ACCIDENT/ INJURY
SYMPTOMS OF ACCIDENT/ INJURY
- Skin wounds
- Bleeding
- Abrasions
- Bruising
- Foreign object piercing the skin
- Lameness
- Stress
- Unable to walk
- Horse does not look right
CAUSES OF ACCIDENT/ INJURY
The causes can be from a paddock injury such as running around and falling over or hitting a fence post. It can be from floating where the horse has knocked into the divider or kicked at the wall. Bruising can be from riding on uneven ground and a stone or object lodges into the hoof sole.
DIAGNOSIS OF ACCIDENT/ INJURY
This will be when you can visually see an injury such as bleeding, a lump or that the horse cannot move freely.
TREATMENT OF ACCIDENT/ INJURY
Pending the type of injury, you will gently wash the site to remove any debris and apply an antiseptic cream or balm. If there is lameness you can hose off the leg with cold tap water for 20 minutes to help get the swelling down. If there is a foreign object piercing the skin you will need to assess the area and the size of the object such as the leg strap clip piercing the skin, you can gently remove this and clean up the wound site. If it was a star picket lodged in the shoulder this would be a different situation where you would call the vet asap. You would administer pain relief straight away with the EquiGesic.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus Begin with 50g daily
EquiGesic Plus For additional pain relief 5-10g daily
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
EquiGesic Plus
ANHYDROSIS (the PUFFS)
SYMPTOMS OF ANHYDROSIS
- Stress
- Hot horse
- Puffy breathing or panting like a dog
- Unable to sweat or very little sweat
- Decreased thirst
- Dry flaky skin with hair standing up
CAUSES OF ANHYDROSIS
This is when the horse is unable to sweat and is unable to maintain hydration or cool its body correctly. Ovestimulation of the horse's sweat glands by stress hormones, usually in hot summer weather of or intense activity. Often occurs with horses moved from the cooler southern states to the hotter northern states.
DIAGNOSIS OF ANHYDROSIS
Your Vet will diagnosis your horse of anhidrosis. They will usually inject a diluted terbutaline to stimulate the horses’ sweat glands, allowing them to see if the horse can or cannot sweat adequately and what the severity is of the condition.
TREATMENT OF ANHYDROSIS
Supplementation of electrolytes, cooling off horse after work and hot weather. Move horse to a cooler climate if required. Horses need to consume 10% of their body weight in water, especially in hot weather.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ElectroPlus 10-15g per day
Breathe 7-14g twice daily
WE RECOMMEND
ElectroPlus
Breathe
ARTHRITIS / JOINT CONDITIONS
SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS / JOINT CONDITIONS
- Swollen joints
- Stiffness
- Uneven gait
- Lameness
- Heat
- Pain and tenderness
- Change in personality to being ridden
- Excess joint fluid
CAUSES OF ARTHRITIS / JOINT CONDITIONS
Arthritis will often occur changes in the regular structure and function. It can be triggered by injury through trauma where the bone or cartilage is damaged or the roughening of the smooth surfaces from infection. Causes can be from poor confirmation, mineral deficiencies, poor feeding, repetitive stress or injury and imbalances in the body.
DIAGNOSIS OF ARTHRITIS / JOINT CONDITIONS
Your Vet will diagnosis your horse of arthritis by a physical exam, x-rays and a lameness exam. The test performed can be flexion tests to locate the area, this is done by putting pressure on certain joints to make the pain in the joint obvious to the vet.
TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS / JOINT CONDITIONS
Prevention is always best, and this includes good diet, supplementation, and movement. Anti-inflammatories, pain relief and joint lubrication are key.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus - Begin with 50g daily, reduce to 25g when improvement is noticeable. Can be increased as needed. Continue with this dosage until the horse has dramatically improved, usually a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Equigesic can be given when acute pain is present AlphaFlax Oil.
