Equetouch

Any properly qualified therapist will be happy to discuss their qualifications and insurance, so please do ask.

It is important that we work as a team with your vet, farrier, trainer and therapist, to achieve the best results and provide the best quality animal welfare and care.

‘Owners need to take some responsibility’: calls for equestrians to do their ‘homework’ when choosing who treats their horse - read full story below...

So pleased for my sponsored rider Mari. Truly well deserved.

Thrilled to have made the nominated entries list for the World Championships!!

I couldn’t have done it without the amazing team around me. A huge thank you to Athene, an incredible mare, Di for her support as owner, Romilly and Rob for their guidance and hard work, and of course my parents, sponsors, and supporters who have backed me every step of the way.

Feeling very grateful for all the support and encouragement we’ve had along the way.

Looking forward to taking part in the final selection trials next week 🤞🙏.

Very sensible advice in this weather.

COPING WITH THE HEAT 🐴🥵

Firstly, please don't panic.

Using good sense and some thought will mean you and your horse will survive the heat wave.

🌞 Turnout overnight ideally (but adjust for you and your horse's individual situation), and consider stabling in daytime if your horse's field lacks shade/shelter - but only if it's cooler inside than out. Brick or block stables are usually cooler than wooden

🌞 Don't assume its only exercise that can cause heatstroke - horses with thick coats can overheat outside without shade - especially if they are very old, young, or have PPID

🌞 You can hose your horse down to help them keep cool and more comfortable - this acts like sweat and won't 'cook' them

🌞 Take your horse's temperature if in doubt - if over 39 deg, you need to cool them, if over 40 they're at risk of heatstroke and you need to cool 'aggressively' with plenty of cold water (vets and physiologists agree)

🌞 Ensure clean fresh water is available at all times and check your horse's hydration. Consider soaking hay to increase water intake and palatable hydration products like Saracen Recovery Mash

🌞 Exercise your horse during cooler periods e.g. early in the morning or late in the evening (but adjust this to keep them adapted to what they'll face in competition if they compete)

🌞 If you are due to compete in the middle of the day, you'll need to adapt your horse to this but do it gradually

🌞 Adjust your horse's exercise routine with reduced duration and possibly intensity too if you're unable to exercise them during cooler periods

🌞 If your horse gets very hot during exercise, cool them with - ideally iced - cold water sloshing or hosing without scraping off (thermoregulation expert Dr David Marlin has studied the research and concludes that scraping wastes time when aggressively cooling and its more beneficial to keep sloshing cold water onto the horse, not scrape off the hot water, which will run off anyway)

🌞 Use sun protection cream for pink noses/legs

🌞 Consider clipping very hairy horses, especially if you find them sweating standing still

🌞 You may need to increase your horse's salt intake in the feed if they are sweating more (for extra sodium and chloride) and you can offer them salt in water as well (for hydration)

🌞 Watch out for feed and/or supplements going off - especially those with a high oil content - which can reduce palatability

🌞 Most importantly - monitor your individual horse or pony in terms of how you manage them, rather than trying to follow what others are doing/saying. Signs of overheating (non-exercise associated) include lethargy, reduced appetite, sweating, rapid, shallow breathing and a high heart rate (if unsure, take their temperature)

🌞 Don't forget to look after yourself too, with suncream, plenty of fluids and shade!

If you need help with their diet, you can contact me direct on WhatsApp

Please feel free to share,
🐴🍏☀️🥵

Fantastic results for one of my customers. Really well done Rebecca Edwards Dressage!

It was a quarter horse kind of morning.Sunny day!

Great to see customers out there going for it and doing well. Go Becky!

Really good vets.