Category: Horse Health

Written by Loni Loftus, Clinical Animal Behaviourist.  In this article, Clinical Animal Behaviourist, Loni Loftus uncovers the mechanics of the horse’s digestive system and looks at how the health of the equine gut can have a direct effect on behaviour, including mental and physical health. We have all heard the old adage of ‘no foot, no horse’ well ‘no gut, no horse’ is just as worthy a pronouncement! The horse is a non-ruminant herbivore – this means that they are specialised to eat mainly plants. The equine gut or gastrointestinal…

Morris Animal Foundation accepting new proposals for equine behaviour studies Morris Animal Foundation is now accepting proposals for pilot studies focused on equine behavior, relating to health and welfare. Proposals should generate data to prove the viability of a novel approach or idea and may involve domesticated or wild horses. Dr. Wendy Koch, a veterinarian who has supported the Foundation for 30 years, is providing funding for awarded grants. She began a career in animal welfare with the federal government in 1990 and became board-certified in that field in 2016. Dr. Koch has…

Free Equine Webinar Series: Taking Science to the Stable Starts June 16 with Broodmare Management and Nutrition with Don Kapper A free equine webinar series starts on June 16 (2021) with a Broodmare Management and Nutrition focus kicking off proceedings. Hosted by Open Learning and Education Support at the University of Guelph, the Taking Science to the Stable series will run every two weeks until August 18. The exciting series of webinar talks will provide informative and insightful knowledge from experienced industry professionals, with webinars 1, 3, and 5 part…

Could mile-long trots protect young foals from lower-leg fractures later in life? Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) are evaluating the long-term effects of a moderately strenuous exercise plan on bone development in foals. Lower-leg fractures are a major welfare concern in horses that race or jump competitively, but they can happen in any horse. Understanding the impact of early exercise on growing horses – most horses don’t reach complete skeletal maturity until they’re at least 4 years old – could help prevent fractures. Most…

Horse fly spray ingredients are often considered by horse owners who are looking to make their own fly spray. In this article we take a look at the different ingredients fly sprays include, and also make some product suggestions should you not want to make your own. Horse fly spray is a summer essential. When looking for the best fly spray for horses, it’s hard to know what will work and worth spending our hard earned money on! Turning to horse fly spray and lotion’s labels, it’s even harder to decipher what…

Repelling horse flies can be a hard task. Using fly spray or repellent for horses can be one way, but sometimes they don’t go far enough. Here are five tips for repelling horse flies at the yard. Horse flies can pose a serious risk to a horse’s health and well-being. Therefore, following these fly-repelling tips could reduce the chances of accumulating a nasty vet bill. This article contains affiliate links. To learn more, visit our affiliate disclaimer. Protect the you, your horse and your stable yard In the summer, some…

Learn how to maintain your horse’s health during the summer season. Discover the importance of monitoring hydration and preventing dehydration in horses. Summer horse health means keeping on top of conditions that come with the hot weather and increased outings. Summer is a busy time for equestrians, so simple changes to maintain horse health can often go a-miss! So, what should horse owners keep a keen eye on to maintain their horse’s health during summer? Hydration Monitoring your horse’s hydration is a must in the summer, with the days normally…

Trickle Net have launched the first free online forage calculator of its kind. The results are instantly available to the user and displayed with a host of recommendations and advice around feeding horses on a weight control diet.

The Best In-Hand Exercises For Horses In-hand exercises for horses boast amazing benefits for well-being, strength, and your relationship with your horse. Whether you’re bringing your horse back into work following injury or looking to further develop muscle strength and suppleness, these easy-to-do, DIY techniques are great to include within your horse’s routine! Benefits of In-Hand Exercises In-hand exercises can comprise of anything from stretches to maneuvers and tricks, all of which keep the mind stimulated. Whilst performing tricks and maneuvers, this can be the perfect opportunity to refine movements and…

Looking for affordable equine therapy equipment? It can be hard to find, with the equine market flooded with therapy equipment all claiming to be the next best thing. However, you don’t have to splash the cash to see the results you want. Whether you’re looking to improve injury healing or enhance muscle function, we’ve found some of the most affordable alternatives to pricey equine therapy equipment! Massage Mitt Equilibrium Massage Mitt SHOP NOW >>£99.00 from www.amazon.co.uk Roma Massage Rubber Mitt SHOP NOW >> £6.93 from www.amazon.co.uk How Does It Work:…

Improving your bandaging technique is essential to reap the full benefits of horse bandages. When applied correctly, a bandage can assist in the healing process of an injury, but if applied incorrectly bandaging can cause problems that will delay healing and potentially cause further complications. Learning how to bandage is something that requires practice, and the secret of good bandaging lies in achieving correct and even tension. By following a few important guidelines you can improve your bandaging technique and ensure that whenever you need to apply a bandage your…

Cold hosing horses’ legs can offer many benefits, however, deciding on whether or not to do it in the cold weather, takes some weighing up. In this article we look at three reasons why you may choose to cold hose, and what points should be considered when doing so. Why Cold Hose Legs Cold hosing a horse’s legs (or leg) can help clear away unwanted debris and mud, help clean a wound, or act as cold therapy. Depending on the reason, there will be different ways and places to apply…

