You can share many seasonal treats with your horse. | iStockQ: During the fall season, I want to give my horses fun seasonal treats, such as pumpkin or cranberries, but be certain what Im giving them is safe. What fall foods can I share with my horses?A: Before you hand out treats, make sure what youre offering wont jeopardize your horses health. This becomes especially important if they have metabolic conditions and require careful diet oversight. Remember that a food safe for humans or other animals might still harm horses.Fresh Treats for HorsesCarrots and apples top the list of go-to horse treats, and most horses like them. Ideally, cut them into bite-sized pieces or hold onto them so the horse doesnt try to swallow a whole large carrot or apple at oncesome horses struggle to chew large pieces and might choke. Introduce any new treat gradually; sudden diet changes can unsettle the digestive tract and, in some cases, raise the risk of colic (abdominal pain). Horses with metabolic problems should have only small amounts of apples and carrots because of their higher sugar content. Consult your veterinarian to find out how much is safe for your horse based on his individual needs. Peanuts in the shell make a better alternative for these animals because offer more fiber and less sugar.If you make apple and pumpkin pies from scratch (using whole apples and pumpkins), you can feed the apple peels and pumpkin rinds as a treat for your horse. Make sure the pumpkin is a baking or carving variety and cut it into bite-sized pieces. If you want to repurpose your jack-o-lantern, make sure the rind isnt moldy and wasnt treated with any preservative. Apple peels and pumpkin also deliver more fiber and less sugar, generally making them safe for metabolic horses to eat.Other winter squash varieties such as butternut, acorn, delicata, and kabocha are also safe to share with your horse. If the skins on these squashes are tough, baking or steaming might help soften them (only feed once cooled). Cranberries are also safe for horses to eat, but like other treats, moderation and mold-free are key.Baked Horse TreatsIf you want to bake your horse treats this season, you can find recipes online. Be sure to check that the recipe only uses ingredients safe for horses. Most common baking ingredients such as oats, cinnamon, and baking soda are safe for your horse. Some ingredients include, apples, carrots, and pumpkin, as well as molasses, peppermint candies, and oats. If your horse has metabolic issues, look recipes with low-sugar ingredients; i.e., avoid the peppermints. Some horses might not eat a new treat the first time you offer it. So, be prepared to give a treat multiple times before your horses consume it willingly. I personally made the mistake one time of offering my horse a cinnamon candy cane that I thought was peppermint. He didnt trust candy canes for a couple of weeks!Take-Home MessageNo matter the treat, feed in moderation. Giving too much of a new food can cause digestive upset and, potentially, colic. A small handful of bite-sized treats is an appropriate limit for most horses. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Horse (@thehorsemag)

You can share many seasonal treats with your horse. | iStockQ: During the fall season, I want to give my horses fun seasonal treats, such as pumpkin or cranberries, but be certain what Im giving them is safe. What fall foods can I share with my horses?A: Before you hand out treats, make sure what youre offering wont jeopardize your horses health. This becomes especially important if they have metabolic conditions and require careful diet oversight. Remember that a food safe for humans or other animals might still harm horses.Fresh Treats for HorsesCarrots and apples top the list of go-to horse treats, and most horses like them. Ideally, cut them into bite-sized pieces or hold onto them so the horse doesnt try to swallow a whole large carrot or apple at oncesome horses struggle to chew large pieces and might choke. Introduce any new treat gradually; sudden diet changes can unsettle the digestive tract and, in some cases, raise the risk of colic (abdominal pain). Horses with metabolic problems should have only small amounts of apples and carrots because of their higher sugar content. Consult your veterinarian to find out how much is safe for your horse based on his individual needs. Peanuts in the shell make a better alternative for these animals because offer more fiber and less sugar.If you make apple and pumpkin pies from scratch (using whole apples and pumpkins), you can feed the apple peels and pumpkin rinds as a treat