Overheating Horses?

Overheating. Not only people, cars and dogs suffer this but horses, too.  Overheating is one serious case that we don’t want to suffer with because it is way too distressing and it can lead to sudden death.  During the hot months of the year what you should remember are the preventive measures that might lead to health problems for your horses and one of them is to prevent overheating.

Prepare for a Fun Match

A beautifully groomed horse ready for a show.
Image grabbed from Missy Larned.

Most of us are not experts on horses but what’s next step to bring pride from and for your horse after a routine-like walk in your farm is to get him all fabulously dressed for a competition.  What we basically joined in for the amateurs are minor horse show contests just around the town and nearby places.  This activity gets all exciting for beginners but there are preparations to consider before we get qualified to join horse shows.  Even minor contests and mini fun match shows disseminate their criteria and qualifications weeks before the show so that they can review if you have what they needed. 

The Mustang

Ever heard of the car most famous known as mustang?  They are these cars that are named after the mustang horse itself.  Just like the breed, the car features long hood like that of the breed’s long snout and shorter end like that of the breed’s body profile.  What made the two comparable to each other are the similar characteristics they share; they are both fast, wild and free gliding.

The Exhilirating Experience of Calf-Roping

Maybe not most of us want to ride a horse because we want to feel elegant and majestic, maybe some of us just want to be dirty and want to become and/or experience to become a cowboy.  Now, one famous cowboy games we have today that even originated from the old time occupation is what we call the calf-roping.  Long before, the people used to ride on horses and capture cows with their rope where now it became such a famous sport for horse lovers.

Also known as tie-down roping, calf-roping is a sport included in rodeo events. Like I said, how this sport is done features horses and their riders and a calf.  What these horse riders do is to achieve a goal by catching the calf using a loop of a rope and to tie it around the calf’s neck.  The game does not end there because the riders must then quickly mount down from their horses and run to the calf to completely tie him down and make sure it is restrained with its three legs together.  This game is much more enjoyable if each team is able to finish the goal faster than the other teams; the shortest time achieved by a team is the team that gets the prize. 

A cowgirl roping a calf. Image by Erik Pronske

Real cowboys in the past actually do this as a duty.  Cowboys are full of expertise when it comes to speed and mastery with the task like how housewives do with household chores.  The reason behind the calf capturing is to restrain the calves for branding or for medical treatment, some could be for food.  Not sooner that these cowboys took pride with their expertise that they decided to form this as an informal contest among other cowboys in the town. 

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Watching the sport in the modern event is full of excitement and enjoyment.  The audience would be filled with enthusiasm and encouragement towards the players and would even sometimes coach.  These kinds of activities create a closer bond between the rider and his horse as well.  The rider and the horse’s team work in such activity that would manifest that both of them trust each other, and that they already know their capacity and ability when it comes to games like these.  This might also be one good exercise for your buddy, so don’t hesitate to join the calf-roping game when there’s opportunity for it ensures one satisfying and enjoyable experience.

Prevent Skin Allergies

Because our four-legged giant buddies are put into a stable and are practically outside our homes they are much open to the nature and to things that might cause them health problems.  They are vulnerable to even the tiniest factor that can trigger them from allergies to more serious health cases.  The most basic health problem that horses can get is skin allergies. 

A horse with skin allergies.
Image from vetnext.com

It is easy to determine if your horse have a skin allergy.  You will notice the most obvious signs of it, like couples of scaly and crusty areas found almost on everywhere on his body and where its hair has fallen out.  There are different kinds of skin allergies and different kinds of medications that are proper for the specific allergy but what’s good news is that you can always prevent it than having to deal with it before it becomes serious.

What can you do to prevent the serious skin allergies your horse can get?

