A week off !

I have decided to have a week off from blogging and You Tube.  I will be back on the 2nd January but in the meantime ...

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year

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

Until next time!

Jo

All About ... Sunburn & Photosensitivity

I know this is a funny topic for the middle of winter ... but I'm on the letter S !!!

What is it

Sunburn in horses is the same as in humans!  Hairless and/or white areas (non-pigmented) are most likely to be affected.  Chesney's nose is particularly susceptible!

Photosensitivity is more serious because it affects all skin and not just the non-pigmented areas. Photosensitivity is the result of a reaction the horse has had to something it has eaten , however, the skin problems don't appear until the horse is exposed to sunlight.   It can be a symptom of liver damage.

As with humans sunburn can result in an increased chance of cancer.

Signs

Areas of skin become :

• Red 
• Sore 
• Swollen 
• Peeling 
• Raw 
• Bleeding 
• Ooze serum

After long periods the skin will become dry and wrinkled with little hair. Horses with photosensitivity are likely to have more serious signs!

Causes

As with humans the hot sun on sensitive areas of skin will cause it to burn.  However, photosensitivity does not necessarily require hot sun! The causes of photosensitivity are thought to include:

• St John's Wort 
• Ragwort (because of damage to the liver) 
• Perennial Ryegrass 
• Red and Alsike Clover (because of damage to the liver) 
• Dyes 
• some types of drugs 
• etc ....

Diagnosis

If the horse shows serious sunburn, call the vet.  Visual examination will identify the sunburn. 


Treatment

Remove the horse to a  shaded stable or field shelter, this will provide some immediate relief.  If there are blisters which are oozing the vet should be called as any infection may need antibiotics.  

Prevention

Keep horse out of the sun at the hottest times of the day and when the sun is at its strongest.  It is therefore a good idea to stable the horse during the day.  Field shelters and trees provide good shade BUT horses don't always stand under them (Chesney won't).  Suncream can also help.  Full face fly masks are available with UV protection and full body fly sheets can also help. 

Have you seen this week's video 'Tommy's Christmas Tinsel'  on my You Tube channel?   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!

Jo

Looking forward to Christmas !

Looking forward to spending more time with my boys :)

 
Have you seen yesterday's video 'Tommy's Christmas Tinsel'  on my You Tube channel?   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!

Jo

Lusitano Horses

If you saw my video about 'Your Horse Live 2016' you will have seen  me talk about Lorenzo the Flying Frenchman.  The horses he works with are Lusitano - and they are beautiful!  Related to the Andalusian horses they were not recognised as an individual breed until the 1960's. 

Lusitano's are agile and sure footed making them a versatile and useful horse.  They are also hardy enough to be able to survive weather extremes!  

 History

The origin of the  Lusitano and Andalusian horses can be traced back to the wild horses of the Iberian Peninsula. 

They were used as war horses 1100 - 600 BC, later Barb blood was added (700AD) by invaders and the resulting horses (Iberian horses)were in demand as a cavalry horse but also for bullfighting and dressage displays. 

When the studbooks were established in the 1960's the Portuguese Iberian horses became known as Lusitano, the Spanish, Andalusian.

Characteristics

Height:  15hh to 16hh

Colour:  Usually grey.  Other solid colours are seen.

Conformation:  Small, straight head with expressive eyes.  A short thick neck and long sloping shoulders.  The 
body is compact and strong and the legs are strong and clean.

Temperament: Intelligent, bold, agile and willing.

Used  as good all round riding horses but also for driving, dressage and bull fighting .

Lusitano Breed Society of Great Britain website: http://www.lusobreedsociety.co.uk/

Did you see last week's video 'Riding on the Road' on my You Tube channel.   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.




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

Until next time!

Jo

All About ... Stringhalt

What is it

Stringhalt is a condition of the digital extensor tendons of the hindlegs.  Research is ongoing but the prognosis is poor.  However, it also does not necessarily mean the horse is in pain!

Signs

As a horse moves the hindlegs are raised alternately with sudden high action as though the horse is reacting to a sharp pain in the foot.  This is more extreme when the horse is turning or backing up.  It can affect both hindlegs equally or one might be worse.  Occasionally the forelegs are affected but this is more unusual and some horses show more extreme action than others. 


Causes

This is not a common disease, although I have known a horse with it.  The cause is not definitely known, although, toxicity is thought to cause the condition in some horses.  The origin of the condition seems to be neurological and not muscular.  Nerve damage would cause the inappropriate muscle reaction seen in the limbs.  This could be from an injury to the back, neck or leg and in these cases the stringhalt may improve as the injury heals.

Degenerative joint disease or disorders of the cartilage could be the cause.

 

 Diagnosis

Call the vet who will examine the horse.  X-rays or ultrasounds can help to identify any problems.


Treatment

When the condition is suspected to be caused by toxicity (a dandelion like plant is suspected) the horse should be removed from the pasture.  These horses are more likely to recover.  For other causes medication can help in some cases but is not a long term solution.

Prevention

In most cases prevention would be difficult, the plant mentioned does not always cause the condition when eaten!

Did you see Wednesday's video 'Riding on the Road' on my You Tube channel.   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!

Jo

Photo Day

Bottoms up!

 

Being a bit annoying while I'm trying to move the fence ...

  

 

 

 

 

Have you seen this week's video 'Riding on the Road!' on my You Tube channel.   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!

Jo