Welcome to the latest Newsletter.  If you would like to read previous issues of my Newsletter, please go here

If you fancy exploring this site further, then you can go to the resources page which you can find here  where you will find links to all sorts of valuable information, such as articles,  a useful information resource centre, charities and much more.  If you refer others to this site, which you can do from that resources page, I will send you a FREE Screen Saver with beautiful pictures of horses from my readership. 

This Week's News

Derby Winner Barbaro Has Cast Removed Whilst Barbaro still has a long way to go, the cast has finally been removed, nearly six months after a horrifying accident at the Preakness.  Barbaro injuries were considered life-threatening after he broke three bones above and below his right rear ankle at the start of the Preakness. T o follow his great recovery listen to a great audio on this page.  Click here to listen

Hope Hill offers at-risk girls a chance to bond   When teenager Katrina has a frustrating day, she turns here -- to the green Eastern Kentucky hills dotted with fall foliage -- to find hope. Three Kentucky Mountain horses -- Thunder, Comanche, and Jeremiah -- roam the hills near Hope Hill Children's Home, which started out as an orphanage but three years ago started to serve at-risk girls who are 12 to 18 years old. Find out more here

Now for this week's tips and advice

In Most Cases Of Horse Lameness the Problem Will Be In The Hoof 
 

In most cases of lameness, the cause is usually found in the foot. These are the most common ailments.
 

I've had a lot to do with horses over the years, that why I now have a website to share my experiences.  One of my free bonuses is a book on looking after horse’s hooves, some of which I share with you here. 

Most foot problems can be avoided with proper care. Keep your horse on clean, dry footing. Feed him properly. Pick out his feet on a regular basis. Have his hooves trimmed or shod regularly by a competent farrier. Protect his feet with properly fitted shoes and pads if necessary, and all this should keep your horse’s hooves in good condition. 

However, if it does look as if something is wrong, then this may help you identify what it is 
 

Bruised Soles 

These are caused by an injury to the sole of the foot, usually by standing on a hard object or concussion from hard ground. They can also be due to poor trimming or shoeing. 

Symptoms are acute lameness that gets progressively worse, red or bruised areas seen on the sole, and reaction to pressure on the sole due to pain. 

The treatment is to restrict movement and keep the horse on a soft surface – a deep bed in a stable, sand school or woodchip area until sound. If, in severe pain, call the vet who may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs and check for any infection. 
 

Thrush 

This is caused by continuous exposure to a damp environment  without  sufficient  care  and  attention to  the  feet,  such  as  poor  stable  management, wet or damp bedding, and wet, muddy fields. It is a bacterial infection and if left untreated, it can move to the sensitive, internal structures in the foot. 

Symptoms are a black, smelly discharge around the frog, and possibly lameness if severe. 

The treatment is to scrub out the foot and apply eucalyptus oil (available from most chemists or pharmacies) repeatedly along the grooves of the frog until it clears. The farrier should be called to trim the sides of the frog to remove any damaged tissue. If there is infection and lameness call the vet and follow the advice given – it may need poulticing. 

To prevent thrush, keep the feet clean, scrub them out and apply eucalyptus oil at least once a week during the winter, and when necessary in the summer. Make sure that there is a dry area in the field, for example hard standing, if the horse is out all the time. Make sure bedding is kept clean and dry. 
 

Seedy toe 

This is a separation of the layers of the hoof wall at the white line. It usually starts at the toe and gradually progresses up the hoof wall. The hole becomes filled with white, dead material. 

It normally occurs when the toes are allowed to become too long, but it can be a result of laminitis or of concussion on hard ground. 

This condition needs to be managed by regular, correct trimming by a farrier – the hole will then grow out. Some of the tissue may need to be cut away and packed with putty. There may be an infection so, if the horse is lame, call the vet, as antibiotics may be needed. The foot may then need to be tubbed (soaked) with water and Epsom salts and poulticed. 
 

Laminitis 
 

This is caused by several factors, but the main reason is an overload of soluble carbohydrates in the digestive system.  Symptoms are a reluctance to move, increased digital sesamoid pulse, walking heel to toe, and leaning back onto the hind feet. 

Call the vet immediately and follow the treatment plan given. Remove the horse from grass and take him into a deep bed of shavings, cardboard or sand until sound. 

To prevent laminitis, a properly formulated high fibre diet is necessary with strict weight control, and regular farrier attention. 
 

Infections in the foot (pus in the foot) 

This is caused by puncture wounds, seedy toe, or bruising. It is the most common reason for lameness. 

Symptoms are an extreme lameness due to the inflammation in the foot, increasing pressure against the hoof wall, causing pain. There is an increased digital sesamoid pulse in the affected hoof, and reaction to pressure on the infected site due to pain. 

Call the vet, as the infection (pus) should be released from the foot by digging out the infected area.  This can also be done by a farrier. The horse will be sound or at least almost sound after this procedure. 

The foot will then need to be tubbed and poulticed to draw out the rest of the infection. If not treated, the leg can begin to swell and the infection can spread through the foot and burst out of the coronary band. In extreme cases, the vet may prescribe antibiotics alongside practical procedures. 

Also, ensure that the horse is vaccinated for tetanus, as puncture wounds are an ideal way for tetanus to enter the body. 

A vet should see all puncture wounds to the foot because if they are deep enough, they can infect the pedal or navicular bone. This is a serious condition and needs surgical attention. It can cause damage to sensitive, internal structures including tendons and could cause permanent lameness. 
 

Nail bind/prick 

This is caused by the farrier putting a nail too close to the sensitive part of the foot (nail bind) or actually piercing the sensitive part of the foot (nail prick). 

Symptoms are lameness after shoeing, either immediately or up to a couple days later. 

To treat it, the farrier needs to remove the nail and the foot should be tubbed and poulticed as with a foot infection.  Call the vet if lameness continues, or if the farrier recommends it. Check tetanus vaccinations are up to date. 
 

Sand/grass cracks 

A sand crack starts at the coronet band and works down, whereas a grass crack runs from the ground towards the coronet band. Both are caused by poor foot conformation or condition, poor or irregular farrier attention, or an injury. 

Call the farrier for treatment. The cracks can be stopped from spreading by marking a groove in the hoof wall above or below the crack, or by putting clips around the start of a grass crack. With regular, correct farriery, the cracks should grow out. 

To prevent cracks, ensure regular, correct farriery. A dietary supplement of biotin can also promote good hoof condition and growth.