The Most Common Horse Health Problems

Horse Health

If your horse is sick then chances are it is one of the few most common problems. While anything could happen, you should check for the most obvious problems first and then consult your veterinarian. Whether you're deciding when to administer horse wormers to your horse, or you think your horse might have a more serious problem, it's important to check signs and symptoms and fix the issue as quickly as possible.

Colic

Colic can include a variety of digestive problems in the horse's stomach and unfortunately all of them can be fatal. Horses have weak digestive tracks and any incident of colic should be dealt with immediately in order to prevent fatality. Severe colic usually results in blockage or twisting of the entrails which will usually require surgery to fix, and not all horses survive. Watch for signs of bloating, signs of pain such as clenching the teeth, staring or nipping at the sides, pawing the ground constantly or standing with legs splayed out from the body.

Parasites

Parasites are one of the most common health problems in horses and most horses will have them at several periods during their lifetime. It is important to use horse wormers such as Equest Pramox or similar on a regular schedule to keep your horse from being infected. Try asking your vet about a good worming schedule and then looking for equine wormers online to save money.

Heaves

Heaves is sort of like a horse's version of asthma because it will cause difficulty breathing. The technical term for the problem is ROA (Recurrent Obstructed Airways) and is usually caused by an allergic reaction to airborne particles such as mould spores in hay. Horses with heaves will have difficulty breathing after exertion and might be short of breath, cough up phlegm, or have bulging muscles under the ribs. You can prevent heaves by keeping your horse outside as much as possible and making sure that the stable or barn is kept as clean and dry as possible to limit airborne particles that could cause heaves.

Hoof Problems

Hoof problems are very common in horses. Problems range from laminitis (or inflammation) to dry rot in the hoof. Most hoof problems can be solved by regularly clipping and cleaning a horse's hooves. Keeping a hoof pick handy to pick mud and debris out of hooves and keeping the ground dry can prevent most rot. Keeping hooves trimmed will usually prevent ingrown hooves. Unfortunately laminitis can be more difficult to prevent as studies show that it can actually be caused by eating too much grain or stress.

No matter what the problem is, it is very important to have your horse checked out by a veterinarian. Some equine health problems can be quite serious and even parasites can prove fatal if not treated with horse wormers in time. Remember to always ask a vet, and to act as quickly as possible to solve health problems.

Horse owners should worm their horses 4 to 6 times per year. You can purchase horse wormers online to save money or to find the wormers that you want.

Debbie Reade is a frequent contributor of articles for Wormers.co.uk and has written on many subjects pertaining to all animal needs including cats and dogs but mainly on the subject of Equine health.

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Tips for the Fearful Rider

Every rider faces fear at some point in their riding career. Fear is necessary to keep us safe - it acts as a physiological check that something could cause us harm. A completely fearless rider would be reckless and dangerous. When we engage in an activity, such as riding, we have to learn to listen to the fear when it is appropriate and work to overcome it when it is holding us back. How do we overcome fear in our riding? Below are five tips that have worked for me and my students.

1. Find the Joy

If you are fearful of riding then why do you do it? Take some time to really think about what you love about riding. What is your incentive for working through the fear? Brainstorm everything that is positive about riding and what you get out of it on all levels. Once you have a picture of all of the positive aspects, focus on how you can expand the joy in your riding and get back to having fun. Think outside the box to create scenarios that are enjoyable and that you can feel successful accomplishing. Maybe that's as simple as sitting on your horse bareback while he grazes.

2. Get Honest with Yourself

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is admit that you are afraid. When you learn to ride, you are taught to shake off fear, be tough, and get right back on if you fall. In reality, fear is nothing to be ashamed of. It's alright to take a moment to compose yourself before climbing back in the saddle. In fact, it may be safer for you and the horse. If you push through fear too fast, you might make mistakes in your riding or you might feel anger toward the horse. Admit, at least to yourself, that you are fearful. Just that act of authenticity will help both you and your horse.

3. Go Back to Basics

Practice things that help you gain confidence with the goal of getting back the joy in your riding. If you know what you are afraid of and why, you can break it down to help you find success. For example, if you feel unsafe when you ride, practice on a horse that you trust. Or, if you have a fear of falling off, learning emergency dismounts at the walk, trot and canter may help you build confidence. There are endless possibilities. Get creative and ask for help.

4. Change Your Focus

We give power to the things that we pay the most attention to. If you are constantly in a state of fretting over something it grows in your mind and turns into a monster. Stop the story in your head. Actively practice visualization exercises where everything goes perfectly. Start to build a story of success and confidence in your mind. Take the power away from the negative aspects and give power to the positive ones. Focus all of your attention onto your body and your horse while you are riding - stop worrying about the future and start feeling what is happening in the moment.

5. Relax and Keep Breathing

One of the primary things that we do when we are nervous is hold our breath and tense our mouth and jaw. These two acts have a ripple effect through our entire body and can be perceived by the horse. There are two things that can really help. The first is to sing a song. I know it sounds silly but if you are singing you have to breath and your move your mouth. The second thing you can do is laugh. Again, when you laugh you have to breathe, endorphins are released, and the entire body relaxes. Think about something really funny or even play your favorite comedian while you ride.

These techniques will help you gain more confidence in the saddle, help you to relax, and open the door to more fun for both you and your horse.

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A Clean Horse Is a Happy Horse

horse rider

Anyone who has daily contact with horses will know what a state they can get into and they don't seem to mind it either! If you own a horse, cleaning out the stable every morning can be met with something that's not unlike a good deal of grumpiness. Although not all horses are like this, the majority appear to prefer their straw all smelly and messed up. In fact, I'm sure you'll agree that once you've managed to work your way around the stable and have eventually got the clean straw all nicely laid out, the first thing your beloved horse does is roll on its back and mess it up (just the way they like it).

The Dangers of a Dirty Stable

The trouble with a dirty stable is straw will hide all sorts of mites, fleas and other parasites that can be a danger to your horse. Once they get their teeth into its skin, your horse could end up with allergies, bacterial and fungal infections; not to mention the various viruses that can take hold.

This can cause your horse to become agitated, even grumpier than usual and in some cases pretty ill. This is why it's important to not only keep the stable clean but that you have a daily hygiene routine for your horse as well.

The Hygiene Routine

Aside from a good brush every-day, your horse will need some extra help to keep its skin and coat in really good condition. One of the best ways to do this is to use a horse shampoo that's formulated to keep its coat looking its best but, will also make sure that any nasty parasites that might be lurking around are killed off.

Of course, you can't forget a mane tail shampoo as well. There are products on the market formulated specifically for this part of your horse's body and this needs just as much attention as the rest of its body.

Brands Available

A vet is possibly the best place to start if you're looking for a horse shampoo for the first time. They will be able to offer products that are tried and tested. However, you should keep an eye out for the ingredients. Many of the products a vet will offer you contain Benzoyl Peroxide which can be irritating, not just for the horse, but for you as well.

If you don't like the idea of this ingredient being present in shampoos you use, try looking for something that contains Thrixsolene. This ingredient is just as effective at killing any fleas, mites, ticks or other parasites that might be hiding on your precious pet. However, it's more natural and less harsh.

This ingredient is also very effective when used as part of a routine when your horse has contracted a skin condition due to these parasites so, it can be used with this as well. Just remember though that prevention is better than a cure.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7742763

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Free Horse Racing Tips - Teach Your Equine Respect

We teach our children to respect older people and we know that as grownups we must also respect those who are in higher positions to attain a balanced relationship in a society. This trait must also be taught to our equines so that we will have a healthy relationship with them as well.

This free horse racing tips may not provide you with clues to win the race but the advices here are essential in nurturing equines so that they can perform well during the sport or in their tasks. We must consider their wellness behind the arena because neglecting it will never get them on track. Pet owners must find it enjoyable to have an equine and this can only happen if their pets know respect.

The first thing that owners must consider is to understand the nature of their pets. Equines feel safer when they are in a herd. Before people domesticated them, they travel in groups so that their predators will find it hard to get a taste of them when they are a herd. In it, they also have their hierarchy.

It means that they have a dominant horse bossing them around. The dominant one can make the others follow him by pinning its ears, lowering the head and moving forward with power. The boss can further hurt the others when they do not follow by kicking or biting them.

Make your equine feel safe and be the boss for them so that they can easily follow your lead. You can provide them with a good shelter to keep away other animals and pests from hurting them. The shelter you provide must have proper ventilation. They must feel warm during the extreme cold or cool during the extreme heat.

Provide a trough that is only for water and another one for the fodder in case grass is not available. Always have a good veterinarian who can assist you and you can contact anytime. They can provide professional care which can make your equine extra healthy, strong and resistant to illnesses.

Check the physical condition of your pet and know the sicknesses that can inflict them during summer or winter. If it is your first time to have an equine, read more horse tips in the internet or ask pros about your pet so that you will know the proper treatment and care.

Feed with them with the right food and make them feel comfortable all the time. Your equine may never speak your language but your good actions will tell them everything that you want them to know. Have the right equipment for riding as well for your safety. Keep their shelter clean and their water fresh.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7715924

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How To Make A Profit From Betting On Horse Racing

How many times have you heard the phrase, "it's a mugs game"? A lot of times I suggest? And that phrase is almost always associated with horse racing, betting and getting out on the favourite. And, do you know what? I agree.

It is a mugs game more often than not. Why? It is quite simple really. The average punter is not a disciplined punter. He has a pocket full of money and bets a small stake on the first horse. It wins!! Great, he is in profit. Does he stop betting? Of course not! He is on a winning streak! So, the next bet is placed with a larger stake. Usually the next stake is the winnings from the first bet plus the original stake, and the bet loses. Got to have another bet now because that loser was a little unlucky in running, or the jockey waited too long before mounting a challenge or any other reason that can be taken from an endless list of reasons. And so the day goes on, as with most punters, no discipline, no betting bank, no proven method of picking out horses with reasonable chances, no staking plan and so they end up betting on the favourite to "get them out". Absolutely crazy! But this scenario, or very close to it, happens daily to punter after punter.

That is why you don't see a poor bookmaker! Another very well worn cliche but, again, so true. Bettors do not know how to bet, it is as simple and straightforward as that. How do I know this to be true? Because I used to be that punter. I was alongside 98% of bettors who lose on a regular basis. What a statistic. Just 2% of bettors, long - term, show a profit. Do you recognise yourself in this scenario? Read the above again and be honest with yourself. Now do you see yourself? Yes? I thought so! Now, believe it or not, I got lucky. My passion has been horse racing for more than 40 years, and I eventually got tired of losing.

I had a wealth of knowledge, but I couldn't piece it together. It was like a 1000 piece jigsaw all jumbled up in the box. I needed to step back and make this jigsaw into a masterpiece! It took some time, a lot of discipline and courage, but I did it. I can now say, honestly, that I am in the 2% of bettors who make a profit, long - term. And I was back enjoying the sport that I had loved for so many years.

So, as a piece of advice to you, let me say... step back from what you are doing and try to piece your jigsaw together in a different way. You might just be like me and have all the pieces, but not in the right order. It can be done! Good luck!

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Horse Racing Can Be A Profitable Pastime

Betting systems. Betting tipsters. Betting. What a minefield?

For any new punter starting out, it is desperately difficult to find a genuine, honest and profitable approach to make your betting pay. Let's start with betting systems as mentioned earlier. There are literally 1000's of systems to choose from and a whole lot more you can make of your own. But, believe me, every system has a shelf life. The system can work for week after week as you paper trade the findings, not yet risking your money on the selections. Then, all of a sudden, when you place your bets using real money, the system fails you and the losses start to mount up. Most people's answer to that is to scrap the system and start again.

Why is that you ask? It is difficult to answer truthfully and accurately, but that is what happens with most systems. There has not been a system invented that can continually make profits. My answer has been to find an approach, not a system. A subtle difference but a big difference when it comes to making money from betting on horse racing. The best way I can explain an approach, is by way of my experience over a period of more than 40 years. I have watched countless races, read the form of countless horses, and with that study it is possible to see certain patterns emerge. I noted these patterns until I had a set of rules which I apply to every system I read and to every horse selection given. The rules are set in stone. They are proven reasons why horses win or horses lose. Obviously these rules are not 100% accurate, they can't be. But they do save me from betting on a ton of losers that once I would have bet on. That, in a nutshell, is my approach.

Next up is the tipster. Wow! What an even bigger task that is to find a reliable, honest and profitable tipster. I am afraid to say that the words honest and tipster do not always belong in the same sentence. For every genuine tipster you find, you will have been required to experience probably hundreds of less reliable, less honest tipsters to find that "one". Unscrupulous people cleverly taking people's hard earned money from them with a promises of future riches. Don't you believe it! Again, truthfully, I have witnessed this scenario myself. I have trusted others and then very quickly, I have been let down and disappointed. It has taken me many years to set out my own way forward and to offer better than the rest. Not an easy task, believe me, but I have achieved it.

I have spent so many years getting to the point I have reached today whereby I can honestly say "I make money from betting on horses".

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Funny Horse

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Horse Rating Betting Selections With 7 Years Of Stats

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Think about it for a second… if a system with rigid rules is applied to an ever changing world in horse racing where the main competitors are animals, and the underfoot conditions change very quickly how can you expect to profit over the long term?

