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-- Zhang River Annals“

When people of old cultivated themselves and conquered their minds, they shared the Way with others. When they undertook tasks and accomplished works, they shared the achievement with others. When the Way was accomplished and achievement revealed, they shared the fame with others. That is why nothing in the Way is not clear, no accomplishment is not consummated, no fame is not glorious.” -- Zen and the Art of Leadership

East Coast Equine takes great strides in treating even the most difficult health problems in horses. There is no task too small for us.A word from Dr. Amy Hayek of East Coast Equine:Recently I have been seeing a lot of horses for both ulcers and choke. Four cases of choke in the past week! This also is environmental pollution at work.

Environment
While horses tend to down-regulate their metabolism in the fall, thus decreasing output of acetylcholine, which drives normal gut motility, this fall seems to be seeing a lot more that are being compromised by the change in season. I fear this is the result of the fire soot biochemist Linsey McLean (founder of Vita Royal) has been predicting. Displacement of iodine by environmental toxins and dysfunction of the thyroid play into this. I have been seeing these cases both earlier in the season, and in greater number.

Anatomy
In addition to G.I. impactions, including choke and sand colic, I am also seeing more horses developing heaves. It is difficult for owners to understand that neurotransmitters are responsible for this, not just some bacteria or "allergy". While I don't have the space to explain, Linsey already has on her website that allergies are the improper work of the immune system. The immune system is regulated by neural function, including hormones, spinal cord and brain function. Tied into these are the endocrine system, the adrenals and all the other glands in the body. The G.I. tract is FILLED with lymphatic glands, the adrenals, kidneys and reproductive system and all are dependent upon these glandular cells to function correctly. And all these glands require the proper hormone signals, which come from the brain mostly, and also are dependent upon normal smooth muscle function in the G.I. tract to excrete and drain and fill correctly.

How is choke associated with thyroid dysfunction? The thyroid is closely associated with the tongue and hyoid apparatus. Irritation to this area basically delays both swallowing and impedes breathing. The thicker the bolus of food, the more delayed breathing between bites becomes. In human studies, anything more than 5 ml (cc) of clear water delayed breathing time and thus delayed return to normal breathing pattern. When the bolus became a thicker consistency, the delay in breathing (apnea) increased; this is what causes delay in swallow function and thus choke.

Hormones
So, if the G.I. tract is not MOVING right (through smooth muscle contractions), then the glandular system is not filling and emptying correctly, resulting in the immune system becoming damaged.

Those of you having increasing difficulty managing your damaged horses may want to beware that hormone function is compromised by the environment. Hormones require a balance, as no single hormone is likely to be the sole blame for metabolic/repro/ etc. issues. However, regulating them can be done by regulating things like body temperature (at higher temperatures, lymphatics flow easier with less effort for instance, like butter that isn’t kept in the fridge). Body temperature can be raised by making sure the thyroid is working, or by adding thyroid to get better response from the rest of the system; this becomes the driving force, and allows the other hormone systems to come closer to normal.

It is difficult to change some environmental influences, like change in season, or air quality; however, by paying careful attention to the animal, you can make appropriate dietary changes in a timely manner to counteract some of the effects.