The often-overlooked wet weather condition Whilst most horse owners are familiar with mud fever, its close relative, rain scald, often goes unrecognised until it becomes severe. With persistent rainfall affecting much of South Africa this autumn, understanding rain scald is essential for maintaining your horse's skin health. Understanding rain scald Rain scald, also called rain…
Q: My mare has dry skin and is constantly scratching. I've tried coconut oil, tea tree oil, and a cortisone injection from the vet but nothing seems to help. What else can I try? A: Before you try another cream or ointment it is very important to find out what the reason is for the dry…
Q: What nutritional issues should I be aware of in my new OTTB? A: Australian nutritionist Dr Nerida Richards, the resident nutritionist at FeedXL.com, explains that a Thoroughbred who is adapted to processing 8kg or more of concentrates a day as a racehorse may have have the following problems when he comes off the track: Bacterial…
It is no secret that the sun is strong in South Africa, and that any part of your horse's skin that is not pigmented - these are areas of pink skin, such as pink noses and heels - can easily become burnt and will need protection. Horses with a lot of pink skin, such as…
Q: What exactly is thrush? A: Thrush is a bacterial infection that commonly affects the frog. It is often associated with wet and dirty bedding, poor hoof management, inadequate trimming, or shoeing with pads that have trapped dirt and moisture. Thrush is commonly noticed due to the unpleasant odour it produces and the black discharge that is…
Cellulitis is a serious condition that is caused by infection of the limb by bacteria. Often the cause of the infection cannot be found, but it is commonly thought to occur secondary to a tiny puncture wound of the lower part of the limb. Your horse will have hot, painful, generalised swelling of the lower…
Leaky gut syndrome occurs when the gastro-intestinal tract is affected either by damage to the cells that make up the lining of the intestine, or by breakdown of the tight junctions that join the cells. Disruption of the lining of the intestine allows harmful substances, such as toxins or disease causing organisms like bacteria, to…
