Thrifty Horsekeeping: Equine Health Care

Equine Health Care

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aving your horse examined and treated by a trusted veterinarian is an obligatory part of horse ownership. Horses require routine de-worming and vaccinations to remain healthy, boost their immune systems, and fight off disease. Unfortunately, disease prevention doesn’t come cheap. Struggling horse owners often view skipping a vaccine or de-wormer here and there as an easy way to save a few bucks, but this is one aspect of horse care you just can’t ignore. Think of it this way: It’s going to be far less expensive to protect your horse with vaccinations than to treat the disease itself, or worse, lose the horse.

absolutely necessary in your region or for your horse’s activity level, and identify those you can do without. Ultimately, your vet is going to be your most important resource. There should be nothing wrong with sitting down with him or her and saying up front, “This is where I am financially, what can I do to spend less? Is this something my horse absolutely needs?” Equine vets see so many clients on a daily basis, they may not automatically think to suggest cutting something out or using a less expensive product if what they’ve been doing works.

Get to know your vet Establish a good working relationship with your veterinarian and make sure he or she is well-informed about your horses and your financial status. Your vet can then better determine which vaccinations are appropriate for your horse, and the limits of your pocketbook in case of an emergency. If your vet doesn’t know what you can handle financially, he or she won’t be able to help you make smart decisions and save money on your horse’s care. As lifelong journalist and horseman Les Sellnow told The Horse, “Economics and emotions mix when there is an emergency. This is why it is good to sit down with your veterinarian in advance and decide the limits of your expenses.” Educate yourself and plan ahead for the costs of certain emergency procedures, such as colic surgery, which can run up a bill of $5,000 to $10,000. Determine whether surgery is even going to be an option in an emergency, before your emotions take precedence over your bank account. “If the horse in question is a valuable stallion, broodmare, or performance horse, the decision might be an easy one — do the surgery,” said Sellnow. “But, what about that trail horse that you bought for $2,500 last year? Can you justify expenses that might reach $5,000 before all is said and done? Sometimes the answer is no. And rather than allowing the horse to suffer during a period of indecision, it is best to have decided beforehand what the process will be — surgery or euthanasia.” Once your veterinarian is familiar with you and your horse, he or she can also recommend vaccinations that are

vaccines Vaccinations will generally set you back anywhere from $300 to $600 per horse each year, depending on where you live and how your horse is used. There are various ways you can try to shave off some of the costs, but approach with caution, as your horse’s health is not to be taken lightly. As a rule, always consult with your veterinarian before making major decisions about or changes to your horse’s vaccinations. Vaccinations vary by geography, number of horses, amount of travel, and the horse’s purpose. For example, horses that never leave the farm won’t require as many vaccines as competition or breeding horses. Educate yourself and talk to your vet to find out which diseases are not prevalent in your area or that don’t have a good cure rate. You may find there’s no sense paying to vaccinate your horse for something it will not be exposed to or cured of anyway. Vaccinations considered mandatory by veterinarians are those for rabies, tetanus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, and West Nile virus, but that doesn’t mean you should skip out on others. “Potomac horse fever, for instance, varies by geography and is a late summer/fall disease, so you would want to 1

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in research — if something is effective that I should start using or if a disease is becoming a bigger problem in our area — so I know where I can cut back or expand.” Hitzler also adds that she doesn’t spend the money to vaccinate against diseases such as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), for which a vaccination has not yet been proven highly effective. In some cases horse owners save money by taking on veterinary duties, such as vaccinating, themselves. But this should only be done under the guidance and direction of a veterinarian. “Work up a management plan with your vet that allows you to do as much as you are comfortable with and have the vet help you gain confidence with new aspects, such as administering prescribed injectibles,” advises Dr. Patricia A. Evans, extension equine specialist at Utah State University. And if you choose to go the do-it-yourself route, you MUST pay heed to proper storage and handling instructions, such as whether to refrigerate or when to use by, lest the vaccine become inactive or even harmful. You may also try purchasing your own vaccines at a lower price than you might pay for the veterinarian to supply them. Search reputable dealers and trusted Web sites such as Country Supply or Valley Vet for deals, and if you are caring for multiple horses or can team up with other owners, reduce costs by buying in bulk. If you do find a lower price than what your vet offers, see if he or she will match it. Also, always ask if generic medications or supplies are available, as those will cost less than brand name products.

