Spring is a busy time for equine veterinarians as it is a key transition period for horses and their owners. It’s time to move from a less active winter season to a more physical summer routine. Not to mention, it’s also foaling season.
Dr. Howard Ketover, a veterinarian at IronGate Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin, serves farms, hobbyists, and equine boarding facilities across Dane County and beyond. He shares four things to consider when it comes to spring equine care.
1. Physical health and condition
After seeing a fluffier coat of hair on your horse all winter, it might be alarming to see them looking thin without that coat. If you’re concerned about your horse’s weight after observing them in the spring, have a veterinarian look at their dental condition and nutrition plan.
Just like humans exercising, going from zero to 100 for a horse could have physical consequences. Slowly working your horse back into condition after the winter season will pay dividends in the long run. Consider having your veterinarian and your farrier stop by the farm on the same day to take a look at your horse’s physical condition.
As you look at your plans for your horse throughout the year, such as going to shows and leaving the farm, make sure your horse’s vaccine program is targeted toward those plans.
2. Transition to pasture grazing
When you feed a horse, you nourish the microbes in its digestive system. These microbes are what allow the horse to digest food. These microbe populations change throughout the year. Microbes are more efficient in the winter, producing more fatty acids and energy from stored hay.
In the spring, owners need to carefully transition the horse from stored hay to pasture grasses so those microbes can adjust. Slowly acclimate horses to green grasses to shift the microbe population to be less efficient, making it easier on the horse’s GI tract and reducing inflammation in the horse’s feet.
3. Watch for mud
Mud can cause significant problems in horses.
- Softer hooves or cracks in the hoof can allow mud and bacteria to get inside, causing pain and/or lameness.
- Muddy moisture can also cause thrush in horses. Thrush is a black, foul-smelling infection of the frog – the soft, rubbery part of the hoof. It can erode parts of the foot.
- Mud can create abrasions in the back of the legs, along the pasterns.
- If mud is sticky and deep, the suction can take shoes off the horse. The suction can also make the horse stuck, causing them to injure ligaments or tendons.
4. Prepare for foaling
When preparing for the foal, talk to your veterinarian beforehand so you know what supplies to have on hand and how to properly administer them.
We get it – baby animals are exciting! But during the foaling season, a common issue is when people intervene during the birthing process too soon. It’s best to let Mother Nature do her thing. During the processing of foaling, don’t go into the stall and disrupt the mare. The active process of foaling usually takes about 30 minutes. Make sure there is forward progress every 10 minutes or so. Set a timer on your phone so you don’t interfere too early. Discuss ‘what-ifs’ with your vet beforehand so you know when and how to intervene during a birth.
After the foal is on the ground, you can expect quick progression. A foal is typically on its feet within an hour, nursing within two hours, and the placenta usually passes within three hours.
As the number one farm insurer in Wisconsin, we want to provide the knowledge and insight to help you make the best decisions to protect your farm and way of life. That’s why we go beyond the policy by providing educational content on safety and best practices. Reach out to a local agent to learn more.
