Equifarm Veterinary Practice

24/10/2024

Putting weight on a skinny horse

Why is it that you always have that one horse that is just always skinny no matter how much you feed it? In short it is due to a high metabolic rate and it makes the horse a hard keeper. Temperament often goes hand in hand with metabolic rate. A nervous horse may require more calories than a calm tempered one to maintain the same body condition.

The body will break down its own muscle tissue and deplete its fat when the diet lacks calories and or protein. The three nutrients which can supply energy to increase the caloric content of the diet in the horse are fibre, starch and fat. Each nutrient is utilized for energy in a slightly different way in the body which, depending on the horse, can be advantageous or not.

Fibre
Fibre is THE most important source of energy as well as the safest. Grass consist of digestible fibre and indigestible fibre that gives structural support to the plant. Winter grass for instance have a lot of indigestible fibre and is therefore very low in energy. Good quality lucerne is very high in energy compared to grass hay.

Providing good quality forage should be the first adjustment when trying to achieve weight gain. Horses can get up to 4kg of lucerne forage a day. If good quality forage is not available, alternative fibre sources such as beet pulp, soy hulls and lucerne pellets can be used as well. Equibran from Feedmaster is a digestive wheat bran that is an excellent alternative source of fibre. Horses can be fed up to 500g (dry mass) of Equibran per day mixed with their normal concentrate feed.

Starch
When a horse cannot maintain their weight on forage alone, you have to add starch as an energy source. While grain is a concentrated source of energy for the horse, there are some inherent dangers with feeding excessive amounts. When desperately trying to get a difficult horse to gain weight, it is often tempting to keep increasing the amount of grain being fed. Unfortunately, there is a point of no return when a horse gets too much grain in its digestive tract and the delicate balance of the microbial population is upset. Undigested starch ferments in the hindgut, changing the pH and killing off the bacterial population. As the bacteria die they releases endotoxins that pass into the blood. So as tempted as you are to feed rice or maise it is not the safest option for your horse.

Fat
Fat is an excellent energy source. Added dietary fat has proven to be an invaluable tool for packing weight on a hard keeper. Vegetable oils are preferred to animal fats. Oils are preferred instead of less concentrated forms such as seeds for eg linseed or sunflower seeds. The food will become less palatable if amount of seeds increase, limiting the overall intake of food. The greatest advantage of using fat as an energy source is that it helps to avoid excessive intakes of grain. We recommend linseed oil with added Vit E as a energy source.

Use a combination of energy sources to maintain the ideal body condition score of a hard keeper. The two safest options is to give as much grass and or lucerne as possible, oil and then only the correct amount of starch.

If you need help with a diet for your hard keeper, reach out to us.

16/10/2024

🫙Does a salt lick or block provide enough salt for your horse?

The answer is no. Salt licks or block are not a reliable way to provide salt to horses as studies have shown that horses are NOT able to self-regulate their salt intake from it. Salt is a mixture of two electrolytes (Sodium and Chloride) and the other three main electrolytes are Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium.

Electrolytes are lost daily in urine and sweat and horses cannot make electrolytes and must get them from their diet. Electrolytes are required for almost all bodily functions including thirst and hydration control, nerve function, digestion and muscle contraction. As horse diets are high in potassium but low in sodium almost all horses require additional sodium. For a 500kg horse, 1 x 25ml scoop of ordinary table salt per day is usually sufficient.

It is further recommended that horses in work, on top of the salt a balanced complete electrolyte should be fed according to level of work and the weather. They should receive the same amount every day in feed not just on harder exercise days or warm days or a few days before a competition. The kidney is far smarter than we can ever be a works out what is needed and gets rid of any excess in the urine.

What is your favorite electrolyte?

14/10/2024

🥇🏆🏇Give your hard-working horse time to recover❗️

What are your thoughts on days off for your horse? Some interesting facts to take into consideration when you answer this question is as a rough guide, it may take lungs 1-2 days to recover, 2-3 days for GI tract, muscle and liver energy stores to recover, 5-7 days for electrolyte balance and stores to recover, 7-10 days for muscles to repair, up to 2 weeks for the immune system to recover and 3-4 weeks for bone, tendon and joints to recover (assuming no action injury). So, what happens when we are training daily or at a competition where we compete over 2-3 days?