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target vaccines for mid-summer to afford the best protection — there’s no point in vaccinating against the disease in January,” advises Dr. Christina Cable, equine veterinarian in Lansing, New York. “The strangles vaccination depends on your horse’s travel plans and exposure to other horses. Influenza and rhinopneumonitis are also a must for young horses (less than five years) if they will be exposed to other horses via travel. Older, mature horses that do not travel or are in a closed herd may be able to skip vaccination against Influenza and rhinopneumonitis.” Other regional diseases that may not always require vaccination are botulism, anthrax, and equine viral arteritis. Although tetanus is considered to be mandatory, some vets find it acceptable to administer the vaccine every few years, with a booster if your horse is found with an open wound. The American Association of Equine Practitioners provides useful guidelines and lists of both strongly recommended and risk-based vaccines on its Web site, aaep.org/ vaccination_guidelines.htm. But ultimately, the best way to determine what you can or cannot cut out of your horse’s vaccination program is to discuss it with your vet. Paula Hitzler, manager of the Horse Teaching and Research Center at Michigan State University, oversees the care of nearly 100 horses. To stay within her prescribed annual budget, she evaluates the necessity of each and every vaccine.

Your horse may not require some risk-based vaccines. “I have to be conscious of how much I’m spending and if I’m getting my money’s worth from a disease control perspective,” she says. “I try to keep on top of the latest 2

De-worming De-worming lowers your horse’s parasite burden and increases your horse’s health and longevity. It reduces the risk of colic, anemia, and respiratory problems. In short, it’s another area in which horse owners can’t cut too many monetary corners. De-worming programs will vary with horses of different age and lifestyle, but they typically need to be administered once every eight weeks. “Most horses should be de-wormed every two months,” says Cable, “but foals may need to be de-wormed every month depending on the farm’s parasite burden. Older, mature horses in a large pasture may be de-wormed less often. Talk to your veterinarian about each horse’s de-worming history and the farm’s risk.” To reduce unnecessary spending on de-wormers, use a fecal test to determine which horses need treatment for

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on your horse’s care. Generally, most veterinarians have farm call and mileage charges to travel to treat your horse. If you own or have access to a trailer, consider whether the cost of transporting the horse to the vet will be less than what you would spend for a farm call. Furthermore, it makes for a happier vet, as it will save his or her time and effort. Some vets even offer discounts if you come to them. Do be rational, however, about what qualifies as an emergency, and whether it can wait to be taken care of during normal business hours, as after hour visits often cost more. Another money-saving practice that many small farm owners have adopted is that of forming a cooperative with similar horse owners. “At certain times of the year, owners with only one or two horses might trailer their horses to one central location to meet the veterinarian for routine shots and de-worming,” says Sellnow. “It is a win-win situation. It will be cheaper to trailer the horse for a few miles than to pay the farm charge plus mileage to each place. The vet also wins because he or she can deal with a larger number

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which parasites. This approach is becoming increasingly popular as some parasites are developing a resistance to de-wormer. Fecal tests run from $10 to $15 and will identify which horses have higher populations of a parasite, and therefore should be de-wormed more often. Horses with lower parasite populations can be de-wormed with less frequency, saving you money. It’s impossible to remove parasites completely from your horse’s environment, but if a fecal test is performed and no parasite eggs are detected, the horse may not need to be de-wormed, but continue to be tested on a regular basis. Purchasing or administering de-wormer yourself may also provide more financial flexibility. “Everything the vet uses a horse owner can get online, so there is no need to have the vet de-worm your horse for you,” says Dr. Kari De Leeuw, an equine veterinarian in Moss Beach, California. “Do use trusted brands, because de-wormer is a poison and you want a reliable company that would take responsibility if something went wrong.” As with any product, check to see if the generic brand is available from a reputable dealer, and buy in bulk. Partner with other small farm or horse owners to share in the purchase. If you are treating multiple horses, but shelling out several hundred dollars to buy in bulk is still a financial burden, consider buying one tube of de-wormer at a time over the course of a couple months, saving them until it’s time to de-worm all the horses. De-worming can get pretty complex once you factor in various treatment methods, different parasite strains, and drug resistance. Talk to your veterinarian about your options, but keep in mind that fast rotation interval deworming — alternating classes of de-wormers throughout the year — will likely cost more than annual rotation or no rotation. Daily de-worming is cost-effective if treating a herd with a heavy parasite burden, but the jury is still out on whether it’s generally the most practical method. Many horse owners swear by their daily de-wormer, but veterinarians recommend at least one annual treatment to go along with it and regular fecal tests to check for effectiveness and signs of resistance. Over time, those costs are going to add up.