A responsible and a lover of a horse must know that there are appropriate ways to manage the maintained good health of your horse.  The first thing you consider when you think of skin allergies is that the horse might feel an itchy sensation.  Most probably like humans, an itchy skin is caused by insects’ bites and touch.  That is why never forget to implement good insect control around the environment where you put your horse.  Keep the stables clean and somehow dry to avoid getting mosquitoes and other insects to dwell on damp and stagnant water areas.  There are ointments and applications like mosquito repellent humans have that can well suit and protect the skin of your horse so, you can ask your vet about it. 

When bathing your horse do not apply too much shampoo on him much more if you can’t rinse him very well to remove all of the chemicals after cleansing.  It is also not advisable to just let your horse get too exposed from rain because it can contribute to skin disease as well.  Hence, provide a perfect shelter for him that can ensure that he can be well protected from rain and or heat. 

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When grooming, always use clean and rinsed grooming equipment and never use same equipment to all of the horses you have.  Remember that skin allergies and diseases are contagious, so, using the same grooming equipment to all of your horses can affect not just the carrier but the other horses as well.  So as much as possible provide personal grooming equipment to each of your horses to complete the clean hygiene for them. a

When grooming your horse, it helps to run your hand and keep touching him -- grooming or not.  This does not only create closer bond between you and your horse but this will also help him to be calm and let you discover such skin abnormalities or allergies if ever you run on bumps and crusts.  

Understand your Horse’s Behavior

To understand the behavior of a horse is one advantage to keep a good relationship between the owner and the animal.  If you are able to understand your horse, you have a greater chance to know his every reaction towards particular situations, hence you can be more aware of your horse’s likes and dislikes and as well as predict future reactions from the breed. This behavior prediction will let you prevent future accidents, from getting the breed irritated and scared, and even create a better companionship to allow the horse to feel more comfortable with his new shelter and environment.

Horses naturally are considered as flight animals.  Flight animals, including horses have the behaviour to react almost on everything that might harm them from fake or real predators, because as preys, your common defense mechanism from danger, if not to fight back, is to run away from it, fast.  That is, basically horses tend to react first before they actually think.  As humans, we are the ones to adjust and understand such behavior just like if we want to maintain a good relationship towards a liked companion.

Horses are generally fearful and shy creature.
It is important to work hard for their trust.
Image grabbed from Maja Ljubanic.

As soon as horses had become domesticated by people, it has been an advantage for humans to interact with the breed more easily now than ever.  Though, the instinct of the breed of becoming such a flight animal has not been removed from its system, which is why we still need to help them overcome their fear from new faces and interactions from different kinds of people.

To decipher a frightened horse you must observe if he will elevate his head and look breathless; if he stiffens his ears to listen attentively and stiffens his tail.  This behavior is one sign of a breed ready for a nervous flight, so you must be careful.

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To know if a horse is relaxed or to know the manifestation of a safe horse to interact with, you must observe if he will lower his head to your approach; the lower it gets, the more relaxed he is.  He will relax his ears, lick his lips, chew and drop his tail and take a deep sigh.  This behavior is a good sign for a good breed to keep and get to interact more with.

A horse owner/trainer should
understand a horse's behavior with
patience. Image grabbed from
Lauren Pine

Horses tend to get relaxed if just like in the wild, the human will act like their boss mare.  Horses are animals that are dependent on the herd that is why they have a boss mare. To act like the boss mare is to act protective and alert towards the safety of all the members you hold in your herd.  As the owner, you must possess such authority and mastery to the responsibility you have for your horse to gain his trust and comfort towards your intents on him.  The more the two of you understand each intent and actions towards each other the more you gain the good companionship you have been seeking for from your horse. 

Horse Vaccines – How Do They Work?

Horse owners understand the significance of a regular vaccination program, but it remains unclear how these vaccines work and why they work. Equine vaccines are carefully developed and tested to make sure they are safe and effective. To know more about various types of vaccines, it is important to consult your veterinarian.

