Health and Well Being
In warm weather, it’s when it’s cool. And a few more things to consider.
Somewhere between 30% and 80%? It depends.
More than elbow grease
It’s essential and you may need to supplement
Yes! But only one way.
How it grows and types of hair
Diet, exercise, knowing the normals
Are they caused by bits? Sometimes!
It’s mostly unrelated to the temperature.
Can your horse keep a healthy weight and is the risk of laminitis low?
It not just about hoof care, it’s exercise, turnout, diet, and more.
All horses need vaccination against a core group of diseases, then there are vaccines that vary on a horse’s risk.
Create a safe fitness plan for your horse and track progress
And other tidbits of digestives system knowledge
Better safe than sorry when it comes to a horse’s sensitive skin
Be prepared for most horse emergencies with some knowledge and a proper first aid kit for your horse.
Muzzles are great for laminitis prevention and helping hte overweight horse become healthy.
Fungus, tack, elbow skin, and sweat all make for a big skin mess.
Learn about amino acids, vitamins and minerals that your horse needs for max health.
Fungus, tack, elbow skin, and sweat all make for a big skin mess.
Most vets say that’s too long – add a dry lot with slow feeders, too.
Not in a bad way! A new study even noticed that some horses walk MORE when wearing a grazing muzzle.
Get your Vet and Equine Nutritionist on your team to help your horse lose weight!
New science from Australia has revealed that using a sweat scraper to cool your horse down is not necessarily the best plan! Leaving the cool water on your horse may be better, as shown my the study results.
How horse owners can catch the early signs of laminitis. Often, laminitis can be spotted before your horse becomes lame from hoof pain.
How chia seeds might benefit your horse! Chia seeds for horses are full of omega fatty acids, protein, and nutrients!
What grazing muzzles do to horse’s teeth, and how you can prevent it!
A summary of current science about feeding psyllium to horses to clear sand and prevent or treat sand colic. Surprising information about some better options!
How to introduce the grazing muzzle to your horse for safer pasture grazing! Allow your horse to learn the association between grass and wearing a grazing muzzle.
How to manage a horse with Cushing’s disease, including how to clip a horse with Cushings! You might need to invest in some heavy duty clippers.
FAQ about horse grazing muzzles – are they cruel, how do they work, how can they help prevent laminitis and colic
How you and your Veterinarian can determine if your horse has gastric ulcers, signs of ulcers in horses, how to feed a horse with ulcers, and more!
Some of the many skin problems in horses! From rain rot to more complicated skin disease like equine pastern dermatitis and photosensitivity.
Some things to think about when you are buying a horse! Observe the horse’s behavior while being groomed and tacked up, and then do a complete pre-purchase exam with your vet!
It might be best for your horse and your grass to use a grazing muzzle in the winter!
How to tell if your horse is fatigues, overworked, or exhausted, and what you can do about it. Know the signs of fatigue in horses, and some of the consequences of extreme exhaustion.
How horses stay warm in winter and thermoregulate their body temperature. Horses can lose heat many ways, and hypothermia is a possibility. How to spot hypothermia in horses, and things you can do to help your horse stay warm.
There are some definite plusses (and minuses) when horses and cows share the same pasture! Consider flies, feed and hay, how much land you have, and if you can rotate pastures.
How horse twitches work, what types of twitches there are, and what not to do when twitching a horse.
What is gas colic in horses, and how your horse might tell you that he’s not feeling well! Gas colic is a broad term for digestive pain and cramping in horses.
NSAIDs for horses and how they can help control your horse’s pain. Bute, Banamine®, and Equioxx® are the most common ones.
The different types of hay for horses, including warm and cool season and legumes and grass hays.
Some ideas why horses chew wood and fencing, and what you can do about it. It’s more about forage than nutrients.
How horses get rid of body heat and thermoregulate in warm and hot weather! Also, signs of heat stroke in horses.
How to properly fit a grazing muzzle and halter for your horse.
What is topline on a horse? How do you know if your horse’s topline is the best it can be?
How photosensitivity works in horses, and some easy treatments with the help of your Veterinarian and some shade.
Three very good reasons to stop feeding your horse corn oil! There are better and more effective alternatives out there.
There are lots of ways and techniques to reward your horse.
All of the most common internal and external parasites in horses.
Some things to consider and think about when euthanizing your horse.
The problems that flies can cause horses, and what you can do about it.
How to help your horse and yourself during a colic watch.
How modern technology can help you track your horse’s health and fitness.
Some reasons why horses are girthy and cinchy. It might be physical, it might not be.
