Sex hormones appear to influence severe equine asthma in mares – study

Sex Hormones Asthma Mares

Researchers in Canada have reported that the estrus cycle may play a role in lung function in severe asthma-afflicted mares. Researchers at the University of Montreal wrote in the journal Animals that asthma severity and development can be affected by the estrus cycle. Asthma is more common among boys than it is in girls in childhood. However, … Read more

Cannabidiol (CBD) and horses: What is it good for?

Cannabidiol and Horses

CBD. It doesn’t matter if you are already using it or if you are thinking about it. It is not the latest “snake oils” promising to cure everything from hair loss and ingrown nails. It is a chemical messenger within the “endocannabinoid” system, a vital and natural part of the body. This system has been the subject of extensive … Read more

Five plus a day? Yes, you can add fruit to your horse’s diet

Five Plus a Day

During the winter and fall, bananas and apples were the most common fruits in grocery stores. You can now find many off-season fruits thanks to imports from warmer climates. This variety is also beneficial for horses. Even though carrots and apples are still good choices, don’t limit your horse to these. Your horse eats the exact same food … Read more

Vitiligo in horses: What we know so far

Vitiligo Horses

Horses can have vitiligo, which is an unsightly skin condition. However, it is essentially cosmetic, according to a newly published scientific review. “Therefore any treatment for the disease should always be discussed between the owners to avoid interventions with dubious efficacy or those with potential adverse effects,” Thierry Olivry wrote with his colleagues in the … Read more

Steel horse shoes with polyurethane soles reduce risk of overloading front legs, findings suggest

Steel Horse Shoes Polyurethane Soles

Study findings suggest that steel horseshoes may have a soft, polyurethane coating on the base to reduce overload in horses’ front legs. Researchers wanted to compare steel shoes with soft polyurethane as a ground surface with traditional steel shoes. Lauren Veneta Moore used four horses that were used in Vienna, Austria for carriage driving, to … Read more

Study of equine chimerism: When two horses become one

Equine Chimerism

Spanish researchers have highlighted the rarity of horses with chimerism (a form of genetic balancing) in which an individual has two distinct genetic makeups. The university of Seville and Cordoba conducted the research on purebred Spanish horses. Despite the unique genetic arrangement, sexual chimerism in PREs was not associated with infertility. It is well-known that … Read more

Everything you wanted to know about Yakutian horses, but were afraid to ask

Yakutian Horses

In a Russian translation, scientists have described five distinct types of Yakutian horses. They are famous for their ability to withstand extreme climates in Siberia. Yakutian horses, also known as Siberian Sakha Republic’s native Yakutian horses, are Yakutian horsemen. They can survive in temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius without shelter. They can forage deep … Read more

Feeding magnesium to horses

Magnesium To Horses

Psom salts or magnesium sulfate are becoming a more common supplement for horses. Magnesium is an essential element in nerve and muscle function. Horses deficient in this vital element may show signs of nervousness and wariness as well as excitability and muscle tremors. Magnesium is known for its calming effect on horses because of this. … Read more

Are goldfish an effective cleaner for horse troughs?

Goldfish On Horse

If a recent US study shows, it may be more beneficial to clean your horse’s water trough more often than to try new methods of keeping it clean. If not maintained regularly, large water troughs can accumulate algae over time. They can also be a breeding ground of mosquitoes. Some places are fond of adding goldfish … Read more

LEVERAGE BIT BASICS

LEVERAGE BIT

Let’s begin with the most basic components of all leverage bits. The cheeks are composed of the purchase as well as the shank. The mouthpiece is composed of the bars, and – depending on how leverage bits are used – the port. LEVERAGE RATIOS The leverage ratio of a snaffle bit is 1:1. The horse will feel one … Read more

Physitis/Epiphysitis in Foals. What is it?

Physitis Epiphysitis

Although the term “epiphysitis”, is often used, it is more accurate to call it physitis. It is an area that has become inflamed if it ends with the medical term “-itis”. The medical term for bone growth plates is physis. It is this area that gets inflamed and hence the name “phys-itis”. Physitis can be described as … Read more

What is Topline and How do you get it?

