Cooling down your horse after riding is one of those horsemanship practices that should be ingrained in the mind of every rider. It’s the kind of thing we must have been taught at some early stage, but feels like a piece of wisdom that’s been planted in the brain since time immemorial.

As a cornerstone of the equestrian community’s collective mental handbook, it stands to reason that cooling down your horse properly is something never to be skipped. But have you ever really drilled down into the mechanics of a cool down, and considered what makes those 5–10 minutes of walk at the end of your session so vital?

Stretch, chill and relax

“Cooling your horse down helps reduce both heart and respiratory rates,” says chartered physiotherapist Rachel Greetham, who is a member of both ACPAT and RAMP. “It also helps reduce the core temperature and the temperature within the muscles, promoting the removal of metabolic waste, things like lactic acid. If lactic acid isn’t removed, it can cause muscle soreness and pain. Muscles recover better with lactic acid removed, so by cooling down properly you’re helping improve your horse’s performance for the next day.”

Rachel, who’s been the British team’s dressage and showjumping specialist physiotherapist since 2017, adds that an effective cool down keeps your horse supple.

“When we ride we make the muscles work hard. This makes the muscles contract and shorten. By the time you get off, you want them to have lengthened again. Stretching down and over the back in the cool down helps achieve this, and maintains and improves flexibility. It also encourages the muscles to relax and soften, helping prevent injury.”

Good, better, rest

Rachel says the length of your horse’s cool down is dictated by how hard he’s worked.

“You’re looking to reach the point where the respiratory rate has reduced to normal and there’s an obvious relaxation and softening in the body. There’s a mental aspect to it as well, you’re looking for him to have really switched off from work. You can see evidence of this attitude by looking at his ears, for example. Are they relaxed, or is there evidence of tension?”

According to Rachel, cooling down your horse after riding isn’t effectively achieved by simply walking large.

“Do some circles and changes of direction. Add in some serpentines to ask your horse to bend around the inside leg in a long, low outline. That way you’re getting that stretch over the topline and lateral suppleness to lengthen contracted muscles.”

Cooling down your horse after riding doesn’t have to end when you dismount.

“When you get off you can continue the cool down routine with limb or spinal stretches in accordance with your physio’s advice. Performing these stretches after exercise is much more effective than on cold muscles and helps reduce delayed onset of muscle soreness.”

Going to extremes

An effective cool down might involve additional steps in extreme temperatures.

“In colder months, you might want to put on an exercise sheet when you’re cooling down so the muscles don’t get too cold,” advises Rachel.

“In summer, washing off with cold water is often necessary to cool your horse’s body temperature. Using cold water facilitates a temperature exchange whereby you draw heat from the muscles. The colder the water, the more heat you draw out – there’s been plenty of research done into this now and we don’t scrape it off anymore, but leave it on the horse to cool him better.”

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Horses can develop forms of depression, just like people. Equine vet Gil Riley MRCVS explains some common signs of depression in horses that owners should keep an eye out for, some of which will be similar to symptoms of depression in humans.

1. A lack of mobility

The horse often faces the back wall of the stable. His eyes are open, but dull, unfocussed and staring straight ahead with a prolonged period between each blink. His head is lowered and ears immobile with the neck stretched (open jaw-neck angle) and at the same level as the back. This is described as a ‘withdrawn’ posture and differs markedly from that of a horse observant of his surroundings, whose neck is held higher and whose ears move inquisitively. It also differs from the posture of a resting horse who relaxes his muscles, often rests one hindleg, rotates ears laterally, allows eyelids and lips to droop, and holds his neck such that it slopes lower and rounder.

2. Indifferent and unresponsive to humans and other stimuli in their home environment

This sign was demonstrated most emphatically by a French study performed at the Universite de Rennes. A group of horses exhibiting the withdrawn stance were exposed sequentially to a series of five unusual sounds that they would not have encountered before (a new stimulus in their home environment.) By way of contrast, a group of ‘normal’ horses (horses not exhibiting the ‘withdrawn’ posture) were similarly exposed to the sounds as a control group. Each day, each horse heard one of the sounds, played for three seconds from a speaker next to his stable, and their reaction was videotaped. The sounds were rotated daily until all the horses had heard all of the sounds. It was shown that the withdrawn horses were significantly less likely to pay attention to the noises, with only around half of them reacting (pricking their ears, lifting their head or some other sign of attention) compared to 90% of the normal horse group. In addition, over the five-day course of the study, the control horses showed habituation to the unusual noises while the reaction of the withdrawn horses did not change significantly. These findings indicated that the withdrawn horses had undergone a ‘cognitive shift’, that they were so physically or psychologically stressed that they had developed ‘sensory inattention’ (‘tuned out’ or switched off from their surroundings.) While some of the control horses did take longer to react to the unusual sounds, this was believed to be a consequence of them simply being calmer, distinct from the withdrawn group in which many of the horses did not react at all on the first day.

3. Loss of appetite

Depression causes a horse to lose its appetite. This can result in unhealthy weight loss, which could in turn bring about other health conditions.

4. Stereotypies (vices)

Symptoms of depression in horses also include cribbing, weaving or other destructive behaviours which represent an abnormal mental state.

5. Lack of sleep

6. Unwillingness to work

Or no longer taking pleasure in work they used to enjoy. This is especially important when considering rider and horse safety. A withdrawn horse might not react appropriately to potentially dangerous situations. If their attention is elsewhere while riding or driving, it could be dangerous for the rider and the horse.

7. Increased fear, anxiety, or spookiness

A study published this year by The University of Edinburgh found that 95% of equine vets reported working with difficult horses on at least a monthly basis, resulting in 81% of them sustaining at least one injury in the past five years.

8. Reduced blood cortisol levels

The study at the Universite de Rennes identified that depressed horses had a lower blood cortisol level than normal horses. Cortisol is the stress hormone of the body and reduced levels are found in human sufferers of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and post-viral fatigue. While we are a long way from the blood cortisol level being used as a reliable marker for depression in a horse, the authors suggested a low reading implied that horses exposed to stress-inducing management conditions suffer a “profound disturbance of the physiological system.”

9. Avoidance of other horses

Separating themselves from the herd or failing to react to other horses in their environment.

Could my horse’s depression be a seasonal problem?

If Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a possible cause, then increasing light in the stable should be considered. A study was performed at Nottingham Trent University where trial horses were put under an hour of high intensity broad spectrum light every day for six weeks. Their behaviours regarding feeding, sleep patterns and attitude to being handled and ridden were compared to a group of horses that had not received the therapy. The untreated horses were noted to be sleeping longer, lazier at ridden exercise and grumpier.

Further reading: Investigating attentional processes in depressive-like domestic horses (Equus caballus)

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• This article has been edited and approved by Karen Coumbe MRCVS, H&H’s veterinary advisor since 1991.

Being able to undertake basic horse health checks in order to monitor your horse’s vital signs and recognise typical signs of illness early are skills that every horse owner should have. If you’re unsure of what you’re looking for or how to assess your horse, we are here to help with an easy-to-follow guide to all you need to know…

Horse health checks: Signs of illness | Temperature | Pulse | Respiration

How to take a horse’s temperature

The average healthy horse has a temperature in the range of 37–38°C or 98.5–100.5°F. An increase in temperature is typically an early sign that your horse’s health is not as it should be, so it is recommended all horses’ have regular temperature readings taken. This allows you to identify what is normal for each individual horse while doing essential horse health checks so changes can be picked up easily.

Daily monitoring of horses’ temperatures is common practice in many top competition and racing yards. It is hugely beneficial if horses can be trained to have their temperature taken as part of normal routine, just like grooming and picking out the feet.

A horse’s temperature is taken rectally normally with a digital thermometer (like this one) or occasionally an old-fashioned mercury thermometer. If the horse is unfamiliar with this procedure we recommend someone holds the horse while it takes place.

If you have a digital thermometer then turn it on. A mercury thermometer should be shaken vigorously until the mercury is below the temperature scale.

Lubricate the end of the thermometer with some petroleum jelly or a similar substance.

Standing close to the horse’s hindquarters, but to one side, lift the horse’s tail and gentle slide the thermometer into the horse’s anus until the full measuring tip of the device is inside the horse. Tilt the end of the thermometer until it is pressing gently on the gut wall, rather than being suck in the middle of a ball of droppings. NB: Make sure you have a firm hold on the device, as it has been known for the thermometer to be draw inside the rectum by some horses.