How to measure your horse’s heart rate to track his fitness levels.
What you need to know about exercising your horse in cold weather and what this can do to your horse’s lungs.
Does your horse need a grazing muzzle all year long? Perhaps – it can save your horse and your pastures!
Some handy tips on how you can help your horse’s health by feeding him at ground level.
How you can tell if your horse is stressed out, and what you can do about it!
Some fascinating and vague comparisons between colic and laminitis statistics.
I talked to some Equine Vets and Techs about the most preventable things they see.
A list of common horse eye ailments, and how you can notice them early.
There’s really only one way to spot something different on your horse – and that’s to know his normals! Anytime your horse deviates from a normal, it’s time to look at the big picture and perhaps call the Vet.
Horses stomp for lots of reasons – it’s not just flies. Sometimes you need to intervene, and even get the Vet involved.
How you can spot arthritis in your horse and how you can help your horse.
Some common sport horse injuries, and how you can see them in your horse.
Horses do not need to be on a strict feeding schedule – but they do need forage most of the day. You can let meal times slide a bit!
What happens to a horse’s wound as it heals. There’s a chance for scar, or maybe the hair will grow back in white.
What is a parasite load? And how can you manage your horse’s parasite load? Three things to do for your horse – fecal egg counts, clean his pasture, and targeted, not rotational, deworming.
Insect your horse daily for ticks, using your fingers. Inspect all your horse’s body, and pull ticks straight out. Practice good tick control around your farm!
What is Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction? Also known as PPID? Also known as Cushing’s Disease? What the horse owner should look for, and how to help the horse with PPID.
All you could ever want to know about Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Insulin Resistance (IR) in horses, and what you can do to protect and help your own horse.
How kissing spines in horses works, and what you can do about it. From surgery to a different training method, there are several options.
I attempt to blow up the myth of standing in your stirrups to take pressure off your horse’s kidneys. It’s not necessary. However, you might want to stand up in the stirrups to make him more comfortable in the back.
Super information about the fecal egg count test for horses, and how it detects ascarids (roundworms) and small strongyles. You should do two tests per year, one in spring and one in fall. You may want to also do one after a deworming to check for effectiveness.
A mineral block for your horse is not always a good idea. They tend to be low in required minerals, and you can’t rely on your horse to use them daily and in the correct amount.
Is your horse’s diet wrong? He might be telling you with a dull coat, lack of energy, too much energy, and a few other ways.
Along with your Vet’s help, you have many ways to help the horse with Cushings, Insulin Resistance, and Equine Metabolic Syndrome.
Horse treats that are low sugar and low starch. These are the best treats for the metabolic horse that has Cushing’s disease or Insulin Resistance.
What you should know about CBD oils make from marijuana and hemp, and if it’s best for CBD oil to be given to horses.
The many medical issues and problems that can be associated with an overweight or obese horse.
Is haylage an option to feed your horse? It can be, depending on the local definition of haylage, or it can not be, because of the risk of botulism.
Keep your eyes peeled for these 5 cold weather horse health hazards!
An introduction into Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in horses. How much of each does your horse need and do you need to supplement your horse? Warning – there are no concrete answers!
Ideas on how to make your mare comfortable and rideable throughout her estrus cycle.
Some suggestions on self care if you work or play in the horse industry. Horses don’t always come first! And don’t be afraid to get professional help.
Things you can do, and pay attention to, that can help decrease the risk of your horse developing colic. Always call your Veterinarian!
Ideas on how you can help keep your horse drinking water this winter!
Ideally, the winter should not mean weight loss, frozen water, icy ground, or colic for your horse. Here’s what to watch out for!
How you can keep your senior horse healthy and comfortable this fall and winter! Vet care, Farrier care, and most importantly, daily exercise and grooming.
How to tell if your horse has sore muscles, and what you can do about it!
When fall arrives, you need to be aware of some changes. Pastures, metabolic issues, toxins in the environment and more can affect your horse. Here are some tips to stay ahead of these!
It’s not always obvious when a horse is lame – so look for these subtle signs that tell you something is not quite right.
How you can keep your horse’s joints healthy and happy and comfortable for your equine athlete!
The four stages of wound healing after your horse injures himself.
Why is your horse itchy? Time to play detective and narrow down the many reasons horses are itchy.
Easy tips for clipping your horse’s wound or cut. Help the meds work, get a better look, keep things tidy.
Horses are as unique as the people that own them – so how do you tell the difference between a quirk and something being “off”?
Summer brings fun, long days, and skin issues for horses. Read up on the most common and preventable issues!
A brief description of NSC – non structural carbohydrates – and what they mean for your horse.
