As I was saddling up Cerise this morning I noticed her toes were a bit long and I wondered about the cause since I had recently trimmed her. I thought back over any changes I had made in her management and remembered that I had increased her carbohydrate ration since I had stepped up her training. The increase had been very minor but obviously was not agreeing with her system. I filed her toes back ever so slightly and she dropped her head and yawned and yawned in relief. This got me thinking about how important it is to know our horses and keep track of even minor changes in their management and any resulting effects. Another horse might have had no problem at all with the feed change or even benefited, as I though Cerise would. Here are a few areas where I feel we should get to know our horses well.
Markings
Can you describe your horse down to the slightest detail? Do you know his exact markings including any brands or scars? Heaven forbid that some disaster should occur and your horse is lost. You would need to be able to describe your horse to local authorities or positively identify him in a large group.
Teeth
How often does your horse need to be floated and does your horse have special challenges? Is there a certain behavior that your horse displays when his teeth are bothering him? For instance, Cerise, clamps her lips shut when I go to put a bit in her mouth and if I don’t get the hint she will start throwing her head when I try to bridle her. Other horses may hold their head crooked or give less well to the bit on one side or the other. Even though you want to have a regular schedule for floating, you may occasionally have to check the teeth between dental visits if signs suggest a problem. Even if you don’t ever use a bit you need to know your horses mouth very well so you can give guidance to the dentist and make sure that problem areas are addressed. If the teeth are not well balanced, problems in other parts of the body can develop. Also keep track of what level of sedation works best for your horse.
Feet
Like the example with Cerise above, small changes in the feet can give clues to digestive health and general condition. Look for any rings that may develop as the hoof grows out and these stress rings can give you hints to past challenges to your horse’s health. If you see rings relating to changes in pasture or feed then you may have just dodged a bullet with laminitis. You may not be so lucky if the circumstances repeat. Flares in the wall suggest loss of healthy attachment and may indicate white line infections. If this condition is dealt with early you can avoid lameness but if you don’t immediately address the situation you may end up with a sore horse who needs months to recover. Changes in the coronary band can indicate pressure points from previous inflammation in the foot. Even if you can’t determine the source of the inflammation, trim the wall at ground level so the pressure point is relieved. If these uneven areas continue to form then look for hooves that are trimmed out of balance and talk with your farrier about what could be causing the problem. As with the dentist, if you can alert your hoof care person to potential problems with your horse they will be able to do a better job for you and your horse.
Feed
This goes without saying but I will talk about some particular details. It is so tempting to look for a feed and supplement that is perfect for all horses but in the last 30 years I have not been successful in finding such a product. Actually, the reverse is true in that it seems the more I work with feeding horses the more I find they each have special individual needs that, if catered to, will give them the best chance for optimal health. What is perfect for one horse will cause problems in another under the same management conditions. Alfalfa is a perfect example. Cerise does fantastic on almost unlimited amounts of alfalfa but my gelding, Remi, gets way too high if he gets more that ½ a flake a day. The same is true with blue green algae. Cerise loves it but if I don’t use the form with the cell wall removed Remi gets tense and spooky on it. Go figure. They are very different in their Five-Element types and I feel this makes a difference. To a certain extent, I watch what the horses like the best to determine what supplements to give them but I can’t always count on this. I have over 10 different products I choose from when looking at horses with digestive challenges. Cerise does well on KLPP and straight algae; Remi is best with Simplexity Essentials plus extra Omega Sun; Tess and Lady are fine with Simpelxity’s APA Blend most of the time and get Essentials if the weather changes or they experience other kinds of stress.
I have horses in my practice that, in addition to their regular programs, get green clay before and during stressful events. Knowing that the horse gets a nervous stomach and addressing it can help avoid and colic or at least make the horse feel better about going to a show. If he gets sick every time he gets loaded in a trailer it does not take long for him to start dreading going down the road. Fat is another challenge. None of my horses do well with much fat in the diet but the right amount of fat for some horses helps them perform at their best and hold weight well. As if feeding was not complicated enough, I find I need to make adjustments based on season or weather conditions. The right feed in the middle of a cold winter does not fit during the hot summer months. Some horses don’t seem to need any major adjustments but others will get sick if you don’t pay attention to water consumption and manure output and consistency.
Tack Preferences
Does your horse like a certain bit, girth or saddle pad better than another? Cerise sure does. Do not try to put any stainless steel bit in her mouth but a sweet iron bit is fine with her. I know many people do not ride in bits at all and this is fine but I tried Cerise in a bitless bridle and she did not work well in it, yet she works equally well in a bit or hackamore. I adjust the bit low in her mouth and never use a noseband. I trust her to show me when and if she is not happy with any head gear I use. Cerise does not like a breast collar unless we are barrel racing. Tess has always hated bits and I never rode her with one. She preferred a cheap western mechanical hackamore. Remi will work with anything from a halter to a high port curb. I ride Cerise with a neoprene girth and she will gall with a wool string girth. Remi does better with a string girth.
For many people paying attention to the special needs of each horse may seem like too much of a bother, but I have found my horses appreciate it and it helps our relationship immensely. If you’re looking to improve your relationship with your horse, check out the different areas mentioned in this article and see if slight adjustments help your horse become healthier and happier.
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About the Author
Madalyn Ward, DVM, owns Bear Creek Veterinary Clinic in Austin, Texas. She is certified in Veterinary Homeopathy and Equine Osteopathy. Memberships include American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Veterinay Medical Association and the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy. She has authored several books and publishes the monthly newsletter, “Holistic Horsekeeping.”
Contact
Madalyn Ward DVM
11608 FM 1826
Austin, TX 78737
303-575-1170
www.holistichorsekeeping.com
www.horseharmony.com
www.horseharmonytest.com
www.yourhorsebook.com
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