MANAGEMENT OF ATHLETIC HORSES TO REDUCE MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES AND IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1012512
• Project Start Date: Jun 6, 2017
• Project End Date: May 31, 2022
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824

Performing Department
ANIMAL SCIENCE

Non Technical Summary
In May of 1997, the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University identified three programmatic thrusts of the department - two of which were "Nutrition and Developmental Biology" and "Animal Well-Being". By focusing on the management of athletic horses to reduce injuries and improve performance, these are being addressed with this project. While changes to our department's strategic plan have altered the title of these thrusts, they are still major research areas within our department. More notably, the research focus of this MAES project is of great importance to the equine industry. The major problem facing individuals training horses for athletic competition is said to be keeping the horses free from injury (Hodgson and Rose, 1994).Performance horses routinely experience career-ending or career-altering injuries. Rossdale et al. (1985) determined that lameness was the most common reason for racehorses to miss training. Johnson (1993) reported that, of horses necropsied as a result of death at a California racetrack, 84.6% had injuries to the musculoskeletal system. In addition, a British survey showed that 58.1% of two-year-olds became lame at some time during training (Jones, 1989). In the U.S., the problem encountered by young horses may be even greater. This is due to one of the more frequently witnessed disorders of young racehorses -- the bucked shin complex. Veterinarians working in the U.S. reported a 70% incidence of bucked shins in two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses (Norwood, 1978) and an incidence rate in two-year-old racing Quarter Horses of up to 50% has been reported by Goodman (1987). Another common problem that can affect any athletic horse, including racing, dressage, jumping or roping horses, is degenerative joint disease (Smith, 1991). Degeneration of the articular cartilage results from excessive stress that accompanies many equine athletic events (Baxter, 1992). The ensuing lameness can result in reduced performance and possibly even permanent joint dysfunction.Manipulation of diet and exercise are two factors in animal management systems used to influence skeletal integrity (Porr et al., 1998). While exercise seemingly can have a greater impact on skeletal strength, nutrition certainly does play a role in bone health (Nielsen and Spooner, 2008). Further, it is commonly recognized that proper nutrition aids in maintaining optimal health and avoiding illness and, as such, continued research into this area is critical. Various health issues can also affect performance. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is reported to be a major problem in racehorses. Presence of EGUS has been associated with intensity of exercise with prevalence rates of about 90% reported in Thoroughbred racehorses (Bell et al., 2007). Our own laboratory reported a prevalence of over 50% in a population of Michigan Standardbred racehorses (Cate et al., 2012). Our laboratory further confirmed that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been linked to the development of ulcers (Kenny et al., 2014) and use of NSAIDs is common in athletic horses.In addition to the animal suffering that accompanies these injuries and health ailments, the high injury and illness rates produce a tremendous financial burden for the owners and trainers of these horses. According to a news release by the American Horse Council (1996), the horse industry directly produces goods and services of $25.3 billion. Racing contributes more than 25% of the total value of goods and services with 725,000 horses involved in racing and race horse breeding. One can only speculate at how much of this is spent on health-related problems. As can be expected, a study in Michigan demonstrated a 53% increase in the risk of lameness in horses participating in at least one exercise-related activity (Ross and Kaneene, 1996a), with an almost two-fold increase in lameness when racehorses were considered alone (Ross and Kaneene, 1996b). Hence, a substantial sum is spent on veterinary care to treat health problems seen with equine athletes.Omeprazole and skeletal healthThe use of omeprazole to treat ulcers, while efficacious, has been questioned as to the effect on bone health. By inhibiting acid production within the stomach, the altered pH may not be conducive to proper mineral absorption - thereby leaving individuals subject to poor skeletal health. In humans, a link has been found but the individuals using omeprazole may have other health factors that could have lead to increased fracture risk. By contrast, the majority of horses that are treated with omeprazole are healthy athletic horses. Research is needed to determine if they, too, have bone health impaired by the common use of this medication.Quantifying exercise needed for skeletal strengthOur laboratory has eloquently shown that exercise is necessary to maintain bone health, as have other laboratories across the world. The exercise that is needed is high-speed (sprint) exercise that subjects the bone to high strain rates. We have shown that long-distance exercise at slow-speed does not enhance bone mass or strength. We have also shown that only a relatively few cycles (i.e. strides) are needed to enhance bone mass but how often those exercise bouts need to occur is unknown. This project will aim at determining that.

