DNA samples of rare Canadian Horse breed for study
Rick Blackburn pulls into Texas A&M University with DNA samples from Canadian Horses.
Fifty horse DNA samples have been delivered to a Texas university by two horse riders to further the knowledge of the Canadian horse breed.
Canadian film-makers Rick Blackburn and his wife Louise Leroux made the three-month 2500-mile journey on two Canadian horses from Quebec to Texas A&M University.
The pair, who arrived on Monday, delivered 50 samples of Canadian horse genes to Dr Gus Cothran, director of equine genetics at the university's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
The Canadian horse is a breed that goes back hundreds of years and has had a rich history in North America.
It is now one of the rarest horse breeds in the world, with only about 2500 pure-blood Canadian horses left. The breed is listed as critical by the American Livestock Conservation Association.
It is hoped that Dr Cothran's mapping of the horses' genes will not only help determine how the Canadian horse has influenced the bloodlines of other North American horses, but raise awareness for the breed.
An expert in population and conservation genetics, Cothran is one of only a few people in the world who does work on genetics of horses as it relates to breed conservation.
Until recently, he has had little opportunity to study the Canadian horse because of its rarity.
Rick Blackburn unpacks the DNA samples for Dr Gus Cothran.
"The diverse samples that Mr Blackburn collected from top Canadian horse breeders across Canada will enable me to do a more comprehensive analysis of the breed," he said.
"There is a strong probability that these horses are ancestors to a variety of common North American breeds such as the Morgan horse. This information should bring to light the genetic and historical importance of the Canadian horse and hopefully spark people's interest in conserving the breed."
These outcomes are the reason Blackburn and Leroux undertook the ride, which began on May 11, 2009.
"At 25 to 35 miles a day it has been a long journey for sure," says Blackburn. "But the opportunity to highlight this breed and to demonstrate its legendary ruggedness by riding them cross-country has definitely been worthwhile. There has been an incredible grass-roots interest from Americans in what we are doing and that gives us hope that we will be able to save these horses."
Blackburn and Leroux are also turning this unique experience into a film entitled, "The Legend of the Canadian Horse" that will air on Canadian network television.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Contagious Equine Metritis
What is contagious equine metritis?
Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a transmissible venereal disease in horses, caused by a bacterium called Taylorella equigenitalis. CEM is highly contagious and can have a devastating effect on equine reproductive activity. This disease occurs naturally only in horses, and all breeds are susceptible.
Where is CEM found?
This disease was first described in Newmarket, United Kingdom, in 1977. Today, it exists primarily in non-thoroughbred populations throughout the world. Cases are occasionally detected in mares and stallions imported from other countries into Canada.
How is CEM transmitted and spread?
The disease is primarily spread during natural breeding. Infected stallions tend to be the major source of infection, as they can harbour the disease for years without showing any clinical signs.
CEM can be transmitted indirectly to mares and stallions via contaminated instruments and equipment such as tail bandages, buckets, sponges and gloves. The bacteria can also be transmitted via artificial insemination. It is advisable to maintain strict hygiene when handling breeding mares and stallions to prevent disease transmission.
Is CEM a risk to human health?
There is no human health risk associated with CEM.
What are the clinical signs of CEM?
Stallions do not usually show any clinical signs of infection. However, the infected stallion remains capable of transmitting disease.
In mares, initial exposure to the disease usually results in a large amount of vaginal discharge 12 to 14 days following natural breeding with an infected stallion. The disease can cause infertility and, on the rare occasion, abortion. The severity of disease in mares varies. There are two states of infection:
Active state: The main outward sign is a vaginal discharge which may range from very mild to extremely prolific.
Carrier state: There are no outward signs of infection; however, the mare remains capable of transmitting infection.
How is CEM diagnosed?
CEM is suspected when multiple mares that are bred by the same stallion experience short-term infertility and have vaginal discharge. Diagnosis depends on isolating and identifying the bacteria in a laboratory.
How is CEM treated?
In most cases, CEM can be successfully treated with disinfectants and antibiotics. While one course of treatment may be sufficient in a stallion, it may take several months before the CEM organism can be successfully treated in a mare. Once the organism has been eliminated, the horse may be used for breeding again.
What roles and responsibilities exist to prevent CEM?
Contagious equine metritis is a "reportable disease" under the Health of Animals Act. This means that all suspected cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for immediate investigation by inspectors.