Wait a full minute for a mercury thermometer or wait for the digital version to beep, then withdraw it, wipe it clean and read the temperature. The rapid reading 10 second digital thermometer is highly recommended as it will mean less time is spent waiting in the horse’s kicking zone.

Make sure you clean and disinfect the thermometer before returning it to its case. It should be stored in a cool place.

How to take a horse’s pulse

The normal pulse rate of a horse at rest is between 28 and 42 beats per minute. This is quite a wide range so it is worth taking your own horse’s pulse at various times of day across a few days to work out what is normal for that individual. A resting horse’s pulse will rise if they are frightened, anxious, excited, have a high temperature or are in pain.

You can take a horse’s pulse where the facial artery runs over the lower jaw, by applying light pressure and counting the beats over a 15 second period. Multiple this number by four to work out the beats per minute.

Alternatively you can use the digital pulse on the horse’s leg, which is located where an artery runs over the sesamoid bones, just above the fetlock joint. Or you can place your hand on the horse’s side, just behind the elbow, where the vet would use a stethoscope to listen. It is normally more difficult to feel the pulse in these two locations.

How to measure your horse’s breathing rate

The normal respiratory rate for a horse at rest is between 8 and 16 breaths per minute. Once again, this is quite a wide window so it is worth working out what is normal for your horse.

You can count the horse’s breaths by watching the horse’s sides. They will move up and out with each breath in, then drop down and in as the horse breathes out. In cold weather you can watch the horse’s nose as you will be able to see the air being pushed out turns into vapour. Horses can only breath through their nose, so there is no risk of missing a horse taking a breath through their mouth.

Spotting typical signs of illness

Recognising the early warning signs that your horse is not feeling at their best is a skill that is acquired with experience, but there are some simple horse health checks that all owners should doing. In most cases anything that appears unusual for a particular horse should be noted and monitored as it could give useful information to a vet if a health issue develops later.

Keep an eye on your horse’s overall demeanour. If they appear quieter than usual and aren’t interacting with their field companions as normal, this could suggest a problem. Lying down or rolling more often than usual could suggest stomach pain known as colic in horses, while standing in an unusual position, such as pointing a front foot or repeatedly lifting a leg off the ground may indicate pain in that limb. However, a horse resting a hind leg while in a relaxed state is rarely significant.

If they are grumpy when being groomed, tacked up, having rugs changed or while being ridden, it is worth paying attention to. This could be early signs of a problem that hasn’t yet manifested itself into more severe clinical signs.

Changes to a horse’s levels of appetite, frequency or consistency of droppings and volume or colour of urine may be a cause for concern so we would recommend speaking to your vet in these cases. Sweating at rest, a change in breathing rate, and a raised pulse can all be signs of pain.

While a small trickle of clear discharge from a horse’s nose is unlikely to be a cause for concern, thick or coloured mucus suggests a problem. Any consistent discharge from the eyes is unusual and warrants veterinary investigation.

Any heat or swelling on a limb, especially accompanied by lameness, is a clear sign there is a problem. Even minor cuts and grazes should be attended to promptly to help avoid infection setting in.

If you are concerned about your horse, then it is wise to check their temperature, pulse and respiration against their normal levels and have this information to hand when you contact your vet. It helps to keep a temperature chart, especially if you are travelling with your horse. Your vet will appreciate having the information available, if required.

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OWNERS have been urged not to cut corners in essential horse care as the cost of living crisis “starts to bite”.

Concerns continue around rising costs, but industry experts have warned that with horses, prevention is “better than cure” and veterinary treatment, hoof care and saddle fittings should not be scrimped on to save money.

British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) ethics and welfare committee chair Lucy Grieve told H&H horse ownership comes with a “degree of cost” that can only be “minimised so far”.

“There is a basic level of need that must be met for horses, including the obvious things like food, water, exercise and shelter. However, the needs that are addressed more intermittently are more easily “bumped’’ or postponed when money is tight, which can lead to serious problems that can be detrimental to the horse’s health and end up costing more money in the long run,” she said.

“Not keeping up to date with vaccinations puts your horse at risk from the potentially fatal disease, tetanus, and puts your horse and others at risk of an equine influenza outbreak.

“Worm control can easily get out-of-control and this is only realised when it is too late. It’s too easy to let routine testing slip and before you know it, there can be a significant worm problem that can cause internal disease and life-threatening colic.”

Ms Grieve added that routine dental care is also important to maintain.

“Dental problems are much easier to treat and manage if they are caught early. Once they are more advanced, it can be costly and invasive to treat them, and the horse can have been in significant pain before other signs, such as quidding, become apparent,” she said.

BEVA president Huw Griffiths told H&H the organisation is “keeping a careful eye” on the cost of living situation. He said owners can save money by considering things such as shared vet visits and planning routine treatment in advance.

“In veterinary medicine, prevention is better than cure – it is also much cheaper. Discuss routine treatments with your vet and create the best infrastructure for best effect, with least expenditure,“ he said. “Avoiding preventative healthcare will unfortunately likely lead to increased expenditure and reduced welfare long term.

“Most practices are familiar with clients who are struggling to make ends meet. The key to a successful outcome is honesty and communication. If you know you are going to struggle to pay the bill immediately, discuss this with your vet before the visit. It is likely they will be able to help in some way and even if they can’t, they will help you find the best outcome within your abilities.”

The Farrier Registration Council (FRC) has spoken about the importance of not reducing routine hoof care to save money.

“Extending the period between shoeing or trimmings might at first glance seem like a quick way to reduce the annual costs of foot care,” the FRC spokesman told H&H. “The average horse is generally shod approximately eight or nine times a year when on a six-week interval; increasing this to seven or eight weeks will usually save you one visit over the course of the year. This saving might equate to just around £2 a week.

“Leaving the same shoes on for longer might also increase the likelihood of a shoe being lost. This will result in a call-out from your farrier; given the cost of fuel and time, this will most likely cost more than you would have saved by delaying.

“Other pathological issues can range from corns and damaged hoof capsules all the way to tendon damage and joint issues. Routine costs are usually much less than the emergency, unexpected fees.”

Society of Master Saddlers master saddle fitter Steph Bradley of Freedom Saddlery told H&H that regular saddle fittings are one of the things that can often be overlooked by owners, and this has been exacerbated with the cost of living crisis.

“People might think, ‘I’ll leave that six months or have it done next year.’ They tend to think nothing is wrong, but it’s creating a false economy because often the things that are wrong, you can’t physically see,” she said.

“You might think everything is OK, but actually maybe something is starting to wear or some flock has gone asymmetrical. These minor adjustments can make such a big difference to the comfort, welfare and performance of the horse.

Ms Bradley, who is also a British Horse Society accredited coach, has dropped her saddle-fitting prices from £65 to £50 for three months to try to help clients – and those that book their next six-monthly appointment will also be entitled to the discount.

“I’m trying to think differently to try to encourage people to carry on having saddle fittings done because it’s an easy thing to drop off the routine management. I’m also offering an option of a 20-minute coaching session included in the price, so it gives owners a little bit more for what they’re paying.”

World Horse Welfare deputy chief executive Tony Tyler told H&H the charity is beginning to receive more calls from people seeking advice on how to rehome their horses owing to financial concerns.

“It’s more of a trickle than a stream at the moment, but that could very well change come autumn and winter. There are things owners can do to save money and still provide good care, but they should be aware of false economies – scrimping on vet, dental or farrier care is not recommended,” he said.

“We encourage owners to look at the advice produced by the National Equine Welfare Council on how to cut costs without cutting care. If an owner or someone they know is concerned or struggling, we urge them to contact us or another charity for advice.”

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A rescued Shetland pony whose “mischievous and cheeky” behaviour made her a firm favourite with visitors and staff at Bransby Horses has been put down, aged 20, after 18 years with the charity.

Twiggy was taken into Bransby’s care in 2002 when she was found injured and foaling at the side of a road. While Twiggy’s foal did not survive, the mare became one of the charity’s “most popular” long-term residents after life-saving treatment.

