Here are some tips to help your horse stay cool this summer:

Access to Water

Horses need to have access to cool water at all times. To avoid heat exaustion, horses need to stay hydrated at all times. Be sure the water is as fresh and clean as possible, as many horses will avoid warm, contaminated water even when they are thirsty. Ponies and foals may not be able to reach into deep water tubs unless they are topped up, so be sure to monitor water levels every day. While indoors, if you are finding you have a horse that is not drinking as much as they should, add a cup or two to their bucket to encourage them to drink.
Shade from the Sun

Standing outside on a sweltering hot day will cause your horse to sweat excessively, and this will cause important nutrients your body need to function. Shade can come from a run-in shelter, trees or other large structures. Horses may fight over protection from the elements (in any season) so try to maximize shelter space to avoid skirmishes in the field which could lead to injury.

Change your Barn Routine

Many owners elect to leave horse in during the heat of the day and turn them out at nighttime. This can be done gradually, such as turning your horses out later in the day and bringing them in later, until they have completely adjusted to evening turnout. Before turning horses out at night, check with your local wildlife office to ensure there are no predators in your area that may attempt to hunt your horses. Many farm owners find a donkey is enough to keep the odd coyote away. During certain times of year, be aware that bugs can be heavy during twilight hours, so use flyspray or turn out accordingly.

Avoiding Riding in the Heat

When your horse sweats, he loses valuable electrolytes through sweat. Many riders add electrolytes to water buckets after riding or a horse show. This will replenish your horse of the sodium chloride he or she has lost. When training, do not ride during the hottest hours of the day (most weather websites provide hour-by-hour breakdowns of the daily temperatures). Opt to ride during early morning or late evening, when temperatures tend to be low.

A bath is a great way to cool your horse down.

Keep White Marks from Turning Pink

For horses with lots of white, consider applying sunscreen to delicate areas such as around the nose and eyes. Some horses may even get burnt along their withers and back if they are clipped closely.  Use a sunscreen formulated for babies, as that tends to be gentler on their skin.

Protect Against Flies

Certain times of year can bring droves of flies and other biting insects to your barn. Excessive bugs will irrate your horses, leave welts on their skin and in general will make them miserable. Use the appropriate protection such as fly masks, fly sheets and fly spray to protect your horses. Good stable management will also reduce bugs, so keep your barn clean and tidy and open windows and doors to get as much airflow circulating as possible. Some owners feel garlic or other supplements to reduce your horse’s attractiveness to biting bugs.

Improve Barn Circulation

By opening windows and doors, even the hottest barn can offer some relief from the heat. Many barns use fans with sealed motors to prevents dust and debris from causing malfunctioning in the motor (which has been linked to barn fires). Avoid overheating circuits or plugging in fans overnight, as they could be a safety hazard. Do your research on suitable fans before purchasing one for your barn.

Sponge or Bathe Your Horse

A nice cool (not cold) sponge bath or hosing can make many horses feel better. Be sure to avoid getting water in the eyes, ears or nose. Focus on the legs, neck, barrel and hindquarters.

It’s great to enjoy the summer weather, but in excessive heat you need to ensure your horse is staying as cool and hydrated as possible.

There are various theories surrounding why so many horses seem to be suffering from different forms of DJD. New portable diagnostic techniques also enable more veterinarians to diagnose joint problems with more ease than ever before. While there are a variety of treatments available for horses, many types of joint disease are progressive and will only destroy the joint without attention and management.

Types of joint disease can include: Synovitis, Capsulitis, Articular cartilage and bone fragmentation or fracture, Ligamentous tearing and Osteoarthritis. Your veterinarian may use different diagnostic techniques such as flexion tests, jogging for soundness, nerve blocks, radiographs, ultrasound, arthroscopy or MRI.  There is little benefit at guessing when it comes to joint disease, as the “wait and see” game could go on for years. Have you vet perform a thorough exam from the beginning to avoid heartache and unecessary pain for your horse.

Common oral supplements to treat joint disease may contain any of the following: glucosamine, sodium chondroitin sulfate, MSM, cetyl myristoleate, hydrolyzed collagen/gelatin, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate. Herbs for pain and inflammation can include Devil’s Claw, Yucca, Boswellia, Bromelain and shark cartilage.  Be prepared to try a few supplements before settling on one for your horse. While manufacturers may make impressive claims, studies show that oral supplements in horses is not entirely supported by the scientific community due to lack of conclusive data that proves they work. Many riders, owners and veterinarians may have annectodal stories of certain products that worked for their horses, however be cautioned they may not work on all horses.

