PONY TOP TIPS – WINTER FEEDING

Romany Red is a 13 year old Gelding who lives near Crediton with his family.  He enjoys a variety of pony club activities but is particularly good at jumping.

Over the past couple of weeks, the St Boniface Equine team have been delighted to welcome Jeremy Kemp-Symonds, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MSc, BVMS, PGCHE, MRCVS to the Equine department at Wolfgar Farm.

21st-28th September 2015 marks the first national Horse Health Week, part of the Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy Campaign.

Horse Health Week, launched by MSD Animal Health to promote the wellbeing of the nation’s horses, is nearly upon us! During the week we will be raising awareness of the seven pillars of responsible horse ownership.
 
The seven pillars of responsible horse ownership aim to promote horse welfare through preventative management and raising awareness of:

Over the past couple of weeks, the St Boniface Equine team has been delighted to welcome Jeremy Kemp-Symonds, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MSc, BVMS, PGCHE, MRCVS to the Equine department at Wolfgar Farm.  Jeremy is an equine surgeon who specialises in the treatment and removal of skin tumours using CO2 laser with adjunctive treatments as required.

We have compiled 11 top tips to help you mange your pony's weight.

Amongst our top class horses we recognise that athletic potential is hindered by excess weight. However, in the leisure horse/pony, I believe obesity is a growing concern. Historically, some sectors of the showing world perceived excess condition as more appealing to the eye.

What is Equine Cushings Disease?
More correctly termed Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction or "PPID, Equine Cushings Disease is one of the most common problems affecting the endocrine (hormonal) system of horses and ponies, and an improtant underlying cause of laminitis in a range of horses and ponies.

What causes PPID?
Two areas of the equine brain, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, are responsible for producing chemical messengers (hormones) to maintain and control bodily functions around the body.