Scroll down to read more about health issues including BIg Head and Qld itch.

Index
1. Big head

2. Vitamins & Minerals

3. Qld Itch

4. Ulcers or windsucking

5. Behavioural Problems

6. Diorrhea & worming

7. Recommended suppliers of health products

8. To rug or not to rug, that is the question?

9. Saddle fitting

BIG HEAD

What is big head?
Calcium & Phosphorus deficiencies in horses, hyperparathyroidism (Bighead in horses) This is all too common in S.E Qld and must be addressed to prevent a possibly fatal occurrence or long term disability.

The relationship between Ca. & P intake is critical, the correct ratio is 1.1 : 1, and research trials up to 5:1 have been conducted with non-favourable results. The ratio offered to livestock will differ due to soil types and grasses, for example whether the soil is Phosphorus deficient, or the pasture includes buffel grass, pangola grass, para grass, and kikuyu and seteria grass. Please ensure you talk to a vet to help you asses your specific requirements. The ratio I am suggesting suits my local area and may not suit yours. I am in the Noosa Hinterland area, and the premixed DCP+CC product that I use is manufactured in Gympie by Cooloola custom Stockfeeds (07) 5483 8766, please call them to find if this mix suits your area, and where it is sold. See below for cure and prevention.

See below for instructions on how to mix.
If the horse ingests the wrong ratio of these minerals it will result in brittle bones, calcifications, fractures and eventually death. Another trap people fall into is thinking that a large majority of natural grasses and pastures are Calcium 'deficient' - they are not. They contain as much and sometimes more calcium than legume feeds, however, they also contain an additional calcium oxylate, which attaches, or binds to the calcium and will not allow for its uptake in the digestive system. When this happens, we end up with things like NSH (nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism) or 'bighead' in the horse, named after the appearance of the horses enlarged head. Some people are also responsible for adding calcium to the ration without recognising the need to balance it with the Phosphorous, and too much calcium, as with too much phosphorous may give a similar result as 'bighead' in the form of phosphorous deficiencies. So as you can see, the balance of minerals is critical.

Horses can also develop big head if their diets contain wheat bran and pollard products. These diet components are high in calcium phytate which act in a similar manner to oxalate and not only bind calcium but also bind phosphorus in the process.
Interestingly, many horsemen report increased incidence of calcium deficiency and cases of big head within a few weeks of rainfall. It may be that rainfall triggers new growth that the horses find more palatable, or that the increased moisture increases the oxalate content of tropical grasses. Whatever the reason, reports suggest that increased cases of big head after rainfall are seen with in a matter of two to three weeks. Further research in this area could help horse owners to develop new pasture and grazing management practices to prevent horses from grazing dangerous pastures at times of high risk

White muscle disease has been linked with the inappropriate intakes of Selenium and Vitamin E as well.
Deficiencies of manganese, sulphur, potassium, cobalt, zinc and magnesium all contribute to poor bone development, stunted growth, poor or depraved appetites and general un-thriftiness. Long term deficiencies of salt will produce similar effects.

A calcium : phosphorus imbalance is most likely to occur when high grain rations are fed, and when horses graze tropical pastures with little feed nutritive value. While a calcium deficiency may not reduce size, the skeleton is weak, porous and fragile, and prone to breakdown. Phosphorus deficiencies usually occur when horses are restricted to grazing high legume pastures (lucerne). Phosphorus deficiencies usually retard animal growth as well as causing skeletal weakness.

High levels of a particular mineral may often interfere with the absorption of other minerals – for example, it is known that very high calcium supplementation leads to a depression of zinc absorption, and very high phosphorus levels will negatively influence calcium absorption. High grain diets immediately unbalance bone metabolism, as grains are low in calcium and reasonably high in phosphorus. Grass hays usually suffer the same imbalance. Obviously a horse in race training on high grain and hay diets has a major part of its daily intake derived from these two dietary components, with immediate negative results on bone strength, density and development.

Tropical grasses contain oxalate, which decreases calcium utilisation and uptake from diets. These grasses include Pangola, Green panic, Kikuyu, Buffel and Seteria.

SUMMARY (BIG HEAD)

High grain fed (high in phosphorus) horses need a little extra calcium.
Lucerne is high in calcium, so extra phosphorus may be needed.
So grain and lucerne can work well together.
Horses can also develop big head if their diets contain wheat bran and pollard products. Give horses on pollard or bran extra calcium
You can have your soil tested for Phosphorus levels.

