https://www.facebook.com/253368447856280/

Jackson Equine Veterinary Practice, Farnham (2024)

16/08/2024

𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 🔦: The benefits of a forage-first diet 🌱

When it comes to equine nutrition, forage is king. 👑 Whether that looks like a net full of hay or a field of fresh pasture 🌱 for your individual horse, a forage-first diet should be the foundation of their nutritional plan.

𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 2-2.5% 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚? For your average 500kg horse, that looks like 10kg-12.5kg of forage daily! (And that’s just to maintain a horse already in good condition, only in moderate work.

Horses evolved to graze for up to 18 hours a day ☀️ 🌙 and they continuously produce stomach acid, whether they’re eating or not. A diet of ample forage is essential to keep their digestive system moving steadily, preventing issues like colic and ulcers. Fibre also promotes a healthy gut by maintaining beneficial bacteria 🦠 in the hindgut.

Forage plays an important role in your horse’s mental well-being too. ❤️ In addition to producing saliva to help buffer stomach acid, chewing for extended periods satisfies a horse’s natural behaviour and helps reduce stress. As a result, those who have constant access to forage are less likely to develop stereotypical behaviours like cribbing or weaving. Where horses receive this forage through periods of turnout ☀️ they also benefit from physical exercise and being able to socialise with others. As herd animals, this is crucial for their well being.

A diet rich in forage not only keeps your horse healthy but also happier in the long run. Prioritising forage means you’re supporting your horse’s natural needs—just as nature intended. 💚

🐎

🐴

13/08/2024

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 🌳

We just wanted to say an enormous and heartfelt THANK YOU to all our wonderful clients for your continued support! 🫶 You’ve trusted us with your horses, and then - just when we thought you couldn’t get any more amazing - you went and told your friends about us too! 🗣️

We couldn’t ask for better advertising than your kind word of mouth recommendations. It’s like having an entire team of cheerleaders 📣 but without the pom-poms (though we wouldn’t mind those either!).

Thank you for being the heartbeat 💓 of our practice and helping us grow. We look forward to keeping your horses healthy and happy, one hoof at a time!

𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 🐎

📧 [email protected]
📞 07570652879 appointment booking & general enquiry line, 9am-5pm
☎️ For EMERGENCIES, call 07469685955 (24hr line)

🐎

🐴

09/08/2024

𝐈𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞? 🐴

Cushing's disease, one of the most commonly diagnosed endocrine disorders in horses, frequently affects older equines. Over 85% of cases occur in horses over 15 years old with the average age of onset around 20 years, but horses as young as 7 can also be affected.

𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 🔍:

• Excessive drinking and urinating (polyuria/polydipsia) – drinking over 25-30 liters per day and consistently wet stalls.
• Laminitis
• Lethargy and a docile attitude
• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
• Muscle mass loss (atrophy)
• Ravenous appetite
• Bulging eyes due to abnormal redistribution of fat
• Hirsutism – long, curly coat that fails to shed; the coat may thin and become flaky
• Infertility
• Immunosuppression, leading to repeated infections like solar foot abscesses, tooth root infections, and sinusitis.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧. 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. 🫶

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and ensure your horse gets the care they need:

📧 [email protected]
📞 07570652879 appointment booking & general enquiry line, 9am-5pm
☎️ For EMERGENCIES, call 07469685955 (24hr line)

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🐴

06/08/2024

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠’𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞: 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞

Victoria Locking 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒅:
“My 25yo has just been diagnosed with Cushings. He has just had a bacterial skin infection on his legs, but aside from that, he's carrying weight and looks fantastic... would love some key tips on keeping cushings horses happy and healthy!”

𝑨𝒅𝒂𝒎 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔:

Dear Victoria,

Thank you for your question.

Cushing’s disease is one of the most frequently diagnosed endocrine abnormalities in horses. Supportive care is essential for enhancing the quality of life for horses with Cushing’s.

Key practices include:

✔️ Immediate treatment of infections:
Due to immunosuppression, it’s important to promptly treat infections like solar abscesses and tooth root infections.

