Collier Equine Vet Service
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Tel: (936)
372-3619 & (936)
372-3610 Fax:
(936) 931-1537
33054 Joseph Road. Waller, TX. 77484
- U.S.A
E-mail: info@collierequinevet.com
or: BColliervt@aol.com
Because of advances in nutrition, management and health care, horses are living longer, more useful lives. It’s not uncommon to find horses and ponies living well into their 20s and 30s. While genetics play a role in determining life span, you too, can have an impact.
You may think that turning your old-timer out to pasture is the kindest form of retirement. But horses are individuals. Some enjoy being idle; others prefer to be a part of the action. Whatever you do, don’t ignore the horse. Proper nutrition, care and exercise will help the animal thrive. Follow these guidelines to develop a total management plan for your older horse:
1. Observe your horse on a regular basis. Watch for changes in body condition, behavior and attitude. Address problems, even seemingly minor ones, right away.
2. Feed a high quality diet. Avoid dusty and moldy feeds.
3. Feed your older horse away from younger, more aggressive ones so it won’t have to compete for feed.
4. Feed at more frequent intervals so as not to upset the digestive system. Two-three times daily is best.
5. Provide plenty of fresh, clean, tepid water. Excessively cold water reduces consumption which can lead to colic and other problems.
6. Adjust and balance rations to maintain proper body conditions. A good rule of thumb is to be
able to feel the ribs but not see them.
7. Provide adequate, appropriate exercise to maintain muscle tone, flexibility and mobility.
8. Groom your horse frequently to promote circulation and skin health.
9. Be aware that older horses are prone to tumors. Look for any unusual lumps or growths from head to tail as well as beneath the tail (especially on gray horses).
10. Schedule routine checkups with your equine veterinarian. Call immediately if you suspect a problem.
A quick response to ailments, injuries or a decline in fitness can keep your older horse from having a serious or prolonged setback. That means less worry for you and a better quality of life for your old friend. For more information about caring for the older horse, ask your equine veterinarian for the “Older Horse” brochure, provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in partnership with Educational Partners Bayer Animal Health and Purina Mills, Inc. Visit the AAEP’s horse health web site, www.myHorseMatters.com, for additional information about caring for the older horse.
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Tips for Choosing the Best Hay for Your Horse
High-quality hay can be an important source of essential nutrients in your
horse’s diet. A horse’s protein and energy
requirements depend on age, stage of development, metabolism and workload. A
mature horse will eat 2 to 2.5% of its
body weight a day, and for optimum health, nutritionists recommend that at least
half of this should be roughage such as hay. For a 1000-pound horse, that means
at least 10 pounds of roughage each day.
Hay generally falls into one of two categories – grasses or legumes. Legume hay
is higher in protein, energy, calcium and vitamin A than grass hays. While hay
alone may not meet the total dietary requirements of young, growing horses or
those used for high levels of performance, high-quality hay may supply ample
nutrition for less active adult horses.
Once you’ve determined the best category of hay for your horse, most people
select hay based on how it looks, smells and feels. Use the following tips from
the American Association of Equine Practitioners to select the best hay for your
horse:
1. It’s what’s inside that counts. Ask that one or several bales are opened so
you can evaluate the hay inside the bales. Do not worry about slight
discoloration on the outside, especially in stacked hay.
2. Choose hay that is as fine-stemmed, green and leafy as possible, and is soft
to the touch.
3. Avoid hay that is overcured, excessively sun-bleached, or smells moldy,
musty, dusty or fermented.
4. Select hay that has been harvested when the plants are in early bloom for
legume hay or before seed heads have formed in grasses. Examine the leaves,
stems and flowers or seed pods to
determine the level of maturity.
5. Avoid hay that contains significant amounts of weeds, dirt, trash or debris.
6. Examine hay for signs of insect infestation or disease. Be especially careful
to check for blister beetles in alfalfa. Ask the grower about any potential
problems in the region.
7. Reject bales that seem excessively heavy for their size of feel warm to the
touch, as they could contain excess moisture that could cause mold, or worse,
spontaneous combustion.
8. When possible, purchase and feed hay within a year of harvest to preserve its
nutritional value.
9. Store hay in a dry, sheltered area out of the rain, snow and sun, or cover in
the stack to protect it from the elements.
10. When buying in quantity, have the hay analyzed by a certified forage
laboratory to determine its actual nutrient content.
