Horse Splints

Horse Splints

Understanding splints is difficult because our prehistoric ancestors of modern horses had multiple toes on each leg. While the horse of today walks on its tip of the middle toe, vestigial … Read more

Eight Tips for Healthy Horse Lungs

Eight Tips for Healthy Horse Lungs

Inclement weather, management-related issues and overstocking are all factors that can impact horse time indoors. These factors all play a part in the horse’s time indoors. Heaves is a condition that horses experience in a … Read more

Equine Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Equine Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Contagious Equine Metritis and Equine Viral Arteritis (STDs) are sexually transmitted diseases that affect horses. They can cause problems like low conception rates, abortions, sick or weak foals, as well … Read more

Tail Hair Growth in Horses

Tail Hair Growth in Horses

Long, straight tails are more effective at removing pesky insects than those with shorter, wispy or thin tails. Some horses have bristly, stubby tails due to circumstances–a chew-happy pasturemate is one … Read more

The Use of Copra in Horse Feeds

The Use of Copra in Horse Feeds

The oil industry has many by-products that are used in animal feeds. They are often useful additions to a healthy diet. Coconut oil is made from the white flesh of the coconut, not … Read more

Pinworms in Horses

Pinworms in Horses

Horses are generally not affected by pinworms, except for the occasional tail rubbing. Pinworms are females that emerge from the anus to lay eggs in sticky films. Horses can become itchy and … Read more

Hay Selection for Horses

Hay Selection for Horses

Hay is the main forage horse horses consume, and its importance in their diets cannot be denied. Hay may be the only food available for horses at certain times of the … Read more

Enteroliths in Horses

Enteroliths in Horses

Enteroliths are mineral deposits that form in the colon of horses. These are also called intestinal stones or calculi. These stones are usually found in thin layers surrounding a little bit of … Read more

EPM and Horses: 9 Fast Facts

EPM and Horses

Horses continue to be affected by Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM). This causes neurological deficits that can threaten their athletic careers as well as their lives. EPM is still a challenging diagnosis and … Read more

Oats: The Perfect Horse Feed?

Oats: The Perfect Horse Feed?

You would think that oats are just oats. All oats may not be created equally. Oats that are fed to horses are usually whole. This means that each kernel is protected … Read more

Putting Weight on a Skinny Horse

Putting Weight on a Skinny Horse

It makes it easy to feed the horses. They look amazing in warmbloods. Their weight is great and their coats look amazing. The one Thoroughbred who arrived in the barn a little skinny … Read more

Using Hobbles on Your Horse

Hobbles on Your Horse

The hobbles, which are connected loops that connect horses’ front legs together, have been used for centuries to prevent them from wandering when there isn’t a place to tie them … Read more

Benefits of Beet Pulp for Horses

Benefits of Beet Pulp for Horses

The horse’s hindgut is home to fiber fermentation, which provides energy for growth, work and play. Horses eat mainly pasture and hay. However, there are other forages that can supplement energy … Read more

Sleep Requirements of Horses

Sleep Requirements of Horses

Although horses can and do stand up sleeping, all horses need to lie down at some point in order to have a complete sleep cycle and avoid sleep deprivation. The time and place … Read more

Feeding Treats to Horses

Feeding Treats to Horses

You love your horse if you do. You probably enjoy giving your horse treats from time-to-time. Your horse will eat whatever you give him and want more. Every horse in your stable will … Read more

Ultrasound and Your Horse

Ultrasound and Your Horse

Radiographs can be useful for diagnosing bony structures but ultrasound is the most versatile tool that a modern veterinarian has. A recent graduate of veterinary school may have more ultrasound experience … Read more

Potomac Horse Fever

Potomac Horse Fever

Neorickettsia is responsible for Potomac Horse Fever (formerly Ehrlichia). The disease was first described as a sporadic infection that affected horses living in the eastern United States, near the Potomac River. It has … Read more

Popped Knees

Horse Popped Knees

One of my email friends mentioned that her horse had a “popped knee” while I was talking to her. Although I didn’t want to appear ignorant, I don’t know what it … Read more

Summer Sores

Summer Sores

Habronemiasis is a condition that many people don’t associate with flies. It can also be called summer sores (granular dermatitis), jack sores or any other name you choose. Summer sores are … Read more

Understanding Proud Flesh

Understanding Proud Flesh

Horses’ limbs and bodies are very susceptible to wounds. Distal (lower-to-below the knee/carpus, hock/tarsus) wounds can be particularly difficult to manage. This often leads to exuberant granulation tissue and proud flesh. Complete … Read more

The Truth About Ringbone

The Truth About Ringbone

Ringbone is a common diagnosis. All horses, including those that are young or old, as well as backyard pets and athletes of high caliber, can be affected by the disease. Some horses … Read more

How Horses Grow Winter Coats

How Horses Grow Winter Coats

Autumn days – a chill in the air and geese flying south. Pumpkins…and fuzzy horses. Many horses start to put on winter coats in autumn. But what is the cause? It could … Read more

Best Horse Breeds for Kids

Best Horse Breeds for Kids

Which horse is the best for children? There isn’t a single breed. Each horse is unique and it is dangerous for you to use breed as your primary indicator of temperament. You can narrow down … Read more

A Guide to Gelding

A Guide to Gelding

Castration is the most commonly performed equine surgery on horse farms. While veterinarians may use different methods, routine castrations follow the same process and aftercare procedures. These are the essential facts to … Read more

American Paint Horse

American Paint Horse

American Paint Horse History Hernando Cortes, an explorer from 1519, carried two horses with pinto markings aboard his voyage. This is the first American description of such horses. Horses with Paint coloring … Read more

Why Women Love Horses

Why Women Love Horses

Why women love horses: The connection between horses, girls, and later women has been hidden from sociologists until recently.Corrie Bruning, a seventeen-year old girl admits she is a horse girl. She … Read more

10 Fun Facts About Buckskin Horses

Facts About Buckskin Horses

We’ve been exploring the beauty and charm of black horses, palominos, chestnuts, the joy of greys over the last few months. It’s no surprise that we love buckskin horses. There’s nothing more beautiful than a gorgeous buckskin. Continue … Read more