HORSE BEHAVIOR.

Horse are beautiful creatures, very lovable and adorable.The best way to get the very best out of horses is to provide adequate care,housing,medication, grooming and proper nutrition.The vast knowledge of equine management can not profit any handler or horse owner if the behavior of these horses are unknown. All animals have behavioral expressions of pain,excitement or aggression and passion.The horse responds to these emotions by kicking, kicking and more kicking.The horse also bites and chews but basically the weapon of defense is kicking. Why your horses kick and signs to indicate that a horse is about to kick. 1) horses kick when they are afraid or anxious.They kick when they want to resist a health protocol or normal stable routines..Horses that want to exert a dominating effect on other horses usually kick to get their way. 2) aggressive horses are natural kickers, they kick at will with the slightest provocation..3) kicking is their weapon of defense. HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE A HORSE IS ABOUT TO KICK; A kick from a horse is very fatal resulting massive fractures, paralysis and sometimes death depending on area of kick.When approaching a horse watch the mood as an unhappy horse will definitely kick. SIGNS TO INDICATE A HORSE IS ABOUT TO KICK;1) ear pinning; when the horse ears lay flat,the horse is about to exhibit an aggressive behavior such as biting,chewing and most definitely kicking. 2)Tail switching; when a horse repeatedly switch tail back and forth indicate a horse is about to kick.The switching is usually accompanied by lifting or a cocked hindleg. 3)Red ribbon; if you go for horse shows or horse games or you are in in horse stables and you observe a red ribbon on the horse or braided to the tail;stay away,the horse is a kicker. Horses react easily to changes in temperament,hence approach a horse with loving words and friendly gesture.The horse must see you approaching, never ever approach from the rear; this will make the horse jumpy and he will kick. Happy riding# enjoy your horse.

RABIES IN HORSES.

(pics culled from internet). Rabies a very fatal disease usually prevalent in dogs and wild animals,but also occurs in horses. The disease occurs from a bite from a rabid animal and usually fulminating in an unvaccinated horse. When a horse is infected with the rabies virus,the horse is unstable and anorexic.The skin is sensitive to touch and there are signs of limping/dragging .The horse is aggressive and easily excitable.The horse attacks surrounding objects,kicking and chewing them,the horse drools excessively and has great difficulty in swallowing. The horse chews,scratches at the bite-site.The gait is unsteady,with convulsions and paralysis.The typical signs exhibited depends on the form of rabies; the dumb and furious form. The dumb form, the horse is quiet,withdrawn and anorexic.The furious form shows the symptomatic signs already described.The signs also include fever,muscle spasms and incontinence.These signs appear quickly and proceed rapidly resulting in death in 2-5 days after onset of signs, Rabies virus can be transferred from horse-horse and also from horse-man especially handlers and owners.The zoonotic nature of the virus makes it an important horse disease that need to be prevented and monitored. Vaccination is the only form of prevention.Vaccinate foals at 6 months and give yearly booster.When a vaccinated horse is at risk of exposure to rabies may be following a bite from a wild animal or dogs then do the following;1) wash bite site with soap and water and isolate horse. 2)re vaccinate the horse immediately. 3)give plenty of fresh water.

The Threat of Rabies in Horses

The Threat of Rabies in Horses

COMMON MUSCLE PROBLEMS IN HORSES AND THE EFFECT ON PERFORMANCE.

Muscle pain and soreness affects horse performance. Read more about common causes here;http://www.thehorse.com/articles/29363/muscle-problems-can-cause-poor-equine-performance

ATYPICAL MYOPATHY IN HORSES.

Atypical myopathy refers to sudden onset of muscle pain and damage that is not related to disease but pasture.The condition is fatal and has been linked to inability to metabolize fat ; read more here; http://www.thehorse.com/articles/28461/understanding-atypical-myopathy

Equine Infectious Disease Control in Developing Countries

Equine Infectious Disease Control in Developing Countries

TETANUS IN HORSES.

Tetanus caused by a bacteria clostridium tetani. This bacteria is usually found in fecal matter and contaminated soil. The bacteria usually contaminate wound thus producing endotoxins.The signs are prolapse of 3rd eyelid,difficulty in walking,spasms of jaw and death by asphyxiation.Horses should be vaccinated annually and an antitoxin administered when there is an open wound.Treatment include muscle relaxants,antibiotics and supportive care. (pic culled from homestead horses )

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COMMON DISEASES IN HORSES.