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
EquiGesic
AlphaFlax
COLIC
SYMPTOMS OF COLIC
- Regularly looking at their side
- Kicking or biting their stomach or flank
- Lying down and rolling
- Passing little or no manure
- Mucous covered manure
- Fussy eating or not eating at all
- Changed drinking habits
- Elevated heart rate
- Long capillary refill time
- Mucous membrane off colour
- Pawing at the ground
- Sweating
CAUSES OF COLIC
Is when there is abdominal pain. A common cause is high worm load promoting damage to the intestines. It can be spasmodic colic where the muscles spasm, impactive colic where the large intestine is impacted with food, Gaseous colic with a painful build-up of gasses and then there is twisted gut very severe where the intestines twist on themselves.
DIAGNOSIS OF COLIC
Your Vet will diagnosis your horse with colic based on the history of the horse, exam, and diagnostic findings. The most common signs that your vet will look for are elevated heart rate with abdominal pain. The vet will usually use a nasogastric tube passed through the nose to the stomach to see any blockages or buildups.
TREATMENT OF COLIC
Call your vet to diagnose. While you wait for your vet mix in a worming paste type tube with supplements, water or oil and squirt down back of the tongue. Continue until your vet arrives.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 50g
EquiGesic Plus 10g
BioEquus 20g
HerbaNerve 5g
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
EquiGesic Plus
BioEquus
HerbaNerve
ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE
SYMPTOMS OF ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE
- Diarrhoea
- Excessive sweating
- Exhaustion
- Slow recovery post work
- Muscular issues – tying up
- Dehydration
CAUSES OF ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE
The most common causes of electrolyte imbalances are from liver and kidney disorders, not drinking enough water, diarrhoea, excessive sweating, intense exercise, weather, and illness. Water is an essential nutrient, and a horse will need 10% of their body weight with it.
DIAGNOSIS OF ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE
Your vet can do blood test to see the sodium, potassium, and chloride levels. With dehydration you can do the neck pinch test by gently pinching between your thumb and finger a fold of skin and then release it. It should go back flat straight away, if it stays slightly rigid or slow to return flat then your horse is dehydrated.
TREATMENT OF ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE
ElectroPlus is a buffered acid/alkaline electrolyte, mild diuretic, and mild neutralizer. Can also be used prior to an event or race. Horses that sweat heavily, have a history of tying up or acidosis. For high performance horses or during hot weather. Clean fresh drinking water in large containers (preferably not plastic) to b available 24/7.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ElectroPlus 5-10g per day
WE RECOMMEND
Electro Plus
LAMENESS & SORENESS
SYMPTOMS OF LAMENESS & SORENESS
- Lameness
- Pain
- Heat
- Swelling
- Unwilling to move forward
- Stressed
- Inability to bear weight on the affected limb
CAUSES OF LAMENESS & SORENESS
Lameness and soreness of the horse can be caused by trauma, infection, confirmation, metabolic disorders, circulatory and nervous system disorders.
DIAGNOSIS OF LAMENESS & SORENESS
The abnormal movement of the limb due to pain and mechanical dysfunction. Most noted on the walk.
TREATMENT OF LAMENESS & SORENESS
Treatment is aimed at decreasing the pain. ProflamAid Plus is a preventative and treatment for pain, lameness, injury, and soreness.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 10-25g
Once horse is comfortable dose can be lowered to 5-10g
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
LAMINITIS AND FOUNDER
SYMPTOMS OF LAMINITIS AND FOUNDER
- Lameness affecting two limbs
- Horse leans back on their heels
- Hard for the horse to walk on hard ground
- Often shifts weight between feet
- Increased digital pulse
- Hoof testers cause pain
CAUSES OF COLIC
Is when there is abdominal pain. A common cause is high worm load promoting damage to the intestines. It can be spasmodic colic where the muscles spasm, impactive colic where the large intestine is impacted with food, Gaseous colic with a painful build-up of gasses and then there is twisted gut very severe where the intestines twist on themselves.
CAUSES OF LAMINITIS AND FOUNDER
Laminitis and founder can be due to an endocrine disease such as EMS or Cushing’s Disease.
