Archives for horse care tips category
A horse with equine colic is a situation that strikes fear into any horse lover. But what is colic in horses? What symptoms should you keep an eye out for?
Colic in horses is in reference to pain which stems from the abdomen. Generally horses do not hide abdominal pain well. So in the event of any disturbance of gut function they will usually display signs of discomfort.
Signs of discomfort could be stretching, standing as if to urinate, and hoofing the ground. If in more pain the horse will get up and down, and try rolling to get more comfortable.
The horse will likely start to sweat. In more severe cases it will get up and lie down and roll constantly.
What Can You Do?
If you believe your horse is suffering from colic, you should call an experienced equine vet straight away. The vet will be able to supply emergency pain relief and decide whether further treatment is appropriate.
What can you do while waiting for the vet to arrive? Leading your horse for a walk sometimes helps. It can sometimes encourage his intestines to start working normally and help soothe the pain. It could also prevent the horse lying down to roll. However if he is already lying down peacefully then you should let him stay lying down.
It was thought that a horse could cause a twisted gut by rolling. That has been proven to be probably incorrect. Though it is best to prevent him rolling around if possible. That way you will stop your horse injuring himself by knocking itself on any walls. Of course take care that you don't hurt yourself. It's likely horses will forget all their normal manners if in pain.
There are several different reasons as to why horses get colic. But often the signs look similar regardless of the cause.
What will the vet do to investigate the problem? They will have a listen to the abdomen using a stethoscope which will show them whether there is more or less activity in the intestines than there should be.
Monitoring the heart rate gives a good indication of the severity of the discomfort and the seriousness of the problem. A horse with a normal heart rate doen't have a sever problem. Whereas fast heart rates are not such a promising sign.
A very helpful area of the examination is the examination of the rectum. By feeling the intestines, your vet may be able to find the root of the issue. It goes without saying that this is a very complicated procedure, that is potentially dangerous for both parties. But for an experienced equine vet the information it provides is incredibly useful in deciding the cause of the problem. Revealing a blockage, or a swollen area of gut as a result of a loop or other intestinal issue.
It's likely that in all but the most straightforward scenarios the vet may inset a tube through the horses' nose into the stomach. Though it sounds unpleasant but can make the horse more comfortable by releasing the built up pressure from the stomach. Doing this can also give the vet useful feedback about whether the stomach is functioning properly.
Sometimes the horse is in so much pain that it is impossible for the vet to examine him fully without first applying a dose of pain killer.
Only by considering all of the signs revealed by a detailed examination is the vet able to make an initial diagnosis. Even then it may not be possible to diagnose exactly what is going on.
It might be the case that, after the first inspection, the horse requires surgery. But more usually your vet will decide to treat the horse with a fast-acting painkiller and monitor his progress after a few hours. Most examples show a quick improvement. However some will either not respond to the treatment, or they might respond initially, only to start showing signs of discomfort again later.
In preference to having to bring the vet to your horse several times, it is normally preferred to move these cases to a specialist practice so they can be closely monitored and surgery can be performed if appropriate.
In Conclusion
Luckily most colic cases respond quickly to medical treatment. Although if surgery is necessary - it is important to operate as soon as possible. The likelyhood of a successful outcome is far greater if the surgery is performed before too much damage has taken place.
For more information, horses for sale and more, please visit the Horse and Pony Directory.
Technorati Tags: advice, colic, equine, horses, information, vets
Mar 01, 2010 | | horse care tips
You must plan ahead before transporting your horse. Especially in warm weather horses can easily become stressed when being transported. The most important thing to remember is that the health and safety of your horse comes first.
There are some horses which won't display their stress at being transported. So make sure you keep an eye on the horse's behaviour and heart rate. Since horses are intelligent they are capable of remembering things. If your horse seems unwilling to enter the trailer, remember that this could be the cause.
If you bully your horse, it will not forget and so will associate horseboxes with unpleasant memories. A horse that's not used to travelling needs to be introduced to it gradually. You will have to be patient, supportive, and consistent.
You must realize that towing a horsebox is a special skill. A special test for towing a trailer or driving a horsebox is required if your driving licence was obtained after 1997. Unless you have some experience, you should consider professional training.
You should always get used to the box or trailer when it is empty. Never practise the difficult art of reversing with a trailer when you have a horse in it.
You have to make sure that there is proper ventilation in the horsebox. Make sure that the maximum air flow is maintained. Sometimes swerving or emergency stops are unavoidable, so make sure you are prepared for this. Always carry first aid equipment for yourself and your horse. In case of an emergency you should always have your vet's number readily available. Should you be unlucky enough to need immediate veterinary treatment for your horse as a result of an accident, it's sensible to have ready access to your horse insurance documents.
