Our own senses are wonderful tools — choose hay that is as fine stemmed, green, and as leafy as possible
Hay selection is an important aspect of horse ownership. The type and quality of hay the horse eats can make a big difference in its overall nutrition, and its value in a horse’s diet is unquestionable. The extra dollars spent on sourcing good-quality hay and its proper storage is invariably cost effective on many levels […] Read more
How medications are stored matters a great deal, and manufactured feed doesn’t last forever
Modern horse keeping carries a responsibility of housekeeping that pertains to periodically reviewing the expiry dates of products routinely used in the care of the horse. Most horse owners will immediately consider the expiry dates of drugs and medications, however, there are other items that also carry expiry dates that may be even more relevant […] Read more
A recent case in Saskatchewan has prompted warnings, but many horses carry the virus without becoming ill
A diagnosis of Neurotropic equine herpesvirus (nEHV-1) in a horse displaying neurological symptoms has recently been confirmed in Saskatchewan. Prior to diagnosis this horse had travelled to a number of rodeos in Alberta and thus there is the potential for exposure of numerous horses. As a result, horse owners have been alerted and are advised […] Read more
The horse’s yawn hasn’t been closely studied but there is a close connection to some welfare issues
Horse enthusiasts often question, “What does it mean when a horse yawns?” and, “Is it a good thing or is it bad thing?” The short answer is, it all depends, and here is why. Both humans and horses yawn, however, the triggers for yawning in horses is not the same as that for the yawn […] Read more
Horses will often gulp down finely chopped grasses, but it can cause a host of serious problems
Although both lawns and pastures contain predominantly grasses, the feeding of lawn grass ‘clippings’ specifically to horses can create a perfect storm of harm for the horse that is easily overlooked. When a horse grazes it goes through a series of motions, selecting, ripping, and thoroughly chewing the grasses. This process creates a slow and […] Read more
Using dentistry to make a horse perform better can cause all sorts of problems down the road
The terms ‘bit seat’ and ‘performance float’ are often used to indicate a seemingly higher, more sophisticated level of dental care for the performance or sport horse — implying that the horse will perform better with such dentistry. The duty of the equine dental provider is not to make horses perform better — even though […] Read more
This annual event arrives with spring and can be a barometer for certain problems that need investigating
Shedding of a horse’s winter coat is a complex physiological process that can reveal information about the horse’s general health. Many — well actually all — horses look cosmetically ‘messy’ during the shedding period with a thorough shed usually occurring over a six- to eight-week period. This transition period often accompanies the fickle weather of […] Read more
Horse Health: There’s been an explosion in dental issues in horses, partly because of diet and lifestyle
The horse’s tooth, like the tooth of any other species, is subject to decay. It is only recently that the nature of the tooth decay and its implications to the health of the horse have been recognized and identified. The reasons for this are twofold. The abilities of the equine dental provider to recognize and […] Read more
Horse Health: Too much of a good thing can cause a myriad of problems for horse health
Over the past two decades feeding a variety of fat and oil sources to horses has become an increasingly commonplace dietary practice. The role of fat in the horse’s diet has been oversimplified to that as a fuel source. Although this is partly correct that fats can act as fuel molecules, it is equally critical […] Read more
Horse Health: Because of the way their digestive tract works, horses need to eat low-energy forages nearly constantly
Horses are trickle or slow feeders by nature. This means that they are biologically wired to thrive when they are continuously collecting and eating small amounts of long-stem high-fibre forage. This most basic realization is instrumental in keeping the horse healthy. Forage is the foundation of every horse’s diet, and the forage needs to flow […] Read more
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