Horse Care 101

Healthy as a Horse

If you are new to the world of horse ownership, you are waking up to the knowledge that caring for your equine athlete requires time, dedication, and a new set of skills and knowledge. We asked Dr. Gustavo De Cillo of De Cillo Equine Clinic to give us a rundown of the basics of horse care for new horse owners.

Dr. Gustavo De Cillo, De Cillo Equine Clinic

NUTRITION

There are two important components to your horse’s diet: hydration and nutrition. Both are based on the horse’s energy output and performance.

“We feed the horses depending on how active their life is,” explains Dr. De Cillo. “If a horse is working at a high-performance level, like in the 8-goal league, they really require a huge amount of energy provided from their feed. A horse that plays polo once a week in the Margarita League doesn’t require as many calories. We will ask a client: What are you going to do with this horse? How often are you going to ride and for how long? That will give us good information about how much energy a horse needs, and we tailor the nutrition to those needs.”

During the season, your horse’s diet will consist of good quality hay and alfalfa that is clean, dry (to prevent mold), and has high protein content. In the off-season, if you turn your horse out, they are pretty self-sustaining: they will subsist on the pasture grass with a little bit of help from hay if it gets really cold.

Hydration is also extremely important for a 1,000-lb animal that is performing in Houston’s often severe heat and humidity. Dr. De Cillo warns that horses are as finicky as we are about their water: keep it clean and cool, change it twice a day, and make sure that they are drinking it. If you notice a drop off in their water consumption, especially in the heat of summer, call your vet immediately.

COLD WEATHER CARE

Horses heat their bodies internally through a fermentation chamber in their large intestines, more specifically, the cecum. When they metabolize their forage (grasses and hay), it produces heat. If the temperature dips, you can double their hay to stoke their internal furnaces (and give them a blanket).

Because horses are very particular about their water sources, they may stop drinking if the water is too cold. “When the temperature drops, horses don’t feel like they need to drink water anymore, and they decrease the amount of water they drink,” warns Dr. De Cillo. “That can lead to colic and all sorts of ailments. The person taking care of the horse is the most important person in their life because they will be able to tell if a horse is not drinking as much as they usually do. The owner’s attention to these details is so important.”

EXERCISE

It goes without saying that regular exercise is important. Horses require exercise in order to make sure their digestive systems are running smoothly and to prepare them for their performance on the field. If you are playing chukkers once a week, your horse should be exercised a minimum of three times per week. This will help develop your horse’s cardiorespiratory health, increase the elasticity and strength of tendons and ligaments, and increase their bone density—all crucial to preventing serious injury.

ANNUAL CHECKUPS

Assuming that the horse is generally healthy, Dr. De Cillo recommends seeing your equine vet at least once a year for a thorough checkup. At that appointment, the vet will do a complete physical: listening to the horse’s heart, lungs, and gut; checking their eyes and ears; and examining the quality of their coat and any notable weight change. The vet will examine your horse’s gums and their mouth tooth by tooth: their teeth can become uneven and can fracture or develop cavities, which can cause pain and result in weight loss. Acting on minor issues regularly can prevent pain and more serious—and costly—conditions in the long run.

At that appointment, the vet will also update your horse’s regular vaccinations. Dr. De Cillo recommends vaccinations for rabies, strangles, and a combo shot that protects against tetanus, influenza and rhino, West Nile, and encephalitis. These vaccines will not only protect your horse, but they will also protect the horses they live with from communicable viruses. In some cases, horses will need boosters at the 6-month mark, depending on their risk—but your vet will advise you if that is the case.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

Dr. De Cillo offers five red flags that signal that you should get your horse in as soon as possible for an examination:

• Abdominal discomfort: One of the most common abdominal ailments in horses is colic. The treatment can range from a basic anti-inflammatory to surgery for extreme cases, so bring your horse in if you notice a change in personality or behaviour, they stop eating or drinking, they are pawing at the ground, lying down or rolling around.

• Lameness: If your horse avoids putting weight on one of their legs, a vet can rule out life-threatening conditions such as fractures or tissue infections.

• Trouble breathing: If your horse is having trouble inhaling or exhaling, it could point to a life-threatening condition like severe

COPD or an obstruction in the upper respiratory tract that requires immediate care.

• Eyes: If a horse’s eye is tearing, red, or sensitive, you should act immediately. Eye issues can get worse very quickly.

Caring for your equine teammate through proper nutrition, exercise, and regular healthcare will ensure that your pony enjoys an incredible life with you—on and off the field!

De Cillo Equine Clinic has four vets on staff that are available for regular medical care as well as emergency appointments during regular or after-hours. They take care of your horse at their clinic, or in emergencies when the horse cannot be transported, they will come to your farm.