✔️ Foot management: Regular trimming of the feet is vital to prevent laminitis. Applying dilute iodine to the hoof wall, frog, white line, and sole can also help to harden these areas and prevent contamination leading to infection.

✔️ Dental care and worming: Ensure regular dental check-ups and a good worming program with routine f***l egg counts and tapeworm testing.

✔️ Clipping in warm months: Clip unnecessary hair to minimise skin infections.

✔️ Shampooing with oat-based products: Occasional use of oat-based shampoos helps maintain healthy skin, remove flakes, and keep the skin pH balanced.

✔️ Rugging in cold months: For horses with long but thin coats, blanketing can help conserve energy and maintain body condition.

✔️ Regular grooming: Groom to remove hair and flaky skin.

✔️ Maintaining a healthy body condition: Avoid overfeeding and ensure they do not lose weight or muscle mass. A low carbohydrate, high-fat diet is recommended. Eliminate grains and replace them with low-carb senior feed pellets or molasses-free beet pulp. Limit access to lush pasture grasses; grass hays are safer than legumes.

✔️ Choosing appropriate feeds: Look for feeds with low starch and sugar levels.

✔️ Use hay alternatives: Hay pellets, chopped hay, and chaff products can be beneficial.

✔️ Soak hay: In warm water for 1-2 hours or cold water for 2-3 hours. Always use fresh water to avoid creating a sugary "soup," and avoid over-soaking to keep the hay palatable.

We hope that helps, Victoria!

🐎

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦? 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭.

🐎

🐴

02/08/2024

𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 🐴 🧠

With his holistic approach to veterinary medicine, Adam Jackson MRCVS has a keen interest in equine behaviour. In his most recent article for European publication ‘Trainer’ magazine, Adam shares his wealth of knowledge on equine mental health. 🫶

Grab a cuppa, ☕️ have a read and let us know what you think in the comments! 👇

📖 https://issuu.com/anderson-co/docs/eut_86-summer24/50?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

🐎

🐴

30/07/2024

𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 🪰

Lisa Wright 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒅:
“Fly spray, rugs, feed supplements, face masks? Using fly spray only works for a few hours. Should I try feeding him one of those smelly feed supplements?”

𝑨𝒅𝒂𝒎 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔:

Dear Lisa,

Thank you for your question. Fly control requires a comprehensive approach targeting different life cycles of flies. Here are some key strategies:

1. Cultural Insect Control:
• Eliminate standing water and reduce mud as much as possible.
• Regularly remove manure and tarp manure piles.
• Improve drainage, fix water leaks, and install rain gutters.
• Empty, scrub, and refill troughs weekly.
• Plant and maintain native trees and shrubs.

2. Mechanical Control:
• Use fly sheets, boots, and masks. Ensure proper fit to prevent chafing and overheating.
• Consider zebra-striped sheets for extra protection.
• Choose breathable materials, especially in humid climates.

3. Biological Control:
• Encourage insect-eating birds like swallows and bats, which consume thousands of insects daily. E.g install bat boxes to attract bats to your yard.

4. Chemical Insect Control:
• Use fly sprays with pyrethroid or natural ingredients like essential oils.
• Fly baits combining attractants and pesticides can be effective.

🪰 A note on fly sprays -
Research shows natural products often perform as well as synthetic ones. Look for sprays with fatty acids (octanoic, nonanoic, decanoic) or essential oils (red cedar, eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, tea tree, lavender).

Chemical repellents usually include permethrin, pralletrin, cypermethrin, and pyrethrins. Both natural and chemical repellents work but may decline over time, with natural options like geraniol lasting longest.

Feed supplements are ineffective sadly but the use of Zoetis spot-on poured down centre of back once or every other week can help

We hope that helps, Lisa! 🪰

🐎

Do you have a question for Adam? Comment below and we’ll answer in a future post.

🐎

🐴

26/07/2024

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐖! 🐎🐎🐎

Help us spread the word 📢 by sharing this post. ↩️

At Jackson Equine 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 Veterinary Practice, we pride ourselves on being different. Led by the highly respected vet Adam A. J. Jackson, MRCVS, with over 20 years of clinical experience, we are committed to delivering personalised, compassionate care. 🤝

From preventative medicine 💉 to advanced diagnostics 🦴 and cutting-edge treatments 🧬 , we provide all services at your horse's home yard. This ensures they feel comfortable and secure, making vet visits less stressful and more successful.

