Punxsutawney Phil decreed 6 more weeks of winter about 5 weeks ago, so if you haven’t already, it’s time to get ready for spring—and here are some tips and resources to help!
Horse Health
Vaccines
Typical annual care vaccines throughout the US include Rabies, Tetanus, WNV (West Nile Virus) and EEE/VEE (Eastern and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis). For horses that compete or otherwise interact with horses outside of their barn herd, influenza and EHV vaccines are recommended biannually. Some vets may also recommend vaccinating for Strangles (distemper).
Other vaccines to keep in mind for breeding stock or in geographic areas where these diseases are endemic include Botulism, Potomac Horse Fever, EVA (Equine Viral Arteritis), and Leptospirosis. Talk to your vet to determine a schedule based on the risks your horse faces, and for more information, check out this chart from the AAEP.
Parasites
The days of de-worming on a strict schedule are over due to parasites becoming resistant to certain anthelmintics (de-wormers). The most effective way to keep your horse’s parasite load low is to do a fecal egg count (FEC) at least once a year (twice if possible). This provides you with the information needed to develop a plan to eliminate as much risk as possible, keeping in mind that complete parasite eradication is not possible. Also keep in mind that finding signs of tapeworm during a FEC can be difficult, so discuss with your vet whether to de-worm for those and how often. Check here for a complete guide to parasite control from the AAEP.
Teeth
Have your vet take a close look at your horse’s teeth to determine if there are any signs of disease or damage. Horses have hypsodont teeth – they erupt at a rate of 3-4 millimeters each year to allow for wear from grinding. Their diet as domesticated animals that spend far less time grazing can lead to uneven wear on the teeth and sharp points. Set up an appointment for an annual teeth floating to be done by your vet or equine dentist.
Sheath Cleaning
If you’re inexperienced, squeamish, or your gelding is particularly difficult and needs to be sedated, have your vet perform a sheath cleaning at least once a year. If you’re comfortable with this task, make sure that it is part of your spring schedule.
Feet
If your horse has been barefoot and needs shoes once the weather improves, make an appointment with your farrier in advance of when you plan to start riding again. You are not the only person getting ready to hit the trail so to speak, so don’t wait too long to get on your farrier’s schedule. For more on feet – see Mud Season section below.
Fitness
If your horse’s winter involved primarily hanging out with his friends and munching hay, make sure to ease back into work gradually to avoid straining joints and soft tissue. Remember, never increase length/time and speed/intensity at the same time. And be on the lookout for the dragons that a horse fresh off a relaxing winter may see lurking in arena corners and behind bushes you have walked by hundreds of times.
If you spent the winter catching up on your Netflix watchlist or bookshelf TBR list, give yourself time to adjust to new levels of activity. You do not want to miss six weeks of riding due to an avoidable injury.
Feeding
Everyone looks forward to pastures of lush green grass but use caution when allowing your horses to begin grazing if they have been primarily fed hay over the winter. Their gut biome needs to adjust to this new food source, so gradually increase grazing time. For easy keepers and horses prone to metabolic issues, too much grass can lead to serious health issues, so consider using a grazing muzzle.
Equipment
Truck & Trailer
Planning on traveling soon? If your trailer has been idle for some time, make a thorough assessment of it, inside and out. If needed, sweep and hose the trailer out (give it a good scrub if it has been a while), and then inspect the floor to make sure the boards are safe and solid. Check that all the trailer lights, including signals, are functioning, and that latches, chains, and the hitch are in good shape. And do not forget the tires – make sure they are properly filled and have sufficient tread. If in doubt, replace them.
Once you have done all of that, hook it up to your truck and go for a short spin to make sure you don’t detect any issues. And if you primarily use your truck to haul the trailer, do a thorough check of the vehicle – tires, brakes, lights including signals, fluids including oil transmission, and windshield wiper fluid.