for your horse. Make sure the pumpkin is a baking or carving variety and cut it into bite-sized pieces. If you want to repurpose your jack-o-lantern, make sure the rind isnt moldy and wasnt treated with any preservative. Apple peels and pumpkin also deliver more fiber and less sugar, generally making them safe for metabolic horses to eat.Other winter squash varieties such as butternut, acorn, delicata, and kabocha are also safe to share with your horse. If the skins on these squashes are tough, baking or steaming might help soften them (only feed once cooled). Cranberries are also safe for horses to eat, but like other treats, moderation and mold-free are key.Baked Horse TreatsIf you want to bake your horse treats this season, you can find recipes online. Be sure to check that the recipe only uses ingredients safe for horses. Most common baking ingredients such as oats, cinnamon, and baking soda are safe for your horse. Some ingredients include, apples, carrots, and pumpkin, as well as molasses, peppermint candies, and oats. If your horse has metabolic issues, look recipes with low-sugar ingredients; i.e., avoid the peppermints. Some horses might not eat a new treat the first time you offer it. So, be prepared to give a treat multiple times before your horses consume it willingly. I personally made the mistake one time of offering my horse a cinnamon candy cane that I thought was peppermint. He didnt trust candy canes for a couple of weeks!Take-Home MessageNo matter the treat, feed in moderation. Giving too much of a new food can cause digestive upset and, potentially, colic. A small handful of bite-sized treats is an appropriate limit for most horses. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Horse (@thehorsemag)

There are three main types of winter worms that affect horses at this time of year and so they need to be tested for (and treated if necessary). These are encysted small redworm, tapeworm, and bots. The most important worm to consider is encysted redworm, the larval stages of which have the ability to hibernate in the horse over winter and which are a particularly dangerous threat to health, states Claire Shand from Westgate Labs.Many thousands can burrow into the gut wall and lay dormant before staging a mass emergence in springtime. This can trigger colic that is very difficult to treat.To guard against this, we need to test or treat for worms proactively.Carry out a saliva test for tapeworm if this hasnt been done in the previous six months, and consider bots if any of the small yellowish eggs of this fly have been seen on the horses coat over the summer months, adds Claire.Results from all of these tests will help to decide which, if any, treatment is needed and target this to help slow resistance. Do a faecal worm egg count again eight to 12 weeks on.Tapeworm (Cestodes)Tapeworms are grey, flat, segmented worms that can grow up to 8cm long and 1.5cm wide. They form clusters at the junction between the small and large intestines where the mature worm releases segments full of eggs. These are then passed in the horses droppings onto the pasture. Here, they are eaten by the forage mite, the eggs hatch and the larvae develop inside the mite. The horse then eats the mite while grazing and the larvae develops into a mature adult over the next six to ten weeks. This is why regular poo-picking is an essential part of your worming regime.Once inside the horse, tapeworm can cause digestive issues, loss of condition, spasmodic colic and fatal blockages.Testing and treatmentTapeworms wont show up in a faecal worm egg count, but there is a blood test available and a saliva test that owners can do themselves, explains vet Sue Taylor MRCVS.This should be done once in the spring and once in the autumn to detect whether your horse has a tapeworm burden and requires treatment.Tapeworm burdens are likely to be highest in autumn, at the end of the grazing season, so testing and worming only if necessary should take place then.Encysted small redworm (Cyathostomes)Encysted small redworm is one of the most common and damaging parasites found in horses. The larvae hibernate in the gut wall during the winter and emerge en masse as adults in the early spring, causing severe damage to the horses intestines. Encysted small redworm pose a potentially fatal health risk. Untreated, encysted small redworm may develop into adults. They can cause weight loss, diarrhoea and colic in horses with a mortality rate of up to 50%.Testing and treatmentThe presence of encysted small redworm will not show up in a faecal worm egg count because the larvae do not lay eggs.It is