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	<title>Horse Care For Beginners &#187; veterinarian</title>
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		<title>The Delicate Subject of Euthanasia and Your Horse.</title>
		<link>http://www.easyhorsecare.com/the-delicate-subject-of-euthanasia-and-your-horse.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.easyhorsecare.com/the-delicate-subject-of-euthanasia-and-your-horse.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:17:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Russell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Horse health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[euthanasia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horse care for beginners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[older equine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[veterinarian]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[The Delicate Subject of Euthanasia and Your Horse. But having recently experienced this situation, with the resultant demise of my true friend and companion, my Percheron Thorobred cross, Midnight (Middie), I felt it should be talked about. 


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>I&#8217;m sure this is a subject that we&#8217;d all like to avoid and never have to face-up to.</h2>
<div id="attachment_1089" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/085_800x600.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1089" title="085_(800x600)" src="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/085_800x600-300x225.jpg" alt="Middie prior to euthanasia" width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Middie, prior to euthanasia</p></div>
<p>But having recently experienced this situation, with the resultant demise of my true friend and companion, my Percheron Thorobred cross, Midnight (Middie), I felt it should be talked about. From my point-of-view it was important to do so as Middie&#8217;s <b>euthanasia</b> came on top of that of my ageing German Shepherd, Kimberley, and my two  beloved Smithfield sheep dogs, Smokey and Mae, during 2010.</p>
<p>No one ever wants to hear that an animal they love has to be put down. This is never good news, and it is something that you never want to think about. However, there are some things that you must decide, and there are some things that you have to think of when you are dealing with your horse and the idea of <i>euthanasia</i>.</p>
<p>The process of <u>euthanasia</u> and your horse is actually ending the life of your horse. Euthanasia is done in a very humane way, but it is not a method of curing your horse or giving it medicine. Euthanasia is a human way of ending your horse’s life.</p>
<p>Euthanizing your pet, any type of pet, including a horse, should be a decision that is made by you and your vet. Many people choose this method only when their animal is too sick or injured to be living comfortably, and when the idea of curing them is not an idea that holds much merit.</p>
<p>The majority of horses that are euthanized are either very old or very sick, or have problems with their feet and legs. Many horse owners use this as a humane way of ending their animal companion’s suffering, especially if there is little chance of recovery or cure, and especially if their animal is in pain.</p>
<div id="attachment_1092" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/dreamstime_130596962.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1092" title="dreamstime_13059696" src="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/dreamstime_130596962-150x150.jpg" alt="euthanasia" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Kimberley</p></div>
<p>No matter what kind of animal you have, euthanasia is a hard decision for you to make. Unfortunately, it is often something that has to be decided with little or no notice. If you know that your horse is getting old, or if you suspect that your horse is getting sick, you  might have some awareness that it may be coming. However, if your horse gets suddenly sick, or has an injury that is causing him great pain, you might have to make this decision very quickly (as it was in my case with Middie).</p>
<h2>There are several things that you should keep in mind as you are</h2>
<h2>making this type of decision.</h2>
<p>First of all, you have to put your horse and how your horse feels at the forefront of your decision. Listen to your vet and think about how your horse is feeling, whether or not he&#8217;s suffering, and what his chances of recovery are. If your vet suggests a treatment that you think might work, be sure that you ask the vet about your horse’s state of pain while the treatment is going on.</p>
<p>If the cure is going to cause your horse to be in a lot of pain, and it isn’t a cure that is even going to work for sure, it might not be something you want to do. This is where it will take all your courage to make what you consider to be the right decision. Bear in mind that your vet may advise you, but he and she will <strong>NOT </strong>make the decision for you.</p>
<p><em><strong>Footnote:</strong> Should you be wondering what happened to Middie, I&#8217;ll keep it brief. On doing my normal property rounds one morning I found him, head drooping and wet with sweat by one of the gates. He was suffering! Forunately my vet lives an an adjoining property and came instantly &#8230; it was a Sunday. After a thorough check she looked doubtful but instructed me to keep him on his feet and get water into him. Said she&#8217;d be back in two hours. On her return she said that his gut had just stopped working, they could operate to try to find why, but as he was into his twenties advised against it. So I made the fateful decision.  My vet gave me big hugs of sympathy and I dissolved into tears.</em></p>


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		<title>Cleanliness and your Horse&#8217;s Health</title>
		<link>http://www.easyhorsecare.com/cleanliness-and-your-horses-health.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.easyhorsecare.com/cleanliness-and-your-horses-health.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:59:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Russell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Horse health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[caring for your horse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[easy horse care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[veterinarian]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[When it comes to keeping your horse healthy, cleanliness is vital. Many illnesses and infirmities can be avoided simply by maintaining a clean equine environment. As a horse owner, it is your responsibility to provide proper care to your pet, which includes keeping the horse and its environment clean and healthy. 


