Heat Risk: Managing Horse Health in Summer Months
attention to any scratch or wound and keep them clean since summer sores need an open sore to start.
Hoof Concerns
Flies can also spell trouble for your horses hooves.
Ive seen horses pop clinches and loosen new shoes in just a couple days from stomping their feet at flies says certified journeyman farrier Jason Maki of the College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital at Texas AM University. With continued stomping on hard ground barefoot horses can bruise and chip their feet.
White line disease can also increase during the summer in both barefoot and shod horses.
As the humidity goes up that fungus tends to proliferate says Maki. Keep an eye out for separation and any gray powder along the white line and dorsal cracks at the toe. He says the problem is treatable with a topical chlorine dioxide product and proper trimming.
Dry hard hooves are more susceptible to cracks and chips.
Providing an area with moisture will help minimize the damage of excessively dry feet says Maki. A classic solution is to overflow the water tank enough that theres a place for their feet to get damp every day.
Hooves tend to grow faster during warm weather so youll likely have to shorten your trimming or shoeing cycle.
Poisonous Plants
Weedssome of which are poisonous to horsesgrow quickly during the summer and can be a danger for horses. Generally speaking horses will avoid eating poisonous plants but if they are hungry or young and curious they may eat plants they wouldnt otherwise.
Your local university extension office will have a list of poisonous weeds in your area. Walk turnout areas and fields regularly to identify and remove any poisonous plants
Feed Spoilage
Feed and hay can grow mold and mildew quickly when its hot and humid so buy smaller quantities. Use your eyes and nose to check for offsmelling feed
and hay.
If you wet feed and hay including hay cubes or pellets for older horses with dental issues realize that dampened feed products spoil quickly in the heat. Discard any leftovers promptly and clean feed tubs daily.
Snakebite
If you live in a regions with western or eastern diamondback rattlesnakes your horse can be at risk of snakebite.
Rattlesnake venom has a necrotizing effect because it starts killing and digesting tissue around the bite. In addition to damaging tissue the venom also affects the victims circulatory system destroying blood cells.
A rattlesnake bite is always an emergency and requires prompt veterinary treatment.