for this reason that all horses should be treated for encysted small redworm during late autumn and winter, recommends Sue.For horses that have had regular worm egg counts under 200epg through the previous year, a small redworm blood test can be carried out by a vet to decide if treatment is required.Earlier this year, a new test was made available that will identify large and small redworm under a microscope by Westgate Labs. Find out more here.If treatment is required, a proactive moxidectin treatment is recommended. This is because, out of the two chemicals licensed against larval small redworm, it is the one with least documented resistance, the alternative being fenbendazole as a five-day course, says Claire Shand. We aim to reserve moxidectin for this use in order to preserve its efficacy as a key medicine against encysted redworm. If you know you are going to treat then carrying out a redworm reduction test this is a worm egg count before treatment and another egg count 10 to 14 days afterwards is advised to measure whether there is any resistance to the chemical used within the worms on your pasture.Bots (Gastrophilus)Bot flies lay sticky yellow eggs on the horses coat, particularly the legs, shoulders and face in the summer, which are then ingested when the horse grooms themselves. The larvae then hatch and penetrate the mucosa of the tongue and mouth and then migrate towards the pharynx and then the stomach. Here, they attach to the stomach lining. After nine months, the large red or yellow larvae are passed in the droppings the following spring and summer. After six weeks, the adult fly emerges.If left untreated, bots can cause inflammation in the mouth and throat, and ulceration and damage in the stomach.Testing and treatmentEvery effort should be made to remove bot fly eggs from the horse in the summer before the horse ingests them, advises Sue. Theres a specific tool that makes this possible as they are tricky to remove by hand alone.There is no test for bots because they pass as larvae in the droppings and not as eggs. Administer a wormer after the first frost when the adult flies have died and before the bots mature.Main image ShutterstockRelated contentNew test available for potentially fatal redworm (and you dont need to buy it from a vet)Resistance to horse wormers: action every owner must take now or horses will dieFaecal worm egg counts for horses explainedUsing the wrong wormer could be fatal, warns vetEssential horse worming schedule from a vetThe post Winter worms: three to test your horse for now appeared first on Your Horse.

The Equine Disease Communication Center is monitoring an outbreak of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), that originated at the Womens Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event in Waco, Texas, on Nov. 5-9.As of November 26, the EDCC has confirmed 37 EHV-1 cases associated with the event. The cases are located in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, Arizona, and South Dakota.TexasMcLennan County: Two horses have tested positive for EHM and are quarantined. One horse with EHM signs and known exposure to the outbreak has been hospitalized.Montgomery County: Two horses have tested positive for EHM. One horse is isolated, and the other horse was euthanized. One additional horse has tested positive for EHV-1 but does not have clinical signs.Wharton County: One horse has tested positive for EHM, and nine horses have been exposed. The horses are quarantined.Bell County: One horse has tested positive for EHM. The horse arrived at a veterinary hospital on Nov. 17 and was recumbent within an hour of admission. It was euthanized after 48 hours of recumbency.Fort Bend County: One horse has tested positive for EHM, and two horses have been exposed. The horses are quarantined.Erath County: Four horses have tested positive for EHM.Wise County: One horse has tested positive for EHM, and one horse is suspected to be positive.Hood County: One horse has tested positive for EHM and is quarantined.Parker County: One horse tested positive for EHM and was euthanized.Randall County: One horse has tested positive for EHM.Lee County: One horse has tested positive for EHM.Waller County: Four horses have tested positive for EHM, and nine horses have been exposed.Harris County: One horse has tested positive for EHM.OklahomaLogan County: Two horses have tested positive for EHM and are quarantined.Mayes County: One horse has tested positive for EHM and is quarantined.Oklahoma County: One horse has tested positive for EHV-1 but has not developed neurologic signs. The horse is quarantined.Love