Logan Equine

07/02/2025

We had some great bandages done on our practical horse first aid workshops. Always good to know how to do a good bandage🤕

An incredibly valuable reminder when it comes to bandaging your horse’s legs, courtesy of the horse doctors at Mid-Rivers Equine Centre.

“Even the slightest wrinkle, fold, or lump in the bandage can cause discomfort for your equine companion. Imagine wearing socks and shoes and the sock has a crease in it. It will be incredibly uncomfortable to walk on.

Improperly applied bandages can not only cause discomfort but also lead to skin irritation and even injury. Be aware of the entire bandage's placement and the padding beneath, ensuring zero wrinkles or bumps. Your horse's leg injury needs the utmost wrapping care and taking the time to ensure a smooth and comfortable bandage application is vital.

APPLYING A BANDAGE
So how exactly can you achieve a flawlessly wrapped bandage? First, start by laying the padding smoothly over the area you intend to wrap. Make sure it's evenly distributed and covers the entirety of your horse's leg. Then, carefully wrap the bandage around the leg, applying gentle pressure as you go. Check frequently for lumps or folds, smoothing them out as you continue wrapping.

Another tip to remember is to avoid wrapping too tightly, which can impede circulation and cause discomfort for your horse. Instead, aim for a snug but comfortable fit, ensuring the bandage won't slip or shift during exercise. Once you've finished wrapping, visually inspect the bandage for any irregularities before securing it in place.”

Our final piece of advice: If you have any questions or concerns about bandaging your horse’s leg, be sure to talk to your veterinarian!

03/02/2025

Important information on Strangles from the New Zealand Veterinary Association

There have been several confirmed cases of strangles (a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi equi) in South Island horses over the past month. Cases have been confirmed in Canterbury, Otago and Southland.

🩺 Clinical signs appear quite mild in affected horses. Symptoms include dullness, fever, nasal discharge and a cough, with few lymph node abscesses reported.

🐎 Primarily Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds appear to be affected, and most of these cases are in broodmares.

⛔ All clusters appear contained at this time. Quarantine measures are in place on the affected properties and the vets involved continue to do an excellent job managing this.

🦠 At this stage, a common source of infection has not been identified but investigation is ongoing. The bacteria is spread via contact with infected horses or contaminated equipment.

👀 Please remember to keep a vigilant watch for any potential strangles cases and notify your vet of any suspected cases.

💉 Strangles vaccinations can be administered by your vet. Please contact your vet directly for more information about vaccination.

🧼 You can also help minimise the risk to your horses by maintaining good cleanliness and hygiene measures, and avoiding mixing with potentially infected horses.

The New Zealand Equine Research Foundation has some great information on strangles on its website 👉 https://nzerf.org.nz/strangles

To read our full update, please visit our website 👉 https://nzva.org.nz/home/news/strangles-cases-in-canterbury/

21/01/2025

Our horses and ponies are living longer. Some good advice on caring for them here. We have two ponies here well into their twenties. How old is your oldest horse or pony?

It’s not uncommon to find horses and ponies living well into their 20s and 30s, thanks to continuous advances in nutrition and health care.

Horse owners have a big impact as well and can help their horses thrive in their golden years through proper management practices like those illustrated in the graphic. But remember, although there is much you can do on your own to keep your older horse happy and spry, some conditions associated with aging require medical intervention.

Scheduling regular visits and keeping a good line of communication with your veterinarian will allow you to respond quickly to any ailments or injuries that could cause your horse a serious or prolonged set back. That means less worry for you, and a better quality of life for your old friend!

20/01/2025

14/01/2025

Great information for all horse owners and riders here. We cover spotting some of the more unusual signs of colic in our online horse first aid course "Equine First Aid Essentials"

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SPOT COLIC IN HORSES?

Colic indicates a painful problem in the horse's abdomen (belly), which can be caused by a number of different conditions. Less than 10% of all colic cases are severe enough to require surgery or cause the death of the horse; nevertheless, every case of colic should be taken seriously because it can be difficult to tell the mild ones from the potentially serious ones in the early stages.

Horses show signs of abdominal pain in a wide variety of ways, and usually a horse shows only a few of the signs during an episode of colic. The rule of thumb is — the more obvious the signs of pain, the more serious the problem.

If you suspect the horse is suffering from colic, we suggest that you:

• Alert your veterinarian immediately

• Remove all hay and grain from the horse's surroundings

• Don't medicate without your veterinarian's approval, as pain medications can mask clinical signs

• Walk the horse around if it's continually rolling or in danger of hurting itself — but do not tire the horse with relentless walking and don't approach the animal if it's not safe

• Keep the horse under close observation until the signs of colic resolve or the veterinarian arrives

The key to increasing the chances of a good outcome is to identify the problem early and get your veterinarian involved from the start.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of colic signs. Horses are individuals and may display signs of pain in a variety of ways. Always consult your horse doctor for more information.