“She proved so popular she was made a ‘sponsorship star’ that supporters could sponsor for £36 a year to help with her care, and that of her fellow 336 equines at the charity’s two sites,” said a Bransby spokesman.

As Twiggy grew older her health deteriorated and at the end of 2019 she was suffering with dental issues, with diastemas (large gaps) forming between her teeth trapping decaying food.

“Sadly despite receiving the very best care from our expert team, including regular dental treatments, her dental issues steadily deteriorated during 2020,” said the spokesman.

“At an assessment last month it was clear Twiggy’s dental issues were no longer responding to treatment, and there were concerns the pain relief she was being given wasn’t having the desired effect.”

The spokesman said the charity made the difficult decision to put the mare down knowing that she would struggle to cope with winter because her dental issues made it difficult for her to chew hay.

Bransby Horses visitor centre team leader Michelle Craven said having spent so much time with the mare, it “breaks her heart” that Twiggy is no longer with them.

“She was simply the most wonderful Shetland pony you can imagine and became a firm favourite with our supporters over the years as one of our nine sponsorship stars,” she said.

“There are countless tales of her mischievous side, which she regularly demonstrated to staff and visitors at our site, and she will be hugely missed.”

Michelle said while it’s never easy to say goodbye, as a welfare charity Bransby’s founding principle is doing what is best for the horse every time.

“Sometimes sadly this means putting a horse to sleep in order to avoid them suffering any further pain or distress,” she said. “It fills me with happiness however to know that thanks to the public’s generosity, we were able to provide Twiggy with 18 years of love and care, ensuring she lived the most comfortable and happy life possible while she was with us.”

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The spokesman added ahead of winter the charity is reminding owners of the importance of proper dental care for horses.

“We know from speaking with owners that in some cases people don’t always keep to the same dental routine with older horses as they might for younger horses. Unfortunately that can sometimes lead to issues such as dental disease developing,” said Lara Gosling, Bransby veterinary surgeon.

“Proper dental care is an essential routine for a healthy horse and can add a significant number of years to a horse’s life.”

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It is no surprise 
that lethargy or fatigue may lead to poor performance or adverse behaviour in a horse, but the cause of the problem could be less obvious. Karin Kruger MRCVS looks at some of the possible reasons for a drop in energy in the performance equine.

1. Poor conformation

We need to work with each horse as an individual to prevent or address any problems that stop him from enjoying his work. When horses are not physically up to the work expected of them, we should question whether our expectations are realistic. Ask the question; does this horse have the ability and the training to perform how I am expecting him to?

2. Subclinical problems

These are problems which are not severe enough to present observable symptoms. With an accurate diagnosis, these problems can be managed sufficiently to allow the horse to lead a happy and productive life.

Diagnosis is usually achieved through a comprehensive poor performance evaluation which starts with an assessment of the horse’s work and performance history, as well as noting any previous illnesses or injuries. We then move on to a physical and orthopaedic examination. This includes a trot-up, blood tests and an exercise test. Additional evaluations that are often performed include gastroscopy, upper airway endoscopy (looking at the airway function at rest and exercise), a lung evaluation, X-rays and ultrasound.

There is also a physical examination which includes a conformational and orthopaedic assessment.

3. Abnormalities in energy metabolism 

In healthy horses, energy in the form of glucose is transported in the blood to the cells that need it. Glucose is taken up into cells in a process that depends on insulin, but horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) are often insulin resistant. In these horses, cells cannot take up 
glucose efficiently and, although there is more than enough fuel to burn for energy, they cannot use it. Rather than using up glucose during exercise, they lack energy and end 
up storing the glucose as fat.

Once glucose has entered a muscle cell, it is normally stored in the form of glycogen for later use. In horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM), the gene that encodes the enzyme that makes glycogen from glucose is defective, causing abnormal glycogen to be deposited in muscle cells.

Riders report that these PSSM horses refuse to work after around 15-20 minutes into exercise and just stop. By determining the exact cause of the horse’s altered metabolism and muscle function, an appropriate diet and exercise regimen can be developed to account for each horse’s specific metabolic needs.

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4. Stomach ulcers 

Studies show that stride length in racehorses with ulcers decreases significantly. In sports horses, the discomfort associated with stomach ulcers causes a reluctance to engage abdominal muscles to extend, collect or jump. Treating these ulcers can have a dramatic effect on a horse’s comfort and performance.

5. Mild asthma

Many horses also suffer from subclinical lung inflammation or mild asthma. They may cough once or twice at the beginning of exercise, or simply feel a bit dull and heavy to ride. By taking a sample of fluid from the lung, we can diagnose lung inflammation and prescribe treatments and management changes to control it.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find out more about getting the magazine delivered to your door every week. 

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Two cases of equine viral arteritis (EVA) have been confirmed in stallions in Dorset.

Defra has announced that restrictions on breeding have been put in place on the two non-thoroughbreds, who are on the same yard, to limit the risk of the disease spreading. Further investigations are ongoing.

Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: “We have taken swift action to limit the risk of the disease spreading by placing breeding restrictions on the animals and their semen.

“A full investigation is under way to determine the source and possible spread of the infection. Owners of mares and stallions are urged to have their animals tested before they are used for breeding.”

EVA is a notifiable viral disease in stallions, and in mares who have mated or been inseminated in the past 14 days. It can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, swelling (especially of the limbs) and inflammation around the eyes. It also causes weakness in foals or abortion, especially in the second half of pregnancy.

It is usually spread by stallions with infected semen, or in the air via respiratory secretions of infected horses.

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 “These findings remind us that we must all be vigilant for signs of disease and follow strict biosecurity measures,” Ms Middlemiss said.

“Owners are urged to help prevent the disease spreading, by vaccinating stallions against it and practicing good biosecurity. Owners of mares and stallions are advised to have them tested before they are used for breeding.”

Anyone who suspects the disease is present must report it immediately by calling Defra on 03000 200 301. In Wales, call 0300 303 8268, and in Scotland, contact the local field services office. Failure to do so is an offence.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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Weight gain more than doubles the risk of equines’ developing laminitis – as do some techniques aimed at reducing the risk.

The study, carried out by the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and Rossdales Equine Hospital and funded by World Horse Welfare, found the condition developed “significantly” more often if horses gained weight, compared to when they lost or maintained it.

Owners recorded estimates of their horses’ or ponies’ weight at regular intervals over 29 months, more than half of them using a custom-built online tracking tool.(Link)

“Worryingly, weight gain was often occurring unintentionally, even when owners were aiming for weight maintenance or loss,” an AHT spokesman said.

“This emphasises the importance of consistent weight and body condition recording, so undesirable weight gain can be recognised before it has a negative impact on health.

“Owners need to review their animals’ current diet, exercise and health management routines as soon as undesirable weight gain is detected and take action.”

The study also identified groups at particularly high risk of developing laminitis.

Owners of native ponies, full- or part-bred, those with a history of laminitis and who suffer lameness or soreness after routine hoof care should be “particularly vigilant”.

Equine shod or trimmed at intervals of longer than eight weeks were also at high risk of future episodes, as were those who showed a “lengthy return to soundness” after their most recent episodes.

“Earlier recognition of laminitis, along with adequate and prompt veterinary attention, farriery support and diagnostic testing of underlying metabolic disorders should give animals the best chance of recovery and a potential to reduce the risk of future episodes,” the spokesman said.

Other factors associated with laminitis development include features of grass management. Equines who wore grazing muzzles for only part of the time they were at grass were more likely to develop the condition than those who had it on all the time or not at all. Similarly, those who were only turned out to graze for a brief period in the mornings were at more risk than those who went out all day, overnight or not at all.

It is thought these findings maybe owing to the fact the horses gorged on grass when they had limited access to it, but they need to be investigated more fully.

Continues below…

Laminitis as common as colic, research shows

There is no time of year at which equines are not at risk

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“These findings suggest that some grazing management interventions were not optimal at preventing laminitis,” the spokesman said.

The study involved more than 1,000 horses and ponies.

Dr Dee Pollard of the AHT said: “This is one of the largest laminitis studies where we collected regular information from the same group of owners in real time. We assessed the relationship between laminitis and many potential management and health factors and identified those more likely to be present before a laminitis episode was reported.