Share veterinary fees by forming a cooperative. of horses at one time and not be saddled with empty travel time.” This allows you to reduce and share routine charges, and is ultimately less time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly for all involved. If you live near a large training or boarding facility, find out when the veterinarian does farm calls there and ask if you can trailer over for vaccines or treatment on that day. And finally, when a vet is vaccinating your horse, don’t be afraid to kill two birds with one stone. Ask him or her to

veterinary Visits Whether your horse is getting vaccinated, having a yearly examination, or being treated for illness or injury, you’re going to rack up some routine expenses. There are a few ways to reduce those costs, however, without cutting back 3

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the more out-of-balance the feet, the more muscular and skeletal problems and stress you’re going to encounter on joints, ligaments, and tendons. Costly physical problems could snowball, and before you know it your horse needs a chiropractor, veterinary visits, gel pads … the list goes on. Educate yourself to differentiate between good and bad trimming or shoeing before problems arise. The American Farrier’s Association (www.americanfarriers.org) provides quality educational literature on hoof care. Make sure you communicate with your farrier and devise a plan for your horse’s feet based upon the horse’s use, conformation, environment, and any pre-existing problems. Horses typically need their hooves trimmed every four to eight weeks, which is a timespan you should adhere to. Trying to stretch your dollars by stretching out intervals between trimmings is unwise, as the resulting chips and cracks in your horse’s feet will be more costly to correct, not to mention problems caused by lost or twisted shoes. “A host of variables come into play and effect hoof growth: nutrition, environment, usage, and climate are at the top of the list,” says Danvers Child, AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier and editor of Professional Farrier magazine. “As these variables fluctuate, your horse may benefit from a shortened or extended maintenance cycle. So, rather than automatically scheduling your farrier for a six-week return visit, you’re better off to ask about scheduling. Depending on the conditions and the time of year, you may find that your horse needs to go five weeks at some point and eight week at other times. Likewise, your horse may need the protection of shoes at certain times of the year but do quite well barefoot at other times. … Working with your farrier to individualize your hoof care program cuts the waste and frivolous expense associated with more generic and less effective approaches.”

perform a quick visual health check, and discuss any other problems or abnormalities you have recently noticed. The tough reality is you can’t afford to cut many corners when it comes to your horse’s health, so make the most of every exam.

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Hoof care No foot, no horse. It’s a familiar mantra, and one to be taken literally. Hoof care is another fundamental aspect of horse ownership where very few corners can be cut. If a 1,200-pound horse is expected to get by on four spindly legs and fist-sized feet, those tootsies better be in top form. You can save money, however, by consulting with your farrier and educating yourself about your horse’s needs. As important a cost-saving measure as any is finding a knowledgeable and trustworthy farrier — because the lowest-priced will not always be the least expensive in the scheme of things. Saving money is often more about thinking ahead than in the now. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations, talk to trainers and owners you respect, even take a look at horses shod by a farrier you’re considering. (Farriers who have obtained voluntary certification through the American Farriers’s Association have demonstrated a commitment to their trade and continuing education. A list

Your farrier can tell you if trimming intervals may be extended during parts of the year. of these farriers can be found on the AFA’s website: www. americanfarriers.org.) Spending money on the best farrier will keep your horse sound and his feet in good shape. If your money is only buying you a half-decent job, then your horse’s feet are most likely going to be unbalanced. And 4

Shoeing and Trimming Many fully shod horses are just as usable barefoot — especially those that spend most of their time in the pasture. If your horse has a good-quality hoof and stays sound when ridden, consider saving money by just shoeing the front feet, or none at all. This may not apply, however, to horses that are consistently ridden on rough surfaces, require extra traction, or have a heavy workload with a lot of hoof wear and tear. “Unless the horse has a pathological condition (such as founder, or is wearing heart-bar or other supportive shoes),

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For horses that aren’t in heavy competition or prone to soundness issues, you can learn to perform routine trimming yourself, and have the farrier come out periodically to check on your work and do more complicated jobs. This is only advisable, however, with the proper education and communication with your farrier. Some farriers, Child included, still caution against trimming without formal training, practice, and a thorough study of anatomy. But who knows, maybe your newfound trimming skills will become a useful bartering tool among your equestrian friends.