EHV-1 Outbreak: All Horse Owners Need To Know In light of the recent EHV-1 outbreak, horse owners need to vigilant and educated on the virus and how it manage cases and suspected cases of infection. With international equestrian centres across the country already issuing restrictions regarding horses that may have been exposed to EHV-1, all horse owners need to be alert to identification procedure and management protocols. What Is EHV-1? EHV-1, otherwise known as equine herpes virus, is one of nine equine herpes virus strains that have been identified to…

New LaminAid and PodoSens from Cavalor NEW from Cavalor this spring are LaminAid and PodoSens. Cavalor LaminAid is recommended for horses and ponies with sensitive hooves due to metabolic problems. It supports the sensitive intestinal flora and brings hormonal and metabolic processes back into balance while improving blood circulation and flow in the hoof. Cavalor LaminAid is a unique, balanced combination of several essential oils including Eucalyptus globulus, Allium sativum and Betula alba.  When incorporated into a blend, they complement each other and have a synergistic benefit. Horses and ponies…

Discover our top pick of healthy horse treats, which are both delicious and nutritious. Including leading products such as Baileys horse treats and Likit horse treats, we give you an ingredient breakdown and the benefits each treat boasts! Treats are a great way to reward horses for good behaviour, help reinforce positive situations and great for practising stretches. All treats are good in small doses, however, you still may choose to opt for the healthier ones for your horse. Baileys Tasty Treats 5kg Baileys Tasty Treats contain a blend of…

Do you often wonder how many times per week you should groom your horse or pony? Some owners religiously groom daily, while others may pick up a body brush once a week, but what is the right answer?  The truth is, the amount of time you spend grooming your horse will vary. It’ll depend on your own time each day, how dirty your horse is, whether or not your horse wears a rug … and the list goes on. Aside from picking your horses hooves out, that should be done…

Horses can be just as prone to putting on weight as people can and it can be equally hard to get it off again. Equine Obesity in the UK is a very real problem for many horse owners, so naturally, we want to do all we can to help cut the weight and provide our horses with happier, and healthier lives. It is natural for horses and ponies to put on weight over summer when food is plentiful. Historically, the weight gained during summer months helped sustain horses throughout the…

Horse turnout rugs can get confusing?! With turnout rugs boasting multiple features, what does your horse actually need? We’ve got horse rugs all explained, with features to look out for and what purpose they actually serve to your horse! Finding a quality turnout rug, which suits your horse is one of the great struggles of every owner. Not only must our horse’s rugs keep them warm and dry, but they must withstand the wear and tear of field-play and be secure enough so horsey ‘Houdini’s’ don’t escape! But what rug features…

Discover the benefits of soaking vs steaming hay for your horse’s respiratory health. Learn about the methods and their impact on stable hygiene. Soaking vs steaming hay…which is better? When trying to improve our horse’s respiratory health and condition, improving air quality is a must. Soaking or steaming hay has become a common practice in order to alleviate respiratory symptoms. But, why does treating our forage in this way help our horse’s breathing, and which method is best – soaking or steaming? Soaking vs Steaming Hay For Respiratory Health Through…

Horse respiratory supplements but disguised as treats, for the fussy feeders on the yard! Supporting airway and reducing mucus production, theses horse respiratory supplements are a win-win as a performance essential, as well as getting on our horse’s good side! Horslyx Mini Respiratory Horse Lick Horselyx Mini Respiratory Horse Lick is designed to provide a unique two-pronged approach in supporting a healthy respiratory system. Ingredients such as menthol, eucalyptus and aniseed support the airways and keep them clear of mucus while the high specification balancer package helps maintain immunity. NAF Minty…

Discover the signs and symptoms of horse breathing problems and how they can affect performance and health. how to spot common equine respiratory issues in our article below. A horse with breathing problems can be a worry to owners. The issue has an effect on performance and overall health, too. So, what are the signs and symptoms we should look out for in the most common equine breathing problems? Why Are Equine Breathing Problems An Issue? Like humans, horses’ respiratory systems exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen, which is important for…

Respiratory problems in horses can be very worrying for horse owners. After the initial disease/condition has been dealt with, symptoms persist and the horse may become more sensitive to future stimulants. With assistance from the experts at HorseHage, this article provides information on the causes of respiratory conditions, including tips on best practice to reduce risk to your horse. This article does not cover respiratory diseases in detail; where possible, we have linked to useful resources for more information. Respiratory diseases in horses can be caused by the following: Viral…

Feeding horses during winter can depend on many factors. However, feeding horses in winter, to keep them in the best possible condition, can be difficult as the weather becomes colder, especially if we have a picky horse or one with a poor appetite. What you feed your horse in the winter, can vary greatly from that of the summer months. Longer days stabled, colder weather and less grass all alter the horse’s needs and it’s prudent to be aware of this, therefore coming up with a suitable plan for the…