Maintaining your horse’s health and wellbeing is a complex process that calls for a thorough regimen that includes routine dental examinations, veterinarian treatment, parasite control, hoof care, and grooming. This comprehensive handbook highlights the vital importance of veterinarian care while outlining the key elements of a horse’s health regimen.
Annual Health Exams
Annual health exams are a cornerstone of horse health care. These exams, conducted by a veterinarian, provide a baseline for your horse’s overall wellness and help identify potential health issues early. During these exams, the veterinarian will evaluate the heart, lungs, intestinal system, temperature, dental health, eyes, weight, and the horse’s overall condition.
Key aspects of the annual health exam include:
- General Evaluation: A nose-to-tail examination to ensure the horse is healthy and to address any emerging health issues.
- Discussion of Nutrition and Health: This is an opportunity to discuss your horse’s diet, any health concerns, and behavioral issues.
- Vaccinations: Vaccination programs are tailored to the horse’s age, risk of exposure, use, geographic area, and environment. Core vaccinations typically include protection against diseases such as West Nile virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, rabies, and tetanus
Vaccinations
For horses, vaccinations are an essential component of preventative care. All horses should have core immunizations at least once a year, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Depending on the area and particular requirements of your horse, additional risk-based vaccinations can be required. Foals of unvaccinated mares, for instance, might need to get immunizations against illnesses like influenza earlier and more frequently.
Parasite Control
Horse health is seriously threatened by internal parasites, which can result in problems including weight loss, decreased coat quality, and even colic. The quantity and age of horses, pasture management, geographic location, and management techniques should all be taken into consideration when designing deworming programs. The exact dewormers required throughout the year are determined with the use of routine fecal egg count tests. Furthermore, you may help protect your horse from parasites by minimizing overpopulation on pastures, rotating pastures, and regularly clearing dung.
Dental Care
Horses’ teeth continuously erupt throughout their lives, requiring regular dental care to prevent sharp points and edges that can cause discomfort and health issues. Here are some key points regarding equine dental care:
- Frequency of Exams: Horses should have their teeth examined at least once a year, but more frequently (every 6-12 months) for young horses (up to 5 years old) and older horses in their late 20s and beyond.
- Floating: This process involves using a rasp to smooth out sharp edges and points on the teeth. It is essential for preventing sores on the sides of the mouth and tongue and ensuring the horse can eat comfortably.
- Sedation: Many horses may require sedation for dental exams, especially for more advanced procedures, to ensure the safety and comfort of both the horse and the handler.
Hoof Care
Hoof care is crucial for the comfort and performance of your horse. Here are the key aspects:
- Trimming and Shoeing: Horses need their hooves trimmed every 6-8 weeks to maintain proper balance and prevent overgrowth. Some horses may require more frequent visits depending on factors like environment, body type, and activity level. Horseshoes or therapeutic footwear may be necessary for horses working on hard or rough surfaces.
- Daily Hoof Maintenance: Daily picking of the hooves to remove manure, dirt, and stones is essential. Checking for signs of bruising, odor, discoloration, or discharge and applying hoof dressings as needed are also part of daily hoof care.
Grooming
An essential component of regular horse care is grooming. It offers a chance to assess the horse’s general health in addition to assisting in preserving its physical well-being.
Brushing and currying on a daily basis assist get rid of dirt and debris, which stops germs from growing and causing skin problems. You can examine the horse’s skin while grooming to look for sores, infections, lumps, or welts1. Mental Stimulation: The horse’s general wellbeing depends on mental stimulation, which is provided by regular exercise and training sessions.
Endoscopy and Advanced Diagnostics
Advanced diagnostic techniques, such as endoscopy, can be employed for more complicated medical conditions. Veterinary professionals can diagnose disorders affecting the upper airway, sinuses, trachea, lower airway, esophagus, and stomach by using endoscopy to see the horse respiratory and gastrointestinal system. This portable equipment is a handy and efficient diagnostic instrument that can be used immediately in the barn.
Additional Routine Care
Other routine care activities include:
- Coggins Test: This blood test checks for equine infectious anemia (EIA) and is typically required every 6-12 months for traveling horses, depending on state regulations.
- Sheath Cleanings: Regular cleaning of the sheath is important for male horses to prevent infections and other health issues
Keeping your horse healthy is an ongoing effort that calls for a regimented schedule. Maintaining your horse’s health and performance requires routine veterinarian care, which includes yearly examinations, immunizations, parasite management, dental treatment, and foot care. You may help prevent many common health disorders and ensure your equine companion has a long, healthy life by adhering to these suggestions and maintaining vigilance about their health.