A more rigorous approach to joint care may include products such as Adequan or Legend. There are many products that are generic forms of both of these products, and while you may save on cost your horse may not get the full benefit of these drugs. There are also other drugs that are not marketed for joint disease however owners choose to use them off-label. Using drugs off-label can be dangerous to your horse and include horrific side effects, contraindications you may not be aware about with common drugs and other complications. If your veterinarian advises you to use a product that is off-label, a second opinion might be valuable to prevent serious health problems with your horse.

Taking care of your horse's joints will keep him comfortable and competing!

Adequan™ is an intra-muscular (IM) joint treatment/supplement for horses. It can also be administered through intra-articular (IA) injection. It is a polysulfated glycosaminoglycan and is a common option for certain types of joint disease. The recommended treatment schedule is one injection every 4 days for 7 treatments (approximately one month). While this is the optimal treatment schedule, many horses will feel the benefits of this drug if used every week, every other week or once a month depending on the severity of the damage.

Legend™ is hyaluronate sodium that is administered through intra-vascular (IV) or IA injection. The manufacturer recomments 1 treatment per week for 3 weeks.  As with any invasive injection such as IA, extreme caution must be exercised to prevent infection in the joint. After the injection, your vet may advise you to keep your horse in a clean stall for 24-48 hours to prevent infection and allow the joint to recover. Your horse can resume his regular exercise and turnout schedule after that.

Intra-articular corticosteroids and glucocorticoids are a common but controversial method of addressing joint disease in horses. While they have been proven to reduce inflammation and pain, the long-term effects of regularly injecting a horse have also indicated possible increased deterioration of the joint. Injecting with corticosteroids should be done only on the advice of a veterinarian who has experience with joint disease and whether it is the best option for your horse. Common corticosteroids and glucocorticoids include: Depo-Medrol, Celestone and Vetalog.

There are other options for joint treatments that are not pharmacautical-based including shockwave treatments, magnetic therapy, Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP), Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell treatment. New studies are also investigating the uses of select types of collagen and showing positive results. Talk to your veterinarian about what options will work best for your horse.

Many owners choose to use a combination of therapies (such as Adequan, magnetic therapy and then corticosteroids at the beginning of the show season) to get the best results in the least invasive way. Many recreational riders do not need the full effects of corticosteroids however may find that a glucosamine supplement and some MSM keeps their horse happy and working all year around. Armed with your veterinarian’s advice and some common sense, your horse can plan for a long and happy career!

You head off to the barn after a hard day at work, excited to lose your troubles with a good ride… and your horse is TERRIBLE. He won’t come to the gate, he gives you faces when you mount, he fusses during the movement he performed perfectly yesterday, and almost tosses you off at the end. You leave the barn, frustrated and tense. As you replay all the things that go wrong, and beat yourself up over what you could have done differently… guess what! Horses have bad days too. A slip in the pasture which causes a sore muscle, a change in routine (however small, like getting turned out last instead of first) or even just a “mood” where he’d rather be hanging out with his buddies instead of working. Whenever possible, end on a good note and call it a day. Go home, have a hot shower and try again tomorrow!

9. Avoid breeding your horse

Unless your horse has exceptional bloodlines, an impeccable show record and a reasonable attitude, don’t breed your own. Too many horses are bred with good intentions (“she’s always been my favorite mare”) that result in the overpopulation crisis, which spills out to slaughterhouses around the world. When in doubt, DON’T BREED. Adopting a rescue horse is thousands of dollars less than paying a stud fee, paying for the extra veterinary care and of course stabling for your broodmare, which will eventually become “plus one”. It costs roughly $20,000 to breed, birth and maintain that baby until they are 3-years-old.

8. Your new horse should see a vet

While some people use pre-purchase exams as standard protocol while horse shopping, many do not. Even if you don’t care about certain blemishes, lumps or anything that appears out of the ordinary, they could be something that could not only be dangerous to you as a rider/handler, but could infect/hurt your existing horses. Your vet will not only perform tests and ask questions (that you will need to know the answers to about the horse), but confirm the horse’s age and advise you on any health checkpoints that you will need to address (i.e., teeth, worming, etc). Even if the horse will be nothing more than a pasture ornament, having this “once over” done could save you heartbreak and money down the road.

7. Soft brushes are soft

Remember in your early days of horse care, when you were taught the basics of brushes? Sure, there are many fancy new brushes and grooming contraptions that have the ability to do a variety of things. While grabbing whatever brush in your box you get your hands on first is okay, don’t forget to use the soft brush on sensitive spots like the face, ears, hip areas, lower legs and stomach. If a horse can feel something as tiny as a fly land on him, he does not appreciate metal scrapers or things with hard protrusions on his tendons or under his eye.

