VETERINARY AND FIRST AID – C2

Instructor’s Guide

Part I – Signs of Good Health

Purpose
1. Know where and how to evaluate temperature, pulse and respiration
2. Know the signs of good health
Teaching Suggestions
1. If possible do this part with a horse  have students follow correct procedure. They are more
likely to remember what they have correctly done.
2. Look at horse and discuss how students know it is healthy (or not). Be sure they consider
criteria in all three areas (you want to be sure they aren’t focusing entirely on one thing such
as lameness or digestion)

BASIC HEALTH MONITORING

General Establish Baseline
• regularly check and record pulse, respiration and temperature when
rested and following work
• this will indicate what is normal for your horse

PULSE
Regular pulse rate • between 30 and 45 bpm (lowest reference to highest reference)
• between 35 and 45 beats per minute (MH – 232)
• between 30 and 45 bpm (USC – 236)
• between 45 and 40 bpm (KYH – 57)
• 40 bpm (VN – 63)
Procedure 1. find facial artery at the inside bottom edge of the horse’s jawbone (it feels
like a thick string crossing over the jaw bone)
MH 340 2. rest your fingertip (not thumb) lightly on the artery and you will feel it
twitch (each twitch indicates one heart beat)
3. count the beats in 10 seconds and multiply by 6 to get beats per minute
4. place a stethoscope over the heart (slightly behind the elbow) to hear the
heart

RESPIRATION
Regular respiratory rate • between 8 and 20 breaths per minute (lowest reference to highest
reference)
• between 10 and 20 breaths per minute (MH – 232)
• between 8 and 16 breaths per minute (USC – 237)
• between 8 and 12 breaths per minute (KYH – 58)
• between 10 – 14 breaths per minute (VN – 38)
Procedure 1. stand behind and slightly to the side of the horse
2. watch the flank move in and out
MH 340 3. one in and out = one breath
4. count breaths for 15 seconds then multiply by 4

TEMPERATURE
Regular temperature at • between 37.5 and 38.6 C (lowest reference to highest reference)
rest • between 37.5 C (99.5 F) and 38.5 C (101.3 F) (MH – 232)

Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 1

 • 100.5F (USC – 236)
• between 100 and 101.5 F (37.7 – 38.6 C) (KYH – 58)
Procedure 1. shake the thermometer until the mercury is below 97 Fahrenheit
2. grease the thermometer with Vaseline
MH 340 3. stand to one side of the horse, lift his tail and gently push about 2/3 of the
thermometer into the rectum
4. clip the string to the tail or hold the thermometer firmly so it cannot be
drawn into rectum
5. after one to two minutes remove the thermometer, wipe it clean and read
the temperature
6. wash the thermometer in cool or luke-warm water

• only use a thermometer that has a string and a clip attached to one end

OTHER SIGNS OF HEALTH (MH – 232)

Temperature, Pulse and 1. Within normal range, or near your horse’s baseline
Respiration
General behaviour 2. Standing and behaving normally with confident and alert
look
3. Eyes wide-open and bright (membranes under eyelids and
linings of the nostrils should be salmon pink in colour)
Skin 4. Skin loose and supple to touch and easily moved over the
underlying bones
5. No visible signs of sweating at rest except in very hot
weather
Limbs 6. Limbs free from swellings or heat
7. Standing evenly on all four feet (resting a hind leg quite
normal but not forelegs)
8. Sound in action: taking strides of equal length
Digestion 9. Eating and chewing normally
10. Body well filled out (bones well covered) but not grossly
overweight
Waste Removal 11. Urine fairly thick and either colourless or pale yellow and
passed several times a day
12. Droppings passed approximately eight times daily in
damp balls that break on hitting the ground

Part II – Common Wounds

Purpose
1. Know the common types of wounds and how to treat each type
Teaching Suggestions
1. Make sure students know the difference between the types of wounds. It will make it easier
for them to know the treatment if they can picture exactly what the wounds look like.

