Reading Time: 3 minutes Horse slaughter is a fraught issue right now in the Canadian livestock sphere. The author writes that, while it has a role, traceability, transparency and humane handling must be in play.
Canada’s slaughter horse industry lacks transparency
Slaughter for horses has a role, but traceability and humane handling must be in play
The art of effective slow feeding for horses
Bring slow feeding into your horse’s routine: How to get started, what to expect and the benefits horse owners can expect to see
Reading Time: 3 minutes Slow feeding horses: How to get started, what to expect and the benefits horse owners can expect to see when hay is no longer getting eaten all at once.
Your horse is not your pet
Horses have different care, handling and housing needs compared to other companion species like dogs or cats
Reading Time: 3 minutes Treating horses like pets restricts healthy movement and activity, critical social interaction in a herd, leads to unnatural feeding strategies and practices and can seriously impact a horse's health and well-being.
Doerksen Brothers named Alberta’s 2024 Outstanding Young Farmers
Gem-area operation practices regenerative agriculture, has strong direct-to-consumer brand
Reading Time: 3 minutes Doerksen Brothers are the 2024 Alberta Oustanding Young Farmers winners.
Max your horsepower: proper fuel for your horse requires proper carbs
Not all carbohydrates are created equal when it comes to feeding horses
Reading Time: 3 minutes Modern horse feeding advice frequently recommends adding concentrated feeds to pasture or hay diets. This is often considered essential to meet caloric needs for performance or to ensure sufficient intake of vitamins and minerals. There is growing evidence that paints a different picture. Grain-heavy processed diets may contribute to various digestive and metabolic disorders, including […] Read more
Heading off neck pain in horses
Improper handling and headgear can set the stage for neck problems
Reading Time: 3 minutes Neck pain in horses, particularly at the base of the neck, is getting more attention from equestrians and veterinarians, probably because we have better diagnostic imaging tools to diagnose problems. The horse world now has access to improved radiographic techniques, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy and, the most notable contributor, MRI technology. The latter allows us to […] Read more
Treating arthritis in your horse
Treatments for degenerative joint disease can take a whole-horse approach
Reading Time: 3 minutes The current trend in the horse world when it comes to degenerative joint disease or arthritis is to focus on five main treatment categories, all directly targeting the afflicted joint. This works for the immediate joint problem, but often overlooks or discounts the holistic nature of the illness. Understanding the elements underpinning this multi-factored system […] Read more
Managing your stallion
A stallion’s psychological health should be given as much weight as physical health
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Stallions play an integral role in equestrian pursuits as they impact both performance and reproductive success. But stallion welfare is often marginalized due to historical practices, misconceptions or business considerations. Stallions often receive excellent physical care, but their basic psychological needs for social interaction and movement are frequently disregarded in favour of […] Read more
CPL: a big health issue for big horses
Chronic progressive lymphedema causes swollen lower limbs and puts draft horses at risk for infection
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL) is a condition that compromises lymphatic drainage, leading to swelling in the lower limbs and complications like bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections. It’s a longstanding and often misunderstood condition prevalent in draft-type horses such as Belgians, Clydesdales, Shires, Gypsy Vanners, English cobs, German draft horse breeds, Friesians and […] Read more
Hoof health in the weanling
Horse Health: Proper hoof development when they’re young sets your horse up for lifelong success
Reading Time: 2 minutes The old adage, “no hoof, no horse” is a timeless reminder of the fundamental importance of hoof health in equines, and it’s particularly pertinent for the young weanling horse. The experiences that the hoof undergoes during this formative period of life shapes the animal’s foot soundness throughout its lifetime. It is essential for the hoofs […] Read more
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