Find out what our experts suggest! What are the causes for the development of musculoskeletal disorders in young horses?

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1 HORSE WORLD M A G A Z I N E 01 GET THE LATEST NEWS ON THE HORSE WORLD THAT WILL ENSURE YOUR ANIMAL S WELL-BEING AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. What are the causes for the development of musculoskeletal disorders in young horses? Would you like to get your debilitated horses back into shape after an illness or operation? Find out what our experts suggest!

2 Racing and performance Alto rendimento atletico Dear Rider, Perhaps you are wondering what the magazine in your hands is all about. This is the first issue of our magazine to keep you constantly up-to-date with the developments in the horse world. In every number you will discover how to keep your horse in tip-top health, prevent illnesses and types of malformations and bring out the very best in its performance. The topic of this first copy is a widely experienced one: the development of orthopaedic and muscular disorders linked to nutritional deficiencies. More than twenty years of experience have propelled us to being leaders in the field of supplements and we now want to share all our expertise with you through this gift. Enjoy your reading! Equiplanet The magazine features The main musculoskeletal system disorders that develop in horses. (List of the main orthopaedic and muscular pathologies) The nutritional deficiencies that contribute to the development of disorders in the musculoskeletal system. (Are the rations that you give your horse enough to provide it with various nutrients?) The products allowing you to supplement your horse s diet that, along with prope stress management, will prevent bone malformations and muscular pathologies while optimising its performance. (Find out our experts advice!) 2

3 HORSE WORLD M A G A Z I N E WHAT ARE THE MAIN DISORDERS OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM? In recent years abnormalities in the development of the horse musculoskeletal system have become increasingly frequent, particularly in breeds that are selected for competitions. In addition to genetic and environmental factors, the very management of the rations for broodmares and foals plays a fundamental role in the development of these malformations. Let s start by trying to understand what we mean by disorders in the musculoskeletal system. The term developmental anomaly takes into consideration a set of general disorders affecting the development and growth of the musculoskeletal system. The English define it as DOD (Developmental Orthopaedic Diseases)* including pathologies such as : 1. Epiphysitis Enlargement of the bone growth plate due to abnormal endochondral ossification of the metaphyseal cartilage. 2. Angular limb deviation It is due to different factors, such as: joint laxity, defective endochondral ossification, asynchronous longitudinal bone growth, traumatic dislocation, carpal bone fractures, fetal malposition in the uterus, improper hoof balance, excessive physical activity and contralatereral limb lameness (Adams, 1990). 3. OCD (Osteochondritis dissecans) Damage to the joint cartilage with bone cysts or bone fragments or joint cartilage. 4. Flexural limb deformities These might be congenital (usually they are not permanent) and they are usually attributed to the abnormal position of the foal in the uterus, to genetic mutations or infections such as equine influenza and the ingestion of Astragalus by pregnant mares (Adams, 1990); or acquired, affecting the flexor digitorum profundus or the flexor digitorum superficialis. 5. Wobbler disease Thickening of the discs of the cervical vertebrae that compress the marrow leading to consequent lack of coordination (ataxia). 6. White muscle disease of foals Nutritional myopathy caused by deficiencies in antioxidants such as selenium or vitamin E; frequently seen in 2-week-old foals. The causes of these diseases have various factors; the predisposing factors do however seem to be similar. In the equine population, the percentage of horses affected by these disorders is between 10% and 25% and the lesions are not always easy to detect. (Lewis, 1996) * Developmental Orthopaedic Diseases 3

4 Racing and performance Alto rendimento atletico TOGETHER WITH IMPROPER MANAGEMENT OF THE ANIMAL, WHICH NUTRITION DEFICIENCIES CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE DISEASES? Improper management of the horse and an unbalanced diet contribute to the impairment of the bone and ligament system. From the nutritional point of view, it is fundamental to assess the needs for proteins, mineral salts and vitamins. Proteins We often give horses rations that are rich and abundant in calories but low in proteins. It therefore happens that nutriment with cereals and hay alone without any supplement lead to the development of DOD (Developmental Orthopaedic Diseases). Furthermore, not only do rations need to contain a suitable amount of protein but they must also be of high biological value. Vitamins and mineral salts High levels of vitamins, especially vitamin E, as well as mineral salts such as selenium help the broodmare fertility by preventing a number of diseases of the muscular apparatus such as, for example, the white muscle disease in foals. This nutritional myopathy is caused by a deficiency of antioxidants such as selenium or vitamin E and is observed, above all, in two-week-old foals most likely born from broodmares fed in areas with low concentration of selenium. It is therefore essential to supplement the diet with selenium since, in many areas, the soil lacks this element, which is difficult to absorb by plants. What are high biological value proteins? The biological value is a parameter for the assessment of foodstuffs based on the type of protein they contain. This depends on the composition of the protein in aminoacids and its digestibility and it is defined as the ratio between the nitrogen (N) retained and the nitrogen absorbed and used net of losses through the urine, faeces and skin etc. Other minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, copper, zinc and manganese and vitamin D are essential for the development of the skeletal system and reduce the risk of developing orthopaedic pathologies such as, for example, osteochondrosis and epiphysitis. A high biological value protein is therefore assimilated by the organism efficiently and without waste, allowing the growing foal to optimise the protein synthesis and lower the risk of DOD. Balanced rations and correct management of the horse physical stress are fundamental in helping to prevent DOD. 4