If CEM is found in Canada, the policy is to eradicate the disease. Eradication involves implementing disease control measures such as quarantines, movement restrictions, testing of exposed horses, and treatment of infected horses.
The CFIA imposes strict regulations on the import of animals and animal products from countries where CEM is known to occur. These regulations are enforced through port-of-entry inspections done either by the Canada Border Services Agency or the CFIA.
Canada is currently assessing the situation in the United States with Government regulatory officials, with a view to adopting additional requirements for imports into Canada, in response to the change in the status of the disease in the United States.
How to get more information?
Contact your Canadian Food Inspection Agency Area Office:
Atlantic Area: 506-851-7400
Quebec Area: 514-283-8888
Ontario Area: 519-837-9400
Western Area: 403-292-4301
You can find your local Canadian Food Inspection Agency District Office on the CFIA Web site or by consulting the blue pages of your local phone directory.
ARTICLE SOURCE :http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/disemala/equinmet/equinmetfse.shtml
Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a transmissible venereal disease in horses, caused by a bacterium called Taylorella equigenitalis. CEM is highly contagious and can have a devastating effect on equine reproductive activity. This disease occurs naturally only in horses, and all breeds are susceptible.
Where is CEM found?
This disease was first described in Newmarket, United Kingdom, in 1977. Today, it exists primarily in non-thoroughbred populations throughout the world. Cases are occasionally detected in mares and stallions imported from other countries into Canada.
How is CEM transmitted and spread?
The disease is primarily spread during natural breeding. Infected stallions tend to be the major source of infection, as they can harbour the disease for years without showing any clinical signs.
CEM can be transmitted indirectly to mares and stallions via contaminated instruments and equipment such as tail bandages, buckets, sponges and gloves. The bacteria can also be transmitted via artificial insemination. It is advisable to maintain strict hygiene when handling breeding mares and stallions to prevent disease transmission.
Is CEM a risk to human health?
There is no human health risk associated with CEM.
What are the clinical signs of CEM?
Stallions do not usually show any clinical signs of infection. However, the infected stallion remains capable of transmitting disease.
In mares, initial exposure to the disease usually results in a large amount of vaginal discharge 12 to 14 days following natural breeding with an infected stallion. The disease can cause infertility and, on the rare occasion, abortion. The severity of disease in mares varies. There are two states of infection:
Active state: The main outward sign is a vaginal discharge which may range from very mild to extremely prolific.
Carrier state: There are no outward signs of infection; however, the mare remains capable of transmitting infection.
How is CEM diagnosed?
CEM is suspected when multiple mares that are bred by the same stallion experience short-term infertility and have vaginal discharge. Diagnosis depends on isolating and identifying the bacteria in a laboratory.
How is CEM treated?
In most cases, CEM can be successfully treated with disinfectants and antibiotics. While one course of treatment may be sufficient in a stallion, it may take several months before the CEM organism can be successfully treated in a mare. Once the organism has been eliminated, the horse may be used for breeding again.
What roles and responsibilities exist to prevent CEM?
Contagious equine metritis is a "reportable disease" under the Health of Animals Act. This means that all suspected cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for immediate investigation by inspectors.
If CEM is found in Canada, the policy is to eradicate the disease. Eradication involves implementing disease control measures such as quarantines, movement restrictions, testing of exposed horses, and treatment of infected horses.
The CFIA imposes strict regulations on the import of animals and animal products from countries where CEM is known to occur. These regulations are enforced through port-of-entry inspections done either by the Canada Border Services Agency or the CFIA.
Canada is currently assessing the situation in the United States with Government regulatory officials, with a view to adopting additional requirements for imports into Canada, in response to the change in the status of the disease in the United States.
How to get more information?
Contact your Canadian Food Inspection Agency Area Office:
Atlantic Area: 506-851-7400
Quebec Area: 514-283-8888
Ontario Area: 519-837-9400
Western Area: 403-292-4301
You can find your local Canadian Food Inspection Agency District Office on the CFIA Web site or by consulting the blue pages of your local phone directory.
ARTICLE SOURCE :http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/disemala/equinmet/equinmetfse.shtml
CONTAGIOUS EQUINE METRITIS INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
OTTAWA, December 24, 2008 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched an investigation after confirming that horse semen was imported into Canada from a United States stallion subsequently determined to be infected with contagious equine metritis (CEM). There are no human health implications with this disease.
