Reading Time: 3 minutes Neck pain in horses, particularly at the base of the neck, is getting more attention from equestrians and veterinarians, probably because we have better diagnostic imaging tools to diagnose problems. The horse world now has access to improved radiographic techniques, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy and, the most notable contributor, MRI technology. The latter allows us to […] Read more
Heading off neck pain in horses
Improper handling and headgear can set the stage for neck problems
Treating arthritis in your horse
Treatments for degenerative joint disease can take a whole-horse approach
Reading Time: 3 minutes The current trend in the horse world when it comes to degenerative joint disease or arthritis is to focus on five main treatment categories, all directly targeting the afflicted joint. This works for the immediate joint problem, but often overlooks or discounts the holistic nature of the illness. Understanding the elements underpinning this multi-factored system […] Read more
Managing your stallion
A stallion’s psychological health should be given as much weight as physical health
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Stallions play an integral role in equestrian pursuits as they impact both performance and reproductive success. But stallion welfare is often marginalized due to historical practices, misconceptions or business considerations. Stallions often receive excellent physical care, but their basic psychological needs for social interaction and movement are frequently disregarded in favour of […] 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
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
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
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