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Spring Checklist for Horse Owners

VETERINARY PROCEDURES

  • Annual vaccinations
  • Nutrition and body condition assessment
  • Dentistry
  • Sheath cleaning for male horses
  • Final foaling preparations for pregnant mares
  • Review of deworming schedules: frequency and products
  • Fecal check for internal parasite eggs
  • Discuss fitness and conditioning program
  • Check in on your horse’s current soundness and address and diagnose any concerns

FARM MANAGEMENT and PREPARATION

  • Stock insect repellents
  • Order predatory wasps
  • Prepare a clean fly sheet and fly mask
  • Drain and remove areas of standing water and mud where possible
  • Compost manure and soiled bedding
  • Protect the barn and stalls against insects
  • Check fences and arrange paddocks for safety
  • Determine living arrangements that create the best herd dynamics
  • Check saddle and equipment and repair as necessary
  • Clean out horse trailer and check floor boards and latches, trailer brakes and hitch



Back to Spring Tune-Up.

Nancy S. Loving, DVM

Nancy S. Loving, DVM, is a performance horse veterinarian based in Boulder, Colo., and is the author of All Horse Systems Go.

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