Horse Treats

Is Your Horse Hot?

Is Your Horse Hot?

Did you know horses are less heat tolerant than humans? So when you feel you’re getting overheated your horse probably feels the same way. As horse owners it’s important to know the normal vital sign ranges for your horse. The normal body temperatures range for a horse is 99-101.5F. Horses produce heat through exercise, digestion and metabolism. Many factors play a role in the horse’s ability to regulate body temperature and tolerate heat. The air temperature, humidity, wind, exposure to the sun, age, coat condition, body conditioning, fitness level and pre-existing health issues can affect a horse’s ability to thermoregulate. Senior horses, foals, obese and unfit horses can be less heat tolerant. During exercise a horse’s muscles contact producing a lot of heat. In hot, humid weather it only takes 17 -18 minutes of moderate exercise to overheat a horse. One way horses cool their body is with sweat. The evaporation of the sweat from a horse’s skin can help decrease 50-60% of their excess body heat. During strenuous work on hot days, a horse can lose 2-4 gallons of sweat per hour, depleting electrolytes and fluids. If not managed could lead to dehydration.  Heat Stress and Stoke: Heat stress or heat stroke can occur when a horse gets severely overheated. It is important to watch for signs of heat stress, so it doesn’t progress to heat stroke. Increase heart rate at rest  Excessive sweating with hot skin High Rectal Temperature 103-107 degrees Exhaustion or lethargy Rapid breathing and flared nostrils Stumbling and Incoordination Dehydration Agitation Collapse Shock If a horse’s core body temperature exceeds 105.5 degrees muscle proteins can break down and can cause colic, renal failure or low blood pressure.       What to do Stop all physical activities and get your horse somewhere cool and walk in shaded area Check horse’s temperature Start cooling immediately: hose or sponge with cold water If heat stroke is suspected use ice pack or ice water to cool head, neck, chest, back and inside of hind legs to cool major blood vessels Supplements can be added to water to help replace electrolytes loss from sweating Contact a veterinarian immediately if the symptoms do not improve or get worse. They may administer IV fluids to help replace depleted water and electrolytes. Tips to help your horse handle the heat Consider the heat index (air temperature + relative humidity) when working your horse Heat index below 130 considered safe to exercise most horses Heat index over 150 should avoid strenuous exercise Heat index above 170 or if the humidity is over 75% limit exercise-consider working during the coolest part of the day such as in morning or late evening During exercise take breaks to monitor your horse’s physical condition, you may have to modify your exercise program While hauling long distances: check horse frequently, offer water whenever you stop, be aware of increased temperature in the trailer because of reduced airflow. If possible, haul during coolest times of the day. When moving to a warmer climate allow your horse time to acclimate to warmer weather If a horse’s coat is long clipping it will help with body cooling Use fans to improve ventilation and air flow in barns and paddocks Give horses access to clean, cool water at all times Contact your veterinarian immediately if your horse shows signs of heat stress or heat stroke. It’s important to know the signs, what to do and how to minimize the risk of heat related issues with your horse, so you can have a safe and enjoyable summer with your horse!!

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Getting Ready for Spring Riding