or has a job where shoes are necessary (for instance, a police horse needs extra protection and traction for riding on pavement, reining horses need sliding plates to do the sliding stop, a pleasure horse that is ridden on sharp gravel trails) for the horse to safely and effectively do the job, about 90 percent of pleasure horses can stay sound and comfortable with a correct trim,” says JC Dill, based on her thirty years of experience as a horse owner, trainer, and farrier. If you’re a seasonal rider, remove your horse’s shoes in the off-season. If your horse can go barefoot during the winter, this will also save money on bells and whistles such as studs or snow pads. Talking to your farrier or veterinarian about what’s right for your horse is always the best idea. They may even come to the conclusion that routine hoof maintenance can be extended by a week or during parts of the year when the hoof grows slower. It can’t hurt to ask! “Saving money on hoof care can be as simple as asking rather than telling,” says Child. “Instead of telling your farrier that your horse needs shoes, consider asking if your horse needs shoes. Instead of telling your farrier that your horse needs aluminum rather than steel, consider asking if you’ll see a significant difference by using one style or type of shoe as opposed to another. You might be surprised to find that your horse can do quite well with two shoes rather than four, that your horse can do very well with regular trims instead of shoes, or that the added cost of your horse’s specialty shoes is not giving you a significant return on your investment.” Dr. Michael A. Ball, author of Understanding Basic Horse Care, is a minimalist and believes that less is more, both for your horse’s feet and your wallet. “There are many fads and unfortunately many of the things we do to our horses are not dictated by common sense,” he says. “A problem might require a special shoe, but using something just because it is a fad is generally wrong. Your horse (and its feet) is an individual and should be treated as such.” If you play an active role in your horse’s care, you may consider doing some of the routine hoof maintenance, such as trimming, yourself. Invest in a rasp and ask your farrier for a few lessons — many are perfectly happy to teach. Hoof trimming classes are often available at local farrier schools, schools with agricultural programs, community colleges, or other agricultural facilities, and will help you to become more knowledgeable about your horse’s feet and hoof care and less dependent upon a farrier’s services.

Dental Equine dental care often goes by the wayside, but it is important for your horse’s health and even more important for his comfort and well being. Routine dental care allows your horse to chew properly and get all the nutrition possible from feed and hay. Since you spend enough money to feed your horse, you might as well ensure that the hay is well-digested and not wasted. The expense of an annual or semiannual floating (usually under $200) can be offset by your horse’s ultimate nutritional gain and lowered risk of colic. A lack of dental care can consequently lead to mouth sores, a loss of body condition, colic, and more expensive vet care. The American Association of Equine Practitioners provides further reading about routine dental care on its Web site, www.aaep.org/dentistry_campaign.htm. Although veterinarians emphasize yearly oral exams, it is possible some horses that are not in training, are maintaining good body condition, and appear to be chewing and eating properly may be treated on an as-needed basis to preserve your veterinary budget. This is not recommended with young horses (between the ages of two and five) still acquiring their permanent teeth or older horses (late teens and twenties) prone to more dental problems. As with most equine health care, however, preventative dentistry is cheaper than corrective. Use a cooperative with similar horse owners, as suggested for vaccinations and veterinary exams, and organize a date and location to have all the horses’ teeth floated. Preventive Care: PAY ATTENTION Thorough preventive care of your horse is not only good practice, it’s also far cheaper than corrective measures. For the most part, preventive care costs nothing other than some of your time. It requires having a working knowledge of the signs of good (and bad) health, and familiarizing 5

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juries on the legs?” If anything comes across as abnormal, check vital signs such as heart rate, normally 30 to 40 beats per minute; respiratory rate, normally 8 to 10 breaths per minute; and body temperature between 99.5 and 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon discovering something that needs immediate attention, then call your veterinarian. The power of observation and educating yourself about what to look for in your horse can be the difference between fixing a minor problem today and shelling out hundreds of dollars to correct a major one tomorrow. Don’t ignore small problems — a horse having difficulty chewing most likely has dental issues that can easily be fixed before weight loss or colic set in, and providing antibiotics for a small wound can ward off a raging infection. Consider taking a basic nutrition or first aid course from a school or vet clinic to further educate yourself about preventive care. This will help you determine what you can handle on your own and what you absolutely need a vet for. In the words of Melissa Kaupke, lifelong horse owner from Tennessee, “A $10 horse health book could save you from making a $100 vet call.”