5 HORSE WORLD M A G A Z I N E ABOUT US Thanks to the Equiplanet line presented here, over the years Tecnozoo has been making a name for itself in the world of Made in Italy. The entire design and production phases are carried out at our headquarters in Piombino Dese in the province of Padua. Equiplanet is a trademark of the Tecnozoo company under which the company markets a full range of mineral and complementary feeds intended for the athletic horse, at every stage of its growth and racing career. Thanks to an efficient work team consisting of nutritionist experts and technicians in the sector, as well as to the quality of its products Equiplanet has managed to rapidly stand out in the Italian and foreign markets. The products are developed to promptly meet the nutritional needs of athletic horses, which are called upon to provide ever better performances. This implies an increasingly well targeted and careful feed management, which can deeply affect the career and health of the horse. In addition to all the main QUALITY and HEALTH certifications, Tecnozoo has a GMP+ certification: this is an international certification that confirms the high quality standards of the SUPPLEMENT AND SUPPLEMENTARY FEED PRODUCTION PROCESSES, thus making TECNOZOO one of the best ITALIAN SUPPLEMENT SUPPLIERS. The well-being of the horse is close to Equiplanet heart and our products are formulated precisely to keep it in tip-top physical and athletic condition. The products developed for the French market bear the LCH (Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques) logo with the aim of controlling and guaranteeing the absence of prohibited substances as far as possible. 5

6 Racing and performance Alto rendimento atletico WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT US... Ruggieri Alessia Owner: Giovanni Nobile Horse: Leon Del Castello, Overall Italian Champion - Mipaaf breeder s circuit We use OSTEO FOAL for foals raised at our stud while, as a protein complement feed, we include a daily supplement of MAC BREED. Equiplanet technicians always advise us on the right diet for the horses in the hope that one day my dream of taking a horse to the Olympic games comes true. Giovanni Nobile - RAGUSA 6

7 HORSE WORLD M A G A Z I N E OUR EXPERTS TIPS... MAC BREED Its particular composition and the use of selected raw materials make MAC BREED the ideal feed to accompany the foal through all its stages of growth and the broodmare over the various physiological phases during the year. The product is also outstanding for debilitated horses whose athletic efficiency is compromised. MAC BREED should be administered together with cereals and hay. Provides 20 grams of L-Lysine per kg of product Provides high biological value proteins Also recommended for debilitated horses OSTEOFOAL Osteo Foal based on vitamin, mineral and aminoacid supplement that meets the needs of the growing foal permitting the harmonic development of muscles and bones, minimizing the risk of developing disorders such as epiphysitis and osteochondrosis. It is recommended for pregnant broodmares starting from the last three months of pregnancy. Robust and harmonic development of the growing foal Recommended for pregnant and lactating broodmares Calcium and minerals for old horses For competition horses, the product is permitted and is not classed as doping. 7

8 Racing and performance Alto rendimento atletico Discover our full range of products, that together with good physical management of the animal helps to PREVENT DISORDERS OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM Not always the rations you give your broodmares and your young athletes of the future satisfy their need for high biological value proteins, vitamins and mineral salts. Equiplanet guarantees your horse a balanced nutrition that will bring the best out of its performance. Problem Product Advantages Protein and mineral deficiency in the rations with consequent development of musculoskeletal system disorders. EQUIPLANET by Tecnozoo Equine Performance Nutrition HEADQUARTERS AND PLANT Via Piave Torreselle di Piombino Dese (PD) - ITALY Inquiries? Contact imane@tecnozoo.it Mobile Phone MAC BREED OSTEOFOAL Provides proteins with high biological value; Source of Selenium, vit. E, Lysine, Calcium and phosphorous. Improves the physical conditions of the horses that are run down following an illness and operations. Helps the recovery of optimum weight in horses subject to considerable stress Guarantees harmonious and robust development of the bone structure. Meets the nutritional needs of the growing foal Reduces the risk of developing disorders such as epiphysitis and osteochrondrosis. Call now!! For any expert advices of the most suitable nutritional needs for your horses! All rights reserved for Tecnozoo. Every right regarding the content of the magazine is reserved pursuant to current laws. The full or partial reproduction, publication and distribution of all the original material in this magazine are strictly prohibited unless authorised in writing.