Researchers continue to study internal parasites with a focus on preventing resistance to deworming drugs. The post Equine Parasite Research Update appeared first on The Horse.

At the Vale of Glamorgan Show, the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet HOYS Grade C Qualifier featured an unusual and touching result when two competitors, Daniel May and Sian Edwards, chose to split the win. On their horses, Houdini and Magnum Force, they were the only combinations to finish first in the initial round, securing their spots in the Horse of the Year Show. With their qualification secured, the duo chose not to engage in a jump-off, opting instead to declare themselves joint winners.We look forward to seeing them both compete in the final at Horse of the Year Show later this year!For more information and expert advice from our nutritional team contact British Horse Feeds on 01765 680300 or visit our website on www.britishhorsefeeds.com.The post Vale of Glamorgan Show saw a rare sight in joint winners Daniel May and Sian Edwards taking the win in the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet Horse of the Year Show Grade C Qualifier appeared first on British Horse Feeds.

When trying to find the answer to Why is my horse coughing?, first you must identify which of the following three categories the cough falls into:Environmental coughs are caused by spores from bedding, dusty or mouldy hay, or from a lack of clean air.Bacterial infection coughs can occur when these spores have settled in the airways.Viral coughs are often airborne, or spread by snot or phlegm.In all cases, a cough develops along the horses larynx, which is sometimes known as the voice box. This is the structure that connects the nasal passage to the horses windpipe in the upper respiratory tract.When coughing is a concernCoughing is always a concern as it could be a sign that something more serious is affecting the horses health. This trigger may or may not be covered by any horse health insurance policy you have in place.If the coughing only occurs when the horse starts exercise, and then disappears after a couple of minutes, the cause is likely to be environmental. However, if the coughing persists it usually signals the presence of an infection.Lucinda Ticehurst, an equine vet, point-to-point jockey and side-saddle rider based in Northamptonshire, believes that every horse owner and rider should have a good understanding of the horses respiratory system.Horses are adapted to hide respiratory issues, as not doing so would make them vulnerable to predators in the wild, she says.This means, though, that it is vital to remain diligent in detecting a weakness before it progresses to something more serious with long-term effects.The equine respiratory systemLucinda explains that horses are obligate nasal breathers, which means they breathe through their nose horses cannot breathe through their mouth like we do and signs of respiratory stress can be subtle.The primary function of the horses respiratory system is the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide that takes place between the millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries that envelop them, adds Lucinda, who set up LT Equine Veterinary Services in 2020.This allows the horse to obtain oxygen for energy production and removes carbon dioxide, a waste product. The respiratory system also helps to regulate the horses body temperature by adjusting the rate and depth of breathing.Upper respiratory tractNostrils the entry point for airNasal passage these are lined with mucus membranes that help to filter, warm and humidify the incoming air, removing dust and foreign particles and protecting the lower airways.Pharynx (throat) the epiglottis, a flap-like structure, covers the trachea (windpipe) during swallowing to prevent food and water from entering the lower respiratory tract.Larynx (voice box) located at the top of the trachea, the larynx contains vocal cords and plays a role in regulating airflow during respiration.Lower respiratory tractTrachea (windpipe) a rigid tube composed of cartilage rings that provide structural support. The windpipe connects the larynx to the bronchi and conducts air from the upper respiratory tract into the lower.Bronchi and bronchioles the trachea divides into two bronchi, each leading to one lung. These bronchi then branch into smaller bronchioles, allowing air to reach the deeper lung tissue.Alveoli these are the smallest air sacs in the lungs and the primary sites of gas exchange. Oxygen from the inhaled air diffuses into the bloodstream, which