All vaccines are formulated to help prevent different diseases; they contain antigens, which come from the disease organism.  Viruses and bacteria are examples of these antigens. When given to a horse, it initiates an immune response to protect the body from that particular disease. Vaccines may also contain an adjuvant as one of its ingredients. Adjuvants serve as an enhancer for the antigen presentation and also stands as another foreign substance that can help stimulate a better and stronger immune response.

Why is there a need for adjuvants when the antigens are enough to stimulate an immune response? Often, antigens in vaccines are in their inactivated state. When talking about inactivated, the antigens are good as dead before they will be incorporated into the vaccine formulation to prevent the disease from occurring. Since inactivated foreign agents cannot reproduce themselves like regular organisms would, the immune response that they initiate may not be so strong enough to defend the body from the infection when the horse is affected by the disease.

Occasionally, swelling and soreness may be present at the site of injection. Rarely though, horses may suffer from allergic reactions that is life-threatening. Most horse vaccines are delivered via the intramuscular route. The preparation will be delivered straight to the muscle tissues where it will be taken up by the system and processed.

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Not every horse should get vaccinated for each type of disease. The best thing to do is to consult your veterinarian as he or she can assess the health status of your horse and whether or not a special vaccination will be required.

All horse owners only want to give the best to their horses and protect them from diseases. The most effective vaccination program can be determined only by your veterinarian, so it is important to discuss with him or her about this matter. The vaccination program will depend on various factors such as your horse’s daily activities, age and his risk of exposure to other horses. With an appropriate vaccination program, you can help keep your horse healthy and productive all throughout the season.

credits: image grabbed from Laura Deuerling

The Arabian Horse

The Arabian horse is one of the oldest breed of horse. It is also considered a pure breed. They have been around for at least 4,500 years.  This breed of horse is known to have existed since Muhammad’s time. The breed is also believed to have been developed by the Bedouins in the deserted belt of Africa. When Islamic influence has spread, the Arabian horse was also introduced and it was bred all throughout North Africa and Middle East. It was introduce in Europe during the Moorish invasion of Spain, which was in the 7^th century.

The Arabian horse is a beautiful creature with a unique appearance. They have a generally small stature but they can be easily recognized with their fine features and their dished face. Since they were bred throughout different places worldwide, various breeds have emerged with its influence and these include Shagya Arabian common in Hungary, the Polish Arabian, and the Egyptian Arabian.  The Arabian bloodline has also influenced the development of other popular breeds such as the Thoroughbred. It is still being used to improve and refine the bloodlines of other breeds.

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In acient times, they were known for their implausible endurance and courage. In the modern settings, Arabians are known for being people-oriented as they can have a loving disposition making them excellent pleasure horses and companions. This breed is also famous for its intelligence; they are adept at learning and they are willing to please their owners or riders.

If you want to get more out from your Arabian horse, you need to understand that this breed tend to shine when they are kept in large paddocks rather than being confined to small and crowded stalls. Since they are intelligent breeds, they tend to get bored very easily. This breed is known to be prone to developing stable vices when confined compared to other horses. The idea is to keep them in paddocks. To avoid boredom, you can also allow them to play with toys or certain objects such as traffic cones or horse balls.

The typical size of an Arabian horse is between 14- 15 hands. There may be instances that one would be over or under the said range of size. Arabians are usually thought of as a weak breed due to its smaller stature, but this breed has greater bone density compared to other breeds, which then makes them a en equally powerful breed as those larger horses.

Napoleon's courageous steed
Marengo's remains

A famous Arabian horse is Marengo, Napoleon’s horse. The horse has carried the Emperor in many battles and has been wounded 8 times.  The skeletal remains of this courageous steed are displayed on the National Army Museum located in Chelsea, London.