Animal Health Component

80%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

20%

Applied

80%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
315	3810	1020	100%

Knowledge Area
315 - Animal Welfare/Well-Being and Protection;

Subject Of Investigation
3810 - Horses, ponies, and mules;

Field Of Science
1020 - Physiology;

Keywords

omeprazole

horse

exercise

bone

skeleton

Goals / Objectives
Omeprazole and skeletal healthThe proposed study will examine whether omeprazole administration will alter calcium absorption, markers associated with bone mineral turnover, and health in athletic horses. Additionally, it will be determined whether omeprazole use alters the optical density of the third metacarpal - a measure of bone mineral content - and an indicator of bone strength.Quantifying exercise needed for skeletal strengthThe proposed study will examine whether animals subjected to short sprints have improved skeletal health compared to non-exercised animals with the following specific objectives:Determine if high-speed exercise afforded once or three times per week provides the same benefits to bone mineral content, density, and strength as does similar exercise five days per week compared to animals not allowed to exercise.Determine if markers of bone metabolism are altered depending upon the frequency of exercise.

Project Methods
Omeprazole and skeletal healthTen Standardbred geldings (5 to 14 years of age), all former racehorses, will be secured for this project. Prior to study commencement, horses will be maintained on pasture-housing for a minimum of one month at the Michigan State University Horse Teaching and Research Center. During that time, horses will receive only a forage diet and will receive no ulcer medication. At the start of the project, all horses will have their left third metacarpus (MCIII) radiographed to establish baseline values of mineral content using digital Canon 10x14 cassettes and a Mark V digital radiographic system (Sound, Carlsbad, CA). A dorsal-palmar view will be made with the cassette against the palmar aspect of the leg and the beam centered on the midpoint of MCIII and directed parallel to the ground in the mid-sagittal plane. A medial-lateral view will be made with the cassette placed medially, while the beam is centered on the midpoint of MCIII and directed parallel to the ground 90° from the mid-sagittal plane. An aluminum step wedge penetrometer will be attached to each radiographic cassette to allow for standardization of the radiographs. To calculate radiographic bone aluminum equivalence (RBAE), which is used to calculate bone mineral content (Meakim et al., 1981), the techniques of Robison and Nielsen (2013) will be used from which a logarithmic regression will be formed using the known thickness of steps on the aluminum penetrometer attached to each radiograph to determine bone optical density. Maximum optical density values for all cortices will be recorded in millimeters of aluminum (mm Al) 1 cm distal to the nutrient foramen on MCIII. This will represent the maximum mineral content in each cortex. Total RBAE will be calculated on the dorsal-palmar radiograph using the area under the curve concept described by Nielsen et al. (1997) and will be reported in mm2 Al. The initial RBAEs will be calculated immediately and the readings from day 0 will be used to striate the horses and pair-match them according to RBAE. From each pair, horses will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Half of the horses will receive omeprazole at the preventative dose (OM) and the other half will serve as the controls and receive no medication (CO). Horses will be maintained on their respective treatment for 56 days. In addition to the radiographs at the commencement of the study, additional sets will be taken at d 28 and 56. At the commencement of the study, horses will be removed from pasture, fed 2% of their body weight in hay daily (hay will be analyzed to ensure it meets the 2007 NRC requirements for Ca and P), and housed in box stalls at the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center with daily turnout on dry lots or exercise on a free-walker provided - except during total collections. The total collections will occur at the beginning of the project and then at the end of four and eight weeks. Total collections will consist of a three-day period in which all voided feces and urine will be collected using total collection devices (Nappies) to allow for determination of mineral digestibility and balance by comparing mineral quantities voided to quantities consumed. Besides Ca, P and Mg will also be examined as both are critical for bone health. Horses will be body condition-scored (Henneke et al., 1984) and weighed every two weeks (d 0, 14, 28, 42, and 56) to monitor changes in weight that may be indicative of changes in energy balance and to allow for alterations in amount fed if a change of greater than one body condition score unit occurs. Additionally, at the time of body weight and body condition score determination, blood samples will be taken through jugular venipuncture for markers of bone turnover, health, and metabolism. Serum and plasma samples will be frozen for later analysis of osteocalcin (marker of bone formation), PYD (marker of bone resorption), PPII (carboxy-terminal propertied of type II collagen - marker of cartilage synthesis), CTX-II (carboy-terminal telopeptide fragments of type II collagen - marker of cartilage degradation, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and IGF-1. Additionally, to confirm mechanism of action of the treatment, gastric secretions will be collected for pH determination and gastroscopy for detection and grading of ulcers will be performed on all horses at the start and finish of the project.Quantifying exercise needed for skeletal strengthTwenty-four newborn bull calves will be housed at the MSU Dairy Farm. They will be matched by age into groups of four. At 7 weeks of age, they will be weaned from milk and calf starter and allowed to adapt to a calf grower diet for one week. Individuals from each age-matched group will then be randomly assigned into four treatment groups at 8 weeks of age, thus comprising four treatment groups of six animals each. Calves will be housed in environmental chambers that will allow calves to stand and lie down but that will afford no opportunity to exercise. The first group will receive no exercise. The other three groups will be sprinted 45 m daily - either 1, 3 or 5 d per wk. The sprints will be performed in a barn alleyway on a concrete surface to ensure large loads being