Horses are prey animals what does this mean?
-They have a fight or flight response.
-Get spooked easily.
-Sensitive to loud noise/movement.
How do we keep ourselves and animals at the farm safe?
- Wash hands
- Wash shoes when coming in and out
- Clean coveralls
-Limit traffic on the farm
What factors affect behavior?
Environment= Exercise, diet, stress
Genetics= Sex, types, breeds, family bloodline.
What does it mean when a horse flips their lip?
Flehmen response, they do this if they like certain scent molecules (pheromone, new treats ect)
List the 7 sensitive areas on a horse.
-Eyes - Ears
-Nose -Withers
-Ribs -Flank
-Legs
Define VNO.
VNO (vomeronasal organ) is a chemosensory structures found on many mammals
What are the blind areas of a horse?
Directly in front of their face and behind the horse (it’s back).
What is the galwayne’s groove?
Vertical groove on the upper corner incisor (3rd incisor). It appears around the age of 10 but it has be shown to not be 100 accurate for getting the age of a horse.
What are capes?
Deciduous PM
Name the normal horse vitals?
Temp= 37.5- 38.6
Pulse= 28-44 BPM. lower then 28 is normal in athlete horses.
Respiration= 6-12 BPM
Mucus membrane= under 2 seconds , pink
During abdominal auscultation, how many sounds should we hear per minute?
+2 = Normal mobility
Describe chemical restraint.
The use of pharmaceuticals to alter a patients mental or physical state. A horse that is chemically restrained can still stand, and can also lower their head and become unbalanced.
What side should you approach a horse?
On their left side.
What side should the handler stand in when assisting a vet.
The same side as the vet so they can keep an eye out for biting/kicking.
Methods of horse restraint? (8)
-Chemical restraint (drugs)
-Physical restraint
-Twitches( squeeze the nose by hand or with rope/ metal, apply only enough pressure to get job done.)
-Crossties (Very common)
-Tying ( Use 2ft of rope with safety release knot)
-Covering eyes (Cover the same side that the procedure is happening. never force the eye shut)
- Blindfold (Tuck into halter but must be easily removable)
-Elevate a leg (Keeps horse from moving arround during short procedures)
Foal restraint?
Grab under the rump and shoulders.
Why do we never pull on a foals rope?
They can have a lead rope attached to their halter but never pull on it because they have a very week neck so pulling can lead to deformities. Instead wrap the rope around its backside to pull the foal forward with pressure referred to as “Butt rope”
Bringing a horse to the vet clinic?
1- Large animals usually arrive with their owner and they are usually the ones loading and unloading them for safety reasons.
2- They often get their legs, head, bumpers and tails wrapped when shipped.
Two types of trailers?
-Step up
-Ramp
Rules on isolating patients in clinic?
-If there is no dedicated isolation room, then place the animal in an area with low traffic.
Cardinal rule?
Anything that enters the isolation hot zone does not leave till it is disinfected.
What to be cautious for in recumbent cases?
they come with unique problems as domestic large animals are prey have the survival instinct to stand up which makes it a more dangerous case for the horse and caretakers.
Problems associated with recumbency patients include? (7)
- Decubital ulcers
- Compartment syndrome
- Eye trauma
- Leg trauma
- Respiratory issues
- Fecal voiding
- Bladder management
How to prevent decubital ulcers? (Pressure sores)
- Roll the patient every 2 hours
- Have proper bedding to ensure proper padding is supplied.
-Have the recumbent patient legs protected with bandages, on all 4 limbs.