United States officials have confirmed that three stallions on a Kentucky farm tested positive for CEM. Shipments of frozen semen from one of these stallions were sent to Ontario and Alberta in the spring of 2008. CFIA and provincial animal health officials are currently tracing the shipments to identify potentially exposed animals. As a precaution, the CFIA will place these animals under quarantine until they have tested negative for CEM.
CEM is a highly contagious disease that affects the reproductive tract of horses. The disease can cause temporary infertility in mares. In most cases, CEM can be successfully treated with disinfectants and antibiotics. CEM is a reportable disease in Canada. This means that all suspected cases must be reported to the CFIA for immediate investigation by inspectors. There are international trade implications if a country loses its CEM-free status.
Until more information is available from the U.S., the CFIA is recommending that the equine industry and importers in Canada exercise caution and refrain from importing breeding horses, embryos and semen from the U.S.
CEM is primarily spread directly during natural breeding, but can also be transmitted during artificial insemination and through contaminated instruments and equipment, such as tail bandages, buckets, sponges and gloves. Therefore, horse owners and veterinarians should maintain strict hygiene when handling breeding mares and stallions to prevent infection.
Infected stallions tend to be the major source of infection, as they can harbour the disease for years without showing any clinical signs. The primary symptoms of infection in mares are short-term infertility and vaginal discharge, but some mares can also carry the disease without clinical signs. Any horse owner or veterinarian who suspects a horse under their care may be infected with CEM should immediately contact their local CFIA District office (a listing can be found in the blue pages of local phone directories).
The CFIA will continue to work with provincial counterparts, affected producers and the equine industry in this response effort. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
More information about CEM is available on the CFIA Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca or by calling 1-800-442-2342.
- 30 -
For information:
Canadian Food Inspection AgencyMedia relations: 613-773-6600
article source :http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/disemala/equinmet/20081224inde.shtml
United States officials have confirmed that three stallions on a Kentucky farm tested positive for CEM. Shipments of frozen semen from one of these stallions were sent to Ontario and Alberta in the spring of 2008. CFIA and provincial animal health officials are currently tracing the shipments to identify potentially exposed animals. As a precaution, the CFIA will place these animals under quarantine until they have tested negative for CEM.
CEM is a highly contagious disease that affects the reproductive tract of horses. The disease can cause temporary infertility in mares. In most cases, CEM can be successfully treated with disinfectants and antibiotics. CEM is a reportable disease in Canada. This means that all suspected cases must be reported to the CFIA for immediate investigation by inspectors. There are international trade implications if a country loses its CEM-free status.
Until more information is available from the U.S., the CFIA is recommending that the equine industry and importers in Canada exercise caution and refrain from importing breeding horses, embryos and semen from the U.S.
CEM is primarily spread directly during natural breeding, but can also be transmitted during artificial insemination and through contaminated instruments and equipment, such as tail bandages, buckets, sponges and gloves. Therefore, horse owners and veterinarians should maintain strict hygiene when handling breeding mares and stallions to prevent infection.
Infected stallions tend to be the major source of infection, as they can harbour the disease for years without showing any clinical signs. The primary symptoms of infection in mares are short-term infertility and vaginal discharge, but some mares can also carry the disease without clinical signs. Any horse owner or veterinarian who suspects a horse under their care may be infected with CEM should immediately contact their local CFIA District office (a listing can be found in the blue pages of local phone directories).
The CFIA will continue to work with provincial counterparts, affected producers and the equine industry in this response effort. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
More information about CEM is available on the CFIA Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca or by calling 1-800-442-2342.
- 30 -
For information:
Canadian Food Inspection AgencyMedia relations: 613-773-6600
article source :http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/disemala/equinmet/20081224inde.shtml
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Winter Care For Horses
Special horse care for the cold weather season usually starts in early November We here in eastern Canada (Saint-Lazare, Quebec) were pretty lucky with winter up until a few weeks ago (January 2007). Except for the missing leaves on the trees, riding conditions were similar to those in early fall.
Alas, winter is back, and with it come certain concerns on how to keep our equine companions in top shape.
Some experts in horse care say that a horse has to be exercised the same in winter as in summer. (These experts probably have never experienced real winter conditions)
Icy weather conditions in many cases makes it an impossible task without an indoor arena.
But the cold damp and dusty atmosphere of most arenas are also detrimental to the health of the horse.