placed upon the legs and ensuring high strains. A similar protocol was used by Bruin (1993) with foals and a decrease in the incidence of osteochondrosis was noted. All calves will be maintained in their respective treatments for 42 d. During the course of the study, blood samples will be collected at the onset of the study (when calves are 8 weeks of age) and weekly until the completion of the study. Blood samples will be analyzed for osteocalcin (a marker of bone formation) and serum C-telopeptide crosslaps of type I collagen (CTX-1), which is an enzyme immunoassay for quantitative assessment of bone resorption to help detect any alterations in bone metabolism. Serum OC concentration will be determined using a commercial competitive immunoassay (MicroVue Osteocalcin) from Quidel Corporation (San Diego, CA). The concentrations of serum C-telopeptide crosslaps of type I collagen will be determined using a commercial immunoassay (Serum Crosslaps) from Immunodiagnostics Systems (Scottsdale, AZ). At the completion of the study, calves will be euthanized. Both of the fused 3rd and 4th metacarpal bones of each animal will be removed for testing. Harvested metacarpi will be scanned using computed tomography (Revolution by GE) to estimate bone density and calculate bone geometry. Cortical bone strength will be evaluated on an Instron machine. Moment of inertia will be calculated from the bone geometry, and shear and three-point bending tests (ASAE, 1999) will be conducted to determine maximum shear stress, modulus of elasticity, and ultimate stress in bending. Cortical and trabecular bone will be analyzed for mineral and collagen content.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project include individuals in the horse industry (owners, trainers, veterinarians) as well as researchers. Changes/Problems:As with most people's research programs, the questions one asks evolve. After finishing with the omeprazole study, we have begun work examining the role bioavailable silicon plays in bone health. Likewise, we will continue to find other ways to maintain or improve skeletal health. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Within this reporting year, this project has allowed for training of one M.S. students and three Ph.D. students at Michigan State University and multiple undergraduate students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Seminars and presentations were given to horse owners and scientists on the Michigan State University campus, as well as both national and international meetings. Additionally, numerous interviews have been given with resultant popular press articles being published dealing with the results, as have peer-reviewed manuscripts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Multiple papers are in various stages of preparation for submittal to scientific journals. Many of them should be submitted within the next reporting period. Additionally, several more projects should be complete with the results ready for analysis, presentation, and publication.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Several projects were completed examining the role of a bioavailable source of dietary silicon on bone and cartilage health with publications either submitted or published. Began a project examining the influence of circular exercise on bone and cartilage health. Completed a project examining aquatic conditioning on cartilage and bone metabolism resulting in publications and presentations. Results demonstrated an influence of dietary silicon on markers of bone formation and that aquatic conditioning is adequate for conditioning young horses.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Silvers, B.L., J.L. Leatherwood, B.D. Nielsen, C.E. Arnold, B. Dominguez, K.G. Glass, C.J. Huseman, M.L. Much, R.E. Martinez, and A.N. Bradbery. 2020. Effects of aquatic conditioning on cartlage and bone metabolism in young horses. Amer. Assoc. Equine Pract. Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Vergara, F.B., B.D. Nielsen, C.I. Robison, T.A. Fabus, J.L. Kenny, and R.A. LeCompte. 2020. Stride length and frequency of Thoroughbreds and Quarter horses during Sprint and Classic races. Proc. 12th Annual Graduate Academic Conference. Michigan State University. Pp. 21-22.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Silvers, B.L., J.L. Leatherwood, C.E. Arnold, B.D. Nielsen, C.J. Huseman, B.J. Dominguez, K.G. Glass, R.E. Martinez, M.L. Much, and A.N. Bradbery. 2020. Effects of aquatic conditioning on cartilage and bone metabolism in young horses. J. Anim. Sci. 98:1-10.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Pritchard, A., C. Robison, and B.D. Nielsen. 2020. Bone ash from immature broilers correlates to bone mineral content calculated from quantitative computed tomography scans. Poultry Sci. 99:4162-4165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.026
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2020 Citation: Pritchard, A., B.D. Nielsen, C. Robison, and J.M. Manfredi. 2020. Low dietary silicon supplementation may not affect bone and cartilage in mature, sedentary horses. J. Anim. Sci. Submitted.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Pritchard, A., B.D. Nielsen, C. Robison, and H. Spooner. 2020. Furosemide administration results in a transient alteration in calcium balance in mature horses. J. Anim. Phys. Anim. Nutr. 104(3):946-953. DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13348.
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Nielsen, B.D. 2020. Longeings potential effects on equine joints. The Horse. Apr. 1. https://thehorse.com/186606/longeings-potential-effects-on-equine-joints/?utm_medium=Health+enews&utm_source=NewsletterNielsen, B.D. 2020. Longeings potential effects on equine joints. The Horse. Apr. 1. https://thehorse.com/186606/longeings-potential-effects-on-equine-joints/?utm_medium=Health+enews&utm_source=Newsletter
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Silvers, B.L., J.L. Leatherwood, B.D. Nielsen, C.E. Arnold, B. Dominguez, K.G. Glass, C.J. Huseman, M.L. Much, R.E. Martinez, and A.N. Bradbery. 2020. Effects of aquatic conditioning in young horses. I. Markers of inflammation and cartilage metabolism. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Madison, WI.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Silvers, B.L., J.L. Leatherwood, B.D. Nielsen, C.E. Arnold, B. Dominguez, K.G. Glass, C.J. Huseman, M.L. Much, R.E. Martinez, and A.N. Bradbery. 2020. Effects of aquatic conditioning in young horses. II. Bone metabolism. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Madison, WI.

