Mid-Summer Horse Health Assessment

Unfortunately for those who live in the Northern Hemisphere, we're about halfway through the summer.

Now that the weather has warmed up, you're potentially spending more time with your horse and perhaps riding frequently. This is a great time for a mid-summer health assessment.

Take pictures from the front, rear and each profile. Take a weight measurement. Perhaps reassess your feed regime and if it appropriate for your horse's current fitness schedule. Be sure to keep track of the weight of feed and grain you are currently feeding rather than relying on the trusty old coffee can as a form of measurement. I notice a lot of folks "vamp up" on feed in the early spring, but forget to decrease as the horse has more time to forage on pasture throughout the summer.

Take pictures and measurements of each hoof (you can just place your horse's foot on a plain paper and trace around it.) Notice if there are any cracks, splits, chipping, etc. Date the drawings and keep in a folder as a reference. Even if you have used the same farrier for a long period of time, they are still human. So make sure you stay aware of your horse's hoof condition.

How does your horse's overall coat, main and tail look? These are frequently the initial "tell" indicators if there are some health issues arising.

Be sure to keep track of dental care, worming, and any other annual, semi-annual health maintenance.

Notice if there are any differences in your horse's attitude, energy and sleep schedule (if the horse is kept at home.) Notice if there are changes in his breathing as his heart rate increases, if your horse's movement has changed such as frequent tripping, or if there is unusual coughing, or more sluggish movement.

I find many times as health concerns arise, it isn't until a "dramatic" even that folks start paying attention. But when they start to play detective in thinking back to past events, they start to realize there was perhaps small indicators things had been changing with the horse over time.

Re-assess your saddle fit as your horse's body condition has changed, and remember to clean your saddle pads and girths to prevent sores from dirt and grime.