Summer Care for Horses
| Summer Care for Horses Although horse care is usually easier and more enjoyable in the Summer, there are still a significant number of welfare issues that can make warmer months just as challenging in their own way. As the number of prolonged periods of very hot weather seems to have increased in recent years, it is particularly important that horse owners and carers are aware of how to keep their equine happy and healthy throughout the Summer season. |  |
 | 1. Water - Water is absolutely essential to the healthy functioning of a horse's body. Horses will take in up to 30 litres of water a day and ideally a supply of fresh water should be constantly available. Young horses that are still growing will require even more. It is important to remember, however, that water intake will alter depending on the horse's diet. Grass has very high water content (around 85%) and grazing horses will receive a lot of their hydration in this way. |
2. Sun - Most horses are well equipped to deal with the elements and many enjoy dozing in the sunshine. However, a horse should have access to some form of shade, particularly in the middle of the day so they can choose whether they want to be in or out of the sun. Sun becomes more of a problem for horses with sensitive skin, especially pink skin that lacks the dark pigment that helps protect against UV rays. Pink skin around the eyes is of particular concern as this is linked with an increased risk of cancer. An eye mask should be used to protect any horse whose eyes react to sunlight. |  |
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The irritation caused by the flies will hamper the healing process and may even lead to a secondary infection. The flies can also lay eggs in the wound, resulting in a maggot problem.
4 - Sweet Itch - Sweet itch can be a nightmare for both horse and owner. The condition is an allergy to the bites of certain midges and stimulates an overreaction in the horse's body. This can result in a variety of symptoms, the most obvious of which is intense itchiness that can lead to obsessive scratching on every available surface. Severe sufferers can easily scratch themselves till they bleed and this can lead to secondary problems with flies and/or infections. All equines should be checked over thoroughly every day for signs of scratching, irritation or hair loss. Check underneath the mane and around the base of the tail particularly carefully. Soothing any troubled spots with a sweet itch lotion can help break the cycle early. |  |
Sweet itch sufferers should never be grazed on marshy land during the warmer weather, as this will be a haven for midges. The horse will also particularly benefit from a field shelter where they can escape the insects. Providing water and some food within the shelter will allow the horse to spend as much time as they wish in the shade without being driven out by hunger or thirst.
 | 5. Seasonal RAO - Some horses have respiratory problems throughout the year, known as RAO. Generalised RAO (Recurrent Airway Obstruction) used to be known as COPD, broken wind or heaves and is an allergy to dust or spores in hay and bedding. Seasonal RAO however, is triggered by an allergy to pollen spores in the air, which means that although the symptoms are the same, susceptible horses will only usually be affected during the Spring and early Summer. Both RAO allergies cause the tissues and mucus lining the horse's airways to thicken and narrow the diameter of the tubes, meaning that less air can be inhaled and exhaled with each breath. The symptoms of RAO will therefore be heavy breathing, wheezing and lack of energy, perhaps accompanied by a cough and/or runny nose and must be an unpleasant experience for the sufferer. Severe attacks can be very distressing for the horse and for anyone who witnesses their extreme discomfort. An equine vet will be able to establish the severity of the horse's condition and prescribe a suitable course of treatment to help make them more comfortable. The best way of preventing or managing the condition is to try and pinpoint the source of the allergy and limit the horse's exposure to it as far as possible. |
| 6. Hooves - Prolonged periods of time spent on very dry ground can affect the hooves of unshod horses, causing them to become brittle and prone to cracking. Being vigilant with farrier trims will help reduce breakages and rough edges but owners can also help to reduce dryness by having a good general hoof care routine in place. It is important to look after hooves all year round, as reacting once a problem has appeared is often too late. Hooves are adaptable and resilient and extra feed supplements and expensive lotions and potions should not normally be required. A healthy diet, regular farrier visits and a daily application of hoof oil should all help protect the hoof against changes in temperature and ground conditions. |  |
If a horse still suffers from brittle hoof horn, the best remedy is to soak the hoof in water. Some horses will tolerate standing with their foot in a bucket but a more enjoyable method might be to ride or lead your horse to a stream and have a paddle together! Applying oil once the surface of the hoof has dried again will help retain the extra moisture in the hoof tissues.
 | 7. Laminitis - This serious condition can be a problem all year, especially with the current trend of mild, wet Winters that allow grass to continue growing almost continuously. However, laminitis is still particularly associated with flushes of grass in the Spring and can continue to be a real problem throughout the Summer. Autumn flushes can be equally potent. Laminitis is a complex issue and anyone looking for more information on understanding or preventing this common, but often devastating, disease can download Redwings' special Laminitis leaflet at http://www.redwings.org.uk/ or telephone their welfare helpline on 01508 481008. |
| 8. Working Horses - Extra care should be taken with working horses in hot weather in the same way that humans need to watch out for the effects of heat and dehydration. Avoid riding out in the hottest hours of the day and take extra time cooling down after a working session. Remember to monitor a horse's weight and diet throughout the year, as rations of forage and hard feed will usually need to be dropped depending on how much grass is available. Most healthy horses should be able to manage without supplementary feeding if they have the right quantity of grazing. |  |
For more information or advice, telephone Redwings' welfare department on 01508 481008 or log on to www.redwings.co.uk/welfare.
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Added on: 11/06/08. Views: 352
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