Spring is finally on the horizon around here. My girl is shedding, which means there are little hairs flying around. Some getting ingested with her food and hay. 
She had a serious case of Rain Rot when I got her years ago and every time we pasture over the winter, she gets a little bit on her back. {She's not a fan of blankets, we've tried.} So we use our medicated spray when we groom. And the blanket... makes a good BBQ cover.
In addition to all those little hairs flying around, there is the fact that it's been wet and muddy. The grass is low and the ground is more brown than green...
Even using hay bins and feeders, horses still eat off of the ground. They ingest mud along with their grains and hay. Add that to the little hairs and you can only imagine what's going on inside their tummy in the spring. So it's time to run a week of SandClear. 
I actually go to TractorSupply to pick this one up. That would be one of the few stores I actually like shopping in, it's always nice to see what's new for the barn.
Something I do a few days before adding the SandClear to Miss StarBright's diet is - her spring worming. This way we can get rid of the worms and really get her belly cleaned out.
Everyone has their own preferences and Vet recommendations regarding wormers. I personally like to order again, from Statelinetack.com . They have a great AUTO SHIP program so you never forget or miss a worming!
And they carry a large variety of wormers for every type of horse, and location. Yep, your location and weather play a part in the types of worms you have to watch out for.
Here is one Deworming Schedule
- APRIL: Deworm all moderate and high horses with an Ivermectin product or Quest. Deworming of low horses is optional.
- JULY: Deworm all moderate and high horses with Strongid. Do not deworm Low horses.
- OCTOBER: Deworm all horses with Quest Plus.
- DECEMBER: Deworm only High horses with Ivermectin.
Other than Spring and Fall routines, My girl is really an easy keeper:
* Lots of fresh water
* Good Timothy and Alfalfa-2 flakes 2x day
* Fresh Pasture 4 - 6 hours daily
LUNCH
* 1 1/2 lbs Senior Kibbles
* 1 Scoop HORSE GUARD
* Fresh fruit/vegetables
* Mineral Salt Blocks - 2 flavors.
I love what Purina Senior Kibbles and HORSEGUARD has done for her the past few years. She acts half her age and looks it too! We don't lose as much weight over the winter months either.
I call it a KISS diet! Keep It Simply Satisfying!
Do you have a SPRING ROUTINE/HORSE MAINTENANCE routine?
We would love for you to share your knowledge
Blessed by God
Life's good @ the Bright side of the Barn
Thanks for stopping by
Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.