Your Horse’s Health

Every horse owner should know a few facts about first aid and the general health of a horse; the care that can be managed by the owner and when to call the veterinarian. There are many instances when a minor injury can be taken care of by the owner, but for the more serious ailments and accidents there are several aids that can be given before the veterinarian arrives. Too many times the wrong treatment is given, resulting in ugly scars, or a horse is moved when he should be kept still, or allowed to lie down when he should be kept moving.

Probably the commonest of everyday problems is concerned with cleanliness. A dirty, constantly wet stall will invite a fungus called thrush. It is characterized by a foul odor and decomposition of the tissue about the frog of the foot. A few drops of butter of antimony in the crevices will usually relieve a light case, and a good cleaning of the stable area will prevent further trouble.

Rope burns are too commonly caused by improper tying of your horse. If severe, you may have to lay your horse up until the burn is healed. Cleanse the wound and apply gentian violet and a healing powder. Do not grease, and, above all, keep the flies away.

Diarrhea is a condition with many causes. Sometimes it is caused by a change of feed. If caused by worms, they must be expelled, and your veterinarian will prescribe. Sometimes an overheated animal that has been allowed to drink water will develop diarrhea. It is usually not a permanent condition, but the actual cause should be determined.

Idleness and fat are the worst enemies of your horse. Allow him at least an hour and a half to eat his food. Don't exercise him too heavily after a meal, or it may cause colic.

Colic: It is important to recognize the symptoms. Colic can also be caused by sudden changes of feed, irregular feeding, or damaged feed. Sometimes new oats or new hay causes trouble, or colic appears if a horse is fed too soon after being tired and hot. In spasmodic colic the pain comes and goes. The horse may throw himself to the ground and roll and kick. The animal must be kept moving and on his feet. Walk the horse until the veterinarian comes.

Fractures: Many animals are destroyed because of a broken bone that has not been discovered until too late. A horse has many small bones that, when broken, only cause the animal to go lame. When no reason for lameness can be discovered, then the horse should not be moved until the veterinarian has made a thorough examination. Given proper care, minor fractures can be treated, either by splinting or casts, thus giving the horse back its usefulness. Fractures of a more severe nature can be set if discovered before the horse threshes around. If the animal cannot be confined, there is danger of splintering and crushing the broken ends to the point of being beyond setting.

Swelling: This can be a symptom of foreign bodies, such as splinters, glass, or infection itself. This includes viruses, glands, infection with pain on contact, heat, sore throat, and, in an advanced stage, drainage. An infection should never be neglected. Let your veterinarian make the diagnosis and prescribe the treatment.

Azoturia: This ailment, sometimes known as black water because the urine becomes dark, red-brown in color, is caused by a malfunction of the muscles. This malfunction is due to the lack of proper nutrition activated by exhilarated exercise when the animal is not used to it. The symptoms are heavy sweating, stiffness, and rigidity. At the first sign, keep the animal on his feet. The symptoms are: the horse will start off with unusual vigor. Within a half-hour he will begin to sweat profusely, knuckle over in the hind fetlock, and perhaps even fall in his tracks. If the animal is urged on after the first symptoms appear, the condition will be greatly aggravated and death follows quickly. At the first signs keep the animal on his feet. If necessary to move the animal, walk him slowly to a stall and see that he is not moved. There should not be a draft. Blanket the horse and keep him warm. If the horse gets down, there is little chance for recovery. One attack makes the horse subject to another attack so that as soon as the veterinarian gives permission the animal should be exercised every day. No oats should be given, and feeding must be carefully administered.

Foaling: There is a thrill to looking forward to the arrival of a foal. However, it is a frightening experience to realize that the mare has started foaling and is unable to complete the delivery. Lack of precaution might mean the loss of both mare and foal. When the foal is in sight and the mare appears unable to complete the delivery, keep her on her feet and moving. See that she has a large area to walk in. Constant walking will delay the heavy pains until the veterinarian can arrive.

Gashes: Nonbleeding. If a cut is made in the muscle it is not apt to bleed. The first thought is to apply medication of whatever happens to be on hand. So many gashes have been burned with too strong a medication and the tissue has sloughed away, leaving an ugly scar. It is important to keep the wound clean. Use soap and water, and cover to keep the flies away. The veterinarian will treat the wound properly before suturing.