Maintain a baseline of physical fitness by riding outside three times a week for an hour at a walk and trot.
a well exercised horse needs to be cooled out thoroughly then brushed to stand the hair up again before turning them back out.
Fluffy hair traps air and keeps the horse warm; hair plastered down flat or wet lets body heat escape.
Check the sole for bruising that may occur on the hard ground and ice.
Many of the abscesses that develop in early spring can be attributed to undiagnosed bruises that started in winter.
Water intake for horses in the winter is also a problem.
Much of the time a horse will not drink as much water if it is too cold.
The best method to keep a horse hydrated is to supply a heated water bucket.
A heated water bucket is akin to a warm cup of tea.
Dehydration (lack of water) is the number one cause of impaction colic in horses.
Another idea for coddling your horse in the winter is to prepare it a nice hot homemade meal.One example of a warm meal that can be offered to horses at least once a week is bran mash. Horses will love this. It consists of bran sweet feed, chopped apples, sliced carrots, and molasses. For more recipes click http://www.livingwithhorses.com/horse-treat-recipe.html
Keep your horse supplied with free choice quality hay outside. A horse needs to keep eating to produce enough body heat to stay warm in winter. Besides, eating is more fun than standing out there in the cold with nothing to do.
Access to a draft free run in shelter is very important. If a horse stays outside all winter place an ample amount of straw or shavings on the floor of the shelter. This will encourage the horse to lie down and have a more restful sleep.
The website http://www.livingwithhorses.com was born a year after we moved to our equestrian property. The first year taught us so much about what we did not know that I felt there must be others out there crazy enough to jump into a new life with little experience. Sharing my experiences as well collecting information the novice horse owner, stable manager and new rancher need to make life easier.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronnie_Kellner
Alas, winter is back, and with it come certain concerns on how to keep our equine companions in top shape.
Some experts in horse care say that a horse has to be exercised the same in winter as in summer. (These experts probably have never experienced real winter conditions)
Icy weather conditions in many cases makes it an impossible task without an indoor arena.
But the cold damp and dusty atmosphere of most arenas are also detrimental to the health of the horse.
Maintain a baseline of physical fitness by riding outside three times a week for an hour at a walk and trot.
a well exercised horse needs to be cooled out thoroughly then brushed to stand the hair up again before turning them back out.
Fluffy hair traps air and keeps the horse warm; hair plastered down flat or wet lets body heat escape.
Check the sole for bruising that may occur on the hard ground and ice.
Many of the abscesses that develop in early spring can be attributed to undiagnosed bruises that started in winter.
Water intake for horses in the winter is also a problem.
Much of the time a horse will not drink as much water if it is too cold.
The best method to keep a horse hydrated is to supply a heated water bucket.
A heated water bucket is akin to a warm cup of tea.
Dehydration (lack of water) is the number one cause of impaction colic in horses.
Another idea for coddling your horse in the winter is to prepare it a nice hot homemade meal.One example of a warm meal that can be offered to horses at least once a week is bran mash. Horses will love this. It consists of bran sweet feed, chopped apples, sliced carrots, and molasses. For more recipes click http://www.livingwithhorses.com/horse-treat-recipe.html
Keep your horse supplied with free choice quality hay outside. A horse needs to keep eating to produce enough body heat to stay warm in winter. Besides, eating is more fun than standing out there in the cold with nothing to do.
Access to a draft free run in shelter is very important. If a horse stays outside all winter place an ample amount of straw or shavings on the floor of the shelter. This will encourage the horse to lie down and have a more restful sleep.
The website http://www.livingwithhorses.com was born a year after we moved to our equestrian property. The first year taught us so much about what we did not know that I felt there must be others out there crazy enough to jump into a new life with little experience. Sharing my experiences as well collecting information the novice horse owner, stable manager and new rancher need to make life easier.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronnie_Kellner
Basic Horse Care Begins with Diet - Feeding Your Horse Right
Basic horse care should begin with the horse's diet. The normal ration for a horse should consist of mostly hay and pasture grass and possibly a small amount of pelleted feeds, grains, or sweet feeds only if they are needed. Unfortunately little importance is placed on the nutritional value of the forage we are giving our horses. We do not give our horses forage just to keep them busy. Forage is a most important calorie basis for horses that can vary greatly with the nutritional value of what horses consume. It is important that horses have hay of good quality in order to keep them healthy.