carbon dioxide from the blood is expelled into the alveoli to be exhaled.Why is my horse coughing?Along the larynx are a series of receptors. Its when these receptors are stimulated by spores, such as dust, pollen or mould, that coughs are kick-started into action.When the receptors are stimulated, the larynx will trap the air to try and prevent it going further down the respiratory tract, explains equine vet Dr Keesjan Cornelisse from Calweton Veterinary Group in Cornwall.This will open to expel the air to get rid of the foreign material, which is how your horse coughs. Each horse has different tolerance levels. Some are more sensitive to dust and dirt than others.A common cause of coughing in horses is equine asthma or respiratory disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or recurrent airway obstruction (RAO).If its an infection, it can be spread through coughing or sneezing when animals are sharing air space, especially if theres not enough air turnover.Low temperatures cause horses expirations to form very small droplets, which can find their way deep into the lungs.Larger droplets found in warmer weather can be filtered by the membranes within a horses nose and head.Phlegm or snot produced by an affected horse can spread infections, and viruses such as influenza can also be spread this way.Environmental causesAn environmental cough is a result of your horse trying to get rid of whatever spore or dust particle has entered their respiratory tract.Bacterial particles such as mould and dust from bedding or pollen spores stimulate the sensitive receptor nerves and irritate them. If the bacteria isnt dislodged, then an infection develops, says Dr Cornelisse.An environmental cough will sound raspy and dry, and can be occasional or repetitive. Your horse usually wont show any other symptoms, other than a clear or whitish discharge coming out from their nostrils.Causes: beddingA common cause of an environmental cough is the inhalation of dust and mould from your horses bedding and within their stable. Youll need to experiment with your horses stable environment to try and make it as dust-free as possible. Try:Turning your horse out to reduce their exposure to dust spores.Opening any stable windows to improve air circulation.Considering which bedding you use; look for a dust-free one.Giving stable walls a good sweep and clean to prevent dust build up and remove cobwebs, which collect dust.Its also worth assessing the quality of your horses hay. Soaking it can help reduce its dust and mould particles. Other options are steaming hay or feeding haylage if suitable for your horse.Causes: pollenSeasonal changes in your horses environment which cause coughing can be harder to control.Pollen can become trapped in the hairs of your horses nose as they inhale. If they have a pollen allergy, these particles can inflame the airway lining and overstimulate the airway nerve receptors, explains Dr Cornelisse. Consequently, your horse may cough, be wheezy and have breathing problems. They may also have watery eyes or head shake.Identifying the pollen your horse is sensitive to can prevent the problem.Its worth alerting your vet to see if the pollen sensitivity can be stopped with steroids when the crop appears.If your horses cough produces a lot of mucus and/or if coloured discharge appears around the nostrils, speak to your vet. In the event of an infection setting in, theyre likely to prescribe drugs to clear the mucus. But do note that drugs wont fix the problem if your horses environment is the cause.Bacterial infectionsA horse coughing can be caused by bacterial infections when bacteria settles in the lower respiratory tract.Pneumonia is a classic case of how a bacterial or fungal substance can develop into an infection in the lower respiratory tract.Bacterial infections often come hand in hand with mucus, because the mucus pushes the dirt out of the airway.This mucus will start to develop from that inflammation, three to four days from when the particle first enters the horses system so take a look at the colour of the discharge from their nostrils, advises Dr Cornelisse.Look for:Clear or white discharge, which is normally harmless.Yellow or green discharge, which suggests an additional infection and you need to call your vet.Your vet will advise you to rest your horse as increased airflow in the airway causes the mucus to dry out, making it harder to clean.For most bacterial infections, your vet will prescribe your horse antibiotics to stop bacteria settling in the damaged tissue, adds Dr Cornelisse.An easy way to prevent this type