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project include individuals in the horse industry (owners, trainers, veterinarians) as well as researchers. Changes/Problems:As with most people's research programs, the questions one asks evolve. After finishing with the omeprazole study, we have begun work examining the role bioavailable silicon plays in bone health and we will soon have those projects complete. Likewise, we will continue to find other ways to maintain or improve skeletal health. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Within this reporting year, this project has allowed for training of two M.S. students and two Ph.D. students at Michigan State University, two Master's student at the University of Edinburgh, and multiple undergraduate students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Seminars and presentations were given to horse owners and scientists on the Michigan State University campus, as well as both national and international meetings. Additionally, numerous interviews have been given with resultant popular press articles being published dealing with the results, as have peer-reviewed manuscripts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Multiple papers are in various stages of preparation for submittal to scientific journals. Many of them should be submitted within the next reporting period. Additionally, several more projects should be complete with the results ready for analysis, presentation, and publication.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Several projects were completed examining the role of a bioavailable source of dietary silicon on bone and cartilage health with publications either submitted or in preparation. Completed, and published, two projects evaluating the impact of varying amounts of exercise on bone metabolism. Designed another project that will examine the influence of circular exercise on bone and cartilage health. Results demonstrated an influence of dietary silicon on markers of bone formation and that only one sprint per week was needed to maintain bone strength in juvenile animals.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Pritchard, A., B.D. Nielsen, C. Robison, and H. Spooner. 2019. Furosemide administration results in a transient alteration in calcium balance in mature horses. J. Anim. Phys. Anim. Nutr. Submitted Sept.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Logan, A.A., B.D. Nielsen, C.I. Robison, J.M. Manfredi, D.D. Buskirk, H.C. Schott, and K.M. Hiney. 2019. Calves, as a model for juvenile horses, need only one sprint per week to experience increased bone strength. J. Anim. Sci. 97(8):3300-3312. doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz202
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Logan, A.A., B.D. Nielsen, R. Sehl, E. Jones, C.I. Robison, and A.P. Pease. 2019. Short-term stall housing of horses results in changes of markers of bone metabolism. Comp. Exer. Phys. 15(4): 283-290. https://doi.org/10.3920/CEP190038
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Pritchard, A., B.D. Nielsen, A. McLean, C. Robison, M. Yokoyama, S. Hengemuehle, S. Bailey, and P. Harris. 2019. Insulin resistance as a result of body condition categorized as thin, moderate, and obese in domesticated U.S. donkeys (Equus asinus). J. Equine Vet. Sci. 77:31-35. doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.02.011
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Woodward, A.D., B.D. Nielsen, A. Pritchard, and C.I. OConnor-Robison. 2019. Determination of phosphorus and nitrogen environmental load from six different bedding types used in an equine facility. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 73:10-14. doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2018.10.024

