Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society 

Charity Registration No: 297893

~~  HORSE CARE  ~~ 

Why do we need to vaccinate?

 A vaccination is a specifically-made medicine, usually given by injection, which stimulates the body to produce an immune response to a particular infection.  EHPPS requires that all fostered horses and ponies receive regular vaccination against tetanus and equine influenza. 

TETANUS  -  (‘lockjaw’)

When  - Initial course consists of two injections given approximately four to six weeks apart followed by a booster at one year and further boosters at two-year intervals. 

Why - Tetanus is a severely debilitating and life threatening bacterial disease, which can enter the body through small wounds (that may go unnoticed). Sadly, infected horses and ponies often die or have to be euthanized.

 Horses and ponies are particularly susceptible because of their living conditions, and their tendency to incur small injuries - dirty puncture wounds on the sole of the foot are a common site of infection.  Infection can also be acquired after eating contaminated soil or droppings, via the intestines.  Vaccination should be used in conjunction with good  husbandry. Not only should wounds be cleaned as soon as they occur (if in doubt contact your vet), but paddocks, stables and stable yards should be kept safe, clean and clear of dangerous items such as old tractor parts, corrugated iron sheets and building materials that may cause injury.

 EQUINE INFLUENZA

When - Annual vaccination against equine influenza (usually given with tetanus vaccination). 

 Why  - ‘Flu’ is a viral respiratory disease, which can  result in days or weeks off work, and spreads very quickly via coughing.  Vaccination is important as it reduces the chance of infection, the severity of infection if it occurs so recovery is quicker therefore reducing the risk of spread to other horses.

Laminitis is a highly traumatic and painful condition, that can affect ponies and horses, and requires immediate first aid treatment provided by your veterinary surgeon and farrier. Laminitis is a major vascular crisis that results in inflammation and weakening of the laminal structures and bonds within the horses hoof. The damage to the hoof tissue could be severe and may cause rotation and sinking of the pedal bone. The following symptoms may indicate the presence of laminitis:

Difficulty in walking and turning;

Standing awkwardly with more weight on hind legs, whilst shifting weight from one foot to another;

Hooves may feel warm to touch with increased digital artery pulse rate;

Depression at coronary band.

The blood supply to the hoof has been disturbed through a laminitic trigger factor that affects the horse’s metabolism. Possible trigger factors include diet, toxaemia, stress, hoof concussion or another condition e.g. Equine Cushing’s Disease.  As a result of metabolic disturbance, blood vessels have become constricted, thereby reducing oxygen and other nutrients to the hoof and laminal tissues. The laminae become damaged and weakened and pull away from the hoof wall.  The pedal bone is no longer supported by laminal structure and begins to rotate and descend towards the sole.  The tissue in the sole of the foot becomes compressed, more blood vessels collapse leading to further crushing and subsequent infection. 

It is important that laminitis treatment begins swiftly and advice followed carefully to
increase the likelihood of a full recovery for your horse   

Your farrier or surgical farrier will trim & re-balance hooves using those x-rays

We use Equine Dentist, Gary Singh Khakhian, to check and administer dental treatment to our horses and ponies.

Once a year however, Gary brings in some of his colleagues and they give us a day of treatments absolutely free. This not only helps our purse strings, but also gives the dentist plenty of opportunity to deal with a wider variety of horses, thus increasing their experience. Here are some of the photographs from the last visit on 27 April 2007.

What is there to know?

It's the same old story... no teeth, no horse. Your horse's teeth are the result of millions of years of evolutionary change. The horse has adapted to the changing environment over the years resulting in a grazing animal. Their teeth have developed to cope with a grass diet - front teeth (incisors) for cutting the grass and back teeth (cheek teeth) for chewing. Their teeth have a high resistance to wear and tear and have irregular surfaces for the continuous grinding motion eating involves. Your horse needs regular check-ups to make sure the teeth are wearing down properly.  Domesticated horses find themselves in conditions very different to those in the wild. These conditions affect the growth and wear of the teeth. Domestication, change in diet and using a bit, alter the way your horse lives, eats and moves which has a significant effect on the teeth.

