specifically for dispensing either grain or hay. A hard mesh is placed over the hay, making the horse work at getting the feed so he is only able to eat small mouthfuls. There are even grain dispensers shaped like balls that only dispense food a couple of pellets at a time as the horse moves it around.

Ensure the feeder is safe, particularly if you create your own. Some people have reported their horses getting wounds on their noses from specific types of nets. Nets may also not be practical for shod horses. Others have noted that some types of metal gridding can cause damage to horses’ teeth. Also, ensure that any feeders are not able to splinter or break. Do your research before buying or constructing the right slow feeder for your horse’s needs, then monitor him with the feeder to ensure it is safe.

In the wild a horse may eat for 16 to 20 hours a day, grazing on sparse natural pasture, and travel an average of 12 miles in order to find adequate food.
Large grain meals cause a hindgut acidosis as the microbes increase the rate of fermentation. The increased acidity can damage the cellular walls and result in a leakage into the blood stream.

I was lucky to visit a few stud farms on my visit and have photos from them as well. However, the weather was so dark and wet that the photos aren’t great. At two of the stud farms we were invited in, one for a full meal. We sat on the floor around the food with the lamb cooking over the fire at the end. It was definitely the best lamb I’ve ever eaten and one of the coolest meals ever.

The official opening of the Ahal Velayat Hippodrome was on Sunday and we watched the races there.

Blog Posts:

1. A Studfarm in Turkmenistan
2. Another Studfarm in the Mountains
3. Independence Day Parade
4. Opening Day at the Ahal Velayat Hippodrome
5. notes from the International Akhal-Teke Horse meeting

Turkmenistan Celebrating 20 Years of Independence by Kerri-Jo Stewart

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Blog Posts:

1. Around Ashgabat on my First Day
    I. the city
    II. the neighbourhood
2. The Ashgabat Hippodrome and Equestrian Complex
    I. Jumper Stable
    II. The backstretch
3. The Art Competition, judging
4. Vladimir Bagdasarian’s studio
5. At the Bazaars!
6. The opening ceremonies of the “The Horse is the Winged Symbol of Revival”
    I. Waiting outside
    II. the Art Exhibit
    III. Speeches & Entertainment
7. The National Museum of Turkmenistan
    I. Exterior & the Changing of the Guards
    II. Inside the National Museum
8. Conference: The Turkmen Horse and the Art and Science of World Horse Breeding
9. The Beauty Contest:
    I. Horses being presented to the President
    II. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov
    III. Entertainment: Vaulting & Roman Riding
    IV. Contestants shown in halter
    V. Contestants shown with adornments
    VI. Contestants Under Saddle
    VII. the winner!
10. The Day of the Horse!
    I. Opening Ceremonies
    II. Entertainment: Roman Riding, jumping & circus horse
    III. the horse races!
    IV. The Ahal Velayat Equestrian Complex

Check out my full set of photos on Flickr and my book:

The Day of the Horse; A visit to Turkmenistan by Kerri-Jo Stewart