Essential First Aid Plus

01/19/2026

Great information from Mad Barn

01/17/2026

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SPOT COLIC IN HORSES? 🔎

Colic indicates a painful problem in the horse's abdomen (belly), which can be caused by a number of different conditions. Less than 10% of all colic cases are severe enough to require surgery or cause the death of the horse; nevertheless, every case of colic should be taken seriously because it can be difficult to tell the mild ones from the potentially serious ones in the early stages.

Horses show signs of abdominal pain in a wide variety of ways, and usually a horse shows only a few of the signs during an episode of colic. A good rule of thumb: the more obvious the signs of pain, the more serious the problem.

If you suspect the horse is suffering from colic, we suggest that you:

• Alert your veterinarian immediately.

• Remove all hay and grain from the horse's surroundings.

• Don't medicate without your veterinarian's approval, as pain medications can mask clinical signs.

• Walk the horse around if it's continually rolling or in danger of hurting itself, but do not tire the horse with relentless walking. Don't approach the animal if it's not safe.

• Keep the horse under close observation until the signs of colic resolve or the veterinarian arrives.

The key to increasing the chances of a good outcome is to identify the problem early and get your veterinarian involved from the start.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of colic signs. Horses are individuals and may display signs of pain in a variety of ways. Always consult your horse doctor for more information.
Copied from American Association of Equine Practitioners

01/16/2026

Fresh mango is a nutrient-loaded treat! 🌟 Offer some to your pet as an occasional healthy snack or add it to their meal as a food topper. 🥭💛

💡Tip: To share mango safely, always peel the fruit and remove the large pit. Cut the flesh into small, bite sized pieces before offering it to your pet.
Copied from bark & whiskers

01/16/2026

Fresh mango is a nutrient-loaded treat! 🌟 Offer some to your pet as an occasional healthy snack or add it to their meal as a food topper. 🥭💛

💡Tip: To share mango safely, always peel the fruit and remove the large pit. Cut the flesh into small, bite sized pieces before offering it to your pet.
Copied from bark & whiskers

01/15/2026

Water is a vital resource for horses year-round, but its importance becomes even greater during the winter months. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for horses to support digestion, overall health, and especially for preventing colic, a potentially life-threatening condition.

In winter, horses may drink less water due to cold temperatures, or water sources might freeze, limiting access. Reduced water intake increases the risk of impaction colic, a condition that occurs when food material becomes lodged in the horse’s digestive tract. This is exacerbated by the dry, fibrous nature of winter forage like hay, which contains less moisture compared to fresh pasture grass. Without sufficient water, the digestive system slows and cannot properly break down this material, potentially leading to blockages.

Encouraging adequate water consumption is critical. Horses should normally drink 5-12 gallons of water daily, and ensuring the water is warm enough—between 45-65°F—can help encourage drinking. Studies show that horses are more likely to consume warm water during cold weather. Using heated water buckets or tank deicers can prevent freezing and make water more appealing.

Fun Fact: Research shows that horses drink almost 40% more water per day if given warm water (45-65 °F) instead of near-freezing water. (Kristula and McDonnell, 1994)

Electrolytes or salt supplements can also stimulate thirst, prompting horses to drink more. Offering soaked hay or adding water to feed can provide additional hydration. However, soaking hay or feed isn’t recommended in environments where these items would freeze solid before being consumed by the horse.

Preventing dehydration in winter is a proactive measure to safeguard against colic. Regularly monitoring water intake and ensuring clean, accessible, and palatable water is essential. By addressing these needs, horse owners can help maintain their horses’ health and comfort throughout the colder months.

If you have questions or concerns about your horses' winter water intake, contact your veterinarian.

Credit:American Association of Equine Practitioners

01/14/2026

is hosting Canine Emergency First Aid February 21, 2026. Join us for a day of learning life saving skills for your dog, including taking vitals, CPR and mouth to nose resuscitation. Contact us to register at essentialfirstaidplus@outlook.com or 905 505-2537

01/13/2026

We're mixing things up with farm checks today. These two animals seem happy and healthy. Is your pet sitter certified in pet first aid? We can assist you with certification.