County: One horse has tested positive for EHM. The horse is from Texas and attended the WPRA event. It developed mild neurologic signs when it returned home from the event and was immediately taken to a veterinary clinic in Oklahoma.McClain County: One horse has tested positive for EHV-1. The horse had a fever on Nov. 14 with no other clinical signs.LouisianaEast Baton Rouge Parish: Three horses have tested positive for EHM and are being treated at LSU Veterinary Hospital.ColoradoLarimer County: One horse has tested positive for EHM and is quarantined.New MexicoDona Ana County: One horse has tested positive for EHM, and two horses have been exposed. The horses are quarantined.Eddy County: Two horses have tested positive for EHM, and three horses have been exposed.WashingtonSpokane County: Two horses have tested positive for EHV and have mild fevers but no other clinical signs.ArizonaMaricopa County: Three horses have tested positive for EHV-1 but do not have clinical signs. Five horses have been exposed.South DakotaHyde County: One horse has tested positive for EHM, and one horse has been exposed.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.EHV 101Herpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and EHM.In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected.In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include cough, decreased appetite, depression, and a nasal discharge. Pregnant mares typically show no signs of infection before they abort, and abortions usually occur late in gestation (around eight months) but can be earlier. Abortions can occur anywhere from two weeks to several months following infection with EHV-1.Horses with EHM usually have a fever at the onset of the disease and might show signs of a respiratory infection. A few days later, neurologic signs such as ataxia (incoordination), weakness or paralysis of the fore- and hind limbs, urine retention and dribbling, loss of tail tone, and recumbency (inability to rise) develop.Herpesvirus is easily spread by nose-to-nose or close contact with an infectious horse; sharing contaminated equipment including bits, buckets, and towels; or clothing, hands, or equipment of people who have recently had contact with an infectious horse.Routine biosecurity measures, including hygiene and basic cleaning and disinfection practices, should be in place at all times to help prevent disease spread.Current EHV-1 vaccines might reduce viral shedding but are not protective against the neurologic form of the disease. Implementing routine biosecurity practices is the best way to minimize viral spread, and the best method of disease control is disease prevention.

One horse in Rocky View County, Alberta, was recently euthanized after contracting equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The horse lived at a boarding facility, where 50 horses have been exposed.This case is not associated with theWomens Professional Rodeo Association outbreak centered in Waco, Texas.This horse and its stablemates had not left the property in more than 30 days.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.EHV 101Herpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and EHM.In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected.In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include cough, decreased appetite, depression, and a nasal discharge. Pregnant mares typically show no signs of infection before they abort, and abortions usually occur late in gestation (around eight months) but can be earlier. Abortions can occur anywhere from two weeks to several months following infection with EHV-1.Horses with EHM usually have a fever at the onset of the disease and might show signs of a respiratory infection. A few days later, neurologic signs such as ataxia (incoordination), weakness or paralysis of the fore- and hind limbs, urine retention and dribbling, loss of tail tone, and recumbency (inability to rise) develop.Herpesvirus is easily spread by nose-to-nose or close contact with an infectious horse; sharing contaminated equipment including bits, buckets, and towels; or clothing, hands, or equipment of people who have recently had contact with an infectious horse.Routine biosecurity measures, including hygiene and basic cleaning and disinfection practices, should be in place at all times to help prevent disease spread.Current EHV-1 vaccines might reduce viral shedding but are not protective against the neurologic form of the disease. Implementing routine biosecurity practices is the best way to minimize viral spread, and the best method of disease control is disease prevention.

