Recognition and medical treatment of gastric ulcers in horses has been well established for many years now. Initially veterinarians thought ulcers in the digestive tract of the horse were limited to the stomach or gastric mucosa. This was a logical conclusion since the presence of the open ulcers in the stomach could be diagnosed and
Gastric ulcers in horses
Horse Health: This malady is part of a much bigger problem
The health benefits of simplifying a horse’s diet
Horse Health: Despite what the marketing might suggest, often less is more when it comes to the diet of a horse
What and how much we feed horses is innately related to their health. The large number of feed products on the market designed for “making horses healthier” is overwhelming, leading many horse owners to believe their horse should have a commercial feed to be healthy. However, the addition of such feeds to the horse’s diet
Bad habit or coping?
Horse Health: Coping behaviour isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a sign to look for the root issue
Stereotypic behaviours are repetitive behaviours performed by animals with no obviously discernible function. One of the most commonly recognized stereotypic behaviours is the pacing of polar bears in zoo exhibits. Stereotypic behaviours are also recognized in horses, of which cribbing, weaving and stall walking or pacing are the three most common. Polar bears and horses
The importance of feeding salt to horses
Horse Health: A horse’s behaviour is the best sign of a salt deficiency, rather than subtle and non-specific symptoms
Salt is the most important mineral required by horses, yet its importance is often overlooked in favour of seemingly more important minerals. Although the majority of a horse’s mineral quota will be met with a good-quality long-stem forage, the salt content in grasses and hay is too low for the needs of a horse. Consequently
When horses ‘choke’
Horse Health: The condition in horses refers to the inability to swallow rather than an obstruction of breathing
Whenever the term “choke” is used in horses it refers to an obstruction or blockage in the esophagus. This is very different than the extreme medical emergency of choking in humans, whereby an obstruction of the airway or trachea has occurred. The choking horse can still breathe — but the choking horse cannot swallow. Choke
The many reasons a horse rolls
Horse Health: It’s an eye-catching move, but it’s also completely natural behaviour
Whenever an animal as large as a horse drops to the ground it captures most everyone’s attention. Fortunately the most common reason a horse does drop to the ground is to roll, and rolling is a perfectly natural behaviour for horses. It is both beneficial to their health and an indicator of their health. Horses
A horse’s posture can tell you a lot about its health
Horse Health: Teaching a horse how to properly carry a rider can protect its long-term health
If a horse is not educated to carry a rider properly, the horse will not be able to perform to its full potential and over time various lameness and behavioural problems will likely result. It may not happen immediately, but as the duration of being ridden poorly increases, so does the likelihood of problems for
Clovers can affect horse health
Horse Health: There are clear symptoms to watch for when there’s clover in a horse’s diet
Whenever horses are grazing on pastures where clover is present, certain health concerns for the horse need to be kept in mind. It is of value to recognize the type of clovers present in the pasture, as well as the type of health problems that might ensue with ingestion of particular types of clover. Clover
Hoof care isn’t all about the hoof
Horse Health: A horse’s lifestyle and diet can make a major difference in hoof health
The hoof responds to everything it experiences in its environment as well as everything going on within the body. Inseparably tied to the body, a sound foot depends on more than a correct trim. This in no way dismisses or diminishes the importance of a proper hoof trim, rather places the trim in its rightful
The common lumps and bumps of horses
Horse Health: Often the best treatment is benign neglect until they get better on their own
Over their lifetime, horses present with an array of lumps and bumps on various occasions. At times the lump or bump will seemingly appear suddenly from out of nowhere, or it may develop slowly and remain for years without change. The behaviour and clinical picture of the lump/bump will determine whether it needs further investigation
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
