STURGELL'S EQUESTRIAN CENTER, LLC
Where The Colts You Adore, Become The Horses You Love!
HELPFUL AND INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HORSES
FACTS:
*If wrapping one leg on a horse, due to injury, etc., wrap the opposite leg
also (both front legs, or both back legs) for support.

*IM=intramuscularly (in the muscle),
*IV=intravenously (in the vein),
*SC=subcutaneous (under the skin)

*If you are giving vaccinations and de-wormers all on the same day, always
give your shots before you give your oral medications. You don’t want to
accidentally contaminate your hands or needle with an oral medication before
inserting it into your horse.

*If your horse has not had a bowel movement, and you are concerned about
colic, load him in to a horse trailer and take him for a short ride. Most
horses just can't resist having a bowel movement in a trailer!

*"Underwoods" is an extremely good medicine for cuts on a horse. Strangely,
after applying it you sprinkle baking powder on it. IT WORKS!

*Snake bites occur mostly on the nose and legs. Keep the horse calm, cool and
relaxed. If you are at home and his nostrils swell to the point of effecting
breathing, you can cut regular garden hose and insert it a few inches into
each nostril. Check vital signs, especially respiratory and heart rate.
Disinfect the wound, wrap the legs to prevent swelling (if bitten on leg), and
call your veterinarian. Snakebites are worse on young stock, older horses and
sick ones. Have a good plan when riding on the trail, cell phones are a must!
This page is intended to be helpful and interesting, but not a replacement for
your veterinarian. If you are experiencing health issues with your horse,
please consult with your local veterinarian before proceeding with doctoring
procedures on your own.
A righteous man
regardeth the life
of his beast...
Proverbs 12:10

FYI:
*When trailering one horse in a two horse trailer, put the horse in the "drivers" side stall of the
trailer. Paved roads tend to be higher in the middle and this will stabilize the weight in the trailer.
Also, when trailering two horses, put the heavier one in the drivers side trailer stall.

*If your horse tends to toss his head, or doesn't give his head nicely when asking for it, he/she may
need its wolf teeth checked (and pulled). Female horses can get these teeth just the same as males,
and they erupt at an early age, just when you may be starting your horse's training. They are on the
top, close to the "first" molar (called the maxillary, second pre-molar), in the space between his front
teeth and back teeth, where the bit lies. The bit can bump this tooth, causing much pain and worry
for the horse.

*A horse’s hooves grow approximately 3/8ths an inch each month. Shoes usually need replaced around 6
weeks to 2 months, variations depending on hoof growth, hoof condition, terrain, and other factors.

*Ideally, a horse’s shoulder slope and front pastern slope are the same, with a 45-47 degree angle on
the front and a 50-55 degree angle on the back. A good sloping shoulder makes for a better, more
comfortable ride, (less concussion).

*60% of a horses weight is on his front end. About 25% of it is in his neck!

*Horses can not burp, or regurgitate (one reason colic is such a danger). See Health and Care page.
CHECK OFTEN, WE WILL BE ADDING TO OUR LISTS!
If you have suggestions for our FACTS/FYI or Health,Care pages, please let us know and we may add
them to the list!

Happy trails!
STURGELL'S EQUESTRIAN CENTER, LLC
Located in East Oklahoma
PORUM/WEBBERS FALLS, OK 74455
Colt Starting, Horse Training, Re-Schooling, Boarding,
Lessons, Sales and more!
*UC DAVIS AND UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA WEBSITES ON EMERGENCY EUTHANASIA:
(keep in mind state laws may apply) This isn't meant to be cold hearted. As both articles state, there may be a time
in an emergency situation that you need to know this information. Diagrams of the animals are included in these articles.

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/INF-AN/INF-AN_EMERGEUTH-HORSES.HTML

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VM114
*SHAVINGS: Horses are extremely susceptible to laminitis and colic (even death) if the wrong bedding
is used in their stalls. NEVER-EVER use Black Walnut shavings as bedding. Even just 20% mixed in can
cause laminitis and colic within a day. As a rule, don't use hard woods for bedding. Pine is acceptable,
but Cedar is considered dangerous also. There are many plants and trees that are harmful to horses
and livestock. Make sure you take the time to look them up, remove them or remove the livestock when
necessary.
*HOW MUCH DOES YOUR ANIMAL WEIGH?
This site has diagrams on how to weigh your horse, cows and pigs with out a weight tape. A handy way
to impress your colleagues and fellow livestock owners! Check it out!
http://ag.arizona.edu/backyards/articles/winter07/p11-12.pdf
*WARTS: Young horses get what is often called "Juvenile Warts." Normally, these are more of a
nuisance to the looks of the horse, than to the well-being of the horse. Juvenile warts tend to appear
rather suddenly on the muzzle, lips, chin and eyes of the young horse, run their course for a number of
months, then go away just like they came. There is no real treatment for them, though research shows
people do try to do different methods to get them to go away faster. Seemingly, none are a real cure.
Warts are contagious, usually to young stock, but older horses can get warts also, as well as other
animals. Below are listed a couple of sites that you may find helpful if you find yourself with a horse
that has warts:     Veterinary Corner              Canberra Veterinary Hospital
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