In 1885, Sydney Galvayne published a book in Glasgow outlining a system which claimed to accurately age horses by identifying distinct features of wear on the teeth. Galvayne’s treatise became widely accepted and uncontested amongst horsemen for over a century. The Galvayne name even became memorialized when a distinct groove which travels down the side
Aging horses by their teeth
Horse Health: System is more of a guideline than an absolute determination
Bringing the advantages of hydrotherapy to your horse
Horse Health: It is soothing as well as therapeutic when dealing with wounds or injuries
One of the most valuable allies in the “doctor’s” kit of every horseman ought to be water — simple, soothing, inexpensive, and most often readily available. The application of water, a.k.a. hydrotherapy, to encourage healing brings plenty of advantages in many equine injuries. In spite of the many advancements in veterinary medicine, hydrotherapy remains a
Horses are prone to allergic reactions
Horse Health: There are multiple triggers that can cause either skin or respiratory reaction
Horses, just like humans, can and do get allergies. Although allergies in horses are not fully understood, we do know that the root cause lies in the immune system. The body becomes hypersensitive and appears to “overreact” to seemingly innocuous substances called allergens. Histamine, a naturally occurring hormone in the body, reaches overly high levels,
The art of longeing horses
Horse Health: There is more to this form of training than going in circles
At its most basic level, longeing (pronounced lunging) is a seemingly simple exercise. It asks a horse to move in circles around a handler. However, execution of this exercise can be either very beneficial or very detrimental to the horse, depending on “how” it is done. How a horse carries its body as it travels
What if my horse needs colic surgery?
Horse Health: Surgery is sometimes necessary to save a horse’s life
The chance that your horse might require surgery for colic is low, very low, yet mentally entertaining the possibility and having a game plan could make a difference for you and your horse. The reason for this is simply because a successful outcome to colic surgery is time sensitive. While deciding to do colic surgery
Common genetic disorders of the quarter-horse
Horse Health: Genetic testing is the only way to know whether the horse is a carrier
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
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
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
Vesicular stomatitis: A travel advisory
Horse Health: The rules have changed for transporting horses across Canada-U.S. border
The importance of vesicular stomatitis to horse owners in Western Canada is relatively small, that is unless your horse(s) are travelling to or from southwestern locations in the United States. If so vesicular stomatitis will demand significant attention in your travel plans. Although Canada is currently free of vesicular stomatitis and has been since it
Reducing risk of injury or sickness when trailering horses
You can minimize the level of stress by practising horse-trailering skills well ahead of when it’s necessary
A trailer ride is a formidable undertaking for a horse, as it is in strong contradiction to their inherent nature. Acceptance of loading into the trailer, travelling calmly and unloading quietly from the trailer requires mental preparation and conditioning of the horse. Horses that are properly prepared mentally for trailering arrive at their destination with
Keeping your horse physically active in the winter
Pawing for forage through snow is one way to provide physical activity and mental relief
Daily physical activity is essential for the overall health of your horse year round and this includes the winter season. Given the limitations that snow and cold and somewhat unsure footing can impose on activities with horses during the winter months, it can be challenging to ensure horses have sufficient physical activity. As long as
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