Fit For A Queenie

27/06/2025

Hi everyone! The temperature is set to climb again so I have to ask you for help. Middle-aged Catherines start to melt once they're exposed to temperatures above 20 degrees. Please look after your Catherine by finding somewhere shady for the trim and getting your horse used to the shady area so the session can be as stress-free as possible. Please apply fly spray to your horse in sheep-dip proportions or be prepared to play wack-a-fly and wave a palm leaf (loin cloth is optional) to keep the bitey buggers away.
If you are able to soak your horse's feet ready for the trim that would be amazing. This can be achieved in a number of ways. If you're one of those lucky people whose horse will run their own bath and sit down with a magazine while soaking their own feet while you sip mimosas by the haynets, do that. If your horse dances the Highland fling just walking past the water trough, then you could try wetting some old carpet/towel and stand them on that.
Finally, your Catherine might need to take more breaks than usual, so please be prepared that the trim may take a little more time.
Thank you! 🏜

18/06/2025

The Equine Vet says: "Take it easy in the heat" 🥵☀️

After a hot few days, and with more warm weather on the cards into this weekend, consider reducing the level/intensity of horse exercise and avoid transporting your horse where possible over the next few days.

Horses should obviously be provided with access to shade and water, and can be cooled by the repeated application of cold water (there is no need to scrape them off after, leaving them wet after a cold shower or bath will cool them for longer!)

Look out for indicators of heat stress: an excessively high heart rate, high respiratory rate, incoordination, shaking and excessive sweating. If untreated, this can progress to heat stroke, which is a veterinary emergency.

Hopefully preventative steps are all you will need to keep your horses comfy in the hot weather, but our vets are on call 24/7 and can be reached on 01647 231246 if you have any concerns.

05/06/2025

31/05/2025

🦶 𝑻𝑹𝑰𝑴𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑾𝑰𝑳𝑫: 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒐𝒐𝒇𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒁𝒐𝒐, 𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚 & 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑬𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒔📅 16–17 July 2025
📍 Highland Wildlife Park
𝘏𝘰𝘰𝘧𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱.
This hands-on workshop is designed to help you understand and support the hoof health of minimally handled equids using practical, welfare-first methods. Working with cadaver limbs, you’ll explore:
✅ The structure, function, and adaptations of the equid foot
✅ How to recognise healthy hooves, and the early signs of dysfunction
✅ Environmental, dietary, and movement-based strategies to support hoof health
✅ Laminitis and metabolic challenges in non-domestic settings
✅ Cadaver dissection and trimming to lay the foundation for safe, confident hoofcare
Pre-course webinars will prepare you with the core knowledge so you arrive ready to learn by doing.

🌱 𝑷𝙧𝒂𝙘𝒕𝙞𝒄𝙖𝒍. 𝙎𝒄𝙞𝒆𝙣𝒄𝙚-𝙞𝒏𝙛𝒐𝙧𝒎𝙚𝒅. 𝙏𝒂𝙞𝒍𝙤𝒓𝙚𝒅 𝒇𝙤𝒓 𝒚𝙤𝒖𝙧 𝙨𝒆𝙩𝒕𝙞𝒏𝙜.
https://www.touchingwild.com/trimming-wild

23/05/2025

Sadly we have seen a handful of cases of Equine Grass sickness this Spring. So we thought it best to post some useful information .

Spring is associated with a higher incidence of Equine Grass Sickness, so here are a few facts about this often devastating disease:

Grass Sickness is a disease that affects horses, ponies and donkeys that results in damage to parts of the nervous system which control involuntary functions, with the main symptom being gastrointestinal paralysis.

The cause of Equine Grass Sickness is not fully known, however, we have had a breakthrough with recent studies suggesting that the disease is caused by a neurotoxin, nPLA2 (neurotoxic phospholipase A2). This neurotoxin is found to act on the neuromuscular junctions between nerves and muscles, and have similar effects to that of snake venom.

The plausible sources include ingestion of this neurotoxin in microbial organisms that colonize on plants and soils, in vivo production of the neurotoxin by gastrointestinal microorganisms, or by ingestion of plant nPLA2.

Equine Grass Sickness occurs in three main forms: acute, subacute, and chronic. The symptoms seen in these forms overlap where the main symptoms link to partial or complete paralysis of the digestive tract.

Acute/Subacute:
🌡️Sudden onset of clinical signs
🌡️Signs of colic
🌡️Difficulty swallowing
🌡️Increased salivation
🌡️Droopy eyelids
🌡️Foul-smelling fluid in the stomach which may be seen coming out of the nostrils
🌡️Faeces may be small hard pellets with a mucous coating
🌡️Muscle tremors
🌡️Patchy sweating
🌡️Rapid death (2-3 days in acute cases, 7 days for subacute cases)

Chronic:
🌡️Rapid weight loss
🌡️Mild intermittent colic
🌡️Reduced appetite
🌡️Depression
🌡️Narrow based stance
🌡️Difficulty in swallowing to variable severity
🌡️Muscle tremors
🌡️Patchy sweating

Prognosis of EGS is very poor. Treatment should not be considered in acute and subacute cases and euthanasia is warranted for the horses' welfare. In some chronic cases attempting intensive treatment may be deemed appropriate.