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/prevent-parasites-from-attacking-your-horse-2.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Prevent Parasites from Attacking Your Horse.'>Prevent Parasites from Attacking Your Horse.</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/recognize-and-prevent-white-line-disease-in-your-horse.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Recognize and Prevent White Line Disease in Your Horse'>Recognize and Prevent White Line Disease in Your Horse</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>When it comes to keeping your horse healthy, cleanliness is vital. Many illnesses and infirmities can be avoided simply<a href="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dreamstime_9388783.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1013" title="dreamstime_9388783" src="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dreamstime_9388783-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a> by maintaining a clean equine environment. As a horse owner, it is your responsibility to provide proper care to your pet, which includes keeping the horse and its environment clean and healthy. This article will give you an idea of just what that entails.</strong></p>
<p>Horses are very labor intensive pets. As the owner, you need to be sure that all its needs are met. Your horse will require fresh food and straw daily. You’ll need to provide a clean water source at all times. Apart from that, your horse needs plenty of space to move around, room to run and sufficient rest time after working. However, there is one thing that impacts all of these needs, and that’s cleanliness. Your horse needs to be kept clean, or it can develop infections and other illnesses. Its stall must be kept clean and its food and water must also be clean. Even outdoor areas need to be kept clean to prevent the horse from picking up unusual bacteria. Your horse isn’t able to clean up after itself, obviously, so it falls on you as a responsible horse owner to provide this care and keep your horse at maximum health.</p>
<p>There are several aspects of your horse’s care where cleanliness comes into play. First of all, your horse must always have clean, fresh water available. Your feed must also be kept clean – make sure that storage areas are kept organized and free of vermin. Of course, it’s not enough to keep the food and water clean – feed buckets and water troughs must also be washed out regularly. If not, you run the risk of bacterial growth that can cause illness for your horse.</p>
<p>Next, you’ll want to keep the stall cleaned out. Horse’s can become ill or develop infections from an unclean stall. Thrush is one of the more common illnesses our equine friends develop from being left in a dirty stall. Whether you clean the stall yourself or pay to have it done, as the horse owner it’s your responsibility to make sure it’s done right.</p>
<p>Finally, make sure that you keep your horse itself clean and well groomed. A good brushing should be done every day, taking care to remove tangles from the mane and tail. Keep hooves cleaned, and make sure shoes haven’t become loose. An uncared for horse will be unhappy at the least, and could quite possibly become ill or injured due to lack of care.</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/prevent-parasites-from-attacking-your-horse-2.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Prevent Parasites from Attacking Your Horse.'>Prevent Parasites from Attacking Your Horse.</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/recognize-and-prevent-white-line-disease-in-your-horse.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Recognize and Prevent White Line Disease in Your Horse'>Recognize and Prevent White Line Disease in Your Horse</a></li>
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		<title>Learn about Horse Anatomy</title>
		<link>http://www.easyhorsecare.com/learn-about-horse-anatomy.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.easyhorsecare.com/learn-about-horse-anatomy.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:21:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Russell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Horse health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horse anatomy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horse care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horse care for beginners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[veterinarian]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[As a horse owner, it’s important that you have a basic understanding of horse anatomy. Providing the best possible care for you horse requires that you learn as much as you can about their physical needs. Having knowledge of how your horse’s body works not only helps you care for your horse better, it helps you recognize when there’s a problem that may need a veterinarian’s attention.




