Friday 27 February 2015

Minor Wounds and Nursing a Sick Horse.



Minor Wounds

There are 5 main types of minor wounds:

  • Bruise.  Kicks, knocks or blows cause bruises.  The skin usually remains unbroken and sometimes there is swelling but not always.  Pain levels tend to vary. 
  • Graze. The top layer of skin has usually been 'scraped' (much as with a human graze).  These wounds don't bleed much but there could be foreign objects in the wound. 
  • Incision. This is a clean cut caused by something sharp eg: glass or a knife. 
  • Laceration.  Is a tear wound which has rough edges.  These are caused by barbed wire or thorns amongst other things.  

This is a laceration which is starting to heal.

  • Puncture. This type of wound is often difficult to find because the entry point is small.  These wounds can be very deep and there can be a foreign body inside the wound which can cause infection.

 
Treating Minor Wounds
  • Identify the wound and assess the damage.  For many minor wounds it will not be necessary to call the vet.  Although, you should ensure the horse is up to date with his Tetanus vaccinations. 
  • If the wound is bleeding you will need to  apply some pressure to stop it. Apply pressure directly on the wound, bearing in mind it may be sore.  If there is a large object in the wound apply pressure above the wound.   Use something sterile ideally but if nothing else is available a piece of cloth will do.  If the bleeding is profuse or pulsing the vet SHOULD be called. 
  • Clean the wound. This can ideally be done with a hose.  Using low pressure and directing the water above the wound to wash the wound.  It is a good idea to get your horse used to the water by directing it onto the hoof first and slowly moving it up the leg.  Hosing for 10 - 20 minutes will also help reduce inflammation.  If it is not possible to hose the wound use cotton wool and boiled salt water which has cooled.  Each piece of cotton wool should only be used for one 'wipe' and you should work from the outside in.  Be gentle and make sure you have removed all foreign bodies from the wound.

  • For small wounds or bruises it is better to then leave the wound open as this will speed up the healing process.  Similarly if you have called the vet leave the wound open so that they can inspect it fully and stitch if necessary.  For some wounds it will be necessary to dress them to keep them clean.  This can be something as simple as a covering with a non-adhesive dressing and bandaging in place.


Nursing a Sick Horse

Unfortunately there are occasions when a horse has to be confined to his box to aid recovery.  This is often due to injury which means the horse's movement  needs to be limited.   This is obviously not a natural state for a horse and so everything must be done to ease the situation and stress it is likely to cause.


Key Points:

  • A clean environment; bedding should be clean and deep.  The type of bedding should also be considered as shavings and other woodchip beddings can become stuck to wounds, straw can get caught around a horses legs if they are unable to lift their legs high.  Make sure the bed is deep and comfortable  to reduce the strain on limbs and take it all the way to the door.  Box rested horses often spend more time standing by the door looking out! 
  • Ventilation; the stable should be well ventilated but the horse should not be in a draught as this will not help their recovery. 
  • Feed little and often; clear any uneaten forage away but do not leave a stabled horse without food for more than a couple of hours.  Putting hay in a haylage net will slow their eating.  Alternatively you may want to spread the hay around to encourage a little movement - be warned that this will make for a very messy stable!  Pick some grass and feed some succulents (eg: carrots).  If the horse was in hard work and being fed a high concentrate feed then it will be necessary to cut the concentrate and increase bulk to avoid any problems.  
  • Access to clean fresh water; make sure the water bucket is kept topped up.  Empty, scrub and refill once a day.  If the horse has an automatic waterer in the stable you may wish to tie this up and use a bucket so that you can monitor his drinking whilst he is unwell. 
  • Keep the horse warm;  ensure he is warm but not hot.  Using an appropriate weight rug for the temperature and horse.  Feel the base of his ears to test if he is warm enough.  Stable bandages may be necessary to help keep him warm. 
  • Peace and quiet; the horse will also need to have plenty of time to rest and sleep to allow his body to recover.


  •  Grooming; may need to be reduced to a quick brush and wipe of the eyes, nose and dock.  A horse feeling under the weather is likely to resent  a long grooming session. 
  • Walk in hand; if the vet has agreed (and you can do it safely) take the horse for a walk in hand and graze. This will allow him some fresh air and a leg stretch.  However, some horses can become over excited by this so a bridle may be needed for more control. 
  • You may need to feed a calming supplement if the horse is the type to get stressed, there are many natural ones available now. 
  • Providing toys or treats hung from the ceiling (eg: a swede) will provide some stimulation and keep the horse occupied.

  • Follow the vet's instructions and keep records of the horse's progress and medication.
Have you seen this weeks vlog 'One Day in February' ?
Horse Life and Love. Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for updates on Chesney, Basil, Fidget and Daisy.

