Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Fully Understand Your Senior Horse And Horse Supplements

By Mark Givens


Horse supplements let your senior horse realize that you love him. It gives him a stronger and healthier body. But aside from supplements, there remain other things you have to do for the horse. A comprehensive parasite-control program, started when a horse is young, is crucial to long-term wellness. Horses are living considerably longer today than before and one of the factors often mentioned is that we have such great parasite-control goods available. Harm from unwanted organisms is cumulative. Over the years, scars develop where larvae attach to cells, narrowing portions of the intestinal tract. Long-standing damage from parasites can result in severe problems, like deadly colic plus the destruction can't be overturned.

But the deworming merchandise currently available are so successful that a new parasite-related threat has developed: a sense of complacency among horse proprietors. Since parasites aren't as huge of a problem as they were years ago, I'm afraid some horse folks think frequent deworming isn't required. The truth, obviously, is that frequent deworming is essential for animals of all ages but becomes more and more crucial as the horse grows older. Even subclinical parasite lots--those that don't manifest in obvious symptoms such as colic--could silently tax an elderly horse's system, tying up the immunological and nutritional resources needed to help fundamental body capabilities.

Which deworming goods and timetable are best for your horse rely on numerous factors, such as where you live, the horse's exposure to other animals and your manure-management methods. The vet will help you devise a plan that's suitable for your horse's situation. Whatever program you choose, perform regular fecal egg counts to evaluate how well the program is working. You can find farms having great supervision along with a regular deworming routine, but still come with an individual horse having a parasite burden that needs to be addressed. An egg count once or twice a year is a great insurance policy against parasite damage.

While all horses need protection from the elements year round, it's doubly vital for older horses that are usually thinner and less able to regulate body heat. As a result older horses will probably require a winter blanket during the colder months and plenty of shade and water throughout the summer. Horse owners tend to have firm views on whether to cover horses that stay in the open. It only makes sense that an elderly horse needs some protection from the chills of winter. A covered animal keeps dry and can use less energy to keep warm. A good winter coat undoubtedly provides excellent protection from the elements, but once a horse is soaked to the skin it may lose heat at 20 times the pace of a dry horse.

Horse supplements plus the proper protection can ensure your horse's long life. A good cover and proven paddock shelter can make a huge difference to the general wellbeing of the horse. Don't let your horse get too hot, however, as the seasons change. The average exercise an old horse gets from being turned out in the paddock is not only good for its mental well-being, it can help its mobility as well as aid digestion. Standing inside a stall all day will contribute to puffiness in the limbs and stiff joints. People are quite different: you try sitting or standing around all day long.




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