Equine Back In Action - Natalie Brown

Don’t forget why you started riding!

Figaro back in the field today, after having his hocks injected. He has these medicated annually to keep him comfortable. He was diagnosed with hock arthritis, 4 years ago (now 12yo)z.

He has very subtle signs he needs them doing. He just takes a little longer warming up and lacks a little jump in to canter.

Other signs could be
- Lameness
- Back pain, especially through thorocolumbar
- Dragging toes
- Striking off/ changing behind in canter
- Change in stride length , reluctance to engage hind end
- Shifting weight behind
- Changes in hock appearance. Heat or swelling Present.
- Reduced performance or change in behaviour

Any concerns please speak to your vet 😊

⚠️ R𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗢 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱-𝗱𝗼𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. 🤗

Grass can be a rich source of calories, it typically has a higher Digestible Energy content than hay or haylage. In the spring and early summer months, it grows more rapidly and produces higher levels of water soluble carbohydrates like sugars and fructans, which provide readily available calories for the horses. 🌞

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠:
Place an inner fence (usually electric taping) in the centre of the paddock to form a 'track' between this fence and the outer perimeter, which encourages more movement as the horse navigates round the track to eat. 😎

A wider track may be required for larger number of horses, to reduce the chance of more dominant horses cornering others on tighter tracks. Adding enrichment, like logs, scratching posts, cones or trotting poles, can help to increase movement and interest. Place alternative forage options like hay or haylage around the track to keep your horse moving. 🏃‍♀️

𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗦:
✅ Encourages movement and increased exercise compared to traditional strip grazing methods
✅ Horses may be able to be turned out for longer periods
✅ Allows for social interaction with other horses
✅ Underweight horses can potentially be grazed on the inner section to allow a higher calorie intake whilst still being able to see their companions on the outer track

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦:
❎ May be less effective at encouraging weight loss as total grazing area may still be large
❎ May increase bullying within the herd
❎ Track area may become muddy and new grass growth may be reduced

More tips in our Equine Weight Loss Handbook: https://www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/equine-weight-loss

💚

The 18 thoracic vertebrae are comparatively rigid and inflexible. It’s this strength and rigidity of the spine in this area that allows us to ride our horses.

The spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae are longest at the withers. These provide bony attachment areas and leverage for the muscles, acting as a fulcrum for the nuchal and supraspinous ligaments that influence the position of the head and neck.

18 pairs of ribs attach to the 18 thoracic vertebrae via synovial joints.

The first 8 pairs of ribs house and protect the heart and lungs, are known as true ribs. They join on to the sternum and allow the chest cavity to expand and deflate as your horse breathes.

The other 10 pairs of ribs are known as false ribs – each pair attaches by a ligament and cartilage connection not to the sternum but to the pair of ribs in front.

The ribs also contribute to bend – coming closer together on the inside and further apart on the outside of the bend.

Yesterday Catherine from Bailey’s Horse Feeds came to my yard, with her weighbridge. This is a much more accurate than a weigh tape. It is important to measure your horses weight as you can easily miss when they gain or lose weight when we see them everyday. Also for correct weight is needed for accurate medication, worming etc.
⭐️Badger ⭐️ has been off games with lami, so has not been in work, so he has no muscle and has dropped weight. He weighed in at 235kg.
So we have a few tweaks to his diet, to very slowly gain condition as he also has EMS.

⭐️Ceddy⭐️ at the small height of 17,2hh we always thought he was around 700kg in fact he tipped the scales 751kg!! So we need to amend the amount of wormer he has.

⭐️Figaro⭐️(no photo) 16,1 WB was 595kg although he body scored well, he needs to do a little more exercise, as he does not need to carry any excess weight, due to his hock arthritis.

If you would like your horses weighed give Baileys a call. Now we are off to Rollins Farm to stock up and spend our vouchers

𝗪𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽 = 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 🌱
While it may feel as though our muddy fields have no grass, the green shoots are definitely coming through. Get ahead of any potential problems now and manage the risks by -
⚠️ Monitoring your horse's weight
⚠️ Restricting grazing & making changes slowly
⚠️ Soaking hay
⚠️ Increasing exercise where possible ( ideally cardiovascular )
⚠️ Choose a low calorie diet
Spot the signs:
⚠️ Lameness in one or more limbs
⚠️ Reluctance to walk or turn, particularly on hard or stony ground
⚠️ Shifting weight between feet when resting
⚠️ Increased digital pulses
⚠️ Abnormal heat in the hoof
If you suspect your horse has laminitis, call your vet immediately for advice.

For support with weight management & nutrition advice for the laminitic prone please call the Saracen nutrition helpline

☎️ 01622 718487 or complete a feed advice form https://bit.ly/SaracenFeedAdvice

🙈

𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐄 (EMS) 🐴
EMS is an endocrine disorder that encompasses insulin dysregulation and laminitis. Affected animals are unable to regulate blood insulin levels. Experimentally, high blood insulin concentrations have been shown to cause laminitis.

𝐀𝐓 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐊 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐘
Typically, obese horses and ponies (or those with regional fat deposits such as a cresty neck), native breeds, ‘easy keepers’ and donkeys are at highest risk of developing EMS. Diagnosis usually occurs in those aged 5-15 years.

𝐒𝐘𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐒
• Laminitis
• Regional fat deposits, e.g. over the tailhead, shoulders, cresty neck.
• Difficulty losing weight
• Lethargy

𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐒
Horses usually present for laminitis and an associated blood test shows increased insulin, confirmative for EMS.

𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓
• Weight reduction is key
• Reducing dietary sugar and non-structural carbohydrates (carbohydrate and starch content)
• Feeding hay soaked for 1-12 hours
• Exercise (if not laminitic)
• Vitamin and mineral supplementation are essential with restricted diets

𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐘, including metformin or ertugliflozin, is not long term and careful dietary management is essential.

Love is grooming your pony 🩷. I was taught from an early age to look after and care for our ponies. My girls attend our local Pony Club to further their knowledge. There is so much ever changing development within the equine industry, information is just a click away.

Although information is on the internet, you need to ask yourself the question? Is this information correct? Is there any scientific research behind the claims? Is this product/treament/ training right for your horse or pony? If in doubt, investigate further. Information is always changing and research advancing. Everyday a school day 😊