Category Archives: Horses

Horses

Check your horse’s hooves regularly

Preventing injuries and illness is always better than treating them! If we had to point out a situation where this is especially true, it would be when it comes to hoof health in horses.

Hooves are fragile yet fundamental structures in equines, and many problems affecting the hooves are liable to evolve into severely painful and debilitating conditions that can often have fatal outcomes.

Laminitis, the inflammation of the soft tissues that hold the hoof in place, is extremely common and recurrent in horses, donkeys and ponies. It can severely impact animal welfare, to the point where owners might have to make the humane decision to euthanize a horse whose laminitis does not respond to treatment.

Experts recommend that you inspect your horse’s hooves regularly, including them in your daily care routine. The extra minutes you spend giving your horse a careful visual inspection can absolutely make a world of difference, as it might mean that you catch subtle lameness or structural changes in the hoof early on.

Because of the poor outcome of hoof diseases, the earlier you spot issues, the better your veterinarian and your farrier can help you solve them.

Read the tips below to help you in your daily inspection;

Symmetry

Take a good, long look away from your horse so that you can inspect all four hooves at once and observe any movements or posture that might be unusual. Take notice of any apparent changes between them, such as differences in size, shape or colour.

After an overall look, compare hooves on the same limbs, so you’re comparing front hooves between themselves and then the back hooves as a pair.

While some minor variations can happen between limbs, any noticeable changes should be noted and reported to your vet as soon as possible.

The overall shape of each hoof

As you start to do a closer inspection, pay attention to the shape of the hoof. Here you must have a solid knowledge of what a normal hoof should look like and how your animal’s feet usually look.

Many changes like uneven or bulging growth rings, contracted heels or warping of any part of the hoof should not go ignored.

Cracks, bruises or foul smells

While it may seem time-consuming, getting close and taking a long look at your horse’s feet allows you to spot issues that could need immediate attention.

Cracks and bruises might have developed or become apparent overnight, so a close, daily inspection is paramount. If you know or suspect that your horse might have stepped on something hard or had a traumatic incident recently, pay extra attention.

Foul smells usually indicate an infection and may be accompanied by local discharge of pus or other fluids. Thrush, in particular, has a very recognizable odour.

As owners, we are our horses’ greatest advocates as we know them the best and interact with them daily. If you notice any changes or have any concerns, do not hesitate to call your vet!

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Wounds in horses

Like any other animal, including ourselves, horses can suffer from a multitude of injuries that may result in open wounds.

Today, we’re covering three important aspects to consider when facing wounds in horses that can help you be prepared for an unexpected situation.

 

#1 – Vet contact information

This had to be top on our list! Always have your vet’s contact information near you in case of an emergency so that you can seek professional advice quickly.

Wounds in horses can look very dramatic with torn, dangling skin, showing muscles and tissues underneath, but often wounds that are small in size and not as gory in appearance may be the ones that will need attention and treatment more promptly.

 

#2 – Blood everywhere

If your horse is wounded, it probably means that there’s blood, and sometimes even a lot of blood! Don’t panic – horses are large animals, which means they also have a large volume of circulating blood. Putting it in perspective, a haemorrhage that would be fatal for a person is not likely to cause noticeable problems for a horse!

That said, instead of focussing on the amount of blood you are seeing, focus on locating the source of the bleeding and how the bleeding looks. If you see blood dripping, it is likely to be coming from a vein, which is easier to manage. However, if the blood is shooting, it’s probably coming from an artery, which comes straight from the heart with high pressure, and this situation needs immediate attention.

In either case, grab something you have at hand (if you have a first aid kit, grab a sterile dressing, if you’re out hacking in the woods, a piece of clean clothing will do) and apply firm pressure to the wound for a while to stop the bleeding.

 

#3 – Wound location and type

Wounds affecting the lower limbs should always be assessed by a vet. As the limbs consist mostly of bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels, there is not much support from muscles or other tissues in case of trauma.

This also means that a wound on a limb is more likely to affect a joint or tendon sheath, which can quickly compromise the horse’s overall health.

Head wounds and wounds affecting the eyes should also receive prompt veterinary attention, as there are many superficial and delicate vessels and nerves on the face.

As for the type of wound, appearance can be deceiving, and the smallest wounds can actually be the worst.

Puncture wounds are extremely dangerous as it’s not possible to assess their depth just by observing them. Puncture wounds on the limbs can easily affect joint structures, and when located on the body, they can cause internal organ damage and infections.

