Horse Happy Veterinary Services Wicklow/Wexford

02/05/2023

Article from Australia but very relevant to Ireland as well. Worth a read if you want us to keep looking after your horses.

22/03/2023

Here is some very timely and important information courtesy of the horse doctors at Pine Ridge Equine Hospital :

As we are in the midst of foaling season, let’s talk about what is normal and abnormal. The placenta is made up of two major parts: the red bag (chorioallantois) and the white bag (amnion). The red bag attaches to the uterine wall, which allows the exchange of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. In a normal delivery the amnion is visible and characterized by a white appearance. A red bag delivery is characterized by a red velvety appearance.

A red bag delivery is considered an EMERGENCY as it signifies premature separation of the placenta leading to a lack of oxygen to the fetus so **you need to intervene immediately.** The red placental membrane should be opened carefully to release fluid, the foal should be delivered/pulled with your assistance and then stimulated to breathe. Foals may develop problems associated with lack of oxygen even though they appear normal at birth.

If your mare is having or had a red bag delivery, you need to call your horse doctor ASAP!

23/01/2023

*** IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS ***

The IEC has detected 3 cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule Type 5 in routine CEM samples since January 1st which is more than we have detected in the past 5 years in total. This bacterium is a cause of metritis in the mare and can be transmitted between horses at covering. All breeding stock should be screened for this and other contagious causes of metritis by CEM testing in advance of breeding.

For further information please contact Dr James Gibbons at [email protected] or call 045 866 266.

22/12/2022

From Horse Happy Veterinary Services

08/11/2022

05/11/2022

Sycamore Poisoning:
The Irish Equine Centre has shared the following alert regarding sycamore poisoning - there seems to be a significant seed crop on the sycamore trees this year and as far as we are aware there have been two cases recorded over the past few days. So if people have had cases before they need to be particularly careful and where the sycamore trees have a significant seed crop people need to be careful about exposure over the next few weeks. Wet and windy weather will bring down the seeds quicker.

04/11/2022

02/11/2022

MARKED INCREASE IN EQUINE PARASITES

Given the weather conditions over the Summer and Autumn periods there has been a marked increase in parasitism, particularly large and small Strongyles, especially in the weanling age group.

The role of parasites in any gastro intestinal or respiratory tract upsets should be considered. Consult your veterinary surgeon regarding the possible role of parasites and their diagnosis. If you are not encountering problems, it may still be advisable to reassess the worm status of your horses using faecal egg counts.

If you have questions or would like some advice on equine parasites, please contact us.

11/10/2022

Please look out for the symptoms and contact us immediately if you have any concerns.

**** EQUINE HEALTH ALERT ****

There seems to be a significant seed crop on sycamore trees this year and we are now aware there have been two cases of equine atypical myopathy recorded over the past few days. So if horse owners have had cases on their land before, they need to be particularly careful. Where sycamore trees have a significant seed crop, people need to be careful about managing horses’ exposure over the next few weeks. Wet and windy weather will continue to bring down the seeds in greater numbers.

For further information please contact the Irish Equine Centre at: [email protected] or call 045 866 266.

11/08/2022

❗ RAGWORT WARNING ❗

With the hot weather set to stay with us for the foreseeable it is becoming even more important to be on the lookout for ragwort in your horse’s field.

Grazing is becoming increasingly sparse due to the lack of rain, potentially making ragwort more appealing to horses. When ragwort begins to dry out, it starts to lose its bitter taste but still remains toxic. Being more palatable, horses may seek it out when foraging and become more likely to eat parts of the plant.

Ragwort poisoning can accumulate over longer periods of time and have devastating effects. Be sure to regularly check your pasture and remove any ragwort to minimise the risk and help stop the cycle of growth.

For more information on ragwort poisoning and how to maintain your land visit: https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/pasture-management/ragwort/

04/08/2022

A study carried out by scientists at University College Dublin, the University of Edinburgh, and the Irish equine science company Plusvital, examined samples from over 6,000 thoroughbred horses from Europe and Australia, and found those animals with the highest levels of DNA-measured inbreeding ha...

03/08/2022

Caseins play a role in short-term fluctuations in stallion fertility and open new avenues to improve reproductive parameters.

28/07/2022

HOOF ABSCESSES EXPLAINED

Sooner or later, nearly all horse owners will deal with a hoof abscess. But what does "hoof abscess" actually mean?