When travelling make sure that your horse isn't short of drink. Such encouragement will reduce the risk of impaction colic as well, of course, of dehydration. Frequent stops for water will ensure that your horse remains healthy.
Horses tend to travel better when it is cool so try to plan your trip accordingly. Your horse needs lots of fresh air, so make sure this is provided. Also, avoid travelling in the heat of the day and allowing any build-up of muck in the horsebox. In hot and humid weather your horse will need plenty of water to make up for its increased sweating. Respiratory problems can result from an ammonia build-up, so ensure that the trailer is kept scrupulously clean. The cost of an unexpected visit to your vet can be surprisingly high - especially if your horse insurance provider denies liability on account of your alleged negligence.
Water to which horses are unaccustomed can sometimes be off-putting. Encourage your horse to drink whilst travelling by adding a bit of Gatorade to their water. So you put a dash of Gatorade in their water when you are travelling. This makes the water more inviting to your horse.
Don't forget to ensure that all the details required by your equine insurance company have been kept up to date just in case the worst should happen and you were unlucky enough to have a collision. Your journey can be a pleasure if you make proper plans and take everything that your horse might need.
Technorati Tags: equine insurance, horse insurance, horse trailer, horse transport
Jun 26, 2010 | | horse care tips
Horses have an extremely long and varied history. Horses are beautiful animals and seem to have a spiritual presence. Their ability to pick up on our emotions and their sensitivity to our moods imbues them with something of a mysticism. Perhaps this is why horses throughout the ages have been a focal point of many myths and legends.
The Magical Unicorn.
One of the most well known mythical horses is the Unicorn, which has long captured the heart of the young and the old. The unicorn has inspired a wide range of legends and imagary according to different cultural interpretations. It was a unicorn by the name of Ki Lin which showed Chinese Emperor Fu His, over five thousand years ago, the first characters of written Chinese, so legend has it. The legend states that the Emperor traced into the dirt on the ground the symbols in which the unicorn was covered. This was the beginning of the Chinese written language.
The Karkadaan is the name by which the unicorn is referred to in Arabia. It is a ferocious war like creature that can appear in different forms. It is from India as far back as 416 BC that we get the first written accounts of a unicorn. They were described as being white in colour, with dark blue eyes, a dark red head and a horn on their forehead that was about a foot and a half long.
At around three feet tall and a mere one hundred pounds, the European unicorn of folklore is like a smaller version of a horse in every way excepting its horn. A white or cream colour is attributed to the unicorn in Northern Europe. Yet Southern European accounts tell of a golden creature, or else one which is almost black. Magical healing powers are attributed to the horn of a unicorn.
The unicorn as it is depicted today is similar to the European description, but larger and more closely resebling a horse. Unicorns are commonly depicted as being identical to a horse, with the exception of a long horn on his forehead. It is usually depicted as being pure white, however it has even been described as being colours like pink, purple and blue.
People of all ages, particularly children, remain fascinated with the mythical representation of the unicorn. Unicorns can be seen in many toys, movies and written about in books. In reality unicorns do not exist, however, in our hearts and minds they will always have a special place.
The Magical Flying Horse.
Another horse type creature that has been written about in mythology and other stories is Pegasus. Pegasus - offspring of Posiedon and Medusa in Greek mythology - was a magnificent white winged horse that was ridden by Bellerophon and had mystic powers. Zeus gave Pegasus the honoured task of carrying his thunderbolts. Pegasus mated with Euippe and produced Celeris and Melanippe. The legend goes that on the last day of Pegasus's life Zeus changed him into a constellation that can still be seen today.
A Good Luck Symbol.
In many countries and to many people the horseshoe is a symbol of good luck. How exactly this came to be is unclear, yet it is one of the most famous superstitions relating to horses. The crescent shape of the horse shoe is symbolic of protection, and some say that this is the source of the luck. Others believe that the luck emanates from the animal itself. An old belief in the magical properties of iron had blacksmiths therefore as magicians wielding powers of the supernatural. For this reason you could hang an iron horseshoe above your do to keep witches and demons away.
The seven nail holes in each shoe are also a signifier of good luck. The number seven is believed to hold powers of good luck in some cultures. One belief held that a horse wearing shoes fashioned from the sword which had spilled the blood of a warrior would be speedy and never tire.
Horses and donkeys seem to have attracted more than their fair share of superstitions and old wives tales over the course of time. Some of the strangest and most interesting superstitions surrounding horses are listed below.
