Horse Health

How do I know if my horse is too fat or too skinny?

Over-feeding, lack of exercise, and incorrectly dosing wormers and medications put your horse at risk of developing serious disease. Learning to correctly assess your horse’s body condition is crucial to maintaining their long-term health.  The Body Condition Scoring system was first developed by Don Henneke, PhD, in the 1980’s. Using a basic scale, where 1 is emaciated and 9 is obese, you too can learn how to assess your horse’s body condition. By visually and physically examining certain areas on your horse’s body, you can assign them a body condition score. Start with the neck, withers and shoulders, then move down your horse’s body to the ribs, pelvis and tail head. In Australia, the most common BCS system uses the numbers 1-5. Here, at Exclusively Equine Veterinary Services, we operate on the 1-5 system. A body condition score of 3 is ideal for horses in moderate exercise. For a horse with this healthy body condition score: The neck should be smooth The withers should be rounded The shoulder should be smooth The ribs should be felt, but not visible The pelvis should be level There should be some fat on the tail head Keep in mind there will be some variation, depending on your horse’s age and breed. Click here to view a diagram to check your horse’s body condition score. You should assess your horse’s body condition regularly. Not only will this knowledge ensure you’re not over- or under-estimating your horse’s feed requirements, but also correctly dosing when worming or giving medications.   Horses that are too fat or too skinny are both at risk of serious disease, which leads to poor performance. Maintaining a healthy body condition – and thus, body weight – will help prevent disease and support your horse to perform at their peak.

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How to Condition the Campdraft Horse

The high intensity sport of campdrafting places great physical demands on campdraft horses. In order to excel in the upper levels of competition, a well managed diet, training and healthcare regime will assist in supporting your horse’s performance. Nutrition Firstly, your horse’s diet must provide them with the energy they need to train, compete and recover at their optimum. A balanced ration should include unlimited access to forage, with low-sugar, high-fibre concentrates or supplements added for horses in regular training and competition. To ensure your horse maintains a healthy body weight, you should routinely check their body condition score. For horses in moderate to intense work, a body condition score of 4.5-5 is recommended. A campdraft horse in this healthy range will have lean muscle mass and minimal fatty deposits. Training Secondly, campdraft horses are required to be agile and sure-footed. Training should integrate exercises to test your horse’s responses, including stopping and turning at speed, along with opportunities to practice working cattle. Shorter exercise sessions several times per week are best to keep your horse fit and engaged in their work. Training should include low intensity exercise, like trail riding, and at least one day of rest per week. Be sure to always warm up and warm down your horse, including on the day of competition, to assist in preventing injury. Health Finally, maintaining your horse’s health is essential to improving their performance. Routine dental and hoof care, along with worming and vaccinations, ensure that your horse can perform at their peak. You should document your horse’s vital signs on a regular basis, so you can easily identify any change that warrants a check up by your veterinarian. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.

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How do I know if my horse has ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are a common problem; affecting as many as 90% of racehorses and some studies suggest up to 60% of performance horses. This means your horse is at risk of developing stomach ulcers without correct management. The condition is known as Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) and it’s caused by a number of factors, including diet, exercise and stress. In nature, horses spend around 15-16 hours grazing per day. This behaviour isn’t only vital to their wellbeing, but fundamental in avoiding the formation of stomach ulcers. As horses produce stomach acid constantly, they require continuous feed in the stomach to act as a buffer and protect the stomach lining. There are many signs that indicate the presence of stomach ulcers in your horse, including: Weight loss Poor body condition Dull coat Change in attitude Lack of appetite Poor performance Stereotypic behaviours Colic Your horse may demonstrate one or more of these signs, so it’s difficult to assess the presence of stomach ulcers on your own. The surest way to diagnose the presence of stomach ulcers is by performing an endoscopy. Your veterinarian will pass a small camera down the oesophagus and look for ulceration of the stomach lining. If ulcers are found, oral medication will be prescribed. Your veterinarian may also discuss changes to your horse’s feed and exercise regimes to prevent the recurrence of stomach ulcers. Stomach ulcers range from mild to severe, but all cause your horse discomfort, which can also result in decreased performance. If you suspect your horse may be suffering from stomach ulcers, it’s important to ask the advice of your veterinarian. I trust you have enjoyed this article and gained valuable knowledge to assist you on your journey of horse ownership. Horses give so much and ask for nothing in return.    

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Eye Ulcer

My horse’s eye is swollen. What should I do?

