Health and first aid

10 guides in this topic.

• Signs of a healthy horse (and when something is wrong)

  What a healthy horse looks and behaves like, the early warning signs of illness to watch for each day, and when to stop watching and call your vet.

  Awaiting vet review

• Body condition scoring for horses

  Learn to body condition score your horse on the 0–5 scale used in Australia and NZ: where to look, how to feel, what each score means, and what to do about it.

  Awaiting vet review

• Colic in horses: signs, causes and what to do

  Learn the signs of colic in horses, when it's an emergency, what to do while you wait for the vet, and the everyday management that lowers the risk.

  Awaiting vet review

• Laminitis: signs, causes, prevention

  Laminitis is a painful, potentially life-threatening hoof condition. Learn the causes, early signs, what to do before the vet arrives, and prevention.

  Awaiting vet review

• Horse first aid: wounds and when to call the vet

  What to do when your horse is hurt: staying safe, stopping bleeding, cleaning and bandaging minor wounds, and the wounds that always need a vet.

  Awaiting vet review

• Horse first aid kit checklist

  A practical horse first-aid kit checklist for the stable, float and trail – what to pack, why, and when to call the vet instead of treating it yourself.

  Awaiting vet review

• Horse worming: schedules and faecal egg counts

  Worming every 6–8 weeks is no longer advised for adult horses. How faecal egg counts, targeted treatment and paddock hygiene slow drench resistance.

  Awaiting vet review

• Horse vaccinations in Australia and NZ

  Which vaccines horses need in Australia and New Zealand: tetanus and strangles schedules, the Hendra vaccine in Australia, and how to plan with your vet.

  Awaiting vet review

• Horse dental care

  How often a horse's teeth should be checked, the signs of dental problems, what a good dental exam includes, and vet vs equine dental technician in AU and NZ.

  Awaiting vet review

• Biosecurity and isolating new horses

  How long to isolate a new horse, how to set up an isolation area, what to do in a strangles outbreak, and everyday yard hygiene for Australia and NZ.

  Awaiting vet review