Competition Season Preparation and Care
By Claire McCann, BSc Equine Sports Science, training Equine Nursing Technician.
Here at Bakewell Equine Clinic we have recently been working with local Pony Clubs to ensure Pony Club members and their parents are aware of the different requirements their horses and ponies may need at rallies and competitions. Horses and ponies are often required to work harder and go out and about more frequently at this time of year due to the abundance of local shows and other competitions. Pony Clubs also put on a number of rallies and training events over the school holidays as well as camps.
Established, Professional Equine Care
The Bakewell Equine Clinic is the only dedicated Equine Unit in the area. Our experienced Equine Vets provide a 24h ambulatory service or you can bring your horse in to the clinic. Whether for a lameness work up, fertility treatment, dentistry, pre-purchase examination or any other health problem your horse is in the best hands. Digital X-ray Video Gastroscope Ultrasound Shockwave JMB measurement Surgical Facility & Stables
• 3rd flu vaccine 150-215 days • Annual vaccinations
after the 2nd alternating Flu and Tetanus/ Flu.
Horses should have their teeth checked at least every 6-12 months by your vet or registered Equine Dental Technician, or more regularly if necessary. Poor dental care can cause sharp points on horse’s teeth which can cause painful ulcers inside the mouth, leading to problems, poor performance and discomfort when ridden.
Unit 14, Deepdale Business Park, Buxton Road, Bakewell DE45 1GT
Bakewell Veterinary Clinic Ltd, Milford Farm, Bakewell, DE45 1DX
before to ensure your horse’s shoes are new before camp. For horse’s suffering for poor hoof growth or quality, supplements such as Bakewell Equine Clinic’s Hoof Excel are useful to increase the hoof quality. Feeding – With the increased workload you may need to increase your horse’s hard feed to compensate for the extra energy he will be using. Remember though that your horse’s stomach is only the size of a rugby ball so two smaller feeds daily is better than one very large feed. Also it is important that your horse still receives adequate fibre to keep his digestion system working efficiently. This fibre should be in the form of grass, hay or haylage. Make any changes very gradually. Horses and ponies prone to weight gain or laminitis can be fed hay soaked for 12 hours as this lowers the nutrient value without reducing fibre content. If your horse is living in, for example, at camp, unmolassed sugar beet is a good source of fibre and is slowrelease energy so provides fibre without fizz. Water – it is very important your horse always has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Water is essential for hydration and also for gut motility. Some horses are picky about drinking especially when away from home. Adding a small amount of soaked beet pulp or warming the water slightly can help, as can using a product such as Horse Quencher. Horse Quencher is a natural product which flavours the water, encouraging horses to drink. Fitness – ensuring your horse or pony is fit enough for the work he will have to do is very important. Fitness level is built up over time and so planning in advance will ensure your horse can do the work required. Varied work including lunging, long-reining, hacking, schooling and jumping will all build your horse’s fitness but harder work such as cantering and jumping should only be introduced when the horse can easily cope with the slower work. Initially lungeing, long-reining and gentle hacking are great for building up basic fitness and stamina before harder work, including schooling, is introduced. Remember if attending a camp, horses may have to do up to 4 hours work a day! This requires quite a fit horse or pony and preparation for a camp should begin at least
24h Appointment and Enquiry Service 01629 810351
his sudden increased workload can be hard work for our horses and ponies and if they haven’t been correctly prepared, the hard work can lead to physical problems, such as lameness, or behavioural problems. The following tips are useful for all horse owners so you can ensure your horse or pony is fit and healthy for the summer: Health checks – make sure your horse is up-to-date with any routine health checks, including vaccinations, teeth and physiotherapy. In order to compete or attend Pony Club or riding club activities, horses must be vaccinated again Equine Influenza. The horse requires an initial course of ‘flu and tetanus vaccinations:
Vaccination
• 1st vaccine Flu and Tetanus • 2nd vaccine Flu and Tetanus
21-92 days after the 1st
Farriery – ‘No foot no horse!’ Poor hoof care can lead to lameness and discomfort, therefore it is essential your horse receives regular farriery every 5-8 weeks. If you are attending a camp over summer you should try to arrange a visit from your farrier about 1 week
96
www.equestrianlifemagazine.co.uk
EL-JUL13-S6.indd 96
21/06/2013 21:37:29