Health and Well Being
Marshmallow Fluff and Horses
Using marshmallow fluff to mimic foamy saliva in your horse’s mouth is no longer allowed in dressage competitions per the FEI and USEF. Marshmallow fluff and horses makes them appear to be softly chewing the bit and accepting the contact, but it can hide an open mouth, blue tongues, and resistance to the bit. Foamy saliva and sweat do no indicate relaxation or stress in horses.
Cold Backed Horse Causes and Treatments
Nothing says ending up in the dirt quite like a cold backed horse. Here’s what you can do about it.
Hives in Horses
Your horse’s itchy hives, called urticaria, are an allergic reaction to some allergen in their life – it could be food, pasture, dust, or something else in their environment. Or, it could be an allergic reaction to a grooming product or fly spray. Work with your vet to find the cause, and treat the itchy bumps as they appear.
Signs of Illness in Horses
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.
Feeding Alfalfa to Horses
Alfalfa hay is a great option for some horses that need extra protein, energy, calcium, and calories. But, the higher calcium must be balanced with additional phosphorus in the diet. Also, watch out for blister beetles when feeding alfalfa to horses, as they are toxic for horses.
Spring Colic in Horses and Lush Pasture
There’s a link between lush, green grass and spring colic in horses. It’s the same mechanism that can trigger laminitis and happens when the hindgut of the horse’s digestive system has too many sugars and starches. Use grazing muzzles and slow feeders to help prevent gas colic in horses.
Founder in the Spring – Prevention and Care
Lush grass after winter can create founder in the spring for horses, especially those with metabolic conditions like EMS and Cushing’s. The higher sugars and starches react in the hindgut to create gas, endotoxins, and a changing pH that lead to laminitis and sometimes founder. Use grazing muzzles and treat spring grass like a diet change.
Quarter Cracks in Horses
Most quarter cracks in horses begin at the coronary band. Many are shallow, some are deep enough to bleed and cause lameness. Corrective farrier work is needed to rebalance the hoof and help this hoof crack heal.
Monensin Toxicity in Horses from Contaminated Feed
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.