COMMON WOUNDS AND THEIR TREATMENTS

WOUND DESCRIPTION TREATMENT
Incised Wounds • clean cuts made by sharp objects, • if they are deep or gap open them
like glass may need stitches
(HN – 203; USC – 230; • often bleed a lot
VN - 547)

Lacerations • torn cuts where the skin is ripped • may need stitches if deep or very
(often from barbed wire) big
(USC – 230)
Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 2
 WOUND DESCRIPTION TREATMENT
• usually some bruising • if on the legs or over joints should
be seen by veterinarian

Abrasions • scrapes or sores caused by rubbing • cleaned by running a stream of

(including galls) clean cold water over the wound
(USC – 230) • they are not usually deep but may • in the case of galls, if the skin is
be full of dirt unbroken, harden it with
applications of strong saline
solution, witch hazel or surgical
spirit
• if the skin is broken wash it with
weak saline solution, pat dry and
dust with an antiseptic powder – do
not used saddle again until the gall
is healed, swelling is gone and
area is painless

Puncture Wounds • deep narrow wounds such as those • all punctures should be seen by a
made by a nail or splinter veterinarian
(USC – 230; VN – 548) • sometimes a piece of splinter may • do not probe or explore
be left in the wounds • ensure tetanus vaccination
• they can be serious because they • establish and encourage drainage
may go deep into a muscle, tendon  healing from inside out
or joint and can easily become • poultice can help draw out
infected material
• there is a high risk of tetanus with
puncture wounds

Bruises • often caused by a kick or a blow • applying cold for fifteen to twenty
• the skin may not be broken but the minutes as soon as possible to help
(USC – 230) tissues and blood vessels reduce the pain and swelling
underneath are damaged • hot poulticing or fomentations after
• there may be swelling and the area 24 hours will help reduce
tender remaining swelling
• sometimes bleeding under the skin
causes a hematoma (a swelling
filled with blood)

OTHER TERMS RELATED TO WOUNDS

Proud Flesh Definition
• healing problem
Excessive Granulation • more common on legs
• granulation tissue helps wounds heal
USC 231
• excessive (too much) granulation bulges out from surface of wound
Appearance
• pink or pinkish-white
• bunchy (like surface of cauliflower)
• wet and raw
Common Sites
• wounds that do not close properly  especially on the leg

Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 3

 • wounds irritated by improper treatment, strong antiseptic or too
much movement near joint

Part III –Diseases

Purpose
1. Define the term communicable and give examples of communicable diseases
2. For common communicable diseases (including those in Statement 3) know the
characteristics, prevention and treatment
3. For common non-communicable diseases know the characteristics, prevention and treatment
Teaching Suggestions
1. The use of the term “communicable” is tricky. For example, the USC manual states that for a
disease to be communicable it has to be passed from horse to horse but then when listing
communicable diseases it includes tetanus (a disease not passed horse to horse) first. Note
that the term “infectious” (which will occur in later levels) may be a better term for tetanus as
it is caused by an agent resulting in disease. Just identify this problem and move on.

TERMINOLOGY RELATED TO DISEASES

Communicable Definition
• disease which can be passed from one horse to another
• have a causative agent involved (a virus, fungus etc)
Examples
• strangles, influenza (flu)
Non-communicable Definition
• disease which cannot be passed from one horse to another
• occur when something goes wrong with an individual horse
Examples
• colic, azutoria, choke

Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 4

COMMON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Tetanus Notes
• a very serious and often fatal disease
(Lock jaw) • people can also get tetanus – so keep your vaccination up to date
Cause
• bacteria clostridium tetani is present in soil and manure
USC 216
• clostridium tetani grows only where there is no oxygen (like in a
MH 367
puncture or other deep wound)
Jaw muscles usually among first • if the bacteria gets entrance to the body (at a wound) it can be carried
affected. deep into the body to an oxygen free environment
• clostridium tetani releases “tetanus toxin”  a poison which attacks
** not communicable with
nerves
respect to transfer from horse to
horse, but infectious in that it is Symptoms
caused by some sort of agent (in • spasms of the jaw and other muscles
this case a bacteria)
• horse is tense and jumpy
• inability to eat or drink normally
• standing stiffly in one place
• third eyelid (normally hidden) is exposed and ears are erect
• may stand with nose and hind legs stuck out
Treatment
• put horse inside darkened stall
• try to keep barnyard quiet
• call vet
Prevention
• keep tetanus vaccination up to date
• boost vaccination if serious injury occurs
Equine Notes
Encephalomyelitis • can be fatal
Three Major Types
USC 218 1. Eastern
2. Western
(Sleeping Sickness) 3. Venezuelan
Cause
Equine= horse
Cephao=head
• a virus is the causative agent  resulting in brain damage
Myelitis=inflammation of • transmitted when mosquito bites in infected bird and then bites a
myelin around brain/nerves horse
Symptoms
• fever and excitability followed by
• depression and drowsiness
• walk in circles or stand with head pressed against a wall
• paralysis and death within two to four days
Prevention
• vaccination schedule depends on the activity of the mosquito that
spreads the disease
o North : annually
o South: may be as frequently as every three months
Rabies Notes
• always fatal in horses
USC 218 • people can get it
• if you suspect rabies do not handle the horse  call the vet
Picture the rabid dog with lots of
drool coming out, acting wild Cause
and crazy
Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 5
 • virus affecting brain and nervous system
• transmitted in saliva by the bite of a rabid animal (often a wild
animal such as skunk or raccoon)
Symptoms
• takes up to two months to develop
• bit mark may itch or become inflamed
• depression
• inability to eat or drink normally
• lack of coordination
• personality change or unusual behaviour (excitement or
aggressiveness)
• paralysis
• symptoms may be confused with other diseases such as
encephalomyelitis
Prevention
• in areas where wildlife carry rabies, vaccinate the horses and pets
Influenza Notes
• upper respiratory infection
• several strains
USC 217 • common in areas where large number of horses are gathered (shows,
sales etc)
Cause
• virus
• spread through air by coughing, sneezing and contact with infected
horses or their equipment
Symptoms
• depression
• loss of appetite
• fever
• runny nose with white mucus
• coughing (may linger after other symptoms are gone)
Prevention
• vaccination  immunity lasts for short time so boosters may be
necessary depending on horse’s exposure level
Rhinopneumonitis Notes
• upper respiratory infection
USC 217 • quite contagious
“Rhino”= nose
“pneumo” relates to breathing • young horses more susceptible but horses of any age may contract
(think pneumonia) the disease
• causes pregnant mares to abort  serious problem in breeding farms
Cause
• virus (Equine herpesvirus 1 or EHV 1)
• spread by sneezing, coughing and contact with infected horses
Symptoms
• similar to those of a cold
• coughing, runny nose, fever, sometimes swollen glands
Prevention
• follow basic disease prevention practices
• there are two different types of vaccination
• get veterinarian advice
Equine Infectious Notes

Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 6

Anemia • blood disease
• incurable and often fatal
(EIA or Swamp Fever) • some cases “acute”  short but severe and often fatal
• some case “chronic”  long-term case that weakens horse and may
USC 218
flare up into an acute case
“Equine”= horse • some horses are carriers  do not have symptoms but carry the virus
“Infectious”=from an agent and can spread it to other horses (via mosquito/needle etc)
“Anemia”=blood not carrying Coggins Test
sufficient oxygen
• blood test that detects presence of antibodies that form when horse is
** This disease is important infected with EIA
because there is not effective • only way to identify horses having the disease (especially carriers
treatment or vaccine**
which may not be showing any other symptoms)
• negative test needed for Pony Club events, most competitions and
stables
• some states have laws requiring testing
• horses with positive test must by quarantined (kept separate from
other horses)
Cause
• virus
• transmitted when mosquito bites an infected horse and then bites
another horse (transfers infected blood)
• transmitted by needles used on more than one horse
Symptoms
• fever
• depression
• sweating
• loss of appetite
• increasing weakness
• jaundice
• frequent urination
• staggering gait
• paralysis
Prevention
• no effective treatment
• no vaccine
• keep healthy horses away from infected horses
• get a test as part of a pre-purchase exam for horse
Strangles Notes
• very contagious (easily transferred from horse to horse)
(Distemper) • can be moved from place to place on clothing or footwear
• young horses are more vulnerable but horses of any age can get this
infection
USC 217
• serious complications  heart disease, pneumonia and internal
MH 371
abscesses
Cause
“strangling” occurs at the
throat • streptococcus equi bacteria (not same as cat or dog distemper)
• spread by mucus from infected horses (e.g., at sales or in a trailer
with many horses)
Symptoms
• loss of appetite
• sore throat

Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 7

 • fever
• runny nose
• mucus turns white then becomes thick and yellow
• lymph glands and throat swell and abscesses form that eventually
break and drain
Treatment
• isolate the horse
• call the veterinarian
Prevention
• vaccine is not 100% effective
• avoiding strange horses and isolating new horses are important to
prevention

