Springtime is here. The weather should be getting better, the days are getting longer. So hopefully this gives us more time for playing with our horses. This month, I have a checklist for spring.

1)Coggin’s test. With showing and traveling coming up, it is a good time to renew your annual Coggin’s test. It is needed for some shows, travel across state lines and even at some boarding facilities.

2)Vaccines. This is a good time to get those spring vaccines done. You especially want to booster those diseases, like West Nile disease, that are spread by mosquitoes, as the mosquito population will be out soon. Remember your core vaccines: Eastern and Western Encephalitis, West Nile, tetanus, and rabies.

3)Deworming and fecal. Spring is time for one of your two recommended dewormings and a great time to check the fecals for parasites. It is good to know if there are certain populations of parasites that are infesting your horses. It can help you target those species. Not every type of parasite is picked up on the typical fecal. That is why we still recommend deworming twice a year with ivermectin or moxidectin.

4)Teeth. I always recommend having your horses teeth checked once a year. It is easier to keep up on your dentals rather than having to correct abnormalities that have been there for a long time. Maintaining the teeth helps your horse chew and process food properly.

5)Check your first-aid kit Make sure you check and replace any items that have been used or are expired.

Now that your equine spring tune-up is done, get out there and have some fun!

~Dan