6. It’s okay to just “love” your horse

There is nothing wrong with owning horses just for the sake of companionship! As long as the horses are being properly cared for, keeping your horses at a boarding stable or your own backyard just to enjoy their company is just fine. Some riders are told how much “potential” their horse has, and how they should really be competing. Horses don’t have the same instincts as people, and their idea of luxury is a big grassy field with a bunch of her best buddies. They don’t know or care about ribbons or medals. If you would like to see your talented horse do more work with a competitive rider, then do it because you want to, not because someone made you feel guilty.

5. Using tranquilizers to ride your horse is wrong

When horses are recovering from injuries, veterinarians may recommend tranq’s to keep them calm in their stalls, for hand-walking or beginning back under saddle (in extreme cases). No matter what your trainer tells you, the misuse/abuse of veterinary medicines that are being used “off label” causes a risk to you as a rider/handler and your horse as well. Trust your instincts and when you’re not sure, get a second opinion from a veterinarian.

4. Horses smell wonderful

When you’re too tired to ride, too stressed out by family or work… don’t ride. Just go to the barn and spend time with your horse. Grooming and fussing over your horse is a great alternative to struggling to ride. Sometimes a great ride will make a terrible day better, but if you just can’t find the willpower to do it, don’t beat yourself up for it.

3. Your clothes don’t make you a better rider

Just because someone at your barn has the newest snazzy riding apparel or tack doesn’t make them a better rider. The conscientious horseperson who always tries to learn something new with the intent of improving their horse’s life or health, as well as their riding is the true horseperson. They don’t offer training advice (unless solicited) and they don’t need to push their equine opinions/thoughts. They also know when to admit they are wrong!

2. Supplements are only for horses that need them

If your horse’s daily supplement routine has more than two items or the names of things you can’t pronounce, he probably shouldn’t be getting them. While a limited amount (that means 1 scoop, not 5) of a natural ingredient or something your vet strongly recommends might be okay, many people don’t cross-check their supplement against their feed. This results in overlapping ingredients which can have ill-effects. If you’re not sure whether your horse actually needs the supplements they are getting, first gather information. Get a hay analysis done (select feed mills offer this service) on your horse’s hay, collect the nutritional labels from his feed bags, and make a list of the supplements he received (as well as the nutritional info), and then consult an equine nutritionalist. You can Google one in your area, ask your vet/local feedmill or ask around your barn for a recommended person. Don’t give your horse more things in his diet than he needs!

1. Your saddle doesn’t fit, even if it was fitted.

Horses change shape as you ride them more often/less. This means if you ride your horse primarily in the summer, chances are as he loses fitness over the fall and winter, the saddle will not fit in the following spring. Too many people buy a saddle for their horse, have it fitted and assume the same saddle will work for the duration of the horse’s life. Sport horses should have their saddles checked quarterly or twice a year, recreational riders can probably get away with once a year or twice a year.

Once you have selected the saddle you want, how are you going to get it to your house? What size box do you need to ship a saddle? What is the approximate weight? What duties should you expect to pay?

Shipping a saddle

1. Determine the size of the box you will need. The average saddle will require a box size of 18 x 18  x 24, depending on the seat size. A western saddle may need a wider box.
2. Determine the weight of the box. An english saddle is typically around 13 to 15 lbs, without stirrups or any fittings. The total shipping weight includes the saddle, box, and packing material. This can add an extra 3-5 lbs to the total weight.
3. Select your method of transportation and price point. Many companies offer fast services (next day, 2-3 business days) at a higher cost. Shipping within your state or province will typically be less expensive than shipping across the country or internationally.
4. Select your shipping company. USPS offers a shipping calculator on their website to find the exact cost and shipping time for your parcel. Canada Post also offers a shipping calculator. You can also try companies like FedEx and Purolator, which are generally better choices for overnight and international shipping (although they tend to be more expensive).
5. Packing your saddle is the next step. This may also include a bill of sale (or invoice) depending on how your recipient is paying for the saddle. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself. There are many types of packing you can use, including foam, bubble wrap and packing peanuts. These can be purchased at any shipping supply company. It is important the saddle is wrapped snugly to prevent any movement during transportation. Moving tape works well for sealing the box, but be sure to pay equal attention to the bottom of the box as well as the top!
6. It can be useful to use black marker and write your name, address and phone number directly on the box, in the event the shipping label (that your shipping company or postal service will provide for you) is damaged or lost. Marking the box “THIS SIDE UP” or “FRAGILE” can deter shippers from being unduly rough with your package.
7. Once you have filled out all the appropriate shipping information, be sure that the shipping method you have selected provides you with a tracking number. If the saddle is $500 or over, you should ensure there is a tracking number so that your receipient can follow its progress online, plus insurance (which is often a nominal fee, and depends on the value of the saddle) in case the saddle is damaged or lost. A tracking number should be coupled with a signature upon delivery (you need to request this typically) if the saddle is extremely valuable. This will also prevent fraud and give both parties peace of mind.
8. The receipient will be responsible for any duties or taxes at the border. Taxes vary by country and state. If you are the one purchasing the saddle, you have to pay for the saddle when you pick it up from the postal location, or directly to FedEx (or any commercial shipper) when they drop it off.