Horse Training Tips

Horses are useful animals and they are very trainable. They can be used for various tasks such as recreation, sports, farming, and warfare. Their valuable attributes are strength and endurance. Not only are they endowed with excellent physical capabilities but they are also intelligent and can be receptive to the commands given to them. Horse training for beginners is guaranteed to be fun for both the rider and his equine companion. If you are interested in learning how to train a horse, there are various techniques that you can use. Whatever discipline you choose, be sure to be knowledgeable about it.

Horses can perform very well in specialized tasks if they are trained to do so. Moreover, they can thrive in any discipline that they are assigned to. They can work with the police and even a great royal companion during equestrian events. They can either be used in farms or even be ridden off to the wilderness. Generally, these animals are versatile. They are both exquisite and highly functional; not to mention, they love to please their owners.

Teach commands while longing the horse.

Though horses are known to be trainable creatures, they can be a real challenge to put up with especially if you are a beginner and it’s the first time that you owned a horse.  If you wish to train your horse well, you need to understand how they think. Consider their animal instincts as it should be the basis for your training. You can train a horse rather quickly if you try to understand their innate behavior. Here are tips on how you can improve your training as a first-time horse owner/trainer.

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• By nature, horses are prey animals and as such, they can become fearful. In new situations, they may be reserved especially to strange animals or people. If the horse does not know you, it will make its judgment based on your actions. Your body language can tell many things to a horse. In response, he could flee, accept your presence, or even become willing to work with you.

• You need to understand that it might take some time for the horse to warm up. You need to learn how to tame the creature the correct way. Horses are likened to dogs in a way that they see the human as its leader. However, there are still horses that can be dominant. If you happen to own one that is dominant, you will even have a harder time with training.

•  Keep in mind that horses are herd animals, and being that, they need a leader to guide them. Be sure that you understand their behavior as this can speed up the training process.

• Before you can ride a horse, you need to perform ground work and training. Shortcuts should be a no-no for beginners. You can teach the commands while longing before you start mounting on the saddle. A horse should be aware of the sense of touch. Do not skip your ground training unless you want to be kicked off.

• All training sessions should have a cool down period. When warm-ups are initiated before the training, cool-downs should also be initiated to help the animal relax.

• Make every training session a remarkable experience for you and your new horse. Just like dogs, positive reinforcement is the key to a training success. Happy training!

Tips to Improve Horse Jumps

Do you want to join a show jumping event? You may need to sharpen your horse’s jumping skills as well as properly position yourself for the jumps. Here are tips that you need to consider when jumping.

•      From the beginning, you need to allow your horse to have the confidence. Never allow a young horse to try out the fences; instead, give him time to learn how to be brave on his own.

•          Start the jumping session with a proper review of the basics. Allow your horse to warm up on a flat terrain and try to check if he moves forward and backward promptly from the aids you give before you go for the jumps.

•          When you are trying to introduce a new jump concept, make sure you use a veteran lead horse. Horses are naturally herd animals. Let your young horse witness his older buddy how things are done and he will think that it is ok.

•          Trot the jumps first. Trotting will teach your horse how to remain calm when approaching the fences and motivate him to rock back on his hocks to make a correct jump.

•          Don’t give your horse the chance to refuse jumps. From the first few month of training your horse to jump, keep the jumps small so he can easily jump over them at a standstill. If your horse doubts a jump, do not allow him to turn away and re-approach the fence. This is likely teaching your hose not to jump. Instead, keep your leg on until your horse jumps over the fence from halt or a walk.

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•         Go with the flow, no matter how green your horse’s efforts are. Untrained horses can jump in awkward ways. Be sure to reward every endeavor that results to a right deed. Make sure you don’t hesitate to grab his mane or hang on to the neck strap when jumping. If you catch him by his mouth as he attempts to take a jump, you are actually teaching him that this game is not fun at all.

•          Train your horses progressively. If you have mastered one element, move forward. The next day, review the mastered element before moving on to train with the new move. In other words, always review the steps that your horse has learned before moving on to a new step.

