Horses - Part 2

Hoof Care – Advice and Information

March 18, 2010 By scribe Leave a Comment

Hoof maintenance is a vital part of ensuring your horses well being. It’s advisable to look at your horses hooves every day, and minimum two to three times per week. You will be able to become familiar with what is usual and what isn’t, and be able to to notice any issues that might be beginning.

Reading this simple list may assist you in your grooming practices.

1. Approaching your horse make sure the symmetry is releatively close, however they don’t have to be exactly equal, but very close to being the same size and shape.

2. Carefully examine for defects in the hoof wall and coronary band. Raise up each hoof, run your palm over the outside of the wall to notice any defects. Use the same procedure for the coronary band and then squeeze it softly. Using these two techniques will also show tender areas and water bearing areas.

3. Look carefully at the sole. Check the colouring in every hoof. Ideally they should be the same in colouration. A clearly delineated dark spot should indicate a bruise or hole.

4. Look at and compare the frogs. The hooves at the front should be the sae size and shape and the same with the hooves at the rear. Try to gently depress each frog using your hoof pick, in most areas, with the exception of desert areas, it should be a little spongy.

5. If your horse is shod, clasp the horseshoe and see if it moves. Examine for lost clinches, if the shoe is loose you might choose to remove it before your horse loses it on its own and risks taking a section of hoof as well.

If you regularly check your horses hooves, you will be able to avoid a lot of issues by noticing the problem before it gets severe.

It is recommended you include into your routiene some simple steps. Use your hoof pick from heel to toe. If it is tightly packed you may be required to loosen it up a touch before it is removed. Once the material has been removed, look at all the regions of the hoof and make sure that there is not a smell as this is normally a clear cut indicator of thrush. also make sure there are no pebbles or gravel stuck anywhere, even underneath the shoe.

All hooves should show a natural sheen on the wall of the hoof.

If you find a smooth level surface with no cracks, rings, depressions, flares and a concave sole that touches the shoe, then you can be pretty sure that your horses hooves are in good condition.

For more horse information, horses for sale and more, please visit the Horse and Pony Directory.

Filed Under: Horses Tagged With: equine care, hoof, hoof care, hooves, Horses

Caring for Horses During Winter

March 18, 2010 By scribe Leave a Comment

When you care for your horse, it is crucial to make provision for the colder months. Horses need to be able to tolerate the winter weather and remain as healthy as possible. For the period of the winter horses will have special requirements which you as the owner will have to take in hand. It is vital to prepare for winter ahead of time.

Horses are generally tolerant to cool weather. In fact, horses cope with winter weather conditions much better than warm weather. Despite this, there are some basic things owners will want to do to ensure their horses remain in good health. Be sure the horse doesn’t have any lice, and has been immunized. The expenditure for doing these things will greatly pay off through the winter months, as the costs of feeding the horse will be less.

You may also consider consulting your vet in planning up a health plan to care for your horses. Aiding your horse in preparation for colder weather will help it decrease the need to eat copious amounts of food in order to maintain its weight. Your horse shouldn’t lose any weight during the colder months. Permitting your horse to gain a small amount of weight will aid them throughout the winter months, as the superfluous fat will operate as a guard to supply the horse with energy if it becomes stressed. For the duration of the winter you will want to provide your horse with some additional calories.

The most effective protection for a horse in the winter is its actual winter coat. When it grows long, it will act as a natural heat blanket which will reduce the loss of heat that the horse experiences in chilly scenarios. Your horse’s coat is also glossy and will help brush off off snow and ice. If you keep your horses outside, you must be sure their coats grow long prior to winter commencing.

To confirm the condition of your horse, you will need to feel its ribs. A large winter coat can easily hide the fact the horse may be losing weight. Your horse should be lean enough so that you can feel the ribs, but not so lean that you can see them. You should also feel your horses ears. Do they feel cold? If so it’s a good indication that your horse is cold.

