Randy Rasmussen outlines ways for trail riding groups to be environmentally responsible, especially in shared-use areas. He lists the following: Plan before proceeding Respect the environment Manage your horse’s manure Source: EQUUS, July 8, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider the number of youth groups that need volunteer hours as possible resources for beginning … [Read more...]
Managing heat stress in horses
Aubrey Moore reminds us that days with high temperature, plus high humidity put horses at the greatest risk for heat exhaustion. All horses are susceptible to overheating, regardless of their activity. . . . when in doubt, if you’re overheated, they’re overheated.” Source: The Horse Network, August 3, 2020. Link. The Fédération Équestre Internationale recommends continuous … [Read more...]
Horses: skin care, socialization and going swimming
Horse owners are inquisitive. They work hard to own and nurture horses for what may be relatively few days of riding enjoyment. The articles below help clear up some issues with aggression and ensure horses and riders enjoy time together. Sources: Why horses need social bonds, Horse Network, May 20, 2020. Link. Domestic horses spend more time in aggressive behavior and … [Read more...]
Choke in horses, a slow-motion disaster
Choke in horses is a blockage of the esophagus rather than the airway, writes Laurie Bonner. It occurs when a horse tries to ingest inadequately chewed feed or something he cannot swallow properly. Most instances of choke clear on their own but may be a sign of something that needs attention. Bonner shares reasons, risks and prevention tips that include having a veterinarian … [Read more...]
Deep slumber as important for horses as for people
We know that restorative sleep is important to equine health, but mostly leave it up to the horse, writes Kim Mariette. Environments such as bustling modern barns, modern equine facilities and even nearby construction can be disruptive and make it difficult for horses to get REM sleep. Source: EQUUS, May 28, 2019. Link. To achieve REM sleep a horse must lie down in either … [Read more...]
5 tips for better blanketing
Horses will appreciate their caregivers following this advice when selecting and using his blankets this winter: Check the fit of blankets each year Consider getting your horse “underwear” Multiple blankets? Mark them according to the appropriate conditions for their use If temperatures fluctuate, blanket for the anticipated high of the day Remove blankets … [Read more...]
Skip the bran and other winter horse feeding tips
Christine Barakat shares simple tips to keep horses happy and healthy when the weather turns cold. Even seasoned horse owners will appreciate these reminders, including the snow saucer tip for hauling hay. Source: EQUUS, November 25, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this for social media, newsletters and targeted mailings to horse owners. … [Read more...]
Revisiting equine cellulitis
When a horse’s leg swells to double or triple the normal leg size overnight, owners and vets must take immediate action. Cellulitis, while common, can be frightening for owners. Having a veterinary professional respond quickly and decisively is critical to avoid further injury. Source: EQUUS, March 2016. Link. Caused by bacteria penetrating the dermis and multiplying in the … [Read more...]
Prepare horses and barns for winter
Winter is never the easiest season for horsekeepers, but with planning it doesn’t have to be particularly difficult, writes Christine Barakat. She offers tips on winter preparations that will benefit horses and owners. Source: EQUUS Extra. Link. Dehydration is the primary cause of impaction colic during winter months. . . be certain horses have access to fresh … [Read more...]
Baking soda and the horse barn
Baking soda? Yes, the common housecleaner has several uses in the horse barn, writes Christine Barakat: Scrub out water buckets and troughs Clean bits and metal stirrups Freshen horse’s laundry Deodorize drains Source: EQUUS, August 22, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: We anticipate baking soda is useful in kennels and catteries, as well. Share the tip with horse and … [Read more...]
Bedding choices, hay treatments, plus ventilation critical for horse care
Bedding choices and hay treatments can reduce the risk of inflammatory airway disease (IAD) in horses according to a new study from Belgium. Switching to wood or paper bedding and steaming hay rations can cut down on the levels of fungi in a horse’s environment, reducing the risk of IAD. Adding to airway disease risks are air quality concerns. Optimal ventilation is critical … [Read more...]
Protect horses from lyme disease
Fall brings a fervent tick quest < link > that reinforces the need to limit horse exposure to ticks. There is no lyme vaccine approved for use in horses. However, some veterinarians have vaccinated horses with canine vaccine < link >. Laurie Bonner shares ways to reduce horse exposure to ticks including daily removal, pasture care and using tick repellent on … [Read more...]
Don’t forget the horses’ salt
Like shade and fresh water, salt is essential for horses, especially in hot weather. Salt is lost via their sweat and if it’s not replenished, an electrolyte imbalance may develop, leading to low blood pressure or even neurological or cardiovascular problems. This is good to use in social media, newsletters and discussions with horse owners. Source: EQUUS, July 25, 2019. … [Read more...]
Select the perfect horse shampoo
Fair and show season is well underway. Add challenging weather and it is likely that horses may experience skin issues. Eliza R. L. McGraw offers savvy considerations for horse shampoos and bathing. The article is a good resource for use in social media, newsletters and with horse owners seeking the best product for their animals. Source: EQUUS, April 25, 2005. Link. … [Read more...]
Leg “crud;” skin conditions on horses’ legs
Christine Barakat writes about equine leg crud with help from Melinda Freckleton, DVM. The questions they review can help horse owners hone in on what might be causing scabs and crusting. Several different skin conditions can lead to scabbing and crusting on a horse’s lower limbs. Source: EQUUS, September 3, 2017. Link. … [Read more...]
