THE BENEFIT OF FALL WELLNESS EXAMS
One of the best ways to identify and mitigate potential health problems in your older horse this winter is with a full physical exam.
Many veterinarians offer an autumn exam as part of a comprehensive wellness package, but if yours doesn’t, call and ask to set up an appointment. Here’s just a partial list of the topics likely be addressed in the exam and why:
• Dental health, to ensure the horse can effectively and comfortably chew hay and grain. The exam will also detect any loosening teeth or other dental problems that might be easier to address early, before the colder weather sets in.
• Vaccinations, especially if the horse will be traveling or stabled with horses who travel.
• Joint health, to check the mobility and comfort level of the horse. This isn’t a full lameness workup, but a general assessment of the horse’s musculoskeletal health and determination if supplements, medications or even injections may be helpful.
• Bloodwork, to detect any abnormalities in organ or immune function. If the horse has pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) or other known condition, bloodwork can confirm
that it is under control.
• Body Condition Score (BCS), to determine if the horse needs to gain or lose weight to be best prepared for the season ahead. The fall exam is also a great time to take pictures of your horse’s body condition for later comparison.
• Parasite control, starting with a fecal egg count to determine if the horse needs deworming and that the products being used on the property are still effective. • Respiratory health, including listening to the horse’s lungs and looking for a “heaves line” that develops in the muscles of the flank from the strain of exhaling.
A fall wellness exam can also be the appropriate time to have what can be an emotional conversation with your veterinarian: If your elderly horse struggled to make it through last winter and still has some of the same underlying problems, is it fair to ask him to go through another? This difficult decision is very personal and depends on the circumstances of each horse but talking about it with your veterinarian might provide clarity and peace of mind, no matter what you ultimately decide.