of infection is to stop the bacteria entering the system in the first place.VirusesSeveral viruses can cause airway inflammation, infection and coughing in horses. Most common are rhinovirus and herpes virus type 1 or 4, while equine influenza is seen less.These diseases are easily spread when horses are sharing and breathing in the same air. Controlling a viral outbreak can be difficult if your horse has no antibodies (immunity) to the virus, says Dr Cornelisse.A key sign of a viral cough is if the other horses on your yard are displaying similar symptoms.It varies from viral infection, but the cough may be rather dry and frequent and your horse will have a host of other symptoms, such as an increased temperature and a loss of appetite.If your vet diagnoses a viral cough, youll need to isolate your horse immediately.With cases of influenza or herpes virus your horse can be vaccinated and keeping these vaccinations up to date is vital if you want to limit the spread of the disease and keep your horse safe, states Dr Cornelisse.Exercise-induced coughingSometimes coughing occurs only when the horse is ridden. This is referred to as a warm-up cough.It is essentially a build-up of mucus from environmental causes, such as dust, that need to be cleared from the respiratory tract.As the horses heart rate goes up, theyll start to breathe deeper, and they will need their airways clear to maximise lung use, explains Dr Cornelisse.A horse starts coughing when exercising to expel any mucus thats accumulated, so the cough will sound wet rather than dry or raspy. However, some arenas are dustier than others, so the cough could be a result of that.Your horse should only cough once or twice at the beginning of exercise. If its more than that, it could be more serious, like an inflammatory airway disease (sometimes found in younger horses), which makes exercising difficult.For a cough that is environmental, it should settle down as your hose progresses through the session. If not, then have them checked by a vet.Nasal dischargeA horse who appears depressed, is off their food or has a high temperature may well have a respiratory infection, even if you havent noticed the horse coughing.If you find phlegm outside their door or on the floor of the stable its likely they have a productive cough as the result of an infection within the lungs.Nasal discharge can be the sign of a problem. Heres whats normal and whats not:Clear or white discharge:Dont worry just keep an eye on the horses breathing.Yellow discharge out of both nostrils:This could be anything from an allergy tostrangles, it depends on the rest of your horses symptoms. If your horse is under the weather, call your vet.Yellow discharge out of one nostril:Usually a sinus infection or tooth abscess, call your vet.Green discharge:A rather advanced infection probably from somewhere in the respiratory tract.5 ways to prevent a horse coughing:Only use dust-free bedding and soak or steam hay.Turn them out as much as possible air quality is better in the field.Make sure theres good ventilation: keep vents and windows open at all times. If stabled in a barn, avoid closing the main barn door.Dont muck out or sweep around your horse.Feed from the floor. Its better for their health and helps any mucus drain.Main image: copyright ShutterstockRelated contentChoke in horses: how to recognise it and what to do if it happensWhat is that sound your horse is making?Strangles in horses: latest vet advice for this contagious diseaseEquine asthma explainedFind the best bedding for your horseThe post Why is my horse coughing? appeared first on Your Horse.

Kildare para-dressage athlete one of five selected through Futures Program Young para-dressage rider, Katie Reilly has been selected among a group of five Paralympic athletes from five different sports to travel to the Paralympic Games in Paris from September 1-4 with legendary four-time Paralympic champion, Michael McKillop as a mentor. The lucky quintet have been selected to aid their development as part of Paralympics Irelands Futures Program, which is designed to foster the development of athletes with strong potential to represent Team Ireland at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Katie, who is just 17 but already has major championship experience having represented Ireland at the European Championships in Germany last year with Impulz W, is from Ticknevin, Co Kildare. The talented teenager has cerebral palsy, which affects the right side of her body, but has made significant progress in her chosen discipline since being introduced to dressage by []