A higher incidence of cases has been seen..
🐴 Between April to July
🐴 In horses moved to new premises or piece of land within the last two months
🐴 In younger horses aged between 2 and 7 years old
🐴 With increased numbers of horses on pasture
🐴 With recent stress
🐴 In overweight horses
🐴 With mechanical removal of droppings and soil disturbances

Reducing/eliminating these risk factors will help to prevent this disease.

☎️ If you have any concerns or questions about Equine Grass Sickness or would like some more information on how to reduce your horse's risk, please do contact us or ask one of our team when we next come to your yard.

21/05/2025

11/05/2025

Confused about feeding your horse? Want to make the right choices but bamboozled by the marketing and packages? Next Tuesday evening (13th May at 7.30pm) I am hosting a webinar with the fabulous Nia Cooke of Essential Equine Nutrition by Nia Cooke MSc Animal Nutrition on the topic of Species Appropriate Feeding.

This is not to be missed as Nia demystifies the horses diet and gives sensible information on how to feed your horse for health and performance.

Join for FREE!

Sign up now to get your Zoom invite via the link below :-)

https://areionacademy.systeme.io/webinar1-9d717310

07/05/2025

Ergots in Horses
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board-Certified Equine Specialist

Ergot comes from the French word for spur- argot- and possibly from Gaulish ‘arg’ for pointed thing. It refers to the rooster’s spur. The ergot is a small callosity on the underside of the fetlock. They can sometimes be found on all four fetlocks, but not all horses have detectable ergots. They may vary from pea sized to 1.5 inches in diameter. Horses with feathers tend to have the largest ergots.

The ergot is thought to be a vestigial sole pad of ancestral multi-toed Equidae from 50 million years ago and extant members of Perissodactyla, such as the tapir and rhinocerous.

Ergots are of no consequence unless they become very large and catch on fences or other implements. Large ergots can be trimmed with hoof nippers or other trimmers, taking care not to cut the skin. They will grow back after being trimmed. Primarily they are only cosmetic in nature.

The ergot serves as an anchoring point to the associated ergot ligament, attaching to the lower pastern. It is also considered that the ergot serves to guide water away from the heel, similar to the function of the feathers.

The first horse, called the Hyracotherium, or Eohippus (dawn horse), was 10 to 17 ¾ inches tall at the shoulder. Their front legs had four toes, and the hind legs had three toes. Fossils of the dawn horse have been found in the Wasatch Range in Utah, the Wind River Basin in Wyoming, and Europe. Earlier ancestors of the horse were thought to have five toes.

As horses adapted to the environment, the limbs and feet became longer and more streamlined, allowing the horse to avoid predation more easily; thus, the middle digit became the weight bearing one, while the others lost function. The second and fourth toes became the splint bones. The chestnuts and ergots are the vestigial remains of the first and fifth toes.

Ergots are not harmful, but if they become too large, they can be trimmed short, taking care not to go too deep, which will result in skin damage, pain, and hemorrhage.

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

07/05/2025

29/04/2025

Why Regular Hoof Care for Foals and Youngstock is Crucial for Their Development

Did you know? The health of a foal’s hooves plays a critical role in their overall skeletal development, as well as the formation of tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Regular visits from a qualified hoof care professional are essential to guide this growth and ensure long-term soundness.
When Should Hoof Care Begin?
👉 Foals should be seen by a hoof care professional within 4-6 weeks of birth.
👉 After the initial visit, regular assessments should be scheduled every 4-6 weeks to monitor and guide their development.

Key Stages of Bone Development

• Bone growth is most rapid in foals between birth and 12 months. During this period, the pedal bone (coffin bone), pastern bones, and other skeletal structures are still in the process of ossification.
• Correct hoof care during this crucial phase ensures the proper alignment of these bones, guiding the foal toward a balanced, functional skeletal structure.
• Bone development continues up to 2-3 years of age, with significant growth and changes in the structure of the legs, making early hoof care essential to avoid long-term conformation issues.

Tendons, Ligaments, and Muscle Health

• The deep digital flexor tendon, suspensory ligaments, and muscles of the upper limb all play a critical role in how the horse moves and bears weight.
• These structures develop in tandem with the hooves, and imbalances in hoof structure can lead to uneven distribution of forces, which may place excessive strain on tendons, ligaments, and muscles, affecting their strength and flexibility.
• Proper hoof balance promotes healthy movement patterns and encourages correct posture and alignment, preventing compensatory issues in the musculoskeletal system.
• Early hoof care helps avoid excessive tension and potential strain injuries to soft tissues, contributing to a more efficient and sound movement as the horse matures.

See EPA Member Helen Stowell Pictured 📸

Click the link below to find out what it's like working with one of our members 👇

https://www.epauk.org/about-equine-podiatry/articles/working-with-an-ep/?doing_wp_cron=1743747900.6283490657806396484375