Horses are susceptible to a variety of diseases and the wide majority of them we are not too concerned with because we vaccinate our horses. It is important to remember that just because some diseases are vaccinated against, your horse may still be able to contract them but the vaccination will lessen the effect of the disease. Vaccinations are important because you never know what may be floating through the air from a sick horse passing by in the stable or even riding down the road in a trailer.

Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis

These are respiratory diseases that are very similar to the human flu. These diseases have very similar symptoms to the flu. Your vet may recommend that your horse be vaccinated every 3 months or at least every 6 months for these diseases, depending on how often you travel with your horse and often the horse is exposed to other horses.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a bacterial disease that a horse contracts through open wounds. A horse should receive regular tetanus boosters, as the disease is easily contracted through puncture wounds and lacerations. The bacterial disease wreaks havoc on the horse’s nervous system and may cause brain damage. The prognosis is generally poor for a horse that contracts tetanus, so horse owners want to do their best to prevent it. The symptoms include extreme sensitivity to touch and spasms in the neck and jaw muscles. It is recommended that horses receive these vaccinations at least once per year.

Strangles

Strangles is a very contagious disease that spreads from horse to horse very easily. Many horses will have the virus, but show no symptoms, which makes it even harder to detect until other horses begin to show symptoms. Horses will generally have a pus discharge from the nose and abscesses form in the lymph glands. The abscess will often burst with thick yellow pus. The horse may develop a fever and go off feed. Most animals will recover, but the care for these horses can be very difficult, especially if they develop the abscesses. Horses should be on a regular vaccination program for strangles, especially breeding and performance horses. Strangles live in the ground and there are various strands that may develop. High-risk horses include broodmares, stallions and performance horses. They should be vaccinated every six months. You should also vaccinate if you are moving to a new stable and ask if they have their own version of the vaccine for their particular strand of virus.

When you care for your horse, it is important to make preparations for the winter months. Horses need to be able to tolerate the cold weather and stay as healthy as possible. During the winter horses will have special needs which you as the owner will have to address. It is important to prepare for winter in advance.

Horses are naturally tolerant to cold weather. In fact, horses handle cold weather much better than hot weather. Despite this, there are some basic things owners will want to do to make sure their horses stay healthy. You will want to make sure the horse doesn't have any parasites, and has been immunized. The costs for doing these things will greatly pay off during the winter. The costs of feeding the horse will be lower.

You may also want to work with your vet in setting up a health plan for your horse. Preparing your horse for cold weather will help it lower the need to eat large amounts of food in order to maintain its weight. Your horse should never lose weight during the winter. Allowing your horse to gain a small amount of weight will help them during the winter months, as the extra fat will work as a cushion to provide the horse with energy when it becomes stressed. During the winter you will want to give your horse some extra calories.

The best protection for a horse during the winter is its natural winter coat. When it is allowed to grow, it will act as a natural heat blanket which will reduce the loss of heat that the horse experiences in cold environments. The coat is also slick and will brush off snow and ice. If you keep your horses outside, you will want to make sure their coats grow long before winter.

To check the condition of your horse, you will want to rub its ribs. A large winter coat can easily hide the fact the horse may be losing weight. Your horse should weigh enough that you are not able to see the ribs but can feel them when touching the horse. Your also want to feel the ears of the horse. Do they feel cold? If so, this is a sign that the horse is cold.

Like all animals which are warm-blooded, horses must maintain their body temperature in order to survive. It is important that they conserve heat during the winter, and as the owner you must make preparations to make sure they're healthy.

Horse First Aid Pack Submitted By: Jason Atilia   [Word Count: 571 words] [Viewed: 93 time(s)] [Don't forget to rate this article] [Report this article]

Horse supplies run the gamut from grooming products to nutritional supplements. But there is an essential horse supply that you shouldn't leave your barn, or your saddlebag without. Horse first aid pack might be just the thing that could save your horse's life. Hollywood had often dramatized the situation wherein the rider shoots his horse because it is injured. Probably, he doesn't have his first aid pack with him. No good comes from killing a horse over a minor injury if you could put it out of its agony without pulling the trigger. Plus, you know from experience that no matter how thought out or planned an outing might be, there are just some things that go awry. It's not being paranoid, it is being prepared. Your preparation might help prevent your ride from turning into a Hollywood drama. The kit must be stored in a container or bag that can keep moisture and dirt out because these encourage the growth of bacteria. You would just aggravate your horse's infection if you used contaminated bandages. Stores that sell horse supplies carry items such as a plastic zipper bag. Aside from keeping tools, or grooming equipment, these are also good for storing first aid items. Groceries sell plastic food containers in varying sizes. Aside from keeping possible contaminants out, you could also choose one that could fit in your saddlebag. Among the things that you should include in your kit, a disinfectant probably is the most handy in most injuries. From minor scrapes and abrasions to wounds, disinfectants are essential cleansers. Just follow the manufacturers' instructions especially when using industrial grades as excessive use could dry your horse's skin. Antiseptic scrubs and swabs become useful for disinfecting wounds in the absence of water. These are excellent substitutes for disinfectants because they clean wounds with the same efficiency, but without the need for water. Ointments or wound powders are also worthy additions to your kit. They can prevent entrance of new bacteria inside the wound and speed up the healing process. However, be sure to use ointments, powders, and creams that have been approved by your vet. A fly repellent applied or sprayed on the wound lowers further infection or contamination risks considerably. Wound dressings come in sterile individual packs and they are good for covering wounds and promoting healing. There should be a supply of bandages in your kit, or at least two with a wide breadth. They are good for stabilizing fractures, splints, and securing pads over bleedings. Speaking of bleedings, cotton wool and gauze are essential for preventing excess bleeding. Salts are good for soaking diseased hooves and feet. Aside from these medications, there are some supplies which you can buy from equine stores and regular drug stores. Petroleum jellies are good for chafing, minor burns, and skin sores. Thermometer is an investment to add to your horse supplies. Expert riders advise to keep your thermometers clipped to the tail of your horse to avoid loss. Scissors, tweezers, and forceps are tools you shouldn't forget adding to your first aid pack. Aside from cutting bandages, they are also perfect for removing splinters and stones stuck in horses' hooves. Lastly, these first aid pack is just for providing your horse help in emergencies before the vet arrives. These are just for preventive measures, meaning they can't cure your horse. It is still important to call a vet after applying first aid.