Stallions, mares, teeth, keratin, and other horse anatomy weirdness.
Six easy things to watch for in winter to make sure your horse stays healthy and happy!
What does the Coggins test for in a horse? And why is it necessary?
A primer to the amazing circulatory system of the horse, and how you can watch for changes in your horse’s circulatory health!
Some things to know about feeding rice bran to horses and why you might want to feed rice bran.
What swollen glands look like, and what they mean, for horses. Don’t panic, but do call your vet. It could be grass glands or strangles or something else entirely!
Many diseases and injuries can affect the nervous system of the horse – these are the signs of neurological damage, and an excellent reason to call the Vet!
The tricky subject of horse abuse – how to report it, what to do, what NOT to do.
What gnats are, what they love to do, how you can help your horse cope with gnats.
Should you feed your horse hay before a ride? What about grain? Your questions answered here!
What to do to avoid a copperhead snake, and what to do if your horse is bitten by a copperhead snake!
Top 7 things to do to keep your horse healthy – some is common sense, some is super fast, some requires daily diligence.
Learn more about the omega fatty acids and other benefits of flaxseed for horses!
Lots of information and research on laminitis in horses, these tidbits are just some of the more interesting facts.
Quidding is when horses are unable to properly chew their hay – lots of causes, and lots of ideas to help your horse.
Everything that you need to know about horse electrolytes! And then some.
An introduction into the urinary system of the horse, and what you need to watch for to alert you to problems.
How to determine if you need to give your horse iodized or regular salt in his diet. Don’t rely on blocks!
The houdini horse that escapes and finds himself in front of loads of hay can often end up in serious trouble. What to do if your horse gorges on hay! Hint – Call the Vet!
What every horse owner should know about their horse’s stifle joint – how it works, what can go wrong, how to spot problems!
Some basic differences between ponies and horses – mostly in the feel good and be healthy categories.
A quick look into weather changes, horses, and their propensity for colic.
The basics of why horses might develop hives, and what you can do to make your horse comfortable again.
The dangerous relationship between blister beetles, horses, and alfalfa hay.
Mosquitos pose a huge threat to your horse’s health, EEE, WEE, and WNV are among the diseases to learn about.
Should you be icing your horse’s hooves? Probably! It can help with everyday inflammation, and during times of laminitis and other hoof issues.
A horse that is an easy keeper, or air fern, often has underlying circumstances that need Veterinary monitoring and maintenance.
Watch out for these skin ailments in winter – you may have to dig deep on your horse under all of that coat only to discover rain rot or other bacterial infection.
The similarities and differences between soaking and steaming hay for your horse. And do you even need to do it?
An intro into your horse’s hocks – the joints, what to pay attention to, and how to care for the hocks!
The facts about horses and frostbite – and the two most likely places it will happen.
In the fall, your horse’s own body might put him at a higher risk of laminitis. Time to be on the lookout!
Sand ingestion can be a big, colic causing problem. Try and limit how much he can even get into his belly with these ideas!
You might be ready to pumpkin spice the universe, but your horse needs a few things before fall and winter hit full force.
Your horse’s skin is his largest organ! With so many functions, it’s important to inspect him daily.
A few reasons why feeding your horse some cow food may be totally dangerous, and even deadly.
The low down on the cow killer ant – really a wasp – and how it got that horrible name!
The main differences between legume and grass hay and how it might affect your horse!
You may find that one morning your horse has eaten his way through the feed room… this is an emergency! An overdose of grains can make your horse develop colic and laminitis.
A few of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to witch hazel and horses. Generally useful, but avoid these areas on your horse.
An introduction to the horse’s respiratory system, and what sorts of things you can listen and look for to be sure this system is healthy.
The tapeworms that live in horses are commonly associated with many types of colic. Trouble is, they are hard to detect!
It’s a complete myth that lime is safe and/or effective to use around horses. There are better options for your horse’s stall!
The greenhead fly is a particularly vicious fly – with only a few ways to relieve your horse of this painful annoyance!
Understanding how inflammation and icing work will only help your horse stay sound and healthy in the long run!
An introduction to the inner workings of your horse’s digestive system – and how to monitor his insides by paying attention to his outsides!
Know the risk factors for laminitis so that you can help keep your horse healthy and happy!
Dispelling some rumors and half truths about what foamy lips mean when your horse is wearing a bit!
While buttercups are cute in your horse pastures, they are toxic to horses. What you should know about them!
The long and short answers to this question about horses and dandelions! Yes he can eat them. Conditionally.
