Horse Passports
Do all horses need a passport?
Yes. All owners must have a passport for each horse they own. Since 28th February 2005 it has been illegal to buy, sell, compete, breed from, export or slaughter for human consumption any horse without a passport. Foals must have a passport before they reach 6 months of age, or before 31st December of their year of birth.
Do I need to record all my horse’s medicines in the passport?
Only if the passport a.) Has been signed that the horse is intended for human consumption, or b.) Has not been signed. All passports must include section IX which states that the horse is/is not intended for human consumption - this should be signed by the owner. Without a signature, vets must assume the animal may be intended for human consumption, and medicines must be recorded.
Should I insure my horse?
Insuring your horse against vets’ fees takes away the economic worry at a time when you are most concerned because your horse is injured or ill. Be aware that the range of investigations and treatments available and commonly used now can be very expensive and we want to be able to do the very best for you and your horse.
How do I make an insurance claim?
Notify your insurance company of a potential claim as soon as possible. They will send you a claim form for you to fill in. Fill in all the owner sections and sign the form before sending it to us (make sure you authorise the insurance company to pay us directly). We will fill in the rest of the form and send it to the insurance company. Under most circumstances we can claim the money directly from the insurance company so you only have to pay us the excess and any uninsured items.
Should a vet or a dentist see my horse’s teeth?
You can chose to either have a vet or a dentist examine and perform routine work on your horse’s teeth. The vets at Bushy Equine Vets are experienced in all areas of dental work and have undergone post-graduate training in this area. We are equipped with a large range of hand rasps and motorised equipment. If you do decide to use a dentist it is vital that they have been properly trained are members of the British association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT). Unfortunately some ‘lay’ people describe themselves as equine dentists but have little to no training or anatomical knowledge. Many of these so-called dentists will also not have any professional insurance so if a problem does occur neither you nor your horse will have any cover. No equine dentists, qualified or not, are permitted to perform any tooth extractions (including wolf teeth), and are not permitted to prescribe or administer sedative drugs. It is worth bearing in mind that if your horse does require sedation for dental work you would have to pay for both the vet to sedate your horse and the dentist to perform the work.
If I choose a dentist, how do I find one?
A full list of equine dental technicians who have passed approved exams and are members of the BAEDT can be found on the British Equine veterinary Association website- www.beva.org.uk.
How often should I have my horse’s teeth rasped?
This can vary between horses. We recommend that your horse’s teeth are checked at least once a year- this can be done at the same time as their annual vaccinations. Some horses will require more frequent checks- we may suggest 6 monthly examinations. Some horses may not need their teeth rasping every 12 months but it is sensible to have them checked yearly as painful sharp edges can form before you notice your horse having problems eating etc. If you notice your horse having difficulty eating, is dropping food or showing any other signs of oral discomfort at any time, you should arrange for your vet to check your horse’s mouth.
Should I have a horse vetted before I buy it?
We advise that you always have a horse or pony vetted before you buy it, regardless of the purchase price as the vetting may flag up any potential problems which could prove costly to treat in the future or affect its use. The only exception to this may be horses which are not going to be used for athletic purposes e.g. retired companions, but we advise you discuss the case with one of out vets before proceeding with the purchase.
How often should I vaccinate my horse?
All horses which are to be vaccinated against Influenza and tetanus require a primary course of 3 vaccinations followed by annual boosters which must been done within 365 days of the previous vaccination. Horses which are to be vaccinated against tetanus only require 2 primary injection followed by a 3rd a year later, then boosters every 2 years.
When do I vaccinate a foal?
Foals should receive their first vaccination when they are 5 months old. It is advisable that the dam receives a ‘flu and tetanus booster 4-6 weeks before foaling. This will provide the foal with immunity until its first vaccination.
How often should I worm my horse?
This depends on which wormer you use and if you chose to have worm egg counts performed to check your horse’s worm burden. Please see our worming advice sheet for more details. All horses should receive a treatment for bots after the first frost of the winter, and treatment for tapeworms in the spring and the autumn.
What should I worm my horse with?
There are a number of wormers on the market, but many of them will contain the same active ingredient so check the packaging carefully. In order to treat for bots you need to use a wormer which contains either ivermectin or moxidectin, and for tapeworms you need to use a wormer which contains praziquantel or use a double dose of pyrantel.
My horse is difficult to worm, what should I do?
If your horse throws its head up in the air it is helpful to have an assistant hold onto the lead rope and have a hand over your horse’s nose so that your hands are free to put the syringe into the mouth. Remember to aim to put the wormer as far back on the tongue as you can so your horse will be more likely to swallow it than spit it on the floor! Giving your horse a treat just before the wormer and just after may help. You can put the wormer in your horses feed but you will probably need to also put something tasty in there to tempt him. It is worthwhile spending some time getting your horse used to having nice things put in his mouth via a syringe such as molasses or apple sauce so he is not expecting a bad taste every time.
When a horse comes to the end of his life, what are the options?
The most common method of euthanasia is by an intravenous injection of a lethal dose of anaesthetic drug. This can be done either at your yard or at the clinic. Not every one wants to be present when the injection is given as it can be upsetting to see, in which case either a friend can hold the horse or we can bring a nurse to assist us. The other option is euthanasia by shooting. This must be specifically requested as not all vets are licensed for gun use. Both methods are quick and painless for the horse, though there can be some involuntary movements after death which you should be prepared for.
Can I bury my horse?
Possibly. In the UK at present pets can be buried, but horses are classed as food producing animals along with farm animals and burying is not permitted. As horses are generally not kept as food producing animals in this country there is some flexibility in this rule and you may be able to gain permission form your local authority to bury your horse. There are also strict rules as to where you can bury horses so there may not be a suitable site on your land. The other options are disposal via the hunt or by cremation. These services will collect your horse for you. Some cremation services can return your horse’s ashes to you.