If the saddle does NOT work out, you can re-claim any taxes you paid by filling out a form and providing the return information to your Customs and Border department. Refunds are typically issued 2-4 weeks after receipt.

Shipping a saddle can be done easily and quickly with the right information!

They have invaluable, current information on topics such as respiratory disease, parasites, neurological issues, antibiotics and much more.

Check it out at the EquidBlog.com!

The EquidBlog.com

• The horse’s range of motion through the shoulder
• The location of cranial nerve 11 (causes pain and decrease peformance when being worked in an improperly fitting saddle)
• The position on the horse’s ribcage (no farther back than the 18th rib)
• Location of the para-spinal ligaments (how wide the channel of the saddle needs to be

Feeling confused? Dr. Robson explains and demonstrates each of these points in her video. If you’ve never considered your saddle’s fit before, or even if you have a collection of saddles sitting in your barn at home, this video has some excellent points about horse physiology and saddle fit that show how saddle fit can really help your horse or decrease his performance.

Gymnastic exercises over fences typically include a series of jumps, two or more, that can incorporate poles on the ground. They are especially useful for introducing horses to jumping, progressing from poles on the ground, up to a small “X” and then so on.

Here are some exercises that are useful for any discipline of horse.

Working with poles

Simple flatwork for green/young horses

Jumping a grid

These illustrations were excerpted from “Celebrity Jumping Exercises”, a compilation of exercises by riders such as William Fox-Pitt, George Morris and Karen Dixon, authored by Caroline Orme.  To purchase the book online, visit Amazon.com.

By: Drs Narelle C. Stubbs and Hilary M. Clayton

Summary: This is a step-by-step manual and DVD showing exercises that mobilize the joints and engage the muscles used to round and stabilize the horse’s neck, back and pelvis during athletic activities. These exercises will improve your horse’s posture, self-carriage and balance.  The exercises are performed from the ground and do not require sophisticated equestrian skills or special equipment.  [Excerpted from website]

Review: The actual book is a 32-page laminated, spiral-bound book that illustrates the exercises shown on the DVD. The exercises are very straightforward and are easy to follow. The DVD shows the exercise plus an explanation for each specific movement, but a knowledgeable horseperson could perform the exercises off the book alone provided they have an intermediate knowledge of horse anatomy.

I ordered the book because it was recommended for horses that are being rehabilitated from either surgery or coming off a long lay-up.  The goal of the exercises is to provide core strength through unmounted exercises without the undue stress of a rider. The DVD is also very easy to follow (once you wade through the technical terminology of the muscles, ligaments and skeletal structure) and could benefit horses from any discipline, whether it be hunters, dressage, eventers, reiners, etc.

The book/DVD combination tends to be more expensive through various online book retailers (Alibris.com, Amazon.com) so I ordered it directly through Sport Horse Publications, which only charged $5 shipping within the US. I ordered it in conjunction with another book by Dr. Clayton, and they arrived promptly and I had zero issues with customer service or shipping.

A proper diagnosis is essential to identifying the disease

There has been a rise in awareness for a disease that can encompass all of these symptoms. It is cervical vertebral instability, better known as Wobbler’s Syndrome.

According to EquineWobblers.com, the major causes can include:

• spinal cord damage include malformation of the cervical vertebra
• trauma to the vertebra from falling
• viral (herpes or rhinopneumonitis) and protozoa (Sarcocystis neurona) infections commonly called EPM.

“The clinical signs of each of these problems can be very similar as each one can damage the spinal cord in the neck region. In order to provide accurate information for the treatment and long term prognosis it is necessary to obtain a complete diagnosis as soon as possible. Arriving at a clinical diagnosis usually requires combining the information from a complete neurological exam, radiographs of the skull and cervical area, a myelogram, and spinal fluid testing for inflammation and EPM.”

If you suspect your horse has a combination of the above symptoms that are not resolved by diagnostic suggestions by your veterinarian, consider having a talk about Wobbler’s Syndrome and having a consultation with a specialist.

For more information on what to look for and how it’s treated, visit EquineWobblers.com

It examines popular myths in the equine industry regarding feeding practices and nutrition. Some of the myths are long-standing beliefs in the horse world, such as the requirement to soak beet pulp before feeding to avoid colic. MYTH!

Some of the myths examined include:

• Rolled Oats Are Better Than Whole Oats
• Blue Salt Is for Cattle Only
• Bran Mashes Have a Laxative Effect

To learn more about common falsehoods about horse nutrition, visit Horse Feeding Myths and Misconceptions and find out how to update your feeding program.