Keeping Your Horse Healthy A horse's general appearance is one of the best guides to his overall health. If your horse has lost weight or isn't eating, it's important to discover the problem as quickly as possible.
If weight loss is the problem, first ask has his activity increased? If so, he could be losing weight because he's using more energy. Try increasing the grain in his ration.
The primary cause, however, of most weight loss is worms. Regular worm treatment of all horses, especially those in pasture is essential to keep them healthy. A dull coat or "pot belly" are also signs of worm problems.
Paste wormers have revolutionized the de-worming of horses, making the several-times-a-year deworming routine a simple and easy task. The paste is deposited on the back of the tongue using a specially-designed syringe. To train your horse to cooperate in this procedure, try associating the syringe with a "treat". Give him "doses" of applesauce, molasses and water, or something else that he really likes. Then, when it's time for deworming, first give him a "treat" syringe, followed by the paste syringe, then another "treat" as a thank you. This training should help make deworming an easy part of caring for your horse.
Another cause of equine weight loss is a digestive disorder caused by damage to the intestinal lining. Chronic diarrhea and dental problems also lead to weight loss. These conditions, and others such as infections or anemia, must be diagnosed and treated by your vet.
If loss of appetite is the problem, look at the horse's droppings. If droppings are very hard and few in quantity, he may be suffering from constipation. This is a common problem in stabled horses. Bran mashes and other laxatives will help.
Loss of appetite can also just be finicky eating habits. Horses have highly developed senses of taste and smell. Some may refuse to eat food that is a mixture of fresh and stale food. In this case, clean mangers before each feed, removing all uneaten food before fresh food is added. You can also tempt your fussy feeder by adding sweeteners such as molasses to the ration.
Coat condition is another indicator of good health. If the coat has lost its glossy sheen, you should be concerned. Besides worm infestations, coat problems can be caused by serious internal disorders such as liver or kidney damage. Fevers also cause rapid loss of shine in coats. And, sometimes loss of coat condition is the result of malnutrition or mineral deficiency. In these cases, supplementation can bring rapid results. Good grooming is a must for great coat condition and shine, so don't leave it out of your horse care routine. |