Spring is just around the corner! Now is the perfect time to prepare to get back in the saddle and getting back to riding your horse.  Some lucky horse owners get to ride year a round, but for many equestrians our horses don’t get exercised or ridden consistently during the winter months.  It might weather (cold, snow, ice or rain)or maybe nowhere to ride with safe foot (mud, frozen ground) or limited daylight hours. Over the winter months a horse is inactive, spends most of it’s time eating and standing around.  The same can also be said for many horse owners. For humans muscle used for riding maybe out of shape, from too much time spent out of the saddle due to weather, holidays or from spending too much time on the couch snacking and bing watching Netflix. Both horse and rider need to start out gradually building strength, and endurance to be prepared for the spring and summer riding season.  Your horse’s body condition should be addressed and feed adjustments may need to be made to ensure your horse’s nutritional requirements are being met. Feed Changes Any changes made to your horses feeding regiment needs to be done gradually. Horses are grazing animals, in order to process their feed they rely on the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract. A sudden change in a horse’s hay or feed can upset the healthy bacteria balance that can cause digestive upset or colic. When changing hay or grain sources only 20% – 25% of the current feed should be changed every other day. Dropping a few pounds Horses just like humans can gain weight over the winter months. The best way to lose that weight for both human and horse is to eat less and exercise more. The amount of weight a horse needs to lose varies by horse and not all horses lose weight at the same rate. A horse should be gradually returned to regular work and increasing duration without a change in diet. If feed needs to be restricted decrease the concentrated feed first (sweet feed, feeds that have added fat) Put horse on a forage based diet, you can have your hay tested for vitamin and mineral content and give supplement for any deficiencies in hay or pastures. Adding body weight When trying to increase a horse’s weight all feed changes should be done gradually. Check with your vet if your horse has lost a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. Your vet can check for underlying medical conditions such as a dental issues. When feeding a horse a larger amounts of grain it is best not to exceed more than 5 pounds of grain in a single feeding. Large quantities of feed will pass through the GI tract faster than smaller meals resulting in less nutrients being absorbed and may cause digestive issue such as colic. Not all forage is the same the calories in hay differ depending on the source. Alfalfa has more calories per pound that most grass hays. To increase calorie density in feed you can add fat supplement (such as vegetable oil, rice bran), pre-formulated weight builder supplements or add highly digestible fiber options instead of just adding extra grain. Gradual buildup of training sessions Work sessions should increase over time: If your horse was performing at a high level, they will lose nearly all their conditioning due to inactivity. Start exercises and training at the lower level of work and gradually increase intensity and length training.  Many riders get excited about getting back to work and can feed off the excitement and eagerness of their horse and may over do the first ride back. Like their rider, a horse can experience muscular pains and aches several days later, and since they can’t tell us in words they will often show us through actions.  They may have gait stiffness, sluggishness and develop a bad attitude about working causing bucking, rearing or refuse to work. With an increase in work the horse’s water requirements will increase so there should have access to plenty of clean water.  A horse will also need access to the electrolytes and salt to replenish any loss due to sweating. Equipment check Before getting back to work check you equipment. Poorly fitting or damaged tack cause a safety risk for both rider and horse. Give it a good cleaning and look for any excessively worn areas or loose stitching. Is the leather dry rotted or damaged? Is the saddle pad and other tack in good condition? Does your tack need adjusting to account for body changes of the horse or rider (lengthen stirrups, change gullet in a saddle)? How do the buckles and Velcro look? Is the riders equipment in good condition(helmet, boots, vest)? With early planning you will be ready for the upcoming riding season!  

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Traveling With Your Horse

Horse owners know that traveling with your horse can be stressful! Whether you are heading across town or across the country for a horse show, clinic, camping or a trail ride, the key to minimizing your stress is to prepare and have a plan in place. Know where you are goingKnow how far the trip is, distance and average length of time to get there. Will you need to stop and offer water to the horses on the way or have an overnight layover facility lined up. Since GPS can be spotty in some areas you should have written directions with multiple alternate routes to refer to. Be aware of when you can arrive, some places have restricted arrival times. You would hate to have your horse wait on the trailer. How is your horse getting there? If you plan on using your own truck and trailer you should consider: Is it up to date on any service and maintenance? Are tires and breaks in good conditions with correct tire pressure? Do all the trailer lights work? Full tank of gas? Do you have a road side emergency kit? If a friend is hauling your horse: are they experienced and confident in hauling horses? If you hire a horse transport company: Do they have the proper license and insurance? Are the drivers knowledgeable about basic horse care and handling? Are their truck in safe working order? Do you have a way to communicate with the driver while your horse is in their care? *check internet review.  It’s important to consider what time of day is best to travel. Avoid peak traffic times, high temperatures in summer and bad road conditions in the winter. Getting your horse readyBefore leaving the farm it’s important to make sure your horse is in good physical condition for whatever adventure you are planning. Are they sound, fit and healthy Are they up to date on all vaccinations and have a current Coggins test and health certificates to travel Are their hooves in good shape If they wear shoes are they tight Does your horse have the appropriate level of fitness to participate in the activity you have planned. Packing for travel. There is nothing worse than getting to your destination and realizing you forgot something . Making a checklist ahead of time can help. Necessities include: horses medical papers tack and equipment boots appropriate clothing hat/helmet water bucket hay grain with any daily supplements and medication grooming supplies fly spray bedding if being stalled pitchfork and muck tub What other items do you need for your specific outing: *show clothes, *show saddle pads *leg protection and wraps *hoof and coat polish * bathing essentials *tack cleaner *fly mask *saddlebags *printed map of the trails. Sometimes things happen and you need to be prepared. Here are some additional items you may want to have on hand:  A well-stocked first aid kits for humans and horses extra halter and lead rope raincoat lunge line and whip blanket/cooler for your horse *extra bridle and reins *multi-purpose tool toolbox extra double ended snaps wire cutters duct tape zip ties *extra buckets extra hay and feed flashlight spare towels bucket and bridle hooks hose *stepstool/mounting block sewing kit fan safety pins sponge water for your horse depending on the location And make sure to bring plenty of Dimples Horse Treats to reward your horse!!! Think of your needs: folding chairs blanket food cooler with water and beverages sunscreen bug stray No matter where you choose to go, having a plan and being prepared will make the experience more enjoyable for you and your horse!!!