Suggested cures & prevention for bighead

To prevent Big Head mix 68% DCP (if you can get the powdered variety this is easier to feed to horses) mixed with 32% calcium carbonate (which is also best as a powder) This would translate to 3.4kg of DCP (Di Calcium phosphate) mixed with 1.6 kg of CaCO3 (Calcium Carbonate, alternatively contact Cooloola Custom feeds based in Gympie on 07-5483 8766 who manufacture DCP + CC which is pre-mixed to suit the Sunshine Coast area, they will tell you where this product is stocked, Sauers in cooroy for example) Feed 100g of the mix per horse per day,  you can feed all in one go if you prefer (700g per week). Personally I like to feed daily mixed into a little copra and chaff. The horses soon get used to it and enjoy it. Take into account whether you are also feeding grain (which is high in PH, so add more calcium, or bran which is high in Ph and binds calcium so horse can't absorb it, so increase total dose)

To cure big head double the dose rates to 200g per day of 2 parts DCP 1 Part Calcium carbonate (or 1kg per week of the premix DCP+CC) until your vet is satisfied that you can return to a maintenance dose. This can take up to a year, and your horse should not be ridden.

Here are some other suggestions:

My vet recommends 2 parts DCP to 1 part Calcium carbonate , or the pre-mix DCP + CC produced by Cooloola Stock feeds.

Also suggested...from the internet
2kg per horse per week of a combination of 1/3 ground limestone (Aglime- do not use brickies lime it is poisonous-which contains contains calcium 34% and magnesium 1.7% ) and 2/3 dicalcium phosphate ( D.C.P. which contains 18-19% phosphorous and 25% calcium) mixed with 3kg molasses. As a cure for Big Head continue for 6 months and check progress with your vet monthly.

If Big head has been caused by too much calcium use rock phosphate (if you can get it) to top up the phosphorus component of the mix or reduce the calcium (remove aglime).

Mineral Distributors for livestock in the paddock

You can build mineral distributors (see below)
TIME AND AGAIN stock keepers find it
difficult to comprehend that animals of all
kinds from geese to camels to ordinary farm
stock have a very good idea of which
minerals they need, and will help themselves
to minerals supplied. I have seen many
different animals take straight copper
sulphate when they need it! Human beings
seem not to possess that instinct.
An alternative to licks, and a possibly
easier and more efficient way of offering
necessary minerals, is supplying the lick
ingredients separately. It is less wasteful and,
after the initial setting up, it is easier to
service and to keep the ingredients
replenished. We have not had a case yet
where the stock will not help themselves to
the minerals they need.
Method
The mixture can be offered in two banks of
three or one long line of six containers. It
should be made weatherproof, as wet
minerals are not very appealing and could
lead to wastage. Anyone with basic welding
skills can make these frames by recycling
odds and ends on the farm.
Find six food-grade 20-litre plastic drums.
Cut off the tops (using a chainsaw is the
easiest), make a frame for them and attach
wheels so that they can be pulled around the
paddock. My clients tell me that, rather than
attaching wheels, sleds often make them
easier to manoeuvre.
If the containers are to be left in the
paddock, a roof is desirable at a height to
prevent stock from getting into the containers!
Use the same ingredients as the mixed
stock lick, plus two additions, and put only
one mineral or ingredient in each container.
Thus the containers will contain:
• Straight lime
• Dolomite
• Yellow dusting sulphur (99 per cent)
• Copper sulphate (called bluestone in
Australia)
• Seaweed (kelp) meal
• Coarse agricultural salt (unadulterated)
Other trade minerals (like boron) are best
added to the feed if necessary. For cobalt it is
best to consult my book Natural Farming: a
practical guide. It is rare for either of these to
be needed, and kelp has a reasonable
amount of iodine in it. More information
about the minerals is provided in my books,
especially Natural Farming.
This method is superior to a lick for
example on a property where magnesium is
high, stock will not take dolomite and
therefore the lick would not be touched even
if they were lacking calcium (as in lime).
Secondly, this method is not as labour
intensive, as the containers can be topped up
easily without moving from the paddock.

VITAMINS & MINERALS

This is my recommendations, but you should look at your horse on an individual basis.

