Health and Disease in horses

The primary vital signs of a horse will indicate the horses health and condition. A table of the vital signs of a horse monitored will be included in this assignment. An assessment of the horses' vital signs will be made and the value of measuring, monitoring and assessing shown.

Equine Herpes Virus 1 Myeloencephalitis;Is it treatable?

Equine Herpes Viruses can often infect individuals for the whole of there lives. Infections do not persist for long periods of time, (there are exceptions to this rule) as it is fragile in nature but reoccurrences of the disease in carriers will show themselves throughout the horses life in times of stress, malnutrition or whenever the horses bodies resistance is low.

Veterinary Intervention relating to Tendon damage

It is very hard to detect the severity or progression of tendon damage by visually examining or palpating the limb, ultrasound will be necessary to determine this. Veterinary involvement becomes necessary in more acute cases. Phenylbutazone is a popular choice for initial nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID's) therapy and does not affect the natural repair process. Corticosteroids are also used to decrease inflammation, oedema and adhesions between the tendon and sheath.

The implications of superficial digital flexor tendonitis in the National Hunt racehorse.

Every time the horses hoof comes into contact with the ground, the tendon is required to stretch. At speed or over jumps this is increased up to 8cm, (Nankervis 2002). The tenocytes within the extra cellular matrix run parallel to one another. The ability to aid cell realignment will aid the functional capabilities of the tendon after injury.

Recent advances in diagnosis and nursing techniques related to contracted tendons in the equine neonate.

A physical examination can often be ample to diagnosis this condition. The severity of the condition will determine the symptoms shown. Affected neonates have varying degrees of straightening.

Hunt horses and the risk of injury.

The horse is an elite athlete and many of their natural characteristics can be harnessed for performance in sporting activities. National Hunt Racing incorporates many of the horse's natural physical abilities including speed, stamina and the ability to jump. The races are run over longer distances than flat races; up to 4½ miles, requiring the horse to have more stamina but a lower average speed. National Hunt races include a jumping element.

Feeding on the Competition Yard

Finer details of feeding need to be considered once the work load intensifies. In order to sustain the maximum performance levels, it becomes more necessary to consider the losses that the horse is subject to due to the increase in workload. As stated previous it is still necessary to determine the goals that you wish to achieve from your feeding programme and aim to ensure the horses requirements are met as efficiently as possible.

Feeding in the Riding School

Riding schools are used by a wide variety of people for many different purposes, all of which must be catered for by the establishment. It is the manager's responsibility to make sure that the horses available for use are safe, fit and healthy. Along with the fitness regimes, shoeing needs and daily maintenance of the horses, the feeding of correct and suitable feeds is vital.

Feeding and the single Horse Owner

Often the single horse owner will use trial and error method over time to determine their horses feed ration. Many owners choose feeds that are well known and often don't always meet the needs of the individual. The need for a spreadsheet constructed feed ration may not be acknowledged by owners, but the benefits can be great.

Basic feed rationing & Equine Parasites

A feed ration is a determined quantity and quality of feed, calculated using as much information about the animal and its lifestyle as possible. Rations can be made as complicated or as simple as desired. It is the final outcome that also determines the complexity of the ration.