Login / Register You are not logged in.

Featured ads

How can I feature my ad?

Listings

Your horse's health: Autumn to winter
by Paul van Dam

With winter upon us, we now have time to attend to matters that usually go neglected.

Check your paddocks
• Pick up all rubbish, rocks and other material that could potentially cause injury.
• Check the fences/fencing material and make sure that it is in good shape, with no risk of breaking up when tested by a new horse. Also make sure that there are no sharp edges, bolts sticking out, wire traps at the bottom of fences, etc. Fix all problems!

Check your horse's teeth
Teeth should be attended to twice a year, by an equine dentist or veterinarian. Sharp edges need to be rasped, and sharp hooks and points removed, to make sure that your horse can properly chew and utilise the expensive feed that you are feeding him.

Have your horsebox looked at
Wheel-bearings need to be checked and lubricated at least once a year! Also make sure of the hitching mechanism, lights, spare wheel (and make sure you have a wheel spanner that fits).

List emergency phone numbers
When last did you make sure that you still have the current telephone numbers for you local veterinarian, farrier and the specialist equine veterinarian? You do not want to run around looking for phone numbers when your horse is colicking!

Check your first aid box for:
• Latex gloves.
• Sterile gauze swabs.
• Disinfectant (make sure it is a non-irritating one).
• Some sterile pads to place over wounds (small size disposable diapers also work!) when you need to apply a pressure bandage.
• Cotton wool.
• Crepe bandages.
• Elastoplast.
• Insulation tape or duct tape.
• Scissors.
• Flashlight.

Adapt their feeding
Also keep in mind that, during winter, your horse requires more energy (to keep warm). Make sure you adapt his feeding to allow for this. The easiest way of adding energy to the diet is to add some vegetable oil (canola oil is good, but sunflower oils also works). Start with 20ml twice per day, and gradually increase (over a period of two weeks) to 100 ml twice per day.

Top of page

Copyright © 1998 - 2010, Horse Junction. All rights reserved.