COMMON NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Colic Notes
• means belly pain and can range from minor to severe
USC 219 • should be taken seriously as it can be fatal
MH 365 Types and Causes
Spasmodic: caused by spasms (cramps) of the bowel. Often a result of
horse eating spoiled feed, overeating, or drinking cold water
when he is overheated
Flatulent (gas): caused by a buildup of gas in the intestines often the
result of eating spoiled feed, frozen grass or lawn clippings
which ferment and produce gas
Impaction: indigestible material collects and blocks the bowel. Usually
develops more slowly than other colics, over several days, and
often is caused by lack of water or by swallowing sand along
with the feed
Thromboembolism: worm larvae invade the blood vessels that supply
the intestines. A large clot may form blocking off blood supply
to part of the bowel, causing severe damage. Prevented by
regular deworming.
Obstruction (twisted gut): bowel becomes twisted or
telescopes in on itself. Can happen during other types of
colic (especially if horse rolls violently while intestines
distended with gas). Very severe colic and usually required
surgery
Mild Symptoms
• restlessness, paw, curl upper lip, lie down and get up again
• increased pulse and respiration
• sweating
• stretch out as if he wants to urinate
• horse may attempt to urinate continually (KYH 97)
• large amount of wind and small amount of droppings passed (KYH
97)
Severe Symptoms
• horse tries to lie down and roll  do not allow as may twist gut
• thrashing about
• mucus membranes (gums) may become bright red or bluish (severe
case)
• ** KYH 97 “salmon pink  prognosis not good”
• look anxious, paw, kick at belly and break out in sweat
• slow capillary refill
Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 8
 • shock
• death
Prevention
• avoid over eating (especially grain)
• quality feed only (especially avoid grass clippings or frozen grass 
release gas when digested)
• change diet slowly
• do not give large amounts of cold water when horse is overheated
• do not work horse hard right after eating
• do not feed on sandy areas
• parasite control
Treatment
• if you see signs of colic, take vital signs, note color of gums and
write it all down
• call vet and walk horse slowly while you wait
• don’t let him lie down or roll
• record vital signs every fifteen minutes
• if he seems to feel better after 30 minutes (he passes gas and manure,
is interested in eating and seems more alert): put him in stall or
paddock and check him every 15 minutes
• if symptoms severe or getting worse: keep him from lying down and
rolling and cover him with blanket if he is in danger of getting
chilled
• don’t give food of medication to a horse with colic unless
veterinarian instructs you to
Laminitis Notes
• serious metabolic disorder
USC 222 • can permanently cripple a horse
MH 368 and 375 • extremely painful to bear weight on feet
• ponies at greater risk than horses
• overweight animals (fat deposits on rump, back and crest) are at
greater risk
• horses having had one attack are at greater risk
Process
1. Sensitive laminae: get inflamed (toxins, concussion or other)
2. Separation: of sensitive laminae from rest of foot
3. Coffin bone: sink or rotate
Toxins
• Affect: alter circulation to the foot
• Source: from overeating grain or lush grass, side effect of other
diseases, reaction to a drug, certain feed additives for other livestock
Symptoms
• may affect both front feet or all four feet but never only one foot
• severe pain and does not want to walk
• attempts to keep weight off of front feet  stands with hind legs
drawn up under body and font legs forward
• feet feel hot and may be pounding digital pulse
Prevention
• careful feeding, management and conditioning
• keep grain locked up
• manage access to lush pasture (especially in spring)

Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 9

 • don’t give feed intended for other livestock
• don’t let horse get overweight
Treatment
• call the veterinarian
• remove grain or take off of lush pasture
• cold hosing may reduce pain but ask vet first (some feel hot water is
better)
• vet will treat with something to reverse action of toxins and
painkillers  encourage walking which improves circulation
• special shoeing may correct resulting hoof problems

Azoturia Notes
• serious metabolic disorder
Monday Morning • usually occurs in fit, hard-working horses receiving a ration
Sickness including a fairly large component of grain
Tying Up • symptoms occur when a horse returns to work after having an idle
day (or two) without a reduction in grain
USC 221
• horses that have one attack are more likely to have another
MH 366
• may be difficult to distinguish from colic
Cause
• failure to reduce grain ration on idle days
• imbalance of electrolytes in the diet
• genetic predisposition
Symptoms
• appear shortly after work begins
• stiffness and short stride of hind legs
• stiffness may get worse until horse cannot move at all
• hard, tense and sometimes quivering muscles in hindquarters
• patchy sweat
• dark-colored urine
• elevated TPR
• sweating
• restlessness
• anxious expression
Treatment
• stop the horse (continued moving can make it worse)
• call the veterinarian
• offer horse fresh water
• cover him to prevent chilling if needed (not in hot weather)
Prevention
• proper management and conditioning
Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 10
 • have careful warm up phase of exercise
• balance feed with exercise (even on idle days)
• cut grain ration to half or less on days when horse is idle (especially
if he is kept in stall)
Heaves Notes
• breathing problem
Emphysema • small air sacs of lungs (alveoli) lose elasticity  horses uses
Broken Wind abdominal muscles to push air out of lungs
Chronic Obstructive Cause
Pulmonary Disease • eating dusty moldy hay
(COPD)
• allergies
USC 224 • living in dusty conditions
MH 369 Symptoms
• chronic cough (especially during exercise)
• raised respiratory rate
• lack of stamina
• abdominal jerk when exhaling (double lift of flanks and belly)
Prevention
• never feed moldy or dusty hay
• wet down feed that is slightly dusty
• keep bedding free of dust
• avoid having horse in a constantly dusty environment
Treatment
• keep horse at pasture as much as possible
• wet down feed
• some horses do better on non-allergenic feed such as beetpulp
instead of hay
• veterinarian may be able to administer medication that heps cleare
thick mucus from the lungs
Choke Notes
• blockage of esophagus (not trachea like in people)
USC 225 • the horse can breathe but not swallow
MH 367 • most common in horses fed coarse hay or pelleted feed  especially
if not given enough water
• large chunks of apple or carrot may cause choke  cut into slices
before feeding
• serious case may cause scarring  narrows esophagus  more
likely to get choke
• feed can be breathed in through nose into lungs predisposing to
pneumonia
Cause
• something gets stuck in the esophagus and horse can’t finish
swallowing it
Symptoms
• stops eating
• keeps trying to swallow
• becomes distressed
• drool
• saliva and chewed food coming out through nostrils
• may feel hard lump in esophagus near jugular groove (be careful
feedling as esophagus is easily damaged)

Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 11

 Treatment
• call vet
• remove food
• vet will sedate horse, insert tobe and soften blockage with water
Prevention
• keep plenty of water available (especially in cold weather)
• properly soak beetpulp
• slow down greedy eaters
• feed small amounts often
• cut apples and carrots into long slices
Ringworm Notes
• very contagious
USC 226 • spread to and from other animals including pets and people
MH 386 Cause
• fungus
Symptoms
• round painless crusts on the skin
• crusts fall off leaving round hairless patches
Treatment
• isolate from other animals
• keep blankets, grooming tools and tack separate
• sponge daily with fungicide (e.g. Captan)
• paint iodine on lesions to kill the fungus
• disinfect tack and grooming tools with fungicide solution
Rainrot Cause
• organism that lives in dirty, ungroomed coats especially during wet
USC 226 weather
MH 386 • most common in spring and fall in horses kept outdoors
• rarely in stabled horses groomed regularly
• not contagious
Symptoms
• small scabby crusts that stick tightly to skin
• spots under scabs are wet and raw
• scabs most common in any area that stays wet (especially top of
back and croup)
Treatment
• antibiotics
• protect from weather during treatment
• wash with mild shampoo to soften crusts so they can be removed
• mixture of mineral oil and 2% tamed iodine to treat affected areas
Prevention
• keep horse well groomed
Scratches Notes
• painful chapped condition of pastern
Mud fever, grease Cause
• bacterial infection
USC 226 • loss of skin oil through contact with urine, manure or harsh
MH 386 detergents, or long exposure to muddy conditions
Symptoms
• pasterns are chapped, crack open, ooze serum
• may get infection in cracked areas
Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 12
 Treatment
• wash area with gentle soap and pat dry
• trim long fetlock hair to prevent them irritating the area
• use antibacterial ointment
• cover with non-stick dressing and bandage area
• keep out of wet, dirty condition
Prevention
• trim feathers (pastern hair) to prevent moisture staying there  be
careful not to irritate skin (make small cuts) while trimming
• avoid having horse standing in wet, dirty conditions
• don’t wash legs in cold weather or use harsh detergents
• protect pasterns with hand cream or Vaseline before turnout or riding
in wet muddy conditions

Part IV– Vaccinations

Purpose
1. Know the diseases for which you might vaccinate your horse
Teaching Suggestions
1. Focus on what vaccinations do. If students clearly understood the previous discussion on
disease types, names etc, they will find it easier to remember what to vaccinate against.

TERMINOLOGY RELATED VACCINATING (USC 206)

Immunization • also called inoculations, vaccinations or shots
• provide protection against certain diseases
Vaccine • the product that is injected into the horse
Antibody A substance within the body that will fight off a specific disease so
that the horse does not actually get the disease
Disease specific  need different antibodies to fight off different
diseases
Immunity Protection from a disease provided by antibodies

Immunity lasts for as long as a year or as little as three months

depending on the product/disease
Find out how long immunity will last for each product you use so
that you will know how frequently to provide booster shots
Booster shots An additional injection of vaccine intended to either
• strengthen immunity
• lengthen immunity
Frequency of booster shots depends on
• if the horse has been vaccinated regularly for this disease or is just
developing immunity
• the product/disease being vaccinated for
• exposure risk to the specific disease
How vaccinations work Vaccine stimulates production of antibodies for a specific disease
If horse is exposed to disease for which it has already developed
antibodies, it will not get the disease

Not all vaccines are 100% effective but they give horse a better
chance of avoiding disease or lessening the severity of the disease if
they do get it
Development of Takes two to three weeks after and inoculation to before developing

Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 13

Immunity antibodies that will provide protection
For some diseases a booster shot is given soon after the initial
injection to raise the initial immunity (making the injection more
effective)
Provide a booster shot when the immunity begins to wane (or when
recommended by veterinarian)

DISEASES FOR WHICH YOU WOULD VACCINATE (USC 206)

General Ask your veterinarian
• which diseases are common in your area
• which diseases your horse may be exposed to when it is away from home
(shows etc)
• how often boosters are needed for what you are vaccinating for
Advantage of combination vaccinations
• several diseases covered with a single injections
• may be more cost effective

Some diseases that all horses should be vaccinated against follow

DISEASES ALL HORSES SHOULD BE VACCINATED FOR

Tetanus • all horses should receive a tetanus shot once per year
• if serious injury occurs a booster shot may be given earlier than
scheduled
Equine The three types
Encephalomyelitis 1. Eastern
2. Western
(Sleeping Sickness) 3. Venezuelan
Annual Vaccination
• all horses should be vaccinated against Eastern and Western
• some parts of the country Venezuelan (VEE) also
Frequency of shot depends on risk of spread (the carrier mosquito is
active year round in the south)
• In the North: one shot given in the spring
• In the South, shots may be needed every six months or sooner

Influenze (flu) • very commonly occurring

• important if horse goes away from home often (to rallies etc)
• immunity lasts only three months (schedule boosters)
Rabies • if there is rabies in the wildlife in hour area then all horses require the
rabies shot every year
• ask the veterinarian about rabies risk

OTHER DISEASES YOU MAY VACCINATE AGAINST

What to vaccinate Get the advice of your vet. They will likely consider
against 1. What diseases are present in the areas your horse will be going to
2. How much contact your horse has with other horses
Other diseases • strangles
commonly vaccinated • rhinopheumonitits
against • Potomac fever
• Leptospirosis
• West Nile

Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 14

 Part V – The Veterinarian
Purpose
1. Know when to contact the veterinarian
Teaching Suggestions
1. Review the list and why the vet is needed.

WHEN TO CALL THE VETERINARIAN

Wounds which require 1. Blood spurting in a jet from the wound (artery damage)
immediate veterinary • put something clean over it and apply pressure
attention 2. Deep wounds to the foot. Puncture wounds to the foot
• leave object in foot until vet arrives
(MH – 359) • hold foot up to avoid further injury
• if you can’t leave in object, mark area with felt pen circle and tub
the horse’s foot
3. Wounds over joints, tendon-sheaths and tendons
4. Wounds to the eyeball
Symptoms which Temperature exceeding 102F (39C) (HN – 131)
indicate conditions Sweating, lying down and getting up a lot, rolling
requiring veterinary Reluctance to move
care Severe stiffness
Lameness at the walk
(MH – 342) Very swollen leg
Blood spurting from a wound
Difficulty breathing
Food material or thick green discharge from the nostrils
Severe blinking or discharge from the eye

BASIC PROCEDURES
Cold Hosing 1. clean wounds
MH – 351 2. reduce swelling
Purpose 3. reduce pain
4. treat bruises and sprains
5. gentle massage
Procedure 1. Grease the heels and the back of the pastern with Vaseline to protect them from
becoming chapped.
2. Start with a slow, steady stream. Wet the hoof first, and slowly work up the leg
until the water flows down from above the injured area.
3. Run the water over the leg for five to ten minute to clean a wound; for fifteen to
twenty minutes, to treat a bruise or cool a lame leg. Dry the leg carefully
afterward. For a lame leg, repeat this procedure twice a day.
Hot Fomentations • may be used after cold hosing and are helpful for ailments where pain or
swelling occur and where a poultice cannot be applied.
MH – 352 • of little value unless continued for at least fifteen minutes
Procedure 1. Half fill a bucket with hot water
• no hotter than is comfortable for your hand
2. Add a handful of Epsom or common salts to increase drawing properties
3. Take two pieces of clean blanket, towelling or other thick cloth (approx. 2 feet
square) and immerse them in the water
4. Take out one piece, folding it either double or in four and immerse in water
5. Squeeze out some of the water and press it gently over the injured part, holding
it in place with your hand until some of the heat is lost
6. Replace the cloth in the bucket and, taking out the other piece, repeat the
process
Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 15
 7. Keep the water hot by adding to it from a kettle

Saline Solution • for cleaning wounds (USC 227)

• initial first aid for an eye condition such as periodic ophthalmia (VN 131
Procedure 1. a teaspoonful of common salt to a pint of tepid water (VN 131)

 different sources will give different amounts of salt to water but they are all
approximately the same

