Other facets of general care are required to maintain your horse’s health over the course of his or her life in addition to adequate nutrition and exercise. Regular veterinary care for immunizations, parasite management, and dental treatment are a few of these. Others include grooming and foot care as well as protection from the harsh weather.

A thorough veterinary examination for adult horses should be performed at least once each year. Older horses (those over 20 years old) should visit the vet twice a year or more regularly because disease affects them more frequently and a regular visit to the vet would make it easier to diagnose some of these life-threatening diseases. Regular blood tests may also be part of the wellness regimen your veterinarian suggests for your horse.

Symptoms of illness

When feeding and cleaning your horse each day, you should keep an eye out for any symptoms of disease. Lack of appetite, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, or a discharge from the eyes or nose are all common symptoms of illness. Hair loss and itchiness on the skin are more severe symptoms of illness. Lameness (such as not putting weight on a particular limb), unwillingness to move, or head bobbing are common symptoms of musculoskeletal system problems. A visit to your horse vet clinic is a good idea if your horse exhibits any of these symptoms for longer than a day or two.

Vaccines

The most important part of equine preventive medicine is vaccination. Before being exposed to a disease, vaccinations are given to boost the immune system’s defences against infection. As the main line of protection against dangerous infectious diseases, horses are frequently administered a number of vaccines. Others are significant in specific areas and circumstances.

Your veterinarian can advise you on the vaccinations required for the conditions in your location. A fully qualified person, such as your veterinarian, should administer vaccinations. Use only immunizations from reputable sources that can attest to their cleanliness and proper storage and handling. The likelihood of adverse effects, which can vary from swelling at the injection site, fever, and malaise to major allergic reactions that affect the entire body, is likely by using subpar vaccines.

Parasite care

Horses and other grazing animals consume parasite eggs that are present throughout the environment. The actual parasite load for each horse varies depending on its age, the number of horses using the pasture, the size, and the condition of the pasture.

Horses’ internal parasites can result in a variety of digestive issues, such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and possibly colic. Roundworms, tapeworms, and pinworms are the most common intestinal parasites in horses. These worms can harm the digestive system, result in blood loss, and obstruct the absorption of vital nutrients.

Remember also to groom your horse on a daily basis. When you groom your horse, also examine the general health of its skin to spot any sores, infections, pimples, or welts as soon as they appear. Dirt must be removed by vigorous currying. Every 10 to 14 days, bound-up hair (tail bags and mane braids) should be unbound so that it can be brushed and cleaned.