Equine diseases are usually caused by viruses,bacterial and fungi .The severity depends on level of exposure,susceptibility of horse, and the time lapse for the treatment protocol.Vaccinations are important to prevent certain diseases that are usually fatal and have poor prognosis when the horse comes down with the infection. The diseases include 1) equine encephalomyelitis also referred to as sleeping sickness.These are 3 types a) Venezuelan b) Eastern c)Western .Its transmitted by mosquitoes after the insects have acquired virus from birds and rodents. Horse to horse transmission is rare also horse to human transmission is not common.The EEE and VEE have 90% fatality while the Western equine encephalomyelitis has 50% fatality.Signs include fever,nervousness,drowsiness,drooping ears,abnormal gait,circling and recumbency. The final stage of the disease is paralysis and death. The only form of prevention is vaccination,which is done annually/every 6 months.There is no specific treatment only supportive care and prognosis is very poor. LEPTOSPIROSIS. A bacterial infection affects most species of mammals.The infection in horses is usually mild but has certain side effects such as periodic opthalmia(moon blindness),kidney disease,hemolytic anemia and abortion in mares.The bacterial host is the rodent and treatment is by using antibiotics. POTOMAC HORSE FEVER. Caused by Rickettsia bacteria usually through the tick bite.The signs are depression,inappetence,fever,decrease/absent gut sounds and watery diarrhoea develops within 24-48 hours.The prevention is by vaccination.Treatment is by use of antibiotics.

HORSE MANAGEMENT.

Horse keeping and management is very vital to performance and health . The proper management can be achieved by following these tips; 1) nutritious food must be provided at the right quality and quantity. 2) Proper vaccinations and medications. 3) Hoof care and dental care. 4)Water should be available at all times and remember to check your source of water.Test every water source before you serve it. 5) The stables/barn must be properly ventilated.Enclosed housing should allow free flow of air to control temperature,humidity and prevent staleness of air. 6)The environment must be clean,dry and safe.The environment must be free from poisonous chemicals, paints,lead or rodent baits. 7)The enclosure/stable must have sufficient space for exercise. HOUSING RECOMMENDATION. The housing area must be clean and not waterlogged.It must be well covered to protect the horses from harsh weather and extreme temperature.The exposure to inclement weather,will predispose to rain rot .There must be adequate feed buckets,water bowls and dry bedding must be provided.The bedding must be clean and dry.The housing design can be a barn or stable or an open sided house.The building must be properly sited so that the horses have access to pasture and exercise area. There must be a storage section in the building to house the hay,grain,farm tools and other equipment.The store area must be clean and rodent proof to prevent contamination of feed.Diseases can occur if feed is contaminated by urine and fecal matter. The pasture area must be clean and well demarcated and must be free of objects such as nails,broken bottles,nylon bags ,iron coils e.t.c that can be injurious to the horses. Health care; this can be preventive or treatment.The preventive aspect involves vaccination,deworming program,hoof treatment and yearly teeth examination. Treatment will be medications, dressings,wound treatment and pain medication when injuries or accidents occur. photo credit; the horse.com.

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BANDAGING TECHNIQUES IN HORSES.

Bandaging Fundamentals

HORSES AND LAMINITIS.

Early detection gives better prognosis; watch out for these signs; http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35322/10-early-warning-signs-of-laminitis?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=lameness&utm_campaign=02-18-2015

Industrial potential: UK team produce beneficial phenolic compounds in tomatoes

Industrial potential: UK team produce beneficial phenolic compounds in tomatoes

THE EQUINE MIND: HORSY THOUGHTS.

What makes a horse ,a horse.What features stand them out?? find out. http://www.thehorse.com/articles/28836/the-equine-mind-top-10-things-to-know

COMMON TUMORS IN HORSES AND HOW TO TREAT .

Tumors and growth in horses http://www.thehorse.com/articles/27572/solid-tumors-in-horses-characteristics-and-treatments

How Prevalent are Lice in African Horses?

How Prevalent are Lice in African Horses?

ZEBRA STRIPES FOR YOUR HORSES.

Zebras are able to wade off blood sucking insects,this is one function the equine coat cant perform. The effects of blood sucking insects can be devastating,that why giving horses zebra stripes is considered an option. http://cs.thehorse.com/blogs/horse-news-weird/archive/2014/01/27/A-New-Meaning-to-Paint-Horse.aspx

VACCINATION SCHEDULE FOR HORSES.

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35029/infographic-vaccinating-your-horse?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=health-news&utm_campaign=12-16-2014

FINGER FOODS AND HAND HYGIENE.

Hand washing and sanitizing goes a long way to keep diseases at bay.I personally advocate carrying a small pack of sanitizer in your bag every time,just to ensure hands are clean. We all know the hand-mouth reflex,where 70% of the time you are holding,/carrying something/ someone or running your hands on the rails, walls,or picking up soiled toys/diapers e.t.c, and eventually we run those same hand across our mouth/simply eat with those hands. Food safety encompasses a lot of protocols but even if the processes are adopted and hands are dirty,or cooking area dirty.then food borne illness are prone to occur.Learn how to be safe with your food; http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/11/the-snack-attack-and-finger-food-flu/#.VjomXLerSM8