Spring Time Tune Up For Horses

QUESTION: Is it time for spring shots?

ANSWER:

Warm days, green grass, tulips beginning to show, and the familiar buzz in the background are all signs that Spring is here.The first thought is, “it’s too early”, but sure enough, the bugs are here.Insects are powerful and efficient transmitters of disease.It is the threat of their annual appearance, which reminds us that is time to consider our horses and their “spring shots.”

The term “spring shots” can be a vague one.In general, we consider it the vaccinations which will cover insect borne diseases, as well as those communicable diseases that are passed from horse to horse as we start getting them out, and hitting the proverbial trail.

One of the more commonly administered vaccines for spring is often referred to as a 5-way shot.This label represents the 5 diseases that the vaccine is meant to prevent; Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), Tetanus, Influenza (Flu), and Rhinopneumonitis (Rhino).This year you may also hear of a 6-way shot, which adds West Nile Virus (WNV) to the above vaccine.

EEE, WEE and WNV are all diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes.These diseases most commonly cause a condition known as encephalitis, which is swelling and inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.Infection with these diseases can be life threatening and leave some horses with permanent nerve damage.

Flu and Rhino are diseases that we consider respiratory diseases most commonly.Like the flu and cold in humans, our equine companions can catch these viruses from other infected horses, sick or not.Also like humans, our horses can exhibit similar respiratory symptoms when affected by these viruses.Runny noses, coughing and fever are commonly seen when horses are sick from Flu or Rhino.

Horses as a species are also one of the most susceptible animals to Tetanus.Tetanus happens when the bacteria Clostridium tetani infects a closed wound.The disease can be fatal if not caught VERY early and is easily preventable with yearly booster vaccination.

Along with vaccines, there are a few other “house keeping” things to consider with your horses.Spring is a good time to remember to de-worm your horses.In the spring, we usually use a combination de-wormer.Combination de-wormers are an Ivermectin product, combined with another class of de-wormer called Praziquantel to provide coverage against any possible tapeworms.Having a routine dental examination to assess whether or not your horse is due for a dental float is also a good idea.

Spring is also a great time to clean up your pens (hopefully before mud season is here!) and consider how to best manage your horses to minimize exposure to insects.A good fly control program can improve the quality of your horses’ day to day life, as well as decreasing exposure to bacterial and viral diseases.Also making sure that there is no unnecessary standing water around to minimize the exposure to mosquitoes (for horses AND humans) can really decrease exposure of everyone to West Nile Virus.

By getting all of the preventative care and house-keeping tasks completed this Spring, you can focus on spending time with your horse, in the saddle or otherwise, and enjoy all of the nice weather that a Colorad

Helping your horse through an Ice Age

Cold Horse
Question: What can I do to keep my horse healthy and safe through severe cold temperatures?

Answer: With winter in full swing, and high temps expected below zero, there are a few things you can do to try to ensure that your horse comes through a cold snap without issue.

Blankets can help, allowing them to burn less calories to stay warm. There are a couple important points when using blankets 1) Make sure that the horse is dry before the blanket goes on, 2) Make sure it is a proper fit for that horse and that the straps are adjusted correctly 3) Frequent observation of the horse, to assure that the blanket is still properly positioned. With these points in mind, a blanket can be very useful to help in these situations.

Water becomes very important in cold temperatures, as it is well documented the horses can drink up to 25% less water during these times. If you are using water heaters, make sure that they are functioning correctly, and if not using heaters, be sure to be breaking ice on a very regular basis. To increase your horse’s water intake, you can use electrolyte supplementation. One dose of electrolytes (either powder in their feed, or oral paste) given once a day, can significantly drive thirst, and help prevent issues relating to reduced water intake.

Feed is an important source of heat for our equine friends. The digestion process of horses is a heat releasing reaction. The longer that it takes for a particular feed to be digested, the longer it generates heat and body warmth. Roughage (i.e. Hay) produces heat for a longer period of time than grains or concentrated/ processed feeds.

Shelter from the elements, especially the wind, is very important in keeping horses warm. For pastured horses, wind breaks or trees provide ample “shelter.” Those horses lucky enough to have a closed barn face another potential health hazard. When horses are kept in closed quarters with minimal ventilation for days at a time, there can be a significant built up of ammonia. With this in mind, and ventilation limited, keeping stalls clean and well bedded helps to minimize this buildup.

Taking these few tips might help your horse through cold times, and prevent a visit from your friends here at Mobile Vet! Be safe and careful in the cold!