Until next time!
Jo

Thursday 26 February 2015

Photo Day

We are definitely enjoying the slightly warmer weather - I hate having frozen toes - but the mud ....


 ....  let's just say it is pretty bad!

About this time of year I start panicking, no grass, mud everywhere, the field has never looked so bad!  Actually it looks just about the same every year in February/March and every year it DOES recover.

  

There are little signs of spring, the snowdrops are out on the lane and the birds are singing more (I am sure they are)!


So it can't be long now, there must be little grass shoots appearing soon.



Still, Basil and I are enjoying the bright crisp days too and getting out and about with our hi-viz kit!


Poor Daisy is still having a difficult time with the neighbours cat chasing her up trees, but she feels safe when I am about!


Chesney and Basil have started moulting their winter coats, Fidget is still hanging on to his at the moment!



It will soon be time to start our Spring makeovers .....


mane pulling and trimming .....


tail washing and trimming .....


and general beautifying (is that a word?).....


so that they all look super smart for summer, can't wait!

Have you seen yesterday's vlog 'One day in February'.   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook for updates on Chesney, Basil, Fidget and Daisy.

Until next time!
Jo



Tuesday 24 February 2015

101 of the Greatest Equestrians



I thought it would be fun to put together a list of the greatest Equestrian's.  I set myself the challenge of coming up with 101. 

I have included family members separately as they are Equestrian's in their own right.  There will be more British riders as they are the ones I am familiar with.   I'm sure there are some very good ones I have missed - let me know!

In no particular order .....
  1. John Whitaker
  2. Michael Whitaker
  3. Charlotte Dujardin
  4. Ferdi Eilberg
  5. Michael Eilberg
  6. Carl Hester
  7. Jenni Lorriston-Clark
  8. Polly Phillips
  9. Caroline Powell
  10. Karin Donckers
  11. William Fox-Pitt
  12. Karen Dixon
  13. Mark Todd
  14. Marion Coakes (Mould)
  15. Lucinda Green (Prior-Palmer)
  16. Monty Roberts
  17. Frankie Dettori
  18. Andrew Nicholson
  19. Scott Brash
  20. Ben Maher
  21. Lee Pearson
  22. Sophie Christiansen
  23. Lucinda Frederiks (Murray)
  24. Clayton Frederiks
  25. Mary King
  26. Liz Edgar
  27. Zara Phillips
  28. Gareth Hughes
  29. Ian Stark
  30. Laura Tomlinson (Bechtolsheimer)
  31. Ginny Leng
  32. Robert Whitaker
  33. Ellen Whitaker
  34. Nick Skelton
  35. David Broome
  36. William Funnell
  37. Pippa Funnell
  38. Guy Williams
  39. Laura Renwick
  40. Geoff Billington
  41. Tim Stockdale
  42. Robert Smith
  43. Oliver Townend
  44. Sam Griffiths
  45. Michael Jung
  46. Lucy Wiegersma
  47. Piggy French
  48. Andrew Hoy
  49. Bettina Hoy
  50. Jeanette Breakwell
  51. Harry Meade
  52. Ludger Beerbaum
  53. Billy Twomey
  54. Malin Baryard
  55. Ludo Philippearts
  56. Nicola Wilson
  57. Emile Faurie
  58. Willie Carson
  59. Richard Dunwoody
  60. Dick Francis
  61. Tony McCoy
  62. Lester Piggott
  63. Peter Scudamore
  64. Bob Champion
  65. Richard Johnson
  66. Mark Phillips
  67. Princess Anne
  68. HRH The Queen
  69. Bruce Davidson
  70. Phillip Dutton
  71. Kristina Cook (Gifford) 
  72. David O'Connor
  73. Karen O'Connor
  74. Pat Parelli
  75. Linda Parelli
  76. Pat Smythe
  77. Marion Hughes
  78. Harvey Smith
  79. Anky van-Grusnven
  80. Alois Podhasky
  81. Reiner Klimke
  82. Ingrid Klimke
  83. Richard Meade
  84. Mike Tucker
  85. Sheilah Willcox
  86. Rodney Powell
  87. Jock Paget
  88. Dag Albert
  89. Austin O'Connor
  90. Jonelle Price
  91. Tim Price
  92. Pierre Durand
  93. Mary Gordon-Watson
  94. Chris Bartle
  95. Ian Millar
  96. Vittoria Panizzon
  97. Blyth Tait
  98. Jan Tops
  99. Marcus Ehning
  100. Jean-Yves Touzaint
  101. Paul Schockemohle


Tomorrow I will be uploading a 'Follow me in February' vlog.  
Click here to see last weeks vlog. Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook for updates on Chesney, Basil, Fidget and Daisy.

Until next time!
Jo