Level One Diploma in Horse Care

Horse health

• Aims – To understand what factors can influence the

condition and health of the horse• Objectives– To identify at least five factors which can affect the

horse’s health and why– Outline how these factors can be reduced for the

benefit of the horse

Task One

• Make a list of factors that could affect the horse’s health within a stable environment .

• Share with the group

Bedding

• How can bedding affect the health of the horse?– Dusty bedding • Respiratory disorders

– Eating bedding • Colic • Overweight

– Dirty beds • Thrush • Serious cases - Canker

Feeding • How can feed affect the health of the horse?

– Dusty feed• Respiratory disorders

– Poor quality• Lack of nutrients • Weight loss• Poor condition

– Too much• Overweight• Joint problems• Laminitis

– Too little• Underweight• Susceptible to illness/ infections

– Contaminated feed• Weill's disease• Horses won’t eat

– Dirty containers• Spread of infections• Horses won’t eat

Stable construction • How can the construction of the stable affect the health of the horse?

– Stable too small• Knock themselves• Become cast

– Horses in close contact with one another• Fighting• Kicking• Spread of diseases

– Fixtures and fittings• Rubbing• Knocks

– Ventilation • Spread of disease• Overheating

Task two

• Make a list of factors that could affect the health of a horse within a grassland environment.

• Share with the group

Types of grasses

• Too rich– Overweight horses– Laminitis

• Weeds– Thistles– Nettles– Docks

• Poisonous plants– Ragwort – Buttercups

Horses

• Fighting– Kicks– Bites– Bruising

• Pining– Galloping around– injury to legs

Weather • Hot weather– Become dehydrated– Not enough to eat– Overheat

• Windy, wet and cold weather– Very cold– Pneumonia– Lose weight

Worms

• InfestationSmall redworm

Large roundworm

Worming

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oBY69sOB-A

Worms can cause..

• Colic from obstruction• Loss of condition• Diarrhea• Filled legs, abdomen and sheath• http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yzCwS7TSzo&feature=relmfu

• How can we treat worms?

Quick quiz• How much information have you processed and stored?!1. How can dusty bedding affect the horse’s health?2. What are the negative health effects of feeding too much food to a horse? 3. What are the side effects of poor ventilation in relation to the horse’s

health? 4. State two weeds that could be found in horse pasture.5. State two poisonous plants which can commonly be found in the fields at

Northop.6. Why is it important horses have shelter?7. Briefly outline the life cycle of a worm8. How does a worm burden affect the horse’s health? 9. How can we treat worms? 10. List five signs of good health.

First aid kit

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First aid kit

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• Aims – To understand what factors can influence the

condition and health of the horse• Objectives– To identify at least five factors which can affect the

horse’s health and why– Outline how these factors can be reduced for the

benefit of the horse

Yard

• Health check a second horse