Reading Time: 3 minutes The American Quarter Horse Association has recognized the presence of five genetic disorders in the quarter-horse breed. These disorders can also affect horses of quarter-horse ancestry. The effects of genetic disorders range from mild and manageable to severe and terminal. Understanding the prevalence and expression of these genetic disorders better equips quarter-horse owners to make […] Read more
Common genetic disorders of the quarter-horse
Horse health: Genetic testing is the only way to know whether the horse is a carrier
Miniature Horses: not quite the same as a horse
Horse Health: Miniatures are attractive for their personalities and intelligence, but face some unique health problems
Reading Time: 3 minutes Whilst the exact origin of the modern Miniature Horse is unclear, selective breeding of pony stock breeds such as the Shetland pony for a smaller size is most likely. Pony breeds, typically considered an equine under 14.2 hands or 58 inches in height, have been around for hundreds of years. Most of their evolutionary selection […] Read more
Too much practice doesn’t make perfect
Horse health: Like humans, horses are prone to repetitive strain injuries from doing one thing too often
Reading Time: 3 minutes Developing muscle memory through practice is important to learning a skill, yet overuse of muscles repeatedly in one particular way or pattern leads to musculoskeletal and nervous system debilitation. Too much practice can be as equally detrimental to performance as too little practice. “Specialized” movement patterns can become firmly entrenched in the musculoskeletal system, sacrificing […] 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
Rope burns can be serious and difficult to treat
Reading Time: 2 minutes Ropes in their various guises are common in the horse world. Although they may differ in length, size and makeup, they all serve to connect people to horses or horses to stationary objects. As a result of this and due to their unforgiving nature, a good working knowledge of ropes is imperative to the safety […] Read more
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