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<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/plants-poisonous-to-horses.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Plants Poisonous to Horses.'>Plants Poisonous to Horses.</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>As a horse owner, it’s important that you have a basic understanding of horse anatomy. Providing the best possible care<a href="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dreamstime_15991056.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1008" title="dreamstime_15991056" src="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dreamstime_15991056-300x247.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="247" /></a> for you horse requires that you learn as much as you can about their physical needs. Having knowledge of how your horse’s body works not only helps you care for your horse better, it helps you recognize when there’s a problem that may need a veterinarian’s attention.</strong></p>
<p>Many people wonder about horse’s sleep patterns, and how it is possible that they sleep standing up. Horse anatomy is such that lying down can be stressful to a horse and puts pressure on the internal organs because of the horse’s body weight. While horse’s will lie down for one or two hours occasionally to get deep sleep, if you see your horse lying down for a longer period, or if it doesn’t seem to want to stand up, you should contact a veterinarian immediately. It could very well be an emergency situation.</p>
<p>Horse’s feet and legs must be specially tended to and taken care of. Their legs are long and thin, which gives them speed to escape predators but also makes their legs vulnerable to damage or breaking. Broken legs are often life threatening for horses, because, as mentioned above, they are unable to lie down for long periods. This makes it difficult to keep weight off a broken limb and allow it time to heal properly. As a horse owner, you’ll want to make sure that your horse’s feet and legs are well cared for, that hooves are clean and shoes are well attached. You don’t want there to be any problems that could cause the horse to stumble and break a leg.</p>
<p>Your horse’s skin and coat also require appropriate care. Often, if an animal is ill, one of the first signs you’ll have will be shedding hair that lacks luster. Protecting the skin and preventing lesions also help to keep your horse healthy. A horse should be groomed each day, especially if it’s been ridden. As you brush your horse, look for signs of fly bites, scratches or cuts that may need tending. Catching any potential problems early is the best way to keep them from turning serious.</p>
<p>Finally, horses have a well developed circulatory and respiratory system. Their ability to pump oxygen-rich blood to their muscles is what gives them the ability to run for long distances without tiring as a human might. However, this ability doesn’t mean you never need to give your horse a break! As you ride or exercise your horse, keep an eye out for signs of exhaustion or over-heating. Following these tips and you may be able to avoid costly veterinary visits.</p>


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<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/plants-poisonous-to-horses.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Plants Poisonous to Horses.'>Plants Poisonous to Horses.</a></li>
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		<title>Plants Poisonous to Horses.</title>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Dec 2010 01:52:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Russell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Horse health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horse care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[plants poisonous to equines]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[There's been a lot written on the subject, but I have never before stopped to really think about just how extensive the list is, and just how dangerous some plants can be to horses. Obviously the list of plants will vary according to a number of factors such as which country or territory you're in, the climatic conditions including the temperature range and rainfall, and the condition of your pasture. I'll not try to cover them all (Wikipedia lists over 80 species) but just those that probably the most significant.




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<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/colic-in-horses-how-to-understand-and-cope-with-it.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Colic in horses ~ how to understand and cope with it.'>Colic in horses ~ how to understand and cope with it.</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>I was surprised when I saw just how many plants are poisonous to horses.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">There&#8217;s been a lot written on the subject, but I have never before stopped to really think about just how extensive the list</span><span style="font-size: small;">I&#8217;ll not try to cover them all (Wikipedia lists over 80 species) but just those that probably the most significant.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_949" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/dreamstime_80994313.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-949" title="dreamstime_8099431" src="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/dreamstime_80994313-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Common Yew</p></div>
<p> is, and just how dangerous some plants can be to horses. Obviously the list of plants will vary according to a number of factors such as which country or territory you&#8217;re in, the climatic conditions including the temperature range and rainfall, and the condition of your pasture.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Plant poisoning symptoms.</strong></span></p>
<p> <span style="font-size: small;">When I talk about individual plants I&#8217;ll mention some specific symptoms and affects, but here are some more generalised ones. Naturally the species of plant and the amount eaten will dictate the symptoms, but in general plants can affect the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory systems and also the blood, kidneys and liver. So when you stop and think, it&#8217;s all a bit scary. To make things worse, it&#8217;s often difficult to diagnose plant poisoning in your horse because many of the symptoms are so similar to other conditions.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Even if you just suspect that your horse may have eaten a poisonous plant I&#8217;d suggest that you get in touch with your vet immediately, even if it turns out to be a false alarm. Be on the lookout for these signs:</span></p>
<p> * <span style="font-size: small;">difficulty swallowing * colic * disorientation * muscle spasms * tremors *unprovoked frenzy * abnormal amounts or colors of urine * fluctuating heartbeat *fluctuating respiratory rate * excessive salivation * and, at worst, total collapse. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Here are some of the more commonly known poisonous plants.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">First, this is probably the most toxic plant, the <strong>Yew.</strong> It can cause sudden death. A horse can even die with leaves still in its mouth.</span></p>
<div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"></p>