I use "Superior" minerals for most of the minerals or you can use "Equilibrium" or "Megamin". I add extra copper if the horse is having seedy toe problems or is dark in colour (dark horses need 6 times more than white ones, don't over dose, copper can be toxic)
Add a tea spoon of sulphur powder p/d, garlic, a desert spoon of dolomite (magnesium) seaweed meal (ad lib for biotin to help hooves and thyroid function)
Really important for areas affected by big head 2 parts calcium 1 part Phosphorus, to make this mixture I buy Phosmix, aglime, and calcium carbonate. I add 2 cups Ca carbonate, 2 cups aglime, 2 cups phosmix, 2 cups superior and mix all together and then feed a cup full 200g per day per horse.
If you can also add apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup p/d is really beneficial (potassium) and a tea spoon of cod liver oil (vit A). Vit c and White E powder are great if you can get them but don’t add at the same time as the copper as it kills the vitamins. I add a tea spoon of salt if the horses are sweating, otherwise this is sufficient in the "Superior" mix.

BIOTIN
Maintains metabolism, and integrity of skin, hair and hooves
Horses Long-term supplementation with 10-30mg / day improves strength and conformation of hoof horn

Calcium
About 60% of bone is calcium phosphate, 40% calcium carbonate.
Improves strength and development of bones and teeth
Assists in muscle contraction, cardiac regulation and nerve function
Maintains the normal clotting process of blood
Prevents osteomalacia and rickets
Increased requirement during lactation
Dicalcium Phosphate – D.C.P. contains 18-19% phosphorous and 25% calcium


Choline is a B group vitamin essential in building and maintaining cell structures and in nerve impulse transmission. It is also critical to normal liver function and in fat metabolism for energy
Is found in bitter vegetables and the leaves of Dandelions and a few fresh leaves can be offered a stabled horse from time to time. Otherwise let a few dandelions grow around the yard and the Horse will chose them for itself.
Assists in metabolism of fats, and prevention of fatty livers
Maintains transmitting nerve impulses


Chromium
Maintains regulation of glucose metabolism
Helps retard lactic acid accumulation during exercise, and improve ratio of lean muscle to fat deposition

Cobalt
Assists formation of B12, and subsequent formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin


Copper
copper and zinc requirements of the horse to be 10mg/kg and 50mg/kg of feed, respectively.
Facilitates absorption and mobilisation of iron
Assists formation of haemoglobin in red blood cells
Maintains general metabolism, bone, cartilage and connective tissue development, skin condition and coat colour 
Promotes fertility
Horses Prevents skeletal growth disorders
Copper is essential for bone development, joint cartilage, connective tissue and the uptake and utilisation of iron. Mare’s milk is low in copper and abnormal bone development can occur in deficient foals
This relationship also occurs with zinc and copper. But the acceptable ratios are wider with a greater than 2.4mg :1 mg but less than 5mg :1mg

FOLIC ACID
Maintains general metabolism. Assists in formation of red and white blood cells and haemoglobin
Needed by rapidly dividing cells including intestinal epithelial cells, the growing foetus, skin and hair

Iodine
Component of thyroid hormones, which regulates metabolic processes including hair and wool growth
Prevents goitre associated with iodine deficiency

How Much Iodine Do Horses Need?

Horses require between 0.1 and 0.2 mg of iodine/kg of dry matter consumed per day. Thus a 500 kg horse will need between 1 and 2.5 mg of iodine per day. Iodine toxicity will occur at intakes of 5 mg/kg of dry matter consumed per day, which is equal to approximately 50 mg/day for a 500 kg horse.

INOSITOL
Aids in the metabolism of fats and integrity of hair coat

Iron
Assists general metabolism, and prevention of iron-deficient anaemia
Essential component of haemoglobin in red blood cells
Improves pregnancy period, recovery from parasite infestation, and animal performance
Aids in detoxification of gossypol from cottonseed meal

Magnesium
Assists general metabolism and the formation of bones and teeth
Maintains nervous function
Reduces nervous behaviour in some horses
Relaxes nerve impulses

Manganese
Maintains general metabolism, development of bone, cartilage and connective tissue
Assists normal clotting process of blood
Improves growth rate, reproduction and lactation
Prevents limb abnormalities and congenital contractures in newborn foals 


Molydenum
Assists general metabolism

NIACIN (Nicotinamide)
Maintains general metabolism and red blood cell formation
Prevents pellagra associated with niacin deficiency
Improves appetite and growth rate, and maintains skin and hair coat condition
Reduces levels of blood cholesterol

PANTOTHENIC ACID
Plays a key role in energy metabolism, reproduction, growth and nerve function
Assists in transmission of nerve impulses
Improves health of skin and coat

Potassium
Assists the digestion and utilisation of dietary nutrients
Aids in maintaining of tissue fluid balance, and energy metabolism
Aids in muscular contraction, nerve function, and heart muscle relaxation