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yourself with your horse’s every physical trait and personality quirk. An attentive owner should notice the slightest change in a horse’s health or behavior indicating something is amiss before that something becomes a major (and costly) health problem. If you play an active role in your horse’s daily care, there are several things to keep an eye on. First, is your horse eating and drinking? A red flag should immediately go up if there is a full feed bucket, as a horse will lose interest in eating during the onset of colic. Look for changes in the consistency of manure and signs that your horse has pawed or rolled — another indication of colic. “It is very important to familiarize yourself with the quirks, personalities, habits, and routine behavior of each of your horses,” advises Ball in Understanding Equine First Aid. “For example, the mellowing of a typically highstrung or aggressive horse can be a sign or depression related to fever or to some degree of pain. A typically calm mare who starts to act a bit stallion-like could be suffering from an ovarian tumor. Several neurological diseases can produce behavioral changes.”

Check pastures and fencelines for safety hazards. While being alert to your horse’s behavior and condition can catch an injury or illness before it becomes a costly affliction, so can a hands-on evaluation. “Start at the nose and work to the tail,” says Hitzler. “Is there any nasal discharge; if so, what color? Are eyes bright, or is there a discharge or swelling around the eye? Examine the body for bumps and scrapes. Is this horse walking soundly or is there a problem with his gait? Are there any swelling or in6

Preventive Measures Daily steps in your horse’s care and maintenance can be taken to reduce the chance of injury or illness. And while keeping your horse safe and healthy may require a bit more personal time and manual labor, it shouldn’t cost you much out of pocket. “Feet should be picked out at least twice a day and evaluated for signs of infection so if treatment is necessary, it can be started early,” says Ball. “It also pays to keep stalls clean and extra dry as a mucky stall also can contribute to foot problems.” Be sure to provide dry footing if you live in a naturally wet environment. Wet and soggy ground is conducive to organisms that cause such ailments as thrush, canker, and white line disease. Poor stall cleaning techniques and poor hygiene can also lead to thrush. Another benefit of daily and thorough stall cleaning is preventing your horse from having contact with manure, where parasite larvae thrive. Composting manure before spreading it over fields will also kill existing larvae and reduce the need to spend money on chemical control. Dr. Julie Wilson of the University of Minnesota provides several suggestions for reducing the risk of bacterial and viral disease caused by flies, mosquitoes, and ticks in her

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Sports Massage Therapy Think massage therapy and an Olympic-level equine athlete being rubbed down by a professional therapist may come to mind. This increasingly popular practice is no longer a luxury for the wealthy or elite, however, but an injury-preventing and cost-reducing exercise you can learn to do yourself. Renowned equine sports massage therapist Jo-Ann Wilson, who has treated horses of all breeds and disciplines — from Olympic squads to race horses — urges more owners to practice massage therapy to loosen muscles and reduce injury of their own horses. Tight muscles equal less blood flow and oxygen, resulting in less endurance and restricted movement. “Muscles are attached to tendons which are attached to the bone, and over time, if the muscle is tight, the horse’s bones or joints are going to bear the brunt of the load,” says Wilson. “The massage technique of “compressions” separates muscle fibers, loosens the muscle, relieves tension on the joint, and results in better strength and performance all around. The stronger and looser the horse, the less chance

of injury and overloading of joints.” Sports massage therapy may help prevent a range of physical infirmities and performance flaws from pulled muscles and bowed tendons to high head carriage and a shortened stride, all resulting from muscle tightness. Massage also helps release endorphins, enhance a horse’s range of motion, and stimulate circulation. Horse owners can learn the simple compression technique of pushing the heel of one’s hand onto the muscle in a rhythmical motion by watching video footage, such as Wilson’s A Course in Equine Sportsmassage DVD, reading educational material,

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article “Equine Economics: Optimizing Horse Health and Management on a Budget.”: Minimize pools of standing water, clean outdoor water tanks weekly, remove brushy areas in pastures and along fence lines, and mow tall grass. Prevent accidents and unnecessary injury to your horse by regularly walking through pastures, filling in holes and removing such things as barbed-wire fencing, poisonous plants, large rocks, and debris. Keep an eye out for sharp edges, nails, or rust on equipment or around the barn. “Use appropriate fencing that is attached correctly,” adds Hitzler. “Make sure wires are taut and planks aren’t broken. Don’t keep junk such as old farm equipment in your pastures, or allow sharp protruding objects like broken wood or bent feeders in your stalls. Anything your horse comes in contact with should be kept in good order — that avoids a huge source of problems and expense.” Along with working to prevent injury and illness among your horses and around the barn, also consider asking your vet if his or her practice has a preventive health care program you can become a part of, or enroll in a veterinarian-recommended wellness program such as Preventicare. Compensate less frequent veterinary or farrier visits by more rigorous monitoring of your horses and their environment.