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Winter Horse Care

As the temperatures get colder it’s time to get ready for the colder weather, this includes preparing for the change in your horse’s needs during the winter months. Adjusting Feeding NeedsAs the grass becomes dormant and the nutritional value of the grass decreases, it is important to supplement your horse’s dietary needs. This might require a daily increase in grain and hay. Having plenty of good quality hay available in the field or in the stall is important to help keep your horse warm. According to experts a horse will need to consume about 2 pounds more feed daily for every 10 degree change in the temperature below freezing. A horse that spends more time outside and older horses or those with medical issues in colder temperatures may need more hay to compensate for its higher energy requirements to stay warm. It might be wise to have plenty of extra hay on hand to meet your horse’s increased needs and in case of inclement weather. Water is important!It is normal for horses to drink less water in the winter.  It is important to provide your horse with clean warm water. Make sure water buckets and troughs are not iced over. Provide salt every day to help promote drinking and prevent dehydration.  A decrease in drinking and dehydration can increase the chances of impaction colic.  Shelter during the winterHorses need shelter from the elements in the winter, keeping them in the barn is not always an option. With access to a natural shelter such as trees or an open sided shed a horse can handle below freezing temperatures.  Shelters provide relief from the elements such as wind, rain, sleet and snow.  Keep them movingt is important to keep your horse in good shape for its physical and mental fitness and soundness. Whether you are riding, lunging or hand walking your horse you need to take the weather conditions into consideration, pay attention to the footing is it frozen, icy or slick. If a horse is worked hard during extremely low temperatures respiratory issues and damage may occur. You can always consult your veterinarian for advice. If you decide to ride or exercise your horse in the winter, make extra time for warm-ups and cool-downs.  This will allow your horse’s muscles to warm and loosen up to help prevent injuries. During cool down allow your horse’s body temperature and breathing to regulate. If the horse has sweat during exercise its best to let it dry completely before blanketing or turning them out. Winter Grooming It’s important to groom your horse in the winter even if you are not riding. Removing blankets and giving them a full body grooming will allow you to keep an eye on their body weight, look for any injuries, blanket rubs and to remove any loose hair and debris that can cause skin problems. Hooves need to be regularly cleaned and inspected for their overall hoof health, checking for thrush, loose shoes, bruises, or foreign objects.  Ice and snow can get clumped up in the hooves causing pain and damage to the hoof, it is important to remove it everyday.   Blanket or Not to Blanket?  Using blankets on horses in the winter is an ongoing debate among equestrians. Guidelines for blanketing can vary from horse to horse. Senior or thinner horses and a horse with certain medical conditions may need a blanket to maintain body warmth and conserve calories. Local weather conditions such as wind, snow, sleet, extreme temperature variations and excessively low night time temperatures can play a role in your decision.  Everyone can agree that a blanket is needed if a horse has a full body clip or has a very thin winter coat to protect them from the cold. General these horses need blankets when the outside temperature gets to be below 60F. Horse with a partial clip or a moderate amount of hair should be blanketed when the temperature gets below 40.  A horse with a heavy winter coat may only need a blanket if it gets below freezing or not need it at all. Preparation and monitoring your horse’s physical needs is the key to having a happy healthy horse over the winter. 

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