Phosphorus
High grain diets immediately unbalance bone metabolism, as grains are low in calcium and reasonably high in phosphorus
Assists general metabolism and nerve function
Assists in formation of bones, muscles and teeth
Improves buffering systems in blood and other body fluids

Dicalcium Phosphate – D.C.P. contains 18-19% phosphorous and 25% calcium
Symptoms of P deficient plants
Phosphorus deficiency symptoms are usually more noticeable in young plants, which have a
greater relative demand for P than more mature plants. Phosphorus deficiency results in poor
seedling establishment and root development.
Phosphorus deficiency symptoms usually only occur if the deficiency is severe. The tips of
the old leaves become dark orange-yellow moving towards the base, usually along the leaf
edges. The affected leaves often have green bases, orange-yellow mid sections and bright red
or purple tips and edges of the leaves are rolled inwards. In severe deficiency, affected areas
die and turn red and purple.
Rating P (NaHCO3) if soil testing
Low <10 mg/kg
Medium 10-30 mg/kg
High >30 mg/kg

The soil contains less P when cold growing conditions prevail.
phosphorus is removed in the crops. Grasses, cereal grains and beans take large quantities of phosphorus. These are used to feed animals that are sold off the farm, carrying phosphorus with them, or are sold directly. Natural replenishment of phosphorus is very slow, since it is a scarce mineral, so all farming land, arable or grazing, becomes depleted in time. No amount of "organic" farming can make this up. Farm manure, in particular, is very poor in phosphorus. Land depleted in phosphorus will not produce food.
The ancient way to overcome phosphorus deficiency was to spread crushed animal bones over the land. Now, phosphate rock is mined and treated with sulphuric acid to make superphosphate, through the reaction Ca3(PO4)2 + 2H2SO4 + 5H2O → Ca(H2PO4)3·2H2O + 2(CaSO4·2H2O). The soluble acid phosphate and the gypsum are spread on the land together. By using phosphoric acid made from one portion of the rock to treat another portion, a molecular ratio of 1:1 can be obtained rather than 1:2, so there is more phosphorus per pound. This is called treble superphosphate. A fertilizer is rated according to the soluble phosphate, or available phosphoric acid. Superphosphate contains 14% to 20% available phosphate, the treble superphosphate 40% to 50%. Virtually everything with some phosphorus in it has been used for fertilizer.

Selenium
As an antioxidant - supports the cell-protecting action of vitamin E by detoxifying peroxides
Improves growth and fertility in animals, and aids in the prevention of white muscle disease
Improves immunity and milk production
Reduces the incidence of retained placentas
Selenium works with Vitamin E as a potent antioxidant. A deficiency can predispose horses to Tying Up. The chelated or organic form maximises bioavailability and absorption of this trace mineral.
Aids in prevention and treatment of "tying up"

Sodium & Chloride
Improves maintaining of correct electrolyte balance in body tissues and prevents dehydration
Maintains muscle contraction, nerve activity and digestion of nutrients
Improves the palatability of feedstuffs
Replaces salt (NaCl) lost in sweat. 


Sulphur
Assists general metabolism and protein synthesis
Important component of connective tissues, hair, skin and hooves
The protein structure of the hoof contains large amounts of sulphur containing amino acids, with methionine and cysteine being the two most important. Cysteine is manufactured from methionine, and both amino acids may be marginal or deficient in normal diets when accelerated hoof growth is occurring. Sulphur is also a component of the vitamins biotin and thiamine, and of chondroitin sulfate (a component of cartilage, bone, tendons, and blood vessels). The concentration of sulphur containing amino acids is highest in hoof and hair, which contain the protein keratin (which is 4% sulphur). Keratin is necessary for the maintenance of skin, hair and hoof integrity, giving strength and hardness to these protein tissues.
Methionine is necessary for the production of keratin, and is also a major source of non protein nitrogen, essential for optimum growth and nitrogen balance, and one of the major nutrients necessary in the production of premium quality hoof tissues.

Zinc
copper and zinc requirements of the horse to be 10mg/kg and 50mg/kg of feed, respectively.
Improves growth rate, and metabolism, and prevents loss of appetite associated with deficiency
Assists in bone, cartilage development, and wound healing
Maintains the integrity of skin and mucous membranes, hair, and hooves
Prevents parakeratosis
Zinc is a mineral essential for normal bone, cartilage and hoof development
A deficiency of zinc will result in a defect of the horn where the keratinisation of the horn is incomplete. Supplementation of zinc will reverse this effect. Zinc is essential in the normal keratinisation of the hoof. Zinc often has reduced availability when high calcium levels are found in the diet.