🌟 Honesty and integrity are the core of our practice. We openly discuss costs and maintain complete transparency with our clients. 🌟

Located in 📍 Farnham, Surrey, we offer exceptional care to clients in the Waverley, Woking, Guildford, Cobham, Chobham, and East Hampshire areas.

𝐓𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 👇
bit.ly/jacksonequinenewclientform

🐎

JacksonEquine
🐴

19/07/2024

𝐐 & 𝐀: Do you have a burning 🔥 question about horse health and care? 🤔 Ask it here!

We understand that caring for your equine partners 🐎 can sometimes be challenging, and questions often arise. That's why we're pleased to launch our new Q&A series, where 𝐘𝐎𝐔 get to ask the questions!

To get involved, simply drop your questions in the comments below👇 and we will answer in a future post.

You can also suggest any future topics for discussion that you might like to see content about. We always welcome feedback at Jackson Equine. 🤗

Your questions will not only help you but also other horse owners by sharing valuable knowledge and experiences. So, get those questions rolling!

We look forward to reading and answering your questions in our upcoming posts. Thank you for being a part of our online community! 💬🐴

🐎

🐴

16/07/2024

🧬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 🧬

Regenerative medicine is transforming equine health by harnessing the body's natural healing mechanisms to repair various tissues.

Here’s a closer look 🔍 at how and when these therapies are used:

🔬 𝑰𝑹𝑨𝑷 – 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒖𝒎

IRAP (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein) therapy uses the horse's blood to combat joint issues like arthritis. Blood is drawn, incubated, and processed to produce a serum rich in anti-inflammatory proteins, which is then injected into the affected joint. Typically, 3-5 treatments are required, spaced 7-10 days apart.

IRAP is effective for inflammatory conditions but not suitable for injuries needing surgery, like fractures.

🔬𝑷𝑹𝑷 – 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒕-𝑹𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒎𝒂

PRP therapy leverages growth factors in the horse’s blood to promote healing, particularly effective for soft tissue injuries, joints, and bursae. The process involves concentrating platelets from the horse's blood and injecting them into the injured area. Up to three injections at 4-6 week intervals are usually needed.

PRP has minimal side effects, though more clinical trials are needed to fully establish its efficacy.

🔬 𝑩𝑴𝑨𝑪 – 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝑨𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆

BMAC therapy involves harvesting stem cells from the horse’s bone marrow to aid in tissue repair, benefiting conditions like tendon and ligament injuries and osteoarthritis.

Potential side effects include inflammation and infection at the injection site.

🔬 𝑨𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒍

Derived from pig bladder, ACell serves as a scaffold to support tissue repair, especially in tendons and ligaments. This treatment promotes healing without scar tissue formation and is applied as a powder mixed with saline and injected directly into the injury site.

🧬

These regenerative therapies offer promising alternatives to traditional treatments, helping horses recover faster and more effectively from injuries. As research progresses, these techniques are likely to become even more refined and widely adopted, paving the way for improved equine health and performance.

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🐴

12/07/2024

🧬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 🧬

What is it? 🧐

“Regenerative medicine” covers a range of technique which use foreign biological materials to help the body heal itself. The aim is to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs using materials and newly created cells. Already widely used in human medicine, regenerative medicine is now being utilised to treat horses' diseases and injuries with exciting possibilities!

How does it work? 🧐

The body is made of tissues, which are groups of cells that create and support their own structures, known as the extracellular matrix. This matrix helps cells receive signals that can change their behavior. Researchers aim to understand and control these processes to repair or create tissues.

Tissue engineering often involves combining cells, scaffolds, and growth factors in a controlled environment to repair or grow tissues. The first step is creating a protein-based scaffold. Then, cells and growth factors are added to promote tissue development. An alternative method uses the patient's own collagen as a scaffold, reducing the risk of immune rejection. Essentially, the patient helps create their own treatment.

Regenerative medicine has a wide range of exciting possible applications in equine medicines from arthritis to tendon injuries.