<div id="attachment_945" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 209px"><a href="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/dreamstime_138492421.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-945" title="dreamstime_13849242" src="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/dreamstime_138492421-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Red Maple</p></div>
<p>The <strong>red maple </strong>(acer rubrum), the rather attractive red leaves are toxic to horses in summer and autumn. Eating these leaves can cause your horse to become jaundiced and anaemic.</p>
<p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Paterson&#8217;s Curse </strong>(also known as Salvation Jane) has been responsible for the deaths of many horses.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Deadly nightshade </strong>contains atropine which dilates a horse&#8217;s pupils. An affected horse may lose its capicity to stand.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Oak </strong>(Quercus). Oak leaves and acorns are both poisonous to horses. They can cause constipation and kidney damage, possibly because they contain tannic acid.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Ragwort. </strong>Even dry Ragwort is toxic. It has a cumulative effect and can cause fibrosis of the liver and acute liver failure.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Sorghum </strong>can be harmful to your horse due to the cyanide and nitrate content. It may cause significant breathing problems and even death.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Bracken </strong>which is extremely widespread in southern Australia. Bracken is cumulatively toxic in </span><span style="font-size: small;">large amounts and, unfortunately, stays toxic even in hay. An affected horse will stand with its back arched and feet apart, growing more and more sleepy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>St John&#8217;s Wort </strong>which causes white skin to become sensitive to light and sunburn.</span></p>
<p> <span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Horsetale </strong>which grows in moist, rich soils. A horse affected by Horsetail will start to stagger and eventually fall over.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Avoidance action.</strong></span></p>
<p> <span style="font-size: small;">You&#8217;re probably wondering what you can do to minimise the risk of your horse eating toxic plants. I must admit that I&#8217;m by no means an expert on this but I can make a couple of suggestions. The first one is to walk through your pasture paddocks looking for suspect plants as often as possible. I do this daily as I take my dogs out first thing in the day to inspect the horses and cattle, as well as my fencing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Then, bearing in mind that most poisonous plants have an unpleasant taste and your horse will normally avoid them, realise that if he&#8217;s extremely hungry he will probably eat whatever is available. So the thing to do is to to make sure your horse has plenty of good quality forage and feed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">I trust that this brief summary of some plants poisonous to horses is helpful to you and will finsh by saying again, if you even suspect poisoning, call your veterinarian immediately. </span></p>


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		<title>Colic in horses ~ how to understand and cope with it.</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:05:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Russell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Horse health]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[equine colic]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[In it's simplest terms it refers to pain originating in the abdomen. So, if there is any disturbance of gut function your horse will tend to show signs of pain.  The two usual causes of colic are either impaction or a build-up of gas in the large intestine. In the case of a minor form of either of these forms of colic and the pain it causes may, with appropriate care, pass quite quickly. Should it be severe your horse will need to have immediate veterinary treatment.




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<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/equine-influenza-the-facts-as-i-understand-them.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Equine Influenza ~ The Facts As I Understand them!'>Equine Influenza ~ The Facts As I Understand them!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/plants-poisonous-to-horses.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Plants Poisonous to Horses.'>Plants Poisonous to Horses.</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> <strong>Just what is equine or horse colic?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/dreamstime_9388788.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-251" title="dreamstime_9388788" src="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/dreamstime_9388788-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>In it&#8217;s simplest terms <a href="http://www.medi-vet.com/affiliatewiz/aw.aspx?A=315" target="_blank">colic in horses </a>or equines refers to pain originating in the abdomen. So, if there is any disturbance of gut function your horse will tend to show signs of pain.  The two usual causes of colic are either impaction or a build-up of gas in the large intestine. In the case of a minor form of either of these forms of colic and the pain it causes may, with appropriate care, pass quite quickly. Should it be severe your horse will need to have immediate veterinary treatment.</p>
<p><strong>My first experience of colic in horses.</strong></p>
<p>Unfortunately I came to learn about horse colic with a much-loved horse of my own. It was my early morning routine to unchain my three dogs and check out the 26 acre property. This included the fencing, my few cattle, and my horse. I found my horse standing in a  far corner of his paddock, his head hanging down and covered in sweat. I was extremely concerned and returned to the house to phone the vet. I was lucky in that my vet was one of my immediate neighbours although some ten minutes drive away.  I described my horse&#8217;s condition as best I could and then heard those dreaded words, &#8220;it sounds like your horse has colic.&#8221;  Eileen, the vet said &#8220;I was just going out on an urgent call, but I&#8217;ll call in on the way&#8221;.</p>
<p>True to her word Eileen was at my property extremely promptly. My horse was apparently not showing the usual signs of colic, but was definitely de-hydrated. She told me to try to get a little water into him and promised to return in a few hours and see how he was doing.  Eileen was back about three hours later. My horse was no better and she did a thorough examination. As quite often  happens with horse colic, my horse&#8217;s gut had just ceased functioning and surgery was indicated if he was to possibly recover. My horse was well into his 20&#8242;s and Eileen told me that I had to make the choice, take the chance with surgery or have him put down. To cut this story short, with great regret I decided on the latter and went through what to me was the shatterering experience of having him put to sleep.</p>
<p><strong>Prevention is better than cure!</strong></p>
<p>In many cases colic is preventable if you keep your horse&#8217;s digestive system working as it should. Following are some the things you should do to achieve this.</p>
