Horse Health

Caring for Pregnant Mares

A Mare’s gestation period lasts for about 345 days, but that doesn’t mean a mare must rest for all that time. Unless the mare has health problems or a high-risk pregnancy, you can continue her normal routine for most of the time. The first month and last three months are most important times of pregnancy. […]

Horse Health

Horse Limb Lacerations Care

Treating a seriously bleeding limb laceration will need your veterinarian’s care. But until the vet arrives, you may be able to do some triage. First try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound. Use a towel or a pressure bandage – a good item to keep in your horse’s emergency kit. Don’t […]

Horse Health

Reading Horse Feed Ingredients

It’s important to understand labeled ingredients in horse feed to assure that it contains the needed nutrients for your horse’s optimum health. For example, if sugar is listed first, there may not be enough quantities of sodium, potassium and chloride (electrolytes) to maintain your horse’s good health. On the other hand, sugar beet pulp is […]

Horse Health

Chiropractic Care for Your Horse

Equine chiropractic care is an alternative therapy for horses with neurological and musculoskeletal problems. With increasing awareness of its benefits, horse owners view it as a non-invasive treatment. Chiropratic’s main focus is restoring the normal movement and function of the spinal cord. When there is a problem with the vertebrae, the surrounding tissues are affected. […]

Horse Health

Prevent Hay Fires

Ray Smith, PhD, professor and forage extension specialist at the University of Kentucky, in a publication when at Virginia Tech University that he helped author, stated that the concentration of moisture in hay contributes to the microbial activity leading to hay fires. Smith further stated that before baling, hay should be cured to the proper […]

Horse Health

Wildfires Effect on Horses

Air pollution caused by wildfires is a concern among horse owners. Inhalation of smoke for both horses and humans can be the source of serious health problems. Smoke contains carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, soot, hydrocarbons and other unhealthy dangerous organic substances. Solid particles and liquid drops are also found in smoke which irritates eyes and […]

Horse Health

Equine Skin Conditions

People have given descriptive names to many skin conditions a horse may have such as “girth itch.” But determining the disease requires a professional evaluation. Horses have sensitive skin and in order to find the cause of any skin condition, a veterinary examination is required. Early and proper treatment can ease a horse’s distress and […]

Horse Health

Hoof Abscess in Horses

Hoof abscesses seem to come on suddenly, although that’s not really the case. You are out riding and without warning your horse is lame. While there could be a number of reasons, a hoof abscess is a strong possibility. An abscess is described as a tender area surrounded by pink to red tissue. The center […]

Horse Health

Equine Influenza

Equine Influenza (EI) is a highly contagious disease affecting horses worldwide. If you suspect your horse has EI, call your veterinarian at once. Signs of the disease are coughing, watery nasal discharge that over a period of time thickens, enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy, fever. Treatment for the flu is mainly supportive care. Although food may […]