Tune in on Tuesday when we’ll be taking a closer look at the different types of regenerative medicine available to horses and they are used. 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚 👍❤️ 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐦𝐬 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝!

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🐴

09/07/2024

𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 🐎 ⚖️

It’s believed that up to 50% of horses in the UK are obese, with this figure creeping up to 70% in some native pony breeds. 🫣

Obesity is a serious issue in horses. It can lead to severe health issues such as laminitis, EMS, and arthritis.

Weighing ⚖️ your horse isn’t always practical, plus it doesn’t distinguish between muscle and fat, but the body condition score system is a valuable tool in managing equine obesity. This method assesses a horse's fat coverage and overall condition, helping owners to ensure they maintain a healthy weight.

The scoring system ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 being extremely underweight and 5 being extremely overweight. A score between 2.5-3 is generally considered ideal. 👌

Here's a quick overview:

𝟎 - 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 (𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝): Ribs, spine, and hip bones are easily visible and protruding. Little muscle and no fat cover.

𝟏 - 𝐔𝐧𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 (𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧): Ribs are easily seen. Some fat cover but still many sunken or protruding areas of the skeleton.

𝟐 - 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 (𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐧): Most fit racehorses or eventers will normally be this score. There’s a very thin layer of fat covering the body, with a ‘hint of rib’ still showing

𝟑 - 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 (𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝): A fat score of 2.5-3 is normally ideal for most horse, unless advised otherwise by a suitably qualified professional. There is a thin layer of fat covering the body and whilst the ribs cannot be seen, they are easily felt with light pressure

𝟒 - 𝐔𝐧𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 (𝐅𝐚𝐭): Ribs well covered with fat but can be felt with firm pressure. Fat deposits can be seen around the tailhead, withers, and neck. The back may have a crease (‘gutter’).

𝟓 - 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 (𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐞): Ribs are buried in fat and cannot be felt. Pads of fat can be seen along body and the the back is flat and broad like a table top

By actively monitoring your horse's body condition score and making informed adjustments to their diet 🍏, environment 🌱 and exercise 🏇, you can help ensure they maintain a healthy weight and live a happier, healthier life.

👉 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐇𝐒 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐲.

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05/07/2024

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧! 🌞

Did you know horses can get sunburn too? Just like us, their skin can be damaged by too much sun exposure. The skin on the face and heels of horses is most commonly affected because these often have non-pigmented patches and less hair coverage.

💡 Top tips for preventing equine sunburn:

🌚 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆: Provide plenty of shade in paddocks and pastures.

🧴 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏: Apply equine-safe sunscreen to sensitive areas of skin with no pigmentation like pink muzzles or socks. You can by specialist horse sunscreen, alternatively high factor water-resistant children’s sunscreens are a popular choice!

🕶️ 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒂𝒓: Use fly masks with UV protection. UPF breathable fly sheets and leg wear are also available for the most at risk horses.

🌞 𝑨𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒔𝒖𝒏: Try to keep your horse out of direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, usually between 10 AM and 4 PM.

🕓 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓: Check regularly for signs of sunburn, such as redness, peeling, or blistering, and consult your vet if you notice any issues

Keeping your horse safe from sunburn is crucial for their comfort and health. If you have any questions or need more advice, feel free to reach out to us. 📲

Stay safe and enjoy the sunny days, everyone!🌞 🐎

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02/07/2024

𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 🌞

Horses, like all warm-blooded animals, regulate their core body temperature through 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. This keeps their temperature 🌡️ between 37.5-38.5°C (99-101°F). If their body gets too hot🔥 (hyperthermia) or too cold ❄️ (hypothermia), it can be very dangerous. Proper thermoregulation is crucial for their health.

𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 🏇

When horses exercise, their muscles generate heat, raising their body temperature. For example, racehorses can quickly reach 42.0°C (107.6°F) during a race! It’s thought they can handle core temperatures up to about 43.5°C (110.3°F), but higher than that can lead to heat illness and collapse.

𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 💧

Horses have a few ways to cool down post exercise:

𝑬𝒗𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
Horses rely heavily on sweating to keep cool and can produce sweat three times as fast as humans! Their sweat contains latherin, which helps it spread over their skin and evaporate better. It’s this evaporation process which helps the skin to cool the horse down. But high humidity can make sweating less effective. 👎 The volume of sweat they can produce, also puts horses at high risk of dehydration if they don't have sufficient access to water 💧 to replace the large amounts lost as sweat.

Horses also lose heat through their upper respiratory tract, which can account for up to 30% of heat loss during exercise. Increased blood flow to the mucosa aids this process, with cooler venous blood significantly reducing overall body temperature. Panting can further aid this process.

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
This is heat transfer from the horse to something cooler, like lying on a cool surface or getting hosed 🚿 down. It's not as effective as sweating, but it helps.

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
Heat moves through air or water. A breeze 💨 or airflow when they're moving can help cool them off.

Understanding all of this helps us keep our horses safer in hot weather. During the coming weeks of high temperatures, be sure to watch for signs of heat stress 🥵, provide plenty of water 💧 , ensure they have shade 🌚 and airflow. 🌀 And of course - make the most of the lighter mornings and evenings by exercising your horses at the cooler times a of day! 😎

If you have any concerns about your horse’s health or need further advice, then please don’t hesitate to give us a call. 📞

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28/06/2024

Part 2: 𝐀 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊! 🐎

The general rule of thumb is that bone damage is usually the cause of pain around the midpoint, while soft tissue injuries usually present as pain in proximal and distal parts of spine.

👉 But, definitive diagnosis can be complicated!

Often, a horse will present with no pain but poor performance. 🤔 Whereas some horses perform well despite low-grade pain. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Then there are those who are thin skinned and resent palpation. How much does temperament play a part, and how do we distinguish between a horse who is hypersensitive by nature and one in pain? Is the “coldbacked” horse who is stiff and hu***ng or dipping their back when ridden, demonstrating pain or expressing their temperament?

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰?

After taking a detailed history ✍️ to properly understand the horse and his or her issues, when looking at cases of poor performance and suspected back pain, we would perform a

🔍 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 of

✔️ conformation
✔️ overall condition, including muscle development
✔️ any lumps, scars, saddle marks
✔️ curvature of spine
✔️ symmetry of pelvis

🩺 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, involving:

✔️ Palpation of back, rump, neck, and trapezius. Repeated 3 or 4 times, gradually increasing pressure.
✔️ Palpation of the DSPs and interspinous processes – this may elicit pain, detect protrusion or displacement of summits.
✔️ Palpation of longissimus dorsi for any spasms or pain response.
✔️ Palpation of spinous ligament.
✔️ Manipulation of spine to prompt ventroflexion dorsiflexion reflexes.
�
🏇 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, observing:

✔️ tacking up, girthing and mounting
✔️ action under saddle with usual rider in all three paces and over jumps where relevant
✔️ in-hand movement post exercise and cool down, to see if there are any changes in action. This is particularly useful with a low-grade exertional myopathy as they show increased stiffness of hocks and hindquarters. �
These findings, in close consultation with the owner, would help us to determine whether further diagnostic techniques might be required. Such as
• radiography
• scintigraphy
• ultrasound
• bloods
• bute trial
• local anaesthetic

If you have any concerns about your horse’s back or performance, please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss. ❤️
📧 email: [email protected]
📞 WhatsApp or text: 07570652879

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25/06/2024

Part 1: 𝐀 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊! 🐎

This week, we’re taking a closer 🔍 at understanding back problems in horses.

It can be very challenging to definitively diagnose back pain in horses. These issues often manifest subtly without obvious onset and whilst changes in a horse’s behaviour or temperament can be a telltale sign, it’s not always clear of what! 🤔 This is where taking a detailed history before a thorough clinical examination can be extremely valuable. 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 when discussing health concerns with your vet!

