Broussard Performance Horses would like to remind our friends- Please monitor your horses very carefully throughout this bout of severe winter conditions. We arent accustomed to dealing with the freezing temperatures plaguing our area! Dehydration is the number one cause of impaction colic! Horses do not readily drink very cold water because it may hurt the throat or stomach. Consequently, they tend not to drink as much in winter, which can lead to dehydration and impaction. If at all possible, add a little warm water to your horses bucket throughout the day today! If your horse isnt drinking as well as he should be, add an electrolyte supplement or a salt/mineral mixture to his routine. If your horse shows any signs of colic: restless behavior such as excessive pawing, biting or looking at its flanks, rolling, sweating; check the horses vital signs. If possible, assess the horses heart rate. A normal rate should be 50 beats per minute or below. A higher rate is a sign of pain. Check the color if mucous membranes, which should be pink. Check capillary refill time by pressing a finger to the gums; once you remove the pressure, the area should refill with color in 2 to 4 seconds. A longer refill time indicates dehydration or compromised circulation. If available, use your stethoscope to listen to the four quarters of the gut: just behind the saddle area on the right and left, and down on the right and left flanks. You should hear gurglings and rumblings; silence for more than a minute could possibly indicate a blockage. If the signs above are present, report the vital signs to your veterinarian to help him/her assess the seriousness of the episode. Please share with your horse friends, and lets try to keep this winter spell a safe one!! https://m.facebook/pages/Broussard-Performance-Horses/572608309485028?id=572608309485028&_rdr
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 00:12:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015