Castlerock Equine & Canine First Aid of Massachusetts

11/11/2024

Happy Veterans Day!
Thank you!

10/25/2024

The downlow on Salt Blocks - All horses, regardless of their lifestyle and work level, require salt as a regular part of their diet. How much salt each individual horse needs may change depending on what they do each day, but they all need it. Plain white salt blocks are safe and palatable for both cattle and horses. The classic red trace mineral block formulated for cattle is not dangerous for horses; it just doesn’t have enough of the trace minerals to balance a forage-only diet in a horse.

10/14/2024

I think this is amazing!

🖐️ Horse vs. Human Hand – Can You Believe It? 🐴

Back by popular demand! Today, we’re sharing another fascinating diagram – this time comparing the horse’s front distal limb to the human hand - and yes, horses essentially walk on their middle finger! 🤯

📸: Photo credit unknown. DM us for credit or removal

10/09/2024

This is pretty neat.

Ever wondered how our anatomy compares to a horse’s? 🧐 Check out this colorful schematic of a human foot and a horse’s hind limb! Did you know that our heel is actually the equivalent of the point of the hock in a horse? 🦶➡️🐴

10/02/2024

Check your surroundings near your pastures.

Friday Facts!

The leaves are starting to drop and now is the time to have a reminder about the risks of red maple trees to horse health!

10/02/2024

ISO boarding barns to host Equine First Aid Classes. Message me for details!

09/29/2024

A day late:
Happy National Son’s Day

09/26/2024

Definitely something we all should know!

Wednesday Wellness!

This time of year we all hear about an increase in Laminitis cases, but why is that? 🤷‍♀️

Why is it risky to pasture your horses once colder temperatures hit?

In colder temperatures, the sugar content in grass can be influenced by several factors:

Fructan Accumulation: Cold temperatures and shorter daylight hours can cause grass to accumulate higher levels of fructans, a type of carbohydrate. This is because grass stores excess carbohydrates in the form of fructans when growth slows down.

Reduced Growth: As temperatures drop, grass growth slows, and the plant may start converting stored carbohydrates into fructans rather than using them for growth. This can lead to higher fructan levels in the grass.

Frost Damage: Frost can damage grass, causing it to release more sugars into the soil. When the grass starts growing again after frost, it might have higher sugar content due to the release and subsequent reabsorption of sugars.

For many horses fluctuating sugar levels in their feed can cause issues with laminitis, so monitoring their pasture access is important during this time of year.

09/25/2024

Equine Health and Emergency First Aid (1 day) $159.00
Our most comprehensive course! Join us for a one-day course covering: what your vet needs to know, conditioning a horse to accept treatment, taking vital signs, dealing with lacerations, punctures, colic, choke, collapse, casting, shock, hoof issues, recognizing pain in the horse and pain source identification, spinal health, injury prevention techniques and so much more! All attendees receive a certificate of completion, a first aid manual, and a “vitals” reference card.

Advanced Equine First Aid – Plan, Prepare, React! * (1 day) $159.00
Join us for a one-day advanced equine emergency first aid course and learn what to do in more serious situations. Covering everything from serious lacerations, poison, and burns, to bites, and fractures to sucking chest wounds, this course prepares the student to handle serious injuries while waiting for the vet. All attendees receive a certificate of completion and a manual.

*Equine Health & Emergency First Aid is a prerequisite before attending the Advanced class.

Make it a two-day class and register for Advanced Equine First Aid on Sunday, September 15! If you sign up for both you will receive $40 back.


To register: www.castlerockmorgans.com

09/17/2024

Advanced Equine First Aid – Plan, Prepare, React! * (1 day) $159.00
Join us for a one-day advanced equine emergency first aid course and learn what to do in more serious situations. Covering everything from serious lacerations, poison, and burns, to bites, and fractures to sucking chest wounds, this course prepares the student to handle serious injuries while waiting for the vet. All attendees receive a certificate of completion and a manual.

*Equine Health & Emergency First Aid is a prerequisite before attending the Advanced class.

Make it a two-day class and register for Advanced Equine First Aid on Sunday, September 15! If you sign up for both you will receive $40 back.


To register: www.castlerockmorgans.com

09/15/2024

Another certified First Aid Student taking both classes this weekend. Congratulations Rachel!

09/11/2024

With each passing year, horses are living longer lives and many survive easily to 25 years of age or older. While this is good news, it also means that we need to be aware of changes that can occur with age in order to preserve the health and quality of life of our equine friends.

For example, Equine Cushing’s disease is one of the most common diseases of horses 15 years of age or older. This syndrome is better defined as Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) because it reflects the location within the brain that is abnormal. Clinical signs are associated with abnormally elevated hormone concentrations in the blood.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is another endocrine disorder that can affect mature horses and shares some of the same clinical signs as PPID. Although the two disorders feature some striking clinical similarities — most notably a predisposition to development of chronic laminitis — the underlying disease biology is quite different in each case. Successful management relies on proper diagnosis by your equine veterinarian first.

Our understanding of both conditions, especially EMS, is incomplete and evolving, but sufficient information is currently available to highlight some important similarities and differences for the interested horse owner. Consult your veterinarian for more information and work with them to develop the best wellness practices to ensure a healthy life for your mature horse.

Shared from American Association of Equine Practitioners

09/05/2024

For those of you that do night turn out beware of the signs.

West Nile Wednesday 🪰
More and more cases of horses testing positive for WNV are popping up around our country. Be vigilant if your horse seems off (read 9/2 post). Look out for clinical signs of infection and take action. WNV is passed to horses by biting insects. Do what you can to keep your horses and property protected. READ below for more recommendations 👇

09/03/2024