Are you a horse lover who is ready to make the jump into horse ownership? Congratulations! At The Cheshire Horse, we love supporting first-time horse owners and helping them learn everything they need to know about their new equine companion. One of the most important aspects of new horse ownership is learning how to keep your horse healthy and happy.
We spoke with Katy Raynor, DVM, a veterinarian at the New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center in Dover, NH, to learn more about the various facets of horse care and the equine professionals that will form your horse’s health care team. Be sure to refer to this blog, as well as the rest of our blog series for first-time horse owners on numerous topics such as nutrition, equine housing, and tack needs, as you venture into the exciting world of horse ownership.
Veterinary Care
Routine veterinary care is a cornerstone of proper horse husbandry practices. According to Dr. Raynor, horses should be seen by a veterinarian a minimum of twice per year. “Preventative care is the best option to stay ahead of disease and to help reduce the financial burden on owners; preventing colic, oral abnormalities, heart issues, pain, etc. ahead of time is what we strive for,” she explains. “We are trained to spot things in horses that could be missed long-term causing chronic health issues if not taken care of.”
During these hands-on appointments, the veterinarian is able to make recommendations for long-term soundness and comfort by monitoring their respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, and overall well-being to make sure your horse is as healthy as possible while helping you monitor their weight and develop a nutritional plan. They also administer yearly vaccinations, in addition to taking blood for a Coggins test, which tests horses for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). Many veterinarians also provide sheath cleaning services for geldings as part of their visits, but they can also teach you how to clean this sensitive genital area with a gentle cleanser, such as Farnam Excalibur Sheath Cleaner for Horses.
“We use this time [during annual examinations] to provide up-to-date strategies for each individual horse,” continues Dr. Raynor. Preventive care helps your horse lead a happy and comfortable life, while also lowering your costs in the long run as illness and injuries can be expensive. “I think it is very important for a first-time horse owner to establish a good relationship with their vet. Establishing a good relationship before something traumatic happens can help make whatever emergency that could occur run much smoother.”
It is important to realize that your veterinarian is a wonderful resource for all things related to your horse’s health. Consider asking them to teach you how to assess your horse’s vital signs – heart rate, respiration, temperature, and gum color – in the event of an emergency.
Average Equine Vital Signs
| Temperature | 99.5-101.3°F |
| Pulse | 28-44 beats per minute |
| Respiration | 10-24 breaths per minute |
| Capillary Refill Times | 1-2 seconds |
Additionally, your veterinarian can help you to build a first aid kit for your barn so that you can be prepared for every emergency. Make sure that you have basic first aid tools, including a stethoscope, rectal thermometer, and basic wound care materials. Talk with your veterinarian about pain prescription medications that you should have on hand, such as banamine (flunixin meglumine) or bute (phenylbutazone). You should also have the name and contact information of nearby equestrians who can help you transport your horse to the emergency clinic if needed. We also carry a number of health reference books to help you deal with medical emergencies until the veterinarian arrives, including the ever-popular The Horse Doctor Is In.
Dentistry
Dental exams should be performed by a veterinarian or equine dentist semi-annually or annually to ensure optimal oral health, while also reducing mouth pain potentially caused by sharp hooks on the teeth, abnormal teeth, or rotting teeth (cavities). A horse’s teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime and require consistent filing and maintenance. “A normal dental exam consists of a physical exam, which will require mild sedation with an open mouth speculum, and floating, either manually or using a power tool,” explains Dr. Raynor. “The open mouth speculum is important so that all teeth can be fully inspected. This also allows us to fully evaluate each tooth to check for disease and make plans for the future health of the horse.” Typically, sedation is used to ensure the comfort and safety of both the horse and the equine professional during the floating process, where the sharp edges of the teeth are carefully filed down.
Horses who do not have routine dental care will struggle to be comfortable when eating and may lose body condition. Horses with dental issues may also have poor performance under saddle, eating hay, evading the bit, tossing their head, and showing general signs of discomfort.
Farrier Care
Horse’s hooves are similar to our fingernails and toenails which grow continuously. This means that farrier care is vital in order to keep your horse sound and pain-free. “Whether or not your horse has shoes on or not, all four hooves should be trimmed on a regular basis, generally four to eight-week intervals,” Dr. Raynor explains. “The farrier can also work with your veterinarian if they are having trouble maintaining soundness or need specialized shoeing procedures.”