My horse’s eye is swollen, and I’m not sure what to do. As a horse owner, it’s essential to know how to handle these situations to ensure your horse’s health and well-being. Eye swelling in horses can be caused by several factors, including allergies, injury, infection, or a foreign object stuck in the eye. If you notice your horse’s eye is swollen, it’s crucial to act quickly. First, assess the severity of the swelling. If the swelling is mild and your horse isn’t in any pain and the eye isn’t weeping,  you can monitor it for a day to see if it goes down on its own. However, if the swelling is severe or your horse is in pain, and the eye is weeping, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. They can help determine the cause of the swelling and provide the appropriate treatment. Ignoring eye swelling in horses can lead to more severe problems, such as corneal ulcers or even blindness. By taking quick action and seeking veterinary care, you can help ensure your horse’s eye heals properly and prevent any long-term damage. Assessing the Swelling If you notice that your horse’s eye is swollen, it’s important to assess the situation before taking any action. Here are some steps to follow: Observing the Swelling First, take a close look at the swelling. Is it affecting the eyelid or the eye itself? Is the swelling red or inflamed? Does your horse seem to be in pain or discomfort? Is the eye cloudy looking? It’s also important to observe your horse’s behavior. Is your horse rubbing their eye or avoiding light? These observations can help you determine the severity of the swelling and whether or not it requires immediate attention. If you are unable to open the eye or see the cornea seek veterinary attention immediately. Common Causes of Eye Swelling in Horses Insect Bites and Stings One of the most common causes of eye swelling in horses is insect bites and stings. Flies, mosquitoes, and other insects can bite or sting a horse’s eye, causing it to become inflamed and swollen. In some cases, the swelling can be severe and even affect the horse’s vision. If you suspect that your horse’s eye swelling is due to an insect bite or sting, you should take steps to prevent further bites or stings. This may include using fly repellent, keeping your horse in a fly mask.   Allergies Horses, like humans, can develop allergies to a variety of substances. Allergies can cause a range of symptoms, including eye swelling. Some common allergens that can affect horses include pollen, dust, and mold. If you suspect that your horse’s eye swelling is due to an allergy, you should try to identify the allergen and remove it from your horse’s environment. This may involve changing your horse’s feed, bedding, or pasture, or using allergy medication. Infections Infections can also cause eye swelling in horses. Bacterial and viral infections can both affect the eyes, as can fungal infections. If you suspect that your horse’s eye swelling is due to an infection, you should consult with a veterinarian. They may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medications to treat the infection. Injuries Eye injuries can also cause swelling in horses. This may include scratches, cuts, or blunt trauma to the eye. If you suspect that your horse’s eye swelling is due to an injury, you should consult with a veterinarian immediately. They may prescribe medication or recommend other treatments to help reduce the swelling and promote healing. Immediate First Aid Consulting a Veterinarian If your horse’s eye is swollen, it’s important to consult a veterinarian immediately. An eye injury can be serious and require prompt treatment to prevent further damage. A veterinarian can examine the horse’s eye and determine the cause of the swelling. They may prescribe medication or recommend further treatment depending on the severity of the injury. Administering Medication If your veterinarian prescribes medication, it’s important to follow their instructions carefully. Administering medication incorrectly can cause further damage to the horse’s eye. Some medication may need to be given directly to the eye, while others may need to be given orally. Be sure to wear gloves and follow proper hygiene protocols when administering medication to prevent the spread of infection. It’s important to note that while immediate first aid can help alleviate some symptoms, it is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult a veterinarian if your horse’s eye is swollen or if you suspect they have an eye injury. Prevention Keeping the Environment Clean I always make sure to keep my horse’s environment clean to prevent any potential infections. This includes regularly cleaning their stable, removing any manure, and keeping ther water and food buckets clean. Additionally, I make sure to regularly clean any equipment that comes into contact with my horse, such as brushes and saddle pads. Protecting the Horse from Insects Insects can be a major source of irritation for horses, and can lead to eye swelling and infections. To prevent this, I make sure to use fly repellent sprays and fly masks to protect my horse from insects. I also try to avoid turning them out during times when insects are most active, such as dusk and dawn. Overall, by keeping my horse’s environment clean and protecting them from insects, I am able to prevent many potential causes of eye swelling and infections. Conclusion Dealing with a swollen eye in horses can be a cause for concern, but it is important to remain calm and take quick action. In most cases, the swelling will subside on its own, but it is best to consult with a veterinarian. As a horse owner, it is important to be aware of the potential causes of eye swelling and to take preventative measures when possible. Keeping the horse’s living environment clean and free of irritants, monitoring for signs of infection or injury, and seeking prompt treatment when necessary are all key components of maintaining

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What wormer should I use for horse worming & what is the horse worming schedule?

As your horse ages, they will be susceptible to different parasites. Choosing the right wormer means selecting a wormer with the correct active ingredients to counter these burdens. It begins by evaluating their age and circumstances. In this article, we discuss two of the most prevalent parasites that you may encounter. Typically, foals are born with very little resistance to worms and are particularly vulnerable to Parascaris equorum, the intestinal roundworm. Whereas cyathostomins, or small strongyles, affects horses of all ages, with more than 54 known species. Effective worm control is based on targeting the parasites present on your property. To determine which worms are affecting your horse, you should conduct a fecal egg count annually, with the first taking place at six months of age. Horse Worming & Schedule for Foals and Young Horses Large roundworms are potentially fatal to foals. If identified on your property, you may need to start worming from one month of age. Macrocyclic lactones (the ML’s) are your best defense against the migrating larvae, followed by Benzimidazole (the BZ’s) at three months to target the adult worms. Foals should receive at least four parasite treatments in their first year to protect against large worm burdens. By 12-15 months of age, your foal will have developed a strong immunity to roundworms, so your worming program will change to target the next most likely worm burden. Horse Worming & Schedule for Adult Horses Cyathostomins are the prevailing parasite affecting horses of all ages. While weanlings and yearlings have less immunity to them, most adult horses can comfortably co-exist with small numbers. However, when large numbers of larvae simultaneously emerge, they cause the disease known as cyathostominosis. While we can’t eliminate cyathostomins completely, we can significantly reduce the number of larvae present with doses of Moxidectin. Targeting the encysted larvae is most successful during times of the year unfavourable to their survival, such as during hot Summers and cold Winters. N.B. Be careful when worming your horse to estimate their weight correctly as underdosing will create resistant worms. It is often advisable to change wormers once yearly by active ingredient to a different active ingredient ie if you have been using equest plus tape change to strategy T once in the yearly cycle. Read More About Horse Worming

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