A little massage therapy can help prevent injury. or receiving a tutorial by a trained therapist. So rather than paying for injections or other professional services when muscles are tight and joints are sore, practice a little massage therapy. This can be coupled with a daily hands-on physical evaluation of your horse, and who doesn’t like to spend more quality time with their fourlegged friend? Insurance No one likes to talk about or deal with equine insurance, but the bottom line is that it will provide you with some financial relief if something were to happen to your horse. It’s best to think not in terms of “How much is insurance going to cost me?” but rather, “How much is it going to cost me if my horse injures himself or someone else?” There are a variety of equine insurance policies such as mortality, major medical, loss of use, and liability, but a knowledgeable broker should be able to help you get the 7

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best insurance for your budget. As a preventive measure, you will ultimately want to purchase as much as you can reasonably afford. It’s not within the scope of this book to address all the ins and outs of equine insurance, but it will be discussed in more detail in Chapter 8 about horse ownership.

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DO IT YOURSELF Some of the costs of veterinary exams and treatment can be offset if you learn to do basic procedures yourself. Don’t attempt to do things, however, without the advice and guidance of a professional. One of the first steps you can take is to become actively interest or involved in the daily care of a horse needing wound or medical therapy — observe and learn. Become familiar with horse vitals and normal behavior. As suggested in the preventive care section, enroll in a first aid or health care class to better educate yourself. One of the biggest cost-savers utilized by farm owners is education. You can learn to give intramuscular and intravenous shots and oral medications, to properly change bandages, wrap legs, and remove sutures. Make sure to use washable, reusable materials when changing wraps

Learn basic first aid measures that don’t require a vet. and bandages. With the help of your veterinarian or other expert, you can also learn to clean your horse’s sheath. Furthermore, by feeding, watering, cleaning your horse’s stall, and turning him out yourself, you can detect subtle changes and arising problems. This saves on labor costs as well — a win-win situation. If you do learn to do some basic veterinary procedures 8

yourself, make sure you’re not spending extra money while doing so. Be creative — shop the dollar store or use household items such as sandwich bags to store medications, disposable Tupperware to contain needles and sharps, and wear disposable gloves. Vitamin E cream or Vaseline from your local drug store can be used on kicks, bites, or hair loss. Vaseline is also useful to smother and kill external parasites such as ticks. For horse owners that share a barn with friends or boarders, consider having everyone pitch in a few dollars or items to set up a communal first aid kit. Toss in anything from Bute and vet wrap, to a thermometer and scissors. Store in a safe place in a container you may already have, such as a bucket or resealable bin. Trish Wooldridge, who works with the Bay State Equine Rescue in Massachusetts, has found that researching herbal and natural care for horses can lead to significant savings. “For surface wounds, some digestion issues, and hoof care, there are a lot of affordable options from nature or a natural food store that work with horses and are less expensive than medicines or high end products,” she said. “We had a pony with highly sensitive skin that was allergic to citronella, so we used a half-ounce of peppermint oil in water to help keep flies off her in the summer. It worked about as well as many of the store-brand sprays that would cause her to break out. Also, the peppermint oil spray was safe to spray around feed and to clean out dishes to keep the flies away.” Do some research and consult with your veterinarian and farrier about alternative treatments and ways you can save. The Internet has also become a valuable resource for buying products and accessing information. Shop around at reputable Web sites such as SmartPak, Jeffers Equine, Country Supply, and Valley Vet for more affordable prices than your local feed store. Take advantage of buying enough product that you receive free shipping. Also, try to buy the always-less-expensive generic version of everything from bandages to de-wormer. Search for handy basic horse care instructions, but don’t allow the ’net to take the place of your vet. Still recognize when a professional is needed and utilize them accordingly.