An important part of equine care is routine dental checks by a qualified equine dentist. This should be done annually but depends on your equines age and needs. Today Gazza had a visit from Equine Dental Technician, Peter Smith (BAEDT).
After rinsing out Gazza’s mouth with an anti-bacterial wash to rid all the bits of food, Peter gently put the speculum mouth gag on Gazza. This gag causes...
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From April 2010 the EU will be clamping down on imported US and Canadian horse meat due to concerns over contaminated horse meat.
European authorities have already cracked down on horse meat producers within the EU, requiring a passport and microchip ID system that specifically documents whether a horse has received certain drugs. Owners must state that their horses are intended/not intended...
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Posted by on Aug 8, 2009 in General News, Welfare | 2 comments
It has been brought to our attention that there is an outbreak of equine strangles in the Poitou Charente region of SW France. Strangles is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi and is potentially fatal.
The outbreak, called la gourme in French, is thought to have originated from a yard near Poitiers. If you suspect your horse is looking unwell then you may want...
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Posted by on Aug 4, 2009 in General News, Welfare | 0 comments
EHV-1 (rhinopneumonie)
Four horses have been euthanized and a fifth horse is recumbent following an outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in a boarding stable in northern France, according to the treating veterinarian. Quarantine has been established and will continue for at least three more weeks.
Jeroen Lissens, DVM, said seven of the 63 horses at the stable have tested positive for the...
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Posted by on Jul 17, 2009 in Welfare | 2 comments
With France experiencing a recent spate of very hot weather, we thought we’d offer some advice on how you can help your equine cope with the heat.
Provide ample clean, fresh water at all times. Horses can drink in excess of 50 litres a day during hot, dry weather. Stagnant water can be a breeding ground for bacteria so change regularly.
Ensure your equine has access to shade – ...
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A few weeks ago ERF heard about the plight of Gasparin, a beautiful 15 yr old Norwegian Fjord gelding that was on his way to being sold to the abattoir. His French owners had acquired a property 5 years previous, and with it came a pony, Gasparin. They had tried selling him, to no avail, because of his previous history of laminitis. They felt their only option of a buyer was the abattoir, until...
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