2. How often should my horse have dental checks?
Your horse does not need to brush after every meal, but good oral health is as important for your horse as it is for you. The utility a horse gets from its feed is in part determined by how well it grinds the feed. As the horse chews, its teeth can wear unevenly and leave sharp edges which can cut its tongue and cheeks as well as limit the grinding ability of the molars. This can cause the horse to drop feed and/or be less efficient at chewing and therefore digesting its feed. With feed costs as high as they are, you want to be sure the horse gets all it can from its feed.
In addition, the ulcers caused by these sharp edges are painful and can cause your horse to be less responsive or more resistant to the bit and bridle, making riding your horse a less pleasant experience for both of you. Because they are shedding baby teeth and growing permanent teeth, young horses may require more frequent visits, but it is important that your horse has at least annual dental check-ups.
3. When do my horses need vaccinations?
Before you get start your trail riding or show schedule for the year be sure your horse has its vaccinations. Annual vaccinations for rabies, eastern and western encephalomyelitis and tetanus (EWT – better add Venezuelan if you are traveling south) are important for any horse. Vaccines should be administered two to four weeks before the biting insects become prevalent – early March is a good time in Missouri. It is recommended that your horse be vaccinated for Flu and Rhino every six months and West Nile annually or every six months depending upon the product. If you have a show horse or are traveling to a variety of places where other horses will have been stabled, vaccination for strangles may also be a good idea.
4. What should I be feeding in the winter?
Many horses in the Ozarks are pretty independent and if they have a good pasture, fresh water and maybe a little hay they can survive pretty well without much help from us. However, be careful that during the winter months, especially if it is too cold to ride, that you take the time to check on your equine partner. Don’t just look from a distance, catch your horse and feel for finish over its ribs and hips. You need to be sure that what you see from a distance is finish not just the horse’s winter coat. If your horse is thinner than it should be, remember, energy is generally what a mature horse needs to put on weight, not protein.
Sue Webb is an instructor at Missouri State University’s School of Agriculture. Dr. Lacy Hobbs, DVM, is an alumni of MSU.
