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Mid-Rivers Equine Centre

15 hours ago

If you want to get ahead of flies before summer, start with the biggest breeding ground on the farm: manure.

One of the most effective fly-control methods is using a dedicated manure dumpster and having it hauled away weekly. Flies thrive in manure and decaying organic matter, so removing that material from the property on a regular schedule can make a major difference before fly season gets out of hand.

A weekly manure haul-off helps reduce breeding areas, keeps the barn environment cleaner, and gives your horses a better shot at a more comfortable summer.

Other ways to support your fly-control plan include:
✅ Pick manure frequently�Clean stalls, paddocks, dry lots, and high-traffic areas as often as possible.
✅ Keep bedding clean and dry�Wet, dirty bedding gives flies exactly what they need to multiply.
✅ Fix wet spots around the barn�Leaky waterers, muddy gates, poor drainage, and soggy turnout areas can all contribute to fly pressure.
✅ Clean up spilled feed and hay waste�Decaying organic material attracts flies and can create additional breeding sites.
✅ Dump standing water�Empty buckets, tires, containers, and low spots where water collects.
✅ Clean water troughs regularly�Fresh, clean water helps support horse health and reduces insect-friendly buildup.
✅ Start fly predators, traps, and targeted products early�These can be helpful, but they work best when paired with strong sanitation and manure management.
✅ Talk with your veterinarian about your horse’s summer protection plan�Some horses are more sensitive to flies than others, and your vet can help you choose safe, effective options for your horse and farm setup.

A little prevention now can mean fewer stomping feet, less tail swishing, fewer irritated horses, and a more comfortable barn this summer.

#EquineVet #HorseHealth #FlyControl #HorseCare #BarnManagement #StableManagement #EquineWellness #HorseOwners #SpringHorseCare #SummerHorseCare #ManureManagement #MidRiversEquineCentre ... See MoreSee Less

Mid-Rivers Equine Centre

1 day ago

Some horses are labeled “girthy,” like it’s just part of who they are. But pinning ears, biting, kicking, swishing the tail, holding their breath, dancing away from the saddle, or acting suddenly resentful when the girth is tightened can be your horse’s way of saying: something hurts.

Pain Checklist: Signs Your Horse May Be Girthy

Watch for:
✅ Ears pinned when the saddle or girth comes out
✅ Biting, kicking, stomping, or swinging the head during tacking
✅ Flinching when touched around the girth, sternum, back, ribs, or shoulder
✅ Tail swishing, bracing, hollowing the back, or holding their breath
✅ Moving away, walking off, or acting anxious while being saddled
✅ Bucking, resistance, short-striding, or reluctance to move forward under saddle
✅ Sudden behavior change in a horse who used to tack up quietly
✅ Poor appetite, weight loss, dullness, attitude changes, or low-grade colic signs

What Could “Girthy” Mean?
Girthiness is not a diagnosis. It is a signal. It may point to:

• Gastric ulcers
• Back or pelvic pain
• Orthopedic soreness
• Poor saddle or girth fit
• Wither, rib, sternum, shoulder, or soft tissue pain
• Skin irritation, rubs, swelling, or sensitivity
• Abdominal discomfort
• A learned defensive response from previous pain

The big takeaway: don’t write it off as attitude.

If your horse is suddenly girthy, increasingly reactive, or showing other changes in performance or behavior, it’s worth talking with your veterinarian and checking saddle fit. Your horse may not be “being dramatic.” They may be asking for help.

#EquineHealth #HorseHealth #EquineVet #HorseCare #GirthyHorse #EquineUlcers #HorsePain #SaddleFit #EquineWellness #PerformanceHorse #HorseOwnerTips #EquestrianLife #MidRiversEquineCentre #AskYourVet ... See MoreSee Less

Mid-Rivers Equine Centre

1 week ago

Research Spotlight: Ulcers & Management — Why Routine + Forage Matter

Horses were built to graze, not wait on two big meals and an empty stomach.
When a horse goes long stretches without forage, there is less chewing, less saliva, and less natural buffering in the stomach. Add in stress, travel, stall confinement, hard training, high-grain meals, or changes in routine, and the risk for gastric ulcers can climb.

Signs can be subtle: �
• Girthiness�
• Poor appetite�
• Dull attitude�
• Weight loss�
• Poor performance�
• Mild colic signs�
• Behavior changes under saddle

The big takeaway? Ulcer management is not just medication. It is management.

A more stomach-friendly routine may include:�
✅ More consistent feeding and turnout schedules�
✅ Free-choice or frequent forage when possible�
✅ Limiting long gaps without hay�
✅ Reducing large grain meals
�✅ Offering hay before exercise�
✅ Managing stress during hauling, showing, stall rest, or schedule changes�
✅ Talking with your veterinarian before starting treatment or supplements

Because with ulcers, the goal is not just helping the stomach heal. It is helping the horse’s daily routine stop working against it.
I
f your horse has become “girthy,” sour, off feed, or just not acting like themselves, it may be time for a veterinary conversation.

Sources referenced: AAEP notes that ulcer risk is linked to management factors and recommends free-choice access to grass or hay when possible. Merck Veterinary Manual lists risk factors including high-concentrate diets, intermittent feeding, stall confinement, travel, stress, and intense exercise. University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine also emphasizes forage-based diets, limiting time without feed, hay before exercise, and consistency in routine.

#EquineUlcers #HorseUlcers #EquineGastricUlcers #HorseHealth #EquineVet #EquineVeterinaryCare #HorseOwnerEducation #PerformanceHorse #ShowHorse #HorseCareTips #EquineNutrition #ForageFirst #HealthyHorse #MidRiversEquineCentre #HorseWellness ... See MoreSee Less