health Archives

Antacids for Horses – Are They Worth It?

Horses commonly suffer from gastric ulcers, and managing stomach acid is a frequent concern for horse owners. Antacids for horses may provide temporary relief by neutralizing acid, but they do not address the underlying causes of ulcers, such as an empty stomach or high-stress feeding schedules. Effective prevention and treatment often rely on diet changes, small frequent meals, forage, and veterinary-guided medications rather than human antacids like TUMS.

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pulsed electromagnetic coils on a horse's back

PEMF for Horses

Health and Well Being / By Liv G.

PEMF for horses is gaining attention as a non-invasive therapy that may support equine health and healing. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for horses is thought to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and aid recovery in tissues ranging from bone to cartilage. While research is ongoing and results are mixed, horse owners and veterinarians are exploring its potential role in managing injuries, soreness, and long-term conditions.

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insect bite hypersensitivity reaction of many hives on a horse's back

Insect Bite Hypersensitivity in Horses

Health and Well Being / By Liv G.

IBH in horses creates a cycle of bites, allergic reaction, intense itching, and skin lesions. A horse’s immune system goes into overdrive, creating the severe allergy to fly saliva, usualy Culicoides midges, or no-see-ums, but many fly types are to blame. Learn how to help the horse with insect bite hypersensitivity.

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The Best Practical Horse Books

My Blog / By Liv G.

Browse this comprehensive list of books about horses, from grooming and braiding, training, horsemanship, and even some fiction books about our favorite equine friends.

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Trailering Horses In Hot Weather

Trailers and Trailering / By Liv G.

Stay safe by monitoring your horse’s hydration, temperature, and eating when you travel, as well as many other tips for trailering your horse in hot weather. Start early when it’s cooler and accessorize your rig with fans and monitoring equipment.

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black walnut green pod in the tree, showing the walnut inside

Black Walnut Shavings Are Toxic to Horses

Barn Management, Health and Well Being / By Liv G.

Black walnut trees are toxic for horses and can create laminitis and equine founder in a few hours with exposure to black walnut shavings. Tips for identifying these toxic trees, and how to spot the signs of laminitis as a result of exposure.

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equine vet listening to heart of a gray horse in a stall

Signs of Illness in Horses

Health and Well Being / By Liv G.

Your horse’s vital signs and daily behaviors can tell you they are not feeling well. Incorporate checking your horse’s vitals as you groom, and notice their temperment and reactions to handling. Know the signs of colic, respiratory distress, laminitis, and other common horse diseases.

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four horses in a pasture at dawn with trees in the background and fog

Less Is More For Horses

Barn Management / By Liv G.

You don’t always have to be extra with horses. Sometimes, less is more, which allows them to have a more natural life. We should still do what we can to help them be slow feeding grazers, but we don’t have to over-groom or over-train them. Less can be more!

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a fat horse and a cow standing in a field grazing

Monensin Toxicity in Horses from Contaminated Feed

Barn Management, Health and Well Being / By Liv G.

Monensin is an ionophore antibiotic for cattle, other ruminants, and chickens. In horses, it can quickly cause severe neurological and cardiac problems and often results in death. Avoid contamination by using horse specific feeds from trusted mills that are ionophore-free.

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diagram of hoof anatomy showing the ddft and coffin bone

The Difference Between Laminitis and Founder

Health and Well Being, Legs and Hooves / By Liv G.

While laminitis and founder are used interchangeably, these two terrible hoof conditions vary just slightly. Laminitis is the swelling, while founder is the rotation of the bone in the hoof.

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