Boghall Livery

19/12/2023

🎄🎄🎅🎅🌲🌲🎅🎅

Merry Christmas 🎄 and a Happy New Year to all my clients, customers and friends🍷.

Here’s hoping that 2024 brings us success and happiness 🐎🐎

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅

21/11/2023

Another beautiful sunrise on the yard❤️

17/11/2023

SHOULD I BE WASHING THE MUD OFF EVERY DAY?

At Penbode Equine Vets we often are asked if horses should have the mud washed off their legs when they come in in the afternoon. After all, mud fever is caused by mud isn't it?.....Well , not quite. Out-wintered horses that spend their days hock-deep in mud rarely suffer from mud fever, and mud fever is rare in wet summers. It seems that it is the constant wetting and CHILLING of legs that is the key predisposing factor. We have shown, by washing just one front leg with a hosepipe and then scanning both front legs with a thermographic camera, that the washed leg remains significantly colder than the unwashed for at least two hours afterwards.

The picture shows a pony that had its legs washed free of mud every day, yet suffered from severe mud fever in all four legs. Once we cleared up the mud fever, on our advice the owner stopped washing and just applied indoor padded leg wraps directly on top on the muddy legs (see photo), to dry and warm them. The legs are never washed, just brushed in the morning. And contrary to what you might expect, it has been completely free of mud fever since.

If you DO decide to wash then it is important to DRY the legs quickly with a DRY towel so that they can warm up quickly. With the exception of heavily feathered horses (where the feathering seems protective) clipping the lower legs (especially the heels) will make drying more efficient and quicker. Waterproofing the lower legs, especially the heels, with an oily barrier (such as Pig Oil or Sudocrem) is also a good additional preventive measure.

Please SHARE if you have friends who might find this useful.

PENBODE EQUINE VETERINARY CLINIC, TAVISTOCK, DEVON Telephone 01822 613838.

30/10/2023

Great pictures Emily Thompson, lovely evening hack🐎

27/10/2023

True!

23/10/2023

The Connie’s heading out for a hack today, look at that smile Allie Jackson. 🐎🐎

23/10/2023

Beautiful if not cold this morning on the yard.

15/10/2023

Lovely sunrise but cold one this morning on the yard. 🐎

09/10/2023

A week in and the swelling starting to go down! now a lovely 🌈 colour. 🐎

01/10/2023

🌧Storm Agnus is here and we are seeing an increased number of impaction colics!

We often see impaction colic in horses that are on box rest, have suddenly been kept in due to changes in the weather or during cold spells where horses drink less water.

How to prevent?

The key thing this winter is to make any changes slowly and try and increase movement and water intake.

Teeth
- Dental problems can contribute to the impaction colic. It's important to get your horses teeth looked at and rasped before winter.

Turnout
- As much turnout as possible to increase movement. Grass will also reduce the risk of impaction.

Movement
- If your horse is kept in, try and get some movement a couple times a day. In hand walking, ridden exercise, lunging or on a horse walker.

Feed and water
- Add water to feed to make sloppy mashes
- Break any ice, and add warm water to buckets if cold
- Soak Hay
- Offer multiple smaller feeds instead of two large feeds
- If your horse is on straw, make sure they aren't eating it!

What signs might I see?
- Reduced number of droppings
- Off feed
- Dullness
- Colic signs including: Sweating, Rolling, Flank watching, Pawing at the ground

If you’re concerned your horse has reduced droppings or is showing any signs of discomfort please contact your vet immediately.

📞 01786 430 387

29/09/2023

The dangers of paddock grass to our equine friends is not a new subject we are constantly talking about it all over the world due to it’s often catastrophic impact on our domesticated horses .

We talk about the spring and early summer burst of fresh lush grass .
We talk about the autumn flush of lush grass .
We even talk about winter frosts and sunny days with its impact on the grass .

So now it’s a year round problem for so many horses including most of mine .

How can we safely allow our horses to graze in the paddock without the worry of laminitis.

NOT EASY THAT FOR SURE. 😣and trust me I dont always get it right either.

We know that Grass that is shorter than six inches is very problematic and the shorter it is the more dangerous it becomes.

That said even if still fresh and green looking even at six inches and above can be a disaster for many .