<p><strong>Water. </strong>Be sure that your horse always has ready access to good, clean fresh water. If you can, it&#8217;s a good idea to not just top up the water supply, but to change it daily, alway being sure that any drinking containers are also kept clean.</p>
<p><strong>Feed fibre.  </strong>Be sure to feed your horse good quality hay. Don&#8217;t skimp on quality and ensure that the hay doesn&#8217;t contain any extraneous materials such as excessive grass seed, dirt or sand. As with humans, an adequate fibrous intake is one of the best ways to stimulate the gut.</p>
<p><strong>Feed your horse frequently.  </strong>Keeping your horse&#8217;s system working with fibrous foods will assist in avoiding colic.  Try for two to three feeds each day.  Bear in mind that in the wild, horses eat slowly for most of the day and night. Food is moving through them almost constantly. Frequent feeding assists in replicating this. A horse&#8217;s digestive system is well adapted to dealing with tough fibrous material such as hay, pasture and chaff.</p>
<p><strong>Try to exercise your horse every day, </strong>even if it&#8217;s just for half an hour. Quite apart from assisting in avoiding colic, exercise is a very important part of horse ownership. And the exercise will do you a lot of good, too!</p>
<p><strong>Teeth. </strong>Have you horse&#8217;s teeth checked regularly. Defective teeth can affect your horse in many way, quite apart from the colic prevention routine.</p>
<p><strong>Symptoms of colic.</strong><br />
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<strong>  </strong><br />
The first signs of mild discomfort may be stretching, standing as if to urinate, or pawing the ground. If your horse is in severe pain he may keep getting up and down.  He may roll in an effort to get more comfortable. He may start sweating (as was the case with my horse). In more  serious cases your horse may get up and down and roll constantly.</p>
<p>Other symptoms to watch out for include:  *  standing with his legs stretched out   *  biting at his flanks or abdomen    *   kicking at his belly   *   pacing   *   straining.   Should you think  suspect that your horse has colic it&#8217;s important that you should call an experienced equine vet straight away. He or she will be able to provide emergency pain relief and decide whether further treatment is necessary.</p>
<p>What can you do while you wait for the vet to arrive?  Taking your horse for a walk often helps (but ask your vet first whilst you&#8217;re  on the phone to him). It may encourage your horse&#8217;s gut to work normally and soothe the pain. It may also prevent him lying down to roll. If he is lying down quietly then let him stay there.</p>
<p>It was once thought that a horse could cause a twisted gut by rolling. That is probably not true. However, it is best to prevent him rolling if you can.  But be careful that you don&#8217;t get injured yourself in the process. Horses often forget all their normal manners when they are in pain.</p>
<p><strong>What action should your vet take.</strong></p>
<p>What will your vet do to investigate the problem when he arrives?  He will listen to the abdomen with a stethoscope to tell whether there is more or less activity in the gut than normal. It may be that he finds there is no activity and in this case prompt remedial action is essential. </p>
<p>The heart rate gives a good indication of the severity of the pain and the seriousness of the problem. A horse with a normal heart rate probably does not have a serious problem. Whereas a high heart rate is not such a good sign and indicate colic.</p>
<p>A very useful part of the examination is the rectal examination. By feeling the intestines, your vet may be able to identify the cause of the problem. It goes without saying that this is a very skilled procedure, that is potentially hazardous for both your vet and your horse. But for an experienced equine vet the information it gives is invaluable in deciding the nature of the problem. It may reveal a blockage, or a swollen loop of intestines as a result of a twist or other intestinal catastrophe.</p>
<p>In all but the most straightforward cases your vet may pass a tube through your horse&#8217;s nose into the stomach . It sounds unpleasant but often may make your horse more comfortable by releasing the pressure in the stomach. It can also give your vet useful information about whether the stomach is emptying properly.</p>
<p>Sometimes the horse is in so much pain that it is impossible for the vet to examine him properly without first giving a dose of sedative or pain killer.</p>
<p>Only by considering all of the signs revealed by a careful examination is your vet able to make a tentative diagnosis. Even then it may not be possible to tell exactly what is going on within your horse&#8217;s digestive system..</p>
<p>Sometimes, after the first examination, it will be apparent that your horse needs emergency surgery. But more usually your vet will decide to treat the horse with a short-acting pain-killer and review his condition after a couple of hours. Fortunately many cases show a rapid improvement. However some will either not respond to the treatment, or they will improve at first, only to start showing signs of pain again some time later.</p>
<p>Rather than having to call your vet out several times, it is usually better to transport serious cases to a specialist equine practice where they can be monitored closely and surgery can be performed if necessary.</p>
<p>Fortunately the vast majority of cases respond to medical treatment. But if surgery is needed &#8211; it is important to operate early. The chance of a successful outcome is much better if the operation is carried out before too much damage has occurred.</p>
<p>Having been through the experience of having a horse put down due to colic, I sincerely suggest that you take very prompt action if you detect even the slightest indication that your horse may have colic. <strong><em>I should emphasise here that I have had no veterinery training and this post is written based only my own actual experiences. If you have even the slightest doubt about your horse&#8217;s condition, please call your your vet for assistance. <a href="http://www.medi-vet.com/affiliatewiz/aw.aspx?A=315">Colic in horses</a> can be fatal!</em></strong></p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/how-to-find-a-vet-for-your-horse.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: How to find a vet for your horse.'>How to find a vet for your horse.</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/equine-influenza-the-facts-as-i-understand-them.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Equine Influenza ~ The Facts As I Understand them!'>Equine Influenza ~ The Facts As I Understand them!</a></li>
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</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How to find a vet for your horse.</title>
		<link>http://www.easyhorsecare.com/how-to-find-a-vet-for-your-horse.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:39:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Russell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Horse health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[easy horse care]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[finding a vet]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[But very quickly my local Saddle Club made me aware of the many problems that could happen with a horse without the proper care, and that I'd need to find a vet for help if ever the need arose.  So I did some research and learned of the many health problems that could occur without the proper care.