Protect horses from eye injuries
Protecting horses from injuries and illness will also help keep his eyes safe, writes Karen Elizabeth Baril. She reviews potential eye hazards, signs of eye troubles and equine eye emergencies. Equine eye injuries always warrant a call to your veterinarian - Alyssa Warneke, DVM Source: EQUUS, April 1, 2019. Link. Basil shares some of the most common equine eye injuries: … [Read more...]
Equine beauty products, Pop quiz!
Some horse owners may spend more on their horses’ hair-care products than their own. Take this quiz to help them spend their money more wisely and still have a comely, clean horse. Source: EQUUS, May 15, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: The quiz covers 4 areas that salespersons can use to position the products in their portfolios: Suds and cleaning power How brightening … [Read more...]
Be watchful for rain rot on horses
With record rainfall across much of the country, horses may get rain rot. Its signs are unmistakable: After coming in from the rain, the horse's coat begins to stand up in a peculiar pattern, either bordered by the "drip line" of rain runoff or in patches Beginning to smooth it down, you feel a radiating heat and the horse flinches from the touch By the next day, … [Read more...]
Considerations for adjusting equine vaccinations
A horse’s circumstances can change enough during a year that his vaccination program needs changing. Some instances that call for a review or of a vaccine routine include: Location Increased interaction with other horses Advancing age Source: EQUUS, March 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Risks can come from other animals that frequent a location. Raccoons, skunks, … [Read more...]
EQUUS pop quiz: horse terms
Revisit horse-related terms and information with SAT-style analogy questions. It’s a fun way to be sure your knowledge of terms is current and where you have gaps. Have fun! Source: EQUUS, May 3, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Poisonous plants for cattle, horses, dogs, cats
Spring brings a flowery green up but, plants toxic t0 our critters may lurk among the blooms. We compiled some resources for cattle, horses, dogs and cats below. Use them on social media and to solve problems with animal owners. Source: Plants toxic to cats, ASPCA. Link. Source: Plants toxic to dogs, ASPCA. Link. Source: Poisonous plants that can kill cattle, BEEF, … [Read more...]
Time for equine soundness exams
Now is the time to make sure your horse is ready for the rigors of regular work, writes Christine Barakat. When scheduling horses’ spring shots, veterinarians need to schedule some time to evaluate horse soundness and joint health, as well. A soundness exam serves two purposes: it will identify any current soundness issues that need to be managed the exam will provide a … [Read more...]
Easy equine fitness plan (includes video)
Equine veterinarian Melinda Freckleton, DVM, helps a reader with divided time develop a schedule to exercise her out-of-shape horses. Her guidance is worthy of social media posts and inclusion in e-newsletters. Before you embark on any fitness program, make sure that each of your horses is sound and ready to ride. Is he healthy? Is he shod or trimmed … [Read more...]
Encouraging horses to drink
We’ve all heard the adage, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” While possibly true, the authors suggest the following to help a horse drink water: Make sure the horse can access clean water at all timesGive him some spaceTry electrolytes Source: EQUUS, February 15, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: Horses need water in winter, too. Be sure to keep water … [Read more...]
Things to know about DMSO
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in an industrial solvent turned anti-inflammatory therapy. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for topical use on horses. However, veterinarians regularly use the chemical off-label in other ways to treat an array of inflammatory conditions from laminitis to neurological problems, writes Christine Barakat. She shares some history … [Read more...]
4 easy ways to ice-proof a horse’s hooves
Snow and ice can cause ice balls to build up on horses’ hooves. Horse owners will appreciate this reminder when you share it on social media and in e-newsletters. When snow and ice get packed under a horse’s hoof, it warms up slightly against the sole, then freezes readily against the cold metal of the shoe. . . Walking on an uneven mass even for a short time can cause a … [Read more...]
New thinking about cribbing
Most owners want to stop their horses from cribbing. This is easier said than done. Cribbing has been a challenge for centuries with no known reason for this behavior. The horse places his upper teeth firmly on a hard object---be it a fence, stall door, water trough, or anything he can reach---pulls back, arches his neck, and gulps air into the upper part of his esophagus with … [Read more...]
Equine shipping fever may indicate something more serious
Travel is stressful for horses. A horse’s environment during transport may not be dustier than his home barn, but if he can’t readily lower his head, airborne particles may take a greater toll on his health. If horses get a respiratory infection after transport, like people with colds, they usually just get over it. Sometimes, however, a fever and cough that start soon after … [Read more...]
What you need to know about Eastern and western equine encephalomyelitis
EQUUS reprises Laurie Bonner’s article from last fall to remind horse owners of the importance of protecting their animals from eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EED) and western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE). EEE easily ranks among the worst diseases a horse can get. Caused by a virus that is spread mainly by mosquitoes, the disease damages the horse’s central nervous … [Read more...]
Fly control around horses is important
Flies, fly control methods and fly products for horses are presented in this Equus advertising section . The material is worthwhile even though it may be promotional. Source: EQUUS, May 30, 2018. Link. Climate conditions vary every season, and different fly species can move into new areas with the changing weather. Here’s a quick rundown of the ways you can curb the insects … [Read more...]