Although most commonly seen during the wet winter and spring months, hoof abscesses can plague horses year-round and usually occur when debris and bacteria enter the foot through hoof cracks and wounds, even horseshoeing holes. The bacteria then get trapped between the sensitive laminae (the tissue layer that bonds the hoof capsule to the coffin bone) and the hoof wall or sole and create pus; the pus builds up over the course of time and puts pressure behind the hoof wall or sole, until it causes the sudden onset of acute lameness when the pain finally becomes too great.
(The diagram below shows a simplified view of the equine hoof to help you visualize the structures involved in this process.)

Hoof abscesses can mimic other more serious diseases or injuries, so involving your veterinarian early on in the diagnosis and prompt treatment of this condition is always a good idea. Some abscesses will be uncomplicated and rupture on their own like a large pimple at the coronary band or heel bulbs; other abscesses, however, could require radiographs and will need to be surgically drained.

Read more about hoof abscesses on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/hoof-abscesses

28/06/2022

https://www.facebook.com/thewicklowhunt/photos/a.114371095244390/5850109275003848/?type=3

Thank you Horse Happy Veterinary Services Wicklow for the very kind sponsorship of our foal classes (classes 46 & 47) 🙏

Reminder entries are now open: https://itsplainsailing.com/org/wf -30202

Please support our sponsors as they have supported us!

29/05/2022

Even if you don’t follow racing you will know the name of Lester Piggott.
A legend of the sport. Coming back out of retirement at 54 to win on Royal Academy and to keep riding the winners until he was 59. Unbelievable achievement and piece of history.
Thoughts to Tracey and all the family. He will never be equaled. Rip to the greatest,the maestro,the long fellow.

9 Derby wins
8 St Legers
6 Oaks
5 2000 Guineas
2 1000 Guineas

1 icon. Lester Piggott

25/05/2022

Did you know that horses can get sunburns too?

That’s right: Horses, like humans, can be at risk for the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn, especially on the non-pigmented pink-skinned areas of the body. The breeds that most frequently suffer from sunburn include Paints, Pintos, and Appaloosas, as well as many cremellos and other horses with pale coat colors.

Sunburn is most frequently seen in areas where the skin is more sensitive — like around the eyes and on the muzzle of pale or white-faced horses — and horses prone to recurrent sunburn also have an increased likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a common cancer).

To reduce the risk of sunburn, the best advice is to avoid sun exposure when possible. This is often achieved by stabling the horse during the day and allowing him to graze from dusk to dawn.
Another preventive option is the use of a full-face fly mask, or a full-body fly sheet for horses with large areas of white over the back and trunk, as many of these products come with UV protection.
Lots of people use use human products, such as children’s sunscreens, on their horses, however the product needs to be reapplied often to fully effective (just an on people).

If your horse is susceptible to sunburn, contact your veterinarian for more information about sun damage and recommendations to keep your animal comfortable. Sunburn recovery in the horse can take months, so taking proactive steps to keep your equine friend protected this summer is in everyone’s best interest!

More information about sunburn and photosensitization is available on our website at https://aaep.org/issue/sunburn-photosensitivity

25/05/2022

Respiratory health is essential to horse performance, yet it's often under-appreciated or misunderstood. The equine respiratory system is much different than the human’s and it has some limitations, to the point where even a little bit of inflammation or obstruction anywhere in the respiratory tract has a big impact on your horse's performance.

Conditions on the equine asthma spectrum have different manifestations and degrees of severity, so much so you may not even recognize that your equine friend's poor performance issues are related to respiratory health. For example, "feeling heavy,” lack of energy, and slow recovery times are all symptoms that could indicate a condition in the milder end of the equine asthma spectrum.

Reducing dust in the horse’s environment is the priority when it comes to both prevention and treatment. However, what simply sounds as “dust” is a complex mixture of organic matter in the equine world (including bacteria, endotoxins, mites, mold and fungal spores). Some sources of respirable dust are very predictable (e.g., hay), but things like chickens or chemical spray on nearby fields are among the many possibilities that can trigger an allergic respiratory response in a horse. Identifying asthma triggers requires veterinarians and owners to work together, so be sure to consult your veterinarian to learn more about improving your horse’s environment and respiratory health!

Read more on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/be-dust-buster-equine-asthma-treatment-management-hinges-reducing-respirable-particles
Additional information about equine respiratory health can be found at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/every-breath-horses-take-affects-every-move-they-make

15/05/2022

Fantastic to see Twilight Jet doing so well.
Conceived when with us at Ferdlant Stud , when we were still U.K. based, when his dam, My Lucky Liz, boarded with us on behalf of her owner. Hans Delaunois-Vanderperren did all the hard work flushing, treating and scanning in foal.

