TESTING FOR SAND IN MANURE

Sand ingestion can lead to many problems in the equine including; weigh loss, depression, poor performance, diarrhea and colic. Sand can be a contributor to chronic intermittent bouts of colic. Sand ingestion can cause mechanical and physiological compromises to the equine large colon.

SAND TEST

1. Fill a 2 to 4 quart clear container two thirds full with water and mark the water level.
2. Add 6 to 8 large FRESH fecal balls from the horse and mark the new water level on the container.
   Now you have a system to add the same amount of manure every time you do the test; fill the container with water to the first mark and add enough manure to have the water rise to the second mark.
3. Mix the manure and water into a slurry, allowing the sand to settle to the bottom. Gently pour off the slurry of manure and water. Any sand will remain at the bottom.
4. If you find 1/4 teaspoonful or more of sand on the bottom of the container, the test is positive.
5. Test your horse's manure every other day for 2 weeks and record the results.
   
   IMPORTANT POINTS
   
   

• Make sand tests a routine part of your horse's care. To initially evaluate your horse, perform a sand test every other day for 2 weeks. One negative test does not prove that sand is not present in the large colon.
• Do not feed any hay, grain, supplements or other type of feed from sandy ground.
• Feed hay on carpeting, rubber mat or platform.
• Include a psyllium product in your horse's feed to help coat any sand that has been ingested, thereby reducing irritation to the intestine. This also helps to move sand along through the intestinal tract.
  
  CALL OUR OFFICE IF:
  
• You have any questions concerning sand ingestion, testing or treatment for sand.

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  ASSESSING YOUR HORSE'S VITAL SIGNS
  

  Always observe your horse for abnormal behavior. Does your horse breathe hard, sweat excessively, bleed abnormally, or lie down at unusual times?   Check for weight loss related to disease, nutrition or conditioning. Has your animal experienced weight gain from overeating or decreased exercise? Observe your horse's hair coat.  Is it too long or short based on time of year.  Observe your horse's environment.  Are there changes in the manure, urine spots, bedding, feed bucket or quantity of hay eaten? Check the water supply. Is the container full or empty and is it clean?

  In addition to your daily observations, you should be familiar with procedures for measuring your animal's rectal temperature, pulse and respiratory rate.

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  RESPIRATORY RATE

  Count the respiratory rate first, before the horse is stirred up and excited. The respiratory rate is counted best when the horse is unaware of your presence. Don't walk up to the horse and put your hands in front of its nostrils and start to count. This will not be an accurate representation.

  It is best to watch the flank (the area just behind the "barrel") excursions, as the flank moves in and out with each breath. Watching the flank area also provides the best evaluation of the quality of breathing, such as pushing with the abdomen, an overly rapid rate, etc. . Look at the flank excursions through the stall before opening the door. The normal respiratory rate is 8 - 16 breaths per minute.

  HEART RATE

  You can use a stethoscope to determine your horse's heart rate. You can purchase a stethoscope here at the clinic. A stethoscope is the easiest, safest and most accurate way to count the heart rate. Stand on the left side of the horse at the shoulder and find the point of the elbow. To make sure the stethoscope is working, tap very GENTLY on the diaphragm while the earpieces are fixed in your ears. Do NOT blow into the diaphragm of the stethoscope to test it. Press the bell of the stethoscope into the chest wall just behind the elbow and listen carefully ( I told you not to blow into the stethoscope). To determine the point of the loudest heart sound intensity, move the bell around the chest wall while continuing to press firmly. The normal heart rate ranges from 30-50 beats per minute.

  The main cause of increased heart or respiratory rate is excitement. Therefore, it is best to make repeat counts after the horse has become less excited by your presence.

  TEMPERATURE

  Digital thermometers are the most convenient, quickest and safest way to take your horse's rectal temperature. They are supplied here at Cokesbury Equine clinic with the string and tail clip installed. Apply lubricant, such as petroleum jelly or K - Y Jelly, to the thermometer, and insert into the rectum, attaching the clip to the hairs to prevent loss if it falls out. The normal rectal temperature of a horse is 98F to 101.5F. It is typically higher in the evening than in the morning. The temperature is also influenced by the horse's activity at the time the temperature is measured. Measure your horse's rectal temperature at various times of the day and determine its normal range.

  If your horse's temperature is over 101.5F, reset the digital and take another reading. A common cause of an apparently elevated temperature is a "hot" or poorly calibrated thermometer.

  Never stand directly behind the animal while taking a rectal temperature. Always stand off to the side to avoid being kicked. Consider your own safety when evaluating a horse's temperature, heart rate and respirations, especially when a horse is abnormal. Be prepared to avoid kicking or being stepped on while taking these vital signs.

  
  
  CALL OUR OFFICE IF:
  

  • You have any questions concerning assessment of vital signs.
  • You determine an abnormal temperature, heart rate or respiratory rate on your horse.
    
    

  Check back often as we provide useful information for your equine health needs.

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  MOUTH WOUNDS
  

  Mouth wounds can look quite dramatic when they result in exposure of underlying tissue and possible bone, loosening or loss of teeth, and bleeding. However, these wounds generally heal very well despite the initial severe appearance and number of bacteria in the mouth. For hygienic reasons, it is a good idea to wear rubber gloves when working in and around your horse’s mouth.
  

  Mouth wounds can occur as a result of bitting problems. Your horse may have dental points and/or hooks on its teeth. The action of the bit pulling the lips against the molars can pinch and lacerate the oral mucosa if a point is present. The mixture of blood and saliva can make this problem look worse than it is.

  
  

  Lacerations to the mouth can be caused by nails, wire or other objects protruding from fencing, stall walls or other areas in your horse’s environment. Other common causes are hooks used for hanging buckets. These should be removed if not in use, or taped over.

  
  

  A significant wound in the mouth/tongue area can heal remarkably well, even if a large portion of the tongue is missing. Many internal mouth wounds are not sutured because suturing of mouth wounds is difficult and the suture line usually breaks down. Mouth wounds tend to heal well without suturing.

  
  

  External muzzle wounds are treated medically or surgically and allowed to heal for 2 - 8 weeks. These external wounds are then rechecked to determine the need for any reconstructive surgery, which often turns out to be minimal.

  
  

  Mouth abscesses can be caused by tooth infections, splinters or other irritating pieces of dried plant material eaten by your horse. The injured mouth can emit an unpleasant smell. Abscesses can drain into the mouth or open through the skin around the mouth.

  
  

  The possibility of a foreign object, such as a stick or piece of wire, should be ruled out if your horse is not eating and has blood tinged saliva. This condition may be similar in appearance to a choke (esophageal impaction).

  
  

  Teeth may be loosened or lost in a variety of ways in a stall, paddock or pasture.

  
  

  Jaw fractures can occur in various ways. Horses often fracture their lower jaw by getting it stuck in a horseshoe-style latch and pulling it back. Kicks from other horses may also cause a jaw fracture.

  IMPORTANT POINTS WITH MOUTH WOUNDS

  Make sure your horse is current with a tetanus vaccine (preferably within the last 3 months).

  
  

  Always wear rubber gloves when examining the mouth. Please be careful and do not get accidentally bitten.

  
  

  
  CALL OUR OFFICE IF:  You have any questions or concerns