“We now have good evidence to develop laminitis prevention guidelines, and a number of different avenues to explore in the future. We cannot emphasise enough how important systematic and regular weight and body condition monitoring are. It’s very easy to miss weight gain when you are just relying on your eyes and you see your horse or pony every day. You need to get hands on, feel for the fat deposits and take measurements; remember the figures don’t lie!”

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The temperature ranges used as an important measure of equine health may be too high for healthy horses, a study has found.

Researchers from Nottingham Trent and the Royal Agricultural universities who investigated the use of body temperature in assessing horse health found that current guidelines may be inaccurate.

Rectal temperature is vital in monitoring equine wellness, and allows early detection of infections, and conditions such as colic, but while many sources have stated “normal” ranges for years, there has been no recent published work on whether these values accurately represent healthy equines.

As part of the research, Emily Hall, Anne Carter and Carol Hall from Nottingham Trent University (NTU), with Anne Stevenson from the Royal Agricultural, researched the normal body temperature of horses on the NTU yard.

They found the 38.5C upper limit as published to be typically 0.5C higher than the clinically normal horses used in the study. In 600 measurements from 41 healthy adult horses, it was found the normal temperature range was between 36C and 38C.

Lead researcher and vet Emily Hall said: “Due to factors such as antibiotic resistance, climate change, and ever-increasing movement of horses, it is increasingly important that early signs of ill-health or disease are picked up as early as possible.

“By establishing a reference range specific to the yard at NTU, we can now be more confident in identifying horses that are too hot, or too cold, and take appropriate action.”

Continues below…

Unnecessary rugging could compromise equine welfare, study finds

The research compared horses’ temperatures in different types of rug

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Light cotton rugs not ‘adequate’ alternative to shade in hot temperatures, researchers find

The research was recently published in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour

The study found the overall equine temperature reference ranges cited in textbooks may need reviewing and updating. The aim is to repeat this study on yards around the UK to review the overall normal range for all horses across the UK.

The study has been published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.

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RIDERS in the southeast have been urged to be alert for caterpillars which are a human and animal health hazard.

Horse-owners have been asked to look out for and report the insect pest, which can cause eye and skin irritations in their animals, as well as breathing difficulties.

Humans can also develop rashes and throat irritations from exposure to the larvae of the oak processionary moth (OPM), a foreign species accidentally introduced 11 years ago.

OPM is a pest as the caterpillars, which move in processions, feed on oak leaves, which weakens the trees.

They also have thousands of tiny hairs which become detached and airborne.

The hairs contain a substance called thaumetopoein , which can cause itching and skin rashes, as well as eye, ear and throat irritations and breathing difficulties, in people and animals.

Other signs reported in animals, particularly those that have sniffed or tried to eat the caterpillars or their nests, include excess salivation, swollen tongues, conjunctivitis, gagging, respiratory distress and mouth inflammation.

The hairs also accumulate in the caterpillars’ nests, which they build on oak trees in May and June, sometimes at ground level.

The nests, and the caterpillars, sometimes fall to the ground, causing a risk to horses and livestock, as well as to other animals and children.

The Forestry Commission is working with councils and landowners to minimise the spread of the pest, in a control programme funded by Defra.

Project manager Andrew Hoppit said: “It’s essential that people who care for animals in the affected areas are aware of this pest and ways to minimise the risk.”

Protective measures include fencing affected oak trees off, stabling or covering horses on windy days, and avoiding tracks lined by affected oak trees.

The main risk period is April to July, when the caterpillars are active, but their nests, which contain thousands of cast hairs, remain a hazard for many months.

Mr Hoppit said: “I also encourage horse owners to help us by reporting sightings of the pest using the ‘Tree Alert’ reporting tool on our website, which has a lot of helpful information, including guides to recognising OPM.”

People who think their animals have been seriously affected should consult a vet. The effects of OPM contact on people, although unpleasant, are not usually serious and should pass in a few days.

Related articles:

• Plume moth on the attack in fight against ragwort
• How to protect your horse from turnout injuries
• How to keep hooves healthy this summer *H&H VIP*

People who have been affected can consult a pharmacist for relief from the symptoms, or a doctor for serious allergic reactions, although these are rare.

For more information on OPM, click here.

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A high-tech headcollar has been developed so owners can read their horses’ vital signs from afar.

Nightwatch allows owners to remotely check their horses’ heart and respiratory rates, motion and posture, with the use of a smart phone.

Texas-based Jeffrey Schab was inspired to create the device after his own horse died in 2013.

“We lost one of our beloved horses to a rare colic event in the middle of the night,” he told H&H. “He was just eight years old and he died alone in his stall.”

Mr Schab wanted to create a product that allows owners to check horses’ welfare while away from the yard.

The product, which can be worn as a headcollar or as a simple strap around the top of the horse’s neck, contains embedded sensors.

It monitors real-time statistics from the horse, which are sent from the device to an app on a phone or computer that can notify the owner if the horse’s condition changes.

The headcollar is made from leather and features multiple breakaway points.

Related articles:

• Owners’ guide to emergency first aid
• 8 beautiful leather headcollars you’ll want to buy
• 3 daily health checks every owner should make

Nightwatch is currently undergoing safety and compliance tests and will be distributed in the summer. It can be pre-ordered online at a reduced price of $499.99 (￡355).

Currently Nightwatch is only on sale in North America, but Mr Schab hopes to make it available elsewhere in the world in the future.

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A product is being developed so that horse owners can remotely check the temperature, heart and respiratory rate of their equine companion from afar.

SeeHorse is a small device worn on a horse’s headcollar or bridle that can send information about the animal through Bluetooth to an owner’s phone or computer.

The SeeHorseCloud application also allows owners to remotely check the figures away from the yard.

The technology has been created in Kitchener, Canada, by Peter Mankowski.

“SeeHorse provides multiple features so you can stay connected with your horse,” Mr Mankowski told H&H.

“It is a 100% green energy device — if your horse is active, it recharges the device just by their movement.”

Mr Mankowski explained why he wanted to launch SeeHorse.

“All of us at work either actively ride or show horses or have had horses in the past,” he said. “It felt natural to design the Seehorse for ourselves and others from the industry.

“In North America people board they horses away from home and only see them one or two times a week.

“Not knowing how your beloved horse is puts stress on most of us so we designed a device that lets you stay connected worldwide.

“In addition of seeing all data in real time, users can go back to a horse’s account and retrieve historical data as well.”

The design of SeeHorse began last month (June) and is close to completion.

“We need to pre-sell 500 units to complete the design,” added Mr Mankowski.

They are three products available with varying features. Prices start at C$145 (£72).

For more information visit: http://seehorse.ca

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Every horse owner should know how to remove a horse shoe in an emergency situation, because a loose shoe can pose a potential danger to the horse in certain circumstances — for example if the shoe is misplaced or the nails are protruding — explains Ross Eager, retained farrier at Liphook Equine Hospital.

A bent shoe can damage the horse’s leg, as can a risen clench (the point of the nail as it protrudes from the hoof wall) which might easily cut the horse’s adjacent limb. A nail could also penetrate the sole of the horse’s foot.

However, if only one clench has risen, or one nail is slightly loose, then as long as the shoe is still positioned where it should be on the horse’s foot it shouldn’t pose a risk to the horse. In this instance, just wrap up the foot in some duct tape as a temporary measure. This will keep the horse safe until the farrier is able to attend to him.

If in doubt as to whether the positioning of the shoe or nails poses a danger, you are better to take off the shoe, at which point it can do no harm.

In this video, Ross shows us how to remove a horse shoe safely

How to remove a horse shoe in 4 easy steps

1. In order to remove a horse shoe, you will need a buffer with a blade, plus a mallet — and failing this an adapted buffer with a broad enough surface on the opposite side of the blade in order to use a hammer on this. You will also need a pair of pincers and possibly a rasp. It is sensible for every yard to have this kit.

2. Make sure that both you and the horse are comfortable, standing on level ground and in a sheltered area. The job will be a lot harder — and potentially dangerous — if the horse is jumping around. Wearing a hard hat, face the horse’s quarters and hold up his hoof between your legs as pictured.

3. Find each clench — the tip of the nail — and position the blade of the buffer between it and the hoof wall. Tap the buffer with the mallet to straighten out the hooked nail end. Alternatively, taking the foot forward and positioning it on a stool, rasp off the clench hook, leaving only the straight nail.