•          If you have a troubling move, just keep it low and simple. If your horse happens to lose his confidence for whatever reasons during your training session, don’t try to force him. Lower the jump and start it from there.

•          It is necessary for you to have a helper on the ground. In case you need to lower down the jump or change the grid, a ground person can be of great use. As you get off your horse to change the jumps and ride back on, plenty of time has passed by for the horse to think about the things that could bother him; by that time, he might have changed his mind already.

The Thoroughbred Horse

When talking about racehorses, many people would immediately think about Thoroughbred horses. This breed of horse is made to race the track and they are popular for that reason worldwide.

Country of Origin:  Great Britain

Colors: bay, brown, black, and chestnut

Height: 16 hands

Thoroughbred horses were originally bred in England as Englishmen are passionate towards horses that can run real fast. The Thoroughbred is also an influential breed and has influenced the likes of the American Standardbred, a popular breed for harness racing. In fact, many worldwide horse breeds have benefited when a Thoroughbred blood is incorporated. In America, these breeds are usually born in spring, but regardless of the definite date, their official birthday falls on the 1^st of January.

A young Thoroughbred starts training when it is still a yearling. The first year is spent to develop its size and power. At an early stage, the animal learns to be comfortable with a saddle and bridle, as well as a rider on his back. The animal will eventually be trained to break from the starting gate and run the track course. Thoroughbreds are extremely energetic, which makes them a great athletic type of horse. Generally, they are bred to mature at an early age.

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The Thoroughbred - a favorite breed for racing

They are the most popularly used breed for equine sports competition and when it comes to the horse racing industry, they are dominant. They can also be a top competitor for show events such as dressage, show jumping and eventing. They could be too much to handle, which is why they are really not suitable for beginners.

When it comes to appearance, Thoroughbreds have long and sleek bodies with long legs. Their heads are finely-chiseled and they have a straight profile, without the Arabian dish of their early ancestors. Their bloodlines consist of warmbloods to come up with new breeds and also improve the existing ones. Some of the breeds with Thoroughbred influence include the previously-mentioned Standardbred, the Quarter Horse, and the Anglo-Arabian horse. Thoroughbreds are sized as 16 hands and the main colors are bay, brown, black, and chestnut. They are fast because of the long distance between their hind hip and hock, which makes them thrust with great power when galloping, and also their depth of girth, which allows their lungs to expand at maximum.

Does Caring for Your Horse Constantly Bust Your Budget?

Has your horse become one big money buster? Hold that thought! - Before you consider selling your horse and plan on breeding goldfish instead, review these do's and don'ts to check if you're committing some expensive mistakes.

Caring for a horse can be expensive! Learn how to cut on your vet bills.

• Don't go easy on basic lodging costs if it means restricting amenities like good footing inside the arena and a sufficient, solid feeding program. Good footing allows you to prevent soundness issues and accidental injuries that will not only hurt your horse but also cause expensive vet bills. And a stable that feeds ample amounts of quality fare promotes excellent nutrition and well-being for your horse, improving his life and productivity.

• Do take into account the luxury items you're spending money on that perhaps you aren't making use of. If you do not go out for a ride that much during nighttime, why are you boarding at a stable that has lights inside its arena at night much like a baseball ground? Your boarding stay is helping to pay for that power bill.

• Do plan well in advance for any kind of show costs, and start saving your pennies. Before accepting the responsibility, get a list of possible charges from your coach or trainer. Inquire about daycare fees, rail fees, and your share of the "splits." These could be hidden charges that you may not be aware of if you're a novice to show events.

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• Don't drown yourself with credit card debt! Credit cards flow freely these days, and so do the chances for utilizing them. Many horse shows now acknowledge credit cards for admittance fees. Some breeding farms even allow you to pay stud fees while using swipe of a card. Wouldn't that be ironic if you're required to sell your horse to pay off your equine-related debts?

