The horse's digestion - video

This "3D Horse Digestion Guide" made for Purina Mills TV shows the detail of how a horse breaks down its food and the process of digestion. Understanding the horse's digestive system will really help you to understand the importance of the rules of feeding.

Kam Tip of the Week

Here is a great resource from Kam Animal Services. Their Tips of the Week give you snippets of useful information.
Found via Horse and Man

Horse Yoga

Interesting article from Mail Online about Linda Gaunti and her Arab Lewis doing yoga together, take a look at the article
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2034410/Lewis-Egyptian-Arabian-horse-Still-competing-old-age-beating-stiffness-joints--doing-YOGA.html
and be sure to read the comments.
What do you think, yoga or carrot stretches, learned or copied?

Keep Your Horse Healthy - Free Disease Prevention Pack from World Horse Welfare

Last year, the UK horse industry was given a reminder of the increasing threat from infectious disease when Equine Infectious Anaemia was diagnosed in three locations in England for the first time since 1976.  The first case occurred in Wiltshire in January, followed by cases in Northumberland and Devon in September. 

It has never been so important to minimise the risk of serious and contagious diseases from entering or spreading across the country. An outbreak of disease could be catastrophic for the equestrian industry as well as threatening the welfare of horses in general.

Some worrying findings from our 2009 Livery Yard Survey suggest that many people are not aware of the risks or what preventative action should be taken:

• 61% of stables were not cleaned out between occupants
• 48% said there were no isolation facilities
• 38% said there were no procedures to exclude horses with disease

To help UK horse owners protect their horses against the ever-present and increasing threat from a number of infectious diseases, we launched a free disease prevention information pack last summer.  Keep Your Horse Healthy aims to highlight the need for every horse owner to be aware of diseases such as EIA, Strangles and Flu, and offers simple steps to help protect against their entry and spread.

So far, more than 2,000 copies of the pack have been requested and we've had some fantastic feedback from experts in the field.  To request your copy, please click here to complete our online request form or call the Campaigns Team on 01953 497232.

Our Chief Executive, Roly Owers, comments: “The pack has been created to give horse owners and keepers practical advice as to how they can minimise the incursion and spread of disease. Simple, everyday actions such as good hygiene, avoiding mixing with unfamiliar horses, and maintaining good routine health care are essential in the fight against disease.

“Our research has shown that we as an industry are not addressing the current risk of disease. With the growing popularity of horse riding, climate change and the ever-increasing movement of horses, both within the UK and overseas, the threat of disease is on the increase. We're extremely concerned that if we as a horse owning nation do not act now we will have an epidemic situation on our hands. Education is vital to protect our horses. Every horse owner has an obligation not only to their own horse, but to the horses in their yard and across the country.”

How to work out your horses 's body condition score

What's your horse's body condition score?

Is he / she too fat or too thin?

How do you tell?

Here is a very helpful video that explains how to access your horse's body condition score:

What's your horse's body condition score?

Just a quick reminder about fireworks and equines

As we all know  animals are terrified of fireworks and this includes most horses so extra care needs to be taken at times when people are more likely to be having firework displays such as Guy Fawkes and New Year.
Forewarned is forearmed, so keep an eye out in the local press etc for advertisements for firework displays in your area. If you know your horse is very scared of fireworks you might consider sedation, your vet will be able to supply Sedalin which will help to keep your horse calm. Also if you know there is to be a firework display near you you can arrange to stay with the horse while it is going on.
Generally we wouldn't advise that you change your horses routine as this will only cause additional stress. If your horse is stabled an extra thick bed well banked around the sides will help prevent injury or casting, remember to check carefully for anything that the horse could injure itself on. If your horse is out at grass make especially sure that fences and gates are in good repair.
It's always worth talking to the organizers of firework displays or parties to warn them that there are horses in the area and to ask them to enusre that the fireworks are set off in the opposite direction to the horses.
Make sure that you have a fire procedure in place and the telephone numbers of the fire brigade and your vet to hand. Also check you have  third party liability insurance, if your horse does get out and causes damage you will be held liable for compensation.

Found at http://www.horsecarecourses.com/horse-care/2011/10/horses-and-fireworks.html#tp

Equine Mud Fever

Autumn is here and the weather will turn to rain resulting in muddy fields so now is the time to start preventative measures against mud fever. Mud Fever is a painful and debilitating skin condition, you can find out more about Mud Fever, how to prevent it and how to treat it by visiting Horse Care Courses and reading the article http://www.horsecarecourses.com/horse-care/2011/10/mud-fever-and-how-to-avoid-your-horse-getting-it.html#tp

Fireworks

With November 5th fast approaching some timely advice from the BHS:

Fireworks can frighten even the most sensible horse. Therefore, the BHS has put together a checklist for owners:

• Look at local press and local shops’ notice boards and listen to the radio to find out where the displays will be in your area.

