Essexequineosteopathy

Congratulations to all the horse owners out there who have been slogging their way through the cold, wet and dark to care for their horses – you've made it through to the shortest day! 🎉🎉🎉

Time to book your Autumn check ups

Autumn checklist for a healthy horse Part 1

Autumn is upon us, and winter is close behind, as the seasons change so do horse need to adjust to the change of weather with colder temperatures, more rain and shorter days. Here’s some tips to keep your horse healthy over the next few months.

Over autumn, horses have a higher chance of developing conditions such as laminitis, colic, hoof conditions and join issues. This little series of articles will look at a few of the common issues you may face and what you can do to prevent them.

1. Keep an eye on feed and water intake

Due to the hot summer, we had the grass in the fields are busting back as they recover from the lack of water and extreme heat, this coupled with the drop in temperature, means the grass is having one last push before winter sets in. This means as the grass is growing its last shoots of the year their sugar levels will be high. Therefore, with the shorter days, your horse may be out for less and a sudden increase in sugar intake will cause weight gain (don’t I know about it!!!) and potentially make your horse more prone to developing laminitis. So, try and control this be either limiting turnout and make sure they have plenty of hay (which has less sugar) or that they are having a good activity/intake balance.
Additionally, as the temperature drops, horses naturally drink less water. This can be because horses generally do not like ice cold water and prefer water between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Also doing regular water changes helps as again horses prefer clean water. Also, some horses like their water a little sweetened, so adding a dash of cider vinegar or apple juice will encourage them to drink more.

Soaking or wetting hay before feeding is also a good way of getting water into your horse.

2. Worming

In autumn grasses contain more worm eggs, so if you are worming your horse once a year this is the time of year you are most likely to use wormers. Obviously worms develop throughout the year, but with the combination of rich autumn grass, worms generally develop more in autumn, which can lead to further issues such as colic.

But do not overuse wormers on your horses, what is always best

*** IMPORTANT MYTH REGARDING FOOT ABSCESSES ***

A very disturbing bit of “advice” seems to be shared regularly by the “experts” on Facebook. This bit of advice will cause extreme unnecessary suffering to any poor horse whose owner listens to it.

GIVING PAIN RELIEF TO A HORSE WITH A FOOT ABSCESS DOES NOT PROLONG HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR THE ABSCESS TO BURST.

YOU MUST GIVE PAIN RELIEF TO A HORSE WITH A FOOT ABSCESS, unless the abscess is immediately pared out by your vet or farrier, and your horse walks off immediately sound.

GIVING PAIN RELIEF TO A HORSE WITH A FOOT ABSCESS WILL SPEED UP ITS RESOLUTION! Pain relief means the horse will be more likely to weight bear on the foot abscess leg, and therefore help the pus to drain.

You are causing neglect and unnecessary suffering if you leave a horse hopping around for days with a foot abscess and no pain relief. Sometimes, the pain of a foot abscess is so bad, that pain relief doesn’t appear to help. In this instance, that abscess needs to be found and drained. You need your farrier or your vet, if the veterinary prescribed pain relief isn’t working. Do not leave your horse hopping around on three legs for days.

Please stop these ridiculous myths.

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Autumn checklist for a healthy horse Part 1

Autumn is upon us, and winter is close behind, as the seasons change so do horse need to adjust to the change of weather with colder temperatures, more rain and shorter days. Here’s some tips to keep your horse healthy over the next few months.

Over autumn, horses have a higher chance of developing conditions such as laminitis, colic, hoof conditions and join issues. This little series of articles will look at a few of the common issues you may face and what you can do to prevent them.

1. Keep an eye on feed and water intake

Due to the hot summer, we had the grass in the fields are busting back as they recover from the lack of water and extreme heat, this coupled with the drop in temperature, means the grass is having one last push before winter sets in. This means as the grass is growing its last shoots of the year their sugar levels will be high. Therefore, with the shorter days, your horse may be out for less and a sudden increase in sugar intake will cause weight gain (don’t I know about it!!!) and potentially make your horse more prone to developing laminitis. So, try and control this be either limiting turnout and make sure they have plenty of hay (which has less sugar) or that they are having a good activity/intake balance.
Additionally, as the temperature drops, horses naturally drink less water. This can be because horses generally do not like ice cold water and prefer water between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Also doing regular water changes helps as again horses prefer clean water. Also, some horses like their water a little sweetened, so adding a dash of cider vinegar or apple juice will encourage them to drink more.

Soaking or wetting hay before feeding is also a good way of getting water into your horse.

2. Worming

In autumn grasses contain more worm eggs, so if you are worming your horse once a year this is the time of year you are most likely to use wormers. Obviously worms develop throughout the year, but with the combination of rich autumn grass, worms generally develop more in autumn, which can lead to further issues such as colic.

But do not overuse wormers on your horses, what is always best to do is get a faecal worm egg count, that way you can tell if your horse needs worming and what dosage. As over worming your horse can have its own issues as well.

Part two of your autumn checklist will be out soon, to keep up to date with articles, advice or to book a visit with me, follow me on Facebook

Unlike humans who would get a stitch, horses can exercise and run on a full stomach. This would allow them to run away from predators even after grazing. For this reason, actually feeding your horse with chaff or hay before exercising can be beneficial for them and also help prevent stomach ulcers.

Firstly, when a horse is exercising with food in its stomach it reduces the amount of stomach acid sloshing around. Secondly, when exercising blood is naturally stunted away from the stomach, thus reducing its natural defensive mechanisms. Studies have found that not only does having food in the stomach when exercising reduce the amount of blood stunted away from the stomach but actually increases the amount of blood diverted to the muscles when exercising.

Therefore, feeding your horse before exercising can not only increase its performance it can prevent stomach ulcers forming.
To keep up with more advice like this, please LIKE my page. To book a stable visit please message me or call +44 7711 521233

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I've also had owners say that their horse is 'grumpy', 'unhappy', 'naughty' or 'a bit of a sod'...

Some of this is behavioural issues, but some of this can also be because they are in pain or have a headache. You can be a bit grumpy when feeling the same way.

So many times after treatment I've been contacted by owners saying 'she's responding so much better' or 'he hasn't been so much of a sod since treatment'

Physical issues can cause emotional and behavioural responses. So if your horse is being a bit of a sh !! It could be because they are is discomfort and need treatment.

To book an appointment please send me a message or tel 07711 521233

Ben Calvert-Painter is a fully registered osteopath and equine osteopath, with over 20 years experience.

Doran Webb

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Still struggling to find a present for someone, need a last minute idea?
Why not get them a gift of a treatment for their horse.
I will send out a unique voucher with any message you want on it.
For more details please message me