North West Equine Vets Ltd.

FIELD INJURIES IN HORSES: CAUSES, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT How often do we find that some of the most serious injuries that our horses sustain happen in the field, not when we are competing or doing things that we might perceive as heightened risk? The open expanse of a field may seem like the safest haven for our horses, a place where they can graze peacefully and enjoy the freedom to roam. Thank goodness, most of the time it is, however, the very environment intended to nurture their well-being can also become the source of serious injury. Horses are naturally active and curious animals, which makes them prone to self-harm in the field. Some common causes are: • ENVIRONMENTAL – sharp objects, uneven ground, poor / hazardous fencing leading to cuts, puncture wound and lacerations. • OTHER HORSES – kicks, bites and other aggressive behaviour or general ‘tomfoolary’ • ACCIDENTAL FALLS – slips and falls cam result in bruises, sprains and fractures. • UNFORESEEABLE HAZARDS – footpaths, aggressive dogs, fireworks, low flying aircraft PREVENTION Minimising field injuries involves a combination of good management and regular maintenance: • REGULAR FIELD INSPECTIONS – check for and remove any hazardous objects, ensure gates and fencing is safe and secure, and maintain good even ground where possible. • SAFE TURNOUT – introduce new horses gradually to minimise aggressive encounters and monitor their behaviour. • PROTECTIVE GEAR – if appropriate use protection such as boots for those that are accident prone TREATMENT / FIRST AID When a horse sustains a field injury, prompt and appropriate treatment is essential: • INITIAL ASSESSMENT: Evaluate the severity of the injury. Look for signs of lameness, swelling and bleeding. • CLEANING AND DRESSING WOUNDS: Clean the wound with clean, running water and apply a sterile dressing. Try not to use creams or potions until the vet has seen it. • COLD HOSING – if there is swelling. • CALL T

I’m sure you will be seeing ragwort everywhere as you drive around our counties at this time of year…. “There is some ragwort in my fields, but is has been there for years. The horses don’t eat it and they have always been fine.” We hear this a lot. The fact is, ragwort poisoning happens over a long period of time, so you may think ‘they are fine’ but irreversible damage is slowly occurring. By the time ragwort poisoning presents itself to us, it is in the form of a very sick horse with serious liver damage. This damage has been happening over a period of years and could have been stopped. The key is to eliminate ragwort from your pasture. HOW DO I IDENTIFY RAGWORT? Ragwort is a tall plant; it can reach up to 90 cm (3 ft) in height. It has clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers and finely divided, feathery leaves. The plant often forms a basal rosette of deeply cut, toothed leaves when young. Ragwort typically flowers from June to November, making it a common sight during the summer and autumn months. It is a biennial plant, meaning it flowers in its second year of growth. WHY SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT RAGWORT? Ragwort is highly toxic to horses and poses significant dangers if ingested. The plant contains toxic compounds that can cause severe liver damage over time, leading to serious illness and even death. Horses may accidentally consume ragwort if it's mixed with their forage, such as hay, where it loses its bitter taste but retains its toxicity. Symptoms of ragwort poisoning include weight loss, lethargy, and neurological issues. It's crucial to regularly inspect and remove ragwort from pastures to protect horses from this dangerous plant. HOW SHOULD I DISPOSE OF RAGWORT? Pulling and disposing of ragwort properly is important to prevent its spread and protect your horses. Always wear gloves when handling ragwort to protect your skin from its toxins. It is important to remove the roots when pulling ragwort. Ragwort can regenerate from

Sheath Care for Geldings The sheath is a large fold of skin which protects the pen*s when it is not extruded for urination or breeding. A wax-like substance called smegma is produced by the inside of the sheath to help maintain healthy skin in this area and to make it easier for the pen*s to be withdrawn. The amount of smegma produced by an individual varies greatly, and it can be moist and sticky, or dry and flakey. Smegma can occasionally build up, leading to discomfort, swelling or infection. Some horses will need their sheaths gently cleaning from time to time, but it is important not to over clean it. A horse’s entire skin has natural bacteria living on it, and the sheath is no exception. You must avoid disrupting these normal bacteria, as their removal will allow fungal overgrowth. A cursory wash with luke warm water should be all that required. Proprietary sheath cleaners are also available. Do not be tempted to use any antiseptic, such as Hibiscrub, as these will remove the natural bacteria. The sheath can be safely cleaned standing next to the horse’s ribs and gently wiping inside the sheath with a warm wet sponge. If he resents this, a little KY Jelly smeared on the inside will loosen smegma flakes. Occasionally, a solid build-up of smegma occurs in the urethral fossa, a small cavity in the tip of the pen*s. This is known as a “bean”, and might be painful or even cause difficulty urinating. Sometimes sedation is necessary to allow its removal. Other problems that can occur within the sheath include a bacterial or fungal infection, or less commonly melanomas or other tumours of the pen*s or sheath. Infected sheaths are hot and painful, very swollen and sometimes with visible pus build-up. Tumours are more common in the older horses. Older geldings frequently have mildly swollen sheaths in winter as they move around less and circulation in the sheath becomes poorer in the cold weather. If a horse is overweight, fat can be stored in the sheath,

