SmartPak Monday Morning Feed: Ask the Vet, August Edition

Happy August! SmartPaker Sarah and Dr. Lydia Gray are back to answer more fan-submitted veterinary questions: this month, they’re tackling rain rot, colic research, saddle fit and more!

SmartPak is always in our corner when it comes to happy and healthy horses, and the “Ask the Vet” video series puts the knowledge of SmartPak staff veterinarian Dr. Lydia Gray at our disposal. In today’s episode, she and SmartPaker Sarah answer fan-submitted questions including the following:

1. How do you soothe itching for a horse who is sensitive to bug bites?

2. What are some guidelines for when I should ice my horse, and should the hind leg be iced the same as the front? I feel like I see far less hind leg icing.

3. What are some behaviors you might see in a horse who is uncomfortable with the way their saddle fits? If your saddle doesn’t fit is it bad to get a thicker pad or is it better to get a new saddle?

4. My friend’s horse has passed away due to colic. Is there anything new for colic in horses out there that can save their lives? Also, how far along are vets in research in finding more cures for colic?

5. I recently started riding a horse for my trainer that has rain rot. His skin is a total mess and there’s no arguing with that, but I feel like people often call any skin issue “rain rot”. What really is rain rot and how do I fix it?

Do you have your own questions for Dr. Lydia and Sarah? SmartPak gathers submissions using the #askthevetvideo hashtag. You can also ask your questions on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or the SmartPak blog (where you can read all of Dr. Lydia Gray’s Ask the Vet articles) — don’t forget the hashtag!

Don’t forget the bonus — if your question is selected for the next video, you get a SmartPak gift card!

Go SmartPak! Go riding!