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QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER ADDITION#2
WINTER 2005 NEWSLETTER
December 21 the first day of winter! Already I am
missing summer and anticipating all of those warm days that will be spent
working with horses. Having lived all over the U.S. as well as outside of it, I
have discovered that while there are places with more snow and ice there are few
places that have such damp coldness to their winters like we experience here in
Washington! Therefore the need to ‘winterize’ our horses becomes very important
if you want a healthy horse to ride come spring. Here are some tips and
suggestions I have found helpful:
First of all you want to make certain that your horses are up to date on all of
their worming medications as well as their vaccinations. A good rule of thumb is
to have a five-way administered by your veterinarian routinely. Young foals are
highly susceptible to certain infectious diseases, such as Eastern and Western
equine encephalitis, rhinopneumonitis, tetanus, and equine influenza. The risk
of these infections does not diminish with age. Other disease vaccinations may
be recommended by your vet depending on where you live.
Next you will want to have your vet take a look at your horse’s mouth. I know, I
know, it appears as if more money is spent during the months you cannot even
ride! But it will all be worth the effort during the seasons you can ride every
day. Think of it as vehicle maintenance. You want your vehicle to run properly
at all times so you take special care to ensure you do not get stranded
somewhere. Same is true of your equine friend; they have maintenance needs just
like any other form of transportation you might use. However, horses are
infinitely more valuable to me than any of my cars or trucks!
So, as your vet looks ask him or her if your horses teeth need dental work.
Floating is a rather simple procedure that files down the ‘hooks’ or points that
can lacerate the gums. Your horse will not keep their winter weight on very
easily if there are dental problems! You could end up spending much more on feed
than you had anticipated if your horse is unable to chew its food properly. It
is best to take the time and spend a little more on dental work and saving more
money on hay and grain!
Proper ‘equine maintenance’ in the winter can ensure healthy happy horses for
those warmer seasons of riding we are all looking forward to!
See ya in the Spring!
The RocknBRanch
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