Make sure safety equipment is on board as well: Jumper cables, flares, reflective cones and emergency triangles, chocks, tire changing equipment and spare tires for both truck and trailer (full and in good condition), portable air compressor, spare fuses and bulbs, spare belts and hoses, extra coolant and wind shield wiper fluid, knife, electrical and duct tape, flashlights and extra batteries, fire extinguisher, extra halters and leads, first aid kits (horse and humans), flashlights, and enough extra water to keep the horses hydrated and cool if you have an unexpected stop. Also, if you don’t have a current health certificate and Coggins, make an appointment with your vet.
Speaking of paperwork, what about your registration, emissions and insurance? Make sure everything is current and that proof of that is in and on the truck and trailer and in your wallet.
Tack
Spring is a great time to take apart all of your tack and do a thorough cleaning, and while doing that, check to make sure there are no signs of wear and tear of the leather such as worn out or frayed stitching and cracks, or damage to the metal fittings and bits, like rust, sharp edges, or loose or bending pieces. Take care to examine high stress points such as buckles, especially on girths and cinches.
Don’t forget to go through your own equipment. Is it time for a helmet replacement? Boots and vest clean and in good shape?
Blankets & Grooming Supplies
Wash and dry your heavy blankets and take note of any needed repairs before storing them somewhere clean, dry, and rodent proof. Pull out the coolers and fly sheets you will need for the upcoming months, making sure they are clean and undamaged.
Gather up your grooming brushes and give them a deep clean with warm water and mild dish soap. Let them air dry completely, bristles side down, in sunlight if possible since sunlight has antibacterial qualities.
First Aid Kit
Don’t wait until mid-emergency to find gaps in your first aid kit supplies. Take stock now and make a list of what needs updated, replaced, and added. If you’re looking to save a few bucks (who isn’t these days), dollar stores and big box stores like Costco are great places to find wound treatments like hydrogen peroxide, saline, betadine, and rubbing alcohol, and all types and sizes of gauze and bandages. Practical Horseman has a great guide for Equine First-Aid Essentials.
Property
Barn Deep Cleaning
It can be cathartic to give the barn a thorough, floor to ceiling, deep clean.
Turn all of the horses out and completely strip the stalls. Remove water buckets, feeders and stall mats and put them outside to scrub them separately. Put on your favorite motivating soundtrack and get to work using hot, soapy water and stiff brushes to scrub all surfaces. Long handled heavy duty brushes come in handy, especially with the walls. Safety tip: Wear gloves, goggles, and non-slip shoes.
If you have a power washer, it will save time and energy during the rinsing process. Be careful not to use too powerful of a setting (you want to clean the surfaces, not damage them), and make sure to cover any electrical outlets. And before you finish, do not forget to knock down any cobwebs.
Make sure everything has completely dried before putting the stalls back together and adding bedding.
Mud Season
April showers bring May flowers, and with that comes a whole lot of mud. And in keeping with the cliches, when it comes to mud, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Try not to overgraze your pastures, or let the horses out on the grass until the stalks are six inches tall so they have a strong root structure.
Use trenches or French drains in sections where you know water tends to pool, and if high traffic areas get sloppy, add horse-safe, smooth, well-draining gravel like crushed or pea gravel to increase drainage. This article from the University of Minnesota Extension gives useful tips on dealing with mud.
Unfortunately, even after implementing all these strategies, you will still have to contend with some wet ground and mud, which can lead to foot abscesses, scratches, and thrush. Prevent these potentially dangerous and certainly frustrating conditions by first cleaning manure from your pastures daily if possible, since the bacteria can increase the likelihood of all three.
Clean your horse’s hooves at least once a day and keep his legs dry as much as possible, clipping away any extra hair, especially if you know he is prone to scratches. Start treatment at the first sign of an issue and call your vet or farrier if you have concerns. Click the following articles for more info on Hoof Abscesses: Tips for Treatment and Prevention | US Equestrian, scratches Getting a Handle on Scratches in Horses – The Horse, and thrush Controlling Thrush.
Peace of Mind
Despite all your best efforts, accidents may still happen. If you find yourself making an emergency call to your vet, knowing that you have insurance can help lessen your stress and soften the financial blow. For more information and to request an emailed quote, visit Insurance for Equine, Farm, Ranch | Marshall+Sterling, or give us a call at (877) 320-8060.