Research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has shown that the blood supply to a horses tendon changes with age meaning older horses are at an increased risk of tendon injuries.The study identified that as horses age they lose blood vessels in their tendons. This reduction in blood flow is the reason why tendon injuries heal more slowly and less effectively in older horses.The RVC research team, which was led by Dr Nodoka Iwasaki, postdoctoral researcher, andDr Chavaunne Thorpe, lecturer in basic sciences at the RVCs Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, used advanced 3D technologies to capture detailed images of tendon tissue in the superficial digital flexor tendon from horse aged 2-5 years and 18-22 years.The results revealed that older horses showed a 70% reduction in overall vascular volume, meaning far less blood was present within the tendons blood vessels.It also found a 30% decrease in vessel diameter and a 74% reduction in the number of blood vessels overall, compared to younger horses.This means that older tendons receive far less blood flow, making them more vulnerable to damage and slower to heal.Crucial lossThis study used advanced 3D imaging to reveal, for the first time, how the blood supply to the horses tendon changes with age, said Dr Iwasaki.We found that older tendons lose many of their larger blood vessels, which are crucial for repair and recovery.This helps explain why older horses are more prone to tendon injuries and why these injuries heal more slowly.We are now exploring ways to prevent this age-related decline, with the aim of improving outcomes for older horses diagnosed with tendon injury.Vascular changesThe research team also observed an increase in the formation of smaller blood vessels within aged tendons, suggesting that the tissue attempts to compensate for the loss of larger vessels.However, this new vascular network appeared disorganised, indicating a loss of vascular balance, meaning the normal structure and coordination of blood vessels is disrupted.These changes suggest that the new disorganised vessels may not function effectively, reinforcing the need to monitor tendon health closely as horses age.The research was funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board in collaboration with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece.More from Your HorseRider anxiety: how to get past it and enjoy your horse againAcorn toxicity and poisoning: how to protect your horse this autumn9 critical things to get right when youre taking care of a horseDifferent types of clips for horses explained, including diagramsThe post New research reveals age-related decline in blood supply to tendons in horses appeared first on Your Horse.

Section Key Points Importance of Equine Traceability Tracks movements, ownership, health, and welfare status from birth to death. Ensures animal welfare, public health, disease control, and legal compliance. Current System Equine passports and microchipping in UK, SIRE database in France. Annual equine census in Ireland. Challenges Fragmented and incomplete data with 81 passport issuing organisations in UK. Outdated paper-based systems prone to fraud. Lack of real-time tracking for disease control. Complications from cross-border movements. Low owner compliance due to complexity and cost. Solutions and Innovations Digital equine passports for instant verification. Centralised and integrated databases of equine premises. Automated movement notifications and veterinary integration. Improved communication and education for owners. Cross-border collaboration for system compatibility. Next Steps UK consultations on digital passports and integration. EU's review of animal health laws. How to Help Keep horse passports updated and report changes promptly. Support digitalisation efforts and stay informed on regulations. Exploring the Challenges and Solutions for Lifetime Traceability of Equines in Europe and the UK Every year, thousands of horses are born, bred, raced, trained, retired, and rehomed across Europe and the UK. Yet, despite the size and importance of the equine sector, ensuring that every horse can be traced throughout its life remains a significant challenge. From safeguarding animal welfare to protecting public health and supporting disease control, lifetime traceability is not just a regulatory requirementits a cornerstone of a responsible and sustainable equine industry. In this blog, well explore the current state of equine traceability, the key challenges faced by owners, keepers, and authorities, and the solutions being developed to create a more robust, transparent, and effective system for all. Why Is Equine Traceability So Important? Traceability means being able to track a horses movements, ownership, health history, and welfare status from birth to death. This is crucial for several reasons: Animal Welfare: Ensures horses are not lost, abandoned, or mistreated. Public Health: Prevents horses intended for human consumption from entering the food chain if theyve been treated with certain medications. Disease Control: Enables rapid response in the event of an outbreak, such as equine influenza or African horse sickness. Legal Compliance: Supports enforcement of regulations and helps prevent illegal activities like horse theft or smuggling. According to the World Horse Welfare organisation, over 50% of the data on the UKs Central Equine Database (CED) is incomplete or not up to date, highlighting a major gap in the systems effectiveness. The Current System: How Does It Work? In the UK and across much of Europe, equine traceability is based on the equine passporta