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
CPL: a big health issue for big horses
Chronic progressive lymphedema causes swollen lower limbs and puts draft horses at risk for infection
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
The key connection between bit and tongue
Improper bit placement can lead to an unresponsive, poorly moving horse
Reading Time: 3 minutes The interaction between a horse’s tongue and the bit is a critical aspect of horsemanship and equine welfare and has implications for physical health, behaviour and performance. A horse’s introduction to the bit can leave a lasting imprint on the horse’s mental, emotional and physical state, as well as their willingness to co-operate with a […] Read more
Embracing horses’ need for near-constant movement
Don’t discount natural movement; it’s important for horse health and weight management
Reading Time: 3 minutes Equine professionals, horse owners and caregivers increasingly emphasize the significance of giving horses continual access to long-stem, high-fibre, low-calorie forages. Interwoven with this ongoing forage availability, however, is another requirement that must be met: the horse’s inherent and almost constant need to move. Horses operate as grazing athletes. Their innate eating behaviours include a spectrum […] Read more
Feral horse management framework released
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta has a new, science-based management framework that’s meant to recognize feral horses and ensure their future sustainability. More than 1,400 feral horses roam across six equine management zones in Alberta. Some zones face significant challenges to long-term sustainability, the province says, because of the number of horses on the landscape. Alberta’s public rangelands are […] Read more
The benefit of bitters for horses
Bitter plants can provide a natural booster for horses’ gut health
Reading Time: 2 minutes Domestic horses are known for their preference for lush green pastures and sweet hay, yet their natural foraging behaviour intrigues equine professionals, scientists and horse owners: their attraction to a specific group of plants known as bitters. Horses, with their remarkable sense of taste and intuition, display a strong and deliberate inclination toward certain plants […] Read more
Garden-grown proprioception and your horse
Horse Health: Proprioception gardens mix different types of footing, obstacles and terrain to build a horse’s body awareness
Reading Time: 3 minutes Proprioception is a natural ability shared by humans and horses. It involves the body’s inherent awareness of its position, movement and balance in relation to the surrounding environment. In horses, this perception varies. Different lifestyles and occupations require variable levels of proprioception to navigate daily tasks without stumbling or tripping and when encountering obstacles. However, […] Read more
The ‘rescue’ horse
With the proper approach, rescue horses can prosper and be public ambassadors for horse care
Reading Time: 4 minutes Rescue horses bring great awareness to equine welfare and serve as powerful reminders of the significance of responsible horse ownership. Like equine ambassadors, they provide valuable feedback and insights into the industry. These horses showcase the powerful outcomes that can be achieved when their fundamental needs change from absent to fulfilled. The term “rescue horse” […] Read more
Epigenetics underscores the need of getting a foal off to a good start
Genes are only part of the story — how they’re expressed is a different matter
Reading Time: 2 minutes Epigenetics is an emerging branch of genetic science that examines the impact of the environment on an organism’s development. This field shows that genes can be switched on or off through life events without changing DNA sequences. The epigenome serves as a type of biological software that directs the genomic hardware of cells to determine […] Read more
The critical role of magnesium in horse health
Short-changing a horse on magnesium can impact both physical health and temperament
Reading Time: 3 minutes Magnesium is an essential macro-mineral that plays a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of horses. It is essential for more than 350 biochemical processes in the body of the horse, including generation of cellular energy and decoding genetic information. Understanding the importance of magnesium at the cellular level and its impact on health […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