4. One at a time, pincer the head of each nail and work it out of the shoe. If you can’t get a grip on a nail head, position the pincer ends around the side of the shoe at the heel, pinch the handles together and rock them away from you. This will bring the shoe away from the foot, freeing stubborn nail heads.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound Ask The Vet, Spring 2014

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Equilibrium has added 2 new products to its Munch range — Calmmunch and Fleximunch

The new grass based products can be given wet or dry in a bucket or hay net and will benefit both your horse’s health and temperament.

Calmmunch is low calorie, low sugar, high fibre specifically designed for anxious or excitable horses and ponies.

Fleximunch will benefit your horse and help with joint support because it contains glucosamine as well as other nutrients.

A spokesman from Equilibrium said: “Calmmunch offers a dual approach to calming a compressed fibre form that promotes an extended eating time, so satisfying the innate need to forage and supporting gastric health, which has then been combined with added calming ingredients.

“Fleximunch is made from top quality Timothy grass and the blocks are enriched with glucosamine and MSM, plus rosehips, ginger and Boswellia, all known for their joint supporting properties.”

Both Calmmunch and Fleximunch come in a 1kg block and they cost £3.95 each.

For more information visit: www.EquilibriumProducts.Ltd

Equimins has launched a new supplement to help horses maintain a healthy gut. 

Gut Health is a concentrated herbal extract containing 14 different herbs helping to support a horses gut in a natural way.

The liquid supplement is made up of a mixture of quassia, cinnamon, peppermint, cayenne, garlic, chamomile, fenugreek, ginger, mint, fennel, thyme, liquorice, wormwood and clivers.

David Willey, managing director of Equimins said: “The unique blend of herbs we’ve selected is safe to use and doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients.

“This is the latest addition to our digestion range. We understand how important the horse’s gut is to his overall well being.”

Gut Health is available in 250ml bottles and costs £14.25.

For more information visit: www.equimins.com

Horse owners are being urged to keep their horses away from sycamore trees, after a pony died from atypical myopathy in Gloucestershire.

Welfare charity the Blue Cross has issued the plea after Heath, a 6-year-old pony, died on 24 April. He was at a loan home in Cirencester. 

Last year, research by the University of Liège linked the mysterious fatal condition to the sycamore tree as the seeds may contain toxin hypoglycin-A.

“Although his field did not have any sycamore trees nearby, it is thought that he had ingested seeds brought in by floodwater,” said the Blue Cross’ Gemma Taylor.

“This incident has highlighted how all horse owners have to stay alert to the dangers to try to minimise this dreadful disease.”

Cases of atypical myopathy are on the rise. Last month H&H warned readers to be on the look out for signs of the often fatal condition, as experts in Belgium anticipated more cases across Europe this spring, based on recent research.

The illness weakens the skeletal muscles and heart. Victims are usually kept on sparse pasture, often where dead leaves are on the ground.

Blue Cross vet Natasha Seely of Bourton Vale Equine Clinic in Gloucestershire added: “Owners need to be alert at all times but especially during the spring and autumn months. 

“The signs range from depression, muscle weakness, recumbency, choke or colic-like symptoms to dark red urine. The sooner atypical myopathy is diagnosed, the better the likely outcome.”

This article was first published in Horse and Hound on 8 May 2014. 

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Targeted Equine Nutrition (T.E.N) have added 3 new products to its range of supplements — Daily Electrolytes, Daily Balancer and Laminitis Support.

 These new products will help your horse maintain vitamins, hydration and also benefit horses and ponies that are prone to developing laminitis.

“It’s through listening to your feedback we have identified the need for these 3 new targeted supplements to help support your horse or pony in more situations where nutritional support may be of benefit” said Clare Barfoot from T.E.N.

 The Daily electrolytes are available in 2.5kg tubs and have an RRP £19.99

The Daily balancer is available in 1.5Kg tubs and have an RRP £8.99

The Daily laminitis support is available in 1.2Kg tubs and have an RRP £14.99

To celebrate the launch all 3 new products are on a special half-price offer until the 1 June 2014.

For more information visit www.tensupplements.co.uk 

Robinson Animal Healthcare has announced that Anne Blyton has won its prize for Britain’s most deserving “horsey helper”.

Anne, who was nominated by her daughter Becky, won a luxury 2-day spa break and a selection of equine first aid products.

Becky works in a hospital operating theatre and relies on her mother to help to look after her two horses, George and Autumn.

“I nominated my mum for the Stable Star award as she helps me, and other people on the yard, an unbelievable amount” said Becky. “I appreciate her help so much and she really deserves some pampering!

“Without her I wouldn’t be able to manage my horses on my own and she is the best person to have around for training and competitions.”

Robert Ibbotson of Robinson Animal Healthcare said: “There are so many ‘stable stars’ that make horse ownership possible for other people.

“We wanted to reward a special person for all of their hard work and Anne shone out — she works full time and still finds time to help look after George and Autumn.”

The runners up in the competition, Rochelle Wilson and Avril McLeod, both received equine first aid kits.

Would you like to win a photo shoot of you and your horse?

The National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) runs this week (14-20 November) and all those who take part in the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a photo shoot and become the face of NEHS 2012.

Launched last year by The Blue Cross and the British Equine Veterinary Association, the survey assesses the prevalence of common diseases in horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

It provides vital information for the veterinary profession and animal welfare industry.

Blue Cross education officer Kerry Doyle said: “We had the biggest response ever to the last NEHS survey in May, with over 1,000 people submitting information.

“The more data we have, the more useful it will be to identify trends in equine health.”

Participants details will remain anonymous and the survey takes about five minutes to complete.

To take part visit www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS

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Don’t forget to do your bit for horse health by taking part in the National Equine Health survey.

The twice-yearly survey is the brainchild of The Blue Cross and the British Equine Veterinary Association and is designed to help improve the health of equines in the UK by finding out more about issues such as coughs, skin disease, lameness and colic.

The survey only takes five minutes to complete and, as an added incentive, everyone who takes part in the survey will be entered into a draw for their horse, pony, donkey or mule to become the face of the campaign.

Complete the survey online by Sunday at www.bluecross.org.uk/nehs

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Equestrian bodies are concerned that a new 12-member board of non-government experts appointed to develop health and welfare policy in England may not include a horse expert.

Agriculture Minister Jim Paice announced last week (Tuesday, 26 April) that Defra is creating an Animal Health and Welfare Board for England.

This had been proposed by an independent advisory group charged with considering ways to manage disease among livestock and horses in the UK, after plans for an unpopular horse tax were scrapped.

The board will comprise five Defra members, including the chief veterinary officer, and seven or eight external members, including the chairman.

Professor Tim Morris, who represented the equine sector on the advisory group, said: “It is absolutely vital that the board includes at least one member with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the horse sector, which in many ways is in a unique position.”

But Mr Paice said there is not capacity for a specific representative of each sector and panel members will have to show broad knowledge.

The panel will bring together farmers, vets and welfare experts, with the chief veterinary officer to make policy for all kept animals, including farm animals, horses and pets. Its primary role will be disease control.

Mr Paice told H&H: “This replaces the old ways of working, where the people most affected by decisions were kept at arm’s length from policy making.”

Final policy decisions will remain in the hands of ministers.

Equine charities said they were concerned about how the board, solely for England, will work with devolved administrations.

Roly Owers of World Horse Welfare said: “The response is short on details on how the key interests of the equine industry will be addressed and the role of the board when outbreaks of animal disease occur.

“A board that meets six to 10 times a year will not be able to have any meaningful input in a serious disease outbreak.”

A chairman will be appointed by June and applications for the other posts are invited now. The board will be in place by the end of the year, said Mr Paice.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (5 May, 2011)

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It’s official. The most common veterinary problem afflicting British horses is lameness, according to research for the country’s first National Equine Health Survey.

Some 3,120 horseowners completed a survey via the Blue Cross charity’s website last winter as part of the National Equine Welfare Council’s 10-year strategy to improve horse welfare in the UK.

The results were revealed at the horse industry’s annual National Equine Forum, on Tuesday (8 March).

Lameness was the most common problem, affecting 11% of horses, with weight the next biggest issue, with 9% of horses recorded as overweight and 8% underweight.

