Filled legs is the term used to describe a condition where the length of a horse’s legs (more commonly the hind pair) appear swollen. It’s often the result of the horse standing in his stable for longer than normal and not doing enough exercise. What causes equine leg fills? Caused Read more…
Gentle exercise such as walking in hand or on a horse walker can reduce the swelling and bandaging the legs can prevent the legs filling when standing in the stable. Turning the horse out will help too. If lameness is seen do contact the vet for further advice. Why are Read more…
Soak dusty hay for 5 to 30 minutes before feeding so that the horse can eat it while it’s wet. Store hay away from your horse as much as possible and ensure any hay in the vicinity is kept dry to reduce mold. If the horse is housed indoors, ensure Read more…
Textbook reason for front only shoeing is for horses that work too much to be barefoot but not enough to need shoeing all around. In my experience most horses that get shod this way should either be barefoot or shod all around. Why would you only put front shoes on Read more…
What causes canker? Infection is most commonly associated with bacterial and sometimes fungal invasion of the epidermal horn of the foot, starting around the frog and extending to the sole and wall. In advanced cases infection may enter the underlying sensitive laminae of the hoof. How do you prevent cankers Read more…
Canker typically appears as a moist, spongy, cauliflower-like growth on the frog near the heels. The tissue may be white or gray in color and may have a white or yellow foul-smelling discharge. These growths are typically very painful when touched and can bleed easily if traumatized. How do I Read more…
As the bacteria found in hoof canker cases lives in the soil, the best way to prevent the condition is to keep the hoof clean and dry. “Daily picking out of the horse’s hooves will likely prevent the condition from developing, and this may be especially important for horses in Read more…
Veterinarians have suggested several, but the two most effective topical therapies are the antimicrobial drug metronidazole and 10% benzyl peroxide solution. Metronidazole is usually ground into a powder and spread over the affected area. Benzyl peroxide is a potent astringent commonly found in acne medicine. What causes canker in horses Read more…
Deworm your horse for botflies after the first frost. This will prevent the horse from becoming re-infected because cold weather kills the adult flies. What horse wormer kills bot flies? Ivermectin and moxidectin wormers will protect the horse against bot fly. The dose should be given in winter after the Read more…
The horse bot fly can infect humans, but this is very rare. Can bot flies grow in humans? Carlton’s scalp had become home to a human botfly larva, a spiny parasitic maggot that digs into living human flesh, feeds on the inflamed tissue surrounding it, and grows to more than Read more…