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<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/navicular-disease-or-more-accurately-navicular-syndrome-and-your-horse.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Navicular Disease (or more accurately, Navicular Syndrome) and your Horse'>Navicular Disease (or more accurately, Navicular Syndrome) and your Horse</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/learn-about-horse-anatomy.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Learn about Horse Anatomy'>Learn about Horse Anatomy</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><strong><a href="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/dreamstime_93887831.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-134" title="dreamstime_9388783" src="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/dreamstime_93887831-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a> </strong></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><strong>My early experience.</strong></div>
<div>In the early months of owning my own horse, and being totally inexperienced, I looked after him in what seemed to me to be just the normal fashion. I fed him and groomed him regularly, the latter being mostly just before going out for a ride and, quite naturally, after the ride and before putting him back out in the paddock.</div>
<p>But very quickly my local Saddle Club made me aware of the many problems that could happen with a horse without the proper care, and that I&#8217;d need to find a vet for help if ever the need arose.  So I did some research and learned of the many health problems that could occur without the proper care.</p>
<p>A few of the things I learned I&#8217;ve listed below.</p>
<p><strong>Warning signs of potential health problems.</strong></p>
<p>The symptom of the majority of  horse ailments appears to be inflammation.  The signs to look out for are heat, pain and swelling in any part of your horse. A sudden change in your horse&#8217;s normal behaviour should also set your alarm bells ringing.   Rather than trying to learn the symptoms of each type of illness, try to be more aware of the fact that your horse is showing indications of good health and the joy of life.</p>
<p><strong>When to find a vet and ask for help.</strong></p>
<p>As already indicated, if you see real signs if pain, swelling or inflammation, don&#8217;t depend on your own judgement, call a vet. I&#8217;ve been taught that Rule No:1 is to never to leave a horse in even slight pain for more than 24 hours without having the cause identified and having it dealt with.</p>
<p>Realise that calling in a vet is not an admission of failure on your part.  Unfortunate things just do happen, often for no apparent reason. Your vet is part of your team and hopefully,  apart from treating your horse, will teach you some <a href="http://www.medi-vet.com/affiliatewiz/aw.aspx?A=315">first-aid treatments </a>for you to use while you&#8217;re waiting for him or her to arrive.</p>
<p>Finally, realise that vets can be expensive, but alway base your decision on when to call a vet on need rather the what it may cost.</p>
<p><strong>So just how to you find a vet?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Number One:  </strong>The primary thing is to ensure that you choose a vet who had extensive experience with horses. Check them out as best you can by talking to other horse owners and by asking direct questions of the vet. You&#8217;ll find that many vets don&#8217;t, or won&#8217;t treat large animals like horses and cattle.  Some have experience only with small animals and specialise only in treating pets like dogs and cats. Horses are big and strong and you need to be confident that the vet you choose is going to be easily able to handle your horse. The last thing you want is for either the vet or your horse to get injured.</p>
<p><strong>Number Two:  </strong>You also want to be sure that the vet you choose has <strong>overall experience. </strong>Your vet should know a lot about the general life and the care of horses along with similar knowledge about other animals.  In other words, he should have a good general knowledge about animals right across the board. You want to choose a vet who is good at what he does, and who really knows what he&#8217;s doing.</p>
<p><strong>Number Three:  </strong>Finally, you want to choose a vet with whom you can feel comfortable and at ease  This is very important as over the years to come, whether you like it or not, you&#8217;re going to be seeing a lot of him and her. If the vet becomes a personal friend, this can only be to your advantage. I was very fortunate as I had an excellent lady vet as one of my immediate neighbours who helped  me extremely quickly on many occasions with my horse, as well as my four dogs, cat, and cattle. And who knows, if your country is similar to here in Australia, you may even be offered &#8220;mate&#8217;s rates&#8221; which can save you quite a bit of money!</p>
<p><em>Recommended reading:  </em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789496410?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=sebe-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0789496410">Complete Horse Care Manual</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sebe-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0789496410" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> <em>by Colin Vogel</em><br />
<em> </em></p>


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<li><a href='http://www.easyhorsecare.com/navicular-disease-or-more-accurately-navicular-syndrome-and-your-horse.html' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Navicular Disease (or more accurately, Navicular Syndrome) and your Horse'>Navicular Disease (or more accurately, Navicular Syndrome) and your Horse</a></li>
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		<title>So, You Want To Buy Your First Horse  ~ What You Need To Know</title>
		<link>http://www.easyhorsecare.com/so-you-want-to-buy-your-first-horse-what-do-you-need-to-know.html</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:24:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Russell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Horse tips and general]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[arthritis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buy a horse]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Equestrian]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trail riding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vet]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[  You can probably feel it in your blood. Why? Because the warmer weather is coming. Spring is in the air. As you wander around out of doors you notice that, at last, the grass is starting to grow and the paddocks are recovering their lush, green look. At this time you can vividly imagine [...]


