Home At The Clinic Pet Gallery Equipment Open House 2004 Store
Horse Information
Please join us in welcoming Dr Julie Hunt and Dr Ashley Veine-Smith
We are now welcoming two new doctors to the clinic starting in early June, who will be available to come to your farm. So make your appointment to get your horse's physical exam and vaccinations before the mosquitoes hit. Except for tetanus, most diseases are carried by biting insects, so get them vaccinated before they have a chance to get out and get bit.
Now that the warm weather is here it is time to get ready for the outdoor riding season. Unless you've been riding all winter, you and your horse will both need to get back into shape. Start slowly with lots of walking and build up muscles. If you are sore after that ride your horse is probably sore as well. Condition together so you can both enjoy the rides. Also remember that your horse's skin will need to become re-accustomed to saddle and girth so watch for signs of girth and saddle sores. When you start riding your horse may not have lost all of their winter coats so make sure not to over heat them during exercise and make sure to cool them down afterwards.
Because of the way some horses chew, their molars wear unevenly and can develop points and hooks that cut the inside of their cheeks. With the spring check up these can be caught before they affect your horse's comfort and health. Your veterinarian can float the teeth to smooth the sharp edges.
Depending on your horse’s feet and the kind of riding you plan to do, you might want to talk to your farrier about putting on shoes. Having no shoes is best for a lightly ridden horse with good feet, but when hooves wear excessively or split, or your horse is sensitive on
anything but soft ground, shoes are probably the best way to go. Make sure to get on a regular schedule of six to eight-week trimming.
More than 150 internal parasites afflict horses. Among the most common are large strongyles, small strongyles, ascarids, pinworms, bots and tapeworms. Any or all of these parasites can be present in a horse at one time. Different worms harm the horse in different ways. They can damage tissues and vital organs, cause obstructions and ulcerations within the digestive tract, and cause irritation as they lay eggs. There are many safe, convenient products available today. Visit our web site or call to set up the best program for your situation. A minimum deworming schedule is twice a year, but more frequent deworming is called for in many situations.
If your horse is going out on pasture after a long winter of hay, let your horse graze briefly to start getting his digestive tract used to the new diet. Feed hay first, then let him nibble grass on a lunge line. Increase the amount of time daily over a couple of weeks until he is used to eating grass for several hours, before turning him loose completely. You may notice loose manure at first, but this gradual transition should prevent “grass colic” from occurring.
During the summer months make sure salt is available at all times to replace what your horse will lose in his sweat. Also, ALWAYS have fresh water available. Change it often to prevent mosquito larva from developing and hatching in it.