But the important factor to remember in any of these emergencies is quick thinking and a cool head plus a knowledge of first aid. Not only will this help your horse but your veterinarian will appreciate your knowledge.

In an older horse you may notice a dropping off of weight. This may be because of teeth that are too long and are cutting into the gums. Horse's teeth continue to grow throughout their lives. The teeth do not always wear down equally and thus lose the grinding surfaces. Sometimes sharp corners will develop that cut the cheeks. The inability of the horse to masticate properly soon shows in an undernourished appearance. When the veterinarian is called, he will file these teeth and trim them down to normal size. This is called "floating the teeth." Once your horse is comfortable again, he will pick up in weight.

Every stable should have a medicine chest.

1. Bandages. They can be made of flannel or old sheeting six inches wide and six feet long. Keep rolled and fastened with a large safety pin, ready to use.
   
   
2. Absorbent cotton. For swabs, for washing eyes, and cleansing wounds. Never use against an open wound, as it will stick to the tissues.
   
   
3. Epsom salts. For infections and sprains.
   
   
4. Vaseline. To use around a wound to keep it clean and prevent loss of hair.
   
   
5. Gentian violet. Disinfectant for cuts.
   
   
6. Rubber syringe. Large-size ear syringe for irrigating wounds.
   
   
7. Healing powder. To dust over cuts.
   
   
8. Butter of antimony. Used for thrush. If this medication gives off a smoke, it means thrush is present.
   
   
9. Argyrol 5 per cent. Use in eyes. Keep reasonably fresh.
   
   
10. A can of hoof dressing. To prevent cracking hoofs. Watch for accident possibilities and prevent them. Don't be afraid to improvise. For example: Your horse has cut across his pastern with a broken glass

jug. An artery is cut. Use a roll of bandage against the wound, or wrap a small block of wood or a stone with gauze and press it against the wound. Wrap tightly with bandage. Continue to wrap until the bleeding stops. This is called a pressure bandage. This bandage should be watched to be sure it is not pulled too tightly. Immediate swelling will indicate this. Watch for infection. It is indicated by heat, swelling, and pain on touch. If the leg remains normal, you may presume it is free of infection and the bandage should remain undisturbed for about eight days. Now, a word about pressure points which would indicate a pressure bandage. Pressure points should be found between the heart and the wound. Usually in arterial bleeding pressure is placed on these points. This would be difficult on a horse in most instances. The pressure would have to be placed and treated as a tourniquet and relieved every twenty minutes. So, let us say, that on all legs, from the knees and hocks down, the pressure bandage as described above may be used.

You will hear many terms for different types of unsound-ness, and it will take experience to recognize them. Perhaps the following will help you recognize a few of the more common ones.

Bone Spavin. Any bony enlargement on the bones of the hock.

Bog Spavin. Any inflammation or swelling of the soft tissue of the hock.

Capped Elbow. Enlargement at point of elbow.

Curb. An enlargement below the point of the hock.

Heaves. Forced and labored breathing.

Hernia. Also termed rupture. Tissue protruding through an abnormal opening.

Hygroma. Soft swelling of the knee.

Knocked-down Hip. A fracture of the point of the hip.

Poll Evil. A swelling or draining sore in the region of the poll.

Quittor. Infection of the lateral cartilages.

Ring Bone. A bony enlargement around the bones of the pastern.

Shoe Boil. A running sore at the elbow.

Side Bone. Ossification of the lateral cartilages.

Sinus of the Withers (fistulous withers). A swelling or draining sore in the region of the withers.

Splint. A bony enlargement in the groove formed by the splint and cannon bones.

Stringhalt. A peculiar jerking of the hind leg when walking or trotting.

Sweeny. A shrinking away of the shoulder muscle.

Thoroughpin. A soft, puffy enlargement in the web of the hock.

Toe Crack. A split in the front part of the hoof wall.

Warble. Fly larvae in the hide. Usually along the back. After removal it may lay the horse up for thirty days.

Wry Neck. Crooked neck.

Common sense should tell you when an accident or ailment is beyond your ability. Keep your fences and stable area clean and in repair, watch for loose boards, nails, and sagging wire fencing. And remember your veterinarian is only as far away as the telephone.

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