Ask the Vet - Blanketing, Coughing, Arthritis, & More! - February 2016

You asked, we answered! In the first episode of our new monthly series, Ask the Vet, Dr. Lydia Gray and SmartPaker Sarah answer your questions about how to blanket a horse correctly, should you ride in a quarter sheet, what to do about a horse that coughs and sneezes during warm up, whether or not horses can develop immunities to supplements, and what is the best supplement for a young horse with arthritis that shows up mostly in the winter.
Have some of your own questions? Ask away! If your question gets is selected to be in one of our Ask the Vet videos, you win a SmartPak Gift Card! How awesome is that!? All you have to do is submit your question on this video or any of our Ask the Vet videos between February 1, 2016, and February 11, 2016, using #askthevetvideo.
You can also ask your questions on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or our blog, where you can read all of Dr. Lydia Gray's Ask the Vet articles ( www.smartpakeq... )!
Make sure to SUBSCRIBE so that you know when the next episode comes out - your question may be featured!
Additional reading/watching material mentioned in the video:
Ask the Vet individual topics playlist: • Ask the Vet individual...
Horse Health Library Videos: www.smartpakeq...
Horse Blanketing & Seasonal Care: www.smartpakeq... and www.smartpakeq...
Ask The Vet- Does My Horse Cough and Sneeze?: www.smartpakeq...
Horse Health Library- Arthritis In Horses- Treating & Maintaining Healthy Joints: www.smartpakeq...
Questions answered in this episode:
1. How do you blanket a horse correctly in the winter months? At what temperatures should I move from a light weight to a medium or a heavy?
2. Hello! I rode in a quarter sheet for the first time this winter today. Where I live when I ride it is usually 40-50° F. I usually warm up with it on and take it off... should I keep it on the entire ride or not? Thank you (my horse has a full body clip btw!).
3. I started fully leasing an 11-year-old Paint this spring. For the first ten minutes or so of warming up, he coughs and sneezes constantly, and then he's fine. However, if we stop and walk around for a bit and then start working again, he starts coughing and sneezing. His owner says he's been tested for lots of things, including allergies, and they've come back with nothing. Any suggestions?
4. Can horses develop "immunities" to supplements if fed the same thing for many years? For example, will my horse's joint supplement become less effective over time, requiring her to upgrade to a stronger supplement? (She is only 6-years-old, so it will be a long while before she needs to switch to a senior one!)
5. I have a 5-year-old horse that has slight arthritis on the bottom of her knee. The arthritis shows up in the winter time the most. What supplement do you recommend for arthritis pain?

[@lizlee7060]

so informative! i love that you mention plant medicines too Dr Gray.

[@haileycourtney351]

This is super helpful! Thank you so much. I hope for when I get my first horse I will be able to use this♡ Lovely job!

[@apuhala126]

What a great idea for a video series!! Thank you, Smartpak, for continuing to support us!! Here is my situation/question: I have a horse that has been put on a month of stall rest due to a strained deep digital tendon in his hind leg. While his vet is allowing for hand-walking on solid, flat ground, I was wondering if there are any additional exercises that we can do in his stall to keep him engaged and limber. Thanks!!

[@smartpak]

Hi A Puhala! Believe it or not, your question got answered in our latest BONUS EPISODE of Ask the Vet (kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHq5dYSGmJJ9ac0)! I know you asked your question a while ago, but because it got answered, you've won a SmartPak gift card! All you have to do to claim your prize is email us at [e-mail], let us know your question was answered, and we'll get your code out to you. Looking forward to hearing from you! - SmartPaker Nels

[@taylordahle1674]

Omg you finally uploaded😍😍

[@caitlynbranton4391]

Great video! I have some requests for ask the vet,can you do things for deworming,shoeing etc. thanks! 💗😊

[@shellykuhne6739]

Do you have a recommendation of a blanket for a 43 yo swayback. Mine tend to go into the sway and pull on his butt and neck.