• Do check the consignment stores for second-hand tack and riding apparel. Although the item may need extra care or even some minor repair, it's often much less expensive than purchasing the same thing completely new. On the other hand, consider holding your own version of a yard sale: a tackroom sale! You and your networks should gather up those beneficial yet used items like halters, outgrown clothing, saddle pads, bits, and no-longer-needed horse blankets-do some local marketing and sell your lovable junk. Who knows, you might raise enough cash to stabilize your busted budget!

Before raising a horse, do keep in mind that this animal requires a portion of your finances for their feed, lodging, and health needs. Be smart enough and budget well when necessary.

Putting Your Horse to Sleep - Is It Necessary?

There will come a point in a horse’s life where he needs to be put down to relieve him of intense pain from a severe injury, or an incurable disease. I came to write this article because my friend Patrick just lost his horse of 7 years due to severe laminitis. I was inspired as he did have remarkable experiences with Gracie. There is no more human action than to put down a horse and end its suffering. Of course, this can be a very difficult decision with regards to time and manner. If you are facing a situation where you know your horse is suffering greatly, how would you react? What should you do?

You may try to ask when the best time to do this euthanasia thing is. If you see that your horse is in deep pain is so distressed due to an incurable disease, the only thing left to do is to euthanize him. However, there are instances where the decision may be unclear. For example, a horse can experience pain permanently but is just fine living with it. He could even be an elderly horse who has compromised dental health, which will contribute to poor feeding practices.  But, if you simply supplement the diet with softer feeds and allowing him to venture on soft pasture, then you will allow a bit of comfort for your horse. You may know that a horse is in bad condition but if he can simply manage with your help, then he is just fine as he is.

Personally, I think it’s not on how painful the situation of a horse is but rather, question yourself if he is still doing great in his life. You can tell by his behavior – even with the illness or injury. When it has become clear that your horse is burdened, then maybe it’s safe to consider euthanasia.

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While as a horse lover, I may simply think that horses are put down because of illness or injury but the truth hurts and the truth is this – even reasons that do not include health problems may call for euthanasia in some cases. Economic constraints can be among the reasons why horses are put down. This especially applies to competition horses. Those that are not fast and powerful enough for a competition will be put down. Caring for elderly horses can also be expensive and many horse owners would rather put their elderly horses down than to spend for their retirement. Generally, taking care of an injured or debilitated horse can be very expensive, with overwhelming vet bills. Though economic pressures may drive horse owners to simply let go of their horse through euthanasia, there are alternatives somehow.

Rescue organizations can be an option; they are willing to take in the horse and put it under their care. If not, there are other horse owners who don’t look into the economic value of a horse and are still willing to make use of them, for instance, as a companion to their horse.

A horse can be a good companion, just like a dog would be. I cannot just extend my opinion to every horse owners out there discouraging of euthanasia. When it is a must, euthanasia can be a reasonable option. But for reasons like economic constraints, there are alternatives on how to let go of your horse without letting it die. Nevertheless, the final decision will come from the owner and the owner alone.

Horses for Barrel Racing - What Should You Consider

Once you take a look at different horses available, you might be looking for one that'll be excellent around kids. You could be searching for a horse that you can introduce to the racing world. But a majority of you will be searching for something more specific; people who've watched barrel racing at rodeo events or even in the TV events might be thinking a barrel horse could be an ideal pick.

Contrary to what others assume, not all horse breeds are excellent for barrel racing. There are various factors that you should consider in a horse that’s great for barrel racing. Temperament is one, as well as the skills, character, lineage and training. Yes, even with barrel horses, lineage can be important for many horse buyers. It helps buyers identify the success rate of the horse’s particular bloodline. It will provide the buyer a concept of how accomplished a horse can become. Other than the bloodlines, what’s more important is the build and overall health of the horse.

