Ready for spring?

With spring right around the corner, and this warm teaser weather we have been having lately, it is probably a good time to think about what your horse needs for spring.

Vaccines: Spring is a good time to booster vaccines, especially for the mosquito-transmitted diseases such as West Nile Virus and Sleeping Sickness (EEE/WEE). You should also consider a tetanus booster and a rabies vaccine, both of which should be given once a year if your horses were not vaccinated in the fall. Influenza and rhino boosters help reduce the risk and severity of respiratory viruses in your horses. These are especially important for any horses at boarding stables or horses that travel off property to shows or group rides. However, even backyard horses can be exposed to upper respiratory infections, especially if other neighboring horses travel.

Dental care: Annual dental examinations are important for all horses of all ages. Regular dental care to smooth sharp enamel points along the sides of the teeth can reduce pain in the horse’s mouth and improve responsiveness to bit. Having a spring dental check up may also make riding more enjoyable for both horse and rider, as well as improve performance in show and competition horses. You can have your veterinarian check your horse’s teeth at the same time as administering spring vaccines.

Coggins: A “Coggins” test is actually a test for Equine infectious Anemia (EIA). Each horse will need a current negative EIA test for many horse activities including entrance to riding facilities, boarding stables, campgrounds, and shows. You will also need an EIA test for some health certificates and to cross state lines with your horses. If you are planning any trips or shows, it is important to find out the EIA test requirements well in advance. To enter many states, the EIA test must have been performed within 1 year of travel. Some show associations, however, are now requiring an EIA test from the same calendar year as the show. As such, you may need to have your EIA test performed at the beginning of each calendar year. Your veterinarian is an excellent resource to help you determine the appropriate timing for EIA testing and health certificate inspections. For out of state travel or travel more than 75 miles within the state of Colorado, you will also need a current brand inspection or a permanent travel card issued from the Colorado brand inspector’s office. You should contact your local brand inspector to arrange the appropriate paperwork.

Foot care: Before you head out for those first few trail rides, it is important to consider the state of your horse’s feet. If you horse normally wears shoes in the summer but you had them removed for the winter, don’t forget to have them put back on before you start any significant riding. You can also consider protecting the feet with boots specifically designed for riding until you are ready to have the shoes replaced. For those horses that can go barefoot(without shoes) year round and have been relatively inactive for the winter, you should be aware that their feet will likely be soft and tender until they have had the chance to dry out and develop sole calluses. Protective boots for at least the first few rides are a wise consideration, especially if riding on rocky or rough terrain.

Conditioning: If you have been lucky enough to be riding year round, your horse will not need as much conditioning as horses that have been enjoying a reduced exercise schedule through the winter months. However, all horses will still need some transition time to adjust to warm temperatures, especially until they have completely shed their winter coats. Take your first few spring or summer rides, whether in the arena or out on the trail, nice and easy and allow your horse plenty of time to rest, catch his or her breath, and drink plenty of water. If your horse is out of shape, make your riding partners aware that you will need a slow pace and a relatively short ride time until your horse is more conditioned.

Hopefully with these tips will make the transition into summer smooth and enjoyable for you and you equine friends.