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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/dreamstime_3649141.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-168" title="dreamstime_364914" src="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/dreamstime_3649141-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a> </p>
<p>You can probably feel it in your blood. Why? Because the warmer weather is coming. Spring is in the air. As you wander around out of doors you notice that, at last, the grass is starting to grow and the paddocks are recovering their lush, green look. At this time you can vividly imagine yourself meandering down a country lane or cantering across the green paddocks on your very first own horse.</p>
<p>All this feels so good to you, but you haven&#8217;t yet got your own horse! So you decide that now is the time to take positive action.</p>
<p>So just what do you need to know?</p>
<p>Here are 6 important and practical tips to help you find just the right horse.</p>
<p><strong>1.   Where should you look for your perfect horse?</strong></p>
<p>One of your best starting places are the contacts you have with people who already own a horse. Look for notice boards that you&#8217;ll find in your local horse supply outlets, saddle and pony clubs, and riding schools.<br />
Then look for those horses that are advertised in both local and national magazines. One of these, if you&#8217;re in its coverage area, is Horse and Hound.<br />
Bear in mind that for advertised horses you&#8217;ll need to be quick off the mark. You may well find that the best horses may be quickly sold in just the first few days. You&#8217;ll also need to be prepared to travel as many available horses could be quite some distance from your home. Be prepared for some disappointment along the way and realise that it may take some considerable time to find just the right horse for you.<br />
<strong>2.   What questions should you ask yourself before you go looking for your horse?</strong></p>
<p>Before you even go to look at your first horse give honest answers to these three questions:</p>
<p>*       What is my budget?<br />
*       What do I want to do with my horse?<br />
          Do I want hunt and jump, dressage, or simply trail ride?<br />
*       What is the level of my riding ability?</p>
<p>Make sure you&#8217;re totally honest and keep the answers to these questions firmly in mind. It&#8217;s easy to go astray by falling in love with a totally unsuitable horse. In such a case you may find that you end up with a horse you cannot control or if, for example, you want to jump, a horse that has a total aversion to jumping. <strong>Keep a clear head and let it rule your heart!</strong> And remember, keeping a horse can be an expensive business &#8211; there is no point in overstretching yourself in buying a horse as you&#8217;re going to need to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&amp;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26x%3D16%26ref_%3Dnb%5Fsb%5Fnoss%26fsc%3D-1%26ih%3D1%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F1.1622%5F172%26y%3D19%26field-keywords%3Dwintec%2520horse%2520saddles%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Daps&amp;tag=sebe-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957" target="_blank">buy saddle,</a> and other expensive tack.<br />
<strong>3.   When you go to inspect a prospective horse, what should you look for?</strong></p>
<p>Be sure you see the horse in every day situations. Don&#8217;t just rely on the seller&#8217;s statements, ask to see for yourself. Watch him be saddled up. Does he stand quietly or does he move and fidget around? A horse may behave well when being ridden, but be inclined to kick and bite when being fitted up with his tack, or having a rug put on or off.  </p>
<p>Examine the horse carefully for signs of sweatmarks. He may well have been lunged or given a vigorous ride before you turn up making him appear much quieter than he really is. Also realise that a horse that is used to being exercised more than you have time for may mean that you have a much more excitable horse on your hands than you can handle.</p>
<p><strong>4.   You&#8217;ve never bought a horse before, so what should you do when you try him out?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/scan0003.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-342" title="scan0003" src="http://www.easyhorsecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/scan0003-300x202.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="202" /></a>If you&#8217;ve only ridden at riding school or saddle/pony club before, without having your instructor standing in the middle telling you what to do, you may find yourself at a loss. So, before you go to your horse inspection it&#8217;s advisable to decide on a short routine you&#8217;ll use to test the horse you&#8217;re assessing to decide whether this is the right horse for you or not. It&#8217;s also a good idea to take an experienced horse riding friend along with you for the inspection. Your friend can also help you with the following sample routines:</p>
<p><strong>Sample routines:</strong><br />
<strong><em>Walk</em></strong> the horse, halting once or twice to make sure the horse is listening to you.<br />