Though these figures are at odds with other recent research by the University of Nottingham, which suggested that 50% of horses are overweight (news, 3 February), the Blue Cross pointed out that the information was supplied by owners themselves and thus subjective.

Skin disease and wounds — at 5% and 4% respectively — are also common issues, as is colic (2%), with a 6:1 ratio between medical and surgical cases. But laminitis (3%) was less prevalent than believed.

“This data has never been collected before,” said Professor Josh Slater, of the Royal Veterinary College, who worked with the Blue Cross on the survey.

Following the success of the survey, the Blue Cross will collect data twice a year and is urging horse owners to sign up for the next survey, from 9-15 May.

To register online, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS

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The British Horse Society (BHS) has commissioned a survey into the health and psychological benefits of riding.

The results of this survey, which is being conducted by Plumpton College and the University of Brighton, will be used as a lobbying tool for future funding applications by equestrian groups.

Mark Weston, BHS director of access, safety and welfare, said: “Unlike walking and cycling, there is currently no empirical data to support the known benefits of riding.

“We hope this research will provide tangible evidence we can use as leverage when it comes to applying for external funding.”

Julian Marczak, chairman of the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS), said:

“The ABRS commends this initiative. You only have to watch disabled riders to see at first hand the therapeutic benefits riding can bring.”

Alongside the survey, the university is conducting a scientific study to establish the exercise intensity of a 45-minute riding session.

Kim Cross, who works full-time and rides a friend’s horse several times a week, said: “Everyone who rides knows its health benefits but having statistics to prove it has to be a good thing.”

To take part in the survey, visit www.plumpton.ac.uk/pages/documents/health-benefits-of-riding-survey.doc.

The final report, with the findings from the work, will be available on the BHS website in mid-2011.

This article was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound, 11 November ’10

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Horse owners are invited to take part in the National Equine Health Survey, during the week beginning 15 November, to help improve the health of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in the UK.

The annual online survey takes five minutes to complete and its goal is to help build a clearer picture of the spread of non-infectious and common UK equine health problems, such as coughs, skin diseases and lameness.

The Blue Cross is running the survey and analysing results in partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association and Josh Slater, professor of equine clinical studies at The Royal Veterinary College.

It is part of the National Equine Welfare Council’s 10-year strategy to improve horse welfare in the UK, which runs to 2017.

Kerry Doyle, education officer at The Blue Cross said: “Currently disease surveillance is based around exotic diseases such as African Horse Sickness and West Nile Virus, and some non-exotic infections like influenza. This leaves a gap in our knowledge about other more common health problems faced by the UK horse population.”

The National Equine Health Survey needs to be completed on any one day during the week of 15 – 21 November 2010. Details of all horse owners will remain anonymous.

To register, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS or email NEHS@bluecross.org.uk.

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The impact of nutrition on equine health and welfare will be explored in a three-day workshop at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester (21-23 September).

The fifth European Workshop on Equine Nutrition is open to everyone involved in the care of horses and will include research from some of the most eminent European scientists in the field.

“To maintain good health and optimum performance the horse requires much more than just the correct levels of nutrients,” said a spokesman for the event.

“The packaging and form in which the horse receives these nutrients plays an important role for both the horse’s body and mind.”

For more information, go to www.ewen.vet.ed.ac.uk

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Do horse owners fail to recognise problems affecting older horses?

This is the question raised by new research in which vets found high levels of untreated lameness, dental disease and respiratory problems in a sample of 200 horses aged 15 or older.

Dr Gina Pinchbeck of Liverpool University surveyed the owners of 918 such horses in the north-west and Wales, in a project funded by the Horse Trust. A vet inspected 200 of the horses, selected at random.

Dr Pinchbeck said: “We need to do more to educate horse owners and vets about the needs of geriatric horses, and how to recognise the signs of common illnesses that may affect them.”

Dr Pinchbeck said it can be difficult to distinguish between normal ageing and signs of disease, so regular veterinary visits are important to help detect health problems early.

She said it is a misconception that older horses do not need to be vaccinated.

“Owners sometimes think that because their geriatric horse doesn’t travel, it doesn’t need to be vaccinated,” she said. “But they often have other horses in the yard that do travel and could pass on disease.”

The care of geriatric horses will be the subject of a British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) professional development meeting in March.

BEVA president Dr Madeleine Campbell said: “Horses need more regular rather than less regular attention from the vet and farrier as they get older.

“Many veterinary practices offer an annual or six-monthly health-check service.

“Regular check-ups are an ideal way to ensure that any problems are identified and treated promptly.”

Roly Owers, chief executive of charity World Horse Welfare, also welcomed the research.

“The needs of a horse change as it ages,” he said. “But management should always include regular — at least annual — health checks by a vet.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (4 March, 10)

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The Government has published its plans for an independent “Animal Health Organisation” to change the way animal disease risks and outbreaks are handled.

The draft Animal Health Bill , released on Monday, sets out formal plans for the responsibility and cost-sharing policy — also dubbed the “horse tax” — that caused such furore last year.

But while the draft bill covers disease measures and the establishment of the non-departmental public body, decisions on the cost of the tax to animal and horse owners have not been announced.

Defra says it will be introduced “under a future Finance Bill”.

More than 10,000 people have so far signed a petition asking Defra to scrap horse tax.

Campaigners have been logging on to the 10 Downing Street website since September to have their say on the proposals, which would affect every horse owner in the country.

Chairman of the British Horse Industry Confederation, Professor Tim Morris, said: “The horse sector has said it will work with the government to achieve the benefits of reduced risk of disease and enhanced animal welfare.

“We have a long history of sharing responsibility and costs for disease with Defra.

“But all we are seeing is the extra cost and complexity of an expensive new quango, which will be an unnecessary burden to both the taxpayer and horse owner, with none of these benefits.”

• H&H will publish a full story on the implications and what it means for the horse industry in our 4 February issue

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Most owners have a range of professionals working with their horse. On the healthcare team, there is a vet and a farrier, plus possibly a physiotherapist or chiropractor, an equine dental technician (EDT) and a nutritionist. Also in the mix is a trainer or instructor, and a saddler.

In recent years an increased level of co-operation and interaction has developed between these professions, particularly vets and farriers. Although some problems may still occur, the quality of farriery has improved considerably in the past 20 years and with it has come a mutual respect between equine vets and farriers.

Understanding strengths

In order to improve the relationship between vets and farriers further, it is important to recognise the separate and complementary areas of excellence.

An equine vet might be able to repair a fractured bone with a surgical procedure, but few vets could start from scratch and manufacture a perfectly fitting purpose-made surgical shoe for a particular foot problem.

A skilled farrier might recognise and adjust slight changes in breakover or foot placement, but few would be confident exploring deep in the foot to trace the path of a foreign body.

Vets and farriers need to respect the skills and training of the other professionals on the healthcare team and to use them to full advantage. Problems arise when this respect is lost or when standards of professional courtesy are not maintained.

This can happen when the vet blames the farrier for causing an episode of lameness or when the farrier criticises the vet for paring away far too much of the wall in the search for a foot abscess. In these cases no one benefits, least of all the horse.

It is hardly surprising that some farriers have nothing but contempt for the vet, who turns up with a handful of old rusty tools that have been knocking about in the bottom of the car boot and tries to work on a horse’s hoof. If vets intend to work on hooves, they should have excellent equipment in good order and know how to use it properly.

In the same way, farriers will do themselves no favours by rubbishing the diagnosis of the vet achieved after painstaking investigation and then making guesswork suggestions of their own, or by criticising the instructions to poultice a foot or the request to fit a remedial shoe.

Horse owners can help by facilitating a good working relationship between the farrier and the vet. If both vets and farriers are working on a lame horse, there are some basic rules that will improve the progress of the clinical case.

Rule 1: The vet and the farrier should communicate directly with each other, not through the client

However competent and articulate the client, it is not sensible for instructions, opinions nor discoveries to be relayed through a third party. If during a routine visit the farrier finds something in the foot that requires veterinary attention, it is better for him to give the vet a quick call rather than to tell the client to call the vet. Or if the vet thinks a particular shoe will benefit the horse, the farrier should be contacted directly, or at the very least a prescription should be written out, with suggestions for the farrier.

