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By Dr. Kirby Penttila, Burwash Equine Services
Podiatry in equine veterinary practice is gaining increasing attention. We continue to learn more about the function and biomechanics of the horse's foot, and develop new and innovative strategies to alter those biomechanics and mitigate problems that lead to lameness in the foot. To achieve a successful outcome, equine podiatry requires a team approach and great cooperation between the owner, the veterinarian, and the farrier. Although a relatively small part of the horse's body, the foot plays a very important role in soundness. It is simply amazing to consider all of the functions that are occurring in this structure in order to support a horse's size and weight. It can be even more overwhelming when we start to consider how small changes to the biomechanics of the foot can change the function of the foot, and result in lameness issues for the horse down the road. One of the most common hoof deformities, which develops as a result of a change in the healthy balance and biomechanics in the horse's foot, is the club foot....
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Almost every owner will have to deal with an equine emergency sooner or later. A horse's natural curiosity, a trail ride mishap, or turnout with herd mates can lead to all kinds of cuts, bruises, kicks, and bites. Scrapes, stone bruises, punctures, sprains, or sores can happen suddenly, and more serious conditions such as abscesses, colic, or bacterial infections can flare up with no warning.
While the advice of a veterinarian may be necessary, many minor health conditions can be dealt on site with adequate knowledge and first aid equipment. But to take full advantage of on-hand solutions, certain protocols should be in place to help you and anyone else caring for your horse....
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Generally, first aid equipment is inexpensive, and you can create a comprehensive kit for a reasonable cost, saving yourself hundreds of dollars in unnecessary vet calls.
"Every horse owner should have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand," says Heather Davis, executive director, Equi-Health Canada. "All too often we hear of folks with items scattered all over the place and they can't find what they need when they need it."
Keep a comprehensive first aid kit for the barn, a travelling kit in the trailer, and an essentials kit to carry with you on a trail ride. Don't forget to have a first aid kit for yourself!....
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By Shelagh Niblock, PAS
Accurate laboratory analysis is the backbone of efficient ration planning for many horse owners today. Whether you have an elite competition horse or a senior who is essentially a pet, horse owners are becoming increasingly aware that informed forage buying decisions can make a significant difference in the health and performance of their horse. Easily accessible forage analysis options are more common than they were even ten years ago, but maneuvering your way around them can be confusing. When choosing a lab to analyse your hay, always choose one that specializes in forage and provides the following nutrients as part of their analysis package: crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), and ethanol soluble carbohydrate (ESC). Once you find the lab, they will generally have an easy-to-follow directory of the different forage analysis packages from which to choose.....
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By Will Clinging
There is always a reason when things go wrong, and we have to accept at least half of the responsibility. Remember it is we who are asking for certain acceptable behaviour; if we have not defined what is actually acceptable then the horse is right to be wrong.
Once horses are further along in their training, problems can take on a different dynamic. When a horse is inexperienced with little or no understanding of what our expectations are, the problems are usually pretty obvious and relatively easy to diagnose if we start working backwards from where things went wrong. If the horse that is generally reliable and predictable starts to misbehave in certain predicaments, it is easy to jump the gun and assume that the inappropriate action is situational. This can be the case but there might be more below the surface than you think.....
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SPONSORED
At CF Fence in southern Okanagan, BC, owner Alan Cossentine recognizes the value and importance of safe, reliable fencing for livestock on farms and ranches. Back in 2001, Cossentine discovered that the gate openings on his property were not standard sizes and he was faced with two choices to upgrade the gates from the old, heavy wooden ones to new, light-weight, easier-to-open pipe gates: He either had to rebuild the openings to accommodate standard size gates, or make his own custom gates....
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BOOK REVIEW
Reviewed by Margaret Evans
Amid the crashing surf, a yellow Labrador in a bright pink life jacket dragged a semi-conscious girl onto the beach. The dog's tail hung limply between its hind legs. It circled once, and then twice, before settling down beside the girl, and resting its head and a paw across her chest. The dog closed its eyes against the sting of the icy rain. Eventually, exhaustion overtook it and it fell into a peaceful slumber despite the storm that raged around it.
