• It is important to know your horse inside out so that you can quickly recognise when something is wrong.
• Have a mental list of checks you make when you see the horse first thing in the morning. These will end up being almost subconscious in time.
• Is the horse’s appetite good? Has he eaten up all his feed and hay overnight?

Zanie Tanswell’s tips for checking your horse is fit and healthy:

• It is important to know your horse inside out so that you can quickly recognise when something is wrong.
• Have a mental list of checks you make when you see the horse first thing in the morning. These will end up being almost subconscious in time.
• Is the horse’s appetite good? Has he eaten up all his feed and hay overnight?
• Is there a normal amount of droppings in the stable and are they the right consistency? (Not too loose, not too firm.)
• Is the horse’s coat bright and glossy?
• Are his eyes bright?
• What is his general demeanour? Is he alert and interested in you and his surroundings?
• Other behaviours might indicate some problems. For instance:
• Is the horse resting a hind leg or pointing a front leg to take the weight off it? This could mean discomfort in the foot, leg or back.
• Shaking, sweating, excessive rolling, or digging, could indicate internal pain caused by conditions such as colic.
• Basically, you are looking for change in the horse’s normal behaviour, his coat, or the condition of his legs.
• Are there any lumps or bumps on his skin?
• Run your hands down his legs. Are there any unusual lumps and bumps, heat or swelling, pulsing around the fetlock, or heat in the feet? Horses often have imperfections in their limbs, but anything that is different to normal should be checked out.
• Standing in a stable for long periods can also cause swelling in the horse's legs. This is usually even on both sides e.g. both back legs or all four swollen by the same amount. Light exercise or time spent in the field will usually reduce this swelling back to normal.
• Obvious signs of ill health are excessive coughing, mucus and discharge from the nose (particularly thick and white) or weeping from the eyes.
• So, key points to remember: condition of the coat, alertness and general demeanour, mucus membranes (eyes, nose, mouth).

This video and these key points reflect the views and preferred method of the person demonstrating the technique. Horse Hero recommends you ask an expert for advice if you need guidance or are unsure how to do this yourself and please take every precaution for the safety of you and your horse. (www.horsehero.com)