Spring Tips from #TeamDiO Members!

Leanna Billie

As springtime approaches and our Rodeo season is kicking off there are a few important things that are important to do for our horses especially living down in South Florida. Here the weather gets real tricky and with temps going up fast and dropping very fast, it plays a big part in how I handle my horses health. One is making sure my horses are drinking water at all times and are on electrolytes at all times especially when I put out a new pasture Hay bale. The humidity here causes overheating pretty quick so making sure you are not over doing it in the heat on your horse and giving a real good cool down is pretty major especially if you have a horse you think is a non-sweater. 

Mary Burger

If no indoor arena is available, it is sometimes a challenge to get an keep your horse in shape for an early start on the rodeo and futurity season. One has to be dedicated to the sport and stick to it. Besides an exercise program, I keep up to date on shots and worming. It’s always good to have them vet checked too. I try to keep my horses from getting too wooly because of heated buildings, then going out into the cold sweating. It’s important to keep them on a good and consistent feed program. Each individual has needs but I keep mine well hydrated and ad some vitamin e an selenium to their feed. It’s important to keep the immune system up too. A happy horse is a plus on the road. 

Bobbie Jo Orysen

As we are fast approaching spring it's time to think about annual vaccinations for your horses. It is recommend you vaccinate your horses against all diseases they are at risk of being exposed to. Vaccinating your horses is an important part of their overall health maintenance and  essential to responsible ownership. Please be sure to consult your veterinarian for a vaccine program that meets the individual need of your horse. Now here are are few tips I would like to share and show how DiO can play a roll.  Last year we had a horse have a slight reaction of swelling at the injection sight.  This can be quite common. We used DiO to take out the swelling. Please refer to the picture of before and 24 hours after. Now we apply DiO right after injection to help with any swelling or tenderness to the area.  We continue to apply for a few days after as the swelling is usually seen a few days later if they do have a reaction. We all have had shots so we know that it can be tender for a few days. Another tip that I learned from my attending veterinarian is to have the chest/pectoral muscle be the  intramuscular injection sight. Reason being, if the horse should have a serious reaction underneath the chest is a natural downward drainage sight. This allows gravity to work in the horses favor in the event of a serious reaction or abscess. This is a precautionary tip. Applying DiO to the area will make your horse happy as we all know what it feels like to have shots! I might just use this tip on myself next time I have to get a shot! Happy Spring and here is to helping make vaccinations more bearable