Part VI – Parasites
Purpose
1. Define the term parasite
2. List common external parasites
3. List common internal parasites
Teaching Suggestions
1. If possible do this part with a horse  have students follow correct procedure. They are more
likely to remember what they have correctly done.
2. Look at horse and discuss how students know it is healthy (or not). Be sure they consider
criteria in all three areas (you want to be sure they aren’t focusing entirely on one thing such
as lameness or digestion)

PARASITES
What is a parasite Definition
• an organism which either lives on another animal or requires another
animal for part of it’s lifecycle
External Parasites Definition
• parasites found on the outside of the horse

Lice
• found on horses with long coats
• more common in dirty coats or on horses in poor condition
• controlled by using medicated powder
Ticks
• problem in some parts of the country
• fasten themselves to skin and suck blookd
• irritate the skin and can cause sores or infections
• can carry dangerous diseases
Removal
• pull it out with tweezers or special tick removed
• be careful to get the whole tick not just the body
• drop tick in alcohol to kill it
• wear gloves and wash hands after removing them
Internal Parasites Notes
• cause damage to horse’s blood vessels, intestines, heart and lungs
USC 208 • different species do different things when they are inside the horse
• damage to digestion makes horse unable to absorb nutrients from
Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 16
 food properly
• can lead to fatal colic (90% of colic cases believed to be caused by
damage done by parasites)
Life Cycles
Life Cycle: what a parasite does from egg to adult. Different for
each parasite
Adults: most live in digestive tract sucking blood and living off of
juices
Eggs: most laid in horse’s intestines
Manure: eggs come out in manure
Eggs hatch: into little larvae (too small to see)
Larvae: crawl onto blades of grass
Horse: eats grass with larvae

Large Strongyles (bloodworms)

• invade blood vessels of intestines
• damage blood vessels, digestive tract and other organs
• their damage most common cause of colic and can be fatal
Small Strongyles
• another bloodworm that can cause severe damage to blood vessels
and internal organs
• infected horse has pot belly, dull coat, anemia, diarrhea or colic
Ascarids (roundworms)
• large worms that live in small intestine
• common in foals and young horses
• cause coughing, inflammation of lining, or rupture of intestine
Bots
• larvae lay eggs on hair of horse’s legs, shoulders and chin
• eggs hatch and enter horse’s mount and are swallowed
• mature into bots that attach to stomach lining
• can cause ulcers
• remove bot eggs and control flies
Pinworms
• live in the end of large intestine
• irritate rectum and can cause pony to rub tail
• dry, gray or yellow discharge from rectum is a sign of pinworms

Veterinary (C2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 17

VETERINARY AND FIRST AID – C2
Homework Key

Veterinary (C2) – Homework Key -- 1

 VETERINARY AND FIRST AID – B
Instructor’s Guide

Part I – Signs of Good Health

Purpose
1. Know where and how to evaluate temperature, pulse and respiration
2. Know the signs of good health

BASIC HEALTH MONITORING

General Establish Baseline

PULSE
Regular pulse rate

Procedure

MH 340

RESPIRATION
Regular respiratory rate

Procedure 1.

MH 340 2.

3.

4.

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 1

TEMPERATURE
Regular temperature at
rest

Procedure 1.

MH 340 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

OTHER SIGNS OF HEALTH (MH – 232)

Temperature, Pulse and
Respiration

General behaviour

Skin

Limbs

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 2

Digestion

Waste Removal

Part II – Common Wounds

Purpose
1. Know the common types of wounds and how to treat each type

COMMON WOUNDS AND THEIR TREATMENTS

WOUND DESCRIPTION TREATMENT
Incised Wounds

(HN – 203; USC – 230;

VN - 547)

Lacerations

(USC – 230)

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 3

 WOUND DESCRIPTION TREATMENT
Abrasions

(USC – 230)

Puncture Wounds

(USC – 230; VN – 548)

Bruises

(USC – 230)

OTHER TERMS RELATED TO WOUNDS

Proud Flesh Definition

Excessive Granulation

USC 231

Appearance

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 4

 Common Sites

Part III –Diseases

Purpose
1. Define the term communicable and give examples of communicable diseases
2. For common communicable diseases (including those in Statement 3) know the characteristics,
prevention and treatment
3. For common non-communicable diseases know the characteristics, prevention and treatment

TERMINOLOGY RELATED TO DISEASES

Communicable Definition

Examples

Non-communicable Definition

Examples

COMMON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Tetanus Notes

(Lock jaw)

USC 216
MH 367 Cause

Jaw muscles usually among first

affected.