01/12/2026

01/11/2026

Did you know?

The horse's skeleton includes about 205 bones.
Some long bones support and protect the chest cavity (ribs) and others support and move the horse (legs).

Key Facts About a Horse's Skeleton:

Close to Humans: Horses have almost the same number of bones as humans, just one less on average.

Variations: Some breeds, like Arabians, might have fewer vertebrae or ribs, changing the total count slightly.

Growth: Young horses (foals) are born with around 250 bones, and many fuse together as they mature.

Unique Structure: Horses lack a collarbone, relying on powerful muscles, tendons, and ligaments to attach the shoulder blade to the torso.

01/10/2026

Never yank on a leash for discipline. You can cause some serious damage to your dog, or even death.

1. Collar Injuries

A dog’s neck is similar to ours in its anatomy, strength and sensitivity.

Pulling on a leash can cause bruises around a dog's neck, lacerations and even bone fractures.

2. Choking and Strangulation

One of the greatest dangers of a leash pull is your dog choking or being strangled by their own collar. Leashes and collars can be deadly when they get stuck or wrap around things. Reports show an average of 26,000 dogs every year will be injured in a collar related accident.

Pressure from the collar can stop the air completely or cause a dog's neck to break.

3. Hypothyroidism (Decrease in Thyroid Gland Hormone)

The thyroid gland is located in the dog's neck, around their trachea, exactly where we put the collar:

Pulling on a leash causes trauma to a dog's thyroid gland and such repetitive traumas lead to inflammation and potential destruction of the gland, which in turn can lead to the decrease of thyroid gland hormone in your pet.

This can cause hypothyroidism: weight gain, loss of fur, skin issues and potential organ failures.

4. Ear and Eye issues

Pulling the leash puts pressure on a dog’s neck, and this pressure quickly travels to your dog’s head, eyes and ears.

If the dog has some precondition such as eye or ear injury or glaucoma, the effects of pulling can be particularly dangerous for your dog’s organs and senses.

5. Vagus Nerve Issues

Vagus nerve is a part of every dog’s nervous system and it starts in their neck area. This nerve assists in regulating the tension in a dog's blood vessels, and the proper functioning of the dog’s heart, lungs and stomach, thus it's crucial for this nerve to remain intact.

6. Damage to the Nervous System

A dog’s neck has a lot of nerves inside of it. Consistently pulling on the leash can do harm, resulting in damage of peripheral nerves and neuromuscular junction.

If you have a puller … hire a good trainer.

Copied from Canine Health Canada

01/08/2026

Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, is a common skin infection in horses caused by fungi (NOT WORMS)! It’s contagious but usually not serious, and with the right care, most horses recover well.

What Does Ringworm Look Like?
• Circular patches of hair loss with scaly or crusty skin
• Lesions often start in the girth, neck, or face but can spread to other areas
• Sometimes the skin looks “moth-eaten” or has thick crusts

How Does It Spread?
• Ringworm spreads easily between horses through direct contact or by sharing tack, brushes, blankets, or grooming tools.
• The fungi can also survive in the environment, so contaminated stalls and equipment can be a source.

What Should You Do?
• If you notice suspicious skin lesions, separate the affected horse if possible.
• Clean and disinfect all tack, grooming tools, and blankets (using a 1:10 bleach solution or 3–4% chlorhexidine).
• Wash your hands and change clothes after handling an affected horse to prevent spreading the infection.
• Also note that ringworm is ZOONOTIC (meaning it can spread from animals to humans). Always wash your hands and wear gloves while handling affected horses.
• Treat all horses that have been in contact, as they may be carrying the fungus even if they don’t show signs.

Treatment:
• Most cases respond well to topical antifungal shampoos or rinses (like lime sulfur, miconazole, or ketoconazole).
• Treatment should be repeated weekly for 6–8 weeks.
• In rare cases, your veterinarian may recommend oral medication.

Good News:
Ringworm is usually not dangerous, but it’s important to act quickly to stop it from spreading. With good hygiene and prompt treatment, your horses will usually recover quickly.

If you have questions or concerns about ringworm in your own equine companions, contact your veterinarian.

📸 Photo credit: Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic