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To treat severe thrush try using the strongest
iodine solution (7%). As an initial treatment flush out the infected area with hydrogen peroxide. This will kill anaerobic
bacteria but also impede healing. Each day after, pack the infected area with cotton and soak the cotton with the iodine solution.
A syringe works well for this or even an empty wormer tube. Be careful not to get any iodine on the heels or pasterns as it
will blister them. Once the thrush is dried up try alternating iodine with Gold Bond powder. A good prevention schedule for
horses that are prone to thrush is to use iodine once a week and Gold Bond once a week.
Add Insulation: Consider
blanketing during wet, very windy, or frigid weather. A wet coat looses its loft--like a wet down jacket, and won’t
hold body heat. Windy weather pulls warmth away. Some horses are comfortable during very cold weather; some will be more comfortable
in a warm winter blanket.
Don't Let Hooves Get Overgrown:
Keep you horse’s hooves clipped. Clipped hooves will chip less, hold less snow, and will provide a bit more grip on
slippery ground.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR HORSES VITAL SIGNS?
|
NORMAL |
RED ALERT |
| TEMPERATURE |
99 - 101 degrees Farenheit |
higher than 101 degrees |
| PULSE |
36 - 48 beats per minute |
greater than 60 in a resting horse or a weak pulse |
| RESPIRATION |
8 - 16 breaths per minute
depending on activity level |
unusual flare of nostrils:quick shallow breaths |
| INTESTINAL SOUNDS |
variety of gurgles, squeaks, rasps pipings and scrapings
coming from the stomach area |
NO gut sounds |
Water - Why Do We at LAPS Have Complaints Concerning Water Availability
& Cleanliness?
Water is an important and necessary part of animal care. Too
often we over look how important this nutrient is in the maintenance of our animals. Clean, potable, fresh water is usually
easy to come by and very cheap.
Let's examine the basics concerning body fluids, water
requirements, and the basic nutrients water provides.
It doesn't matter is you are a human, horse, or gerbil, we all
need water. Daily requirements for adult livestock are included in the chart below. These amounts can vary depending on outdoor
temperature.
Many mineral elements are found in the water we drink. Water
intake helps contribute to many mineral requirements including Iodine, Copper, Calcium, Iron, Zinc and Selenium, just to name
a few. Mineral needs are not normally met by just water intake; so mineral supplements are still needed to maintain our animal's
health.
Unfortunately, minerals are not the only substances we can find
in our water supply. Too often our water may also contain harmful products like man made pollutants, toxins, or pesticides.
We need to ensure that our water sources are not polluted prior to placing our animals in contact with these areas.
Palatability is an important consideration when choosing water
sources for our livestock. Salinity, or salt levels, will negatively affect the palatability of the water.
Highly mineralized water is often unpalatable to many species.
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If water becomes stagnant, algae blooms can produce toxins that
may poison livestock. Stagnant water also contributes to our mosquito population and the growing concern over West Nile Virus.
Livestock poisonings from algae depend upon the species of algae present, the concentration of the algae, the amount consumed,
and the animal's general health.
This is simply a small sample of the factors we need to consider
as we provide water to our animals. The purity of our water has far reaching implications including animal death, poor reproduction,
and poor weight gains. Clean, potable, palatable water is easy to get. Let's make sure our animals get what they need! |
Amounts are Per Animal
| Animal |
Daily Requirements |
High Temperature Needs |
| Horses |
10 -12 Gallons per day |
12-15 Gallons per day |
Approaching a Horse
In
terms of your safety, then, you should be aware that horses
are most easily scared by sudden movements or loud noises,
particularly
outside of the animal's field of binocular vision.
Quick movements or loud noises in these areas will trigger fear
reactions
such as spinning or bolting, and you may get trampled
or kicked in the process. For this reason, avoid approaching
horses
from the rear or side. Move to the head, giving the animal
a chance to see you. Most horses are more used to being
approached
from the left. Announce your presence and put a hand
on the horse's neck or shoulder so he knows where you are. Offer
your
hand in a closed fist for the horse to smell. Never run up
to a horse, throw things toward a horse, or move in a quick
or
unpredictable manner. Never stand directly behind a horse; he
cannot see you well there, and you risk being kicked.
By learning
about horses, how they perceive and react to the world, and by
adopting a few basic rules of conduct, you
can look forward to
safe and enjoyable interaction with these beautiful creatures.
Let's now consider some specific
situations where you may come
into close contact with horses: the horse show, while driving
your car, and in the context
of your first ride.
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