[@billiesidebitch1415]

Sarah!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@mercedessilverberg1907]

What injections should horses be given for winter

[@lexieedwards3759]

DO blankets prevent coat growth? And what are coolers used for?

[@ross5763]

Lexie Edwards coolers are used to wick sweat and water away and off the coat. It is mostly used after hard work in the winter, to prevent a chill. It can be used in the all year-round, to give some warmth. Like in between light or no blanket, but it depends on your horse. Th I is a late comment and you probably already know, but might as well tell you.

[@mercyuldrikson7641]

I luv you vids so much

[@dj_hustla]

I live in a place that is hot in summer like really hot and in winter it is like really cold and my one horse just throws her blanket off my other loves it even in the summer! #askthevetvideo

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

I would say in FL most people don't vlanket until its in the 40s. Some people will do 50s. That said I'm not in South FL and most people only have like a medium weight. Note this is talking about at night not during the day.

[@TheRealDeal92]

I hope to get some major advice on this, please. My horse has been coughing during sometimes when she eats, sometimes before she eats or sometimes after she eats and it goes on for a few minutes and it sounds horrible. And she sounds like a human being growling between coughs. Not sure if it is a dry or wet cough. After she is done coughing, she seems fine like it never happened. It only happened a few times in winter after she ate but now it has gotten a bit worse in the summer time. My horse is 16 about to be 17. and I have had her for about four months and I have known her from her previous owners for about a year. And I live this horse like crazy and I want to help her. But I don't know how to. I need some help. What ideas do you have?!

[@ross5763]

The Real Deal Horses maybe it's dusty in the stall or the hay/feed is dusty? Could be allergic to the feed, ask your vet if it comes up again as I'm sure you've revolved it by now

[@rebekahstelmach8080]

#askthevetvideo are there medical benefits to full body clipping in the winter?

[@paigedavis5334]

#askthevetvideo. I have a 6yr old Morgan X Kaimanawa. Who I have owned for just over 1 year who I do PC and small shows/ Ribbon days with but she gets no feed other than hay as she can not have grass as she gets grass affected and goes naughty when I work her I am wondering what type of feed I should feed her. I occasionally feed her Soaked Copra and Chaff but is there anything else I should incorporate. She gets no supplements of any kind btw. - Paige from New Zealand.

[@maddiekelly6258]

i have a 14 year old quarter horse who has arthritis in his front left knee and i think he's getting it in his front right knee too. he is in a shorter size turnout that is very muddy and does not have very good footing. When i ride him the next day he gets really sore and gimps. the vet has just started to come every 8 months to treat his knee. He is still uncomfortable and i was wondering if there is anything that i could do to help. It does get from 32F-15 degrees F in the winter

[@MosaikHorse]

+maddie Kelly If you can get a pasture with better turnout, it's not good for him to be in deep mud as it puts stress on his joints. There are supplements to give older horses with arthritis too that may help. It's best to consult a professional.

[@maddiekelly6258]

+Drachen Einhorn I had the vet come again and it turns out he has navicular. He is in a nice stall now

[@audreybartlett4137]

How do I know if my horse is getting enough water? How important are salt and electrolytes if he is? #askthevetvideo

[@smartpak]

Hi Aull, that is a great question! So great, in fact, that other riders have asked and voted for a similar question in the past! You can see Dr. Gray’s response to that question right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH3LioOjaNSdd8U. Of course, just like every horse is different, we know every question is different, too, so your question is still eligible for inclusion in this month’s video. Don’t forget, voting for your question is the second most important thing after asking the question in the first place, so be sure to check our blog to see if your question is selected, and to vote! Hope this helps! - SmartPaker Nels

[@lydiabarnes1332]

My name is Lydia

[@audreybartlett4137]

What is the best way to get a hard keeper shape without having to drastically increase feed? #askthevetvideo

[@mercyuldrikson7641]

1st