With spring comes the excitement of finally being able to enjoy the warm weather from the back of your horse.
If you've had a horse in a stable over much of the winter, they are ready to get out and move around in the warming weather and shed out those winter coats.
Your horse will need not only some horse back riding lesson refreshers after a winter break, but he or she will also require a vet check, and will need your attention in other areas to ensure their health is maintained.
That's because spring brings with it wet, muddy conditions.
The melting snow also reveals conditions in your pasture that may require your attention in order to keep your horse(s) safe.
All horse owners know the cost of a horse; not just its purchase price but the expense of board, farrier and vet care.
So protect your investment and your beloved riding partner.
In order to do this there are a few suggestions and tips we will discuss.
I'm sure you will have already developed some good ways of looking after your horses come spring as well.
Perhaps you'll find some useful tips here you can add to your arsenal.
First of all, let's get on with the "wet and muddy" part of spring.
As welcome as the emergence of spring is, it is also the season for ailments such as rain rot (also called rain scald, mud fever, streptothricosis, etc.
) and thrush.
These conditions are not serious unless they remain untreated.
So be sure to get yourself familiar with them, with how to spot them, and how to treat them.
We will go over some basics here on each one to get you familiar with them.
But if you've had horses for any length of time you've likely heard - and experienced - them before.
RAIN ROT: Rain rot is caused by an organism called, dermatophilus congolensis.
This organism is an actinomycetes.
Actinomycetes behave like fungi and bacteria.
They love wet, damp places with little oxygen.
When your horse is out in the rain for long periods of time he or she can develop this condition.
It will appear as small scabs along areas where rain and/or mud sit on the horse.
These areas will be along the horse's back, and along the lower legs.
You will notice hair missing from these areas and you will be able to easily pull the hair out with your fingers.
The skin will appear gray or pinkish in color and will have hives.
Sometimes there will be puss under the scabs.
Rain rot is contagious so be sure to disinfect blankets, saddles, pads, brushes and anything else.
There are home remedies for rain rot, such as Listerine, bleach or white vinegar.
These are usually mixed 50/50 with water to the area.
Betadine is also effective.
Unless a vet prescribes it, NEVER use ointments on rain rot since they trap moisture.
The best way to tackle rain rot is to gently remove the scabs and apply the treatment.
Be sure to brush your horse often to aide in shedding and let plenty of air get to the affected areas.
Allowing the affected area to be exposed to oxygen is one of the best ways to get rid of it.
For pictures of this condition and more helpful tips you can go to the Horse Of Course site.
The link is listed below.
THRUSH: Thrush will also raise its ugly head once the pasture is full of mud in spring.
Thrush is a fungus that loves the dark area of your horse's frog.
Located on the underside of the hoof, you will see AND smell the black, mildew-like powdery areas.
Like rain rot, thrush loves areas void of oxygen and will thrive in the underside of a horse's foot unless you take steps to prevent it.
Cleaning your horse's feet daily with a hoof pick and brush will go a long way in preventing thrush to take hold.
When you do find it, a 50/50 mixture of bleach and water works great.
Once again, there are many home remedies for treating thrush.
The Horse of Course site also has more tips for identifying and treating thrush.
PASTURE / HOUSING INSPECTION: While inspecting, and treating, your horse for rain rot and thrush, you will also want to walk the pasture and remove anything that the frost and thaw have pushed up out of the ground.
I have been amazed at what comes up out of my horse pasture every spring.
Anything from huge iron chains, to old leather shoes, to old automobile and tractor parts have arisen out of the bowels of the earth! Be sure to gather them up and get them out of the pasture.
Horses are accident-prone enough without having a lot of sharp edges lying around.
Look for nails, screws, sharp rocks, and bailing twine - anything that might be dangerous.
Don't forget to inspect the stall and other areas of the barn or run-in as well.
Electric wiring can get chewed by mice, rats and other critters.
Any time getting rid of such hazards is time well spent, so be sure to take the time to do it at least each spring.
WHAT VACCINATIONS DO I NEED? Okay, now that we've brushed over rain rot, thrush, and the hazards of sharp objects and chewed wiring, what vaccinations do you need for your horse? Horses need protections against contagious diseases and parasites.
Hopefully you have kept them on a regular worming schedule.
If not be certain to get your horse on one now.
Your horse needs to have a vet check them over at least once a year, and spring is the time of year I suggest.
With spring comes the promise of warm weather and insects - lots of insects.
Horses are victims of flies, mosquitoes and parasites of all shapes and sizes.
Shots are usually done during a yearly vet visit and are intended to help protect your horse against tetanus, influenza, rhinopneumonitis, EPM, sleeping sickness (called "encephalomyelitis"), rabies, strangles, West Nile, etc.
Your equine vet will know what shots your horse will need as there are factors such as your horse's age, condition and where you live that determine what your horse will need to be protected against.
WORMING: As a final note - but a very important one - be sure your horse has been regularly wormed throughout the year and make sure the worming schedule is followed in the spring.
Some horse owners give their horses daily wormers.
I worm my horses on an 8-week rotational schedule.
Regardless of what system you use be sure to follow your vet's recommendations.
Don't forget to worm and keep the worming schedule you have set up for your horse.
A good worming program will ensure the health of your horse(s).