This relationship also occurs with zinc and copper. But the acceptable ratios are wider with a greater than 2.4mg :1 mg but less than 5mg :1mg

VITAMIN A (Retinol)
Helps maintain normal vision
Necessary for normal bone growth & tooth development 
Stimulates appetite
Maintains integrity of skin & mucous membranes
Involved in formation of antibodies & disease resistance
Improves reproductive performance

VITAMIN E (Tocopherol)
A natural antioxidant
Reduces the formation of harmful free-radicals, thereby minimising damage to cells.
Aids in the prevention of white muscle disease and stiff lamb disease
Acts in conjunction with selenium
Assists in the maintenance of reproductive function and immune response
Prevents and aids in the treatment of "tying up" see also Branch Paste
Improves metabolism of fat from high fat diets 

VITAMIN K (Menadione)
Responsible for normal blood clotting processes
Required for calcium metabolism and prevents vitamin D deficiency 

VITAMIN C (Ascorbic Acid)
Aids in wound healing, metabolism of amino acids, fats and lipids, growth of cartilage, and tendons, and red blood cell production 
Improves bone and muscle growth

VITAMIN B1 (Thiamine)
Maintains general metabolism and maintenance of normal muscle and nerve function
Increases and assists in maintaining appetite
Used in the treatment and prevention of polio encephalomalacia resulting from vitamin B1 deficiency
Reduces nervous symptoms
VITAMIN B2 (Riboflavin)
Required for general metabolism and growth
Maintains integrity of skin, mucous membranes and vision

VITAMIN B6 (Pyridoxine)
Necessary for general metabolism, nervous system function and vision
Maintains integrity of skin
Facilitates red blood cells formation

VITAMIN B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Necessary for general metabolism, nervous and reproductive function
Facilitates blood cells formation and improves hair coat condition


TOP

QUEENSLAND ITCH REMEDIES

After posting a question on a website for help with remedies to combat Qld itch I got lots of responses, see below...

Make a wash firstly to kill any bacteria or fungi existing in the horses skin that are causing the itch.

Mix 2 cups of cider vinegar 2 cups of water 1 table spoon of copper sulphate, rub this thoroughly into the horses skin. Qld itch is worsened by a copper deficiency, so add a tea spoon of copper sulphate to your horses feed daily (WARNING- do not exceed this as you can over dose with copper) Apple cider vinegar 80 ml, and garlic 20g per day added to his ration also helps to repel insects that cause the itch. Do not feed molasses to horses with Qld itch as this attracts biting insects. Below are some remedies to help repel midges and mosquitos.

Editor, Niki.

I recommend this one as I have tried it. Ed

Baby oil (as the carrier oil to top up) Lavender oil (approx 50ml) (good for soothing and healing) Tea tree oil (approx 50ml) (good for healing and repelling) Eucalyptus oil (approx 50ml) (good repellent) Geranium oil (a few drops so that you can smell it, also a good repellent)

I recommend citronella or neem oil - both are organic and can be purchased from any hardware store in the plant section.

It is much cheaper then what you buy in the horse shops.

REGARDS TRACY,

Hi Re qld itch
I use 50/50 any good hand cream and kero, mixed together then wipe it on it is the only thing that works on my paint gelding.
re flies
citronella oil (cant spell it sorry) detol and baby oil helps?

"No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the Saddle"

Take care Jan                                            

Hi Niki,

Do you know of the Caribu Horseware website? They now have a line of herbal skin treatments that are supposed to be quite good,

Here's the address:

www.caribuhorseware.com.au

The are just in Nambour too. A great company!

Good Luck,
Candice

Hi

I have used a product called equitch that worked well.  They have a website - type in equitch and it should come up.

Try mixing detol and baby oil together it works a treat and the flies hate it. 50/50 for best results.

Kay

Hi Niki,
I manufacture a 100% natural spray called TICK-OFF! and also had tremendous success with my HAPPY SKIN LOTION treating Qld Itch and Rain Scald + Infusions & Tinctures. All at a low cost + free advice.
There is heaps of info and a QLd Itch article available from my website - as well as a full Products page with prices, a Current Specials listing and every order will receive a FREE gift.
Have a look: www.ramornieremedies.piczo.com

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have :)

Cheers,
Barbara Schleppi
Equine Herbalist
RAMORNIE REMEDIES - Equine Herbal Health Solutions www.ramornieremedies.piczo.com
&
RAMORNIE QUARTER HORSES - home of "Poco Blue Moon" NRHA Open Futurity Champion 2007 www.users.bigpond.com/quarter.horses

Hi Niki

I make up the following mix and spray it on us and the horses, safe for anyone & smells great!
Put it directly onto horse to keep bugs away or onto the bites to stop infection.

