Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
another diagnosis or had a low probability to suffer from AM. Since they are
compared to a control group of diseased horses, risk factors determined in this
second study can be considered to help in the diagnosis of the condition (van
Galen et al. 2011a,b). The above-mentioned studies help narrowing the search
for the causative agent and predisposing or interfering factors. Table 1
summarizes the risk and protective factors drawn from these large
epidemiological studies and Table 2 describes the preventive measures for the
development of atypical myopathy
Table 1. Risk and protective factors for the development of atypical
myopathy (AM)
Parameters
Risk factors
Protective factors
Demographic data
Young horses (< 3 years)
Old horses (> 20 years)
Age
Sex*
Colts Stallions
Geldings
Body condition
Normal weight
Overweight
Management practices at the horse level
Deworming
Frequent deworming
Vaccination
Regular vaccination
Occupation
No work at all
Use for work
Weather dependant
pasturing in spring and in
autumn
Pasturing
Full time pasturing all the year round
Food and water
Supplementary feeds in
autumn (except hay), in
particular silage, complete
mix
Supplementary feeds in
winter, in particular straw,
complete mix and corn
Supplementary feeds in
spring
Supplementary feeds in
summer
Salt block all year round
Supplementary
feeds
Hay in autumn
Nature of the water
Distribution network
Pasture characteristics
History
Dead horses on the pasture in the past
Grassland
Lush pasture in winter
