HAPPY, HEALTHY HENS
(Page 4 of 6)
Especially important in avoiding lameness problems is
assuring adequate levels of electrolytes (sodium, chloride,
potassium, magnesium) thiamine, biotin, selenium, and
vitamins C and E in a horse's diet. Constantly available
fresh water, especially at this time of year, is a must.
Horses fresh from exercise should not be allowed to drink
until adequately cooled down to avoid lameness or muscular,
cardiovascular, and colic (gastrointestinal) problems.
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Proper exercise is essential. Temperatures in late summer
near 100 degrees or combined with high humidity (greater
than 50 percent) can cause a horse to sweat excessively,
increasing chances of muscle strain, sprain, tying up, heat
prostration, and simple exhaustion. Whatever the exercise,
try to preserve mental and physical condition, offering a
variety of workouts while minimizing the amount of stress
the animal feels. Help cope with seasonal weather extremes
by scheduling heavy workouts early in the day, before the
sun, temperature, humidity, and insect population are at
peak. Check equipment to be sure it fits well and there is
no wear or grime at key contact points. You'd never believe
how much lameness occurs because of faulty harnesses,
saddles, bridles, and other tack. Avoid particularly
difficult maneuvers on uneven ground and allow adequate
warm up before and cooling out after work.
Needless to say, lameness is likely to crop up again later
in life in any horse with a history of lameness ,
especially if the owner doesn't pay attention to some of
the keys outlined above. Ninety percent of lameness occurs
in the foot and hoof, and a majority of these are found in
the horse's front legs. There's a great deal of truth in
the old statement, "No foot, no horse." Prevention and
sound management on the farm are the key to avoiding
lameness and saving your horse (and you!) from days of
pain, stress, and soreness.
Dear Andrea:
Our horse has terrible sores over his withers. We use a
saddle pad when exercising him.
What else can we do?
-Paul Tucker Davenport, IA
Dear Paul:
Several factors help create saddle sores, those crusting
blisters located behind the animal's shoulders, on the
withers (between the shoulder blades), and on sides of the
chest. Foremost of the causes of saddle sores is improper
saddling. Some saddles are made to fit only a sawhorse,
never an animal. An ill-fitting saddle, pad, or girth,
coupled with a heavy or awkward rider, and some dirty tack,
can turn the nicest horse into a painful, uncooperative
snide. Saddles are often sold by dealers who do not
understand your horse's anatomy in
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