Rule 2: The vet and the farrier should try to meet face to face over the case in question

Even if only one meeting can be arranged between vet, farrier and client to look at the horse together, it will reap enormous benefits. With both professionals jointly looking at the horse, the diagnosis can be discussed, X-rays scrutinised and a plan of action agreed. Subsequent examinations and repeat shoeings may then be undertaken independently, with phone calls between the two when necessary.

Rule 3: The farrier and vet should recognise and respect each other’s areas of knowledge and technical skill

Vets take the best X-rays of horses’ feet and can interpret nerve blocks, scans and other images. Farriers make the best surgical appliances and achieve the best results with rasp and hoof knife. The two working together will provide the best outcome for the horse.

Rule 4: Vet and farrier should seek each other’s opinion before demanding a particular course of action

Although this is simple professional courtesy, it is often overlooked. A horse is admitted to the clinic for lameness work-up and a diagnosis achieved. It is discourteous for the vet to issue to the owners instructions about shoeing. Is the owner going to shoe the horse? Surely the better course of action is to contact the farrier, explain the diagnosis and suggest a shoeing regime that in the past has given good results. Maybe the farrier has some ideas that will improve the outcome. In the same way, when the farrier deals with a very lame horse with a swollen leg and discovers and opens a substantial abscess under the sole, is it his or her job to tell the owner to get some antibiotics? Owners can encourage the farrier to contact the vet directly and discuss the case. This will build the professional relationship and benefit the horse.

Rule 5: The owner, the vet and farrier should keep in touch through the follow-up in the lameness case

Owners, farriers and vets will do nothing but good by keeping in touch as the case progresses. With the benefit of text messages, e-mails and voice mails, there is no excuse for failing to send brief informative messages about the case if the farrier and vet know that they are both attending the animal.

• This veterinary feature was first published in Horse & Hound (24 August, ’06)

Good stable management techniques can go a long way towards reducing the likelihood of your horse developing avoidable problems. Follow these top vets’ tips to keep your horse happy and healthy.

Dr Derek Knottenbelt

The best way of ensuring that there is a low risk of infection and skin damage is to ensure that all your equipment is clean and in good condition.

Do not share tack and grooming kit as brushes, girths and riding boots become sources of infections. Sharing brushes, saddles, bridles, rugs, bandages and clothing/riding boots carries a risk of transmitting a contagious disease, such as ringworm, or skin parasites, such as mites and lice, between horses.

Make sure you have a spare clean laundered set of stable bandages and a clean cotton sheet to put under the rug so that they can be changed every few days. Modern disinfectant solutions and detergents can be effective. Ask your vet which is the best one to use.

In a livery yard, with many different people involved, there is a strong tendency to “share between friends”. By the middle of winter and early spring the level of infection on the skin, and therefore the grooming kit and tack, can be significant.

Any minor trauma to the skin can allow an infection to take a strong hold. Saddle rash, rain scald, lice, mange mites and ringworm are typical examples of infections that can build up.

Damaged or worn-out brushes used on the horse’s skin can easily damage his skin. This allows ringworm and bacterial skin infections to get a firm hold. If you detect any skin infection on your horse, consult your vet immediately.

Karen Coumbe

Close observation of your horse as part of your daily routine is the best way to prevent problems. It is easy to recognise when a horse is really ill, but a lot more difficult to know when he is not feeling 100 per cent. The better you know your horse the easier it is to tell if something is wrong.

The simple way of remembering what to look for is to think of ABC: appearance, behaviour and condition. Check each of these in turn and routine observation will soon become second nature.

John Mason

The early recognition and treatment of laminitis is essential if irreversible foot changes — and loss of performance — are to be avoided. Ponies and cobs not in frequent work and at grass should be checked daily, especially during May, June and September.

First, check that the crest is not becoming abnormally fatty; and second, feel for the presence of a digital pulse on each lower limb. The digital pulse can be located by pressing the finger and thumb at the lower back of the fetlock or on either side of the deep flexor tendon, behind the pastern.

If the pulse is exaggerated, stable your horse, feed him a restricted hay diet and contact your vet.

Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher

One of the keys to avoiding problems is to be consistent in everything you do with your horse, and to make any changes gradually. Horses are creatures of habit and they seem to thrive and perform better in an environment of uniformity. This need to apply to feeding, exercise, turnout, shoeing, worming, vaccination and tooth rasping.

The best way to keep a check on your routine is to pin a large calendar or chart in your tack/feed room and update it constantly. Add to this a note of if, and when, any problems occur, and you might be surprised by how often they relate to lapses in your usual programme.

David Franklin

Good pasture management is vital if problems with worms are to be avoided. It’s not enough to routinely worm your horse — pddocks need to be rested and droppings should be removed at least every couple of days.

If your horse is prone to impaction colic, add a teacupful of liquid paraffin twice weekly to his feed. This mineral oil lubricates the intestines, is mild and safe to use over a long period.

• This feature was originally published in Horse & Hound

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to horse health. Costly veterinary bills can be avoided by taking simple precautions and noticing signs that your horse may be feeling less than 100%.

Skin infections

In a livery yard there is a tendency for minor skin traumas to develop into an infection which then takes hold. Saddle rash, rain scald, lice, mange mites and ringworm are typical examples that can build up if action is not taken to avoid the spread of infection.

Derek Knottenbelt, MRCVS says: The best way of ensuring that there is a low risk of infection and skin damage is to ensure that all your equipment is clean and in good condition. Do not share tack and grooming kits.

Make sure you have a spare clean set of stable bandages and a clean cotton sheet to putunder the rug so that they can be changed every few days. Modern disinfectant solutions and detergents can be effective against the spread of infection.

Spotting illness

Karen Coumbe, MRCVS says: Close observation of your horse as part of your daily routine is the best way to prevent problems. It is easy to recognise when a horse is really ill, but a lot more difficult to know when he is not feeling 100%.

It can be extremely hard to distinguish a horse whichis slightly off colour, but the better you know your horse the easier it is to tell if something is wrong.

Think of ABC: appearance, behaviour and condition. Check each of these in turn and routine observation will soon become second nature.

Avoiding colic

David Franklin MRCVS says: Feeding liquid paraffin may help prevent minor impaction colics.

If your horse is prone to constipation with resultant impaction colic, an easy preventative measure is to add a teacup of liquid paraffin twice weekly to his feed. This mineral oil lubricates the intestines, and is mild and safe to use over a long period.

Tea tree oil is one of the many herbal/plant solutions which can be used at home as a simple, but highly effective treatment for a wide spectrum of ailments.

It is a broad spectrum antiseptic with high levels of biocidal activity against bacteria, fungi and insects.

Tea tree oil is an essential oil distilled (steam distillation process) from the leaves of the paperbark tree species melaleuca alternifolia.

The tree is endemic to the moist, sub tropical coast of north eastern New South Wales and south east Queensland in Australia and has evolved its own natural defence mechanism against disease and insects.

It was the Australian aborigines who were first aware of these healing properties and used poultices of crushed leaves on cuts and abrasions.

Although it is believed that Captain Cook was responsible for telling the rest of the world about these remedies, it wasn¨t until the 1920s that tea tree oil began to be marketed commercially.

In 1925, A R Penfold first isolated the oil from the leaves by the steam distillation method and it was also he who established that its antiseptic efficacy was up to 13 times more powerful than carbolic acid (the most common antiseptic of the period).

In the 1930s and 40s, tea tree oil was acclaimed as the near perfect topical antiseptic and during World War II, the Australian army provided their soldiers with sprigs of tea tree in their first aid kits.

However with the advent of antibiotics after the war, tea tree oil was left on the shelf until its revival in the 1970s, when the first professional plantations were set up.

Since then, tea tree oil is widely used as a highly effective topical antiseptic and mild local anaesthetic for cuts, abrasions, skin infections, insect bites, boils and athletes foot.

For horses, tea tree oil has now become an essential part of most owners first aid kit. As well as helping to treat insect bites, stings and ringworm, tea tree oil has also proved effective in treating:

• sweet itch
• mud fever
• rain scald
• cracked hooves
• saddle sores
• thrushInformation supplied by Equine Health and Herbal, manufacturers of a range of Tea Tree Oil based products, including shampoo, leg wash, cream and hoof oil.For further details contact 01787 476400 or visit www.equinehealthandherbal.co.uk

In the absence of your usual products, we look into the kitchen to discover some interesting alternatives.