- A horse would become crippled if it stepped in a wolf paw print.
- Changing the name of a horse is said to bring bad luck to the horse's owner.
- If you wanted to cure whooping cough, the patient should inhale the breath of a horse.
- Both toothache and snakebites can apparently be cured by riding backwards on a donkey.
- Leading a horse through your house is said to reverse the bad luck bestowed upon you by the breaking of a mirror.
- By carrying a rowan wood whip you could prevent a witch from casting a spell on your horse.
- Circling a wart with horse hair would cure it.
- To protect yourself from witches you take the tail hair from a black stallion and wear it on your wrist.
- Putting pennies into your water tank would stop a mare being irritable.
- Putting a horse's skull under the floor where the piano is situated was said to improve the tone of the instrument.
Horses are amazing animals and do seem to have an elusive air of mystical presence. Most people who spend time around horses talk of their special awe-inspiring qualities. Perhaps this is why they have become such an intricate part of the history of so many varying cultures and civilisations. As such an integral part of our folklore and legend, horses have and always will be part of the stories we tell our children.
This article has been published for the millions of horse enthusiasts all over the world by Animal Friends Equine Insurance - the UK's only not-for-profit horse insurance provider. You can buy horse rider insurance today online or by phone, and all net profits go towards helping animals in crisis around the globe.
Technorati Tags: equestrian, horse insurance, horses in myth and legend, non-profit insurance company
Jun 09, 2010 | | horse care tips
Aside from equestrian horses apparel, horse riders should look after their horses because of course , the health of the horse has a {major major} impact on the result when they're in a competition. No matter of the sports that the pony will be engaged in, he must be ready for the occasion, something that correct horse riding apparel is essential for. Folks who ride horses aren't the sole ones who need to look as good as they can but the pony should look healthy too as there are lots of items available for the horse the riders can pick from.
The dressing kit is one of the most important supplies, as the horse must be well presented and properly equipped. With it horse riders will be able to preserve their pony's coat in good condition. Grooming renders a great chance to test the pony for stress and promotes good circulation simultaneously.
The grooming kit is made up of different implements to keep the pony clean, with each of these implements having a different purpose when cleaning the horse, a number of these are noted below : The dandy brush uses long bristles and its main purpose is to get rid of soil from the outside of the coat, principally employed in less delicate regions of the horse.
Body brushes are bound in leather and come in both hard or soft fluctuations to serve diverse needs. These cleaners are good to dispose of the grease and riding dust from the horse's body, and to wash the many delicate areas of the horse. Change brushing the pony, the curry comb is used to clean the brush, not for brushing the horse.
This product get the assorted waste out of the brush, so you can easily employ the same brush again on your pony.
The rubber curry comb is used to wash the horse's mane and tail, to get rid of caked mud and loose hair. As its name advises, a water brush is used to apply water to your horse's coat when washing it.
A mane comb, which is obtainable in metal and plastic, is employed for exactly what it sounds like - head of hair and tail. Apart from the short metal combs used for drawing manes, particular brushs that contain a blade, are used to thin out the mane. Hoof picks are used to take of dirt, stone and other debris that are picked up in their hooves while horse riding or grazing in the field.
To scrub the eyes, nose, and injuries of the horse, use cotton fiber sponges, and to take of sweat or extra water from washing, use a sweat scraper. Eventually is the dressing kit box which can be any container or holdall with adequate storage for the brushes, but there's no reason why you can't use a plain canvas bag with a drawing string.
Technorati Tags: dressing kit, equestrian apparel, Equestrian Horses Apparel, horse riding, horse riding apparel
Jun 05, 2010 | | horse care tips
Selecting a horse trainer can be a daunting experience. Many factors will come to play when choosing a trainer, and we've compliled a list of top tips to help make it easier for you.
- The first thing you have to do is to decide the discipline you want your horse to be trained in. There are many different trainers who specialize in different styles such as show trainers, trainers for gaited horses, western pleasure riding, English riding, dressage, show jumping, barrel racing, cutting, and the list keeps going.
- After you have figured out what type of training you want, next thing to consider is the experience of the trainer. If a trainer does not have experience in the discipline that you desire, move on to someone else. Word of mouth is an excellent way of finding a trainer.
- Is the trainer's facilities clean and efficient looking? Are the horses in shape and well kept? Talk to other owners at the stable and see if they've achieved any success in competitions. Are they satisfied with the level of training their horses are receiving?
- Talk to the trainer and see if you're a good fit. Some trainers will allow you to watch a training session with a horse in order to get your business. Discuss your goals and what you'd ultimately want to do with your horse with the trainer to see how he/she can help you achieve what you want.
