Do's and Don'ts

Think Before Feeding a Horse

Sometimes people see ponies in fields with no grass to eat and assume the animal is being starved. This can sometimes be becasue the ponies suffer from a problem with their feet called laminitis. Laminitis can be aggravated by rich grass and without attention can be very painful and can result in a pony having to be destroyed. If the pony looks well rounded the owner will be most likely feeding it a balanced diet and the lack of grass will be a good thing for ponies with this condition.

An example of this is Maggie (pictured centre) and her companion. Members of the public saw the ponies in a field with little grass (they were being fed hay and an evening meal) so wrongly assumed they would be hungry. Unknowingly they fed cakes and bread to a tiny miniature pony whose stomach could not take this diet and sadly he collapsed and died. Overfeeding can kill just as easily as underfeeding. Maggie was brought to Freshfields out of fear she might suffer the same fate.

That is not to say that some ponies/horses are not bering starved and there is a difference between an emaciated animal in a field empty of grass and  a well fed animal which is clearly being cared for by the owner. If you are worried in any way don't hesitate to ring the RSPCA or another horse welfare society such as World Horse Welfare (ILPH)   01953 498682

Keep Your Pets Cool in Hot Weather

We should never forget that animals suffer and die in hot weather. Walking  dogs early morning and late evening will help avoid the worst of the heat, and keep an eye on water bowls as a knock on effect is that will drink more in these conditions.  Do NOT leave dogs in cars for any period - irrespective of whether the window is lowered – this can kill them in minutes.

Other animals can die from heat stress, too. Rabbits never be left in a hutch in the glaring sun or inside a sweltering garage or shed. Cool, shady places are needed where the air circulates, and they should always be able to move freely. In summer, their water should be refreshed several times a day. Frozen, water filled plastic bottles placed in the run can help keep your rabbit cool as can gently apply cool water to their ears. Should your rabbit become listless, start breathing hard through an open mouth or go limp, get him to a vet immediately. Rabbits should also be checked daily throughout summer months for signs of flystrike.

Smaller animals, like hamsters, rats and gerbils, can be kept cool by opening windows and closing curtains, using a fan (but not pointing it directly at them), refreshing water and providing a frozen water bottle, wrapped in a towel so that it cannot be chewed.