Enjoy your spring riding!
If you've had a horse in a stable over much of the winter, they are ready to get out and move around in the warming weather and shed out those winter coats.
Your horse will need not only some horse back riding lesson refreshers after a winter break, but he or she will also require a vet check, and will need your attention in other areas to ensure their health is maintained.
That's because spring brings with it wet, muddy conditions.
The melting snow also reveals conditions in your pasture that may require your attention in order to keep your horse(s) safe.
All horse owners know the cost of a horse; not just its purchase price but the expense of board, farrier and vet care.
So protect your investment and your beloved riding partner.
In order to do this there are a few suggestions and tips we will discuss.
I'm sure you will have already developed some good ways of looking after your horses come spring as well.
Perhaps you'll find some useful tips here you can add to your arsenal.
First of all, let's get on with the "wet and muddy" part of spring.
As welcome as the emergence of spring is, it is also the season for ailments such as rain rot (also called rain scald, mud fever, streptothricosis, etc.
) and thrush.
These conditions are not serious unless they remain untreated.
So be sure to get yourself familiar with them, with how to spot them, and how to treat them.
We will go over some basics here on each one to get you familiar with them.
But if you've had horses for any length of time you've likely heard - and experienced - them before.
RAIN ROT: Rain rot is caused by an organism called, dermatophilus congolensis.
This organism is an actinomycetes.
Actinomycetes behave like fungi and bacteria.
They love wet, damp places with little oxygen.
When your horse is out in the rain for long periods of time he or she can develop this condition.
It will appear as small scabs along areas where rain and/or mud sit on the horse.
These areas will be along the horse's back, and along the lower legs.
You will notice hair missing from these areas and you will be able to easily pull the hair out with your fingers.
The skin will appear gray or pinkish in color and will have hives.
Sometimes there will be puss under the scabs.
Rain rot is contagious so be sure to disinfect blankets, saddles, pads, brushes and anything else.
There are home remedies for rain rot, such as Listerine, bleach or white vinegar.
These are usually mixed 50/50 with water to the area.
Betadine is also effective.
Unless a vet prescribes it, NEVER use ointments on rain rot since they trap moisture.
The best way to tackle rain rot is to gently remove the scabs and apply the treatment.
Be sure to brush your horse often to aide in shedding and let plenty of air get to the affected areas.
Allowing the affected area to be exposed to oxygen is one of the best ways to get rid of it.
For pictures of this condition and more helpful tips you can go to the Horse Of Course site.
The link is listed below.
THRUSH: Thrush will also raise its ugly head once the pasture is full of mud in spring.
Thrush is a fungus that loves the dark area of your horse's frog.
Located on the underside of the hoof, you will see AND smell the black, mildew-like powdery areas.
Like rain rot, thrush loves areas void of oxygen and will thrive in the underside of a horse's foot unless you take steps to prevent it.
Cleaning your horse's feet daily with a hoof pick and brush will go a long way in preventing thrush to take hold.
When you do find it, a 50/50 mixture of bleach and water works great.
Once again, there are many home remedies for treating thrush.
The Horse of Course site also has more tips for identifying and treating thrush.
PASTURE / HOUSING INSPECTION: While inspecting, and treating, your horse for rain rot and thrush, you will also want to walk the pasture and remove anything that the frost and thaw have pushed up out of the ground.
I have been amazed at what comes up out of my horse pasture every spring.
Anything from huge iron chains, to old leather shoes, to old automobile and tractor parts have arisen out of the bowels of the earth! Be sure to gather them up and get them out of the pasture.
Horses are accident-prone enough without having a lot of sharp edges lying around.
Look for nails, screws, sharp rocks, and bailing twine - anything that might be dangerous.
Don't forget to inspect the stall and other areas of the barn or run-in as well.
Electric wiring can get chewed by mice, rats and other critters.
Any time getting rid of such hazards is time well spent, so be sure to take the time to do it at least each spring.
WHAT VACCINATIONS DO I NEED? Okay, now that we've brushed over rain rot, thrush, and the hazards of sharp objects and chewed wiring, what vaccinations do you need for your horse? Horses need protections against contagious diseases and parasites.
Hopefully you have kept them on a regular worming schedule.
If not be certain to get your horse on one now.
Your horse needs to have a vet check them over at least once a year, and spring is the time of year I suggest.
With spring comes the promise of warm weather and insects - lots of insects.
Horses are victims of flies, mosquitoes and parasites of all shapes and sizes.
Shots are usually done during a yearly vet visit and are intended to help protect your horse against tetanus, influenza, rhinopneumonitis, EPM, sleeping sickness (called "encephalomyelitis"), rabies, strangles, West Nile, etc.
Your equine vet will know what shots your horse will need as there are factors such as your horse's age, condition and where you live that determine what your horse will need to be protected against.
WORMING: As a final note - but a very important one - be sure your horse has been regularly wormed throughout the year and make sure the worming schedule is followed in the spring.
Some horse owners give their horses daily wormers.
I worm my horses on an 8-week rotational schedule.
Regardless of what system you use be sure to follow your vet's recommendations.
Don't forget to worm and keep the worming schedule you have set up for your horse.
A good worming program will ensure the health of your horse(s).
Enjoy your spring riding!
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