When we evaluate poor performance issues or suspect back pain, here are some of the aspects of a horse’s history that we consider:

✔️ The type of work the horse does
✔️ How long ago the issues began
✔️ Whether there is any history of back problems, if the horse has already received therapy and the response if so
✔️ Changes in temperament or behaviour
✔️ Performance:
❓Exercise intolerance or poor performance
❓Resentment when ridden or tacking up
❓Bucking or other unwanted ridden behaviours
✔️ Rider
❓ Changed technique
❓accidents
✔️ Changes to tack and the suitability of equipment used
✔️ History of accidents or past lameness
✔️ Shoeing

𝐖𝐡𝐲?
Because it’s so important to take a holistic approach to diagnosing and treating horses. To look closely at the bigger picture, to gain an understand of what the horse is trying to tell us, before deciding whether medical intervention is appropriate.

👉 Tune in on Friday for part 2 where we discuss clinical examination of back pain - what we’re looking for and what to expect.

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝, 𝐛𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚 👍 ❤️ 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮!

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21/06/2024

𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬: recognising and addressing the signs 🖤

While depression is widely recognised in humans, it is often overlooked in animals, including horses. Yet recent research has shown that horses can experience depression, exhibiting symptoms and behaviors similar to those seen in humans.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧?
Depression in horses involves a persistent low mood or loss of interest in activities. This mental disorder can affect how a horse thinks and behaves, potentially leading to various physical problems.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
Studies suggest that horses may develop depression due to physical or social discomfort. Researchers observed horses becoming withdrawn and unresponsive to their surroundings due to chronic stress. This behavior, described as "inward-oriented attention," is not a sign of calmness but a withdrawal from their environment. Horses in this state may have abnormally low cortisol levels, indicating a physiological depression.

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬
🖤 Lack of response to tactile stimulation
🖤 Reduced attention to surroundings
🖤 Heightened anxiety in challenging situations
🖤 Loss of interest in treats and food
🖤 Standing facing the stable wall with a withdrawn posture

𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
🐴 Inadequate social interaction with other horses
🌳 Lack of exercise or turnout
🌡️ Illness or injury causing pain or discomfort
⚡️Chronic stress from training, showing, or daily routines

𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
There is also evidence linking inflammation to depression. Infections causing inflammation can increase cytokines, setting the horse’s brain into "sick mode," which may lead to depression.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
Depression in horses can be significant and harmful. Identifying the symptoms and understanding the potential causes are crucial for providing the appropriate care and treatment. If you notice signs of depression in your horse, consider consulting your vet to address the underlying issues and improve your horse's well-being. 🫶

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact us:

📧 email: [email protected]
📞 WhatsApp or text: 07570652879
and Sadye will get back to you promptly within office hours, 9am-5pm.

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18/06/2024

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥, 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 🥰

Every like 👍 ❤️ and kind comment 💬 on our posts, word of mouth recommendation 🗣️ and Facebook review ⭐️ is hugely appreciated. We are so grateful for all your support of Jackson Equine.

As an independent veterinary practice, we are committed to delivering compassionate and ethical equine veterinary care without bias, that’s as individual as the horse being treated. 🫶

📍 Based in Farmham, Jackson Equine 🐎 covers the Waverley, Woking, Cobham, Guildford, and East Hampshire areas.

𝐓𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤
𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 👉 bit.ly/jacksonequinenewclientform

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14/06/2024

𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 🐴

There are often times during the Summer ☀️ months when we might need to stable our horses and ponies. For instance to keep them off the grass 🌱, out of extreme heat 🌡️ or away from midges and flies 🪰.

Whilst for the benefit of their physical health and well being, this unnatural habitat can be boring and sometimes even stressful for our horses.

𝐒𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨?
Here are some great ways to beat the boredom by engaging your horses brains 🧠 and stimulating their senses whilst stabled: 🐴🧠

🐴 ensure your horse has a companion

🪞 fit a stable mirror

🥕 hide fruit and vegetables in their stable

⚽️ use stable toys

🌿 include a selection of different forage types for your horse to choose from. Such as hay or haylage plus chaff, hay blocks/bricks and/or horse-safe hedgerow herbs that you might find around your yard, like Cleavers.

🌱 provide enough forage to last them the day/night. If they’re on a restricted diet, then you can use small holed nets (and even double or triple net those!) to make smaller portions last longer but it is essential for your horse’s mental and physical well being that they are not left standing for hours with an empty gut.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞? 🐎
We’d love to hear your ideas below! 👇

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