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A good candidate for barrel racing is one with straight legs. If you intend to buy a horse that has been raced previously, then you may need to check for any bumps or scars on its legs. The hooves should be healthy; the back strong; and the horse should be athletic and flexible. To some extent, you can determine if the horse is not in a good condition based on its appearance. However, before you seal the deal, be sure to enlist the help of a veterinarian to check the overall condition of the horse.

On the other hand, if your intent is to participate in only one or two rodeo events of the season, you may need a different type of horse. The health and build of the animal should still be an important consideration but you also need to consider how professionally trained the horse can be when it comes to barrel racing. You can save a lot of money if you go for a horse that can be used for overall riding, as well as one that has training for barrel racing. Quarter Horses are great for barrel racing as they have the ability to burst into short speeds.

Whatever breeds or type of horse you choose, you need to understand that heading to the ring to compete is not all there is to it. You need to prepare your barrel horse; focus on giving them training to assess their lung capabilities. If you can condition your horse to keep a fast pace at least three times a week, then that would be a good start.

The Friesian Horse

Our featured horse breed for today is the Friesian Horse, my all-time favorite. I love everything about a Friesian - so graceful, so magnificent, and so regal. Here is a short piece of information on this beautiful breed.

The Friesian is a type of breed that hailed from Friesland, Netherlands. Although its conformation is much like a light draft horse, Friesians are quite agile yet graceful for their size. The Friesian horse is noted for its black-colored hair coat, though its coat color is not the only characteristic that makes the breed. Its mane and tail are long and thick, often wavy. The hair on its lower legs is long, silky, and featherlike, which is usually left untrimmed.

The breed started in the province of Friesland found in northern Netherlands. In this area, there is evidence that horse populations have thrived for thousands of years. The breed is also said to  be descendants of the primitive forest horse. The ancestors of today’s Friesians were commonly used in medieval times, as knights’ steed to battle.

Country of Origin:

The Netherlands

Application:

The Friesian is one of the best carriage horses in the world. Today the breed is popularly used for dressage competitions.

Color:

Only black horses are registered, but there are other colors of the breed including black/bay, true black, and dark brown.

Height:

14.3 to 16 hands

Dental Care – Horses Need Them, Too!

Horses need dental care too! Come on, they have pretty big teeth and you also need to make sure these teeth are properly cared for to avoid potential problems and to support his overall health. If your horse’s teeth are unevenly sharp, it could contribute to weight loss and poor performance. Yearly dental examinations help in identifying problems, as well as correct them before they become worse.

The teeth of a horse erupt continuously all throughout their lives and because of this, regular dental checkup is necessary. Horses graze for about 16-18 hours a day on grasses and forage and, in the process of grinding their feed, the teeth would wear down over time. Today, a lot of horses only spend a few hours per day eating without having troubles with their teeth. Uneven wear of the teeth will result to sharp ridges and points, which make it difficult for them to grind their feed properly and may even cause cuts and sores inside their mouth. In addition, when a horse does not chew his feed properly, it may result to incomplete digestion.

There are several signs that horses may experience when they have dental problems.  These include excessive drooling, dropping feed while chewing, facial swelling, head tossing, decreased performance, and weight loss. It is important to contact your veterinarian and seek help for your horse’s dental care.

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Letting your vet perform dental exams on your horse will help determine other dental problems that may be present. These include infected gums, broken teeth, or excessively worn teeth. The most common procedure to correct a dental problem is floating. This procedure involves using a large float or file to smooth out the contours of the teeth.

There are also instances where sedation may be necessary to calm down the horse so that dental examinations and floating may go smoothly without having to worry about an agitated animal.  There are several benefits to sedation when having a routine dental care for your horse. You will do a great deal of reducing a traumatic experience for your horse and most importantly, you will help reduce the possibility of injury to yourself and to the veterinarian when doing the procedure.

Do not let your horse suffer from mouth sores, gum infections, and even digestive ulcers resulting from problems with their teeth. Contact your veterinarian and set an appointment for your horse’s annual dental exam.