All About ... Poisoning.

What is it

Poisoning is when a substance interferes with normal body functions.  Poisons can enter the body by being swallowed, inhaled, injected or absorbed.  Some poisons will cause death immediately, others can be treated.
 

Signs

The sad truth is that with some poisons you will find a horse dead and only discover it is due to poisoning later.  However, in some cases symptoms can present early enough for treatment.

• Depression 
• Lack of appetite 
• Dehydration 
• Weight loss 
• Swelling 
• Laboured breathing 
• Death

Poisons injected (such as snake or insect bites) will cause:

• Swelling around the injection site 
• Salivation 
• Diarrhoea 
• Abdominal pain 
• Muscle twitching 
• Wobbling 
• Convulsions 
• Paralysis 
• Coma 
• Death

 

 Causes

• Poisonous plants (see my blog) 
• Insect bites 
• Snake bites (unusual in UK) 
• Chemicals from herbicides or pesticides

 

Diagnosis

Call the vet IMMEDIATELY.  Look around to see if you can identify any possible causes of the poisoning,  if possible take a sample of the plant or collect the insect (if safe to do so).  If a herbicide or pesticide is suspected ensure the vet is made aware and can see the container which lists the ingredients.

Treatment

Specific antidotes are available for some poisons.  Early treatment is vital to give the horse the best chance of recovery because the less poison which is absorbed into the body the better.  For ingested/swallowed poisons the vet may try to wash out the stomach.  Some substances can be given to a horse which will help prevent the body absorb it.  Laxatives can also help to speed the poison through the body and out. 

For poisons absorbed through the skin washing the area (without shampoo, soap or detergent) can help to dilute the poison.

Keep the horse quiet and calm, warm and with fresh water.  Movement will speed up the circulation of poison around the body so don't move a horse any more than necessary.

Prevention

Although horses are generally very selective in their grazing habits and avoid any plant that smells or tastes different poisoning does happen.

•  Keep field free from poisonous plants and/or overhanging trees.  See my blogs about  Atypical myopathy and Ragwort. 
• Ensure water cannot be contaminated, keep clean and fresh. 
• If using herbicides (weed killer) or pesticides restrict your horses access to the area as directed on the instructions. 
• Keep horse feed separate and stored appropriately away from possible contaminants.

Have you seen this week's video 'How I mend a haynet'  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

Too hot !

It has been too hot for my boys this week, they didn't feel like posing today for photos :(

 

 

 

Tommy was feeling friendly though!

 

Have you seen yesterday's video 'How I mend a haynet'  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

Horses ARE intelligent !!!

Non-horsey people always seem to think that horses are not intelligent.  The definition of intelligence is 'the ability to learn facts and skills and apply them'  .... so do horses do this?

Horses are able to learn about their environment, they have good senses and good memories to remember the information they learn - often for many years.  This allows them to remember plants which are poisonous, prickly or taste bad and avoid them.  
 

In the wild, if prey animals (such as horses) make a mistake they are likely to be killed by predators.  They learn quickly (and remember for many years ) to fear certain situations, environments etcetera.  This ability to remember and interpret means that a bad experience when they have suffered pain or fear will also be remembered for years.  This keeps them alive in the wild but can be difficult in a domestic situation when they suddenly behave totally out of character when confronted with a certain situation, person, smell etc.  The uneducated will think the horse is just being stupid, when really they are just recalling a bad experience from the past. 

Horses are intelligent enough to figure out how to open bolts, use door handles, untie leadropes etc - all with their lips.  They learn that if they open the door they can get out and be closer to their friends, or reach some new grass or hay - they have learnt this fact, and the skill to apply it!  

Have a look at YouTube for a video of this clever horse unlocking several stable doors!

Some horses dunk their dry hay in the water bucket to make it wet.  Some learn to go under electric fence (Chesney) to reach better grass.  They learn routines,  recognise voices and smells.  Horses learn body signals and voice commands and remember them for future use. 

There have been tests to analyse horses abilities.  It was found that they can tell the difference between patterns (the test horses were only given a treat for one type of pattern) and they quickly learnt to react to the correct pattern. 

More proof of the intelligence of horses comes from a horse called 'Clever Hans' who seemingly could count.  Hans was an Arab stallion who, according to his trainer, von Osten, could count.  He would amaze the crowds in 1890's Germany by tapping his foot 6 times if von Osten  asked him 2 x 3.  He was also able to answer other questions by tapping his foot.  However, tests discovered that Hans was not good at sums but could pick up the tiniest of reactions and mood changes of his questioner.  

 
By initially replacing von Osten with another questioner it was established the trainer was not consciously giving Hans clues to the answer, as he continued to get it right.   However, if the questioner did not know the answer Hans just continued tapping his foot - thus showing that Hans was interpreting the questioners body language to know when to stop tapping his foot (therefore appearing to have the right answer).  Even when the questioner  knew Hans was sensing their reactions he still got the answer right because of their unconscious communication.

So, why do horses let us ride them?  Is it because of their natural herd behaviour, which means that they are happy to be told what to do by another horse or person?  Or are they intelligent enough to understand that by allowing themselves to be ridden they will be provided with food and water and safety!

Did you see last week's video 'Tommy's rug practise'   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 ... Pneumonia

What is it

Pneumonia is infection or inflammation of lung tissue.  Most often seen in foals,  older or stressed horses.   

Signs

These will vary depending on how suddenly the pneumonia begins or how much lung tissue is involved.  However, they are similar to those seen in Pleurisy (see last week's blog).

• Raised Temperature 
• Loss of appetite 
• Coughing 
• Lethargy and weakness 
• Stands rather than lying down 
• Not wanting to move 
• Rapid and shallow breathing 
• Nasal discharge 
• Breath smells foul

 

 

Cause

• Virus 
• Bacteria 
• Parasites 
• Inhalation of foreign material 
• Incorrectly positioned stomach tubes

Diagnosis

Call the vet who will be able to identify any abnormal lung sounds (moist and crackling) that can be heard through a stethoscope.

Treatment

Call the vet. Rest. Moving horse to a dry, relatively warm area with fresh water.  The vet will prescribe antibiotics and may also suggest an equine mask to help administer bronchodilators.  Cough suppressants should not be given as the coughing helps clear the airways!

Prevention

Ensuring horses are well nourished and kept in good condition will allow them to be in a better position to resist infection.  Clean, dry and well ventilated stabling are also important.  For foals, ensuring the mare is up to date with her vaccinations is key . 

Did you see this week's video 'Tommy's rug practise'  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

Basil is daft and a bit of a show off!

After my video lunging Basil the other week I was wondering how many funny pictures I have of him .. these are a few!  

Totally mad!

Have you seen yesterday's video 'Tommy's rug practise' on myYou 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