You should always vet a horse before buying. Especially, when you’re inexperienced with horses or are buying from a seller that isn’t too familiar with the horse’s history. However, a vetting is only a snapshot of how the horse is on the day and time of the vetting. Vetting doesn’t …
A horse passport is for accurately identifying animals and making international transport easier. In the UK and EU, all equines (horses, ponies, donkeys, mules etc.) must have passports by law and cannot be sold without one. In the US passports are primarily intended for animals competing in international Federation for …
Some of the most common mistakes made when taking the vital signs of horses are oversights and stem from trying to do things in a rush. When taking the vitals on your horse pay attention and don’t make these easily avoidable mistakes. Having the normal values and behaviour recorded in …
Your horse suddenly getting ill is a very distressing thing. You might notice small signs, like discharge from the eyes or nostrils, a dull coat or hanging the head and not responding to food. Or you might walk into the stables one day and find your horse is bleeding, having a …
Knowing how to take your horse’s vital signs is an essential skill for any owner, handler or rider. Knowing how to measure the vital signs of your horse will allow you to check if your horse is healthy, and give the vet more accurate information over the phone in case of …
When working with horses and taking their vital signs it is recommended to use digital thermometers, because they are faster and do not contain mercury. If you’re using a glass thermometer you should determine if it contains mercury before using it. Glass thermometers can contain coloured alcohol, which is not toxic. Even …
Light forms of restraint can come in handy when you need to treat a horse that doesn’t want to be treated. Some horses won’t phase, no matter what, and others run away as soon as they hear the vet’s car pull up in the car park. If your horse is …
If you’re a new horse owner, you’ll quickly learn that your horse is an accident looking for an opportunity to happen. Yessiree, Bob. Your horse will always be coming in with a swollen knee after a kick from a pasture mate, tearing his skin open on a nail protruding from the …
If, and when, you start bidding always keep your limit in mind. Don’t go higher than you can afford. Once the hammer falls, you’re liable to pay the auctioneer in full. When you do want to bid, make your intentions clear by showing the auctioneer the bidding number you got at registration …
Once you’ve decided on the horses you’re interested in, you can take their auction numbers and check with the auction offices where the horses came from. If you’ve seen one horse that you like, it’s possible that whoever is selling it has more horses like it — especially when the …
If you’ve had horses before you might already have an idea about the kind of build and temperament you’re looking for in a horse. Otherwise, you’ll want to get a calm and collected horse, a little older, with more experience and ready to ride. Be sure to test in various …
Because you don’t want to see your new horse for the first time in the sales ring, it’s a good idea to arrive at the auction early. Ideally, that means early in the morning when most sellers arrive with their horses. It’s the perfect time to get a look at …
