Horse Tips

Mosquito Proof Potion for Horses: 1/3 Adams Flea Spray, 1/3 Sho-Sheen, 1/3 Skin-So-Soft Spray or wipe down, especially in the evening. Some horses come down with scratches or summer itch. They itch, rub their hair off, and in many cases, rub themselves raw. A potion containing Derma-Smooth Flea Spray can be mixed and wiped on the affected areas. In severe cases there is a shot which can be administered that helps tremendously. Be careful about its use in pregnant mares!

Bug Zappers And speaking of mosquitos, here is something interesting: Electric bug zappers are a total waste of money. Bug zappers will not control mosquitos or other biting insects such as horseflies, dogflies or deerflies. In fact, bug zappers actually make things worse by attracting more mosquitoes into your yard, and they end up killing thousands of beneficial insects that don't bother people. Wet weather problems with horses Horses have soft soles and hoof walls which in wet pastures make the soles more susceptible to bruising and subsequent abscessation. A simple trick is to paint the soles with a mixture of 1/3 Phenol, 1/3 Formaldehyde, and 1/3 strong Iodine Tincture. In 3 days you won't be able to cut the sole with a hook knife.

Wet weather also causes another problem in horses - "rain rot." Usually, "rain rot" is present on the top of the horse - the back, rump, and croup. When you run your hands over these areas, you feel many small, raised bumps. If you brush or pull at the hair at these areas, small flecks of hair and skin come off. A simple way to treat the condition is to rub mineral oil onto the affected areas every other day until gone, which is usually three treatments. "El Nino" is also causing colds and snotty noses in horses. If you have horses with snotty noses and/or coughing, give 1 oz. Tritussin (equine) two times daily until the discharge disappears. Antibiotics are not necessary if the horse doesn't have a temperature.

From your Friends at DeSoto Veterinary Services, Dr. Michael McNulty, D.V.M.