Walk a 20 metre circle, watching to see if he leans in or out. Change rein and repeat this walk in the reverse direction.<br />
If he bends easier on one rein than the other, this is not a fault as most horses tend to have a stronger rein. More important, is he is attentive to you?</p>
<p>Then<strong><em> trot</em></strong> the horse. Does he go forward eagerly, or is he reluctant?<br />
As in the walking exercise, work a circle on both reins. Does he drop out of a trot as he bends?<br />
Does he try to go forward into a canter?<br />
Whatever the result, you will have to decide if you&#8217;d be happy with the horse&#8217;s behaviour. <br />
Once again, your experienced friend may help you decide.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re happy with the trot, try the<strong><em> canter</em></strong> on each rein. The horse should make the upward transition smoothly when you ask him to do it. It&#8217;s important that he do it on the correct leg. If you didn&#8217;t learn this at riding school or saddle/pony club, hopefully your friend can help you with this also.</p>
<p>If you want a horse for jumping, make sure you put him over a fence or some other reasonably high jump.<br />
Is he eager or is he inclined to baulk and need a lot of encouragement?</p>
<p>It&#8217;s important to decide before you visit the horse and try him, exactly what you&#8217;re looking for, and what you&#8217;re prepared to work with. There&#8217;s no point falling in love at first sight with a beautiful animal you can&#8217;t control &#8211; or one which is reluctant to jump when that is your reason for buying!</p>
<p>In buying a horse you&#8217;re forming a partnership which you&#8217;ll have for quite some time. Your partner must be chosen very carefully to make sure he is compatible with your level of riding and what you want to do. <strong>Commonsense should rule here &#8211; not your heart!</strong></p>
<p><strong>5.   When you go to see a horse, should you see him ridden first?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Without a doubt, YES!</strong> Should the vendor say there&#8217;s no one available to ride him, think about just going home! It may be that the horse is too difficult for anyone to ride. You should only attempt to ride him if you are a very experienced rider &#8211; otherwise be prepared to walk away, or at the very least try and arrange a time when you can come back and see him ridden before you try him.</p>
<p>The current owner should ride a routine along the same lines to the one previouly outlined to let you assess the horse&#8217;s way of going, and how he responds to the rider&#8217;s instructions. If he makes upwards transitions easily for someone else, but not for you, this may be something that can be overcome with some lessons &#8211; but be wary. There is a saying that a horse&#8217;s ability sinks to match those of its rider! Just because the horse you&#8217;ve fallen in love with makes flying changes on demand for its current owner does not mean that it will make them for you if you can&#8217;t ride at the same level of competence.</p>
<p><strong>6.  You&#8217;ve found the horse you want. Is there anything else I should do before buying him?</strong></p>
<p>Just one thing more. And it&#8217;s really essential. You need to arrange to have your potential new horse thoroughly checked by a <a href="http://www.medi-vet.com/affiliatewiz/aw.aspx?A=315" target="_blank">qualified veterinarian.</a> Try to select a vet who is well experienced in dealing with horses. Yes, it is quite expensive, but a few dollars spent now could save you a lot of heartache and many dollars in the years to come.</p>
<p>Finally, be prepared for it to take quite a few months to find the right horse for you and to fit him out with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&amp;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26x%3D16%26ref_%3Dnb%5Fsb%5Fnoss%26fsc%3D-1%26ih%3D1%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F1.1622%5F172%26y%3D19%26field-keywords%3Dwintec%2520horse%2520saddles%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Daps&amp;tag=sebe-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957" target="_blank">right saddle</a> and tack, but be assured the wait will be worthwhile. One thing is almost certain. At the finish that palamino mare you had pictured yourself riding away into the sunset may well turn out to be a percherson thoroughbred cross gelding! But whatever size, colour or sex you end up with, if you&#8217;ve taken your time choosing, you&#8217;ll have a <a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?kimbarra91/rogerbee" target="_blank">wonderful partnership</a> for many years to come!</p>
<p><em>Recommended Reading:   </em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470097191?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=sebe-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0470097191" target="_blank"><span id="btAsinTitle">Horseback Riding For Dummies (Paperback)</span><span>~ <span style="color: #003399;">Audrey Pavia</span> (Author)</span></a></p>
<p><em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312127340?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=sebe-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0312127340"></a></em></p>


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