250ml White Vinegar
200ml bottled water

4 drops citronella oil
6 drops lavender or peppermint oil
8 drops eucalyptus oil
8 drops tea tree oil

Put in a spray bottle and shake each time you use.

Good luck!
Heather

Hi,
 
Heritage Downs do a range of natural products..spray , face cream.,and a salve.
I have used these with some success on my itchy boy.
 
Natures botanical is another I have heard good reports about but have not tried this one.
 
Good Luck it is a never ending battle.
Cheers
Sarah

Hi, I use Neem Oil based products, they are an all natural products, excellent for horses with Qld Itch, as they offer some moisturising benefits as well as getting rid of the insects.  Get an emulsified products, as this will mix with water, it is quite concentrated and lasts a while. Link below

http://www.neemoil.com.au/shop/

Good luck

I use a herbal one that is made here in Maryborough I cannot remember the name of the spray but it is sold in saddleries all around QLD possible Australia

The phone number of the people that make it is 0741 233 423

They are a lovely couple

 Jessica

Hi, I have a really itchy shetty and live on the coast in nth nsw.  The past few seasons I've treated her with this remedy with great results, she still rubs but doesn't tear herself up any more.

To 500ml of baby oil, add about 10 drops each of ti-tree, rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender, and citronella (if you don't have all of these don't worry as a couple will do)  Massage into affected and exposed areas every 2nd evening and wash the horse once or twice a week with a good medicated shampoo.  Should have new hair growing through on rubbed areas within the first week.  Works a treat, and smells nice too.

Cheers,
Sue

TOP

ULCERS AND WINDSUCKERS (crib biting)

Windsucking

I plan to do extensive research into windsucking. From what i can gather so far it is caused by a digestive upset. It can be very hard to cure as it is habit forming behaviour, but fortunately it is a myth that other horses copy the behaviour. If another horse displays the same symptoms of latching onto a fence post or gate with its teeth and gasps for air, presume it also has digestive problems.The gasp for air acts to cool down the burning sensation caused by reflux of stomach acid or bile, depending on where the problem manifests. The areas to be managed in a treatment program are diet , and stress levels.

Diet

Fast food can cause acid stomach, as we have probably all experienced in our own life time. Concentrates will have this affect, and therefore a diet high in fibre is important, and regular feed times. I would recommend talking with your vet about this at this stage. Mylanta has been recommended as temporary relief, but this is by no means a cure, and may cause extended problems in further upsetting the guts delicate balance. Plenty of fresh water should be offered before during and after meal times. This helps with digestion. Probiotics are advisable, and can be given by adding a carton of natural acidophilus yogurt, please no flavouring or colours added and unsweetened is best (Bornhoffen or Vallia) Plenty of access to natural pasture and grassy meadow hay will be very beneficial.

Stress

Stabled horses are more prone to the problem of windsucking and ulcers. It may not be possible to cure a horse unless it is moved as soon as possible to surroundings that are more natural to a horse. A horse is a herd animal that benefits from the close company of other horses of a similar temperament. A safe paddock, that is not over crowded, and with the absence of bullies will be the best treatment for stress. At feed time it is important that your horse is not bullied away from his feed. If this is the case separate all the horses at feed time, but enable them to still be within sight of each other so not to cause separation anxiety.

Ulcers

This link explains symptoms of ulcers and a cure:

http://www.lunatunesfreestyles.com/horse_ulcers.htm

Behavioural Problems

Although there are many reasons for behavioural changes the most common would stem from inexperienced handling, lack of exercise or over feeding.

The horse evolved to survive on a low protein diet, and all processed feeds today exceed the protein requirements of any horse other than the top athletes of horses. Like feeding a child red cordial and sugars he will invariably have so much stored energy that he will express it in less than pleasing ways, bucking, bolting etc. The higher the protein the worse this will be. Hot feeds are grains, of which most pelleted feeds are comprised.

The ideal diet for a horse is good quality pasture which can be supplemented with good quality grass hays, for example Rhodes with a sprinkling of lucerne through it to tempt the fussy eaters during times that the grasses are under stress (drought, winter). There are also chaff mixes available. Pure lucerne is not recommended as it can have as high as 20% protein content. A horse lightly worked should not exceed 9% protein, whilst heavy work would require 10.3 %. The highest being 13% for weanlings.

