Being around horses, you’ll quickly hear about getting Coggins done, but you may not know what it’s for or what it tells you about your horse. A Coggins test is a blood test performed by a veterinarian to see if a horse has EIA antibodies. There are multiple tests to …
There’s something extra-special about a grey or white horse. These horses naturally stand out from the rest of the herd, so don’t they deserve an extra-special name to reflect that, too? Naming a white horse can be a delightful task, as their majestic and pure appearance lends itself to a …
Hydrotherapy for horses is a therapeutic technique that involves the controlled use of water to aid in the rehabilitation, fitness, and overall well-being of horses. It utilises various water-based treatments and exercises to promote healing, reduce pain, and enhance the horse’s physical condition. Hydrotherapy can be particularly beneficial for horses …
Yes, horses can swim, and they’re even pretty good at it, considering that their bodies are made for running, not swimming. In the wild, many herd animals need to cross a body of water from time to time. Maybe the most well-known example of this is also the most dramatic …
As horse owners, we always seek the best practices to ensure our horses are healthy and happy. One such practice that significantly impacts their well-being is ground level feeding, yet hanging up hay nets is a common practise that we don’t even think about twice. But horses are naturally designed …
Vomiting is a complex physiological event that requires a closely coordinated sequence of reflexive motions. When you are going to throw up, you draw a deep breath, your vocal cords close, your larynx rises, and the soft palate shifts to close off your airways. Then your diaphragm contracts downward, which …
When it comes to the well-being of your horse, observation is your best tool. Your horse can’t tell you how they feel, but several indicators can help you determine if your horse is in prime condition. Spending time with your horse as well as knowing the general signs of well-being …
Colic in horses refers to abdominal pain and is a common condition that can have a range of causes. It’s important to understand that “colic” is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying problem in the horse’s gastrointestinal tract. Colic in horses is a term …
Deworming your horse is a critical component of equine health care. Horses are susceptible to various internal parasites like roundworms, tapeworms, bots, and strongyles. These parasites can infest the horse’s gastrointestinal tract and other organs, leading to health issues. Parasites interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to malnutrition and weight loss. …
Equine ulcers, often referred to as gastric ulcers, are a common but often overlooked ailment in horses. These sores or lesions on the stomach lining can impact any horse, regardless of age or discipline. I wanted to shed some light on ulcers in horses, because I’ve seen so many horses …
The terms “founder” and “laminitis” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different stages and severities of a similar hoof-related condition in horses. Both involve inflammation and damage to the sensitive laminae that connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. The key difference between …
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a condition in horses characterised by a group of metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of developing laminitis. It’s similar in some ways to metabolic syndrome in humans, which is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. EMS is particularly prevalent in pony breeds …
