Obesity in horses carries a bunch of problems. David Ramey, DVM, shares some of the them, offers solutions and a story, as well: Fat horses are insulated horsesExercise intoleranceLaminitis You should be able to feel your horse’s ribs easily, but not see them (much). Source: Horse Network, January 27, 2019. Link. Keep your horse at a good weight. He’ll feel better, … [Read more...]
Fall leaves can be toxic to horses
As fall colors paint the countryside, remember that falling leaves can pose a potentially deadly threat to horses. Dr. Tania Cubitt reviews trees whose leaves are dangerous in this article sponsored by Standlee Forage. Source: Horse Network, October 10, 2018. Link. Do not dispose of your raked leaves into your pasture Also see: Red maple leaves dangerous for horses, Animal … [Read more...]
Getting smart on equine sarcoids
The immune system seems to play an integral role in the development of sarcoids. Reducing stress, providing a high-quality, forage-based diet, and even adding immune-supporting herbs may help. Young to middle-aged horses are most prone to sarcoids, . . . , and common sites of development include the abdomen, sheath, ears, muzzle, or around the eyes. They might also appear at … [Read more...]
50 best horse movies
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...]
Horse personalities affect training and riding
Horses can display traits that qualify them as social, aloof, fearful and challenging. In addition to noting specific temperament traits that best match an individual horse, it is important to notice how loudly or quietly (aggressively or passively) the horse displays his personality. The more aggressive the personality traits are, the more they become a factor in the training … [Read more...]
Ex-racehorses are not for beginners (includes video)
Just for fun! Nick Bull’s video of his runaway experience with an ex-racehorse underscores the reality that thoroughbreds retired from racing may not make the best horse for a novice rider. Source: Horse Network, March 2017. Retired racehorses are not for everyone. While thoroughbreds are some of the most willing and loyal partners on the planet, at the core they are … [Read more...]
Impaction colic is common and treatable
Equine gastrointestinal distress, colic, has several causes. Impaction colic is one of the more common types and is treatable when caught early. An impaction occurs when a large amount of firm, dry fecal material has built up within the intestine. This mass is then unable to change size as it passes through the varying widths of the digestive system. Impactions occur most often … [Read more...]
Horse body clipping basics are important
Though it’s often an essential part of good horse management, clipping can be a daunting task. The authors offer questions and tips to help horse owners when clipping is required. Consider this article for a social media post or as information when educating horse owners and horse enthusiast groups. Source: Horse Network, October 2017. Topics cover: considerations … [Read more...]
Insulin resistance and cold weather laminitis in horses
Eleanor Kellon, VMD, says cold-induced hoof pain strikes horses with insulin resistance (IR). IR is a well described risk factor for laminitis. Even when a horse is not glaringly lame it is causing damage to the laminae. We haven’t uncovered all the mechanisms behind laminar damage from high insulin levels but one known factor is elevated levels of endothelin-1. Source: … [Read more...]
These are horses, not teddy bears
Thomas Gumbrecht shares a story of horse care, animal temperament and a momentary lapse of judgement that resulted in getting kicked by an old friend. It is a good reminder to be present around horses or any animal. Source: Horse Network, January 3, 2018. As she passed, I noticed something on her underside and instinctively reached out to touch it. I forgot for a moment … [Read more...]
Cabin fever affects horses, too
Natural horsemanship reminds me to look at every situation as if I were a horse, shares Tim Hayes. He relates how cabin fever can affect both horse and rider. Spending 20 or 30 minutes, three to five times a week connecting with our horses is mentally and emotionally meaningful to him. Source: Horse Network, December 2017. If I can’t ride, I can still visit, says Hays. I … [Read more...]
Colder weather makes horses stiff
Cold, damp weather causes increased stiffness in both muscle and connective tissue, including tendons and ligaments in horses. Older animals experience the effects more profoundly. Eleanor Kellon, VMD, offers some supportive measures to offset the effects of cold. Source: Horse Network, December 5, 2017. Research has proven that exposure to cold causes increased stiffness … [Read more...]
The 10 different types of horse owners (includes video)
Just for fun, check out Maria Watcher’s review of different horse owners. Most animal health pros have met someone who fits these descriptions. The Know-it-All, Miss Horse Poor and Frugal Fred were most familiar to our AHD team. Source: Horse Network, December 2014. INSIGHTS: Sales reps can use the video to get a group loosened-up ahead of a presentation. … [Read more...]
Managing the skinny, older horse
Impending winter weather and loss of good pasture should make all owners of thin senior horses anxious. An underweight horse is a concern regardless of age, but seniors have additional considerations. Eleanor Kellon, VMD, shares perspectives on dentistry and nutrition. Source: Horse Network, November 23, 2017. Problems such as heart failure, kidney failure, liver disease or … [Read more...]
The reality of owning horses
Alyssa Knee offers a horse owner’s perspective of the ups, downs and real work of horse ownership. Her article provides good perspective for animal health pros who have never owned or worked with horses. Source: Horse Network, November 16, 2017. It’s a roller coaster of emotions, explains Knee. The kind that you get on willingly, but then realize you can never get off. It’s … [Read more...]