 

Remember, the way a wound heals is often influenced by the initial first aid applied, so don’t hesitate to contact your vet to help you! Also, always approach your horse with caution and be attentive to subtle signs, as pain can lead to aggression.

And if you’re interested in knowing what you can do in an emergency situation before professional advice and treatment can be obtained, have a look at our equine first aid course on The Pet Professionals’ site.

 

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Equine respiratory disease

Fun fact about horses’ anatomy and respiratory system:

Did you know that whilst most other mammals, such as cats and dogs, have 13 pairs of ribs, horses usually have 18?

This means that their chest is longer, allowing it to accommodate a large set of lungs that have a capacity of around 55 litres, which is nine times superior to ours. This is one of the reasons why horses are capable of such strenuous exercise and work.

Lungs are an important part of horses’ respiratory system. It’s in the lungs’ alveoli that gaseous exchange occurs, allowing oxygen to enter the horse’s bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be eliminated from the body.

 

That said, today, we’re raising awareness of important conditions that can affect a horse’s respiratory tract, what you can do to keep your horse healthy and how you can spot respiratory issues at an early stage.

 

Common horse respiratory diseases

There are many diseases that can affect a horse’s respiratory system, which we can divide into two large groups:

Infectious diseases:

  • Viral infections, such as equine influenza and equine viral arteritis
  • Bacterial infections, such as strangles, and secondary infections

Non-infectious diseases:

  • Inflammatory airway disease
  • Recurrent airway obstruction

 

What can you do to promote your horse’s respiratory health?

Staying informed is key, so don’t hesitate to seek professional advice when needed and discuss any concerns that you may have with your vet.

Knowing how to spot indicators of respiratory issues is very important as well so that you can tackle these at an early stage.

Regarding infectious diseases, some can be prevented through vaccination. Vaccination protocols are recommended based on a number of factors, including age, lifestyle and environment, so you should discuss this with your vet to find out what would be best for your horse.

As for non-infectious diseases, the ones that we mention above have an allergic nature, which means that part of their management involves environmental changes to remove or minimise potential allergens in the air.

 

Spotting respiratory signs

There are obvious signs of respiratory disease that everyone can easily identify, such as nasal discharge, coughing, and reluctance to exercise (although this last sign can be caused by many non-respiratory problems as well).

But it’s also important to be aware of more subtle signs, such as an increased respiratory rate and other non-specific signs like altered behaviour, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.

If you recognise any of these, contact your vet so that they can examine your horse as soon as possible and if necessary, start treatment straight away!

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Equine grass sickness

Equine grass sickness (EGS) has caused significant losses in the horse, pony and donkey population, especially in the UK, which is the country with the highest incidence of this terrible disease. As it has a 95% mortality rate and no known cause, this condition is of great concern to owners in affected areas. 

Horses aged between two and four years are the most affected, however, it can occur in animals of any age from four months onwards. It happens almost always in animals with access to grass pasture, yet researchers have identified a few grass sickness cases in horses that had no access to grass. Because the cause is still under investigation, it’s hard to say why even some horses with no access to pasture had these issues, but it is thought that hay might have brought in the yet mysterious causal agent. 

What we do know is that EGS destroys the part of the nervous system responsible for gut motility and the type of damage it causes has researchers searching for a toxic cause, such as bacteria like Clostridium botulinum in the soil. 

 

Signs 

Grass sickness has three primary forms: acute, subacute and chronic. They share a lot of the same signs, but the prognosis and treatment options are very different. 

In general, you can find: 

  • Drooping eyelids; 
  • Depression; 
  • Muscle tremors; 
  • Difficulty swallowing; 
  • Distended abdomen; 
  • Weight loss; 
  • Colic; 
  • Sweating in patches. 

 

Unfortunately, animals that display either the acute or subacute form are not likely to survive more than a few days. 

However, horses with a milder chronic form of this disease might not only survive but can also make a full recovery, so prompt intensive nursing treatment should be sought. 

 

 

Seasonality and risk factors 

A strong correlation to any particular season has not been observed, as cases can occur at any month of the year though EGS peaks between April and July. 

The risk factors are still under study, but animals that have undergone severe stress (travelling, breaking, mixing with strange horses, among others) and that have access to grass fields where the soil has been mechanically disturbed, has a high nitrogen content or a high number of horses, might increase chances of developing grass sickness. 

Usually, only one animal is affected, but outbreaks where several horses fall ill simultaneously are possible. 

 

Due to a still elusive cause, equine grass sickness remains a very complicated illness to manage and prevent! If you have any concerns about your horses or the conditions of your pastures, don’t hesitate to contact your vet for further information.

