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With spring comes longer days, warming temperatures, and budding grass. After a long, cold winter, many horse owners look to spring longingly and summer beyond when trail riding, shows season and club activities pick up again. However, spring also means thawing pastures, mud everywhere, and a long list of chores that piled up over the winter.
While it may be tempting to rush through spring in favor of more exciting seasons, it is the perfect time to prepare for summer and make any necessary repairs around the barn. Spring is also a busy time for horse care. With mud and fresh grass, horse owners need to make special care during these months to keep their equine friends healthy.
Horse Health in Spring
When the snow begins melting and the birds start chirping, horse owners have new things to consider to keep their horses happy and healthy through the transition. A list of special care and chores comes with keeping horses in the spring. Everything from the footing in their paddocks to dietary needs can drastically change in the spring and, without vigilant care, could lead to a determination in the horse's health.
Mud Season
Snow melt and April showers often turn horse pastures into mud pits come spring. Even the most well-drained paddocks tend to get wet and muddy in the early days of spring. While, with good husbandry, they dry out soon enough, owners still need to keep an eye out for their horse's health. Thrush, white line disease, scratches, and rain rot can all pop up this time of the year Quick treatment is essential in making sure these conditions don't become problematic. Having thrush treatments and anti-fungal spray on hand can ensure quick treatment of any conditions that may arise.
Shedding and Grooming
Increased daylight triggers horses to begin shedding out their winter coats, meaning horse owners have a lot of hair to deal with. This time of the year can be a nuisance for horse owners but there are things we can do to help our horses through shedding season. Keeping a regular grooming schedule can help get rid of the winter coat faster. Once the weather warms up later in the spring a good bath can help loosen the rest and give our horses a nice shine. Keep an eye on how your horse sheds as late shedding or extra long hairs can be indicative of an underlying health problem, like a high worm burden or Cushing's.
Spring Grass
It can be tempting to send horses out to pasture as soon as the first hints of green grass can be seen over the hills, however, that could lead to disastrous health consequences for our horses. Spring grass is lush with sugar and nutrients that our horses are not used to after eating hay all winter. Too much lush spring grass too quickly can lead to rapid weight gain or laminitis. Horses need to be weaned onto spring grass. The best way to do this is to start slow, with just 10 minutes of hand grazing and slowly working to 3-4 hours each day over a couple of weeks.
Schedule Annual Appointments
Before the busy show season, spring is the ideal time to make sure our horses are up to date on all their health-related appointments. Before we begin rigorous training to get ready for summer, it's a good idea to have your horse checked out by various equine professionals to make sure they are healthy and ready to go. Be sure to schedule all appointments well in advance as many owners will have the same idea.
Annual Vet Visit
All horses should be seen by a vet in spring. During this visit, your vet will give your horse a basic exam, and make sure they are healthy and ready for the year ahead. Your horse will also get all of their required shots before mosquito season picks up. Most owners will vaccinate for flu/rhino, tetanus, EEE, and West Nile. Rabies vaccines are required for horses annually so spring is the perfect time to get them out of the way. Your vet will also perform your horse's annual Coggins test during this visit. You may also opt to perform a fecal at this time so you can plan a targeted deworming schedule for the year.
Dentist
Most horses will need to have their teeth floated once a year. Problems with a horse's teeth can greatly impact their performance, so it is a good idea to make sure their mouths are in tip-top shape before setting out for the summer season. Scheduling a visit with a vet to have your horse's teeth checked is good practice in the spring. When your horse is sedated for a teeth floating, geldings should also have their sheaths cleaned.
Farrier
Horses already see their farrier every 4-6 weeks, however, it's a good idea to ask your farrier to take a specially good look at your horse's feet after mud season. They will be able to double-check the health of your horse's feet and give your advice for cleaning up any stubborn thrush. Now is also a good time to evaluate your horse's trimming/ shoeing plan and make sure it is still the best option for them.
Chiro/ Massage
Having an equine chiropractor or massage therapist out in the spring can help your horse put their best foot forward when spring training starts up again. After standing around a lot in cold weather, your horse may have developed tight spots and weak points. Having a chiropractor or massage therapist look them over will make sure they are healthy and happy if their work is going to pick up come spring.
Tack Fit Check
If your horse spent a lot of the winter sitting around, they likely have lost muscle or gained weight. Changes to your horse's body can make even well-fitting tack no longer suitable for your horse. If you plan on increasing your horse's workload in the spring, it is not a bad idea to have your tack looked over by a professional to make sure it still fits correctly.
Preparing for Summer
For many riders, summer means heading off to shows, hitting the trails, and spending hours at the barn. Spring is the perfect time to prepare for the busy season ahead so you can get the most out of summer. Use spring to research local shows, clinics, and events in your area. Create a list of events you would like to attend and add them to your calendar so you don't forget to sign up later. Scope out local trail systems and assess their suitability for riding, make some plans with friends to go for a group ride over the summer.
If you have busy summer months planned, you'll need to start getting your horse back in shape now. Especially if your horse has been sitting around for much of the winter, they will need to be slowly brought back into work. Talk with your vet, farrier, and chiro/massage professional about the best way to get your horse fit for summer. Plan at least 6-8 weeks to get your horse ready to hit the local show circuit.
Spring Cleaning
After a long, cold winter chores have a way of piling up. Before you get busy having fun over the summer, use spring to get everything back in order. Give your barn a thorough cleaning. Sweep the feed and tack rooms, scrub water buckets and feed pans with soapy water, strip and wash down stalls. Oftentimes, during the winter, manure can pile up in paddocks so be sure to give them a good clean. Check fences, tighten electric fencing, and replace broken boards. Now is the best time to get any small chores and maintenance out of the way and schedule appointments to have bigger projects completed.
If you have a trailer, clean it out early in spring. Remove mats and check the flooring for signs of wear and tear. Be sure all electrical components are working. If you plan on using it a lot, take your trailer in for a professional inspection.
Spring brings about a lot of work on a farm but, afterward, we can reap the benefits of healthy horses and beautiful properties all summer long.
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