Exercise is paramount to the health of any horse. Horses that rest all week and then have a vigorous days mustering or jumping etc are more susceptible to strain type injuries. It is advisable to warm a horse up for 1/2 an hour before commencing any vigorous work, walking is the best way to do this. Steady trots up hills are a fast way to build muscle tone, cantering does not achieve the same result and can cause hip and back injuries. It is recommended that your horse has a small amount of hay prior to exercise to reduce stomach acidity, and is offered fresh water with it. If you can exercise your horse 2 - 3 times a week you will have a horse that is both fit, but also much less likely to have stress and strain injuries which cause behavioural problems.

Inexperienced handling is all too commonplace resulting in horses developing learned bad behaviours. This can result in hard to catch horses, bucking horses, biting horses and horses that fight the bit etc. Google video and You tube have many training videos available to help owners reeducate themselves as on how to resolve these problems. Horses learn bad habits very quickly, and inexperienced handling reinforces the bad behaviour until it becomes a hard habit to break. It takes the right knowledge and consistency to correct these problems but it is well worth it in the end when you can enjoy your horse safely, and have enjoyed a learning experience with your horse.

Diarrhoea & Worming

It is recommended to worm every 10 wks in spring/summer/autumn and 12 wks in winter. Personally I worm every horse plus the family and farm cat at the same time, every 10 weeks in summer and every 12 weeks in winter. Any new arrivals are kept in a separate paddock for the first week where they are wormed before moving into their designated paddock so not to introduce chemical resistant worms onto the property.

I am using IMAX Gold horse wormer which contains ivermectin and praziquantel, and will treat all common horse worms including tapeworms and bots. There is a very low rate of worm resistance to these chemicals in horses to date, and so they are recommended over and above all over chemicals. By worming all new arrivals I am preventing the introduction of chemical resistant worms. By worming as directed, with correct dose rates and frequency I am careful not to encourage resistance to occur. By keeping stocking rates low we are also able to keep our paddocks hygienic. So far so good, we have not had any over burdened horses, and worming has always been successful with every horse to date.

Diarrhoea can be as a result of worms or many other factors including old age or a change in diet and even the change of grass in their new paddock. If you have changed their diet It is best to get back to basics, start bygoing back to the exact same diet your horse was on before he got the runs. If this eventually cures the problem, then you still have the option to change his diet, but do it very gradually. Reintroduce the new feed stuffs mixing into the old feed stuff a hand full at a time for the first few days, phasing it in over the next few weeks. This gives his gut time to adjust, by creating the correct gut bacteria to digest the new feed.

Be sure to provide plenty of good quality water, and keep an eye that your horse is not dangerously dehydrated by pinching skin between your thumb and index finger on his neck, if it does not spring back fairly quickly then he will need veterinary attention. Dehydration is a real killer.

If change of diet is not the cause then you can eradicate feed stuffs from his diet that are known to cause problems, these are mainly lucerne, molasses and bran which both act as a mild laxative. Now try adding, gradually over the next few weeks fibre plus, which is a rice hull and wheaten hull product (not to be confused with chaff) and natural yogurt up to 500g per day and 1/2 a cup pf bentonite (basically clay)

Fibre plus is not easily digested by horses and so it passes through the gut slowly, slowing the digestive process which allows the horse to receive more nutrients from his feed. It also bulks up his faeces so they are less runny.
The natural acidophilus yogurt helps provide the bacteria needed to reestablish his gut functions. Some old horses benefit from yogurt regularly added to their diet. It is also recommended to add natural yogurt after worming a horse to reestablish his gut bacteria after worming has killed them.

Bentonite is clay, which helps temporarily to bind the faeces together.

If all else fails please consult your vet.

To winter rug or not to rug?

Saddle fitting

So what do you look for with saddle fit?

Firstly, notice what your horse does when you approach with the saddle - is he/she trying to move away, pinning their ears, head tossing or even trying to nip you as you put the saddle on or girth it up? If so, they are probably trying to tell you that something is very uncomfortable for them.

Using a thick pad to overcome your problems can be useful when your horse's condition is lighter but shouldn't be used to compensate for an ill-fitting saddle. It would be like putting thick socks on with shoes that are already too tight. Ideally a thick pad should be used with a well fitting saddle to help dissipate the riders weight and act as a shock absorber. Sheepskin seat savers also help to absorb shock and are a great benefit to you and your horse.