The simple answer is that we only get partial recovery and our horses are in a constant state of trying to recover. A small amount of muscle damage happens whenever a horse exercises. This is normal but it can lead to muscle soreness and decreased muscle strength. In addition, their muscle fuel (glycogen) is replenished slowly and working them hard on consecutive days will gradually result in poor performance due to lack of muscle fuel.

This brings us to the concept of recovery weeks in training where you reduce the horse’s workload by half every 3 weeks to ensure a greater degree of recovery. Another extremely beneficial technique used extensively in human sport but rarely in equestrian is tapering before competition. Tapering is the gradual reduction in duration of training while maintaining the intensity each day in the 7 days before a competition.

Apart from resting your horse one of the best things you can do to ensure a fast recovery is to ensure horses start as hydrated as possible with maximized energy stores and good electrolyte balance. Cooling your horse down after competing, allowing unrestricted access to water immediately on completion of exercise and providing forage and concentrate feed as soon as possible are also important.

Let us know in the comments if you already rest your horse or if you will start implementing recovery weeks.

11/10/2024

🌈🦄🌈As a veterinarian, we are often called to put horses to sleep and it is never an easy job emotionally. The one case that I remember particularly well was a beautiful feisty gelding that I treated intensely for colic for almost a week. He recovered so well but a few months later I had the unpleasant job of putting him to sleep after he developed severe complications from a snake bite.

Euthanasia is a topic that many horse owners dread yet may eventually face. Our beloved equine companions can suffer from debilitating conditions that affect their quality of life. As responsible horse owners, it’s essential to navigate these difficult decisions with compassion and understanding.

There is usually not an absolute right or wrong time to say goodbye and put a horse to sleep. Horses are incredibly resilient animals, often masking pain and discomfort until it becomes severe. Sometimes it is clear cut, such as a horrendous injury with fractured bones exposed in the leg etc, but more often, there is decision to be made.

According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), one of the key indicators is the horse’s quality of life. Owners should consider factors such as pain management, ability to perform normal activities (like grazing, walking, and socialising) and overall happiness. Other factors that should be considered when making the decision is likelihood and time of recovery, future potential use and budget of owner.

Making the decision to euthanize a horse is emotionally taxing. Many owners develop deep bonds with their horses, and the thought of losing them can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to recognize that these feelings are entirely valid. Allow yourself to grieve.

If euthanasia is deemed the most compassionate option, understanding the process can provide some comfort. Typically, euthanasia involves the administration of a sedative followed by an overdose of anesthetic, leading to a peaceful passing. This process is designed to minimize distress for both the horse and the owner.

Euthanasia is one of the most challenging decisions a horse owner may face, but it is often made out of love and compassion for our equine companions. By understanding the signs of suffering, navigating the emotional landscape, and knowing what to expect during the process, you can approach this difficult decision with greater clarity and support. Remember, you are not alone in this journey; many have walked this path and emerged with the comfort that they provided the ultimate kindness to their beloved horse.

09/10/2024

Friends and colleagues made a phenomenal treatment team at the recent Namibian Endurance Desert Challenge. Everything in the treatment clinic was handled with a smile, calm attitude and professionalism. Thanks!

07/10/2024

We are BACK! We are happy to announce that after a short interruption we are back with our normal full range of services.

Once again we promise compassionate care and modern medicine to every pasture pony, pleasure riding horse or competition horse in our care. 🐴🦄

26/03/2024

A cryptorchid horse, or ‘rig’ as it is commonly known, has one or both testicles retained in the inguinal canal or abdominal cavity. If the testicle has not descended into the sc***um by 3 years of age, the horse should be castrated. It can be a complex surgery as demonstrated by Dr Arnold Mahne, Veterinary Specialist in Equine Surgery from Equispes Clinical Services in the video. As it is done by key-hole surgery the post operative complications and recovery time is greatly reduced.

Several ethical issues are raised when dealing with cryptorchidism. If the descended testicle has been removed, the horse will look like a gelding but will have stallion-like behaviour due to production of testosterone and other male hormones by the retained testicle. For this reason, horses with only one descended testicle should never have just the descended testicle removed. Cryptorchidism is also hereditary and breeding of unilateral cryptorchid stallions is discouraged.

16/03/2024

The first key-hole surgery or laparoscopy in Namibia done by Dr Arnold Mahne. His surgical assistant was the very competent Sr Nina Bridgens-Foerster and I made sure our patient was sleeping (while standing) for the procedure.