Horses usually eat greedily every last stem and leaf when they are fed good quality hay. There will not be much if any waste. Feeding quality hay is not only good basic horse care but it also will save money. Mediocre hay contains less digestible fiber so horses must consume more to obtain the same nutritional value they would receive from eating quality hay. Good quality hay normally does not go to waste. Keep in mind although you may be paying more for quality hay up front in the long run feeding your horse the right diet will save you money.
You can learn to distinguish quality hay from hay of lesser quality. Hay from different grasses will look different from each other. Developing a good eye for quality hay will take you farther in your basic horse care regimen. Look for leafiness in the hay. Most of a plant's proteins are found in the leaves. It will make up about ninety percent of the plant's total protein. Color is another element to consider when selecting quality hay. When selecting alfalfa look for darker green shades in the color of the hay. If you are selecting grass hays the shade to look for will be light to medium green. Although some yellowing is natural if the hay is sun bleached, too much yellow may suggest the grass was over mature when harvested. It will contain less digestible fiber for your horse and should be avoided if your goal is to feed your horse the right diet.
Poor quality hay will have coarse stems that may stab your hand when being handling. Good quality hay will feel soft when you squeeze a handful of it. It will feel soft and pliable in your hand. Another skill for horseman to learn for basic horse care is the feel of quality hay.
Good, quality horse hay will smell slightly sweet and fresh. Another skill that will work to your advantage for basic horse care is learning the aroma of quality hay. If the hay smells musty or pungent it may have mold and this is not the right hay to be feeding your horse. Pass up such hay. There have been instances where horses have died from such a diet.
When practicing good basic horse care one should learn to inspect the purity of the hay. Good quality hay will have no foreign matter, like sticks, dead insects or animals, or wire. It will also contain very few weeds.
Another practical skill for basic horse care is selecting hay that can bounce. If you drop a bale on its end does it bounce? If the hay is of good quality the bales should bounce. Good hay is springy and lightweight.
You can contact your state or county extension agent to learn where you can send a sample of hay to have it analyzed for the nutritional value. This way you can avoid an often overlooked, yet very important element of basic horse care and be assured you are feeding your horse right.
For additional information about practical horse management please go to http://wcf-ltd.com/horse/ to learn more about how to care for your horse.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fran_Mullens
Horses usually eat greedily every last stem and leaf when they are fed good quality hay. There will not be much if any waste. Feeding quality hay is not only good basic horse care but it also will save money. Mediocre hay contains less digestible fiber so horses must consume more to obtain the same nutritional value they would receive from eating quality hay. Good quality hay normally does not go to waste. Keep in mind although you may be paying more for quality hay up front in the long run feeding your horse the right diet will save you money.
You can learn to distinguish quality hay from hay of lesser quality. Hay from different grasses will look different from each other. Developing a good eye for quality hay will take you farther in your basic horse care regimen. Look for leafiness in the hay. Most of a plant's proteins are found in the leaves. It will make up about ninety percent of the plant's total protein. Color is another element to consider when selecting quality hay. When selecting alfalfa look for darker green shades in the color of the hay. If you are selecting grass hays the shade to look for will be light to medium green. Although some yellowing is natural if the hay is sun bleached, too much yellow may suggest the grass was over mature when harvested. It will contain less digestible fiber for your horse and should be avoided if your goal is to feed your horse the right diet.
Poor quality hay will have coarse stems that may stab your hand when being handling. Good quality hay will feel soft when you squeeze a handful of it. It will feel soft and pliable in your hand. Another skill for horseman to learn for basic horse care is the feel of quality hay.
Good, quality horse hay will smell slightly sweet and fresh. Another skill that will work to your advantage for basic horse care is learning the aroma of quality hay. If the hay smells musty or pungent it may have mold and this is not the right hay to be feeding your horse. Pass up such hay. There have been instances where horses have died from such a diet.
When practicing good basic horse care one should learn to inspect the purity of the hay. Good quality hay will have no foreign matter, like sticks, dead insects or animals, or wire. It will also contain very few weeds.
Another practical skill for basic horse care is selecting hay that can bounce. If you drop a bale on its end does it bounce? If the hay is of good quality the bales should bounce. Good hay is springy and lightweight.
You can contact your state or county extension agent to learn where you can send a sample of hay to have it analyzed for the nutritional value. This way you can avoid an often overlooked, yet very important element of basic horse care and be assured you are feeding your horse right.
