Originally posted by YellowLabLover

*Why is it an extremely bad idea to feed a horse hay on a sandy surface? (i.e a beach)
Injested sand cannot pass through the horses gut and will settle, and could possibly cause colic problems as it builds up. That is why we feed things like Sandclear, which is a psylium fiber (Metimucil for horses) for a week each month, to for a gel like coating on the sand buildup and help it pass.

*What is a puncture? What is the first action to take? What else should be done?
Oh, boy, nasty things. When an object has poked into the horse's body, creating a sort of tunnled wound into the flesh or hoof, such as a nail in the hoof. Roxy did this last summer on her knee, right into the joint! First thing to do is to give a toxid tetnus shot to ensure that tetnus is not going to settle in. I do this even if the booster is current just to be safe. Next look for and remove as much debrie as possible, including the culprit of the wound, and flush with an antiseptic/antibactirial solution such as betodine. The rest depends on location and depth, but in general needs to be kept clean, needs to be flushed with the solution every to everyother day, and needs to be kept open so it can drain. The goal is to get it to heal from the inside out, otherwise it becomes an abcess.

I ramble enough as it is, someone else want a shot at the others?

Luka-pop, welcome! We need more people here! Hope you have fun! Love that Morab you posted, one of my favorites!