Fall Is Here- Are You and Your Horse Ready?
Leaves are falling- your horse’s weight shouldn’t
Battle with bots
Those little yellow eggs on your horse’s legs can do plenty of damage to your horse’s mouth and stomach lining. Both bots and tapeworms can cause unthrifty condition and raise your horse’s risk of colic. Read up on how to deal with these nasty parasites.
When was your horse’s last dental exam?
Don’t wait until your horse is losing pounds or showing signs of pain to have its teeth checked. Learn why your dentist should be a qualified veterinarian and why dental exams are recommended once or twice a year. Read more. Also, check out this video to learn “The Tale of the Teeth.”
Caring for your senior steed
Feeding the senior horse can be a challenge. Be sure to consult your veterinarian for tips on how to navigate the many choices on the market, including feeds designed specifically with the mature horse in mind. Having your golden companion at a good weight before winter hits is a topic worth discussion.
Learn more horse keeping tips for the elderly equine with this information sheet.
Top Seasonal Tips
Important preparations before Jack Frost shows up include:
Inspecting fence lines – Check for any rotten posts on your weekly fence line walk. It is easier to replace them now than wait until one breaks in frozen ground.
Preserve pasture – Overgrazed paddocks do not fair well through the winter. Give grass a chance by resting paddocks when necessary. Mid-August to mid-September is the perfect time to evaluate the state of your pasture, test soil, fertilize and consider if reseeding is required.
Ready the sacrifice paddocks – Early frost and hoof traffic are the ideal recipe for a crator-like surface that can rival the moon! Be ready to use your sacrifice paddocks to avoid decimating next year’s grass yield and to keep the footing level, reducing chances of soft tissue injury.
More tips for pristine pasture…
Look for leaks – It is untimely to find out your hay storage area is not waterproof after the wind and snow arrive. Schedule repairs before the wet weather and rodents move in.
Manage that manure – If that pile has become sky high, it is time to make a plan. Read the composting success story of Equine Guelph’s Management of the Equine Environment course instructor, Kathy Fremes.
Sept. Colic Prevention Tip
Know your horse – pay attention to changes
Each horse may exhibit colic signs differently than others, especially the earlier more subtle signs. Being aware of what is “normal” will make it easier to detect if something is wrong.
Perform a Horse Health Check to learn what is normal for your horse.
