tipptoez
09-27-2004, 01:04 AM
As just a horse owner and not a farrier I wasn't sure where to post this, but I think it is important.
As a little background, I have a degree in Animal Behavior and one in Medical Technology and have had my research published. I have done behavioral research for the Minnesota Zoo and the University of Minnesota as well as medical research on platelet immunology for the University of Minnesota.
The dissemination of information is very important. If the research doesn't get to those who can implement it then it is never going to do any good. In this case I think the cushings info needs to get to the farrier community in general and also to us average horse owners. My mom's mare based on breed and conformation is a classic for being either insuling resistant or a cushings horse. We have been told by numerous people based on her body type she is a founder case waiting to happen, but no one can say why, how or what to do to prevent this. Luckily through the boards here I have come across the information that may just help to diagnose and prevent Jelly from going downhill.
Patty, This is an article that you can and should write. Use foot notes to identify material from those researchers that have already published. That way the reader can find the orginal research if they so wish. For many people the manditory format for technical research publications and the terminology used is confusing and reveals no practical applications to the reader. Your common sense everyday approach to explaining this information which is enhanced by your experience and understanding in applying these techniques in your own practice makes it much easier for others to understand and see how to apply it to individuals in their own practices.
Scientific information is often broken down and reprinted in this way to get the hard science out to those who will eventually use it. If you are uncomforable about this, get approval from those whose techniques you use and make sure to give proper credit and contact information for those individuals if they wish so.
I really think that you and Katy Watts(there was a good article by katy on the nutritional make up of various hay by Katy in Equus I believe) should get together and get "The Horse" and or "Equus" to print an article on the cushings horses both from founder treatment and nutritional support aspects for the owners to read and get the info. I can't help thinking how many horses are out there suffering because the owners, farriers, shoers and vets don't know about this. I can tell you we have had two different Vets examine Jelly and they both said she was a shoe in for developing laminitis but neither mentioned equine cushings or insulin resistance. Neither recommended any tests. Just said she was likely to founder .....end of story.
I am asking you to please seriously consider writing this article, it is important. For the rest of you out there, I think you have knowledge that you could share too. Just because the research is done by others doesn't mean you cannot write about the practical applications you have used in your own practices to help individual horses. It is this applied information that gets others thinking about clients they have that could benefit from the same type of treament and thus more horses are helped.
I hope I haven't overstepped my bounds here, but I really think this information is important and not readily known.
Denise
As a little background, I have a degree in Animal Behavior and one in Medical Technology and have had my research published. I have done behavioral research for the Minnesota Zoo and the University of Minnesota as well as medical research on platelet immunology for the University of Minnesota.
The dissemination of information is very important. If the research doesn't get to those who can implement it then it is never going to do any good. In this case I think the cushings info needs to get to the farrier community in general and also to us average horse owners. My mom's mare based on breed and conformation is a classic for being either insuling resistant or a cushings horse. We have been told by numerous people based on her body type she is a founder case waiting to happen, but no one can say why, how or what to do to prevent this. Luckily through the boards here I have come across the information that may just help to diagnose and prevent Jelly from going downhill.
Patty, This is an article that you can and should write. Use foot notes to identify material from those researchers that have already published. That way the reader can find the orginal research if they so wish. For many people the manditory format for technical research publications and the terminology used is confusing and reveals no practical applications to the reader. Your common sense everyday approach to explaining this information which is enhanced by your experience and understanding in applying these techniques in your own practice makes it much easier for others to understand and see how to apply it to individuals in their own practices.
Scientific information is often broken down and reprinted in this way to get the hard science out to those who will eventually use it. If you are uncomforable about this, get approval from those whose techniques you use and make sure to give proper credit and contact information for those individuals if they wish so.
I really think that you and Katy Watts(there was a good article by katy on the nutritional make up of various hay by Katy in Equus I believe) should get together and get "The Horse" and or "Equus" to print an article on the cushings horses both from founder treatment and nutritional support aspects for the owners to read and get the info. I can't help thinking how many horses are out there suffering because the owners, farriers, shoers and vets don't know about this. I can tell you we have had two different Vets examine Jelly and they both said she was a shoe in for developing laminitis but neither mentioned equine cushings or insulin resistance. Neither recommended any tests. Just said she was likely to founder .....end of story.
I am asking you to please seriously consider writing this article, it is important. For the rest of you out there, I think you have knowledge that you could share too. Just because the research is done by others doesn't mean you cannot write about the practical applications you have used in your own practices to help individual horses. It is this applied information that gets others thinking about clients they have that could benefit from the same type of treament and thus more horses are helped.
I hope I haven't overstepped my bounds here, but I really think this information is important and not readily known.
Denise