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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, …

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

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 …

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

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 …

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

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 …

Vitiligo in horses: What we know so far Read More »

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 …

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

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 …

Study of equine chimerism: When two horses become one Read More »

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 …

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

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. …

Feeding magnesium to horses Read More »

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 …

Are goldfish an effective cleaner for horse troughs? Read More »

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 …

LEVERAGE BIT BASICS Read More »

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 …

Physitis/Epiphysitis in Foals. What is it? Read More »

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 …

What is Topline and How do you get it? Read More »

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. …

Horse Coughing Problems, Causes and Treatment Read More »

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 …

The Harmful Effects Of Lasix Read More »

Recently, I saw an advertisement for a broodmare that stated it could not have any Caslicks. I was struck by the stigma attached to this word. A mare that does not have a Caslick’s is rare in some parts of the world. What is a “Caslick” procedure? They are used when and why. Let’s get your anatomy on …

What is a Caslicks procedure and why do some mares need them? Read More »

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 …

Distilling The Facts About Horses’ Kidneys Read More »

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 …

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

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 …

Vaqueros, Cowboys and Buckaroos Read More »

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 …

Getting the Right Hackamore or Bosal Read More »

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 …

Sedating Your Horse Read More »

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 …

Peaceful Mane Pulling – Read More »

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 …

Tongue Resistance in the Dressage Horse Read More »

Q: I ride in an arena that doesn’t have mirrors. How can I tell if my horse is behind a vertical? Do you have any clues? –Name withheld on request A. I can clearly recall the days when I rode without mirrors, and I asked this question. Dressage requires that the horse be ridden with his poll at its highest …

How to Determine If Your Horse Is Behind the Vertical (Without Mirrors!) Read More »

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 …

How to Ride a Shoulder-In Read More »

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 …

What Your Horse’s Tail Says About His Health Read More »

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 …

Schwarzwälder Kaltblut Read More »

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 …

Karabakh Horse Read More »

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 …

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

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 …

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Read More »

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 …

Melanoma in Horses Read More »

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 …

Why are Some Horses Mean? Read More »

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 …

Seedy-Toe or White Line Disease? Read More »

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, …

Grass Glands: Similar to Strangles but Not as Serious Read More »

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 …

Keeping Your Horses Legs Healthy Read More »

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 …

THE PRZEWALSKI’S HORSE (TAKHI) PROJECT Read More »

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 …

HOW TO IDENTIFY AN ILL-FITTING SADDLE Read More »

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 …

Do Horses Know Their Own Name? Read More »

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 …

How To Examine An Equine Placenta Read More »

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 …

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

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 …

Osteochondrosis of the Stifle in Horses Read More »

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 …

Rupture of the Fibularis (Peroneus) Tertius in Horses Read More »

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 …

Vesicular Stomatitis in Horses Read More »

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 …

Uterine Prolapse in Horses Read More »

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 …

Disorders of the Conjunctiva in Horses Read More »

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: …

Lymphangitis in Horses Read More »

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 …

Anemia in Horses Read More »

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 …

Fractures of the Proximal Sesamoid Bones in Horses Read More »

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 …

Salmonellosis in Horses Read More »

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 …

Infectious Diseases of the Urinary System in Horses Read More »

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 …

Flexural Deformities in Horses Read More »