DIAGNOSIS OF LAMINITIS AND FOUNDER
Your vet can diagnose by clinical signs, x-rays, and blood testing. Inflammation of the laminae of the hoof, most commonly occurring in overweight ponies and horses. Reluctance to move and hind legs are underneath the body, and they do a rocking motion to distribute the weight of their toes.
TREATMENT OF LAMINITIS AND FOUNDER
Treatment is aimed at decreasing the pain. ProflamAid Plus is a preventative and treatment for pain, lameness, injury, and soreness.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 25g three times per day
EquiGesic Plus 5g
Stay on this dose rate until such time as your horse has improved dramatically you can then lower the dose rate accordingly. Should lameness return suddenly increase the dose rate back to the original level and contact your vet immediately. Using the ProflamAid Plus on a permanent basis with horses who have a history of laminitis will assist with prevention. A dose as low as 5-10 grams should be sufficient. EquiGesic
can be used in conjunction with ProflamAid Plus for acute cases.
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
EquiGesic Plus
MUSCLE ISSUES
SYMPTOMS OF MUSCLE ISSUES
- Muscular spasms
- Cramps
- Girthiness
- Soreness
- Stiffness
- Aversion to being touched
- Fasciculations (twitching)
- Tying up
- Muscle wasting (atrophy)
CAUSES OF MUSCLE ISSUES
Muscular issues can be caused from atrophy, weakness, exercise intolerance, infections, parasitic disease, and immune conditions. Fasciculations can be caused by electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Muscle cramping in horses can also be caused by PSSM from the abnormal glycogen storage in the muscles.
DIAGNOSIS OF MUSCLE ISSUES
Your vet can diagnose by electromyography where they insert a needle into the muscle and the electrical activity is measured. Pathology, urine analysis, muscle biopsies, exercise response test, imaging such as ultrasound and MRI. You vet will be able to make a diagnosis based on the results of the tests
TREATMENT OF MUSCLE ISSUES
Treatment is aimed at decreasing the pain. ProflamAid Plus is a preventative and treatment for pain, lameness, injury, and soreness.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 50g per day
Use this dose rate until improvement is consistent and horse has usual gate. Can be increased before hard work / competition if a repetitive problem.
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
NAVICULAR
SYMPTOMS OF NAVICULAR
- Sensitive on hard ground
- Intermittent front leg lameness
- Shortened gait
- Hesitant to put heels on the ground
CAUSES OF NAVICULAR
Navicular disease can be caused by mechanical stress from constant pressure of the navicular bone and the DDFT (deep digital flexor tendon) which increases the degeneration of the structures. Damage to the navicular bone due to trauma or interference with blood supply. It can be conformational issues such as long toe with a low heel which increases stress on the area.
DIAGNOSIS OF NAVICULAR
Your vet can diagnose by observing your horse to see if there is a short stride with added lameness especially when the horses is going in a circle or going over ground poles.
Your vet can follow up with x rays and nerve blocks.
TREATMENT OF NAVICULAR
You will have your farrier do corrective shoeing to correct the balance issues as well as rest. Anti-inflammatories for the inflammation and the pain will need to be administered.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 50g per day
EquiGesic Plus 10g as needed
Continue with this dose until horse is dramatically improved, usually a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Once your horse is comfortable you can drop the dose to a maintenance level of 5-15g per day only increasing prior to an event or hard work and hard ground.
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
EquiGesic Plus
NERVOUSNESS
SYMPTOMS OF NERVOUSNESS
- Tight muscles
- Elevated heart rate
- Loose manure
- Skin reactions
- Physical energy
- Not breathing correctly
- Reactions to sight and sounds
CAUSES OF NERVOUSNESS
Nervousness can be from numerous things such as travelling, events, change of environment, separation anxiety from moving another horse away, changes in diet, nervous riders or owners, pain or something happening right in front of them.
DIAGNOSIS OF NERVOUSNESS
You will see a difference in manner, they might show signs of sweating, diarrhoea, pacing, weight loss and you can visually see that your horse is nervous. If your horse suffers from nervousness there may also be internal issues such as gastric ulcers in the gut
TREATMENT OF NERVOUSNESS
** Please note: These types of horses should be on a low carbohydrate diet as a diet high in sugars/energy will increase the risk of tension and will not allow the products to work effectively.
NB: always rule out the possibility of pain or hormonal issues as this can cause tension in horses.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
HerbaNerve at a dose rate of 2.5 grams per day. Increase the dose rate to 5 grams on the 2-3 days prior to the event or race and on the morning of the event or race
WE RECOMMEND
HerbaNerve
RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS
SYMPTOMS OF RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS
- Coughing
- Nasal Discharge
- Heaves
- Roaring
- Reluctance to work
- Asthma
- COPD
- Sinusitis
CAUSES OF RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS
Respiratory conditions can be caused by allergies, deep inhalation of dust, viral infections, pollutants, viral infections, and equine herpes virus.
Asthma is caused by exposure to high concentrations of dust from hay and bedding breathed into the lower airways.
DIAGNOSIS OF RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS
Your vet will do a physical examination and endoscopy of the respiratory tract. Further scanning such as x-ray or ultrasounds can be performed as well as pathology analysis.
TREATMENT OF RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS
Your horse will be put on rest to assist with recouperation. Depending on the severity of the conditions and if anti-inflammatories are required.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
Breathe 14g twice daily
Dose can be doubled with severe cases. Use for coughs, allergies from dust etc horses recovering from wind operations. Smoke inhalation or mould exposure.
WE RECOMMEND
Breathe
SARCOIDS AND WARTS
SYMPTOMS OF SARCOIDS AND WARTS
- Warts are viral and common in young horses, often around the muzzle
- Sarcoids are skin tumours usually in adult horses most often found on the head or the limbs, sites common to trauma.
CAUSES OF SARCOIDS AND WARTS
CAUSES OF SARCOIDS AND WARTS
The bovine papilloma virus causes sarcoids in genetically susceptible horses.
The equine papilloma virus causes warts and can be transmitted between horses.
DIAGNOSIS OF SARCOIDS AND WARTS
A sarcoid can look like a wart in the early stages, it is usually diagnosed by a biopsy.
A slow growing circular hairless sack.
A wart is usually smaller than a sarcoid, they can be shaved biopsy for analysis. They are usually 1-5mm in diameter, flat oval shaped and pink or grey in colour.
TREATMENT OF SARCOIDS AND WARTS
Surgical removal or warts is usually cosmetic. Surgical removal of sarcoids, they can be treated with chemotherapy drugs to destroy the sarcoid tissue.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 50g Continue with this dose until Sarcoid/Wart has reduced in size, this process may take up to 3 months possibly longer.
EquiGesic can assist in the treatment of Sarcoids due to the powerful Turmeric extract.
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
EquiGesic Plus
SPLINTS AND WIND GALLS
SYMPTOMS OF SPLINTS AND WIND GALLS
- Splints are a bony growth on the metacarpal or metatarsal (splint) bones
- Wind galls are a soft fluid swelling behind the fetlock usually caused from working on a hard ground.
- Change in your horse's performance
CAUSES OF SPLINTS AND WIND GALLS
Overwork in young horses, poor confirmation, incorrect shoeing, tendon ligament or joint capsule tears, injury of articular cartilage in the joint.
DIAGNOSIS OF SPLINTS AND WIND GALLS
Diagnosis of wind galls will usually be confirmed from examination. Heat, swelling and tenderness of the fetlock will be present. X-ray, ultrasound and tenoscopy can be used by your vet for confirmation.
Diagnosis of splints confirmed by examination are bony growths below the knee and above the fetlock joints.
TREATMENT OF SPLINTS AND WIND GALLS
Treatment plan is to modify the work regime, anti-inflammatories, icing and bandaging if required.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 50g Continue with this dose until horse is dramatically improved, usually a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Once your horse is comfortable you can drop the dose to a maintenance level of 5-15g per day only increasing prior to an event or hard work and hard ground.
