OVER REACHING
Causes
Treatment
Hind foot steps on heel of forefoot on same side, often toe of hind foot steps on heel of shoe on forefoot, pulling it off.
Faulty conformation, poor co-ordination associated with fatigue, poor trimming and shoeing.
Front leg is made to move faster than hind leg by shortening toe of front foot and by rolling toe of shoe and raising heel,
crease of shoe removed to reduce friction, action of hind feet can be slowed down by lengthening toe and lowering heel of hoof.
Consult farrier and vet for further treatments.
OTITIS EXTERNA
Signs
Horse rubbing ear, shaking head, affected ear droops, sensitive to putting on bridle, head may tilt to affected side,
ear very sensitive to touch, may be odour and fluid.
Causes
Foreign body, e.g. grass seed infection, fungal or bacterial, trauma.
Treatment
Call your veterinarian who will look into ear with an oroscope and check cause. Ear drops containing antibiotic,
anti-inflammatory, antifungal agents are usually prescribed and effective. Ear canal poorly designed for drainage,
so thorough cleaning is very important. Horses with healthy ear canals do not require routine cleaning.