Very Short eaten down to stubs grass is FULL of sugars as this is often called stressed grass which they love as it’s so sweet but this is extremely dangerous.

Sunlight , dew and dampness especially at spring and autumn causes this to absorb and replenish its reserves so at the end of a lovely sunny day it’s literally full of sugar and uses this over night to grow .

Early morning grazing is generally safer on this grass but certainly not full safe proof .

Adding to issues as temperatures drops over night to almost freezing or even a few degrees above this allow the grass to hold on to the sugar and not use it so early morning grazing is just as dangerous.

Mind blowing and very difficult to manage a sensitive horse , and even non sensitive types can very suddenly be affected by these spikes in grasses .

So can we help to create safer grazing by allowing the paddocks to grow to maturity before allowing any grazing , and keep moving the area so not allow short stressed grass to become a problem .
Putting in track systems are certainly the way forward and feeding ad lib hays , but again not everyone can afford to keep feeding ad lib hays or indeed it’s been difficult for many finding the right hay for horses all year round .
A combination of both track systems and correct management for the paddocks grasses and plant appropriate species may be a safer option for many .

This management should ensure lower sugars and better diversity fibre management intake plus more chewing time which is more species appropriate on their digestive system.

Any thoughts and are owners out there adapting to this practice.

Photo of one of my mature winter grass fields on the right that’s been left all summer to grow to full maturity ( verses a young lush area of growing unsafe autumn grass . 👇

26/09/2023

Oh how true 😂

24/09/2023

Interesting reading

Our top tips for feeding oil to horses

18/09/2023

Boghall Livery, Thornhill, Stirling

🐎🐎Part/Assisted or Full 🐎🐎

🐎🐎I don’t take on new liveries from end of October to Feb/March🐎🐎

Boghall Livery, Thornhill is a small family run yard, 8 miles from Stirling.

If you are looking for:

🐎 Quiet friendly location
🐎 Local hacking
🐎 Fantastic hacking through Queen Elizabeth Forest close by
🐎 All year turnout on grass, 24/7 from about April - October
🐎 Horses turned out in small groups
🐎 25 x 45 ridewell arena with lights
🐎 Hay (supplied by bale) and bedding available to purchase on site
🐎 Toilets
🐎 Owner lives on site
🐎 CCTV

Part-Full livery only.
Part livery includes, giving feeds, hay, rugs and turnout/bring in.

Welcome to view, call or message Jenny on 07796274597.

17/09/2023

Some pictures from the photoshoot we did with Danny before he left. Thanks .Photography O’Donnell they are awesome 😎 🥰🐎

12/09/2023

Fantastic views this morning on the yard, harvest being taken in = more hacking and zoom zoom 🐎🐎 🐎💨

10/09/2023

Was a fab hack yesterday in fields, cracking weather, stubble fields, on horseback what could be better! 🐎

05/09/2023

Interesting reading

Learn more about alfalfa and whether or not this leafy green legume is a good choice for your horse.

31/08/2023

2 pony sized boxes (will take 15hh) available from 8 September. Either part/assisted or full. 🐎 🐎

15/08/2023

Was lovely seeing Erin’s old pony Danny 🥰 tonight before she jets off to NZ next week. What a superstar he is 🐎😍

12/08/2023

🩵lovely Loki🩵

09/08/2023

Exciting times ahead 🐎🐎🐎

08/08/2023

2 pony sized boxes (will take 15hh) available from 8 September. Either part/assisted or full. 🐎 🐎

26/07/2023

So this happened last night 💡! Thanks to Simon S4S Handyman, we can finally get to ride at night 😂 if you are that keen.

25/07/2023

Girls having some fun with the xc/wh course 👏 woohoo 🙌 Jillian Reynolds, Emily Thompson

24/07/2023

What a beautiful morning 🐎

23/07/2023

19/07/2023

🐴Equine Wednesday

Ragwort is a poisonous plant that produces a toxin which can cause liver damage. Even small quantities can build up over time and cause serious illness, the signs of liver disease can sometimes present after exposure often when a horse is in a new home.