Many problems can occur if a farrier comes sporadically and can create long-term chronic pain for the horse. Work with your farrier to get on a consistent schedule that works for your horse; just like people, horses are individuals and have varying needs depending on the time of year, diet, genetics, hoof condition, exercise, etc. You can learn more about farriers and hoof maintenance on our blog post, Farrier Erin Wessells Answers Common Questions about Hoof Care.
Depending on your horse’s use and genetics as well as their hoof condition, your farrier may recommend that they wear horseshoes or go barefoot (no horseshoes). Hoof boots are another popular choice and allow your horse to have the benefits of going barefoot with the support of horseshoes. Your farrier can help you make the right choice for your horse and your needs.
Deworming
All horses have parasites in their digestive system, typically in the intestinal tract. Generally, a small amount of these parasites are acceptable to the equine’s health, but the size of the population needs to be controlled. Your veterinarian will work with you to build the proper deworming routine for your horse, using a Fecal Egg Count (FEC). This will help to determine if your horse is a “high-shedder” (high counts of parasite eggs in manure) or a “low-shedder” (low counts of parasite eggs in manure) and treat them accordingly. Your veterinarian will give you a schedule to follow, telling you when to administer dewormer. These are oral medications that eliminate the parasites at various stages of their life cycle to keep the population under control. Dewormers can be purchased as an oral paste or as a pelleted product. You can learn more about deworming and internal parasites on our blog post, Deworming Decoded.
For more information on the deworming process, we encourage you to watch this step-by-step tutorial video:
Grooming
Grooming gives equestrians time to bond with their horse and lets the stress of the world slip away from them. In addition to being a good bonding time with your horse, grooming also gives you a chance to check over your horse thoroughly to make sure no abrasions, skin issues, or muscle wasting are present. Many horses love this daily routine and enjoy spending time with you.
Ideally, your horse should be groomed daily, removing the dirt and dander while also encouraging the natural oils in your horse’s skin and coat to bloom. It is essential that your horse be groomed prior to being ridden. Start by using a curry comb, in circular motions, along the muscular portions of your horse’s body (avoiding the limbs and head), to loosen the dirt, dander, and loose hair from your horse’s coat. Then, utilize a stiff brush (body brush), followed by a soft brush, over the entire body in the direction of the hair to remove the dirt. Then you will need a hoof pick and mane and tail brush to properly care for your horse’s hooves and hair, respectively. We also carry a wide variety of grooming kits, which include all the tools you need to properly groom your horse.
For more information on the grooming process, we encourage you to watch this step-by-step tutorial video:
“Grooming allows you to know what their legs look like before and after riding along with if there is any soreness present,” Dr. Raynor tells us. “It is also a way to reduce friction and hair loss from the tack. But additionally, a well-turned-out horse should make you feel accomplished and proud of the horse that you take care of. Grooming also includes picking the feet which is probably the most important part before and after riding.”
Alternative Therapies
In addition to the veterinarian and farrier, there are a number of other professionals that you may want to add to your horse’s health care team. Many equestrians find that their horse’s soundness and well-being are positively impacted by acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic adjustments. Just like humans, horses need a health care team to keep their bodies limber and moving properly. These equine health care professionals can help you build a program that helps keep your horses in optimal condition.
Prevention
When it comes to horses, they can get in trouble at a moment’s notice. When it comes to keeping horses out of danger, early prevention is key. Every time you head out into the barn, take the time to look for problems, such as broken fencing, slippery areas in the pasture, any sharp edges, and how your horses are acting. If you notice something is amiss, it is important to fix it immediately to prevent it from becoming a larger problem.
When you come out to the barn in the morning and at night, it is important to really look at the horses and their environment. Take the time to visually assess your horse from ear to hoof, looking at their face, their body, and especially their legs. By taking the time to be mindful of their body condition and changes in behavior, you can often catch small issues before they turn into bigger problems. Problems like eye injuries, colics, choke, and severe bleeding should be reported to the veterinarian immediately. When it comes to your horse, you are the expert on your horse and his or her daily habits; you should be confident in reaching out to the professionals if something feels off.
With the right equine health care team, horse ownership is an exciting endeavor. All of us at The Cheshire Horse are pleased to be a part of your journey! If you have any questions or would like specific information about the various products that we carry, we invite you to reach out to a member of our friendly and highly trained sales team.