ZF Equestrian

31/07/2024

⚠️Hard Ground!!⚠️
With the high temperatures this week the ground is starting to harden up! Please be aware as tempting as it can be, cantering/galloping your horses on the hard ground can lead to lameness. The concussion horses experience from the hard ground puts a great strain on their tendons and ligaments. Injuries such as splints, bruised soles, fractured pedal bones, strains and ligament damage are often seen as a result of the hard ground.
We hope you enjoy the nicer weather and the freshly cut stubble/open fields but please do take into consideration the surfaces and conditions before allowing your horse to have a good blast! 🏇🏇🏇

19/07/2024

Great Info people should know .
All our lovely horses have come in, had a cold shower and are now relaxing in their shady stables enjoying their afternoon munch.

☀️HEAT STROKE ☀️

I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine! However, it is very important to also know the risks to equines with temperatures >25 degrees paired with direct sunlight.

Darker coloured Bay or Black equines are at greater risk due to the absorption of heat from their coat. Heat stroke is a common condition where the internal body temperature of the horse rises above 39.5 degrees C.

Watch out for some of these signs of your horse suffering from the heat:

- Sweat marks along Neck and Flank region
- Inappetance
- Muscle fascicultations (tremors)
- Walking 'drunk' and unable to place feet in a coordinated way
- Increased respiration
- Dullness and Lethargy

In severe cases:
- Collapse

Please feel free to contact us on our 24/7 emergency line 01652 240071 if your horse is showing any of these symptoms, and we have a vet available for advice and/or visits.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR HORSE AT LOW RISK:

* Keep horses in shade, inside a well ventilated stable, or a shaded field for the heat of the day (it is often cooler in a stable than outside!) and put them out at the end of the day/overnight.

* If the stable is hot, consider use of a fan

* Wash your horse with cool water for 10-15 minutes if you notice sweating/any symptoms.

* Ensure if your horse is turned out, there is areas of shade

* For darker coloured horses, a reflective fly sheet can
sometimes help reduce the absorption of heat from the sun.

* Lots of access to water, and can add in an apple into the water to encourage drinking (chopped up, to prevent choking hazards!)

* Rehydration/recovery mash provided at the end of the day. Often these have helpful electrolytes encouraging them to drink/rehydrate.

* Try to ride before or after the heat of the day, out of direct sun

12/06/2024

Early Bird Discount