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.
Did you know there is an increased risk of your horse developing colic where you have a full time job, a hectic social life and a DIY stable environment but you don’t have sufficient hired help to maintain a high level of care, especially during the winter months. Good quality horse care is key to preventing horse colic
Unlike dogs, our horses can’t tell us when they are hurt. Dogs will whine or whimper to show distress, but your horse is a prey animal and prey animals don’t make any sounds to show they are weak or hurt. Just in case those nasty wolves & lions find out. So, it’s up to you, the horse owner, to check for signs of lameness in your horse.
Studies by the Tufts University of Veterinary Medicine suggest that horses kept in stables or dirt paddocks are more likely to sample anything green and ingest plants toxic to horses’. Your horse can also accidentally ingest toxic plants and they can acquire a taste for some, such as acorns and ragwort dried in hay. Know what you need to keep away from you 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 …