Topline

What is Topline? …… How do you get it? Horses’ topline is the term for the muscle covering that covers the horse’s neck and back. What is topline? There are two main reasons. 1. Athleticism: Topline is muscle. This means horses with good topline are more powerful and able to jump and move well. 2. Appearance: Show horses … Read more

Horse Coughing Problems, Causes and Treatment

Coughing Problems

Signs that Horses Have Respiratory Problems A horse may have a cough if they are experiencing irritation in their respiratory system. There are many types of coughs, and each type can be helpful in determining the cause. What is the duration and frequency of horse coughing? A mild cough is not something to be concerned about. … Read more

The Harmful Effects Of Lasix

Effects Of Lasix

You are probably familiar with the conflicts surrounding Lasix or furosemide if you are involved in race horses. Furosemide was originally created to treat bleeding lungs in race horses. But many also view furosemide as a performance-enhancer, helping race horses perform better during a race. Is Lasix a performance-enhancer? How does furosemide help race horses? What are the … Read more

Distilling The Facts About Horses’ Kidneys

Horses Kidneys

The facts about kidneys Horses’ kidneys are amazing. They process approximately 45 litres of blood per hour to filter out waste and keep the essential bits that your horse needs. Where are your kidneys? Horses have two kidneys, just like all vertebrate mammals. They are located just behind the saddle, in the abdominal cavity below the … Read more

Is Your Horse Showing Signs of Problems in its Hind Legs?

Signs of Problems in its Hind Legs

Horses with hind leg problems A hind leg problem could cause lameness in horses. These problems can cause permanent disability in horses of all ages and can be caused by a hind leg problem. Common hind leg problems The following could cause hind leg problems: Wounds or Fractures. Your horse may prefer a hind leg if it … Read more

Vaqueros, Cowboys and Buckaroos

Vaqueros Cowboys and Buckaroos

The cowboys of the west were called “vaqueros” in Spanish. (The Spanish term “vaca”, which means cow, is translated as: In the old west, cowboy was a term that was seldom used. It is now more common. American cowboys pronounced vaquero as “bukera”, then “buckaroo”. A “buckaroo” was a term that defined anyone who worked cattle in Texas, California or … Read more

Getting the Right Hackamore or Bosal

Hackamore or Bosal

I get asked often the question, “How do you know what hackamore I should get?”. There are many answers that address different concerns. First, make sure it fits properly. There are many measurements that can affect how a hackamore fits. The hackamore’s position on the horse’s nose will determine the length of the bars. The hackamore is placed … Read more

Sedating Your Horse

Sedating Your Horse

In the fall, sedation is required for both clipping and for travelling. There are three main methods horses can be sedated. Two of these are by intravenous sedation administered to them by the vet (Domosedan or Sedalin/Relaquin). Sedalin/Relaquin The active ingredient in sedalin, ACP, is a mild sedative that reduces anxiety. Sedalin is sometimes used for horses … Read more

Peaceful Mane Pulling –

Peaceful Mane Pulling

No matter your riding style, every horse knows someone who hates having his mane pulled. This is not the case. Only 3% of horses have problems with professional braiders, mostly because they have had bad experiences in their past. When done properly, pulling does not hurt. Imagine two wild stallions. One horse wins because he pulls the hair of … Read more

Tongue Resistance in the Dressage Horse

Tongue Resistance

Q: My nine-year-old mare has an odd habit that seems to be getting worse rather than better. I have regular instruction–dressage basics with some jumping. My horse refuses to take more contact if I ask him. He sticks his tongue out more often the more contact I make. He has received regular dental care and periodic floating. The problem has … Read more

How to Ride a Shoulder-In

How to Ride a Shoulder-In

Shoulder-in is my favorite exercise, due to its many incredible benefits: * A suppling exercise * This is a great exercise to straighten the spine because it allows you to position your shoulders in front the hind legs. * The first collection movement in dressage. The correct shoulder-in involves riding the horse in the trot … Read more

What Your Horse’s Tail Says About His Health

Horse's Tail Says About His Health

A horse’s tail can reveal a lot about his overall health and well-being. It should be visible at rest as well as during exercise. It should be lowered and carried with ease. It should be viewed from the side and move with the horse. The individual horse’s croup and breed will determine the height of their tail carriage. A … Read more

Schwarzwälder Kaltblut

Schwarzwälder Kaltblut

Information about the Schwarzwalder Kaltblut horse The Black Forest records show that horse breeding was documented in the Black Forest as early as the fifteenth century. The Walderpferd was a type of heavy horse used for farm work and forestry. It is believed that the Schwarzwalder Kaltblut horse is derived from it. The breeding area was located … Read more

Karabakh Horse

Karabakh Horse

Information about the Karabakh Horse The Karabakh horse is a rare breed that originated in Azerbaijan, Asia. This breed is extremely old and shares many of the same ancestral genes as the Akhal-Teke horse from Turkmenistan. The Karabakh horse is a strong and small mountain horse and is used for endurance races and other purposes. The sad truth … Read more

​How Often Should You Have Your Horse’s Teeth Floated?