📸 Guido Nowack

17/01/2024

❓Is your horse part of the 70% of horses that has undiagnosed dental problems❓🫣 If you are unsure then have him/her examined like demonstrated. No owner/groom should ever have to hold a horse's head for an examination. Your horse's head should rest very still on a headstand and each tooth needs to be examined by a mirror or as shown here with a special camera called an endoscope🔭.

We at Equifarm Veterinary Practice can offer what your horse deserves. Please contact us on 0813173376 if you have questions or want to book an appointment.

08/01/2024

If a tooth in this condition is left to run its course, it will fracture and could potentially lead to a nasty smelly sinusitis. This condition is painful for a horse. Horse's teeth also
contains nerves just like our teeth. So, it indeed becomes a welfare issue if we leave our horses to live with pain.

04/01/2024

℧🔨🗓🏇 DO YOU THINK A 4-6 WEEK SHOEING INTERVAL MATTER TO THE HEALTH OF YOUR HORSES FEET?

Studies have shown that the condition of the hoof is directly related to BOTH athletic performance and equine welfare. It is primarily the role of the farrier to maintain the hoof health of your horse through trimming of the feet.

Trimming preserves the integrity of the hoof’s structure by re-shaping the hoof and removing excess growth and it therefor integral to equine welfare. Research has shown that overgrown, unbalanced feet predispose the horse to injury by placing abnormal stresses on the internal structures.

🗓Most farriers recommend scheduling trimming or shoeing appointments every four to six weeks. Research supports these recommendations and suggests intervals longer than six weeks may increase the risk of injury.

Some horse owners maintain their horses’ feet on a six to eight-week schedule, but recent studies have connected an eight-week interval with significant changes in hoof balance.

📍One study found that eight-week intervals led to increased coffin joint extension and loading of the deep digital flexor tendon as 1cm excess toe length is equivalent to a 50kg increase in rider weight with respect to increase in force exerted on the deep digital flexor tendon. That is with each leg and each step that a horse takes with a long toe😲.

There are still observable changes in hoof balance in horses at four to six-week intervals. But research shows that this interval promotes a consistent hoof pastern axis, which helps prevent soft tissue injuries caused by excessive loading.

Remember that not all farriers are equal. You need to choose a farrier that is a skilled professional, equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to support the welfare and wellbeing of your horse through the shoeing and trimming of your horse's feet.

02/01/2024

‘No pain? Check again!’: Could your horse be suffering in silence? Is this what your horse's mouth look like inside? Full of very painful ulcers on the inside of the cheeks? Make sure it does not by booking your dental appointment for your horse with us.

25/12/2023

🎄🤍🎅✨Kersfees gaan oor familie en liefde en omgee. Geseënde Kersfees vir jou en jou familie!

11/12/2023

🐴🦷We offer modern equine dentistry as it is the
gold standard that each horse owner should provide for their horse. Be proactive and prevent tooth problems as well as PAIN before there is no alternative but extraction for a very dead and fractured tooth which is just packing with rotting food🤢.

Book your routine dental for your horse with us or contact us if you have any questions.

08/02/2023

What should you do (or not do) if your horse shows signs of colic? And how do you prevent colic in the first place? Find out from our veterinary experts.

13/10/2022

Santa came early this year with the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Nice List! Get 25% off any Hill’s pet food for a saving of up to R500. Visit www.HillsNiceList.co.za to get your coupon. Ts & Cs apply.

Once you have your coupon, send it to us and we would send you the link to shop online to redeem your discount.

01/07/2022

🐛🐴 Deworming 101
Decades of regular and often indiscriminate administration of anthelmintics has compromised the efficacy of most, if not all, deworming products licensed for use in
horses. How rapidly resistance will continue to develop and how this will affect equine welfare in future is unknown, but morbidity and mortality associated with helminth-associated disease are already common.

We are unaware of any new class of equine anthelmintic under development, so those available currently have to be used judiciously, balancing the risk of disease in individuals with the sustained health of the population.

This is our worm control program that we recommend. It should however not be used without guidance from your veterinarian. It is not in the best interest of your horse to just deworm with the recommended products without doing worm egg counts. Worm egg counts a couple of times during the year is a must.

**The guide is only to be used with guidance from your veterinarian.

29/06/2022

If you are still unsure why we need to do worm egg counts on your horse, this is for you.

Parasite f***l egg counts in horses! OK, so they are important and all that, but how are we supposed to use them again? And what are they telling us? This vi...