Remember that horses at different ages and stages of growth, development and
activity have different dietary requirements. Consult your veterinarian or a
qualified equine nutritionist when formulating your horse’s ration. He or she
can help you put together a balanced diet that is safe, nutritious and
cost-effective.
For more information about choosing hay, ask your equine veterinarian for the
“Hay Quality and Horse Nutrition” brochure, provided by the AAEP in partnership
with Educational Partners Bayer Animal Health and Purina Mills, Inc. More
information about nutrition also can be found online at the AAEP’s horse health
Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
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The number one killer of horses is colic. Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored. Many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time. Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic – and seeking qualified veterinary help – can the chance for recovery be maximized.
While horses seem predisposed to colic due to the anatomy and function of their digestive tracts, management can play a key role in prevention. Although not every case is avoidable, the following guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) can maximize the horse’s health and reduce the risk of colic:
Virtually any horse is susceptible to colic. Age, sex, and breed differences in susceptibility seem to be relatively minor. The type of colic seen appears to relate to geographic or regional differences, probably due to environmental factors such as sandy soil or climatic stress. Importantly, what this tells us is that, with conscientious care and management, we have the potential to reduce and control colic, the number one killer of horses.
For more information about colic prevention and
treatment, ask your equine veterinarian for the “Colic” brochure, provided by
the American Association of Equine Practitioners in partnership with Educational
Partner Bayer Animal Health. Additional colic information is available by
visiting the AAEP’s horse health web site,
www.myHorseMatters.com.
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Since first being recognized in the United States in 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has posed
a serious threat to horses and humans alike. In the equine population, the virus is transmitted when a mosquito takes a blood meal from a bird infected with WNV, then feeds on a horse. While many horses exposed to WNV experience no signs of illness, the virus can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. In some cases, especially in older horses, WNV can be fatal.
As a horse owner, prevention is the key to reducing your horse’s risk of contracting WNV. Follow these guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to protect your horse against WNV:
1. Consider vaccinating your horse against the disease. In February 2003, a vaccine was licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Center for Veterinary Biologics for use in healthy horses as an aid in the prevention of the disease. Talk with your veterinarian about the most appropriate vaccination schedule for your horse.
2. Eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites. Dispose of old receptacles, tires and containers and eliminate areas of standing water.
3. Thoroughly clean livestock watering troughs at least monthly.
4. Use larvicides to control mosquito populations when it is not possible to eliminate particular breeding sites. Such action should only be taken, however, in consultation with your local mosquito control authority.
5. Keep your horse indoors during the peak mosquito activity periods of dusk to dawn.
6. Screen stalls if possible or at least install fans over your horse to help deter mosquitoes.
7. Avoid turning on lights inside the stable during the evening or overnight.
8. Using insect repellants on your horse that are designed to repel mosquitoes can help reduce the chance of being bitten.
9. Remove any birds, including chickens, located in or close to a stable.
10. Don’t forget to protect yourself as well. When outdoors in the evening, wear clothing that covers your skin and apply plenty of mosquito repellent.
For more information about the virus, ask your equine veterinarian for the “West Nile Virus” brochure, produced by the AAEP in conjunction with Bayer Animal Health, an AAEP Educational Partner. Additional information about WNV can be found on the AAEP’s horse-health Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
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10 Tips for Weight Reduction in the Overweight Horse
As a horse owner, you play an important role in controlling your equine companion’s weight. Sound nutrition management, a regular exercise program and veterinary care are key to keeping your horse fit and healthy. Maintaining the ideal weight is not always easy, however.
When implementing a weight loss program for the overweight horse, it’s important to do it gradually and under the supervision of an equine veterinarian. Follow these guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to get you started:
1. Be patient. Weight reduction should be a slow, steady process so not to stress the horse or create metabolic upsets.
2. Make changes in both the type and amount of feed gradually. Reduce rations by no more than 10% over a 7- to 10-day period.
3. Track your horse’s progress by using a weight tape. When the horse’s weight plateaus, gradually cut back its ration again.
4. Step up the horse’s exercise regimen. Gradually build time and intensity as the horse’s fitness improves.
5. Provide plenty of clean, fresh water so the horse’s digestive and other systems function as efficiently as possible and rid the body of metabolic and other wastes.
6. Select feeds that provide plenty of high quality fiber but are low in total energy. Measure feeds by weight rather than by volume to determine appropriate rations.
