Common genetic disorders of the quarter-horse

Horse health: Genetic testing is the only way to know whether the horse is a carrier

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

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


Horse walking along a trail.

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