A no-nonsense guide to blanketing horses
A recent study indicates as many as 50 percent of equestrians don’t know enough about their horses’ physiological responses to environmental temperatures. This poses a risk to the horses’ welfare. Heather Malcolm offers her no-nonsense guide to blanketing or not blanketing a horse. This is great information to share with horse owners via websites, in holiday communications or … [Read more...]
Cooling out horses helps after exercise
Most horse owners are comfortable with the basics of cooling off their horses. But, what does it mean, physiologically speaking, to say that your horse is “cooled out?” Joan Hiltz, VMD, shares her experiences. This information is useful for websites, social media posts and horse owner consultations. Source: Horse Network, November 6, 2017. Physiologically speaking, the … [Read more...]
Helmet saves equestrian’s life (graphic pictures)
Animal health pros often support the equine sports. Noel Williams shares her close call with death and reminds riders to wear a helmet. It’s a universal truth that if you’re going to ride horses, you’re going to fall off horses. You just never know when a young horse, or any horse really, is going to overreact or when their antics might cause them to lose their balance and … [Read more...]
Natural remedies for treating hock pain in horses
Arthritis is a commonly diagnosed problem of the hock and many vets recommend joint injections to treat the problem. But, joint injections carry the risk of infection and joint degeneration, among other things. Neutraceutical options aren’t miracle workers, but they can make a difference for horses with mild to moderate hock pain. Source: Horse Network, October 26, … [Read more...]
It is okay to NOT shoe horses
If you understand why people shoe their horses, you can help solve the problems, rather than criticize the solutions. Reasons include: nutrition, competition, traction, environment, health issues and genetics. Source: Horse Network, October 11, 2017. Nancy Rich-Gutierrez manages her husband’s farrier company. She shares 5 ways to encourage bare hooves on horses. … [Read more...]
Hoof trimming not always understood
Managing hoof care can be challenging. Often, the horse is not the issue. Horse owners sometimes have varying levels of knowledge and different backgrounds. Nancy Rich-Gutierrez shares why farriers often must explain what they’re doing and why. Source: Horse Network, October 1, 2017. Horses in the wild don’t need their hooves trimmed because they walk all day and wear them … [Read more...]
Don’t overlook warning signs of Cushing’s Disease
Horse owners will appreciate receiving this content via social media posts, websites and newsletters. Eleanor Kellon, VMD, discusses the signs that could be linked to early PPID. She also promotes using local veterinarians if one of these signs is suspicious. Source: Horse Network, September 30, 2017. The sooner the disease is diagnosed the easier it is to treat. Pergolide … [Read more...]
DMSO: a therapy in search of a condition?
David Ramsey, DVM, tackles the century long questions about Dimethyl sulfoxide. DMSO is an organic compound that also contains sulfur. It’s colorless, but not odorless. It is a by-product of papermaking and mixes well with many hence its popularity. Source: Horse Network, September 21, 2017. DMSO seems to be something of a therapy in search of a condition to treat: and … [Read more...]
Groom advice, stop feeding horses treats
Megan Withers offers advice to horse owners about feeding too many treats. In her experiences, horse owners train horses to exhibit some bad behaviors by over-treating. This is good content for clients with unruly critters, new horse owners or young people just getting involved in horsemanship. Source: Horse Network, September 9, 2017. When your horse nickers for you as you … [Read more...]
New horse welfare guidelines and penalties released
US Equestrian Federation has released new, official guidelines for horse welfare and safety penalties. To do this, the organization has created rules to govern the actions of its members and protect horses and humans, allowing them to experience the joy of horse sports. The guidelines fall into these categories: Excessive use of whip or spurs and improper use of bits … [Read more...]
Manage old soft tissue injuries properly
Tendon and suspensory ligament injuries plague horses performing in all disciplines. Even pleasure horses and pasture ornaments may fall victim if they take the proverbial bad step over rough ground conditions. These are every bit as painful as bone or joint disorders and can take as much as a year to heal. Source: Horse Network, July 28, 2017. The common practice of giving … [Read more...]
A brief history of horses in music videos (videos)
Just for fun! Marjorie Wilkinson walks us through an interesting history of horses in videos, including a highly prolific period between 1929 and 1939. Source: Horse Network, July 17, 2017. Enjoy the video clips! … [Read more...]
Horses and the heat: Fact vs. fiction
The heat across the Midwest has been severe recently. In addition to the challenges to humans, animals suffer, as well. It isn’t only performance and racing horses that are at risk. Serious dehydration and overheating can happen to any horse. Be wary of misinformation out there. Source: Horse Network, July 2015. Never let a hot horse drink all they want, or drink cold … [Read more...]
7 strange sleeping habits of horses
Horses’ sleeping habits are nothing like our own. We recently posted about dog sleeping habits, so here is some information on horses. Source: Horse Network, July 7, 2017. Horses only sleep for short periods throughout the day or night and their sleep patterns change as they age. … [Read more...]
Horse people and the hygiene hypothesis
There is much discussion currently about the microbiome. Rebecca Parker discusses why horse people seem to be made of tougher stuff and brings in the hygiene hypothesis, microbes and the inherent exercise in her article. She also references the benefits of being outdoors and the serenity it takes to work with horses. Source: Horse Network, June 13, 2017. Where do we find … [Read more...]