7. Select feeds that are lower in fat since fat is an energy-dense nutrient source.
8. Switch or reduce the amount of alfalfa hay feed. Replace with a mature grass or oat hay to reduce caloric intake.
9. Feed separate from other horses so the overweight horse doesn’t have a chance to eat his portion and his neighbor’s too. In extreme cases of obesity, caloric intake may also need to be controlled by limiting pasture intake.
10. Balance the horse’s diet based on age and activity level. Make sure the horse’s vitamin, mineral and protein requirements continue to be met.
Once your horse has reached its ideal body condition, maintaining the proper weight is a gentle balancing act. You will probably need to readjust your horse’s ration to stabilize its weight. Exercise will continue to be a key component in keeping the horse fit. Because obesity can affect a horse’s health, communicate regularly with your veterinarian. Schedule regular check-ups, especially during the weight reduction process.
For more information about caring for the obese horse, ask your equine veterinarian for the “Overweight Horse” brochure, provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in partnership with Educational Partners Bayer Animal Health and Purina Mills, Inc., or visit the AAEP’s horse health web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
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Be Prepared for an Equine Health Emergency
If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to confront a medical emergency. From lacerations to colic to foaling difficulties, there are many emergencies that a horse owner may encounter. You must know how to recognize serious problems and respond promptly, taking appropriate action while awaiting the arrival of your veterinarian.
Preparation is vital when confronted with a medical emergency. No matter the situation you may face, mentally rehearse the steps you will take to avoid letting panic take control. Follow these guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to help you prepare for an equine emergency:
1. Keep your veterinarian’s number by each phone, including how the practitioner can be reached after hours.
2. Consult with your regular veterinarian regarding a back-up or referring veterinarian’s number in case you cannot reach your regular veterinarian quickly enough.
3. Know in advance the most direct route to an equine surgery center in case you need to transport the horse.
4. Post the names and phone numbers of nearby friends and neighbors who can assist you in an emergency while you wait for the veterinarian.
5. Prepare a first aid kit and store it in a clean, dry, readily accessible place. Make sure that family members and other barn users know where the kit is. Also keep a first aid kit in your horse trailer or towing vehicle, and a pared-down version to carry on the trail.
First aid kits can be simple or elaborate. Here is a short list of essential items:
· Cotton roll
· Cling wrap
· Gauze pads, in assorted sizes
· Sharp scissors
· Cup or container
· Rectal thermometer with string and clip attached
· Surgical scrub and antiseptic solution
· Latex gloves
· Saline solution
· Stethoscope
· Clippers
Many accidents can be prevented by taking the time to evaluate your horse’s environment and removing potential hazards. Mentally rehearse your emergency action plan. In an emergency, time is critical. Don’t be concerned with overreacting or annoying your veterinarian. By acting quickly and promptly, you can minimize the consequences of an injury or illness. For more information about emergency care, ask your equine veterinarian for the “Emergency Care” brochure, provided by the AAEP in partnership with Educational Partner Bayer Animal Health. More information can also be obtained by visiting the AAEP’s horse health web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
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Owning a horse can be a big investment in time, money and emotion. Unfortunately, horses seldom come with a money-back guarantee. That’s why it is so important to investigate the horse’s overall health and condition through a purchase exam conducted by an equine veterinarian. Whether you want a horse as a family pet, a pleasure mount, a breeding animal, or a high performance athlete, you stand the best chance of getting one that meets your needs by investing in a purchase exam.
Purchase examinations may vary, depending on the intended use of the horse and the veterinarian who is doing the examination. Deciding exactly what should be included in the purchase examination requires good communication between you and your veterinarian. The following guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) will help ensure a custom-tailored exam:
The veterinarian’s job is neither to pass or fail an animal. Rather, it is to provide you with information regarding any existing medical problems and to discuss those problems with you so that you can make an informed purchase decision. Your veterinarian can advise you about the horse’s current physical condition, but he or she cannot predict the future. The decision to buy is yours alone to make. But your equine veterinarian can be a valuable partner in the process of providing you with objective, health-related information.
For more information about purchase exams, ask your equine veterinarian for “Purchase Exams: A Sound Economic Investment,” a brochure provided by the AAEP in conjunction with Education Partner Bayer Animal Health. Additional information can be found on the AAEP’s horse health Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
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Copyright 2001-2007 Collier Equine Vet Service, Inc.
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