Monday 25 June 2018

Hot weather, sun and horsey issues!


Apparently it is going to be really hot here this week, which is not so great if you have horses.  I know we wait for the good weather but the boys don't enjoy it much.   Basil and Tommy's ancestors are probably from hot countries so in some ways they are better adapted, thin coats, light bones etcetera.  Chesney, however, struggles, he is designed for much more moderate weather being big boned and more hairy.  They all hate the horse flies though and they are worse this year than I can remember for a while. 
 
So with this all in mind there are a few things to remember for the week ahead:

·         Water and an unlimited supply of it is the most important thing to remember. An average size horse, in work, can consume over 25 gallons of water per day when the temperature is above 70°F. So make sure that you keep your water troughs and buckets clean and free from insects to encourage your horse to drink.


·         If you usually keep your horse in the stable at night and out by day in the winter it is a good idea to swap this for the summer months. This will mean they are not out with the worst of the flies and will avoid the hottest part of the day. It will also give them time to rest during the day and cool down at night if we have a prolonged hot spell. An added advantage is that the time inside will help control their weight, however, they should still have some forage eg: hay to keep them occupied and their digestive system working.

·         Keep the windows open to ensure a through breeze.  

·         If possible spray your horse’s stable walls and/or field shelter with an insecticide to reduce the number of flies.

·         If your horse is grass kept all year and you do not have access to a stable, ensure there is a shady place for them to rest. Trees provide fantastic shade but a field shelter will also provide respite from the flies.
 


·         Remove droppings from your paddock regularly and keep the muck heap a good distance away from your horse’s stable to help reduce fly problems.  

·         Use a fly sheet if possible, fly repellent and fly fringes are also useful.

·         If your horse is bitten you can treat a one-off bite, with an ice pack or bathe with cool, salt water (use a teaspoon of salt to two mugs of water). If your horse has multiple bites, using a mild horse shampoo may help to remove scurf or bacteria which can irritate the area and will cool the inflamed skin.

·         White areas on the face and heels can become sunburnt because they have less skin pigment and hair coverage, so if your horse has to be in the field in the heat of the day, remember to apply sun cream to these areas. Human sun cream with a high factor is usually appropriate but if your horse tends to be sensitive then a more natural cream may be the answer.

·         Sweet itch is a miserable disease for those horses that suffer. Midges are more prevalent in wet areas close to lakes and streams, so if possible avoid these areas, have a look at my blog for more information.

·         If your horse is still particularly hairy in the summer it may be worth considering clipping. Keeping their manes short will also help to keep your horse cool.

·         Sponge cold water over your horse, or if he will tolerate it use a hose, especially down the large blood vessels under the belly and neck and inside the legs. This will help lower the temperature relatively quickly.

·         Wet weather following a long dry spell can result in a flush of new grass growth similar to spring, so you may need to limit your horse’s grazing if you are concerned about laminitis or weight gain. Check out my blogs on Obesity & Laminitis.  I have to be careful with Tommy and try to balance time out with the others with being fenced into a sparse area!


 ·         If you’re competing, leave as early as possible to avoid travelling in the heat. Keep windows open to keep fresh air flowing through the horsebox. When you arrive think about whether your horse would be cooler standing in the lorry or trailer out of direct sun or better outside in the shade.


Heatstroke
Extreme heat can take its toll on a horse working or standing in a stuffy stable or trailer. Heatstroke occurs when a horse is unable to get rid of excess heat from his body. The horses’ natural cooling process will include moving blood flow closer to the skin but this will also mean less oxygen getting to internal organs and the brain. When a horse is also sweating excessively heat stroke can follow. Heatstroke is a serious condition. Severe cases of heatstroke lead to collapse, seizures, or death.

Signs:

  • Elevated respiratory rate – if breathing becomes shallow and remains elevated after a few      minutes rest 
  • Elevated heart rate- that again remains elevated after a few minutes rest 
  • Elevated temperature – 103° or higher 
  • Sweating – if your horse is sweating all over or stops sweating entirely 
  • Lethargy – depression, disinterest in food, stumbling or collapsing 
If you suspect that your horse may be suffering from heatstroke:

  • stop work immediately 
  • allow him to rest in a cool stable or under a shady tree 
  • poor cool water over his back 
  • offer small amounts of water every few minutes 
  • if symptoms persist contact your vet.


At this time of year I ride first thing in the morning, before it gets too hot.  It means Basil and I get a good session in the arena, or hack and I don't have to worry about him getting overheated.





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

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

Until next time!   
Jo

Sunday 3 June 2018

May 2018



The end of May was a weather nightmare but Basil and I are making progress - finally - and as I write this the sun is again shining :)  Having read back through my April review I can really tell how much progress we are making - it is really good writing this all down to look back on.




This is how May looked:

1st - windy today, lunged and he was surprisingly good!

4th May - lunged again today, very good again.

6th - hacked out, better than last time, a bit joggy on the way back but walked a bit too, so good to be out and about.

7th - rode in the arena today, serpentines and leg yield in walk.  Trot leg yield and circles, the trotting is getting better, bit more balanced so I felt OK to have a canter today, just on the right rein down the long side, bit fast but that was not a surprise.

8th - lunged today.

9th - rode in the arena and definitely getting better. Similar to last time, 1 canter on left rein today, all the way around.

11th - lunged today.

12th - arena today.  Walk and trot circles, serpentines and leg yield.  Today we had a canter on each rein, wrong lead on 2nd canter (left rein) which as usual was because he is too excited and not listening to me.  -Trot still improving J:)

13th - As yesterday but we achieved the correct leads on both canters today.  Chesney is a little bit lame on a front leg so I didn't want to hack out as he would just run up and down and hurt it more.

 
15th - arena again today, contact is getting better, more supple.  Still very fast in canter but after such a long break it is bound to be very exciting for him.

18th - lunged - very good!!

19th - arena and the same again.  Our 2nd canter got steadier at the end too, which is progress.

20th - hack today, bit speedy on the way back but lovely to be out again.

22nd - lunged today, early morning as I swapped them to their summer routine a couple of days ago.  Which means they are out at night and in the stables in the day out of the sun and away from the flies.

23rd - rode in the arena early today, windy so please Basil was so good.  Canter speedy again and his trot gets fast and out of control when he thinks it is time to canter.

26th - lunged and very good today.

27th - Thunder and Lightning - not riding today!!!!!

28th - rode in the arena today.  Just walk and trot as I had very sore legs from walking up too many hills yesterday and Basil's canter is very hard on my thighs at the moment.  As usual a bit rushed in trot towards the end of our session - this is when Basil thinks it is time to canter.  Circles, serpentines and leg yield in walk and trot.

29th - lunged - good today, so pleased he has settled again now:)



Have you seen May's video 'May Sunshine' on my You Tube channel?   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!   
Jo