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APPENDIX Report on Collared Horses The following is an unabridged version of the ELM report, Treatment of Collared Horses at the Stone Cabin Management Area, written by Gerald R. Peck. D.V.M., on January 25, 1988. Horses with tight radio tracking collars were anesthetized by dartgun using M-99 in combination with xylazine and shot from a helicopter. Reversal of this combination was accomplished by intravenous injection of M-5050 and yohimbine. Only horses with collars showing signs of drainage from a wound or excessive tightness were darted. On January 16, 1988, 4 horses were anesthetized and their collars removed, wounds cleaned and debrided, topical antiseptic powder applied, and 70 cc of long acting penicillin administered intramuscularly. On January 21, 1988, 8 horses were anesthetized and collars were removed on 4 horses, readjusted on 2 horses, and no damage found on 2 horses. The same treatment was applied to the 4 horses which had the collars as the horses on 1/16/88. Summary of injuries is as follows: ⢠1 horse with necrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue about 1 inch deep under the entire collar ⢠1 horse with necrosis on top of neck about 1 1/2 inch deep because the radio transmitter had twisted to the top ⢠6 horses with necrosis under the neck just caudal to the larynxâ ranging from 1 to 2 inches deep The necrosis on all of these horses was caused by pressure of tight col- lars. The damage was only to skin and subcutaneous tissues with various amounts of localized infection. No vital structures (i.e., trachea, arteries, or 41
42 APPENDIX veins) were involved. White blood cell counts on the first 4 horses showed no signs of systemic infection. All horses were in good condition. One of the horses with no damage from the collar died about 1 hour after being darted. She had recovered from the anesthesia but because of a debilitated condition due to old age (=30 years) and resulting poor teeth, she could not recover from the stress of the anesthesia. None of the horses with pressure necrosis from the radio collars appeared to be in imminent danger of dying. As I have stated before, these horses showed no sign of systemic infection and were in good condition. However wounds caused by the tight collars appeared to be quite painful and if the collars were not removed or adjusted more serious damage and the possibility of death could have resulted sometime in the future. There are certain factors that vary with time (i.e., weight gain or loss) that dictate animals in the wild with tracking collars must be monitored on a regular basis to deal with problems that arise before they become serious. Wild horses having problems with tight collars must be identified and treated. They should be observed at regular intervals at least 4 times a year. Gerald R. Peck, D.V.M.
Recent Publications of the Board on Agriculture Policy and Resources Managing Global Genetic Resources: The U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (1991), 174 pp., ISBN 0-309-04390-5. Investing in Research: A Proposal to Strengthen the Agricultural, Food, and Environmen- tal System (1989), 156 pp., ISBN 0-309-04127-9. Alternative Agriculture (1989), 464 pp., ISBN 0-309-03987-8; ISBN 0-309-03985-1 (pbk). Understanding Agriculture: New Directions for Education (1988), 80 pp., ISBN 0-309-03936-3. Designing Foods: Animal Product Options in the Marketplace (1988), 394 pp., ISBN 0-309-03798-0; ISBN 0-309-03795-6 (pbk). Agricultural Biotechnology: Strategies for National Competitiveness (1987), 224 pp., ISBN 0-309-03745-X. Regulating Pesticides in Food: The Delaney Paradox (1987), 288 pp., ISBN 0-309-03746-8. Pesticide Resistance: Strategies and Tactics for Management (1986), 480 pp., ISBN 0-309-03627-5. Pesticides and Groundwater Quality: Issues and Problems in Four States (1986), 136 pp., ISBN 0-309-03676-3. Soil Conservation: Assessing the National Resources Inventory, Volume 1 (1986), 134 pp., ISBN 0-309-03649-9. Soil Conservation: Assessing the National Resources Inventory, Volume 2 (1986), 314 pp., ISBN 0-309-03675-5. New Directions for Bioscicnces Research in Agriculture: High-Reward Opportunities (1985), 122 pp., ISBN 0-309-03542-2. Genetic Engineering of Plants: Agricultural Research Opportunities and Policy Concerns (1984), 96 pp., ISBN 0-309-03434-5. Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals Series and Related Titles Nutrient Requirements of Horses, Fifth Revised Edition (1989), 128 pp., ISBN 0-309-03989-4; diskette included. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, Sixth Revised Edition, Update 1989 (1989), 168 pp., ISBN 0-309-03826-X; diskette included. Nutrient Requirements of Swine, Ninth Revised Edition (1988), 96 pp., ISBN 0-309-03779-4. Vitamin Tolerance of Animals (1987), 105 pp., ISBN 0-309-03728-X. Predicting Feed Intake of Food-Producing Animals (1986), 95 pp., ISBN 0-309-03695-X. Nutrient Requirements of Cats, Revised Edition (1986), 87 pp., ISBN 0-309-03682-8. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs, Revised Edition (1985), 79 pp., ISBN 0-309-03496-5. Nutrient Requirements of Sheep, Sixth Revised Edition (1985), 106 pp., ISBN 0-309-03596-1. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, Sixth Revised Edition (1984), 90 pp., ISBN 0-309-03447-7. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry, Eighth Revised Edition (1984), 71 pp., ISBN 0-309-03486-8. More information, additional titles (prior to 1984), and prices are available from the Na- tional Academy Press, j^jj I'râ â"-^ Ap»»t. NW. Washington, DC 20418, (202) 334-3313 (information jjgjjgjfrr^^-"^^ only)