VETTINGS Are you thinking of buying a new horse? here we explain the vetting process from a vet’s perspective. A pre-purchase examination, or “vetting”, is an examination carried out by a vet on behalf of the buyer of a horse. There are two different types of vetting’s, a two stage and a five stage; a two-stage examination is also known as a limited pre-purchase examination. A limited examination may be all that is possible for young horses which are not yet broken to ride. The stages are as follows: 1. Clinical examination. The horse is examined from head to toe, including conformation, eyes, heart, lungs, skin and incisor teeth. The microchip is read and the passport checked. 2. Trot up. The horse is assessed at walk and trot in a straight line and flexion tests are performed. If there is a suitable area, the horse may also be lunged on both hard and soft surfaces. 3. Exercise (ridden or lunged). The horse is ridden or lunged to raise their heart and breathing rate. The vet will listen for any abnormal respiratory noise and listen to the heart again immediately following exercise. 4. Rest. The horse is returned to the stable for 10-15 minutes to allow them to recover. The vet will observe for any stable vices and monitor heart rate, sometimes they may choose to examine the eyes and teeth during this stage. 5. Second trot up. The horse is trotted up again in the same manner as stage 2 to assess whether exercise has exacerbated a subtle lameness. A blood sample is taken at the end of the vetting. This is stored for 6 months and can be tested for the presence of drugs, such as sedatives and pain relief, if any problems arise after the purchase of the horse. Based on the findings of these stages, the vet decides whether the horse is suitable for purchase for the buyer. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a pass/fail situation and takes into account the horses intended use and temperament as well as their health. For example, a horse deemed unsuit

Anyone want to play 'Spot NWEV van (or car)?' Over the summer months, if you see one of the NWEV vans out and about – take a piccy, share it and and tag our page. Bonus points if you find us in weird and wonderful locations 😊 …Not the cake shop, or coffee shop! At the end of August, we will collate our favourites - and pick a winner to win a branded NWEV numnah.

Is your horse getting dehydrated in this hot weather? How do you check?... Here are two simple checks that you can do to see if your horse is properly hydrated: 1) The skin-pinch test: Grab a fold of skin on the point of their shoulder and pull it away from their body slightly. Then release it, noticing how long it takes for the “pinch” to flatten out. In a hydrated horse, the skin will snap back in less than a second. In a dehydrated horse the crease will still be visible after two to three seconds. ** Call us immediately if you can still see the pinched area after six seconds. 2) Press your fingertip against their gums: When you release the pressure, you’ll see a white spot; note how long it takes for the pink colour to return to this spot. In a hydrated horse the blood (the pink) will return in less than two seconds. In a dehydrated horse the white spot remains after three or four seconds. Also, look out for dark urine, dark mucous membranes (gums), and increased body temperature. These are also signs of dehydration. It is also worth noting that a dehydrated horse may not be interested in drinking, do not assume that because the horse isn’t interested in water that it is hydrated. If you have any concerns at all about your horse, please give us a ring 0808 168 5580 or 01254 888 600

Let discuss conformation, and its relationship to function There are of course, many horses functioning and competing with less than perfect conformation. There will always be horses that go against the grain. This piece is not intended to discredit these horses, it is to explain the increased risk associated with poor conformation, and why in the longer term it may lead to discomfort and unsoundness. When breeding or buying horses it is good to be aware of the issues that could compromise a horse’s physical health and the issues that you can afford to look past. Good conformation is important because it directly impacts the horse’s athletic ability and soundness. A horse with good conformation is more likely to have balanced, straight, efficient movement and be less prone to lameness and injuries making it easier for the horse to be economical with their body; use their muscles and joints properly and not overload any one body part. Horses with poor conformation may be at higher risk of injury and be harder to train. By studying their conformation, you can try to anticipate some injuries and decipher which riding style or jobs would suit the horse best. Straight front legs The front legs carry 65% of the horse’s bodyweight and are therefore subject to increased concussion and stress. Conformation faults in front legs can therefore have serious consequences. Ideally the forelegs should be straight--forearms directly above the cannon bones, and the cannon bones at right angles to the ground when viewed from front or side. Both legs should bear weight equally. Toes should point to the front, and hoofs should be the same distance apart at the ground as the distance between the forelegs where they join the chest. The front limbs should move forwards in a straight line when the horse is in motion. The bones in one or both front legs may be slightly offset at the knee or fetlock joint, or slightly rotated, or may leave the joint slightly angled instead of perfect

