The clocks go back and we can avoid it no longer – winter is with us! For many of our horses this means a transition to the winter routine of spending longer time stabled. Whilst this is often a practical necessity, in order to preserve paddock quality, it does bring its own challenges, and chief amongst those is respiratory challenge. Even the best managed stable environment increases respiratory stress from the combined challenges of bedding, preserved forages and shared air space. Winter exercise can also exacerbate the issues with dust and sensitive triggers associated with riding surfaces including indoor sand schools and latex surfaces.
As we head into autumn, those chilled-out, hazy days of summer can seem a distant memory. Circumstances conspire which can result in a sharper, more reactive horse. It’s important that distracted horses don’t bubble over into reactiveness or lack of concentration.
Hedgehogs play a crucial role in the ecosystem by controlling insect and pest populations. They are also commonly kept as pets, and various organisations are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned or injured hedgehogs.
As social animals, goats require ample space for exercise and roaming, along with adequate shelter to protect them from harsh weather conditions, particularly during the colder season. They are unique and intelligent animals, who are relatively easy to keep, but they do best in pairs or herds.
Maintaining a healthy weight for your horse is crucial. Horses that are overweight are prone to various health issues like respiratory problems, arthritis, and laminitis. Similarly, underweight horses are also at risk of developing health problems like muscle loss and low immunity. It is therefore essential to ensure that your horse maintains a healthy weight.
If you're looking for a pet that is perfect for all ages, consider getting a Guinea pig. These small, social animals are relatively low maintenance, but there are a few key things you should keep in mind to ensure their health and happiness.
The challenges and changes experienced by horses can put a lot of stress on their immune system. Whether you're planning to attend the BRC NAF Five Star National Championships in Lincoln, a local show's final, or just going on some fun rides, it's crucial to ensure that your horses and ponies remain healthy and fit during these challenging times.
Maintaining the condition of the hoof is vital for the performance and functioning of your horse particularly when the ground conditions are hard. It's important to keep in mind the impact of concussive forces when hydrating a horse's hoof. Even simply landing after a jump can result in a force that's more than twice the weight of the individual on the load-bearing landing limbs.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need to eat meat to survive. Their diet should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates. A balanced diet will provide your cat with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
As an owner of any animal, we have the legal commitment to endorse their five essential freedoms, which includes the freedom from pain. Nevertheless, to maintain and manage their comfort levels, we must be able to identify the signs and behaviours when your horse is not feeling quite right. In people, it is much easier, as we can say what we’re feeling, but in our animals, it comes from careful observation.