- Always ask about any and all costs. Some trainers require that you have insurance on your horse before allowing you to keep your horse at their facility.
Once you get your horse back from the trainer, you will need horse tack such as saddle pads, breast collars, and horse bits. Make sure that you select the right type of horse tack that you need for you and your horse. Good luck in all your equine activities.
Technorati Tags: horse tack, saddle pads, trainers
May 30, 2010 | | horse care tips
Juegos Horse lovers are definitely becoming more educated about horse ulcers. This growing awareness is wonderful because it means great relief for horses who have suffered from ulcers, sometimes for years.
Because of the expanding number of horse owners who are aware of ulcers, I often get questions about how to prevent ulcers, especially in specific situations. In this article I'm going to answer three of the most prevalent questions.
People want to know how to prevent ulcers if their horse is:
- going on antibiotic therapy
- must be confined due to an injury or illness
- heading into training for the first time (especially young horses)
These are all great questions, and each has a different answer.
#1: How to Prevent Horse Ulcers during Antibiotic Therapy
As much as I try to avoid it, sometimes antibiotic therapy is necessary, especially with acute conditions or serious injuries. As you probably already know, antibiotics kill off the "friendly bacteria," or probiotics, that live in your horse's gut. These friendly bacteria are an important part of your horse's digestion, and form a first line of defense against foreign invaders that cause illness. Acidophilus is the probiotic that lives in your horse's small intestine while bifidus lives in the large intestine.
Trabajar Most polo players prefer to keep their horses in the stable during the training period. This not only allows them to more carefully monitor their daily intake of food but also keep them at a higher temperature. Like humans, horses muscles respond better when they are hot, and as a bonus, her coat improved faster. An output short trailer, truck or trailer will also help you prepare psychologically for life competitive.
Trabajo Empleo a. It never hurts to feed prebiotics and probiotics during the course of antibiotics. Feeding probiotics after your horse completes the course of antibiotics is a must.
b. To replenish your horse's population of probiotics and prevent horse ulcers, I prefer products that include both prebiotics and probiotics.
c. Fastrack is one popular brand that includes both prebiotics and probiotics, with the paste form being more powerful than the powdered form. If your horse has only been on a short course of antibiotics (one week or less), Fastrack may be strong enough to replenish your horse's gut with probiotics. If you horse has been on antibiotics for longer or has had digestive issues in the past, the Simplexity Essentials are a better choice. The Essentials are daily packs of supplements that include not only acidophilus, bifidus, and enzymes, but also two forms of blue-green algae. This special kind of blue-green algae acts powerfully to heal any ulcers that may be forming.
#2: How to Prevent Horse Ulcers if Your Horse Must be Confined
Depending on your horse's personality type, confinement can either be restful or stressful. For instance, the super-competitive Wood horse can easily develop ulcers from sheer restlessness and boredom, while the laid back Earth horse may do fine with confinement so long as plenty of food is present. Find out more about each of the Five-Element horse personality types at the Horse Harmony website and test your horse's personality type at no cost at the Horse Harmony Test website.
Having said that each personality type responds differently to confinement, there are three general guidelines you can follow to prevent horse ulcers for any equine who has to be confined for an extended length of time:
- cut back on grain-type feeds - increase the amount of hay you feed - feed herbal supplements like Relax Blend from Equilite or Omega Sun blue-green algae from Simplexity
The first part of training is to establish a basic level of fitness by working long distance, slowly, until the animal can work a full hour. The exercise period shall consist of intervals of walking, trotting, "lope and gallop medium" ("sing"), so that the horse back to the garage completely cooled. Like people, horses become more suitable when subjected to stress (both anaerobic and aerobic) and then given time to recover.
A large amount of patience is required to successfully complete lead training with your horse. Big improvements will soon be made if you can just stick with it. Work every day if possible for short periods and you'll be pleased with the results; then you will be moving closer to the time when you can saddle up and begin riding. you can be published without charge. You can to republish this article in your website or blog. Please provide links Active.
Technorati Tags: horses, juegos, Juegos.com, Online Juegos, Trabajar, Trabajo Empleo
May 29, 2010 | | horse care tips
Bran mashes have historically been marketed as being helpful for mature horses to help them hold their weight on - the result of worn and aging teeth. Now, plainly feeding bran mash may be harmful for your horse's hooves. The lesson of the knowledge is, don't feed bran if your horse has any hoof issues.
Oats or other grain brans comprise phytate, that is high in phosphorus and will impede absorption of calcium in the small intestine, making a systemic calcium deficiency. Calcium is important in the robust bonding of keratinized cells to supply a strong hoof.
