In natural settings, horses develop selective grazing habits, seeking out healthy grasses and forages and avoiding those that are harmful. Relatively few plants are poisonous to horses and, fortunately, horses tend to avoid eating these because of their low palatability. Horses with an abundant supply of quality pasture or hay avoid temptation to select harmful
Some weeds are toxic for horses
The equine sarcoid — treating cancer in horses
The occurrence of cancer is relatively rare in horses. Of those cancers that do occur, the equine sarcoid accounts for a third of all the reported skin tumours. This tumour is unique to the horse and is highly variable in appearance and behaviour. It is a benign type of cancer that does not spread to
Retained placenta in mares
The birth of a foal is a remarkable event that must unfold in an expedient manner. Expulsion of the fetal membranes or placenta is a seemingly less glamorous event than the arrival of the newborn foal, yet its well-timed release is equally important to the thriving foal. Discharge of the placenta is an extension of
Adverse consequences of phenylbutazone
Phenylbutazone, referred to as “bute” amongst horsemen, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for the short-term relief of pain, inflammation, and fever in horses. It is one of the most common medications administered to horses but indiscriminate use is wrought with adverse consequences. Therefore horse owners must be aware of its appropriate and prudent use.
Prevention and care of girth itch in horses
Horses being ridden or driven will occasionally develop a peculiar skin lesion immediately in the area behind their elbow, in the axilla or “armpit.” This skin lesion appears “rash-like” and is typically associated with the girth/cinch so the colloquial term “girth itch” is often used to describe it. The appearance of girth itch is variable.
Deciding when a horse’s time has come
At times the decision to euthanize is clearly obvious, even with an apparent immediacy. It is a self-evident ending when the horse has a fatal injury or an unrelenting illness. However all scenarios are not so straightforward, especially when individuals are confronted with situations of illness, injuries or aging that slowly taints the quality of
The Obesity Epidemic Affects More Than Humans
Weight is an important factor that plays into the health of your horse. Nutritional management and meaningful exercise are key to maintaining your horse at ideal body condition. It is important to distinguish between fit and fat, because weight gain can be confused with muscle conditioning and roundness. To further complicate matters a degree of
Equine Warts: Patience Is The Best Treatment
Equine warts are small, grey to pink cauliflower-like growths that generally appear on a young horse s muzzle or lips. They can also be found on the face, ears or less commonly on the lower legs. They occur singularly, scattered, or in clusters. Most infections result in 10 to 20 warts, yet numbers over 100
Horses Are Susceptible To Sunburn
The most likely cause of sunburn in horses is known as photosensi t ization. Photosensitization means hypersensitivity or allergy of the skin to sunlight. With photosensitization, non-pigmented skin is at risk whenever substances in the diet and sunlight reach a certain combination level. Unfortunately horses with sunburn are often discovered after the damage is done.
Introducing Your Horse To Spring Pasture
DVM It is tempting to allow horses unlimited access to spring pastures as soon as the grass turns green, particularly after a long winter. But management practices which make this transition a slow and steady one are beneficial to both the horse and the pasture. In natural rangeland conditions, the new spring grasses are covered
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