Summer holidays are nearly upon us, and for many that means more Happy Hacking! Hacking has many benefits for both horse and rider. If you are lucky enough to live in a location where you can enjoy safe hacking, make the most of the long summer days and have some family fun. When hacking, safety is paramount. Here's a list of precautions to help both you and your horse stay safe: - Wear high-visibility and reflective clothing and equipment for both rider and horse. - Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged in case of emergencies. Remember to have our number in there just in case you need us 0808 168 5580 or 01254 888 600. - Download what3words onto your phone, you never know when you may need some assistance and having that makes locating you so much easier. - Inform someone of your route and expected return time. - Take a hoof pick. Stones stuck in a foot can cause a real problem. - Think about placing a tag on your saddle D-ring with your name and number on it. Should you and your horse part company and your horse decides to continue without you, someone who finds him will be able to contact you. - Report any incidents of dangerous or irresponsible driving to authorities. Remember vehicles should pass at no more than 10mph and maintain at least 2 meters of space when overtaking horses. - Ride in groups if possible for added safety. - Always stay courteous to other road users and acknowledge those who show consideration. - Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. - Use appropriate hand signals to communicate your intentions to other road users. Remember, the key to a safe and enjoyable hack is preparation, visibility, and communication with other road users. Being able to enjoy hacking can bring so many benefits to you and your horse: - Engages the horse's brain: Hacking provides variety in a horse's routine, keeping them mentally stimulated and cooperative. - Eases stiffness: Regular movement during hacking can help alleviate stiffness in a horse's b

***BEWARE OF LAMINITIS*** Sunshine and showers (and the odd thunder storm) are here and with them come accelerated growth of grass in our fields. This is unfortunately likely to lead to yet more cases of laminitis (we are currently seeing a huge number of cases) Please be vigilant for signs of laminitis. Please call 08081685580 or 01254888600 for any further advice.

** SHOCK WAVE THERAPY ** Equine Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment adapted from human medicine to aid in the healing of various equine conditions. This therapy utilizes high-energy sound waves to stimulate tissue, enhance blood flow, and accelerate the body's natural healing processes. It can be effective in treating injuries where soft tissue and bone intersect, which are often challenging to address with other methods. Typically, a horse will undergo a series of treatments, generally three or four, spaced about a week to three weeks apart. The procedure involves directing pressure waves towards the damaged area, which can improve blood supply and reduce pain sensitivity, thereby providing both a healing and pain relief effect. Shockwave therapy is considered safe and has been used successfully for conditions such as proximal suspensory ligament injuries and back problems. All of our vets are able to provide this treatment, if you would like to know further information, please call us on 0808 168 5580 or 01254 888 600.

DID YOU KNOW?... We offer some services that you may not have known about. I will do a full post about each in the coming weeks, in the meantime take look at the list below: • Equine Acupuncture • Embryo Transfer • Shockwave Treatment • Intradermal Skin Testing Watch this space...

With winter, come many challenges for our horses. One of them can be breathing difficulties for those prone to respiratory issues. Here, our vet Luke Jackman BSc BVSc CertAVP MRCVS talks us through some practical tips that could help. If your horse is struggling, give us a call on 0808 168 5580 or 01254 888 600

Some considerations as we head into winter...

***BEWARE OF LAMINITIS*** Sunshine and showers (and the odd thunder storm) are here and with them come accelerated growth of grass in our fields. This is unfortunately likely to lead to yet more cases of laminitis (we are currently seeing a huge number of cases) Please be vigilant for signs of laminitis. Please call 08081685580 or 01254888600 for any further advice.

Just a reminder to be vigilant for the signs of laminitis. In this short film, Jane King explains the signs to look out for...

Come and see us at @northern equine therapy centre open day today…. There is lots going on today, visit their page for more details

We thought you may be interested to see the worm egg count process in this speedy short film…. It is important that we use worm egg counts throughout the summer months to enable us to identify and worm horses ONLY when necessary. Routine use of wormers has led to the development of resistance to the drugs used. This means that the effectiveness of these drugs has reduced. It is therefore important for the future health of our equine population that we protect the drugs that we have available to us, maintaining their effectiveness. Diagnostic tests available for worms are: • Faecal worm egg count – March – September – every 8 weeks • Tapeworm saliva test – Spring – Autumn – every 6 months • Encysted small redworm blood test – Winter - Annually Ideally, a diagnosis of parasite infection should be confirmed before wormer treatments are given. This ensures that only those horses that need worming are treated. The exceptions to this approach are foals and youngsters. Please call us, or refer to the previous foal post for further advice

Thank you to all our clients that came to the leg dissection tonight…. we hope you found it interesting and learnt lots from the evening. Particular thanks to our vets, Paul, Richard and Luke whom all painstakingly worked their way through the limbs sharing their unique knowledge along the way. 👏👏 Thank you all xx

Lovely to accept the invitation to attend the opening of the new equine facilities at Craven College this morning.