31/12/2024

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

29/12/2024

29/12/2024

Are you ready for 2025? 🎉

21/12/2024

Looking for really useful last minute Christmas present for your horse-mad friend or relative? We can email printable vouchers to give them on the day!

Or looking for a gift for yourself to bring increased horse knowledge and reduced stress into the New Year? Start now but know that you have lifetime access so there is no panic to get it done when you want to be out with your horse 🐴.

Imagine a Saturday night & you think your horse has colic😱
Now imagine you have done the course and know signs to look for, what checks you can do, and what you should do while waiting for your vet to arrive. You have a plan and are prepared, you are calmer and your horse is calmer. You know when to call your veterinarian urgently and what to say.

Register for our course & you will feel more confident in emergency situations which is a great feeling😊 and it will help to get the best possible outcome for your horse😊

Comment or PM for more information🩺

21/12/2024

It is so important to think about this especially when travelling over the summer and feeding hay. Make sure your horses and ponies have access to lots of water! (That they will drink!)

Water is a vital resource for horses year-round, but its importance becomes even greater during the winter months. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for horses to support digestion, overall health, and especially for preventing colic, a potentially life-threatening condition.

In winter, horses may drink less water due to cold temperatures, or water sources might freeze, limiting access. Reduced water intake increases the risk of impaction colic, a condition that occurs when food material becomes lodged in the horse’s digestive tract. This is exacerbated by the dry, fibrous nature of winter forage like hay, which contains less moisture compared to fresh pasture grass. Without sufficient water, the digestive system slows and cannot properly break down this material, potentially leading to blockages.

Encouraging adequate water consumption is critical. Horses should normally drink 5-12 gallons of water daily, and ensuring the water is warm enough—between 45-65°F—can help encourage drinking. Studies show that horses are more likely to consume warm water during cold weather. Using heated water buckets or tank deicers can prevent freezing and make water more appealing.

Fun Fact: Research shows that horses drink almost 40% more water per day if given warm water (45-65 °F) instead of near-freezing water. (Kristula and McDonnell, 1994)

Electrolytes or salt supplements can also stimulate thirst, prompting horses to drink more. Offering soaked hay or adding water to feed can provide additional hydration. However, soaking hay or feed isn’t recommended in environments where these items would freeze solid before being consumed by the horse.

Preventing dehydration in winter is a proactive measure to safeguard against colic. Regularly monitoring water intake and ensuring clean, accessible, and palatable water is essential. By addressing these needs, horse owners can help maintain their horses’ health and comfort throughout the colder months.

If you have questions or concerns about your horses' winter water intake, contact your veterinarian.

20/12/2024

All of the below....and do our online horse first aid course! Lots of helpful advice and tips. Comment or PM for more info

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to be confronted with a medical emergency—even during the holidays. Are you prepared to act?

Having a clear emergency action plan will help you stay focused and effective if a crisis strikes. Below are some basic guidelines that can help you prepare for an equine emergency:

1. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours. Ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available for emergencies.

2. Have a plan for transporting the horse if necessary and know in advance the most direct route to an equine surgery center.

3. Prepare a first aid kit and store it in a clean, dry, readily accessible place. Keep a first aid kit in your horse trailer or towing vehicle as well and be sure to check your supplies periodically and restock as needed. First-aid kits can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like; seek your horse doctor's advice on what to add, especially regarding any drugs that could be included and how they should be administered.

16/11/2024

Don't worry- Basil is just having a great sleep!
At the same time he is demonstrating something going on with his tooth? What is happening?......
A hint- Basil is 3 years old!

06/11/2024

How many of us have dealt with a horse with a wound?

Hopefully it was a successful outcome despite being stressful at the time I'm sure.

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOUR HORSE IS ACCIDENT-PRONE...🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to confront a medical emergency. There are several behavioral traits that make horses especially accident-prone: one is their instinctive flight-or-fight response; another is their need to establish the pecking order within a herd; and a third is their natural curiosity. Such behaviors account for many of the cuts, bruises, and abrasions that horses suffer. In fact, lacerations are probably the most common emergency that horse owners must contend with.

Do you know what to do if your horse is cut or bleeding? The initial steps you take to treat a wound can prevent further damage and speed healing, and maintaining your presence of mind could save your horse's life. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind in case of emergency; how you will ultimately proceed will depend on your horse's individual circumstances, and on the advice you receive from your veterinarian.

03/11/2024

Our young colts, Daxton and Batman, best buddies: playing, grooming, eating and sleeping! So nice to see 😍