Ireland is home to many top-class stud farms, both in the thoroughbred and sport horse sectors.

‘Attention to detail’ is a phrase we often hear bandied about as being a central plank of best practice at all the top equine establishments but what exactly does that mean?

We asked Gary Hadden of Coolruss Stud in Tinahely, Co Wicklow to share his spring cleaning check-list with readers.

COOLRUSS CHECKLIST

  • Steam clean stables and foaling boxes with power-washer and disinfect with suitable equine disinfectant such as Steri 7. Include feed bowls and water dispensers.
  • Paint stables if required.
  • Carry out repairs on stable block.
  • Clean and disinfect feed and tack rooms.
  • Clean and repair horse rugs.
  • Clean and disinfect high-traffic horse areas like stocks and horse walkers.
  • Check and service fire extinguishers.
  • Clean and check paddock water dispensers.
  • Check paddock fencing and paddock for dangerous objects such as fallen branches. Make sure electic fence is in working order.
  • Roll and harrow paddocks.
  • Take soil samples and fertilise and lime accordingly.
  • Spray weeds such as docks and watch for ragwort (pull and safely dispose).
  • Plan grazing rotation with horses of similar age and profile. Rotate with other livestock such as sheep. Avoid overstocking.
  • Reseed older unproductive paddocks.
  • Reintroduce winter-housed horses to full-time pasture slowly (change over of diet). Sedate or use small paddocks to begin with to prevent injury.
  • Keep younger foals to small paddocks to avoid minor fractures (pedal bone and sesamoids can be very delicate in young foals).
  • Worm horses subject to faecal worm counts and blood-tests (tapeworm).
  • Put crib-box or suitable alternative in the tails of young horses (to stop tails being eaten).
  • Isolate mares and foals that have been away at stud to prevent spreading of disease.
  • Check foal temperatures morning and evening especially during changeable weather. Check mare’s udder twice daily to make sure the foal is nursing especially if the foal is scouring. High temperatures and being off suck are early warning signs that the foal needs immediate veterinary attention. Early detection and treatment is key.
  • Watch foals for signs of pneumonia (check for change in breathing) and listen for teeth grinding (ulcers)

    • Gary Hadden is a bloodstock consultant who manages his family’s Coolruss Stud in Tinahely, Co Wicklow. He is also managing director of Craig Bennett’s Merry Fox Stud.