Equine Infectious Anemia Signs and Symptoms

Equine Infectious Anemia Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms vary from horse to horse which make EIA difficult to diagnose. EIA can also mimic certain other diseases and some horses may not demonstrate any obvious signs at all! The acute horse may be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are very general and he will not show as positive on the EIA test for a month and a half.

As you can see, this is a very difficult disease to diagnose and may comprise of one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

* Fever (normal temperature of a horse is (99.5 to 101.5 degrees F).

* Sudden fluctuations in the horses temperature (this may exceed 105 degrees F).

* Weak pulse and/ or an irregular heartbeat.

* Rapid breathing and sweating.

* Decreased appetite and weight loss.

* Horse appears depressed.

* Bloodshot eyes and a watery discharge.

* Swelling of the lower chest, abdomen or legs.

* Abortion in the mare.

* General weakness resulting in a wobbly or rolling type gait

* Mucous membranes appear pale or yellowish in colour

Although most horses surrender rapidly to EIA, some infected horses do appear to recover. Horses that have contracted the EIA virus are carriers of the disease and at times of stress may become ill with the disease again.

To insure that your horse is not harbouring the virus a simple 'Coggins test' is preformed.

Contact your veterinarian at the above first signs for advise and information.

Don Thompson
Co-owner
http://australasianhorsesales.com.au

De-worming Your Horse

De-worming Your Horse

Many horse owners have a regular de-worming program for their horses. De-worming your horses is vital to your horses overall health and without a regular program in place your horses will become a host for worms.

Lasting internal damage to your horses will result if you do not have a de-worming program
in place.

There are literally dozens of types of worms that can infest your horses, some worms being more prevalent in different regions of the country and some are more seasonal.

Use of a broad spectrum de-wormer will ensure that all the worms residing in your horses are eradicated. As a rule of thumb you should de-worm your horses every 6-8 weeks.

De-wormers come in pellets, granules and pastes, which will give you a variety of choices for the most finicky of horses. It is always best to rotate to a different brand of de-wormer every month or so to get the best results.

Don Thompson
Co-owner
australasianhorsesales.com.au

Imprinting the Newborn Foal

Imprinting the Newborn Foal

Imprinting is a fairly new technique, and everyone has their opinion on how and if and when it should be done. I look for a window of opportunity. This window is usually as soon as the foal if dropped and the mare is busy passing the placenta.

I think this is the perfect time to get some dry towels (or handfuls of straw will do) and rub your new foal all over his/ her entire body. When I say the 'entire body' that is exactly what I mean; the head, neck, legs, belly, feet and don'tforget the inside of the foals nostrils and mouth. Gently rub the inside of the foals gums and tongue and inside the foalsears.

This little act will be very beneficial later on in his/ her training. Remember to do this several times and be very gentle, if the foal resists or seems frightened go back to rubbing gently and petting him/ her.

If you have a little time to spare, put his/ her halter on and off several times, petting and rewarding him/ her every time the foal lets you do something new.Pick up the foals feet and pat the bottoms of each one and rub his/ her legs.

Remember ahead to the things that you will be asking of the foal in the next few weeks and it will make this a more profitable session for you and the newborn. As the newborn takes a standing position again lift the legs and feet a few more times and repeat putting on and taking off the halter in this standingposition.

Later on in the day, or possibly the next day, attach a lead rope and ask you foal to take a step or two, nothing too demanding. Reward the foal with rubbing and petting, keep a eye out for that 'special scratch spot' that makes your foal relaxed, calm and happy to be with you.

Keep up these little sessions every day, 2 and 3 times a day for the first 2-3 weeks. Your foal will learn to trust you and want to be with you as you bond together in these first, crucial, few weeks.

Don Thompson
C0-owner
australasianhorsesales.com.au

tip. De-worming Your Horse

De-worming Your Horse

Many horse owners have a regular de-worming program for their horses. De-worming your horse is vital to your horse's overall health and without a regular program in place your horse will become a host for worms.

Lasting internal damage toyour horse will result if you do not have a de-worming program in place.

There are literally dozens of types of worms that can infest your horse, some worms being more prevalent in different regions of the country and some are more seasonal.

Use of a broad spectrum de-wormer will ensure that all the worms residing in your horse are eradicated.

As a rule of thumb you should deworm your horse every 6-8 weeks.

De-wormerscome in pellets, granules and pastes, which will give you a variety of choices for the most persnickety horse.

It is always best to rotate to a different brand of de-wormer everymonth or so to get the best results.

Don Thompson
Co-owner australasianhorsesales.com.au

Tip, the bit

What do you do if your horse throws a fit with the bit?

When a normally, well tempered horse starts throwing a fit when trying to insert a bit, there is usually a good reason.

I would first consider the horse's teeth. Is it possible that you are bumping her teeth with the bit as you are trying tobridle him/ her? If this is not the case, then I would recommend having your horse's teeth checked by a veterinarian.

There are as many reasons that may cause your horses teeth to hurt and this will result in head tossing and a 'hissy'fit.

Your horse may need to have his/ her teeth floated as there may be uneven spots or hooks on the surface of the teethwhich is quite painful.

'Floating' the teeth is a relatively simple procedure.

A dental checkup is a part of good horse care and should be done at least once a year as part of the horse's yearly check-up.

If you have any stories please pass them on. email me at don@australasianhorsesales.com.au

Don Thompson
Co-owner http://australasianhorsesales.com.au

The Quick Release Knot

The Quick Release Knot
By Don Thompson. Co-owner of http://australasianhorsesales.com.au
And partner of http://bildarbipark.australasianhorsesales.com.au

The main purpose of the quick release knot around horses is to release them quickly. For example in situations where they could be injured.

So the quick release knot is perfect to use when tying and restraining your horse. It is used because it can be undone quickly, even if your horse is pulling back.

The first thing to do is to make a loop around the object you will be tying your horse to. Then place the two ends next to one and other in your hand.


Then form a loop.


And pull another loop through the first loop.


And then pull it tight.


There are a couple of things that you can do to prevent your horse from undoing the knot. The first is to simply put the loose end back through the loop and tighten a bit.


The other knot that you can do to prevent him untying the knot is what we call a double quick release knot. Grab the loose end and pull a loop through the loop formed doing the first knot, and pull it tight.



One final word.

For your own safety we strongly suggest that you keep your fingers and thumbs out of the loops formed while you are tying the knots.

The reason for this is that if the horse pulls back at that instant you could end up with your finger or thumb missing. I have seen it, and it’s not pretty.

Don Thompson

What is Anhidrosis

What is Anhidrosis (non-sweating) in Horses?

Anhidrosis commonly referred to as 'dry coat', 'the puffs' or 'non-sweating' disease' is the inability for the horse to sweat after exercise.

This condition usually develops in horses that are exercised and stabled in hot and humidweather.

In tropical locations 50 -60% of horses willpresent the disease. Horses that loose the ability to sweat efficiently, will puff and blow to reduce their core temperature.

This is a very serious condition and you should seek medical attention immediately.

Don Thompson
C0-owner
http://australasianhorsesales.com.au