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

Equine courses

 

Horses, The Pet Professionals

Staying fit in 2021

January 2021, it’s the beginning of a New Year, and if you’re like most people who set New Year’s resolutions, you’re likely to have written down ‘eat better’, ‘start exercising’ or ‘lose 2 kgs’ on your list.

If you find these goals relatable, so do we, as it is well known that proper nutrition, an active lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight are all very important in leading a healthy life.

This is as true for horses as it is for people and, with obesity on the rise within the equine population, we’ve decided to go over some tools that you can use to make sure your horse stays fit and healthy.

 

#1: Recognising the problem

It can be hard for horse owners to recognise that their horse is overweight so, how do you do it?

Finding out if your horse is at an ideal weight requires a thorough visual and tactile assessment, also known as fat (or body) scoring.

Look at your horse. If you can see the ribs individually, your horse is likely to be underweight.

Now run your hand over your horse’s back – can you feel the ribs and pelvis? If not, your horse is likely to be very overweight.

There are a number of other visual and tactile landmarks, such as the neck and shoulder blades, that can help you evaluate your horse’s fat score. Talk to your vet so they can teach you how to fat score your horse properly and create a record to help you keep track.

 

#2: Providing adequate nutrition

Ensure your horse is getting all the nutrients they need by offering them a balanced feed, and don’t forget to factor in the calories provided by hay, fresh grass, and treats to avoid over-feeding.

Maintaining weight and weight variations are dependent on the number of calories ingested versus the amount spent, so make sure you are feeding your horse with the right amount to maintain, lose or gain weight, according to your horse’s needs.

 

#3: Implementing an exercise routine

There are different types of activities you can do with your horses with some being more indicated for weight loss than others.

If your horse is overweight, keep in mind that the excess kgs can have a significant impact or their physical ability, so you should always adjust the intensity, frequency and type of exercise to something that your horse can tolerate safely.

 

As with everything else, keep in mind that this is a dynamic balance, so what works today might not work tomorrow and always take into account your horse’s individual characteristics when planning an exercise or feeding routine.

 

Remember, obesity can lead to unwanted and even life-threatening consequences such as cardiorespiratory disease, hormone imbalance, arthritis and laminitis so, if your horse is overweight, don’t hesitate to seek veterinary assistance.

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Oral problems in horses

When we think of digestion, the first organ that usually comes to mind tends to be the stomach. However, all of the digestive organs are equally important to guarantee your horse’s nutrition, and the digestive process starts in the mouth.

So, what should we keep in mind regarding our horses’ oral health care?

#1: Regular oral checks

Horses’ teeth are very different from our own. As herbivorous animals, their teeth are adapted so that they can get the most out of their diet, breaking fibrous food and preparing it for the next digestive processes further down the gastrointestinal tract.

Horses’ teeth keep erupting throughout their lives, and this means that they can ‘grow’ approximately 2-3 mm per year. Because of this, grazing is essential to wear them down, so keeping their size fairly constant. However, when grazing is insufficient, and as the different tooth components wear at different rates, dental issues can develop, such as malocclusions, for example.

When this happens, some teeth can acquire sharp edges that cut into the surrounding tissues (cheek and tongue), which can be very painful.

Also, as horses get older, they become more prone to periodontal disease and oral infections due to alterations of the shape of the teeth. 

Dental care will help prevent oral pathology, so having a look at your horses’ mouth regularly and booking routine dental appointments are essential.

However, when horses have oral problems, sometimes behavioural changes are spotted before the oral lesions, which brings us to topic number two.

#2: Attention to changes in behaviour and appearance 

As oral disease can be very painful, keep an eye out for general signs of pain or discomfort, but to the more specific, look out for the following:

  • A reluctance to eat or eating slowly
  • Alterations while chewing – using only one side of the mouth, dropping feed, …
  • Head shaking
  • Bit and bridle aversion 

Physical signs can also be apparent such as facial swelling, nasal discharge, bad breath and weight loss. 

If you recognise any of the signs mentioned above or if you’ve been postponing your horse’s dental appointment, don’t hesitate to contact your vet!

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

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Cats, Dogs, Horses, The Pet Professionals

Autumn celebrations and pet safety

Every season has its grace, and autumn has arrived bringing us shorter days, beautiful colours and a longing for cosiness and evenings by the fire.

Bringing some joy to this unprecedented year, autumn celebrations are fast approaching, so this is the perfect opportunity to go over some important pet safety precautions.