Some ideas on how to prevent your horse from poking his neck (and legs and other stuff) through the fence!
Find another treat – grass clippings are dangerous for horses!
Pay attention to the air around you and your horse – and make some changes if it’s too smokey, too dusty, too much ammonia.
Some things that you may, or may not, find interesting about horses and their anatomy and physiology.
Some great tidbits of information about hoof bruises, and what you can do for your horse.
How to make travels with your horse safe and practice good biosecurity at horse shows. This can help prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
How to care for the horse that’s only active a few days a week – the weekend warrior horse!
By saving your horse’s feed bag labels, you can easily compare nutritional information and find out if contamination is possible if the food is recalled.
Increased use of dewormers has created some resistant worms! You also need to know what dewormer to use at what time – use fecal counts in your program, too!
A look at the pros and cons of using round bales of hay to feed your horses!
Humidity presents a special challenge for horses – and how to keep them safe and cooled off.
Do you need to groom your horse’s eye? Well, yes and no.
A few common words you might find on your horse’s feed bag label. Easily decoded for you.
Another horse myth busted! Let your horse drink after exercise for maximum hydration.
The basics about tall fescue grass, endophytes, and horses!
Horses can develop sores and rubs, some ideas on how to prevent and heal!
Vaccine reactions are possible in horses, here’s what to look for – hives, fever, anaphylaxis, and more. These can happen minutes to days after a vaccine.
A few reasons why your Veterinarian should be the only one vaccinating your horse! Vaccine reactions are rare, and sometimes serious.
The basics of how horses sleep, and things to look for if you suspect your horse isn’t sleeping well!
Things to investigate to find out if your horse is cold, and why it’s important – hypothermia is a danger!
Things that your horse will do to “tell you” that he’s in pain!
Your everyday, run of the mill minor horse scrapes can easily be handled with the help of a few cleansers!
Horses use body language and behavior to communicate – learn what to look for to make sure your horse is feeling great!
The scoop on beer and horses – why you may, or may not, want to give him beer!
How to tell if your horse’s tiny, or gigantic, wound is starting to get infected.
No one wants to think of their horse’s passing, but putting a plan together now can save you heartache later.
The basics of injury care, using ice and/or heat to help your horse!
Summer sores can sideline your horse for months! Here’s how to deal with this worm infection.
Possible causes and things to investigate with your Vet about your horse’s hair loss around the eyes and face.
When your horse shows signs of colic, call your Vet and be ready to give lots of information!
Step by step instructions on how to estimate your horse’s weight!
You may not want to think about it, but knowing what normal horse manure can save you some Vet bills!
Is your horse allergic to something? Horses with allergies may have hives, respiratory issues, or digestive issues. Blood work and elimination tests are in order.
How to check your horse’s digital pulse to gauge for hoof inflammation!
An intro into checking your horse for gut sounds! How and why this basic skill is needed for your horse’s health.
Simple tests that Grooms and horse owners can do to test for sand in their horse’s digestive systems.
What you need to look for if you suspect heaves in your horse, and how you can help the horse with heaves.
Checking for your horse’s hydration can be easy to incorporate into his daily routine!
How you might be able to tell that your horse needs his teeth worked on. And, what sorts of dental issues horses have.
How do you know when to call the Vet? Any time your horse has one of these emergencies, make the call to your Vet!
An overview for horse lovers about the bacterial infection known as rain rot. Some tips for prevention and care for the horse with rain rot.
What Grooms and horse owners need to know about DMSO, what it’s for, and how to use it.
How you can help the horse with sweet itch! Some things to try with the help of your Veterinarian.
How horse owner can spot the sign of anhidrosis, and what you can do to manage this lack of sweating in your horse.
You may find aural plaques growing in the ears of your horse – here’s the background on aural plaques and some treatment options.
Thrush is a common bacterial infection of the hoof. Easy to treat if you catch it early!
Probiotics for horses, and also prebiotics for horses. How they are different, and are they needed and effective?
Information on scratches on your horse’s legs. What causes scratches, and how you can help your horse.
Things we need to notice in our horses – over the long haul.
Do you know your horse’s vital signs? His temperature, pulse, and respirations (TPR) are all indicators of health, fitness, and pain.
Some ways to teach your horse to urinate on command.
Some general guidelines of how to care for older horses – from extra treats, to bloodwork, to regular exercise.
How to prevent your horse from getting a sunburn! You have a few options when it comes to covering up your horse.
What’s in Your Vet Kit? How complete is your horse’s first aid kit? Here’s a handy list of some things you may want to stock.
How to prevent and heal hock sores in horses.