Reading Time: 3 minutes Sheath-cleaning enthusiasts present a sensible argument for addressing the hygiene of their male horse. Yet a new study presented in Denmark has shown routine/regular cleaning of a horse’s sheath to not only be unnecessary, but disruptive to the healthy populations of “friendly” micrograms that call this location “home.” The sheath surrounding the penis, also called […] Read more
New study says this job doesn’t need doing
Horse Health: Routine sheath cleaning is unnecessary for most male horses
Understanding and controlling the risk of swamp fever
Horses that test positive must be euthanized or quarantined for life
Reading Time: 4 minutes The recent increase in confirmed cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA), also known as swamp fever, in Alberta is a reminder to horse owners that this disease maintains a constant presence in equine populations. Often evidence for infection is noted only after routine surveillance testing for EIA. EIA is a blood-borne and potentially fatal viral […] Read more
Bringing the advantages of hydrotherapy to your horse
Horse Health: A soothing and therapeutic relief when dealing with wounds or injuries
Reading Time: 3 minutes One of the most valuable allies in the “doctor’s” kit of every horseman ought to be water — simple, soothing, inexpensive, and most often readily available. The application of water, a.k.a. hydrotherapy, to encourage healing brings plenty of advantages in many equine injuries. In spite of the many advancements in veterinary medicine, hydrotherapy remains a […] Read more
Horses can have allergic reactions, know the symptoms
Horse Health: There are multiple triggers that can cause either skin or respiratory reaction
Reading Time: 3 minutes Horses, just like humans, can and do get allergies. Although allergies in horses are not fully understood, we do know that the root cause lies in the immune system. The body becomes hypersensitive and appears to “overreact” to seemingly innocuous substances called allergens. Histamine, a naturally occurring hormone in the body, reaches overly high levels, […] Read more
Horse hay quality is in the eyes of the beholder
Reading Time: 3 minutes Hay is one of those products that does not come with a label, feed tag or guaranteed analysis, yet what is in “it” or even what is not in “it” are valuable questions when meeting your horse’s dietary needs. Since forage comprises the largest volume, and at times, all of your horse’s diet, hay assessment […] Read more
The relevant roundworm is one of the pasture’s mainstays
horse health Heavy or resistant infestations are particularly hazardous to foals but can be tricky to treat
Reading Time: 3 minutes Measures taken to lessen the burden of equine Ascarids, also known as roundworms, are wrought with pitfalls due to the tenacious nature of the roundworm, its increasing resistance to chemical dewormers, and the naive population of horses it targets. Roundworms are typically a problem in young horses, especially foals, weanlings and yearlings, where it can […] Read moreWill supplementing be necessary for your horse?
horse health Bagged feeds and supplements are no substitute for good forage and regular turnout
Reading Time: 3 minutes Your horse’s overall diet, nutrient needs, health and level of activity are key factors in determining whether or not supplementation is necessary. A growing trend of overfeeding and oversupplementing horse’s diets is not only economically wasteful, it is often detrimental to the health of the horse. Looking to “supplementation” to resolve errors in dietary or […] Read moreConsidering chiropractic care for your horse?
Reading Time: 3 minutes When horse owners discover the benefits of quality chiropractic care for themselves they will often seek out the same for their horses. This has brought forth a growing trend in the horse industry for animal chiropractors. Chiropractic work does not replace traditional veterinary medicine, yet it can provide a complementary approach in the diagnostics and […] Read more
Know the signs of laminitis and founder — and seek help right away
Reading Time: 3 minutes Laminitis and founder aren’t easy concepts to understand and comprehend, but every horse owner will benefit from having a basic understanding of these conditions, and knowing how to recognize them. Though used interchangeably among horsemen, there is a difference between laminitis and founder. Laminitis describes inflammation of the supportive tissues that join the inner foot […] Read more
Happy horse = healthy horse
Reading Time: 2 minutes Relaxation in horses is powerful medicine. It does not come in a pill or vial, by needle injection or even by an elixir yet it is an essential property of health and well-being. Conversely tension and stress within the body creates lack of ease or “dis-ease,” eventually being expressed as behavioural and/or physical changes. Stress […] Read more
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