Breeding
• Vaccinations: Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis (Viral Abortion) – See Dr. Barrandeguy’s article.
• Regular tests for Equine Infectious Anemia. Never introduce a horse into the herd without a negative test certificate and repeat the test at 60 days.
• Regular worming: every 6 months in the case of mares and stallions, every 2 months in the case of growing animals. The number of animals per group must be taken into consideration.
• Appropriate feeding of dams and foals, specially the regularity of the feeds (in quantity and quality) and the appropriate mineral contents (calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc).
• Avoid fescue poisoning (still fairly frequent).
• Carry out imprinting on foals (it prevents future lesions and paves the way for breaking in and training)
• Corrective shoe trimming of foals before 6 months of age (to straighten legs) must be carried out by skilled professionals.
• Rational breaking in methods

Training
• Keep the horses on pastures in optimum conditions (rest), without neglecting their shoes (trim their shoes every month) and worm them.
• A month before the start of the season exercise the horses daily, and feed according to each individual case.
• Vaccinations: Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis, Tetanus, Encephalomyelitis, Adenitis. See Dr. Barrandeguy’s article.
• Test for Equine Infectious Anemia every 60 days.
• Wash and disinfect blankets, get saddles and gear ready before the season (prevents saddle sores).
• Shoe every 30 days, this operation must be carried out by skilled professionals.
• Clean hooves before and after activity. Keep hooves greased.
• Use good quality forrage and grains free of foreign material (ventilated). Adapt the feed to tha horse’s activity. Avoid lack of activity due to holidays or climatic reasons.
• Add electrolytes to the drinking water during the hot season or in the case of frequently excercised horses.
• Use bandages at rest with different products (mud, etc.). Hose down legs, specially cannons and fetlocks with cold water.
• Rasp teeth before the season, specially in horses that use a special bit.
• Use wood shavings or sawdust of known origin (to avoid intoxications with Marupá). If wheat straw is used remember it is bad for horses with respiratory allergies or chronic obstructive bronchitis.
• Have an appropriate exercising ring (work them more than 8 hours a week).
• Keep the playing fields watered when there is a drought.
• Ensure there is frequent veterinary follow-up.