Horse’s Teeth Floated

True or false: Horses grow their teeth throughout their lives. Short answer: False. Horses don’t get new teeth during their lives. This is a complicated story. Their very long, straight teeth push (erupt), through the gum line slowly over their entire lives.The horse’s teethThere are two types of horse teeth. Foals have 24 baby tooth which are then pushed out … Read more

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Primary squamous-cell carcinoma is a common form of cancer in horses. It is only found in areas with squamous cell carcinoma, which can be the skin, stomach, and nasal cavities.The appearance of the tumour under a microscope can help determine how malignant it is. It is considered less aggressive if the cells look normal and produce keratin. High-grade … Read more

Melanoma in Horses

Melanoma in Horses

Melanoma, a common skin condition that causes nodules in older grey horses, is very common. It usually occurs between 7-8 years old. Over 80% of grey horses will experience at least one form of melanoma in their lifetime. Melanoma can occur in horses at any age, some even at birth. Many people believe melanomas in grey … Read more

Why are Some Horses Mean?

Why are Some Horses Mean

As an animal communicator, I view the problem from the perspective of the animal and not as a trainer. If a horse is being abused but has been treated well, then we humans believe he should know that no one will hurt him now and should be kind to us. Horses are prey animals and instinctively … Read more

Seedy-Toe or White Line Disease?

Seedy Toe or White Line Disease

White line disease (WLD), also known as seedy-toe, is a term that describes similar infections. WLD and seedy toe look identical and both involve the same opportunistic fungal or bacterial invaders. Both are secondary hoof diseases that are caused by mechanical hoof problems, or whole-horse health problems. Understanding the primary causes is more important than understanding the … Read more

Grass Glands: Similar to Strangles but Not as Serious

Grass Glands

Don’t panic if your horse has a swelling in his throat after coming from grazing. This could be due to Grass Glands. Horses can develop large submandibular lymphodes (the area behind the jawbone at the back of their throat). After grazing for several hours, horses and ponies will often bring in large, firm, but usually not painful, … Read more

Keeping Your Horses Legs Healthy

Horses Legs Healthy

Horses are quadrupeds and can be ridden fast or jump to escape danger. As with any animal that has one leg at each corner of its body, if one limb is compromised, the entire animal becomes vulnerable. Horses that are suffering from lameness need to be seen by a veterinarian. The lower limb of a horse … Read more

THE PRZEWALSKI’S HORSE (TAKHI) PROJECT

PRZEWALSKI’S HORSE

GENETIC BOOTTLENECK OVERCOMING Przewalski’s horse, pronounced “shuh-VAL­skees”, faces the same challenge as many endangered species: recovering from an historic bottleneck. Przewalski’s horses today, which number around 2,000, are the descendants of 12 individuals who were saved from extinction in early 1900s. Mongolians refer to the horse as takhi (which means “spirit” or “worthy of worship”) . This … Read more

HOW TO IDENTIFY AN ILL-FITTING SADDLE

DENTIFY AN ILL-FITTING SADDLE

1. Horse Behavior There are several visual and behavioral indicators that can help you determine if your horse is in need of a better fitting saddle. Do any of these sound familiar? : You move away when you approach with a saddle Tries to bite you when you are saddling. Or bites the saddle. Place your ears … Read more

Do Horses Know Their Own Name?

Horses Know Their Own Name

Your horse may respond to your shouting name, and come running towards you. Did they recognize your name? Many riders believe their horse is intelligent enough to pick it out. Some riders aren’t so certain. This is important if you are looking to name your horse after a purchase. Let’s find out the truth! Are horses able to recognize their own … Read more

How To Examine An Equine Placenta

Equine Placenta

The placenta connects the foal and mare, and is vital. It supplies oxygen and nutrients to the foal through various blood vessels and interconnections with the mare. The mare’s endometrium (the lining of her uterus) is where the placenta attaches. Many tiny projections, shaped like fingers, are found in the endometrium. These connect with the placenta and … Read more

Your Horse Has Uveitis? Here’s What You Need To Know

Horse Has Uveitis

Uveitis, a common cause for blindness in horses is still a mystery. It can also be difficult to treat in its recurrent forms. Although there is no cure, it does not necessarily mean that a horse will be permanently blind. A horse’s eyesight can be saved by careful management and treatment. Even if one eye is removed, many … Read more