How often should my horse's teeth be checked?

Ideally they should be checked at least once a year.

The equine dentist or vet vet will look for a variety of common problems, including:

Cracked teeth.

Mouth ulcers and sore areas of mucosa.

Gum inflammation.

Problems with tooth eruption.

Sharp teeth edges and hooks.

Teeth misalignments including parrot mouth or sow mouth.

Wolf teeth interference.

Newborn foals should have their mouths checked for any abnormalities. Within a few weeks of life foals will develop four incisors: two at the top and two at the bottom. The vet/equine dentist will need to check if they are erupting properly and that all 24 cheek teeth are coming through. Eventually the 12 premolars will be replaced by permanent teeth. The molars do not have precursors, so these remain throughout the foal's life. Having your foal's teeth checked at such a young age will ensure he becomes accustomed to having his mouth handled.

2-4 year old horses start to produce their permanent teeth. The vet/equine dentist needs to check that these are erupting and coming through properly at the right time, he will also assess if they are causing irritation to the soft tissues (gums) around them.

5 year old horses should have all their permanent teeth. The vet/equine dentist needs to check them to make sure they have all erupted without causing any problems. Canine teeth are often seen in stallions and geldings, these will erupt between the ages of four and five years. Female horses (25-30%) have rudementary canine teeth. At this age the vet may rasp the cheek teeth to ensure there are no uncomfortable sharp edges.

Horses over 5 years old will have had their permanent teeth for a while. It is essential that your vet/equine dentist sees your horse regularly to look for any problems, rasp any sharp edges or hooks and check for decay or damage. A horse that receives regular dental care will keep his teeth for up to 5 years longer than a horse who does not.

Horses over 15 years old will have a higher incidence of dental problems because of wear and tear and 6-monthly examinations may be necessary to prevent further deterioration.  If you are not sure how old your horse is, your vet/equine dentist will be able to estimate his age by careful examination of the appearance and conformation of the teeth. The teeth can provide information for an 'informed guess' of the age.

Rasping is a very common job for an equine dentist or vet which can be done at home. It involves using various sized rasps to remove sharp enamel points and hooks from cheek teeth, levelling tall or long teeth, rounding and smoothing of teeth to improve the fit of the bit.  A dental mouth gag may be used to keep your horses mouth open throughout the procedure - no pain is involved - preventing your horse from biting the dentist by accident. Rasping may sometimes involve sedating your horse if he is particularly lively or if extensive work needs to be done - your horse may have to go to an equine hospital if this is the case or a vet may attend at your yard for this purpose.

How can I tell if my horse has a problem with his teeth?

If you have ever had problems with your own teeth, you will know how miserable it can make you feel, well horses can feel just the same.   Keep an eye out for abnormal behaviour:

Aggressive butting or shaking of hay before eating it - your horse will try to knock off the leaves to make chewing easier.

Drinking less - cold water may cause discomfort to decaying teeth.

Dropping half-chewed food (quidding) - related to mouth pain or incorrect alignment of teeth.

Eating food slowly - reflects painful teeth.

Head shaking or peculiar head carriage while being ridden - indicating discomfort in the mouth and possible dental problems.

Head-shaking while eating - caused by a painful mouth.

Putting hay in his water bucket - horses will soak the hay to make it easier to chew and swallow.

Reluctance to work in collection, 'on the bit' - when the reins pull on the bit, the horse's lips are pulled towards the first cheek teeth, it's essential that this area is kept free from sharp or rough edges.

You will also be able to notice other unusual signs:

Bad breath (halitosis) - a sign of dental decay, just like humans.

Drooling excessively - reflects painful teeth.

Increased incidence of some types of colic.

Nasal discharges.

Sores on tongue, lips or gums - a result of sharp points and hooks.

Swellings on the face or lower jaw.

Tongue sticking out of mouth - your horse will try and keep his tongue away from sharp teeth edges.

Weight loss - because your horse is unable to eat properly.