Horse health advice on conformation, your horses hoof, your horses feet, parasites and worms. Your horses breathing and digestive system. Horse health should be a part of your ongoing equine education and training, for as long as you own or ride a horse.
Equine laminitis doesn’t just affect fat ponies, it can be found in any horse prone to the condition. Spotting laminitis symptoms and knowing the difference between chronic laminitis and acute laminitis is important as by the time your horse adopts the classical laminitis stance, some damage has already been done to the sensitive laminae …
A UK vet has quite possibly linked common face flies to the spread of sarcoids, but it is commonly thought that a papilloma virus (wart) is probably what causes horse sarcoids
The equine dentist will float your horses teeth (rasp or file the teeth) to even the surface of the teeth and ensure they are at the proper angle for comfortable eating and efficient digestion. This prevents unseen horse health problems developing
Several common sense measures can be taken to prevent strangles affecting horses at a livery yard or riding school. Prevention is better than cure and horse owners themselves should always be aware of strangles outbreaks in their area. You are responsible for your horse’s welfare and you should insist your livery yard or riding school take preventive measures
Should you buy a horse with equine sarcoids? Before you decide you need to understand what horse sarcoids are, the different types of sarcoids and how they can affect what you want to do with your horse. Buying a horse with sarcoids is also a major consideration …
Whether your intention is to simply hack out, compete at riding club shows or to progress up to advanced equine eventing, it is important that your horses’ fitness is increased in a gradual and consistent way. Slow and steady is the key to getting your horse fit for the job you want it to do.
The horses skeleton provides support for its muscles; protection for the horse’s internal organs; and has enough mobility built into its various parts that the horse can move smoothly at differing speeds and still lie down, graze or do both at the same time.
There are a wide range of commercial horse wormers on the market, all of which are available from both online and offline sources. But don’t just automatically choose the cheapest product. Instead use a little knowledge and put together a more effective de-worming program that will improve the health of your horse
You may indulge your horse in couture inspired pink rugs or decadent diamante bridles, but grooming is the way your horse wants you to repay the effort and affection your horse gives you. Good grooming is a basic horse care essential
Properly grooming a horse is essential particularly when your horse is stabled. Grooming not only picks up immediate problems that might become serious if left undetected, but also strengthens the bond between you and your horse
How you can measure a horse using a standard inch tape to calculate weight. Demonstrating how to measure height in hands high (hh) or centimetres (cm), using heart girth and body length. All important if you are to feed your horse correctly and provide the correct medication amounts
Estimating a horses age from teeth growth is an old nearly forgotten art that some horse owners take in their stride while others just wouldn’t have a clue where to start. Here’s what to look for including graphics that help you compare the teeth growth at each age
All you need to know to put together a simple but effective worming program for your horse. Horse worms should be taken seriously as equine parasites can seriously affect your horse’s health. Your horse’s environment, stable, yard and paddock should always be considered contaminated with worm eggs and larvae and you should treat accordingly.
If you want to minimise the risk of joint disease; if you want to make sure that your horse does not suffer from mobility problems; if you want to make sure that your horse stays healthy and active; then you should supplement your horses diet with good quality joint supplements that contain active ingredients.
Ragwort and Horses make for a poisonous combination. Most horses will avoid ragwort as long as they have access to good grazing but overgrazed or poached pasture not only keeps your horse hungry it also encourages the spread of ragwort. So, how do you deal with this poisonous plant that’s so toxic to horses?
Equine or horse strangles is one of the most infectious equine diseases, the bacterium enters the horses lymph glands via its respiratory tract and can live in the guttural pouch. The lymph nodes swell and can rupture, shedding the strangles bacteria into the environment. It’s possible the strangles bacteria can survive in water for at least four weeks and for up to eight weeks on horse tack and wooden fencing.
A horse that appears thin or malnourished is often suffering weight loss due to a number of issues. There are three common issues that can cause unexplained weight loss in horses.
Rain Scald and Mud fever can cause painful sores and scabs on your horses heels. Mud fever is the name of a common equine skin complaint, Pastern Dermatitis, that affects many horses and ponies during the winter and early spring months. It can be difficult to treat and can be very painful, sometimes causing lameness in your horse. So here’s what you can do to prevent or treat it?
Stay calm and try to walk your horse and distract him from the pain when he’s trying to roll or thrash about. Your vet is your best source of treatment for horse colic and your job is to assist your horse and make it as comfortable as possible until you can have your vet treat your horse. There are some things you can do but mainly you should trust your vet to help your horse
The fly or midge most commonly involved in causing equine sweet itch is the Culicoides pulicaris midge and although most horses and ponies show no reaction to it, horses that suffer from sweet itch develop an allergy to the bites. Prevention is better than cure and good quality fly rugs are essential
Horse sarcoids are notoriously difficult to treat and various treatment options are available. Most however are dependent on the type and location of the sarcoid. Options range from do nothing to Surgical Excision, Cryosurgery, Electrocautery, Hyperthermia and even Chemotherapy …
Out think your horse with a little patient brainwashing. Use our worming made easy trick to ensure a stress free worming day. All it takes is a little patience and some apple juice.
The first sign of laminitic symptoms from a dietary cause will usually appear within 24 to 48 hrs. The horse may adopt the classic horse laminitis stance, with its hind feet placed up under its belly. Laminitis can be a very serious equine condition and all horse owners should be aware of the signs causes & treatment of horse laminitis
Essential Horse Health advice, horse care and horse facts. What are strangles? What are sarcoids? How do I check my horses conformation? How do I tell my horses age? Your horse’s health should a top priority, because our equine friends rely on us for care and attention when they need it
Laminitis is really a nutritional problem and it is possible to help your horse a lot by using nutritional supplements. Managing feeds properly and incorporating a liver tonic can help improve equine digestion. A good quality liver tonic will support the way the body deals with toxins that are circulating around the body
Equine Navicular syndrome also known as Caudal Heel Syndrome is a serious problem with horse hooves and can badly affect a horses performance. If your horses hooves are not properly cared for the navicular bone can become immobile, which can result in poor blood flow within the hoof and ultimately, permanent lameness …
When your horses food isn’t broken down properly acids and toxins are produced which can affect the sensitive laminae in the hoof and foot. Swelling or inflammation of the hoof laminae mean it can’t hold the pedal bone in place and this can cause severe pain …
The Best Advice for How to Prevent Laminitis … If you have a laminitic horse or pony or one that is prone to laminitis, never allow your horse or pony to become overweight. Of course in a perfect equestrian world that would be easy, but in our imperfect horsey world it gets a little more complicated …
Any horse suspected of suffering from strangles should be isolated from all other horses and veterinary advice should be sought immediately, but there are things you can do for your horse, to make it comfortable and ensure it has the best chance of recovering from a strangles infection
Your horse’s respiratory system is so highly specialised and suited for athletic exercise that even the smallest problem can limit its ability to perform. The harder your horse works the more oxygen it needs and the more air it must move into and out of its respiratory tract
