Horse News & Views - July 2002

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Ontario Association of Equine Practitioners

• Every horseman curses at burrs from the common burdock. Even the "Pony Clubbers" know that the use of products like Show Shine® makes the removal of burrs easier. So, why not try preventing them. In June and July, the first year rosettes are easily identified by their large, heart-shaped leaves with wooly undersurface. Spot treatment (spraying each rosette) with 2,4-D at this time will prevent a mess the following year in horses' manes and tails. For further information regarding weed identification, refer to the OMAF Publication 505, Ontario Weeds.
• Strangles has been reported from a number of locations across Ontario and North America this spring. Owners are reminded that strangles is highly contagious and can be transmitted from horse to horse directly, by the sharing of infected equipment between horses and on handlers clothing and hands. Flies can also transmit the disease in the warmer periods of the year. It is essential that horse handlers wash their hands or use disposable gloves between horses when infected animals are identified. This requires that properly equipped wash stations be located throughout the horse stabling area. The other important aspects of control include: monitoring rectal temperatures, isolation of infected horses to a different barn, biosecurity within farms and between the home farm and training/show facilities. Your veterinarian can provide advice on the need to vaccinate against strangles. For more information on strangles and biosecurity to prevent the introduction of strangles to your farm, refer to http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock and view the Health Management section under Horses.