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HORSEBACK RIDING INJURY PREVENTION TIPS

Research suggests that the risk of a fatal injury while horseback riding is higher than for sports such as hockey and football and that is why it is important to think first before riding. Here are ThinkFirst Canada’s top tips for reducing your risk of sustaining a catastrophic injury while riding a horse. This information is taken from Chapter 44 “Horseback Riding” in the ThinkFirst book entitled Catastrophic Injuries in Sports and Recreation: Causes and Prevention – A Canadian Study edited by Charles H. Tator and published by the University of Toronto Press in 2008.

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Brutal dealing with horses

An investigation conducted by Sky News in a slaughterhouse north of Britain, from dealing

  brutal exposed horses, such as the slaughter and export of meat to the European markets.

Watch this vedeo on youtube

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Horse care and health

DoWnLoAd ThiS FREE BooK

                                                     This comprehensive guide covers everything a horse owner needs to know to keep a horse in good health. Equine expert Cherry Hill addresses everything from safe handling, housing, and feeding to dental care, hoof care, protection from parasites, wound care, injections, horse clothing, and much more.

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Choosing The Best Bit For A Young Horse

When starting a young horse, (or when riding any horse for that matter) the two most important and influential pieces of tack are in my opinion, the saddle and the bit. The saddle is important for obvious reasons, but the bit often seems to be overlooked as being an equally important piece of equipment. The bit is one of the primary means of communication with your horse in his early years, and whilst the rider is always working towards the primary use of legs and seat, with horses being flighty creatures there will always be occasions when the bit will play an important roll!

The selection of the first bits can shape the horses whole riding career, a bad experience at the beginning may set up a lifetime of resistance. Some horses are more sensitive than others, and while one horse may be ridden in an unsuitable bit and tolerate it with no consequences, another more sensitive equine may take longer to resolve issues caused by a badly fitting or chosen bit. The very first bit you put in your horses mouth should be inoffensive and warm. It also should ideally not have large rings or be of a cheek style that could easily catch or hurt the horse, as his first instinct may be to try and rub his mouth on anything he can to remove the offending article! For example, a suitable bit would be a nylon loose ring snaffle. It is inexpensive to buy, with a nylon mullen mouth so it is warm and a mullen mouth so it is comfortable, with no moving parts to pinch or scare the horse. The rings are also very small and neat so there s minimal chance of getting caught up.

The next step is the choice of bit as the first bit for backing and riding away. The nylon snaffle is not suitable for this purpose, as the mouthpiece is not reinforced, and the small rings may drag through the horses mouth when asking for a turn. I would always recommend the use of a double jointed bit, which does not have the nutcracker action of a single joint, which can pinch the bars ad lips as well as hitting the palette- not a pleasant first experience! A double joint will lay neatly in the horses mouth and allow room for the horses tongue, giving the horses a feeling of freedom and not restriction. This mouthpiece should not be too thick- a thick bit is not as kind as you would think, the only advantage being a larger bearing surface. This is outweighed by not allowing enough room for the tongue, and often they can be responsible for causing lip splitting- especially in young tender lips. Plastic mouthpieces also have a habit of causing friction burns if the horse snatches or the bit is pulled through the horses mouth quickly – a distinct possibility with a mouthy youngster! The mouthpiece should ideally be made of a pleasant tasting metal, e.g. copper or sweet iron, as this will encourage the horse to relax his jaw and ‘make a mouth’ in other words to produce saliva to keep his mouth soft, comfortable and responsive.

Lastly, cheek selection is less obvious, as it is partly dependent on the ability of the rider. A loose ring is ideal as it gives a lot of sensitivity and movement, allowing for good communication, but this can work against you if you are inexperienced and have less stable hands. The horse in this case will feel every little vibration via the rein and could become agitated rather than relaxed. A full cheek is a good choice for a novice rider/novice horse as it helps encourage the horse to turn by applying pressure to the cheek if the horse does not turn with gentle pressure on the rein, and the solid style of the cheek is less sensitive to rider movement. For a more experienced rider, a fulmer may be used as you have the advantage of the loose ring for finer communication if steering is still an issue.

Examples of bits I would recommend are the French link or lozenge snaffle, but I especially like the Sprenger KK ultra bits, as they have been designed with the horses anatomy in mind using a patented material called Aurigan for the mouthpiece. This metal vastly improves the palatability and mouthing properties of the bit. They also have an angled lozenge designed to sit perfectly on the horses tongue to provide optimum communication whilst keeping the horse relaxed and attentive. It must however be remembered that every horse is an individual, and conformation and temperament play a big part in finding the most suitable bit for your horse.

We always advise our customers on the choice of bit and offer a hire service, to ensure the correct bit is found before a second mortgage is needed! It must be remembered that the any bit is only as good as the hands that are using it, but finding the right bit for your horse can make the most enormous difference to how much of his true potential he will eventually fulfil.

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