For additional information about practical horse management please go to http://wcf-ltd.com/horse/ to learn more about how to care for your horse.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fran_Mullens
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Winter Horse Blankets - How to Choose a Turnout Blanket For Your Horse
Because horse blankets are used for so many different situations, it shouldn't be surprising for you to find that there are many different types of horse blankets and sheets.
Horse blankets typically come in three different weights. A lightweight, known as a sheet, a medium weight for cold weather and a heavy weight for very cold weather. Medium and heavy weight blankets are filled for warmth, whereas sheets do not have any filling. When shopping for blankets, you will also see something referring to "denier" with a number beside it. This is a term used to indicate the size or number of filament or yarn. Sort of like thread count in sheets. The higher the number, the heavier the yarn or fiber. I had a young gelding that was always playing and ripping his blankets, so I always opted for blankets with a higher denier. I found one manufacturer that would guarantee their blankets against rips or tears for up to two years. These still ripped, but when they did, the manufacturer would replace the blanket.
If your horse needs to be protected from the cold but will be spending time in the pasture, you will want to use a turn out blanket. These blankets are made with waterproof materials and are designed so that it is hard for horses to become twisted around if the horse decides to roll around on the ground. Except for these added features, the turn out blanket is quite similar to the stable blanket.
Obviously the weight needed for a winter horse blanket depends on where you live and how cold it gets. On extremely frigid days, I have been known to layer multiple blankets on my horse, if needed. Blanket manufacturers will typically tell you what temperatures their blankets are good for. I often place my hand between the blanket and the horse to see if the horse feels warm. If her body temperature feels cool, I know I need to move to a heavier weight. In general, I use a sheet for weather in the 50's a medium weight in the 30s and 40s and a heavy weight for weather in the 20s and teens. I might also use a sheet if it is in the 60s and raining. Wind chill can warrant the need for a warmer blanket. Every horse is different. Older horses or horses that are clipped may require warmer blanketing. So, you have to gauge what is best for your particular climate and your horse's needs.
There are horse stable blankets and sheets that are worn by the horse while it is in the stable or stall. It is not waterproof and should not be worn while the horse is turned out in the paddock or pasture. While these are nice to have, there's no reason why you can't use a turnout blanket while the horse is in the stall.
For more helpful horse related information, including horse grooming for beginners, visit http://www.beginners-guide-to-horses.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eileen_Childs
Horse blankets typically come in three different weights. A lightweight, known as a sheet, a medium weight for cold weather and a heavy weight for very cold weather. Medium and heavy weight blankets are filled for warmth, whereas sheets do not have any filling. When shopping for blankets, you will also see something referring to "denier" with a number beside it. This is a term used to indicate the size or number of filament or yarn. Sort of like thread count in sheets. The higher the number, the heavier the yarn or fiber. I had a young gelding that was always playing and ripping his blankets, so I always opted for blankets with a higher denier. I found one manufacturer that would guarantee their blankets against rips or tears for up to two years. These still ripped, but when they did, the manufacturer would replace the blanket.
If your horse needs to be protected from the cold but will be spending time in the pasture, you will want to use a turn out blanket. These blankets are made with waterproof materials and are designed so that it is hard for horses to become twisted around if the horse decides to roll around on the ground. Except for these added features, the turn out blanket is quite similar to the stable blanket.
Obviously the weight needed for a winter horse blanket depends on where you live and how cold it gets. On extremely frigid days, I have been known to layer multiple blankets on my horse, if needed. Blanket manufacturers will typically tell you what temperatures their blankets are good for. I often place my hand between the blanket and the horse to see if the horse feels warm. If her body temperature feels cool, I know I need to move to a heavier weight. In general, I use a sheet for weather in the 50's a medium weight in the 30s and 40s and a heavy weight for weather in the 20s and teens. I might also use a sheet if it is in the 60s and raining. Wind chill can warrant the need for a warmer blanket. Every horse is different. Older horses or horses that are clipped may require warmer blanketing. So, you have to gauge what is best for your particular climate and your horse's needs.
There are horse stable blankets and sheets that are worn by the horse while it is in the stable or stall. It is not waterproof and should not be worn while the horse is turned out in the paddock or pasture. While these are nice to have, there's no reason why you can't use a turnout blanket while the horse is in the stall.
