Horses are born to reject anything in their mouth other than food or water. Accordingly, they are inherently averse to the bit. ‘Acceptance of the bit’ is an unrealistic expectation. A bit interferes with a sense organ (the mouth) and three body systems; the nervous, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems. Do Read more…
He reassured them about Buddy’s prospects: “Horses can do surprisingly well with broken jaws,” says Trahan. “If you can stabilize the area, they have the capacity to eat just fine and generally heal very well.” What happens when a horse has a broken jaw? If the fracture occurs through the Read more…
When a horse grinds its teeth, you will hear a grating, squeaking or groaning sound. In most cases, teeth grinding (bruxism) is a sign of abdominal pain (colic). Horses may also grind their teeth if they have pain in the mouth, throat, esophagus or elsewhere. How do I stop my Read more…
A too-thin bit or a bit adjusted too high in his mouth may discourage this chewing motion. Try lowering the bit a hole or two and experiment with different shapes and thicknesses of bits, as well as different types and combinations of metals, such as copper or sweet iron. What Read more…
Massaging the horses gums can help to reduce stress and fear. How do you get a horse to relax it’s jaw? Place a thumb or fingers inside and on the roof—or palate—of your horse’s mouth, and hold it (them) gently there. This will cause your horse to lick, extend his Read more…
The characteristic signs of tetanus begin 3 to 21 days after infection. The affected horse becomes stiff and has difficulty moving and eating. Classic clinical signs include: the horse initially has a stiff gait and adopts a ‘saw horse’ stance, with all four limbs planted apart and the tail stretched Read more…
Horse Boots Brushing boots are used for general protection from strikes and scrapes. Tendon boots are used for the front legs. Fetlock boots are used for the back legs, usually when jumping. Bell boots/over reach boots are for horses who ‘over reach’ by knocking their back feet against the heels Read more…
Facial paralysis in horses may result from injuries caused by rough handling, halters worn during anesthesia, facial surgery or skull fracture. Paralysis on one side of the face is common when the facial nerve is damaged. What is the most common cause of facial paralysis? Bell’s palsy is the most Read more…
The incubation period varies from 1 to several weeks but usually averages 10 to 14 days. Localized stiffness, often involving the jaw muscles and muscles of the neck, the hind limbs, and the region of the infected wound, is seen first. How long does it take for tetanus to set Read more…
All tetanus toxoid vaccines are labeled for annual (12 month) revaccination. How long does tetanus antitoxin last? The use of antitoxin gives protection for 1 to 3 weeks only. While tetanus vaccine gives long time immunity and is cheaper and practically free from reactions. How long does tetanus last in Read more…