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Road to Rockport (Remy) came to The Horse Rescue with various (but fixable) problems. He has no topline, fungus on his hind legs, bad hooves, and a very sun-bleached coat. To get this guy back into shape, we developed a plan specific to him. The plan is made up of four sections: feeding/turnout, grooming, riding, vet/farrier.
Feeding and Turnout: Since Remy isn't underweight, but rather just lacking a top line, he will receive ½ scoop of Tribute Kalm Ultra twice daily. Remy will also get Hoof Aid Special by Cavalor. According to our farrier, he has no hind foot to even put shoes on him. He has torn so many shoes off due to poor management, he has no good hoof to put a shoe on. Hoof Aid Special will help him grow hoof so we can eventually get shoes on his hind feet. We are also going to put Remy on Cosequin ASU to help him feel good as we increase his work. For his forage, we will give him two flakes of alfalfa daily and will also get free choice grass hay. Remy’s turn out schedule is four hours a day in a grass pasture. We will not turn him out until the field is dry from the dew. Wet grass can play havoc on a horse's hooves, so we are taking that into consideration with his turnout plan. Grooming: Grooming will be done daily to help remove the sun-bleached hair. We will apply Farrier Barrier on the hooves 4-5 days a week. Remy has had some bad luck with his hooves. Farrier Barrier will help prevent any thrush from developing while hardening the sole and wall of his hooves. Washing with anti-fungal shampoo will be done twice a week for the hind legs, and Banixx will be applied on the infected area daily. Banixx helps eliminate fungus and bacteria. Riding: His riding schedule is five days a week of work, starting with 15 minutes. We will then increase 5 minutes every week, until we reach up to 30 minutes of riding. We walk every 5 minutes of work to allow him to catch his breath and revover. Just like interval training. This plan is to help Remy increase his stamina and improve his topline, but also making sure we do this gradually to account for the other problems Remy currently has. Vet & Farrier: The vet and farrier schedule includes multiple tasks. First, Remy’s shoes will be switched from aluminium to steel shoes (only if he has enough foot for the shoes to go on, but if there isn’t, Farrier Barrier will continue to be applied on feet until there is enough healthy foot). The vet will administer fall vaccinations, check teeth to see if he needs his teeth floated, and deworm Remy using Panacur. If we feel the need, the vet will perform flexion tests. We will revisit Remy’s progres in 30 days and update you on his improvements.
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 Horses are strong, beautiful animals. Like all animals, however, they suffer from their fair share of health conditions. Here are a few of the most common equine health problems, including their symptoms and possible treatment options.
1. Arthritis Arthritis is a painful joint disease that is also known as Degenerative Joint Disease. It affects many horses, and it can be difficult to manage. The most common symptoms include stiffness while running, walking, or moving; inflamed joints that appear larger than normal; and heat in the joint area. If the arthritis has progressed, your horse may become lame. If your horse has arthritis, you will need to exercise her much more carefully than usual, giving her plenty of time to warm up and exercising for shorter periods of time with less intensity. Your vet may recommend oral medication or injections to help control the inflammation. He or she may also recommend certain exercises to help increase your pet's mobility. 2. Colic Colic is not a particular disease, but rather a term used to describe a range of gastrointestinal horse ailments. Signs of distress may include constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive salivating, rolling, lethargy, and other signs of pain. Your vet may recommend changing your pet's diet or water, better hydration, better eating habits, and deworming. 3. Hoof Problems Your horse may experience hoof problems, like laminitis, from time to time. Laminitis is the inflammation of the inside of the hoof, and it's quite common for horses. Horses also commonly experience other issues with their hooves, including injuries. You should watch for anything abnormal, including smells, cracks, shoe problems, or signs of pain. The horse may also avoid using the afflicted hoof. Treatment for laminitis includes cold packs and anti-inflammatory drugs. Treatment options for other injuries depend on the type and cause of injury. 4. Eye Problems Horses commonly experience eye problems such as infections and injuries. These range from mild concerns like conjunctivitis to larger issues like glaucoma and serious injuries. Signs and symptoms vary but may include tearing, watery eyes, redness, thick discharge (which may be yellow or green if infected), cloudiness, sensitivity to light, and squinting. Your horse may exhibit signs that the eye is painful or itchy. If the problem is an infection, the vet may recommend a treatment like Terramycin to clear it up quickly. If the problem is caused by an injury, the treatment will vary depending on the severity of the injury. If your horse has developed glaucomaor another serious eye condition, your vet will review long-term treatment options with you. 5. Parasites Horses are especially prone to a range of parasites because they spend almost all their time outdoors. These parasites include ticks, lice, tapeworms, roundworms, lungworms, and pinworms. Check your horse thoroughly at regularly intervals for signs of external pests. You can usually spot them easily. However, internal parasites are more difficult to catch. Look for signs of distress, such as scratching (by rubbing against objects) or hair loss. Your horse should be dewormed on a regular basis, and you can remove other pests manually with your vet's guidance. Most horses will develop some health condition over the course of their life. However, many of these issues can be solved quickly and easily. If you believe your pet has any of the conditions mentioned above, see a vet for assistance ASAP. Listed below are some helpful resources referenced in the article that can provide some guidance for those looking for helpful information on pet supplies & medication: http://www.allivet.com/p-1292-terramycin-ophthalmic-ointment.aspx https://equusmagazine.com/management/internal-parasites-in-horses |
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