As we get into the summer and the grass growth decreases horses are more likely to eat the plants. With this recent rain, it’s a great point to get on top of any new growth whilst it is easy to remove and before it seeds further.
Signs that you should contact your vet:

- Any evidence of your horse eating ragwort
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Photosensitisation (similar to sunburn)
- Severe damage can cause wobbliness, head pressing, blindness and death

Top Tips:

- Wear gloves
- Ragwort can be dangerous to humans, ensure you wear gloves, arm/leg protection, and if removing the plant with flowers wear a face mask.
- Aim to remove the plants before they flower
- Ensure you pull up the roots as well as the whole plant
- Bag up ragwort prior to moving across a field so it doesn’t spread
- Correct disposal such as burning the w**d
- DO NOT allow the plants to become part of hay

🌼If you are concerned that your horse might have ingested ragwort, please contact one of our vets who can arrange a visit to assess your horse and take bloods to check liver values. We are able to run with test in house for quick diagnosis and treatment.

19/07/2023

Recently the equestrian press has been awash with the impending new noseband rules for competing. So lets talk about tight nosebands and uncomfortable bits in regards to horse welfare and how they physically and physiologically affect the horse.
This topic can be contentious as different opinions exist regarding comfort and function, especially nosebands. As an experienced bit fitter, my primary focus is assessing the horse's comfort, welfare and rider safety by assessing the bit, current bridle, its fit, function and whether it suits the horse. In consultations, I sometimes encounter riders who have been advised to tighten the noseband and add a flash strap to reduce mouth movement, which is done in an effort to reduce bit evasions. However, this approach can lead to unintended problems and welfare issues. If you’re faced with this scenario, please consider: Is tightening the noseband going to teach/train the horse to relax, or just create even more tension?
It is also crucial to ensure that the bit itself is not causing the issue, as using a tight noseband to prevent mouth opening fails to address the root cause. A tightly fastened noseband and unsuitable bit can cause significant discomfort for the horse. It can induce stress, result in mouth damage, bruises and injure the face, elevate heart rate, increase eye temperature, compress veins and nerves, impede natural chewing and swallowing actions, and restrict physical performance.

When horses experience stress, they exhibit certain responses that may not be immediately visible. Their heart rate and cortisol (stress hormone) production can increase, as can eye temperature. However, studies have indicated that facial temperature can decrease when the arteries are constricted and unable to regulate blood flow. Additionally, tight nosebands can harm delicate cranial nerves, leading to numbness and potential dysfunction of the facial muscles.

Some signs of discomfort are readily observable. Rubs and sores can develop where the noseband rests, while bruising, although less conspicuous, can still be noticeable with slight swelling. Inside the mouth, injuries like cheek ulcers and damage from the cheeks being pressed against the teeth can occur. This is frequently observed when a horse wears a tight noseband, as even a slight opening of the mouth causes the cheeks to fill the space, trapping them between the teeth. Excessive saliva or dribbling may also be seen as the horse struggles to swallow. The shape of the horse's nostrils may change, becoming more flared and pronounced.

Physically, we may observe tail swishing and decreased performance. The horse may become stiffer and less responsive when ridden. Horses need the freedom to move their jaw to chew, lift their tongue to swallow and lick their lips, without this, you may experience other issues such as open mouth, lack of forward motion, becoming less supple, and bracing, amongst other issues. So with that in mind, let’s delve a little deeper into how tight nosebands and an uncomfortable bit can affect the horse.

Nosebands, Bits and the Hyoid Apparatus.
When tight nosebands restricts the natural actions of chewing and swallowing, it can also have a detrimental impact on not only their natural behaviour, but also the hyoid apparatus.
Restricted function of the hyoid due to uncomfortable bits and tight nosebands can affect the horse's locomotory system, leading to shorter strides, limited lateral movement, and tension throughout the body. Horses may also become stronger in the contact as they brace against the pressure exerted by the noseband.
The hyoid is a small yet crucial and intricate bone in the horse's head that supports the tongue, regulates balance and breathing, amongst other imperative functions. It is connected to the tongue, pharynx, poll, and an important group of muscles that govern foreleg movement, namely the sternohyoideus and sternothyrodeus. These muscles are located in the neck, and connect from the hyoid to the pectoral muscles in the chest, and thus the forelegs. Then through a chain of associated muscles and fascia they are interconnected to the hind leg, right down to the placement of the hind feet.
One of the main functions of the hyoid is supporting the horses tongue. So a bit that causes discomfort can also change the way the rest of the body responds. Some horse may present with a frame that travels hollow, and in turn they can’t utilise top line muscles, some may brace their jaw and neck and not be willing or able to offer true connection and engagement. Sometimes if an uncomfortable bit is used, the horse may try to open their mouth, and this is usually when a rider may perhaps over tighten the noseband/flash to prevent this, and then we enter what I call ‘The Evasion Vicious Circle’…..but more on that on another post…

