Archive

Archive for February, 2011

Winter foot ailments

February 17th, 2011

During the winter while ponies splash and squelch through the mud, their feet may be picking up bacteria and these micro-organisms bury themselves under the skin and cause redness and itching.

Thrush

On the bottom of a pony’s foot is the frog. This is the place where thrush attacks, and the symptoms include black discharge, horrible smell and soft, soggy frogs.

Thrush can be treated with surgical spirit or a specially designed treatment.

Mud fever

Mud fever is caused by bacteria that enter the heels and pastern via the skin causing scabs redness and itching.

If the wounds are dry use a grease based ointment, if they are weeping use an antibacterial scrub such as hibiscrub to wash them.

In extremely severe cases the vet may need to be called and may recommend antibiotics to help infection clear up.

The ailments above are generally found in winter, while the ones below vary.

Laminitis is a serious foot condition that generally found in spring summer and autumn caused by the pony being overweight, especially from lush grass or high sugar diets. It can also be caused by alien diets such as chicken pellets nicked from the shed, or dog food.

The feet get hot and feverish and and the horse will often stand in the ‘laminitis’ stance, rocking back on their heels to relive the pain of standing on their front feet .

If your pony shows these symptoms CALL THE VET.

Laminitis needs veterinary attention because if left untreated it causes severe pain, serious effects on the foot, and pedal bone rotation.

Abscesses

If you are picking out your ponies hooves as normal and he suddenly flinches away from the hoof pick he may have an abscess under the sole of his foot.

If he has got an abscess it will require veterinary or farrier attention. He will make a hole in the horses foot and poultice it to draw out the infection. The poultice will need to be replaced daily, your farrier will show you how.

In general, hooves need good care because they carry the horse (and you) around.

Apply moisturising hoof ointment daily but keep hoof oil to a minimum (only for shows).

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Start it with a win and win £50

February 12th, 2011


So it’s just a few days until Valentine’s Day. Have you found someone to spend it with?

If the answer’s no, why not?! Maybe you’re feeling a little shy and don’t want to make the first move, or perhaps there’s just so many people on Horse Lovers Dating that you simply haven’t got time to send personal messages to them all?

Whatever the reason, it’s not too late to get someone’s attention and let them know you’re interested, and one of the best ways to do this is to send them a wink.

Need more persuading to get winking? If you send 3 winks or more on Horse Lovers Dating this weekend, you’ll be entered into a draw to win £50 of shopping vouchers.*

There’s no catch! Simply log in to Horse Lovers Dating on Saturday or Sunday and browse through our Latest Members. Then choose at least 3 that you like the look of, send your winks and you’ll automatically be entered into the draw. And you don’t have to stop at 3 either!

See you soon,

The Horse Lovers Dating Team.

Horse Lovers Dating

What do you want this Valentine’s Day?

February 4th, 2011


Valentine’s Day is probably one of the most expected days by couples, it’s a day when they can share their love with their partners and show how much they care one about each other. A recent survey from Horse Lovers Dating revealed some interesting facts about dating and how Valentine’s Day will be different when compared to other usual days, and here are the results below:

49% of you are expecting to be on a date this Valentine’s Day compared to 32% who will be actively looking online.

37% chose PROFILE DESCRIPTION as the most important factor when deciding whether they should contact someone. Closely followed by someone’s LOCATION at 30%.

Half of you will send a MESSAGE for the first time this year compared to 38% of you who’ll opt for a cheeky WINK 😉

52% of you prefer receiving a short personal MESSAGE from someone online whereas 14% will be happy with a WINK.

A WHOPPING 79% are looking for a serious relationship or a partner this year. 21% of you on the other hand are keeping it casual for 2011.

As for you, what do you want this Valentine’s Day?

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