paper document that records a horses identity, ownership, and medical history. Since 20182019, all horses in England, Wales, and Scotland must also be microchipped, with their details recorded in the CED, managed by Equine Register (source: World Horse Welfare). In France, the SIRE database managed by the French Horse and Riding Institute (IFCE) provides a centralised system for equine traceability, while Ireland conducts an annual equine census to capture the location and status of horses on a single night each year (PLOS ONE). Key Challenges in Equine Traceability The current systems have certain limitations that need addressing. Here are some significant challenges: Fragmented and Incomplete Data The UKs CED holds over 1.5 million equine records, but with 81 different passport issuing organisations, data consistency is a major issue. Many horses are not registered in the correct owners name, and updates are often delayed or not made at all (PLOS ONE). Paper-Based Systems Are Outdated The reliance on paper passports makes it difficult to keep records up to date and increases the risk of fraud. Jessica Stark, Director of Communications at World Horse Welfare, stated, The current paper-based system is not fit for purpose and has been exploited in high-profile horse smuggling cases (source: Horse & Hound). Lack of Real-Time Tracking Most systems do not allow for real-time tracking of horse movements. This is a major concern for disease control, as authorities may not know where affected horses have been or who they have been in contact with (UK Government). Cross-Border Movement Complications Horses frequently move between England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Different systems and regulations can create confusion and gaps in traceability, especially if digital systems are not compatible across borders (BVA). Owner and Keeper Engagement Many horse owners and keepers find the current system complex and costly, leading to low compliance. A study found that only 64% of horses were registered in their current owners name, despite 90% of owners being aware of the requirement (PLOS ONE). Solutions and Innovations Digital Equine Passports There is growing momentum for a digital-first equine passport system across Europe. The FEI (International Equestrian Federation) has announced a digital passport initiative that integrates health documentation and real-time tracking. This would allow for instant verification and reduce the risk of fraud (source: Horse & Hound). Centralised and Integrated Databases Experts recommend a centralised database of all equine premises, recording not just ownership but also the type of activity (breeding, training, leisure, etc.). This would provide a clearer picture of where horses are kept and who is responsible for them (World Horse Welfare). Automated Movement Notifications Requiring notification of key movements (on/off premises) and digitising these records would improve traceability and support disease control. This is already a requirement under the EU Animal Health Law, with which Northern Ireland must align (World Horse Welfare). Veterinary Integration Linking equine records with veterinary practices would ensure that health and vaccination data is accurate and up to date. Some proposals suggest scanning a horses microchip and then scanning barcodes on medications to automatically update records (UK Government). Improved Communication and Education Enhanced communication strategies are needed to explain the importance of compliance to horse owners and keepers. Ongoing education and support can help improve record-keeping and engagement with traceability systems (PLOS ONE). Cross-Border Collaboration For systems to work effectively, they must be compatible across the UK and with key trading partners like the Republic of Ireland. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has stressed the importance of simultaneous adoption across all regions to avoid confusion and unintended consequences (BVA). Whats Next? The UK government has launched consultations on improving equine identification and traceability, with proposals including digital passports, automated movement notifications, and better integration with veterinary records (UK Government). Meanwhile, the European Commission is reviewing animal health laws, offering a unique opportunity to modernise equine traceability across the continent (Horse & Hound). How Can You Help? Ensure your horses passport is up to date and in your name. Report any changes in ownership or movement promptly. Support calls for digitalisation and improved traceability systems. Stay informed about new regulations and best practices. Conclusion Lifetime traceability of equines is not just a regulatory box to tickits a vital tool for protecting animal welfare, public health, and the integrity of the equine sector. While the current system has its strengths, it also faces significant challenges that must be addressed through digital innovation, better integration, and improved owner engagement. By working togethergovernments, industry bodies, veterinarians, and horse ownerswe can build a traceability system that is fit for the 21st century and ensures every horse is safe, healthy, and accounted for throughout its life. For more horse riding equipment and apparel, explore our Jodhpur Collection, Horse Riding Boot Collection, Horse Riding Gloves Collection, Horse Riding Socks Collection, and more. Additionally, don't forget to treat your horse with our Horse Treats And Gifts. For horse care, the Everyday Horse Vitamins & Supplements will ensure your horse gets all the nutrients they need!```html```