It’s not always possible to go riding, so horse enthusiasts often watch horse movies. Many of these have captured imaginations and were catalysts for dreams. Source: Horse Network, 2014. See where your favorite movie(s) rank in this list. Here’s the top 5 of 50: War Horse Seabiscuit The Man from Snowy River Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron National … [Read more...]
Research to help determine horse-to-rider weight guidelines
The Animal Health Trust (AHT) is launching a study this year that will help equestrian organizations create science-based guidelines for rider weight. According to AHT, an excessive weight burden can lead to horses with back problems, lameness, chronic pain and resistance to being ridden. The research promises to answer longstanding questions about rider-to-horse weight … [Read more...]
Fetch horse, fetch (includes video)
Just for fun! Training your horse to fetch your beverage of choice out of the cooler is a handy trick for hot summer days. Hokey Pokey, a six-year-old Pinto learned the wine-fetching trick in six sessions. Source: Horse Channel, May 15, 2017. Rebecca Tasker, the New Zealand-based trainer behind Positively Together, uses clicker training to teach her equine charges using … [Read more...]
Buttercups; beautiful, prolific and toxic
Buttercups are toxic to horses and other animals. Overgrazing is the root of the buttercup problem on many farms. Before the grass gets grazed down to the ground, move horses to a different field or use temporary fencing such as electric tape to section off rotating parts of the pasture to let the grass recover. Source: Horse Channel, May 5, 2017. Horses generally have no … [Read more...]
The equine vaccination guide
Horse owners can vaccinate their horses against a variety of infectious diseases. Unfortunately, they’re also confronted with a mix of advice from a plethora of sources — most of them sound and somewhat persuasive. David W. Ramey, DVM, writes about vaccination options for horses. Source: Horse Channel, April 7, 2017. ‘Core vaccinations’ is a term that the American … [Read more...]
10 tips to help horses live naturally
Casie Bazay is realistic about the natural craze, but offers some examples where natural really makes sense. She reminds us our domesticated horses will never live completely natural lives, but we can adjust to allow them to live more as nature intended. Source: Horse Channel, March 24, 2017. Here are Bazay’s 10 natural horse care tips to benefit every horse: Allow … [Read more...]
Spring horse care checklist
Spring is here and summer will follow quickly. Here’s a list of important health care reminders animal health pros can share with horse owners before summer gets into full swing. Source: Horse Channel, March 18, 2015. 7 things to do to prepare horses and barns for the season ahead: Spring vaccines Dental care Coggins Pasture management Physical exam Barn … [Read more...]
Horse industry career spotlight: physical therapist specializing in hippotherapy
Animal health pros often receive questions from young persons who desire to get involved in an animal health career. In this article and video, Lisa Harris discusses how she put her love for horses to work in a physical therapy career. Source: Horse Channel, January 27, 2017. Harris sees clients in physical therapy, both children and adults, and uses a variety of treatment … [Read more...]
Heat and ice therapy explained
Dr. Lydia Gray answers horse health questions at HorseChannel.com: Ask the Vet. In this Q&A article, she explains the difference between hot and cold therapy and under what circumstances each should be used. Source: HorseChannel.com, January 10, 2017. In a nutshell, cold is for early stages of injury while heat is for the final states of healing. Each in their own way, … [Read more...]
American Pharoah is a dad
Just for fun! American Pharoah was a racing phenomenon in 2015, when he won the Triple Crown. Bred to 208 mares in 2016, the first colt was born on January 3rd at Brookdale Farm in Kentucky. Source: HorseChannel.com, January 3, 2017. Like his dad, the colt is bay, but he’s got some chrome – white socks and a wide blaze. American Pharoah’s only white marking is a tiny white … [Read more...]
3 reasons to adjust horses’ winter diets
The winter months are tough on horses, so make some changes to their feed to help them cope, recommends Alli Kelley. She discusses the conditions where diet changes are warranted for winter: Changes In workload The hard keeper New to the cold Source: HorseChannel.com, November 18, 2016. Kelley makes these statements about her 3 reasons: The type of work our … [Read more...]
Too hot to trot
When horses are asked to exert themselves in f high heat and humidity, the potential for heat-induced illness is real. Sara Christie shares ways avoid potential heat traps for horses. The information is good for horse and rider. Source: Horse Channel, June 28, 2007. What would be considered moderate exercise under temperate weather conditions can have the same effect as … [Read more...]
Equine nutrition FAQs addressed
Whether it’s a large show barn, or single horse owner, feeding and nutrition questions seem to be the same. This article addresses common questions about how to properly feed our four-legged friends. From how to care for the senior horse, to if an easy keeper needs concentrate, you can find out how to provide proper nutrition and feeding for your horses. Source: Horse … [Read more...]
Idioms with equine origins
We’ve heard these phrases many times. Here’s a look at their origins. It’s a cinch many animal health pros have no point of reference for some of these unless you’re getting long in the tooth. Source: Horse Channel, March 29, 2016. Our language is full of phrases that might have formerly meant one thing, and now mean something else entirely. When it comes to horses, modern … [Read more...]