Vaccinations for the Dublin Horse Show

IF you have not yet got your vaccinations in order for the Dublin Horse Show, do so immediately. The primary vaccination must consist of two inoculations given at intervals not less than 21 days and not more than 92 days apart.

The first booster must be given between five and seven months after the primary vaccination. Thereafter, all equines must be vaccinated every year as a routine measure.

The annual booster dose must be administered within 12 months of the previous inoculation and this must be properly documented on the animal’s passport.

Failure to do so will result in the animal not being admitted to the showgrounds.

Proactive management of laminitis

DON’T wait until your horse or pony is overweight or had his first episode of laminitis before you try to reduce the risk.

Native ponies, cobs and good-doers are high-risk. Being overweight or obese will increase their risk of laminitis, so managing their weight is crucial.

Your horse/pony should have a condition score of five on the nine-point scale.

Here are three ways you can help manage your horse or pony’s risk of laminitis:

Use a grazing muzzle - make sure it is fitted correctly and that the length of the grass is less than 10cm. Research has found that horses find it difficult to eat grass longer than 10cm when wearing a muzzle.

Arena turnout – instead of turning your horse/pony out on grass every day you could try alternating with a grass-free turnout such as a sand arena.

Strip grazing - This will prevent your horse or pony from having access to too much grass.

Always be on the look out for a strong digital pulse, heat in the hoof, foot tenderness, a stretched white line, blood in the white line, laminitic rings, splaying of the feet or a shortened stride – these symptoms could indicate that there is an issue with your horse’s hoof health.