• Wherever possible, tell neighbours and local firework display organisers that there are horses nearby, so they can ensure fireworks are set off in the opposite direction and well away from them.
  
• Decide whether to stable your horse or leave it in the field. It is sensible to keep your horse in its familiar environment, in its normal routine, with any companions to make it feel secure. If it is usually stabled, keep it stabled. If it is normally out in the field, keep it there as long as it is safe, secure and not close to the firework display area.
  
• If stabled, check thoroughly for anything that could cause potential injury such as protruding nails and string.
  
• If your horse is to stay in the field, check that fencing is not broken and that there are no foreign objects lying around.
  
• Ensure that you, or someone experienced, stays with your horse if you know that fireworks are being set off.
  
• If it is absolutely necessary for you to leave your horse in the care of another person during a firework display, then be sure to leave clear instructions and contact details for both you and your vet should any problems arise.
  
• If you know your animal will be stressed, talk to your vet about sedation, or perhaps consider moving your horse for the night.
  
• Playing music on a radio positioned outside the stable can often mask sudden noise, distract attention and be soothing.
  
• Try to remain calm yourself and keep positive, as horses will sense unease in a person and this may make things worse if the horse is startled.
  
• It may seem common sense but be aware of your own safety; a startled horse can be dangerous.
  
• Whatever you do – don’t risk riding when you think fireworks might be set off.
  
• Check if there will be a bonfire near your yard. If there is, make sure you have an emergency fire procedure in place. If you have any doubts, talk to your local fire safety officer.
  
• Make sure that you have adequate third party liability insurance. If your horse is frightened and escapes, causing an accident, then you could be held liable for compensation.

By being proactive in planning for fireworks and Bonfire Night, you can make the annual celebrations less stressful for you and your horse.

It is not just horse owners who need to be careful. Anyone organising a firework display should inform local horse owners. It is also a good idea not to let fireworks off anywhere near fields or farms.

Most people don’t realise how much suffering fireworks cause to animals, particularly horses and those who really want to have fireworks in their back garden should think carefully about how it will affect the local animals before they do so.

Funding required for a documentary about horses and the kids they save

Please visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1381269252/horse-shoes-a-documentary-about-horses-and-the-kid?ref=card to find more information on Horse Shoes : A Documentary about horses & the kids they save. I've seen the preview video, found via Horse Sense (who found it via http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/ ) and the guy needs funding to continue, it's a good cause...

BHS Horse Care Advice Free Leaflets

The following publications are available to download free of charge from the BHS website:

Buying and Owning Your First Horse

Loaning or Leasing a Horse or Pony

Sample Loan Agreement

Cutting Cost Without Compromise

Responsible Rehoming

Euthanasia

Tetanus and Influenza Vaccination

 

Colic

African Horse Sickness

African Horse Sickness – Frequently Asked Questions

BHS Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses & Ponies at Events

BHS Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses & Ponies at Events – Notes

How to Weigh Your Horse

Condition Scoring

Guidelines for the Keeping of Horses: Stable Sizes, Pasture and Fencing

The Cost of Keeping a Horse or Pony

Essential Health Care Requirements

Prevention and Management of Laminitis

The Dangers of Ragwort

Ragwort - friend or foe?

Pasture Management

Worm Control

Basic Feeding

Bedding

Respiratory Health

Strangles

Strategy to Eradicate and Prevent Strangles (STEPs)

Sweet Itch

Cushing's Disease

How much to feed your horse?

Baileys Horse Feeds has a really useful feed calculator on their website, they help you establish your horse's bodyweight to enable you to work out the amount of feed required according to workload.

Demonstration of How To Do the Tellington TTouch®

Watch Linda Tellington- Jones demonstrate a TTouch circular movement on YouTube, read more about it on Linda's website and blog Linda Tellington-Jones Talks Story 

Tape Worms in Horses - Anoplocephala perfoliata, Anoplocephala magna & Anoplocephaloides mamillana

Autumn is upon us and it's now time to treat against tapeworm.

Diagnosing tapeworm in live horses is difficult as not finding tapeworm eggs in faeces does not mean that the horse is free of tapeworms, therefore egg counts are not reliable in the detection of tapeworm. The ELISA blood test for tapeworm antibodies is more reliable but even that isn't 100%.

Horses become infected with tapeworms when grazing or eating hay or bedding that is infected with the orbatid mite (forage mite) which is the intermediate host of the tapeworm. Eggs develop in the orbatid mite into immature tapeworms (cysticercoids) which will develops into an adult tapeworm  in the horses intestine, eggs are spread via the tapeworm segments illustrated above.

