Older horses will need extra attention paying to their teeth over the colder months as poor dentition will cause problems such as weight loss and poor digestion which may then progress into colic. Common dental problems affecting the older horse are diastemas and loose teeth. Diastemas are gaps between the cheek teeth that get packed with chewed food which then starts to rot, leading on to periodontal disease. This can cause your horse a lot of pain meaning that they can stop eating. It can also cause infections which will need veterinary intervention. The usual treatment for diastemas is regular dental checks where the horse’s mouth will be flushed out to stop the build up of rotting food. By gradually changing over to short-chop forage alternatives and soaking food to create a mash, your veteran horse will hopefully avoid problems whilst consuming the appropriate number of calories. Most feed companies have helplines with nutritional experts that can help to assess your horse and create a tailored feeding plan. Loose teeth can cause your horse to have a loss of appetite and to start ‘quidding’. This is where your horse will drop food whilst eating, indicating that they are not using their teeth effectively. These affected loose teeth will then generally require removal by a veterinary surgeon.
Dental dramas! Over the Winter, your horse will undoubtedly consume more hay and hard feed than in the Summer months so it is important that you regularly get your horse’s teeth checked to ensure that there are no sharp edges from not evenly using their teeth, as well as spot- ting the early signs of dental disease. We recommend that horses should be seen for a dental check-up every 6-12 months, where the vet can then create a tailored dental plan for your horse depending on their age and exercise regime.
Stiffening up in the stable As you’ll know if you suffer yourselves, arthritic joints suffer worse in the colder seasons than the warmer months. If you own an arthritic horse, there are certain management tips that we recommend you implement to help keep them comfortable. -
Make sure you provide them with plenty of bedding and adequate rug coverage to keep joints warm and cushioned.
Feeding a joint supplement with the appropriate levels of pure Glucosamine can help maintain joint health and flexibility. -
Talk to your vet about a prescription for equine painkillers. These may come in handy on a particularly sore morning. -
In hand stretches and regular exercise, whether this is ridden or in hand, will help to maintain flexibility for your horse and avoid them stiffening through immobility. Regular pasture turnout will also help to keep their joints mobile. -
Try putting hay in various piles in your horse’s stable. This will encourage natural movement. -
Also help to keep your horse(s) hydrated during the coldest months by offering lukewarm water for them to drink; keeping your horse hydrated is essential in keeping joints healthy and lubricated.
In conclusion, the Winter can be a challenging season for both horse and owner so try to implement the above management advice early to hopefully avoid these common problems!
Written by Abigail Dowdy Veterinary biography: Towcester Equine Vets
This article was created by our equine specific veterinary team at Towcester & Onley Equine Vets. Along with our 2 purpose-built equine clinics, we can treat your horse at home using our tools and mobile diagnostic equipment. Towcester & Onley Equine Vets cover Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Leicestershire and beyond!
Please give us a call on either 01327 811007 (Towcester) or 01788 523000 (Onley) to chat to one of our vets.
www.towcester-vets.co.uk/equine/
Please mention Central Horse News What’s On when responding to advertisements THE WINTER SPECIAL 2019 15
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