Getting ready for Farrier and Vet Visits

Veterinarians and farriers are some of the busiest people I’ve ever met in my whole life.  That’s why it is so important for you to do everything in your power to be ready for their farm visit.  Being ready will help to make the time they spend on your farm as quick as possible.

Of course, you can’t control someone else being late because of emergency calls, but you can make sure that you are ready.  When you know someone is coming to examine your horse, make sure to get him in the barn early.  Half an hour early normally gives you enough time to get settled in case issues come up.  Your horse should have its halter on its head and the lead line ready and close at hand to attach it too.  Getting your horse in the barn may take the longest time, so once that is done, you can move on to getting other things ready.  If you are struggling to get them in there, you may want to drop a little feed in their bucket and then shut the door on the stall after they go in.  A vet or farrier should never have to wait while you struggle to catch your horses.  Keeping them running free in the pasture until they arrive is unacceptable!  Even worse, your vet or farrier should never have to catch your horse for you.  They are professionals and need to focus on the job they are called out there for.  They may not ever return to your farm, if it is a struggle to catch horses every time. 

You want to make sure that your farm is ready.  Unlock your gate and open it if that is possible.  Make sure you have enough space for the vet or farrier to turn around or pull-through with their large truck.  You may need to move other vehicles or objects, so they can get in and out quickly.  Is your annoying dog that continually jumps on people or gets in the way penned up?  A lot of times horses are scared of dogs and your dog running around them while they are being examined may create undue stress.  Dogs like to eat hooves that the farrier cuts off and will get under your horse or between their legs to get it.

You may need to brush your horse before the visit, if your horse is covered in hair or dirt.  This will allow your vet to be able to see your horse easier and help to keep their clothes clean.  It’s good to go ahead and spray fly spray on any horses getting examined or worked on if there are numerous flies or gnats flying around.  Flying and biting insects only serve to distract your horse.  It’s also good to make sure there are bright lights in the barn and a place where they can get out of driving rain if needed.

Make sure all your horses have good manners, even young ones.  Your horses should be able to receive injections, medications, and oral exams.  You and other people should be able to pick up and touch feet and legs, as well as ears and head.  Horses need to learn at a young age how to walk on a lead line.  You should never let your horse eat grass or be given treats while being worked on.  This is distracting to the horse and teaches bad manners.  Giving them treats after the visit is always the best option, so they remember the visit as a positive experience.

It’s good to be able to tell your vet any changes in your horse’s condition.  Knowing the temperature, pulse, and respiration rate can help them diagnose problems.  It’s really important not to wait until a small problem becomes a big one.  If you are not sure about a problem, with most vets and farriers, you can take a picture of it and text it to them for advice.  If they need to come out, they will have a good idea about what equipment and meds they need to bring along.  Many vets get complaints when an animal dies and the client still has to pay a bill, however, if the vet had been called earlier when it was a small problem, they might have been able to save the animal.  A vet must still bill for his expenses and travel whether the animal recovers or not.  So, the sooner you get help, the better!

Planning ahead for your vet and farrier visits will make for a positive experience for you, your horse, and your professional.

Feeding the OTTB

With the exciting conclusion of the Kentucky Derby last weekend (Yay Justify!), I thought it was worth mentioning that the requirements for race horses and those coming off the track into a more sedate lifestyle can differ quite dramatically. If you're thinking about an off the track Thoroughbred (OTTB), you've probably considering the training your horse will need to go through to be let down, the adjustments you may have to make, and the excitement of the next step for a "retired" horse. It's equally as important to consider the feed and nutrition of that animal.

When racing, the ideal body score for the horse is 4-5 out of 9. This is slightly lower than our pleasure or performance horses. The exercise levels of these animals is intense and as such, energy is the most important nutrient in the racehorse's diet. Minerals, especially sodium, chloride and potassium, are supplemented much like we drink Gatorade when you know you're going to be sweating a lot. Vitamins and water are also very important in the diet of these sport stars. Grain is often more than 50% of the diet, high in sugar and starches, and about 8% fat. Gastric ulcers and upset are common when feeding racehorses because of the high amounts of carbohydrates and sugar/starch in the diet.

Once your horse comes home as an OTTB, there are some dietary changes that need to be made. The horse is no longer performing at such intense levels, at least not right away, so you have to take that into consideration when feeding. Often the body score of the animal needs to be increased and their topline refined. Additional protein and fat will help with muscle development and body condition. Forage should make up the majority of your OTTB's diet, instead of grain. This will help keep the hindgut healthy and working properly. You have to give your horse time to adjust to this new diet. A gradual decrease in calories is important so that your horse doesn't lose weight. Grain can be used but should be fed in smaller amounts per meal to prevent too much digestive upset.

If you have further questions, contact an equine nutritionist or veterinarian to help design an appropriate diet for your specific horse.
This link has some extra information as well: http://kppusa.com/2016/06/29/energy-requirements-off-the-track-thoroughbred/

The information for this article was adapted from https://thehorse.com/117459/the-ins-and-outs-of-feeding-the-ottb/

Useful Apps for Horse Owners

There is literally an app for everything - for the most organized to the least organized horse owner!

Calculate your horse's weight

• Why is this important? - Knowing your horse's weight is crucial for health management.  It not only allows you to give accurate dosages of medication, but also helps you monitor and control their seasonal weight change.

• HorseWeight - Free

• This app was developed by the University of Minnesota and sponsored by Zoetis.  It allows you to choose between breeds for greater accuracy.  All you need is a measuring tape.

• Equiscale - Free

• Similar to HorseWeight, all you need for this app is a measuring tape to measure the length and heart girth of your horse.  If you have any young horses, this app can be helpful since it allows you to choose between a weanling, yearling, and an adult horse.

Body Condition Score for your Horse

• Why is this important? - Much like monitoring your horse's weight, monitoring their Body Condition Score (BCS) is equally important.  BCS can affect a horse's reproductive capability, performance ability, work, health, and endocrine system.

• HorseBCS - Free

• This app was developed by Purdue University, University of Nebraska, and Extension and teaches the user about where and what to look for, as well as what the BCS Scale (1-9) means.  It also records the BCS of your horse, so you can monitor their BCS overtime. 

Trail Ride Tracker

• Why is this important? - While I might not necessarily say tracking your trail ride is IMPORTANT, I will say it is fun!  There is something satisfying about seeing a map of your total route after a long day in the saddle, not to mention, the extra data on speed, pace, and distance can help gauge how fit your four-legged partner is.

• Horse Riding - Free

• There are a lot of free trail riding apps.  Just search "Horse Trail Riding Free" in the app store and half a dozen will come up.  If you're looking to burn off some of your horse's winter weight, Horse Riding provides more data on speed and pace.  However, if you are looking to explore new trails, then HorseGlobe or Southern States Trail Riders might be a better fit.