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project include individuals in the horse industry (owners, trainers, veterinarians) as well as researchers. Changes/Problems:As with most people's research programs, the questions one asks evolve.After finishing with the omeprazole study, we have begun work examining the role bioavailable silicon plays in bone health.Likewise, we will continue to find other ways to maintain or improve skeletal health. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Within this reporting year, this project has allowed for training of two M.S. students and one Ph.D. student at Michigan State University, another Master's student at the University of Edinburgh, and multiple undergraduate students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Seminars and presentations were given to horse owners and scientists on the Michigan State University campus, as well as both national and international meetings.Additionally, numerous interviews have been given with resultant popular press articles being published dealing with the results, as have peer-reviewed manuscripts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Multiple papers are in various stages of preparation for submittal to scientific journals.Many of them should be submitted within the next reporting period.Additionally, several more projects should be complete with the results ready for analysis, presentation, and publication.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A project was completed examining whether omeprazole interferes with mineral absorption and potentially plays a role in skeletal injuries in performances horses.The results from that project were invited for presentation at the Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition Australia Conference and a manuscript was published in Animal Production Science as of October 2017.Results showed omeprazole administration was not deleterious to equine skeletal health. A project examining how many times per week is sprint work needed to improve skeletal strength was completed.Results showed that only one 72-m sprint is needed per week to increase the fracture force of the lower limb compared to calves not allowed to sprint.The results confirm the importance of high-speed exercise to bone strength and provide guidance as to the management of animals to sustain or improve skeletal health.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Nielsen, B.D., S.M. Eckert, C.I. Robison, J. Mills, D. Peters, A. Pease, and H.C. Schott II. 2017. Omeprazole and its impact on mineral absorption in horses. Anim. Prod. Sci. 57:2263-2269.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Nowlin, C., B.D. Nielsen, J. Mills, C.I. Robison, H.C. Schott, and D. Peters. 2018. Acute and prolonged effects of vibrating platform treatment on horses: a pilot study. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 62:116-122.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Rapson, J.L., H.C. Schott II, B.D. Nielsen, L.M. McCutcheon, P.A. Harris, and R.J. Geor. 2018. Effects of age and diet on glucose and insulin dynamics in the horse. Equine Vet. J. 50:690-696.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Turcott White, S., B.D. Nielsen, C. Robison, C. Skelly, D. Rosenstein, A. Pritchard, and T. Herdt. 2018. Influence of various concentrate-to-roughage ratios on dietary intake and nutrient digestibilities of weanling horses. J. Anim. Phys. Anim. Nutr. Accepted.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Cully, P., B.D. Nielsen, B.E. Lancaster, J.E. Martin, and P.D. McGreevy. 2018. The laterality of the gallop gait in Thoroughbred racehorses. PLoS ONE. 13(6):e0198545. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0198545
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Woodward, A.D., B.D. Nielsen, A. Pritchard, and C.I. OConnor-Robison. 2018. Determination of phosphorus and nitrogen environmental load from six different bedding types used in an equine facility. Submitted. J. Equine Vet. Sci.

Progress 06/06/17 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project include individuals in the horse industry (owners, trainers, veterinarians) as well as researchers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Within this reporting period, this project has allowed for training of one Master's student and one Ph.D. student at Michigan State University and multiple undergraduate students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Seminars and presentations were given to horse owners and scientists on the Michigan State University campus, as well as to both national and international audiences. Additionally, several peer-reviewed manuscripts have been submitted and accepted for publication within this reporting period. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Results from the omeprazole study will be presented to an international audience in Australia, at which conference the peer-reviewed publication from the study will be disseminated. The research designed to quantify exercise needed to maintain skeletal health will commence during the next reporting period.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Omeprazole and skeletal health We conducted a study to examine whether omeprazole (a proton-pump inhibitor) interferes with mineral absorption - potentially leaving horses prone to injury. Results from this study showed that two months of administration of omeprazole at the preventative dosage did not alter mineral absorption or appear to influence any factors associated with bone health - leaving omeprazole treatment of ulcers as the gold standard for treatment. Quantifying exercise needed for skeletal health Research on this aspect of the project will commence at the start of 2018.

Publications