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
STIFLE LOCK
SYMPTOMS OF STIFLE LOCK
- Is when the patella is stuck, and the hind limb cannot bend correctly.
- Reluctance to canter
- Dragging rear toes
- Pop sound when moving
- Reluctance to reverse
CAUSES OF STIFLE LOCK
Confirmation of the horse especially straight limbs and quadriceps muscle weakness. More common in young horses in growth spurts.
DIAGNOSIS OF STIFLE LOCK
Diagnosis of stifle lock can be done via examination. The horse will be standing with their hind leg in a locked position appearing very straight. When you ask the horse to walk, they will often drag their hoof behind them.
TREATMENT OF STIFLE LOCK
Treatment normally involves anti-inflammatories, modified exercise routine and the possibility of injections.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 50g - 75g Continue with this dose until horse is dramatically improved, usually a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Once your horse is comfortable you can drop the dose to a maintenance level of 5-15g per day only increasing prior to an event or hard work and hard ground.
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
SWELLING
SYMPTOMS OF SWELLING
- Soft fluid filled joints
- Lameness
- Lameness
- Pain
- Heat
- Enlargement of area
CAUSES OF SWELLING
Swelling can be caused from an injury, bite, working on hard ground, incorrect shoeing, being silly in the paddock, landing awkwardly during exercise. It can be caused from diet from excessive grain feeding and no exercise.
DIAGNOSIS OF SWELLING
Diagnosis of swelling can be oedema in the leg where is fills with fluid. The horse can have trouble walking and may be lame.
TREATMENT OF SWELLING
Treatment normally consists of icing or cold-water treatment, bandaging and anti-inflammatories.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 50g - Continue with this dose until horse is dramatically improved, usually a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Once your horse is comfortable you can drop the dose to a maintenance level of 5-15g per day only increasing prior to an event or hard work and hard ground.
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
TENDON AND LIGAMENT
SYMPTOMS OF TENDON AND LIGAMENT
- Soft fluid filled joints
- Fluid filled sack around injury site
- Lameness
- Pain
- Heat
- Enlargement of area
CAUSES OF TENDON AND LIGAMENT
Damage to the tendons and ligaments can be from workout routines, uneven or hard ground, thoroughbred racehorses can damage themselves from running at speed on different surfaces. Overworked horses or lack of work can also cause damage.
DIAGNOSIS OF TENDON AND LIGAMENT
Ligaments attach bone to bone; you will commonly find damage around the joints of the legs.
Tendons attach muscles to bones; common issue is a bowed tendon which is a strained flexor tendon.
TREATMENT OF TENDON AND LIGAMENT
Treatment normally consists of rest, icing or cold-water treatment, bandaging and anti-inflammatories and pain relief.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 50g - C Continue with this dose until horse is dramatically improved, usually a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Once your horse is comfortable you can drop the dose to a maintenance level of 5-15g per day only increasing prior to an event or hard work and hard ground.
5gm day EquiGesic can be added to the daily treatment until pain under control.
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
EquiGesic Plus
ULCER
SYMPTOMS OF ULCER
- Poor appetite or eating but losing weight
- Unwillingness to work
- Change in attitude
- Windsucking
- Coat becomes dull
- Grinding teeth
- Girthy
CAUSES OF ULCER
Gut ulceration can be caused from numerous reasons; common causes are not having access to feed, stress, stabled, incorrect feeding, and underlying gut issues.
DIAGNOSIS OF ULCER
Your vet will perform a gastric endoscopy to see from the mouth to the small intestines. They will look for lesions in the oesophagus, stomach, and upper section of the small intestines.
TREATMENT OF ULCER
Treatment normally consists of rest, icing or cold-water treatment, bandaging and anti-inflammatories and pain relief.
PRODUCT & DOSE RATE
ProflamAid Plus 50g
BioEquus GOLD16g per day for 4-6 weeks then reduce dose to 8g
WE RECOMMEND
ProflamAid Plus
BioEquus GOLD