Tapeworm infestation is a major cause of spasmodic colic, current research estimates that over 20% of cases of spasmodic colic are related to tapeworm burden, they are also responsible for Ileal Impaction.

Exposure to tapeworms is greater during long periods of grazing eg. summer turnout, which is why we traditionally treat fro tapeworm in the autumn and then again six months later. Control tapeworm by worming with Equitape which treats Tapeworm only and should be used in addtion to your normal wormer or use a combination wormer such as Strongid P, Pyratape P, Equimax, Eqvalan Duo, Equest Pramox etc.

Remember keeping the horses enviroment free of dung is the most effective parasite control measure. Dropings should be removed from the field at least twice a week, stables and feeding untensils should be kept clean.

Photograph source Kleider Veterinary Services

Feeding Corn Oil to improve the condition of your horse's coat

Did you know that a little corn oil in your horse's feed will improve the condition of his coat? And yes you can use oil from the supermarket. As always make any feeding changes gradual (The Basic Rules of Feeding Horses) and start with only a splash. Some horses won't like the taste at first, mixing with chaff helps, but once your horse is happy with this you can gradually increase the amount fed to around 80ml / 2.7fl ozs a day for a shiny coat.

Colic in Horses : An Owner's Guide - Free iPhone app

A free app from the iTunes store for horse owners -

This application has been developed by an equine veterinarian and walks horse owners through steps to be taken when their horse is colicky. Owners will learn to perform a basic physical exam and what the parameters can mean. They will also learn when to call their vet out versus when to get their horse to the hospital asap.

Dr. Keith Taraba is the owner of Northeast Texas Equine Services in Pittsburg, TX. He has nearly a decade of experience in managing equine colic and has received training at one of the nation's most renowned equine referral centers.

Saddle Pads

What do you do when you find that your horse has changed shape and your saddle no longer fits perfectly?

 Ideally you'd have a saddler come out and refit the saddle or purchase another that fits correctly. But what if you believe the problem to be due to a temporary change in shape caused eg. due to loss of condition / lack of fitness. Do you invest in another saddle that may not fit in a few months time?

The answer to your problem could be the use of a saddle pad, there are a large variety available to eliviate all sorts of saddle fitting problems on a temporary basis. The one pictured above is the Prolite Wither Pad designed to s lift the front of a saddle and eliminate pressure caused by the points of the saddle tree on high-withered horses or where muscle wastage makes saddle fitting difficult.

The Wintec Front Riser Pad has an extra layer in the front to provide increased lift to saddles sitting to low on the withers and is ideal for fitting horses with a very low wither or minimal muscles across their shoulders.

The Prolite Adjustable Relief Pad has removable inserts which can be adapted to alter the fit of the saddle as muscle tone changes.

The Aerborn Aerolite Combi Riser is relief pad with additional removable shims in both the front and the rear aimed at adjusting the balance and fit of your saddle. Its pressure relieving, impact and friction absorbing properties help to alleviate bruising, saddle sores and dissipates the weight and pressure distribution under the saddle without reducing saddle stability. It's for use on young developing or rehabilitating horses, large yards where one saddle would be used on numerous horses or for just general condition change through the seasons

The Wintec Rear Riser Pad is made from shock absorbing foam which is moulded to fit the chamber of the saddle. It gives an extra layer to provide increased lift to the back of saddles for horses that are changing shape or have a poor top line and is ideal for fitting horses with a very high wither or sway back.

This is just a small selection of saddle pads currently on the market to give you an idea of what is available, they are great as a temporary measure but please remember that you really do need a well fitted saddle for both your horses and your own comfort and the best way to achieve this is with the advice of a qualified saddler.

7 Signs That Your Horse's Teeth May Be Causing Problems

                                              1. Difficulty in chewing

                                              2. Quidding (dropping food)

                                              3. Loss of appetite

                                              4. Swellings on the jaw

                                              5. Abrasions on the tongue or gums

                                              6. Loss of condition

                                              7. Poor performance

Early symptoms of Colic - video

Colic, abdominal pain, is dreaded by all horse owners as it can become severe leading to death. Being able to spot the early symptoms of colic is essential to prevent things escalting and going badly wrong.

There is a useful video on the Petplan Equine website that is well worth a look at, here is the link :

symptoms of colic video

How to find a Farrier

As a new horse owner you'll need to find yourself a farrier, your horse or pony will need to have their hooves trimmed / re-shod every 6 to 8 weeks depending on how quickly they grow.

There are lots of farriers out there to chose from, most have vans and travel to you. A good place to start looking for a farrier who covers your area is The Farriers Registration Council website. Click on Find a Farrier, agree to terms and you'll be sent to a search page where you can enter your town, postcode etc to find a farrier who covers your area.