So, how tight is too tight? A general guide for a cavesson noseband is a two finger/two inch gap between the noseband and the front of the nasal plane. When using a drop noseband, it should not impinge on the lips, not cause friction on the skin, and have at least a two finger gap all round. This looseness gives the horse enough room to be able to lick and chew without any threat of the cheeks or the lips becoming trapped between the teeth. This is especially important on male horses who have tushes. It won’t then then compress any blood vessels, arteries or nerves to cause discomfort or pain.
If you are utilising a flash strap, this should also be done up loose enough so the horse can chew. It should not pull the cavesson noseband downwards, nor indent on the delicate skin around the mouth.

In the near future there will be new rule changes announced for many equestrian disciplines in the UK, all filtering down from the FEI. Some will encompass bit and noseband changes, whereby stewards will be instructed to utilise a new tool to measure noseband tightness in a fair and uniformed way across all equestrian sport.
So if you are not sure about how tight your noseband is, or whether your bit is causing any problems, now is a good time to find out how you can improve your horses comfort and responsiveness, even if you don’t compete.
The comfort your horse should always be paramount, they will thank you for it.
Equine Bitting Solutions is always here to help with ensuring your horse is happy and comfortable Creating Harmony and Connection with Your Horse

18/07/2023

There are no white horses! Just grey’s 😂

14/07/2023

Boghall Livery, Thornhill, Stirling

🐎🐎Part/Assisted or Full🐎🐎

AVAILABLE NOW

Boghall Livery, Thornhill is a small family run yard, 8 miles from Stirling.

If you are looking for:

🐎 Quiet location
🐎 Local hacking
🐎 Fantastic hacking through Queen Elizabeth Forest close by
🐎 All year turnout on grass, 24/7 from about April - October
🐎 Horses turned out in small groups
🐎 25 x 45 ridewell arena
🐎 Hay (supplied by bale) and bedding available to purchase on site
🐎 Toilets
🐎 Owner lives on site
🐎 CCTV

Part-Full livery only.
Part livery includes, giving feeds, hay, rugs and turnout/bring in.

Welcome to view, call or message Jenny on 07796274597.

13/07/2023

2 sleeping 💤 beauties relaxing in their boxes. 🐎

23/06/2023

Thornhill, Stirling

🐎🐎Part/Assisted or Full🐎🐎

AVAILABLE NOW

Boghall Livery, Thornhill is a small family run yard, 8 miles from Stirling.

If you are looking for:

🐎 Quiet location
🐎 Local hacking
🐎 Fantastic hacking through Queen Elizabeth Forest close by
🐎 All year turnout on grass, 24/7 from about April - October
🐎 Horses turned out in small groups
🐎 25 x 45 ridewell arena
🐎 Hay (supplied by bale) and bedding available to purchase on site
🐎 Toilets
🐎 Owner lives on site
🐎 CCTV

Part-Full livery only.
Part livery includes, giving feeds, hay, rugs and turnout/bring in.

Welcome to view, call or message Jenny on 07796274597.

19/06/2023

All doing well🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

16/06/2023

15/06/2023

Some of the ponies on site having a siesta in this heat ☀️

12/06/2023

Prom night! Can’t believe she has now left school 🥰

02/03/2018

Still snowing ❄️💨

So after the snow plough came down our drive yesterday my hubby decided to try take my 4 x 4 to get milk...... not even 4 x 4 can do this...

02/03/2018

So after the snow plough came down our drive yesterday my hubby decided to try take my 4 x 4 to get milk...... not even 4 x 4 can do this...