Osteochondrosis of the Stifle in Horses

Osteochondrosis of the Stifle in Horses

Osteochondrosis is a common cause for stifle lameness among young horses (see Osteochondrosis In Horses). The most common location for lesions in the stifle is the lateral trochantlear ridge of a horse’s femur. However, they can also be found in the intertrochlear groove or on the patella. Most lesions develop bilaterally and usually appear within the first six … Read more

Rupture of the Fibularis (Peroneus) Tertius in Horses

Tertius in Horses

The fibularis (peroneus tertius) is a tendinous structure. It originates from the extensor Fossa in the femur, runs across the craniolateral side of the tibia, inserting on the dorsoproximal aspects of the third metatarsal, calcaneus and the third and forth tarsal bones. It is part the reciprocal apparatus for the hindlimb. This means that there is … Read more

Vesicular Stomatitis in Horses

Vesicular Stomatitis in Horses

Vesicular Stomatitis, which affects horses, cattle, and pork, is caused by a virus. It rarely affects sheep and goats. It can also be transmitted to humans, and can cause flu-like diseases. Vesicular Stomatitis is rare in the United States. Although outbreaks have occurred in every region of the country over the years, they have been rarer than in the … Read more

Uterine Prolapse in Horses

Uterine Prolapse in Horses

Uterine prolapse refers to a condition in which the uterus protrudes from the vagina and turns inside out. Although it is uncommon in horses, it can occur within hours or minutes of foal birth. Uterine prolapse can cause mare death. After a thorough cleaning and repair of any injuries to your uterus, your vet will manually restore … Read more

Disorders of the Conjunctiva in Horses

Disorders of the Conjunctiva in Horses

The conjunctiva, a thin membrane covering the inner eyelids and reaching to the cornea of an eye, is thin. It is responsible for the movement of tears and eye, protecting the eye from external invaders and healing the cornea after injury. Because conjunctiva problems can be a sign of generalized disease, some may lead to blindness. Broken … Read more

Lymphangitis in Horses

Lymphangitis in Horses

Pigeon Fever (False Strangles) Horses can contract lymphangitis from infection with Corynebacterium fauxtuberculosis bacteria. The bacteria can enter through skin injuries such as insect bites or injections. This condition is often called pigeon flu, false strangles or pigeon breast. It can also be called dry land distemper, pigeon breast and ulcerative lymphangitis. There are three ways to recognize the infection: … Read more

Anemia in Horses

Anemia in Horses

Anemia is when there is a decrease of red blood cells. This can be measured using hemoglobin concentration or red blood cell count. Anemia can result from the destruction or lack of production of red cells. Anemia can be classified as either regenerative, or non-regenerative. A regenerative type of anemia is when the bone marrow reacts to a decrease in red … Read more

Fractures of the Proximal Sesamoid Bones in Horses

Fractures of the Proximal Sesamoid Bones

The location of fractures in the proximal sesamoid bone is what determines their classification. Apical sesamoid fractures are the most common in Standardbreds, Thoroughbreds, and Thoroughbreds. These fractures are often caused by excessive overextension, and are often associated with suspensory injury to the ligament. Standardbreds’ hindlimb may fracture at the lateral proximal sesamoid. This is due to torque … Read more

Salmonellosis in Horses

Salmonellosis in Horses

Salmonellosis (see Salmonellosis), is the most common cause of diarrhea in adult horses. The clinical manifestations can range from mild to severe diarrhea (subclinical carrier), and even death. It is not common but can become a serious epidemic depending on how virulent the organism is, the level of exposure and other host factors. The environment, water, and feed can … Read more

Infectious Diseases of the Urinary System in Horses

Diseases of the Urinary System in Horses

Many bacteria can cause infections of the urinary tract. Infections of the urinary system can occur by bacteria. There are many factors that increase the likelihood of a urinary tract infection. Problems with urine flow, including not being able fully empty the bladder during urination, overly dilute urine, sugary urine (often a sign that the horse is … Read more

Flexural Deformities in Horses

Flexural Deformities in Horses

There are many symptoms associated with flexor tendon disorders, including foot and postural changes, lameness, debility, and lameness. These conditions can be congenital, so they are detected in newborn foals. Contractures in newborn foals have been linked to uterine malposition, teratogenic injuries (arthrogryposis), or genetic defects. Acute tendon contracture is most commonly caused by chronic pain. There are many … Read more