Kildare para-dressage athlete one of five selected through Futures Program Young para-dressage rider, Katie Reilly has been selected among a group of five Paralympic athletes from five different sports to travel to the Paralympic Games in Paris from September 1-4 with legendary four-time Paralympic champion, Michael McKillop as a mentor. The lucky quintet have been selected to aid their development as part of Paralympics Irelands Futures Program, which is designed to foster the development of athletes with strong potential to represent Team Ireland at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Katie, who is just 17 but already has major championship experience having represented Ireland at the European Championships in Germany last year with Impulz W, is from Ticknevin, Co Kildare. The talented teenager has cerebral palsy, which affects the right side of her body, but has made significant progress in her chosen discipline since being introduced to dressage by []

Knowing how to check your horses vital signs is important, because doing so regularly helps you get to know what is normal for your horse and means you are more likely to identify a health problem early.Vital signs can very slightly and what may be normal for one horse isnt for another. Below is a step-by-step guide for checking each one as well as veterinary videos that show how to do it. Write down your horses vital signs every time you take them, so that you have a record to refer back to when needed.How to check a horses temperatureA healthy horses temperature is between 37.5 and 38.5 C (99-101F).Switch on the digital thermometer, or vigorously shake the mercury thermometer until the mercury is below the start of the temperature scale.Lubricate the bulb with petroleum jelly.Run your hands over your horses hindquarters and lift his tail.Stand to one side to avoid being kicked. Gently slide the thermometer into the anus until two thirds is inside the rectum.Tilt the thermometer so the end of it lies against the rectal wall. This will ensure it is measuring your horses temperature, not that of droppings.Wait a full minute (or until the digital thermometer beeps) then withdraw the thermometer and wipe it clean.Read the temperature.Clean with disinfectant and store safely.Watch how to take a horses temperatureThe following video from the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) shows how to take a horses temperature:How to check a horses heart rate (pulse)A healthy horses heart beats between 36 and 40 times per minute when resting.The easiest place to take your horses pulse is where the facial artery passes under the lower jaw. The horse must be standing up and not eating.Run your fingers along the lower border of the mandible. The artery can be felt as a tubular structure.Apply light pressure with the flat of your first three fingers and feel the pulse.Count the number of beats in 15 seconds.Multiply this figure by four to obtain your horses pulse rate.Watch: how to check a horses pulseHow to check a horses breathing rateA healthy horses respiration rate is between eight and 15 breaths per minute at rest.This should be done when the horse is resting and relaxed.Stand quietly and watch and count the movement of the flanks for one minute.The flanks and chest wall move up and outwards as the horse breathes in. They move down and in as the horse exhales.Each time the horse breathes in and out is counted as one respiratory cycle.Watch how to check a horses respiration rateHow to check a horses digital pulseWhen your horse is standing quietly, feel for the pulse where the digital artery runs over the sesamoid bones, just above the fetlock joint (see main image, top).This can be more difficult to locate unless the horse has a foot problem, such as an abscess of laminitis.A strong or bounding pulse in both front feet is common in horses with laminitis.Mucous membranesThe colour of your horses gums are also a useful indicator. In a healthy horse, they are moist and pink in colour.Main image: Alan Davies is pictured checking the digital pulse of Carl Hesters horse, Uthopia. Copyright Your Horse Library/Kelsey Media Ltd/Sally NewcombRelated contentHow to tell if a horse is lame13 signs your horse is happyHorse health insurance and vet fees cover: essential guideUseful health products for your horses first aid kitHow to take care of a horseThe post How to check a horses vital signs *VIDEO* appeared first on Your Horse.

Flies can be extremely bothersome for horses, causing physical discomfort, irritation and even transmitting diseases.Here's our guide to flycare.

Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.The field bursts wide open as entries continue to flow in on the heels of recent prep events in the UK and Europe ahead of the 2024 Defender Burghley Horse Trials. At the time of writing, we now have 64 entries to consider for this years eventual champion, with more due to submit ahead of Fridays closing date.Featuring on the roster are confirmed entries for Defender Kentucky CCI5* winners Oliver Townend (GBR) and Cooley Rosalent as well as 2024 MARS Badminton winners Caroline Powell (NZL) and Greenacres Special Cavalier. Reigning European Champion and newly-crowned Olympic team gold medalist Ros Canter has entered both her Paris partner, Lordships Graffalo, as well as 2023 Les Etoiles de Pau champion Izilot DHI. In terms of other horses seen in Paris, Irelands Austin OConnor has entered his CCI5* winner Colorado Blue. This means we will have the five of the most recent six CCI5* winners competing for another title in this years field. Ros Canter and Izilot DHI. Photo by Tilly Berendt.You can view the entry list as of writing below, or you can click here to view the current list as entries are confirmed. Well be back with one last roster update next week after entries close, and of course stay tuned for our traditional Form Guide to each competitor coming your way the week of Burghley (September 5-8). RiderHorseNationalityLizzie BaughB EXCLUSIVESusie BerryIRENE LEVASusie BerryWELLFIELDS LINCOLNSammi BirchFINDUSS PFBTom BirdCOWLING HOT GOSSIPRosie Bradley-HoleROMANTICAlexander BraggQUINDIVAJennie BranniganFE LIFESTYLEJesse CampbellCOOLEY LAFITTERos CanterLORDSHIPS GRAFFALORos CanterIZILOT DHIAlice CasburnTOPSPINIan CassellsMASTER POINTLuc ChateauVIENS DU MONTTom CrispLIBERTY AND GLORYDeclan CullenSEAVAGHAN ASHSarah EnnisGRANTSTOWN JACKSONMia FarleyPHELPSWill FaudreeMAMAS MAGIC WAYPippa FunnellMCS MAVERICKCosby GreenCOPPER BEACHMatthew HeathGOLDEN RECIPEMatthew HeathASKARIAndrew HeffernanHARTHILL PHANTOMSophia HillHUMBLE GLORYNicky HillMGH BINGO BOYHannah Sue HollbergCAPITOL H I MEmma Hyslop-WebbJEWEETWELLauren InnesGLOBAL FISION MBella Innes KerHIGHWAY IITom JacksonCAPELS HOLLOW DRIFTAndrew JamesCELTIC MORNING STARDan JocelynBLACKTHORN CRUISERichard JonesALFIES CLOVEREmily KingVALMY BIATSRyuzo KitajimaFEROZA NIEUWMOEDLucy LattaRCA PATRON SAINTGubby LeechROYAL HARVESTGaspard MaksudZARAGOZA IIGaspard MaksudKAN-DO 2Padraig McCarthyLADY OPHELIAAndrew McConnonWAKITA 54Tom McEwenCHF COOLISERHarry MeadeSUPERSTITIONHarry MeadeCAVALIER CRYSTALHarry MeadeANNAGHMORE VALONERAaron MillarFRIENDSHIP VDLNicole MillsFEARLESS WNadja MinderTOBLERONEJoseph MurphyCALMAROAustin OConnorCOLORADO BLUEMeghan ODonoghuePALM CRESCENTWills OakdenA CLASS COOLEYCaroline PowellGREENACRES SPECIAL CAVALIERJonelle PriceGRAPPA NERATim PriceVITALITim PriceCOUP DE COUER DUDEVINTim PriceVISCOUNT VIKTORWill RawlinBALLYCOOG BREAKER BOYHolly RichardsonBALLY LOUISTom RowlandDREAMLINERTom RowlandKND STEEL PULSELibby SeedHEARTBREAKER STAR QUALITYMonica SpencerARTISTGemma StevensCHILLI KNIGHTToshiyuki TanakaJEFFERSON JRAEmma ThomasICARUS XZara TindallCLASS AFFAIRNicolas TouzaintABSOLUT GOLD HDZOliver TownendCOOLEY ROSALENTAistis VitkauskasCOMMANDER VGFelix VoggCARTANIAMax WarburtonDEERPAIRC REVELRYFrancis WhittingtonDHI PURPLE RAINIf youre planning to attend Burghley this year, youll want to check out the full schedule of events and activities, including Masterclass demonstrations from the likes of Carl Hester and William and Pippa Funnell, the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse competition, the Shetland Grand National, and much more. You can view the full provisional timetable here.For those not able to attend in person, definitely get yourself sorted with a Burghley TV pass, which costs just about $25 USD and grants you full access to the live stream, replays, and archive footage from previous years for a full year. Click here to learn more.Defender Burghley: [Website] [Entries] [Burghley TV] [ENs Coverage]ENs coverage of Defender Burghley is proudly presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for every horse. Click here to learn more about KPP.

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