Producing these classes is truly a labor of love. The only thing more satisfying than helping horses through nutrition is sharing that knowledge with others. From basically healthy horses to those with documented health issues, proper nutrition can powerfully complement medical therapies in ways that nothing else can. In fact, for many common issues nutrition is not only the treatment of choice, it's the only treatment.
We have priced courses well below others out there, and are confident the information obtained will pay for itself many times over very quickly. However, many people are struggling to stay on top of their expenses and find budgeting for the courses difficult. For this reason, we periodically offer specials that make it affordable for more of you to join in.
2 for 1 Special
From now until early 2013, there is a 2 for 1 special on all full length and short courses. Register for one and you can take another course of the same length for no additional fee. You can also register for a course and give the second of the same or a different course to another person of your choice as a gift. The same offer holds for subscription to the e-zine The Horse's Mouth during this time period.
To take advantage of this offer, register for one course or the e-zine using the PayPal links to register using either a PayPal account or credit/debit card. In the box for instructions to seller, enter your choice of a second course or e-mail information for recipient of a gift of the second course or e-zine subscription.
If you do not see the box for instructions, send the information to us via the Feedback link, or just register for one course or magazine subscription and you will be automatically contacted for information regarding your second choice when we receive payment information from PayPal.
Please do not sign up for two courses or subscriptions at the same time and request a refund. We can do that but will have to deduct a small fee for the refund because we are charged one.
To further improve affordability, PayPal account owners have the option of a Bill Me Later choice which gives you six months financing.
We want everyone who wants and needs the information in these courses to have access. We'll work with you to make that happen.
Pergolide
Eleanor Kellon, VMD - 10/28/2011
Well, folks - the rumor is true. This is from a National
Institute of Health web site, posted yesterday:
It will take a while for the drug to make it to distributors and from there to the
vets.
The future of compounded pergolide from bulk is uncertain. Although the FDA has
taken the stand that compounding must be done from approved drugs, the legality
of that opinion has been questioned:
On the flip side, it would be nice to see stability data on the Prascend. There
are significant stability questions with the compounded products and our need
to use very high doses in some horses may be at least partially related to
that. Back in the days before Permax was pulled off the market, we did
encounter horses that were poorly controlled on the compounds but responded to
a lower dose of the Permax.
There's a lot to work through here. As always, input from our members/owners will
be invaluable.
The Afterglow - Thoughts on the No Laminitis Conference
Eleanor Kellon, VMD - 8/18/2011
The
Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance No Laminitis conference was truly
fabulous. It was the culmination of a process set in motion over 10 years ago
by an owner, Robin Siskel, who wanted to find more information and answers for
her mare with Cushing's Disease, Tina (Night Flight). The group has grown to
over 10,000 members.
The
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/
group has never been a “chat” group. The goal is, and always has been, to
collect clinical information, laboratory data on actual cases and to follow the
pertinent scientific literature. The focus has always been to help the horses.
We're not averse to trying different approaches, but never on the basis of marketing
claims alone.
The
success of the group is due to the dedication of the individual owners and to
the volunteer efforts of a core team who work tirelessly 24/7/365 to greet and
orient newcomers, keep conversations on topic, maintain files and web sites,
direct members through the mountain of information in our files and generally
keep the peace.
While
it's a labor of love, keeping things flowing smoothly on a list this large is
also very, very hard work. The support staff are all owners who have been
through the challenge of helping horses with these issues themselves. Both the
staff and many owners stay on the list to help “pay it forward” to the next
person needing help and information.
Having
a common dedication really unites people. You can grow quite close interacting
intensely over the years. That bond sprang to life over the conference weekend.
We smiled until our faces were cracking, and hugged enough to almost break
ribs.
The
conference itself went amazingly well, especially considering there were only a
few short months to pull it together. The committee did a wonderful job and we
had a good turnout. Attendees had a multitude of good questions and comments.
There was a lot of interaction and enthusiasm.
The
usual description is “A good time was had by all”. It doesn't come close.
will
include a monthly feature on veterinary research. I scan articles, newsletters,
etc. weekly looking for studies that have practical impact for horse owners.
That can be an exercise in frustration many times, but every now and then
something comes along that is really useful.
This
article in the Vet Learn Compendium: Continuing Education for Veterinarians is
a good example
It
focuses on impactions of the cecum, the first part of the large intestine, but
it applies to colic/pain in general and is particularly relevant to impactions.
The Behavioral Pain Scoring System on page 2, Table I is excellent. It's an
easy to do, objective way to grade pain that is not related to the pawing or
rolling we typically associate with colic. It would be a great thing to print,
laminate and hang in your barn.
The
article also reminds us of other useful facts, such as it is never normal for a
horse to have less than 3 bowel movements a day.
As
impactions are developing, it is common for the horse to continue to pass
manure since there is manure already present in the digestive tract in areas
behind the impaction. Therefore, seeing manure is no guarantee there is no
impaction. It is also important to monitor the amount passed and frequency of
movements.
Pain
and inactivity can contribute to changes in the motility of the bowel that may
predispose to impactions. Horses recovering from surgery, or on stall rest for
serious injuries, are at risk. The article recommends making sure pain control
is optimized to eliminate the potential effect of pain on gut motility. At the
same time, it recognizes that pain control could mask some signs of impending
impaction/colic.
The bottom line suggestion was to use the pain scale to
score all high risk horses on a daily basis. If pain score is suspicious and
heart rate over 48 or manure volume low, do a rectal exam to screen for early
problems. Sound advice.
The Horse's Mouth - Just the Facts
Eleanor Kellon, VMD - 6/28/2011
The
only horse publication where you, the reader, gets to direct the content. Each
month there will be 2 full length feature articles, one on a topic of interest
to all horse owners and trainers, the other focusing on a health, soundness or
performance issue. Interesting and informative case or farm/herd histories will
be included. Important news items will also be covered.
Instead
of the usual “letter to the editor” option, all subscribers will have immediate
access to a message board where they can post questions at any time, on any
topic, and be answered quickly. If a
question requires an in-depth answer, it will be turned into a feature article.
Subscribers may also suggest topics for articles and all subscribers will be
given the opportunity to express their interest in those suggestions to
determine which will appear first.
The goal at all times will be to
provide you with factual information to make horsekeeping more efficient,
successful and affordable, whether you have a backyard friend or a high
performance horse. No hype. No advertising. No conflicting interests.
