Heather Pankhurst Equine First Aid

TUESDAY TIPS The next few weeks are dedicated to ulcers. Ulcers are unfortunately common in domesticated horses particularly sport horses. What are equine ulcers? Painful lesions on the lining of the horse’s digestive system. Where do they occur?... They can be gastric (lower esophagus, stomach, upper small intestine) or colonic (hindgut- colon). Why do horses get ulcers? Horses evolved to be grazers - with the regular intake of roughage over 16 hours a day while on the move. Chewing produces saliva which acts as a lubricant to move food and buffer acid in the stomach. The horse’s stomach continually secretes acid, so when a horse goes prolonged periods without food there is less feed and saliva to neutralize the acid - leading to gastric ulcers. High grain diets can also impact the digestive system lining and contribute to ulcers. Stress, stall confinement and chronic administration of NSAIDs also increase the likelihood of ulcers. #ulcers #horses #equine #healthydigestion #grazers #healthyhorse #equinefirstaid #hp_equinefirstaid See more

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

TUESDAY TIP CHOKE cont... What are some causes of choke? When a horse tries to swallow poorly chewed food or eats too quickly, dry food that clumps and swells (ex hay cubes and beet pulp not soaked properly), feeding too large pieces of treats, dental problems preventing proper chewing. And what are some things we can do to prevent it? Soaking feed appropriately, feeding hay before grain when horse is hungry, cut carrots and apples into bite size pieces, feeding from a dish ...on the ground. Do you have any other preventative tips? I’d love to hear them! #choke #horse #horses #horsehealth #healthyhorse #prevention #equinefirstaid #hp_equinefirstaid #equihealthcanada See more

TUESDAY TIP There are 3 priorities for wound care. The second is CLOT. While a horse can lose up to 10% of its blood volume (7-8 litres) before there is serious concern, acute bleeding needs to be controlled. To control bleeding first apply a sterile non-stick dressing and then cover with thick cotton padding or a towel. In an emergency use whatever padding is available to you. If the padding bleeds through, always add more overtop- never remove. Use tape or wrap to keep the pressure pad in place and ensure that you are not restricting veins or arteries. Keep the horse calm and stationary, and maintain the pressure until the vet arrives. @equi_health_canada #cleanclotcover #horsehealth #healthyhorse #woundcare #bandage #horse #equine #equinefirstaid #hp_equinefirstaid

TUESDAY TIP Today’s topic is CHOKE - this occurs when food causes an obstruction in the horse’s esophagus. Common signs include slimy green discharge and food particles coming from the mouth and nose, stretching out the neck and curling the lips in an attempt to swallow, coughing, not eating or blowing feed and saliva. Horse’s cannot vomit and if unable to clear the obstruction this can quickly become an emergency. Always contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of choke. Next week- causes and prevention. #horse #horses #equine #horsesofinstagram #equinechoke #horsehealth #healthyhorse #equinefirstaid #hp_equinefirstaid

You can wrap them in bubble wrap OR you can let them be a horse and take an Equine First Aid course so you know how to prevent common injuries and illnesses and what to do when faced with an emergency! #horse #horses #equine #horsesofinstagram #horsehealth #equinefirstaid #equihealthcanada #hp_equinefirstaid

I hope everyone got a chance to give their unicorn some love this weekend! #horses #equine #unicorn #lovehorses #horselife #horsesofinstagram #equinefirstaid #hp_equinefirstaid

TUESDAY TIP There are 3 priorities for equine wound care. The first is CLEAN. Keeping a wound clean helps to prevent infection. The wound should be cleaned with water or a saline solution (1tsp of salt per 2 cups of water). Use a gentle stream of water from above to flush dirt and debris down and out of the wound. And remember if the wound is deep, a puncture, severe, near a joint, tendon or to the head, contact your vet immediately! Equi-Health Canada #equinewoundcare #horsehealth #horse #horsesofinstagram #equinefirstaid #infection #hp_equinefirstaid

Great advice to keep your horse’s airway healthy in winter and all year long.

TUESDAY TIP When our horse is in pain or sick they often begin to exhibit abnormal behaviour. Some examples include decreased appetite, increased lying down, restlessness, rolling, pawing, sweating, abnormal gait, non-weight bearing in limbs, etc... It’s important to remember that not all horses exhibit pain the same way and some can be quite stoic without obvious signs. That is why it is so important to know your horse and what is normal behaviour for them. What are some abnormal behaviours your horse has when they aren’t feeling well? #horsehealth #paindetection #horses #horsewellness #equinefirstaid #horsesofinstagram #hp_equinefirstaid

Happy New Year. May this year bring happiness and health to you and your horses! #happynewyear #health #happiness #healthyhorse #equinefirstaid #hp_equinefirstaid #equihealthcanada

It’s national horse day! I’m so thankful for my horse Gideon and all that he does for my physical, mental and emotional health #nationalhorseday #horsesofinstagram #horses #thoroughbred #equinefirstaid #hp_equinefirstaid

Which breed do you love? I’m a thoroughbred girl myself #horses #horsesofinstagram #horsebreeds #thoroughbred #equinefirstaid #hp_equinefirstaid

TUESDAY TIP Bandages function to control bleeding, protect wounds, and promote healing. Bandages should have 4 layers: a sterile non-stick pad, thick layer of cotton padding, gauze roll and vet wrap. Do you know how to properly apply a bandage to all parts of your horse’s body? If not, I can help! Contact me to join an equine first aid course today and be prepared to bandage your horse if they are injured. #bandaging #horses #horsehealth #equinefirstaid #hp_equinefirstaid #equihealthcanada #horsesofinstagram

#drop_your_beautiful_horse_head_challenge

Congratulations to new Equine First Aiders Crystal and Nela! And of course a big thank you to Lobo our very patient patient