A clip-clop sound, faint at first, and then growing louder as it approached, had the dog on edge. Her ears pricked up, tracking the sound....
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By Dr. Lauren MacLeod
The musculoskeletal system of the horse is an incredible machine - strong, fast, efficient, and capable of performing feats as varied as jumping obstacles and roping cattle. However, horse owners are all too aware of the fact that despite this amazing athletic ability, the equine body can be remarkably fragile. If one owns horses long enough, he or she is bound to encounter a disorder of the equine musculoskeletal system. For most of us, this conjures the image of a lame horse and many hours of cold hosing, bandaging, and veterinary visits....
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Source: ISES
The ongoing problem of obesity in equines is not a recent one. However, in some industrialized countries, the increase in the number of obese horses and ponies predominantly found in the leisure industry has now become a globally recognized welfare concern. Carrying excess weight places increased stress on the skeletal system of the horse, can limit reproductive performance, adversely affect athletic performance and may lead to an increased risk of laminitis, osteoarthritis, heat intolerance, and certain types of colic...
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By April D. Ray
Nearly everything to do with horses seems to be continually rising in cost. Yet cutting corners in any way that might compromise your horse's health and welfare is never the solution to saving money. So how can we add higher costs to what is already a tight budget, and how much further will our finances stretch? Fortunately, we're here to help with some horsekeeping tips and tricks that will help you stay in the saddle without breaking the bank.
Basic accounting tells us if we have money worries we need to spend less and make more, which can be hard when horses are involved....
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By Jonathan Field
You are who your friends are. That adage can apply to horses, too. How we treat them will often be reflected right back at us - for good or bad. Sometimes the difference between a harsh cue and an appropriate one can be subtle. Pressure can be effective, but intensity and timing can make all the difference. The concept of Hold and Wait helps horses and riders remedy incorrect use of pressure. It certainly helped me take my own horsemanship to the next level....
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By Tania Millen
Horsemen and women around the world are enjoying horses in more unique ways than ever, especially here in Canada. From mounted archery to combat and tent pegging, cowboy mounted shooting to working equitation, and Indian relay racing to skijoring, there are challenging horse sports for everyone. Many of the seven sports described are relatively new, but the skills these sports require originated hundreds of years ago when good horsemanship meant staying alive during battle. So, if you're looking for fresh ways to horse around or watch thrilling horseback action, check out these sports. You just might find a new passion....
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For over 80 years, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Breeding Program has earned a reputation for producing some of Canada's finest horses. This October, the RCMP will auction off up to 12 Hanoverians from this world-renowned program.
Equestrians recognize the Hanoverian - known for their wonderful temperament, athleticism, and beauty - as one of the most prominent and successful horse breeds in the world today. Now, thanks to the 2020 Musical Ride horse auction, you have the chance to own one of these incredible horses for yourself.....
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Source: Equestrian Canada
Heartfelt condolences are extended to the family and friends of Donald J. Good of New Hamburg, ON, who passed away on August 4, 2020, at the age of 68.
Good was a champion of the Canadian Equestrian Team (CET) for many years, having owned more than 35 horses and supported numerous Canadian riders in realizing their dreams and reaching the podium. Many of his horses were named to the EC National Team Program Eventing High Performance Squads and received Canadian Eventing Awards of Excellence, illustrating Good's eye for talent and desire to make Canadian eventers a powerhouse on the world stage....
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By Jocelyn Adams
BC EQUESTRIAN TRAILS FUND 2020 RESULTS
In 2020, the British Columbia Equestrian Trails Fund (BCETF) provided $36,649 to five clubs with a wide variety of trail projects around the province. The clubs awarded funding in 2020, and their projects, were:
Back Country Horsemen of BC - Robson Valley Chapter: Belle Mtn Multi-use Trails Rehabilitation
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By Linda Hazelwood
After a "spring of surprises," a "summer of fluctuation," we move into a "fall of uncertainty," and with a nod to Shakespeare, possibly a "winter of discontent." We're talking about COVID-19 of course, and how it has affected horse owners and competitors, and those wishing to become certified as Equestrian Canada Coaches and Officials.
For any provincial/territorial sport organization (PTSO), it's been a difficult time, as each province opened for business on a different time scale and with different permissions....
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