09/05/2022

We perform gastroscopic examinations which is the only way to diagnose gastric ulcers. If you have any suspicion that your horse might have gastric ulcers, contact us.

The more you know...

Gastric ulcer disease is a very common problem in equines and it affects over 60% of adult horses (depending on age, performance, and evaluated populations). While Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is more prevalent in high performance horses, it's important to remember that any horse can be affected, as all equines suffer from stress (like traveling, stall confinement, changes in diet, etc.) which over time may result in gastric ulcers.

The signs of ulcers a horse might show are highly variable between individuals, but they usually include variations of "bad behavior" like general grumpiness, reluctance to perform, cribbing and teeth-grinding, tail-swishing and other behaviors suggesting restlessness and physical discomfort. Rough hair coat, weight loss and poor body condition are also common.

If your horse is exhibiting any of these signs, it may be time to consult your veterinarian rather than just chalk them off as behavioral or training issues. Proper diagnosis is crucial to get appropriate treatment started promptly, and your horse doctor will also be able to make recommendations for environmental and management changes that can you help prevent a relapse of ulcers in the future.

More information about EGUS is available on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/equine-gastric-ulcer-syndrome

08/04/2022

Happy Friday!

05/04/2022

For those of you (like us) who are waiting for foals to appear 😉.
If you prefer to send your expecting mare(s) to us for foaling-out (and reduce your own stress levels), please contact us for availability.

Mare Code of Honor:
The mare's secret code of honor is as old as horses themselves and is ultimately the species best kept secret. No mare shall ever produce a foal before it's time.(It's time being determined by the following factors):

1.No foal shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your house must be a wreck, your family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and your social life nonexistent.

2.Midwives must reach the babbling fool status before you foal out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence mean you're getting close.

3.For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, foaling must be delayed by at least one day for each item.

4.Vet check, add a day, internal add three. If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready. You'll be fine while I'm away for the weekend," Wait 12 to 16 hours and pop that baby out!

5.Owner stress must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you're getting close. When you hear the words "I can't take it anymore!" wait three days and produce a foal.

6.You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are necessary! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait.

7.The honor of all horses is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your stable mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. OH, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time.

8.If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have this foal, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe storm warning is what you're waiting for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works!

9.Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the stable to check you. Your stable mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too.

10.Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special horses are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful filly to carry on the mare code of honor for the next generation of those who wait!

30/03/2022

In house IgG testing on both mare colostrum and foals blood ensures the foals get the best start in life. We have a colostrum bank on site if needed and also keep plasma on site if the IgG isn’t at the correct level .

30/03/2022

The first foals safely arriving into the world. Living on site and using both alarm and camera monitoring makes sure we are always there at the critical time.

17/03/2022

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!☘️

Irish trivia: do you know what the three breeds pictured below (the Connemara pony, the Irish Draught horse and the Thoroughbred horse) have in common?

They’re all genetic descendants of the Irish Hobby, a breed now extinct that was developed in Ireland prior to the 13th century and was prized for his lightness and swiftness. This quick and agile horse was popular for skirmishing and often ridden by light cavalry; Hobbies were used by both sides during the Wars of Scottish Independence (notably, Robert the Bruce employed these horses for his guerrilla warfare, covering 60-70 miles a day) and even King Henry VIII took an interest to the breed and bought Hobbies for his personal racing stable. The term “hobby” became then synonymous with any “activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.”

While Hobby horses may be extinct, the horse remains a proud symbol of the Irish heritage and today Ireland is at the center of the Thoroughbred industry, despite being a small country with a population of fewer than five million people.

Slainte!

14/03/2022

If you are still looking to board your mare(s) to foal-out, look no further:

- brand new barn with specially designed large foaling boxes.
- 24/7 CCTV monitoring.
- Foalalert alarm system being used.
- Foal Watch tests included.
- Foal IgG testing being performed on all foals (included in the foaling-out package fee).

12/03/2022

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲?
Creating a fibre mat before exercising can be beneficial for horses prone to gastric ulcers 💚

Feeding 1 Stubb scoop of chaff 30 minutes before exercising helps to 'trap acid' as the fibre mat reduces acid from 'splashing around'. This limits Equine squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) caused by acid splashing to the upper areas of the stomach. It also helps to maintain blood flow to the stomach during exercise.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘧𝘧 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 '𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘥'. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘱𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘉𝘝𝘚𝘤 𝘔𝘚 𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘌𝘔(𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘔𝘦𝘥) 𝘋𝘪𝘱𝘈𝘊𝘝𝘐𝘔(𝘓𝘈) 𝘍𝘙𝘊𝘝𝘚 of B&W Equine Vets