Halloween

If your Halloween costume is always on point and you want to make sure your pet is included, please keep in mind:

  • Pet costumes shouldn’t restrict in any way your pets’ movement, breathing, vision or hearing;
  • If your pet is not comfortable clothed, there are alternatives you can use, such as festive collars, bandanas or harnesses.

Also, be selfish and don’t share! As counter-intuitive as this may seem, our treats are not safe for pets as chocolate and some sweets contain substances that are toxic to them and which may well cause sickness.

Fireworks

Make sure your pet or horse is microchipped, and that your contact details are up to date to facilitate a reunion if they run should away.

At home, start preparing a safe place for your pets where they can escape to if they feel scared. It should include familiar items that will make them feel calm and comfortable, and some coverage to muffle the sounds.

On the day of the displays, make sure that you walk your dogs and exercise your horses before they start. Also, if possible, bring your pets inside and consider not letting your cats out to guarantee that they are safe at home.

Regarding horses, having them stabled during fireworks displays may cause additional stress. Consider turning them out if you believe there’s a possibility of self-injury due to trying to escape from an enclosed environment.

As many official displays have been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, the British Veterinary Association has issued a warning regarding the likelihood of increased unregulated backyard fireworks.

If you know your pet struggles when the fireworks start popping, consider staying at home with them to provide some reassurance.
Also, talk to your vet – from desensitisation therapy to pheromones and various medications, there are a number of options available to help your pets cope with the stress.

Keep in mind that fearful pets may show signs of anxiety, which can be something as simple as pacing or panting, but also more undesirable behaviours, such as excessive vocalisation and toileting inside. If this happens, do not try to comfort your pets by petting them as this may be interpreted as positive reinforcement of an unwanted behaviour. However, it’s as important not to reprimand or punish them as this can worsen their fear.

The day after the displays, remove debris if you find them to avoid accidents.

If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. We wish you a happy and safe Halloween and Bonfire night!

Cats, Dogs, Horses, The Pet Professionals

Expecting the unexpected

Preventive medicine is the best way for us to keep our pets healthy, but, unfortunately, health is not something that we can always predict and control. Accidents can happen, and there are a number of illnesses that cannot be easily avoided, such as cancer and heart disease, for example.

But there’s something we can do to deal with unexpected situations, which is always being prepared! To help you, we’ve created this list of three fundamental topics;

#1: Contact information

Have your vet’s contact information in an easily accessible place in case of an emergency. Your phone is likely to be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is worth keeping these details in more than one place in case you run out of battery, for example.

Keep in mind that with the COVID-19 pandemic, practices have had to change the way they operate, so make sure to keep updated with their current ways of functioning and safety measures in case you need to take your pet for a consultation.

#2: Observations, details and relevant information

This is something that we keep insisting on, but only because it is so important! An attentive owner is vital for the early diagnosis of several diseases, and having relevant information ready and organised to present to your vet is invaluable.

We suggest keeping a journal where you register meaningful observations, and when these have happened. This way, it will be easier and quicker to answer all the vets’ questions as well as provide them with details you might have forgotten otherwise.

Records of feeding, drinking and exercise are a great start!

#3: Pet insurance

Vet bills can be expensive, and, if your pet is diagnosed with a chronic illness, such as diabetes, for example, he is going to need lifelong treatment. Pet insurance will allow you to make decisions based on what is best for your pet instead of your current financial situation.

While choosing pet insurance, keep in mind that not all policies provide the same coverage. Make sure you are aware of what is included and if there are any restrictions.

Would you like to know more about cats? Check our Feline Courses:

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Would you like to know more about dogs? Check our Canine Courses:

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Avoiding horse overheating during exercise

The heat is back on, summer is in full swing and horse owners are faced with a difficult challenge.

How do you keep up with exercise and work needs in this hot weather?

During this time, heat stress is a significant concern for all owners, and it’s vital to keep monitoring your horse’s hydration status and workload. There are several factors to consider when evaluating if and when you should ride out with your horses to avoid dehydration and overheating.

 

Temperature and humidity

High temperatures by themselves are already something to be cautious about, but when mixed in with high humidity, the combination can get truly dangerous, fast.

Damp heat makes it harder for a horse to regulate its body temperature by evaporating sweat, and so, this puts the animal at risk of heat stress.

 

Hydration 

If you’ve ever wondered why the phrase “sweat like a horse” exists, then this section will clear it right up.