Like all animals which are warm-blooded, horses have to regulate their body temperatures in order to remain healthy. It is vital that they preserve heat during the winter, so you should make sure they’re ready for the frost.

Visit the Horse and Pony Directory for more information and horses for sale

Filed Under: Horses Tagged With: horse care, Horses, horses for sale, winter

Colic in Horses – Information and Advice

March 12, 2010 By scribe Leave a Comment

A diagnosis of equine colic is a situation that worrries any horse lover. But what is equine colic? What indicators should you be aware of?

Colic is in reference to pain which stems from the abdomen. Generally horses do not hide pain of the abdomen very well. So in the event of any abnormality in gut function they will usually display signs of pain.

Signs of irritation might be stretching, standing as if to urinate, and hoofing the floor. If in more pain the horse will get up and down, and try rolling to get more settled.

It will likely start to sweat. In more severe cases it will stand up and lie down and roll constantly.

What Can You Do?
Should you believe your horse is suffering from colic, you should call an experienced equine vet straight away. They will be in a position to provide emergency pain relief and decide whether additional treatment is necessary.

Is there anything you can do while waiting for the vet? Leading your horse for a walk sometimes helps. It can sometimes encourage his guts to start working normally and surpress any pain. It could also stop the horse lying down to roll. If however he is already lying down quietly then you should let him stay lying down.

It used to be thought that a horse could cause a twisted gut by rolling. That has been proven to be probably not true. But it is preferred to prevent him rolling around if you can. That way you can prevent your horse harming himself by banging himself on nearby walls. Of course be careful that you don’t cause injury to yourself. It’s likely horses will forget all their normal manners when in pain.

There are many differing reasons for horses to get colic. But often the signs look the same regardless of what caused it.

So how will the vet look into the issue? They will listen to your horses abdomen using a stethoscope to tell whether there is any more activity in the gut than normal.

Examining the heart rate helps give a good indication of the severity of the discomfort and the seriousness of the colic. Usually a horse with a regular heart rate doen’t have a serious problem. Whereas higher heart rates are not such a good sign.

A very helpful part of the examination is the rectal examination. By physically feeling the intestines, vets could be able to identify the cause of the problem. Without doubt this is a incredibly skilled procedure, that could be dangerous for both the horse and vet. But for an experienced vet the information it gives is incredibly useful in deciding the cause of the problem. Helping to discover a blockage, or a swollen gut loop as a result of a twist or other intestinal issue.

In all but the simple scenarios vets may pass a tube through the horses’ nose an into the stomach. Though it sounds uncomfortable but helps make your horse more comfortable by releasing any built up pressure in the stomach. Doing this can also give the vet useful information about whether the stomach is emptying properly.

On occasion the horse is in so much distress that it is impossible for the vet to examine him properly without first giving a quantity of pain killer.

Only by considering all of the information provided by a careful examination is the vet able to make an initial diagnosis. Though it may not be possible to tell exactly what the problem is.

Occasionally, after the first inspection, the horse needs emergency surgery. But more usually the vet will choose to treat the horse with a short-acting painkiller and review his progress after a few hours. The majority of examples show a rapid improvement. Although others will either not respond to the treatment, or they will respond at first, then start displaying signs of discomfort again later.

In preference to having to call the vet to your horse multiple times, it is normally preferred to transport these cases to a specialist equine practice so they can be monitored closely and surgery can be performed if appropriate.

In Conclusion
Luckily the vast majority of examples respond to medical treatment. However if surgery is needed – it is vital to operate as soon as possible. The likelyhood of a successful outcome is far greater if the operation is performed before too much damage has taken place.

For more information, horses for sale and more, please visit the Horse and Pony Directory.

Filed Under: Horses Tagged With: advice, colic, equine, Horses, information, vets

Tips On Buying Your New Horse

February 17, 2010 By scribe Leave a Comment

When searching for horses for sale, there are a few points which are worth considering in order to make the buying process easier, and to ensure you end up with your perfect horse.

