Floating: Working Horse vs. Senior Horse

Lana Delaney, DVM Delaneyvetservices.ca.

Professional Background:

We strive to provide timely and courteous communication in regards to your question, concerns and patient results. We seek to educate you, the owners solidifing that the care of your animal is a team effort and we look forward to being a part of it!

HSQ: How often do you recommend floating a senior horse? Do we need to pay more attention to floating our working horses more regularily?

A: All horses should have their teeth checked on a yearly basis. Some horses that
have know teeth issues, such as missing teeth or marked steps (where one tooth
is longer than the opposing tooth) should be check more regularily -every six
months. Older horses (greater than 17 years of age) do not erupt teeth as
quick as younger horses and their teeth are " harder" thus do not form sharp
edges as quickly, however, most older horses need as much help as they can get
to keep weight on. If you notice any age of horse develops facial swelling,
nasal (unilateral)discharge, putrid breath, marked weight loss, or picky eating
( won't eat hay but will eat grain or vice versa) should have their teeth
examined by a veterinarian. This may require sedation to assist in a full oral
exam.
Work horses may require their teeth checked/floated more regularily eg every 6
month because they require all they can get to maximize their calorie intake
plus we expect them to stay collected, keep soft contact with the bit etc and
some horses have very sensitive mouths.
Always have a horses mouth checked and possibly floated prior to starting
training with a bit this will alleviate frustations later. Some horses may
have impacted wolf teeth, impacted caps, or enlarged hooks or ramps that will
definately not make them happy to have somthing in their mouths.

Thank you for your interest in your Horses Health!

Lana

Winter Problems with Equine Coat Conditions

Lana Delaney, DVM Delaneyvetservices.ca.

Professional Background:

We strive to provide timely and courteous communication in regards to your question, concerns and patient results. We seek to educate you, the owners solidifing that the care of your animal is a team effort and we look forward to being a part of it!

Q: A few of my horses get a scaley type of bumps between their front legs and on their chest in winter months. When It is picked off a bit of yellow substance comes with it along with some hair. There are also random clumps over the body but in no particular pattern. Otherwise coat condition is good and they are on a mixed grass bale of Timothy Brome with a bit of Alfalfa. They also have access to a salt lick and plenty of water. What might it be?

and what can I do to treat it? Will it spread?

A: First off skin conditions can be very confusing and difficult to diagnose in
horses. This kind of condition can be due to many different problems such as bacterial, fungal and many other unknowns.

The most common condition with these clinical signs is Dermatophilus Congolensis - commonly referred to as "rain scald" or "rain rot" caused by a bacteria. This bacteria flourishes in wet dirty conditions, such as you would find on a horse in the winter wearing a blanket and in folded skin areas. Usually these lesions are not itchy, the scab is "paintbrush like" and can spread very quickly if not treated appropriately.

Q: How do I treat it? My horses are kept at home and I do not have a barn therefore I am not able to body wash them in winter months.

A: In an ideal situation the horse would be brought into a barn, bathed with medicated shampoo, rinsed well then blow dried off and an antibacterial ointment applied to the affected area. However this doesn't work for most people.

**Most importantly do not "brush" the area this only spreads the bacteria to other areas on the horse**

**Do not 'use' infected brushes on other horses as it can be passed along by brushing

Whenever treating any infection on a horse always wear latex/vinyl gloves so YOU do not transfer bacteria from your skin to a horses wound.

1. Clean the spotted areas with medicated soap such as
   betadine/prepodyne scrub, leave soap on for 5 minutes,
2. Rinse well, towel dry
3. Apply an anti-bacterial cream.
4. If Possible keep blankets off so you can to allow the hair to air out.

This bacteria is not contagious from one horse to another but often horses share
the same environmental conditions and blanket/brush situation thus have the same skin infection.

If the skin condition spreads, the skin becomes swollen/painfull or
does not appear to improve in 1 - 2 weeks then contact your local veterinarian
to work up your horses skin condition, this may involve collection and
submission of skin biopsies, skin scrapings and blood work.

Thank you for your interest in your Horses Health!

Lana