What do I need to know about leasing a horse?

Is it possible to hear your horse?

Although it sounds a little far-fetched, it is indeed possible to “hear” your horse if you understand their routines, structures and communications. If life is good, your horse will show you his pleasure by becoming more rideable. He will be calm but at the same time responsive to you.

What does your horse’s breathing sound say about his health?

Just as lung sounds can reveal a lot about our own health status, the noises your horse makes when he breathes can be quite telling. Horses with advanced respiratory distress emit rasps and wheezes audible to your unaided ear.

Can horses Speak Your Language?

Many equestrians have dedicated their lives to becoming behavioral experts and understanding the language of the horse, both physical and vocal. Granted, horses can’t speak your language, but horses and humans have fascinating ways of communicating with themselves and each other.

What does it mean when your horse is in respiratory distress?

Horses with advanced respiratory distress emit rasps and wheezes audible to your unaided ear. To hear the more subtle sounds of brewing trouble, however, you’ll need a stethoscope and a certain proficiency in using it.

Do horses breathe through their mouths when they run?

“The horse is an ‘obligate nasal breather,’ ” meaning they can only breathe through their noses, not their mouths, Mellor said. “So any factors that interfere with that, especially when breathing is near maximum levels during vigorous exercise, will impair athletic performance.

Why do my horse’s hoofs sound different?

Lameness can also alter the sound of the hoofs as they strike the ground. Navicular disease, for example, causes a horse to avoid striking the ground firmly with the back of the affected hoofs.

What is noninfectious respiratory disease in horses?

Noninfectious respiratory disease is a common, performance-limiting condition that affects adult horses of various ages. Inflammatory airway disease is characterized by excessive tracheal mucus, airway hyperreactivity, and poor exercise performance in young horses.

Why is my horse chipping his hoofs?

Lameness can also alter the sound of the hoofs as they strike the ground. Navicular disease, for example, causes a horse to avoid striking the ground firmly with the back of the affected hoofs. As a result, a horse chipping in toe-first on the front end might sound “clip-chip” instead of “clip-clop”.

What is respiratory distress in a horse?

Respiratory distress in the horse is a symptom of an underlying disease or injury of the lungs. The underlying disease or injury may range from an allergic reaction to dust, or mites, or mold spores to equine asthma to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

What are the symptoms of cracked hooves on a horse?

Symptoms. If only the front hooves are involved, suspect concussion cracks from hard surfaces. If the horse is traveling over hard surfaces a lot, then back hooves may also crack. Cracks in the front hooves may also be a sign of contracted heels. Quarter and sand cracks near the heel of the hooves may be an indication of poorly trimmed hooves.

Why are my horse’s hooves Chipping?

If the hooves are chipping, it may indicate that the horse frequently travels over rough or abrasive surfaces such as rock or gravel, frozen mud, or ice. Although hoof material is very strong, it is still not as hard as stone or pavement.

What are respiratory diseases in horses?

Respiratory diseases are extremely common illnesses that limit performance horses, probably second only to lameness. Respiratory diseases can be viral, bacterial, immune mediated (allergies), or mechanical in nature. They can be transient or chronic, serious or inconsequential.

What is acute respiratory distress syndrome in horses?

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a condition that causes pulmonary edema (inflammation of the horse’s lungs). The inflammation inhibits oxygen from entering the lungs and the bloodstream. Vet bills can sneak up on you.

How do you stop a horse from splitting its hooves?

Of course, regular trimming and rounding of the edges of the hooves by a qualified farrier is necessary to prevent excessive cracking and splitting. And, when necessary, horseshoes should be applied to prevent damage to sensitive structures when hoof wear exceeds hoof growth.

What are the symptoms of a cracked hoof?

The symptoms of the disease are the cracking of the hoof wall and in case of any infection pus or blood may come out through the crack. The treatment of the crack is the surgical removal of the extra tissues and the application of vaseline in the affected hoof.

What is the most common respiratory infection in horses?

Viral respiratory infections are common in horses; the most notable are equine herpesvirus infection, equine influenza, and equine viral arteritis. The clinical manifestations are similar and include pyrexia, serous nasal discharge, submandibular lymphadenopathy, anorexia, and cough.

How do viruses affect horses?

Viruses tend to weaken a horse’s defence system leaving them vulnerable to further infections and illness. Viruses often are air borne and easily past from horse to horse especially in herds and shared facilities. Allergies which cause breathing problems are quite common. Generally, they are caused by either one or more of the following:

When to take your horse to the vet for respiratory distress?

If your horse is having symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome, he should be seen by a veterinarian. Acute respiratory distress syndrome can be life threatening if not treated. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a condition that causes pulmonary edema (inflammation of the horse’s lungs).

What are the symptoms of respiratory disease in racehorses?

Racehorses, whether they are Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses or barrel racers, need every bit of oxygen they can get. Even the smallest amount of respiratory disease can show up as decreased performance without any other distinguishing signs such as a cough, nasal discharge or visibly abnormal breathing effort.

Why does my horse have cracks in his toes?

When a hoof has an abnormally high coffin-bone angle, the hoof will land toe first, which also puts excessive force on the inner hoof wall, creating cracks. Shoeing to cause the heel to land first and a rocker toe reduces those stresses. Chronic toe cracks can also be caused by a condition known as pedal osteitis.

How do you heal a split hoof on a horse?

Because the outer part of the hoof is dead tissue, you are never going to “heal” a crack or split. Your strategies will need to centre on stopping the split or splits from getting worse, and ensuring the horse has a good diet, and possibly supplements, to encourage good hoof growth.