• Honey
  Useful in tempting fussy feeders and sick or tired horses as a high sugar and high energy feed.
  There is evidence that honey can be used as an antibacterial agent, but it is better known relation to respiratory problems.Honey may also be used on burns, as it provides an easily removed sticky, airtight covering.
• Cider vinegar
  Most commonly used in the management of arthritic horses as a means of preventing calcification of the joints.
  Cider vinegar is rich in all the components of apples, particularly acids, which is probably the main active principle.Cider vinegar can be used as a wash to improve the bloom of the horse’s coat and will help to repel flies.
• Black treacle
  Black treacle and molasses are famed for their palatability and energy, both attributable to high sugar content, and the stickiness which helps to bind feed and reduce dust.
• Bran
  Bran has uses both as a feedstuff and a heat retaining material for poulticing.
  Bran has a fibre content less than forages, but more than traditionalcompounds. It has an energy content similar to medium energy feeds and a protein content of 14%, although the quality of this is poor.
  It is also great for tempting a tired or fussy horse to eat. However, like other cereal products, it contains ahigh level of phosphorus and almost no calcium. Therefore, it is not advisable to feed any great weight of bran, and a calcium supplement should always be fed if you are feeding more than 3lbs of bran in the ration.
• Epsom salts
  The common name for the chemical blend of magnesium and sulphate, known for its laxative properties. Opinion varies on whether Epsom salts are good or bad, as it is easy to overdo them and there are better alternatives. Modern nutritional thinking does not agree with purging your horse regularly.
• Mustard
  Seeds are the most commonly used part of the plant, particularly those of black mustard. Mustard seeds are high in a sulphur containing volatile oil. At varying levels,this can act as a stimulant, irritant, diuretic and emetic.
  Infusions of the seeds were used historically to relieve chronic bronchitis, and, for owners, hot water poured on mustard seeds apparently makes a stimulating foot bath and helps dispel acold or a headache.
• Cream of tartar
  Used by one leading stallion owner to “thin the semen” and control an otherwise excitable male.
• Garlic
  Garlic has antiseptic, antibiotic, anthelmintic and expectorant properties. It is best known as a respiratory herb, removing any mucus and acting against any infection.
  Also used as a probiotic – creating the right environment in the gut for beneficial bacteria to grow.
  Garlic is rich in sulphur,and can deter biting flies as it is excreted through the pores of the skin.
  When made into a paste with castor oil it can be rubbed into sarcoids, and the juice from a bulb of can be used on cuts.
• Apples
  The natural plant sugar is used to add variety to the horse¨s diet and tempt fussy feeders. One or two apples won’t harm the nutritional balance of the diet ¨ 8kg of apples is equivalent to 1kg of barley or 1.3kg of oats.
• Bananas
  Predominately as an energy source — 85% of a dried banana is sugar.
• Comfrey
  Comfrey leaf is best known for healing bone, cartilage and soft tissue, hence its common name “knitbone”. This is thought to be due to the chemical allantoin, which is known to stimulate cell production.
  Can be used to calm inflammation of the gut lining and as an expectorant. Tactical appropriate use (a handful of fresh leaves per day) is unlikely to cause a problem in horses.

In the years since World War II, equine history has been influenced by tremendous social and economic changes; horses have ceased to be working animals, although this has been compensated by increased performance and leisure riding. These changes then produced new attitudes to stable management. However, while this tends to apply to racehorses, the consequences are significant for all horses, particularly foals and youngsters.

New stabling ideas

A survey carried out by vets in the 1980s concluded that modern stables were inferior architecturally to those built last century. But has this inferiority contributed to a greater incidence of disease?Large yards of working horses no longer exist. Instead, we have new-style stabling of varying designs, but with a move from warmth and a controlled environment to fixed open vents, free airflow and fluctuating temperatures.

Ideas within the racing industry have altered dramatically, provoked by increased incidence of disease, oftenviral, mostly affecting the respiratory system. But were the changes based on scientific research? More critically, have they had a beneficial effect to reduce disease, or are they linked to the rising tide of infection?

The answer, in my opinion, is that this change in view was not based on logic, nor did the “open” ventilation system originate from a new scientific basis. I also believe that it has contributed to infection, particularly if they are compared with the French model (pictured above), where a more pragmatic approach has led to less disease.

Temperature control

In the pre-modern era, temperature control was considered critical in horse management and we have never proven this to be wrong. Old equine literature, for example, Modern Veterinary Practice by WJ Miles, advises us that the stable environment should be kept within a narrow temperature band, with a minimum of 50deg F. AF Clarke, MRCVS, writes in the Equine Veterinary Journal, September 1987, about an “ideal temperature range between 10-30deg C” – which is too wide – and for draughts to be eliminated. While advisers seem to accept the point about draughts, buildings are advocated where this is impossible to achieve. Also, although horses may not die from the effects of low temperatures, they become infected, particularly by low grade conditions.

Ventilation policy

But where did these changes come from, and why? Horses have different stabling needs compared with other animals, such as pigs. The racehorse, in particular, cannot tolerate infection if it is to perform to maximum capacity.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, as more people entered the sport and horses were trained from farmyards and garages, there was a tendency to adapt old buildings to new use. Often, with tin roofs and damp walls, trainers were confronted with condensation, dripping on to horses’ backs, and disease. The solution was often ventilation, but at a cost. The building dried out, but the horse was left standing in a draught.

Then there was the “Coolmore system” of ventilation which emerged after a devastating outbreak of a herpes infection in which horses suffering from the disease were less severely affected when kept outdoors than stabled. Again, it was decided that extra ventilation was the answer, to simulate outdoor conditions.However, the outbreak was caused by concentrating too many horses together; four different viruses were isolated and there is every possibility these infected the stabled horses sequentially. Close confinement was the critical factor, not the buildings, freedom to roam was probably the saving factor in those kept out. A third possible reason for the “fresh air” approach resulted from some vets suggesting that most respiratory disease was non-infectious, such as COPD , which I find impossible to accept.In dealing with infection, it is notable that horses kept in cold, damp or draughty conditions become ill more frequently and are more difficult to treat. On the other hand, infected horses moved to warm, dry, draught-free conditions often recover without treatment, and infection is significantly less.

French connection

Added support for this comes from French racing, where stabling is mostly of a specific, uniform and simple design. Trainers in France seldom need to take blood samples because, they say, there is not the same level of infection. Horses still become infected, but there is a huge difference from the UK, and stabling must play a role. In French racing stables, air is only allowed to enter from the front. Stable size and ceiling height are almost standard and the only air outlet is usually a small (15cm x 15cm) vent in the back of the ceiling which enters a loft space or duct. A window over the front door supplements air exchange. What is most noticeable is that this system allows no draughts and, if there is no defect in the building, such as dampness or cold surfaces, the temperature remains constant and the horses are warm. Onhot days, the door can be opened and a mesh inserted to increase flow of air.Where American barns are used, the same principles are adhered to, with each horse in an enclosed compartment, even in the centre aisle of a building. While the atmosphere insome of these can be criticised, trainers maintain they have little or no viral or respiratory problems.

Winter warmer

Under ideal conditions, a horse in training requires as little air exchange in cold winter nights as we do in our cosy living rooms. That does not mean temperatures have to be high, or that top doors need to be closed. But the horse does not like standing in draughts, no matter how subtle, no matter how well rugged, and draughts are impossible to eliminate when there are fixed open vents at eave, ridge or shoulder level.

Warmth does not have to mean air pollution. The stable can be warm and the atmosphere comfortable, if managed properly. A stabled horse cannot be looked at in the same light as a horse at grass – by bringing it indoors, we change the parameters.

Highlighting hygieneAir is fouled by the smells of urine and droppings, as well as by dust in hay, straw and other bedding. However, the answer is hygiene and management, not cold air orpollution. Proper stable design allows the escape of urine and droppings can be removed as often as is practical. The quality of hay and bedding, therefore, is critical.Finally, scientific tests show that respiratory defensive mechanisms in the horse are adversely affected by chilling. If the natural defences are not working, not only is infection more easily contracted, but dust and spores are far more likely to cause disease. Extra rugs will make no difference.