It should also be easy to run your hand freely behind the shoulder as illustrated in the top photo. If you have trouble freely running your hand between the shoulder and the widest point of the gullet (see photo), then it’s probably too narrow for your horse.

Then view the saddle from the front - does it clear the wither by at least 4 fingers? Even treeless saddles should have good wither clearance. Take a look at the back of the saddle, is it sitting too high above the horse, this can lead to the saddle swinging and rubbing your horse’s back.
Another issue with fit is the placement of the saddle. The design should allow the saddle to fit far enough back from the shoulder to reduce interference when the horse moves. If your saddle does not girth up in the horse's natural girth channel, when positioned back far enough, than it is not the right one.

Now it’s time to ride your horse so take notice of issues such as high head carriage, a sour expression and raising the head suddenly when you mount, reluctance to transition down gaits, reluctance to travel downhill easily, reluctance to stride out freely, tail flicking and grunting on the downward slopes.

Ride until your horse has a good sweat under the cloth (more than an hour) and this will tell you even more about fit.
When you remove the saddle, there should be no sign of dry patches as seen above. This indicates that the pressure on the muscle in this area is restricting blood and sweat flow that will lead to muscle damage and dead tissue, eventually growing white hair (as seen below).

Choose an appropriate saddle keeping in mind what you will be using the saddle for. Dressage saddles are designed for dressage. Stock saddles are for mustering cattle. An all purpose saddle is designed for a little of everything, but not a lot of anything.  Do a lot of jumping or long trails in an all purpose, especially where hills are included, and you will end up with a sore backed horse and eventually long term problems that will result in your horse becoming unrideable.

For trail riding choose a suitable saddle that distributes your weight more, for example a half breed saddle. On to these you can clip your Drizabone and a drink bottle, or choose an endurance saddle for longer rides (4 hours plus).

Unfortunately many saddlery shop staff lack personal experience of endurance riding, or competitive trail riding or even trail riding for that matter. If they are arena riders they may not be well suited to advise you which saddle to buy. Google some research, read forums, research saddle problems too.

Horses backs begin to become numb after the first 15 mins of being ridden, due to reduced blood flow. Endurance riders rest their horses by getting off and walking along side them. Trail riders are well advised to have a break halfway through the ride. This allows bloodflow to return to the horses back temporarily to help reduce injury.

Quality Endurance and half breed saddles, plus some western saddles, have been designed with a wider expanse of paneling underneath covering the tree. This helps to lessen the pressure (psi or pounds per square inch) over the horses back by distributing the weight over a larger surface area.
If we take a look at an example of a tree (the inside of a saddle below) you will be able to see this one is too narrow in the gullet, and would cause pressure sores resulting in dead hairs (white marks) if used on this horse. This is one of the most commonly seen injuries on trail riding horses, pressure sores.

There are different designs for trees, for example the tree below would be used in a half breed saddle. Notice that it has wider bars than the example above so therefore it would dissipate your weight more evenly.

Here is an example of a half breed saddle

And an endurance saddle

Notice below the comparison between the panels on the underside of a half breed saddle compared to an all purpose or dressage saddle. Which looks more comfortable for the horse to you?

Just because half breeds and endurance saddles do not look like the all purpose or dressage saddles that you have been used to does not mean that you would not be happy riding in one. Everyone I know who has been through the issue of bad fitting saddles and has eventually progressed to the right saddle have never looked back. The benefits they have enjoyed are problem free riding, and happy horses.

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Other helpful information:

When sizing a saddle you can make an impression of your horse's wither with a wire coat hanger. This is a guide to gullet width. Gullets generally vary between narrow, semi quarter horse bars (medium), and full quarter horse bars (wide) Narrow might suit an Egyptian Arab or a narrow Thoroughbred for example, Semi QH bars would fit a medium framed stock horse or Thoroughbred type, and full QH bars would suit a solid Quarter Horse type. The inch size of the saddle relates to the length of the seat. Arabs are usually the hardest to fit a saddle too as they have one less rib and therefore need a short saddle.

I recommend mohair girths as the ultimate in comfort for your horse, usually priced a round $90. The wider diamond shaped girths spread the pressure further over the sternum to create less pressure. I usually find a 30" girth is long enough for most horses in the medium size range 14 - 16 hh

Natural fibres are a godsend to horses, mohair girths and sheep skin pads, or quality Navaho pads, or natural (not synthetic) felt help to draw sweat away from the horse and keep them much cooler.

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