No horse is perfect – just make sure that the one you buy has faults that you can put up with and that won’t reduce your enjoyment.
Bring an experienced rider along, someone who is knowledgable of your capabilities and strengths. Ideally take someone experienced who is capable of spotting lameness or illness. Or perhaps your trainer who can tell if the chosen horse is appropriate for your style of riding – your skill level and confidence.
Check the horse’s papers and passport. A horse passport is not proof that your chosen horse is actually owned by the seller so ask if there is a receipt as proof of purchase. It is against the law to buy or sell a horse that don’t have a passport.
Check if all innoculations are current. A new course of vaccinations can be expensive and take months to come into effect before you can compete. It will not go down well if you move a horse to a new horse if it brings illness along as well.
Once a decision is made, engage a qualified vet to perform out the most thorough check that you can buy. Don’t rush or be pressured into purchasing if you feel you need the horse checked out by your vet.
Try to watch the horse or pony performing the trials you would like it to do. Retraining a horse adds a considerable amount to the cost if you cannot do this yourself.
Try to negotiate a test loan in which the horse can be sent back if it does not suit.
Always be realistic when buying a youngster, ask yourself if you have the necessary knowledge to bring it on. Another thought is that, an older horse may just have the character and maturity to give you confidence and teach you the ropes.
Don’t feel pressured to purchase the first horse you visit and don’t be pressurised by the multitudes of other people just waiting to buy the horse if you don’t – more than likely this is just a ploy to rush you to make an impulse purchase. Take your time when buying a horse.
Once the sale is completed make sure you insure the horse before you transport it. Most injuries happen in transit or settling a horse into a new yard with other horses.
Go with your instinct – if you believe the seller is hiding something from you then the likelyhood is they are.
Be mindful that your horse is a huge investment of both your time and your money – so make sure you have budgeted accurately for every future expense that you are likely to encounter.

Finally, enjoy your new addition and look forward to many hours of horse riding fun! Click here to find horses for sale online!

Filed Under: Horses Tagged With: buying a horse, horse buying tips, Horses, horses for sale

Could Dansko Equestrian Boots be a Good Match For Your Feet?

December 26, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

Dansko is a comparative newcomer to the shoe industry. Accept it or not, the company was founded by a husband-and-wife team of former horse breeders from Denmark. Although one might not believe they were suited to making breakthroughs in the footwear business, the past 20 years have shown them to be true trailblazers, definitely worthy of your consideration as you consider which make of boots to buy. Who, you may well ask, buys Dansko women’s shoes? Here is just a small sampling:

1. People facing the prospect of a cold, wet winter purchase Dansko boots. They are gorgeous, warm, and difficult enough to square up to even the most cold Jan onslaught.

2. Youngsters love Dansko boots. Even the most discriminating, fashion-conscious tween won’t shudder in horror when she opens the box and finds her new pair of Dansko boots. Instead, she will most probably be the envy of the school-bus. When all her buddies have to accept tacky, low end models, she will, pardon the joke, be several steps ahead.

3. Folks who’ve got a lot of hard work to do also look to Dansko boots to fill their requirements. The company features a total line of intensely sturdy and sturdy work boots, including a tall, lace-up variety perfect for people who spend a lot of time in inclement out of doors conditions.

4. Let’s say you have a past-time which is relatively rare in our urban culture. You love to ride horses and consider yourself to be quite a talented equestrian. Thanks to the Dansko roots in this very field, there is a complete line of riding boots that will permit you to protect your feet beautifully.

5. Folk on a budget select Dansko boots because they know that their precious cash will go a good distance. When funds are meager, it is sensible to spend them on products that you will be in a position to rely on for both beauty and functionality for future years. Dansko’s comfortable boots deliver on both counts.

Hoof Care – Advice and Information

Caring for Horses During Winter

Colic in Horses – Information and Advice

Tips On Buying Your New Horse

Could Dansko Equestrian Boots be a Good Match For Your Feet?

Pet Care Advice

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