Like us (and unlike dogs or cats), the primary method of losing heat is through sweating. Because of their size, they can lose around 10 to 12 litres of water every hour just by sweating. This means that dehydration through continued losses from sweat can and will happen if you’re not careful.

Something else that might happen is that, due to the chemical nature of their sweat, horses might not feel thirsty after sweating. In practical terms, your animals could be dehydrated, but they will not seek out water to drink.

 

So… back to our first issue!

How can I help my horses exercise without harmful heat stress?

  • Consider skipping a training day if the weather is overly hot or damp;
  • If work is necessary, try to ride during the cooler hours of the day;
  • Make sure that your horse is drinking and always has available water sources;
  • Running cool water over the body after exercising is a great way to help lose heat but make sure to keep a good flow so there’s always cooler water on them;
  • Avoid overly cold water as it might cause the blood vessels to constrict, making heat loss less efficient;
  • Shaded, well-ventilated areas are great spaces to help your animals cool down, especially if there are fans near them;
  • Check if your transportation unit is adequate for hot temperature travel and, if it’s not, travel during the cooler hours.

 

These are some of the quick, practical things you can implement during this time of the year but, if you need any help or feel there is something wrong, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.

Cats, Dogs, Horses, The Pet Professionals

Top 3 tips to enjoy Summer with your pets

With the beautiful weather we’ve been having lately, we feel this is the perfect opportunity to share with you our top three tips to help you enjoy Summer with your four-legged companions.

#1: Keep your pets protected from heatstroke

As usual, prevention always comes first!

Heatstroke occurs when your pets overheat in such a way that their physiologic cooling mechanisms are not sufficient to bring their body temperature back to normal. This can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening.

There are a number of precautions you can take to avoid heatstroke, the most important being:

  • Ensuring that your pets have access to well-ventilated, shaded areas at all times.
  • Avoiding taking your dogs for a walk or exercising your horses during the hottest hours of the day.
  • Making sure fresh, clean water is always available.

Dogs and cats are usually more easily and severely affected since they cannot sweat like horses. As such, signs of heatstroke also tend to be more evident in small animals than in horses, which may only show signs of some distress.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs include excessive panting, excessive salivation, restlessness, incoordination, confusion, weakness and collapse. In cats, the signs are the same, though they tend to be more subtle. However, if your cat is breathing with an open mouth, this is always indicative of a problem, so don’t hesitate to contact your vet for advice.

Keep in mind that some animals are more susceptible to heatstroke than others, and predisposing factors include:

  • Medical conditions
  • Obesity
  • Thick/dark coats
  • Flat faces – brachycephalic breeds
  • Age extremes
  • Strenuous exercise
  • Dehydration

Which brings us right into our next tip.

#2: Staying hydrated

Water is the major component of our pets’ body, which is the same as saying without water, there is no life.

As water takes part in so many vital functions in our pets’ metabolism, including temperature regulation, making sure our pets stay hydrated should be a priority to every owner.

So, what can you do to make sure your pet stays hydrated? There are basically two ways to do this:

  1. Increasing water intake
  2. Decreasing water loss

Increasing water intake can be tricky, especially for cats. If they’re not particularly fond of drinking (because there are cats that do love to drink!), you can ask your vet how to include wet food in their diet.

To encourage the drinking behaviour itself, it usually helps to have multiple sources of clean, fresh water scattered around the house. You can also try offering water in different containers as some cats may have preferences regarding the type of material of the container. Some cats will also prefer running water to still water, so keep trying different combinations.

Adding some ice cubes to your pets’ water will keep it cool longer, which some pets find refreshing, depending on their individual preferences.

Regarding horses, we need to keep in mind that, when they sweat, they’re losing water to regulate their temperature, but they’re losing electrolytes as well, particularly sodium. As such, an oral replacement electrolyte solution may be indicated. Make sure you check with your vet if this is needed, and which one is the most appropriate to give to your horse.

As for decreasing water loss, pets lose water with thermoregulation (keeping their body temperature stable when it’s too hot) and through elimination. There’s nothing we can do about the latter unless there’s an underlying medical condition increasing or decreasing its frequency, but we can help to reduce the energy and water our pets spend regulating their temperature. The way to do this is to keep them in a cool well-ventilated environment and avoid exercise when it’s too warm outside.

#3: Enjoy outdoor activities

Summer is fast approaching, the weather is fantastic, and this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities with your pets, such as hacking or going for a countryside walk.

Make sure you take all necessary safety precautions needed, including everything we have mentioned above, practice safe social distancing and have a wonderful time with your pets!