ADVICE ON THE CARE OF HORSES

Feed



Our equine nurses offer free advice on feed and diet. Just call 01277 823808 to speak to them. 
Horses are grazers, and their body is designed to have a constant supply of roughage available. Hay, haylage, chaff, straw and grass are all sources of fibre, which is needed to keep your horse healthy. For most horses in work, some extra feed might be needed. It is preferable to feed a mix or pellets, rather than pure grain. Reputable feed companies will have researched the necessary addition of vitamins and minerals to ensure a healthy, balanced diet.
While malnourishment is a serious problem, it is now far more common for obesity to be a serious health concern for your horse. Be careful with feeding lots of grass to obese horses, because it is a common cause of laminitis, particularly in ponies. It is vital to provide routine dental treatment at least once a year to ensure comfortable eating and optimal digestion. The vets at H&J are all trained and interested in dentistry, making them the ideal professionals to carry out this work

Related information sheets (Pdf)

(if an information sheet listed below is not available from the links below then please call our equine reception 01277 823808 and they will post you a copy)

Worming

Horses are prone to worm infestation. These parasites can cause weight loss, colic and diarrhoea, and their presence can lead to life threatening conditions. It is important to worm your horse or pony regularly in order to keep it healthy. H&J have a recommended worming programme, which is independent of manufacturer bias. Further advice is available from our vets and nurses. 
We recommend that the efficiency of your program is monitored by worm egg counts (WEC). For this laboratory test, a dropping is collected, and submitted to our in-house laboratory. The lab technician analyses the faeces for worm egg presence under a microscope. This is the only way to test whether or not adult worms are present in your horse, and to gauge how these contaminate the bed and pasture.

Related information sheets (Pdf)

(if an information sheet listed below is not currently available from the links below then please call our equine reception 01277 823808 and they will post you a copy).

Vaccination

Horses can be vaccinated to protect them against certain infectious diseases. Currently, vaccines are available for Tetanus, Influenza (Flu), Equine Herpes and Strangles.

Tetanus vaccination should be compulsory, and failure to vaccinate for this can be life threatening. Tetanus bacteria infect small wounds and attack the nervous system, including the brain. Flu vaccination is recommended, and deemed compulsory by many of the equestrian show organisations. The F.E.I. has made it compulsory to have bi-annual boosters in order to compete under their rules. Outbreaks of Influenza can be severe and cause immense suffering.

Herpes vaccination has to be carried out twice a year to be effective. Herpes outbreaks occur regularly in the practice area. The symptoms can vary from a cold, to loss of performance. Paralysis and abortion can also be caused by this virus