Equine Matters - Summer 2018

02 Equine Matters Summer 2018 contents Summer Edition 2018 the editor XLVets Equine is a group of 29 equine practices spanning the length and breadth of the UK. We work together to share experience, knowledge, ideas and skills in order to define and deliver the highest standards of equine health, care and welfare. Poisonous plants Liz Bennett of Larkmead Vets highlights ten common trees and plants that are poisonous to horses. Safe grazing 09 Summer allergies 19 Itchy horses Strangles - what you need to know 11 Mark Tabachnik from Wright & Morten describes the symptoms, control and prevention of this highly infectious disease. Equine neurological conditions 15 Jim Slaine from Parklands Veterinary Group summarises a range of conditions that affect the equine nervous system. The life of an equine surgeon 17 Andrew McDiarmid of Clyde Veterinary Group describes his career pathway to becoming a surgeon and his typical day. Jane King from North West Equine explains why some horses develop allergies and answers questions on Sweet Itch. Hello and welcome to the summer edition of Equine Matters. As I am writing this, the UK has been enjoying some of the best summer weather most of us can remember! For those of us with horses, we spend so much of the time working around poor weather conditions and trudging through mud that I think we can safely say life is a lot more fun in the sun! Unfortunately, there are a few conditions which rear their heads whilst it is warm and I for one have seen many horses with skin problems over the last month or two. Jane King from North West Equine gives us an insight into itchy horses in this edition, with a number of useful tips should your horse have struggled with this problem. Similarly, the hard ground has brought a number of lameness problems to light and whilst finding the cause of your horse's lameness can feel like a daunting prospect, Wendy Furness of Scarsdale Vets takes the confusion out of this process with her informative article on how a lameness work-up works! So once again, I invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy this edition of Equine Matters. Susan Donaldson Clyde Vets Lameness work-ups explained 03 Wendy Furness from Scarsdale Vets describes the process of examining the lame horse. Managing the horse on box rest 05 Clare Smith of St Boniface Vets details the adjustments and requirements for a period of box rest. Physiotherapy for the equine athlete 07 Daisy Collins-Gross from Fellowes Farm Equine explains the role of the physiotherapist in reducing pain and optimising performance. Liver disease in the horse 13 Dominic Alexander of Belmont Farm & Equine explains what can go wrong with the equine liver.