Equine Matters - Autumn / Winter 2016

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Welcome...
TO THE AUTUMN/WINTER 2016
XLVETS EQUINE PONY PAGE
Prior preparation prevents poor performance!
With this in mind,
preparing for the winter helps leave little to chance and when the winter
weather arrives everyone - horse, pony and people - will be ready.
• As the grass length decreases and the pasture becomes slightly soggy, check your horses’
and ponies’ feet are well shod or well trimmed. Good foot and frog hygiene with regular
checks can save troublesome problems like foot abscesses, thrush and white
line disease.
• In the winter, where possible, horses should be fed and maintained on a high fibre, high
roughage diet. Depending on their breed, age, workload and fat score they
may not need any extra feeding!
• Get teeth checked and any dental work done before their daily diet changes too
much.
• Maintaining an exercise programme is good for both horse and rider as this will
help to maintain good muscle fitness and general wellbeing.
• Good stable hygiene with free access to water is paramount. Pay special
attention that any water drinkers or water buckets do not freeze in extremely
low temperatures or become contaminated with hay or other debris.
All in all, some forward planning and good preparation should make cold starts
and dark nights a little easier for both equine and owners!
Fiona Main REVN RVN,
Clyde Veterinary Group
Winter Woollies! how to prepare
your horse or pony for the winter.