For more helpful horse related information, including horse grooming for beginners, visit http://www.beginners-guide-to-horses.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eileen_Childs
Your Horse - 7 Tips For Safe and Healthy Seasonal Feed Changes
Fall horse pasture is an economical source of equine nutrition, but the lush grass of cooler weather can cause founder and digestive upset. If your horse has trouble with early spring grasses, fall growth can also cause problems.
Your horse needs time to adjust to the changes brought on the new season. Pasture changes, supplemental hay and grain feedings and fallen leaves can play havoc with your horse's digestive tract.
1. When switching from pasture to a hay-based diet, do so gradually. Make changes in hay gradually, replacing from 10 to 25 percent of the old hay with the new variety; increase every three days.
2. If you choose to supplement with grain, introduce small amounts slowly, no more than 1 pound per feeding. Do not feed more than 4 pounds of grain at one time.
3. Be aware that cool or wet weather can change the nutritional balance of fall grasses.
4. When making any dietary changes, watch for signs of digestive upset. Be alert for gas, mild stomach distention, diarrhea or full blown colic.
5. As pasture quality and quantity decreases, your horse may begin to sample other plants. Plant poisonings increase in the fall, so watch carefully for signs of toxicity. Different plants cause different symptoms, so be familiar with common poisonous pasture plants.
6. Some plants become more toxic in the fall, including horsenettle, white snakeroot and perennial ryegrass fungus. Acorns consumed in large quantities can also cause problems.
7. Finally, don't dump large quantities of raked leaves into your horse pasture. Horses like freshly raked leaves, but the leaves are dense and can compact in the horse's digestive system and cause compaction colic. There's also the risk that the leaves may contain toxic species like Red Maple or Black Walnut.
Take advantage of the health benefits and cost savings of fall horse pasture, but be on the lookout for potential digestive upsets.
Let Practical Horsekeeping show you how to become an efficient, effective equine expert! Moira Clune and Noreen Girao provide helpful horse care information with a practical twist at PracticalHorsekeeping.com/ Our free horse care ezine shows you the fastest, safest, smartest ways to care for your horse and create an organized, appealing environment that works for horse and rider! Sign up today and get our free, veterinarian approved Colic Preparedness Report that shows you exactly what to do in a horse colic emergency. Join us today at http://www.practicalhorsekeeping.com/horsecarenewsletter.html and start getting practical!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Moira_Clune
Your horse needs time to adjust to the changes brought on the new season. Pasture changes, supplemental hay and grain feedings and fallen leaves can play havoc with your horse's digestive tract.
1. When switching from pasture to a hay-based diet, do so gradually. Make changes in hay gradually, replacing from 10 to 25 percent of the old hay with the new variety; increase every three days.
2. If you choose to supplement with grain, introduce small amounts slowly, no more than 1 pound per feeding. Do not feed more than 4 pounds of grain at one time.
3. Be aware that cool or wet weather can change the nutritional balance of fall grasses.
4. When making any dietary changes, watch for signs of digestive upset. Be alert for gas, mild stomach distention, diarrhea or full blown colic.
5. As pasture quality and quantity decreases, your horse may begin to sample other plants. Plant poisonings increase in the fall, so watch carefully for signs of toxicity. Different plants cause different symptoms, so be familiar with common poisonous pasture plants.
6. Some plants become more toxic in the fall, including horsenettle, white snakeroot and perennial ryegrass fungus. Acorns consumed in large quantities can also cause problems.
7. Finally, don't dump large quantities of raked leaves into your horse pasture. Horses like freshly raked leaves, but the leaves are dense and can compact in the horse's digestive system and cause compaction colic. There's also the risk that the leaves may contain toxic species like Red Maple or Black Walnut.
Take advantage of the health benefits and cost savings of fall horse pasture, but be on the lookout for potential digestive upsets.
Let Practical Horsekeeping show you how to become an efficient, effective equine expert! Moira Clune and Noreen Girao provide helpful horse care information with a practical twist at PracticalHorsekeeping.com/ Our free horse care ezine shows you the fastest, safest, smartest ways to care for your horse and create an organized, appealing environment that works for horse and rider! Sign up today and get our free, veterinarian approved Colic Preparedness Report that shows you exactly what to do in a horse colic emergency. Join us today at http://www.practicalhorsekeeping.com/horsecarenewsletter.html and start getting practical!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Moira_Clune
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
