HOOF CRACK
Causes
Treatment
If crack involves sensitive tissues it needs to be treated by a veterinarian, who will administer a tetanus and antibiotic injection.
Prevention includes trimming and re-shoeing every 6 weeks, minimal rasping of hoof wall, daily
hoof dressing and the use of boots to prevent damage to coronary band.
Crack in hoof wall, short and shallow to long and deep, crack can start at ground surface of hoof wall
or at coronary band. If depth of crack involves sensitive tissues, horse will probably be lame.
From trauma, drying out of hoof wall, excessive rasping of hoof wall, poor hoof care.
Varies according to position, length and depth of crack. If crack starts at ground surface,
treatment designed to prevent its expansion by putting shoe clips on either side, as well as
rasping edge of hoof wall so that no pressure is in the area of crack.
HEAVES (Broken Wind)
Signs
Signs appear gradually, most prominent sign is exaggerated and lengthy expiration especially during or after exercise. Over a period of time breathing becomes difficult, even at rest. Wheezing associated with short, shallow cough is evident.
Cause
This disease is a chronic form of Bronchial Asthma or COPD.
Treatment
Rest in a well ventilated, dust free stable, putting horse out to pasture in good weather, dampening feed to keep level of dust at a minimum.
Contact your veterinarian who can confirm diagnosis by listening to horse's chest.
HAEMATOMA
This is a swelling of variable size and position, located under the skin and containing blood.
Causes
Horse running into fence, crashing into stable doors, being kicked by another horse.
Any blow that damages skin and underlying tissues severely enough to rupture local blood vessels, blood leaks
into the surrounding tissues, forming a haematoma.
Treatment
In early formation of haematoma ice packs and cold hosing help stop bleeding and reduce swelling.
If haematoma of any size is not opened and drained, over several months blood may be converted into
hard fibrous swelling that remains as permanent blemish. Contact your veterinarian.
Horse Hoof Care
No hoof no horse, the old fashioned phase is accurate. Hooves require a fair amount of attention from any horse owner. It is important to make sure your horse's hooves are trimmed regularly, even if the horse is never ridden.
Horse Fitness
Want to know how fit your horse is? and how much work is too much. Is your horse tired?. How do riders condition their horses so they become fit?