** not communicable with

respect to transfer from horse to
horse, but infectious in that it is
caused by some sort of agent (in
this case a bacteria)

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 5

 Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Equine Notes
Encephalomyelitis

USC 218
Three Major Types
(Sleeping Sickness) 1.

Equine= horse 2.
Cephao=head
Myelitis=inflammation of
myelin around brain/nerves 3.

Cause

Symptoms

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 6

 Prevention

Rabies Notes

USC 218

Picture the rabid dog with lots of

drool coming out, acting wild
and crazy

Cause

Symptoms

Prevention

Influenza Notes

USC 217

Cause

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 7

 Symptoms

Prevention

Rhinopneumonitis Notes

USC 217
“Rhino”= nose
“pneumo” relates to breathing
(think pneumonia)

Cause

Symptoms

Prevention

Equine Infectious Notes

Anemia

(EIA or Swamp Fever)

USC 218

“Equine”= horse
“Infectious”=from an agent
“Anemia”=blood not carrying

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 8

 sufficient oxygen

** This disease is important

because there is not effective
treatment or vaccine** Coggins Test

Cause

Symptoms

Prevention

Strangles Notes

(Distemper)

USC 217
MH 371

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 9

“strangling” occurs at the
throat

Cause

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

COMMON NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Colic Notes

USC 219
MH 365
KYH 97
Types and Causes
Spasmodic:

Flatulent (gas):

Impaction:

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 10

 Thromboembolism:

Obstruction (twisted gut):

Mild Symptoms

Severe Symptoms

Prevention

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 11

 Treatment

Laminitis Notes

USC 222
MH 368 and 375

Process
1. Sensitive laminae:

2. Separation: of sensitive

3. Coffin bone:

Toxins
• Affect:

• Source:

Symptoms

Prevention

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 12

 Treatment

Azoturia Notes

Monday Morning
Sickness
Tying Up

USC 221
MH 366

Cause

Symptoms

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 13

 Treatment

Prevention

Heaves Notes

Emphysema
Broken Wind
Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease Cause
(COPD)

USC 224
MH 369

Symptoms

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 14

 Prevention

Treatment

Choke Notes

USC 225
MH 367

Cause

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 15

 Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Ringworm Notes

USC 226
MH 386

Cause

Symptoms

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 16

 Treatment

Rainrot Cause

USC 226
MH 386

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 17

Scratches Notes

Mud fever, grease

USC 226 Cause

MH 386

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Part IV– Vaccinations

Purpose
1. Know the diseases for which you might vaccinate your horse

TERMINOLOGY RELATED VACCINATING (USC 206)

Immunization

Vaccine

Antibody

Immunity

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 18

Booster shots An additional injection of vaccine intended to either

Frequency of booster shots depends on

How vaccinations work

Development of
Immunity

DISEASES FOR WHICH YOU WOULD VACCINATE (USC 206)

General Ask your veterinarian

Advantage of combination vaccinations

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 19

DISEASES ALL HORSES SHOULD BE VACCINATED FOR
Tetanus

Equine Annual Vaccination

Encephalomyelitis

(Sleeping Sickness)

Frequency of shot depends on risk of spread (the carrier mosquito is

active year round in the south)

Influenze (flu)

Rabies

OTHER DISEASES YOU MAY VACCINATE AGAINST

What to vaccinate Get the advice of your vet. They will likely consider
against

Other diseases
commonly vaccinated
against

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 20

 Part V – The Veterinarian
Purpose
1. Know when to contact the veterinarian

WHEN TO CALL THE VETERINARIAN

Wounds which require
immediate veterinary
attention

(MH – 359)

Symptoms which
indicate conditions
requiring veterinary
care

(MH – 342)

BASIC PROCEDURES
Cold Hosing
MH – 351
Purpose

Procedure

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 21

Hot Fomentations

MH – 352

Procedure

Saline Solution

USC 227
VN 131

Procedure

 different sources will give different amounts of salt to water but they are all
approximately the same

Part VI – Parasites
Purpose
1. Define the term parasite
2. List common external parasites
3. List common internal parasites

PARASITES
What is a parasite Definition

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 22

External Parasites Definition

Lice

Ticks

Removal

Internal Parasites Notes

USC 208

Life Cycles
Life Cycle:

Adults:

Eggs:

Manure:

Eggs hatch

Larvae

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 23

 Horse:

Large Strongyles (bloodworms)

Small Strongyles

Ascarids (roundworms)

Bots

Pinworms

Veterinary (C2) – Student’s Guide -- 24

 VETERINARY AND FIRST AID – C2
Homework

Name: Veterinary (B) – Homework -- 1