| When you own a horse you become responsible | | | | health problems and to maintain good health. |
| for its health. Horses can become affected by | | | | When you do not deworm your horse, he |
| many health problems such as colic, thrush and | | | | becomes infested with parasites which can infect |
| internal parasites. A number of conditions can be | | | | other horses he is around and it affects his own |
| prevented and treated by an owner, but every | | | | health. |
| horse owner should have the aid of a local equine | | | | You may not see the internal damage worms |
| veterinarian. | | | | create, but with large infestations you will see the |
| Before purchasing your horse, you should have a | | | | difference on the outside when his coat is no |
| veterinarian give it an inspection to make sure | | | | longer glossy and he keeps losing weight no |
| that he is in good health. Thereafter it is advisable | | | | matter how much you feed him. |
| to have your veterinarian give your horse an | | | | When you look after horses you can do other |
| annual checkup. | | | | prevention techniques besides deworming, to |
| I was interested in purchasing a school master for | | | | increase chances of a good healthy environment |
| show jumping from the stable where I kept my | | | | for your horse. |
| horse. I really did not have an in-depth knowledge | | | | - Remove droppings from paddocks and fields on |
| of horses, but I knew enough to request a | | | | a regular basis. If completely removing is not |
| veterinary inspection. I did not know any vets, so | | | | possible then disk or harrow the field to break up |
| I did not mind when the owner suggested using | | | | the droppings. |
| their local veterinarian. | | | | - Rotate your pastures, leave a field completely |
| We had gone over the horse and all seemed to | | | | empty for a period of time |
| be going well until we had him running loose in a | | | | - Remove bot eggs from the horses with a bot |
| lunge ring. I overheard the veterinarian inquire as | | | | knife |
| to whether I was planning on doing much with the | | | | - Grazing with cattle can aid worm control |
| horse. I have no idea what he meant exactly, but | | | | The usual vaccinations given to a horse are for |
| I did know I was planning on show jumping. | | | | equine influenza, tetanus and equine encephalitis. It |
| Ultimately I assumed that the horse had some | | | | is strongly recommended that you have all your |
| health problems and would not be a long term | | | | horses vaccinated; your local veterinarian will be |
| investment. | | | | able to assist you and determine which vaccines |
| The owners did not divulge any of the | | | | your horse needs and when he should be given |
| veterinarian's words, but I was saved from | | | | them. |
| making a costly unsound investment. When you | | | | Having a horse is a huge responsibility and they |
| buy a horse you usually part with a substantial | | | | are reliant on you for good health. Take pride in |
| amount of money and it makes complete sense | | | | owning a horse and ensure he is well cared for. |
| to ensure the health of your investment. | | | | Have a basic first aid kit at hand and develop a |
| Horses require regular upkeep, they need to be | | | | relationship with your local veterinarian. |
| dewormed and vaccinated regularly to prevent | | | | |