Clydesdale Horses.

Originating from the Clydesdale area (now called Lanarkshire) of Scotland these are a breed of draught horse.  They are the most recognisable of the draught horses because they are used by the British Household Cavalry as drum horses but also because of the Budweiser Clydesdales we have all seen in the adverts!

History

In the middle of the 18th century Flemish stallions were imported to breed with native horses of the Clydesdale area of Scotland.  The improvement in the progeny of these stallions encouraged more breeding of the same type.  Almost all recorded Clydesdale horses today can be followed back to a mare owned by 'Lampits Farm'.

Originally used for hauling coal and other loads Clydesdales were also popular for farming.  Numbers grew and the breed began to be exported around the world; Australia, America, Russia and Italy.  In 1911 the number of stallions exported reached 1,617.   In the First World War the Clydesdale was used by the army for pulling loads.  Then, as farms became increasingly mechanised, the use of the horse dropped and numbers began to fall.  In the 3 years from 1946 to 1949 the number of stallions licensed fell from 200 to 80. 

In 1975 the Clydesdale horse was categorised 'vulnerable' by the Rare Breed Survival Trust.  This means there are only 500 - 900 registered breeding mares. The breed briefly moved into the 'at risk' category (900 - 1500) but is now again classed as 'vulnerable'.

Characteristics

Height: 16 hh – 18 hh (taller than originally)

Colour:  Usually Bay with lots of white markings.  Black, Grey, Chestnut, Piebald, Skewbald and Roan are also seen.

Conformation:  The head  has a broad forehead and large nostrils, the ears are big and the eyes clear.  The neck is long and arched and the withers high.  Shoulders slope and they are strong and well muscled.  The back too is strong and short and the quarters are powerful.  Feet are open and round.  Feathers on Clydesdales are silky.

Temperament:  Can be energetic but kind.

Clydesdales are used for driving and logging.  As I mentioned earlier they are also used as drum horses and by the Budweiser brewery for advertising purposes.  Many people enjoying riding them and participate in dressage, cross country and show jumping.

Clydesdale Horse Society Website:  http://www.clydesdalehorsesociety.com/

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Until next time!

Jo

All About ... Pleurisy.

What is it

The membrane which covers the lungs and the lining of the chest cavity is called the pleura.  Pleurisy is a painful inflammation of the pleura.  

Signs

In the early stages the pleura may be dry, it is later that excess fluid is produced. Occurs suddenly.

• Raised Temperature 
• Loss of appetite 
• Coughing 
• Lethargy 
• Stands rather than lying down 
• Not wanting to move 
• Rapid and shallow breathing 
• Dry rasping sound, if listen to chest 
• Sometimes swelling under chest and in lower limbs

 

Cause

Usually occurs as a secondary infection to Pneumonia (see next weeks blog) or a penetrating chest injury.


Diagnosis

Call the Vet.  Ultrasound or x-ray can be used to identify any fluid in the chest.  Taking a fluid sample and analysing this in the lab will help identify the correct antibiotic treatment.

Treatment

The vet will usually prescribe antibiotics and if there is a large amount of fluid this may be drained.  Rest in a well ventilated space with a balanced diet should help the horse recover.  The extent of recovery and the level of work the horse may be able to undertake in the future will depend on the seriousness of the pleurisy.


Prevention

Although not always possible, caring for your horse to reduce the risk of bacterial or viral infections will help reduce the chance of complications which affect the lungs etc.  Prompt diagnosis of other problems affecting the lungs can also prevent pleurisy developing.

Have you seen this week's video 'August vlog' 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

August Sunshine!

Glad we have had some lovely warm (but not too warm) weather - we have all been enjoying ourselves! 

 

Have you seen yesterday's video 'August vlog!'  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

How do horses show affection?

Understanding how horses show affection for each other can help us communicate to our horses how important they are.   So how do horses show their friendship?
 

Mutual grooming is how horses and many other animals display their friendship.  This starts when a foal is first born and its mother licks it for about half an hour.  The mare will then, over the next few days, groom the foal using little nibbles, these clear away loose hair and open clogged pores.  It is unusual for a foal to groom their mother back at this stage.  However, after a week or so foals tend to join in.   As they grow they will often be seen in mutual grooming sessions with another foal and this behaviour continues with friends for the rest of their lives. 

The more friendly two horses are the more often they will groom each other.  They tend to start at the bottom of the mane - a hard to reach spot - and work up.  Some horses will also nibble the neck, shoulders and along the back.  As with the mare and foal this grooming helps to free any matted patches, clear dead skin and remove loose hair.  
 

These sessions usually only last 3 or 4 minutes but sometimes can be up to 30 minutes long.  Horses groom each other more in the Spring and Summer, which helps remove the winter coat and can also help with itches caused by flies! 

So, to show your horse friendship the best thing you can do is groom them.  Spending time grooming them shows them that you are their friend.  You can imitate a companion nibbling them by using your fingers up the mane, but, if you are doing it well be careful as you may get nibbled back!

Basil and Chesney tend to groom each other quite often and I have also seen Chesney and Tommy grooming in the last few weeks which is great!

Have you seen last week's video 'Lunging Basil ... sort of' 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