Takingtheheatoutof distressingskincondition

equestrian
The Courier & Advertiser
Monday, July 23, 2012
Club members set for
national trials finals
by Philippa Stephen
FINdON RIdINg Club members are
raring to go on an epic journey south to
the BRC National Championships next
week.
The club had major cause for celebration
after its members achieved winning
qualifications for the Horse Trials finals
for both their intermediate and novice
teams.
Findon, which was launched in the
1970s, has the reputation of being one of
the friendliest clubs in scotland, with riders
competing across all levels at both junior
and senior level.
Included in the trip south are Findon
members Pearl Peterkin and Bogton
Juniper; Hannahyule riding Mcguire; Iona
Campbell and Porthill Tartan Bear; Claire
sim riding Tranquil First; Rona gunn and
Time Warp; and diane Thomson riding
leTango.
Thecompetitionwillinvolveasix-daytrip
to aston-le-Walls, in Northamptonshire,
where they will compete against the
uK’s leading riding clubs for the British
Riding Club National Horse Trials
final.
Their journey over the border begins on
august 1.
as representatives of area 22 of the
BRC, Findon are the most northerly
championship competitors and the only
qualifiers from north of strathclyde to
contest the horse trials final.
The teams gained their tickets to the final
at the area 22 horse trials, hosted in May
by strathmore and district Riding Club, at
auchlishie.
Riding at intermediate level areannabel,
Hannah, Rona and Turid Reppe-Roverselli
on her horse Mickey Rabbit, whilst the
novice team which won at auchlishie was
made by Claire, Iona, diane and alicia
Marples, on Hugo Where I go.
They are also joined by junior competitor
Kirsten Cranna and her horse Topnotch
IV, who make the trip to compete on an
individual basis.
“The Findon competitors travel south
for a total of six days to compete at the
BRC championship finals,” explained
club member Pearl Peterkin, whose
Clydesdale cross horse Bogton Juniper
returns to the finals in a bid to repeat
or better their successful ninth place
overall at the competition individually last
year.
“We leave onaugust 1 and stop overnight
at racing stables in Cumbria, where we
will give the horses an overnight rest and
the chance to swim to keep their muscles
relaxed and exercised,” she added.
“We arrive at aston le Walls on the
Thursday, before starting to compete within
the three-day-event, which starts on the
Friday.
“It’s hugely exciting as the competition
is run as a proper old-fashioned long
format three-day-event, with roads and
tracks and steeplechase in addition to the
dressage, showjumping and cross country
competitions.
“everyone is really looking forward to
the competition,” she said.
33
Shelagh
Steven
We usually associate
mud fever with wet winter
conditions.
However, the persistent rain added to the warm
humid conditions we have
had recently provide an
excellent environment for
mud fever.
Mud fever is caused by
a bacteria that usually lives
outside the skin of the horse,
doing no real harm under
normal circumstances.
The legs are usually
affected when the bacteria
enter the softened or damaged skin. There they multiply and leave sores and
scabs.
Rain scald is similar, but
is only found on the back/
body areas of the horse.
skin is softened or
damaged by:
l standing in a wet, boggy
field, with the legs never
getting a chance to dry
out, softening the skin and
allowing the bacteria to do
their damage.
l sand from the beach
or sand schools has been
known to scratch the skin,
allowing the bacteria entry.
If undetected and
untreated mud fever can
develop into a major problem, even causing septicemia.
included in the trip south for the BrC national Championships are Findon members Pearl Peterkin riding Bogton Juniper, Hannah Yule with McGuire, iona Campbell
Collect a bucket of warm
and Porthill tartan Bear, Claire sim with tranquil First, rona Gunn and time Warp and Diane thomson riding Letango.
water, with a proprietary
skin disinfectant, and soak
the scabs. This will soften them and allow you to
remove them more easily.
Normally it is best to
leave scabs on a wound, but
suMMeR aNd the colloquially as ‘sweet itch’. where possible. avoid making it harder for them
Fidavet Cavalesse is a the itching as it quietens the the scab that has formed in
distressing skin condition
the case of mud fever acts
Once a horse has grazing on pastures near to fly towards your horse.
natural food supplement immune response.
known as ‘sweet itch’ go developed this condition it water sources or near
Fly repellents can work containing a form of
a low dose of medication as a ‘wee house’ for the
hand-in-hand for some will be affected for the rest woodland as midges thrive well, although some are vitamin B3 which is known is used and given only when bacteria, allowing them to
horses and ponies.
of its life.
in this type of environment. better than others, so to have beneficial effects required as an association reproduce more rapidly and
There are tens of
T h e p hy s i o l og i c a l
The insects are most ask your vet for advice. on the skin by reducing the has been made between continue their destruction.
thousands of horses and pathway leading to this active at dawn and dusk, Products which contain production of histamine, steroid use in horses and an
Once the scabs are
ponies in the uK suffering reaction is the same as so it is important to create ‘deeT’ are usually which causes the itching, increased risk of laminitis. removed, thoroughly clean
from skin allergies this that seen in people with a grazing routine which effective.
and it helps to improve the
although ‘sweet itch’ the skin with fresh water
summer. If you own one, hay fever. It is essentially avoids these times.
It may also be useful to skin oil barrier.
poses a real management and more skin disinfectant.
you will know that these an over-reaction to the
If at all possible leave the
However, horses in use products which can
However, it should be problem it is still possible to
problems — which can insect’s bites and leaves scotland will encounter provide barrier protection given a month or so before keep on top of the situation leg dry and open to the air.
persist from early spring the suffering horse with midges regardless of a good such as citronella or tea tree the season begins and so that you and your horse
you may have to box
to late autumn — can be extremely itchy swellings.
routine and well-chosen oil as midges are less likely continued throughout.
can have an enjoyable rest, or change paddocks. If
very difficult to manage
you have to turn your horse
Naturally, the horse’s grazing.
to bite through a layer of oil.
It should also be used summer.
effectively.
desire to rub and chew these
To help prevent bites,
antihistamines such in conjunction with the
Vi s i t w w w. swe e t - back out into a wet boggy
The condition is more swellings is strong, and the therefore, a full-body as piriton may provide other methods already itch.co.uk for further field, you will have to smear
commonly seen in cob-type more the horse is bitten blanket should be used relief — but although they described.
information or get in touch thick greasy cream on to
ponies than thoroughbred by midges the worse the at grazing time and a fly help some horses greatly,
the legs to prevent water
There is always a chance with your vet.
horses, but can affect any reaction becomes, leading screen on the stable door they can be ineffective that the symptoms will
and sand from doing more
horse.
to damaged, inflamed skin can protect a horse against in others and so a trial reach a point where, despite l This article was damage. This should be
The most common form and an unhappy animal.
midges entering the stable. period arranged with your your best efforts, you p r e p a r e d by E v e removed whenever possible
Callaghan BVM&S to let the skin breathe as the
of allergic skin disease
Ideally, you should
Midges also dislike vet would be wise before require a vet’s help.
is a reaction to the saliva remove the source of the wind, so a fan in the stable you commit to a larger
a steroid treatment is M R C V S , o f I n g l i s grease will delay a positive
of midges and is known irritation for your horse will create air movement, purchase.
outcome.
very effective at reducing Veterinary Hospital.
Taking the heat out of distressing skin condition