Horse owner Tara Kinsella talks Precision Microbes Equine.

Tara Kinsella, Horse owner – Toberpatrick, Co. Wicklow

“The big changes we saw were with temperament and coat. Dandy’s gut health really improved as well on Precision Microbes. I used Precision Microbes equine on two of our horses. Both of them, I was delighted with the results. Dandy, our young stallions’ gut health and behaviour were notably different after 2 weeks. He was full in himself and a very happy horse. He had a shine off his coat that everyone now comments on and also his overall behaviour really improved. I also used it on a show mare with dry skin and dandruff issues. Her coat really improved after 2-3 weeks, along with her being much more content and settled in herself. It is very palatable and easy to use in feed daily.”

 

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    Precision Probiotic For Cats & Dogs

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    Precision Probiotic For Calves

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Top Tips For Horse Worm Control

Top Tips For Horse Worm Control

 

Horse worms are evolving to become resistant to some worming drugs, especially those which have been around for a long time. This means that we can no longer rely on keeping horses worm free purely by giving them wormers.

Not long ago there was a time when we would dose our horses with the same dose a couple of times a year and that was that. Nowadays worming advice has changed. Good worm control starts with using worm fecal egg counts and tests, only adding wormer doses as they are needed. However worm fecal egg counts can’t detect encysted small redworms or tapeworm eggs, so it is important to treat for these parasites at certain time points during the year. 

Pasture Management

One thing that can be done without buying any product is good pasture management. Regular removal of dropping (twice a week at least) will reduce the risk of worms in the pasture.

(Handy tip: Horse manure is a great fertiliser around the garden especially around shrubs and flowers! )

Group horses of a similar age together, younger horses are more susceptible to worms and ensure they have plenty of space. It is recommend to allow an acre per horse.

Redworms

The most important time of the year to treat for small redworm is in November and again the following February. Doing so will prevent mass emergence in the Spring. Redworms are now recognised as the major parasite concern in horses. Fenbendazole, the active ingredient in Panacur Oral Paste or Moxidectin in Equest are the best ingredients to treat the small redworm. 

 

Another parasite which affects horses is the tapeworm. The optimal time to treat for these is in March and September. For tapeworms Praziquantel or Pyrantel are best. Products like Eqvalan Duo, Equimax or Equest Pramox contain these active ingredients which will treat for tape.

horse worm control tips

Horse Worm Control in the Grazing Season

During the grazing season of April to October fecal worm egg counts should be carried out regularly. A phone call to your vet will get you some great advice. Doing so will allow you to recognise which of your horses have a heavy worm burden and which ones don’t need to be wormed at all. 

As said previously it is recommended to treat for tapeworm in September and in November for the small redworms. The other prevalent parasite in horses is bots. For bots use an ivermectin based product, one like Bimectin or Eqvalan one that contains moxidectin like Equest.

One tip I would like to add to aid in your horses health is to give a course of probiotics around worming time. Wormers can be, as any drug can have a negative effect on the gut flora. Products like Precision Probiotic will help maintain a healthy gut in your horse.

In Conclusion

  • Treat for redworms in November and February
  • Carry out regular faecal worm egg counts throughout the grazing season.
  • Avoid the using the same active ingredient year after year.
  • Good pasture management will reduce your worm count further
  • A probiotic will help your horses gut health before and after worming.
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Top Tips for Keeping my Racehorses Healthy

Top Tips for Keeping Racehorses Healthy

This post was written by

James Dullea | Racehorse Trainer

As a Racehorse Trainer, you can’t underestimate the importance of maintaining the health of your horses. The following are some of my simple tips & products that work for me and that I couldn’t do without. I’ve been getting them in McLaughlins in Bandon for years now and find the guys extremely knowledgeable across the board, always willing to help and advise. With that in mind, here are some of my top tips for keeping racehorses healthy.

 

Foran Equi-Lyte G Powder 

Add into the feed to restore electrolyte levels after excessive sweating. This will help maintain right fluid levels, promote faster rehydration, maintain appetite and improve muscle recovery after heavy work.

Tip: Add in some Curragh Carron Oil to the feed to ensure the electrolyte latches onto the feed. Otherwise, it might sift down to the bottom and as a result not be consumed.

 

Epsom Salts

I add in some Epsom Salts (also known as Magnesium Sulphate) into the feed no more than once per month. I find it helps to flush out the kidneys.  The magnesium plays an important part in nerve and muscle function.

 

Convital

This really is a fantastic product full of essential vitamins and minerals.

A very palatable supplement which puts the horses in great form leaves them with a shiny coat and very healthy and bright eyes.

 

TRM Superlyte

This is a dietetic. I find this highly beneficial immediately after heavy work to replace lost electrolytes. Good levels of Calcium and Magnesium in this product.

 

Cheno-Unction

This is actually used in Dairy cattle for chapped teats but I find it works brilliantly as a barrier for Mud Rash. I simply apply onto the heels of the horse and it acts as a water-proof film that helps protect the horse’s heel from Mud Rash.

 

Forans Refuel Gels

I give one to the horse within 1 hour of finishing a race to aid their recovery. I find they are fresher a lot quicker. A very handy product indeed.

 

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About James Dullea

James has been a Racehorse Trainer since 2009 and has had numerous winners in Point to Points and on the race track. James Dullea Racing Club is based in Bandon, West Cork.

For more details contact jamesdullearacing@gmail.com or phone 086-3619437

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Most Effective Weed Killer in Grazing Pastures

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This post was written by

Sophia Kingston| Graduate Agri Advisor with McLaughlins Farmcare

 

Timmy Crowley is a dairy farmer located at Careys Cross near Bandon, Co. Cork. Timmy was the winner of the Grass10 Grassland farmer of the year 2017. He knows the importance of maximising grass utilisation for grazing and silage. Weed control is of huge importance on this farm. Timmy knew it was a priority to control the weeds at the right time. Here 16 acres of broad-leaved docks, chickweed and dandelion are controlled using Forefront T.

 

On this recently acquired support block in Bandon, we see an unbelievable result from Forefront T, used at the recommended rate. Timmy said that “The docks withered away to nothing”.

Weed-infested grazing pastures are now approaching the stage for treatment. When it comes to product selection, Forefront T is a perfect choice.

It contains the most advanced chemistry in weed control technology. It is powerful on docks, thistles, nettles and other pernicious weeds such as buttercups and dandelions, making it the ideal all-purpose weed killer. Forefront T is also highly effective on ragwort.

Apply Forefront T as a single application at two litres/ha in 200-300 litres water/ha. Keep stock off the pasture for seven days after spraying. Forefront T does not result in any check to grass growth.
“April and May are the ideal months to spray docks in grazing pastures. If docks have gone beyond the correct stage, it is best to top them and wait for three weeks to spray with Forefront T.

Using the right weed-killer and spraying at the right time is crucial to effective dock control. Using a product that will not damage grass growth and silage yields is another vital consideration.
According to Sophia Kingston with McLaughlin’s Farmcare, timing has a huge bearing on the level of control. She said the ideal time to spray with Forefront is when docks are six to eight inches high or across and before a seed head begins to show. This is called the rosette stage.

Thistles should have four to 10 leaves and be 15-25 cm high. Spray nettles before flowering.

If ragwort is among the target weeds, keep the stock off the treated area until the plant has fully died and disappeared.

If you wish to learn more about Weed Killer in Grazing Pastures please contact the team at McLaughlins

 

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