But, what about the fact you have been attempting to manage stool regularity? Try giving sugar beet pulp as a substitute. In case you are using bran to forestall sand colic, use psyllium. Really, to be frank, you are not probably going to be giving it enough bran mash that your horses hooves will be in trouble. Bran mashes aren't normally the only food given, they are used in combination with different forage and pellets.
So if you happen to do have hoof problems, how about utilizing Biotin - a popular hoof growth supplement? Well, that is attention-grabbing, it seems analysis shows that if your horse has a normally functioning GI tract, a biotin complement isn't needed. And feeding more than the physiological quantity of biotin does not improve hoof progress and strength. Okay fine, so what is the purpose? The Purpose is as a substitute of biotin or mash, feed loose salt, vitamin C, copper and zinc.
Make certain your horse has access to loose salt and not just salt blocks. On the other hand, horses fed a premixed feed typically get sufficient quantities of salt, so you won't need loose salt. Copper and vitamin C are catalysts for forming healthy, connective hoof tissue. Make certain copper and vitamins are supplied in enough amounts. DL-methionine, glycine, praline and glutamic acid are major building blocks for wholesome connective tissues.
Zinc is needed for a healthy hoof. With out it, the hoof suffers parakaratosis, a defect within the maturation of keratin, leaving the hoof soft and structurally weak. Zinc and copper should be in balance by the way. Bottom line? Do not feed dietary supplements only for the heck of it. Determine if you actually need them within the first place by talking to your Veterinarian. And in case you do, only start with separately so you can see if it is truly beneficial.
If you're currently searching for horses for sale, ponies for sale or horseboxes for sale please visit The Horse and Pony Directory.
Technorati Tags: bran mash, horses, horses for sale, ponies for sale
May 09, 2010 | | horse care tips
Just because your horse is older doesn't imply he is set to retire and never get ridden. Even getting older horses need exercise. Not to point out the truth that they get bored doing nothing if they had been energetic in their day. Ageing equines nonetheless have quick minds and although the physique may not be keeping up as best it once did - they appreciate being useful. Being overlooked and left alone can result in melancholy in a once energetic horse.
With age normally comes arthritis, and while it may possibly slow them down, there are workout routines to assist him regain his condition. Take him out of retirement and give him regular exercise - not the rodeo type form, however light, tailor-made to his situation type exercises. The muscle groups around his joints will benefit by being made stronger and help protect the joints from stress. It's a identified truth a conditioned horse normally has significantly thicker and healthier cartilage than an unfit equine. The foremost reasons to take him out of retirement and provide him some pep? Regular exercise works wonders for his perspective, appetite, digestion and general well being. He has been your friend for thus long, he deserves the best.
Before you start your rejuvenation program, have your horse Veterinarian checked and talk with your farrier. This offers you an thought of any forthcomings you may need to work with. Correct trimming and shoes are extraordinarily necessary when starting the older horse on an training routine. Preventive shoeing and trimming helps reduce concussive shock, aids flexion and extension, and alleviates lameness/ unevenness of gait.
Exercise should always start out slow and straightforward, a stroll for ten mins, a gradual trot, a walk, some turns and circles, some easy uphill work. While you first take him out, it should be for a shorter time frame to get him used to being out again. Over a period of time, primarily based on his response, you may improve the length of the workouts. Even in case you walk and trot him by hand, he'll enjoy the change of scenery.
Add some passive stretching workouts as well. For instance, choose up the affected leg, gently bend and straighten it - about 10 occasions per joint. Try to do that about 3 - 4 instances a day. This assists cartilage and delicate-tissue mending and reduces scar-tissue creation.
Talking of stretching, get your senior to do flexing workout routines as well. Encourage them to stretch as far as they can to both sides. Lure with treats and get them slowly into the greatest neck stretch you possibly can. They will be stiff at first, but with persistence they'll loosen up.
Verify your senior's diet and ensure he is getting the proper dietary supplements in the best amounts. Don't assume his feed supplies every part he needs. Verify this together with your Veterinarian. The massive-intestinal function changes as your horse will get older, they usually need increased-high quality protein, various forms of roughage and supplemental vitamin B. Business senior feed is good for the older horse who can not keep weight. Just watch the lethal mixture of not sufficient train and an excessive amount of rich meals or it's possible you'll end up with a poorly horse.
If you are presently browsing for horses for sale, ponies for sale or horseboxes for sale please visit The Horse and Pony Directory.
Technorati Tags: horses for sale, Older horses, ponies for sale
May 08, 2010 | | horse care tips
