Seasonal Changes and Why Horse Care Needs to Adapt
As the clocks went back earlier this year, awareness of a horse’s changing needs for the new season will become all that more apparent. Summer was all about fly sprays, hoof cracks and sweet itch prevention, while winter brings skin conditions relating to mud and water exposure.
Managing Mud, Wet Conditions, and Skin Health
While schools of thought differ, probably the best way to deal with excess mud on the legs is to let it dry and then brush it off with an appropriate brush. Use of antimicrobials to nip in the bud such things as mud fever and cellulitis will help to avert too many visits from the horse vet, dispensing antibiotics.
Preventing Rain Scald and Moisture-Related Infections
A good way to prevent a horse’s skin from being affected by the rain is to use barrier cream and oils. Rain scald is a bacterial infection that can arise from a horse being exposed to excessive moisture.
Horse rugs can assist with protection in inclement conditions, particularly if the horse has been clipped, which is the process of using electrical clippers to trim its coat. This was done to remove much of the horse’s winter coat, which helped regulate temperature and sweating. For rain scald, check around the horse’s neck and back, but it may also appear under the rug if rubbing has occurred.
Winter Injuries and the Role of Horse Insurance
Although insurance regularly covers death, straying, and theft, you can—with an increased premium—opt for a policy that takes into account vets’ fees. This will help in such cases as blackthorn injuries, which occur in winter and penetrate soft tissues, leading to infection.
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Impaction Colic Risks During Colder Months
In winter, impaction colic is an unwanted complication brought about by a number of conditions such as a change in diet, increased stabling, less movement, and reduced water intake.
Maintaining Hydration in Cold Weather
Maintaining hydration takes many forms, including adding warm water to horses’ troughs in colder climates. This will encourage them to drink, as does removing ice, while adding water to a horse’s hard feed in winter may motivate them and improve hydration.
Stable Management and Digestive Health
Colic is more common in stabled horses, and discouraging them from eating their bed is a good idea. Check for dry or reduced droppings, a common indicator in horses with impaction colic. Regular worm control is also helpful, with worm egg counts forming part of a good preventative health regime.
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Respiratory Conditions in Stabled Horses
Some conditions regarding a horse’s respiratory system must be monitored, particularly in stabled horses. Stable coughs and equine asthma are common in dusty environments, so remove as much dust as possible, especially from bedding. Good ventilation and high-quality hay also help.
Seasonal Poisoning Risks: Atypical Myopathy and Acorns
Watch out for the fatal illness Atypical Myopathy, which is caused by ingesting hypoglycin A. This arises from affected sycamore seeds and saplings. Awkwardly, infected seeds differ from tree to tree, but ensuring your horse has plentiful supplies of supplementary forage will reduce the animal’s need to ingest seeds or saplings.
Also worth watching out for are acorns, which are in abundance at this time of year. Try to clear areas of profusion and consider fencing off certain areas around oak trees.
When to Call the Vet
In an emergency, call your vet, as the welfare of your horse is paramount. Information is being gathered all the time, supplementing the capacity for the vet to solve the problem that may have materialised.
