Horse Health Archives - Page 11 of 15

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 

By Carol Shwetz January 11, 2017

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

Livestock, Other livestock

When horses ‘choke’

Horse Health: The condition in horses refers to the inability to swallow rather than an obstruction of breathing

By Carol Shwetz December 15, 2016

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

Livestock

The many reasons a horse rolls

Horse Health: It’s an eye-catching move, but it’s also completely natural behaviour

By Carol Shwetz November 23, 2016

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

Livestock

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

By Carol Shwetz October 26, 2016

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

The leaves of red and white clover, unlike those of alsike clover, show the characteristic inverted “V” commonly referred to as a “watermark.”

Livestock

Clovers can affect horse health

Horse Health: There are clear symptoms to watch for when there’s clover in a horse’s diet

By Carol Shwetz September 28, 2016

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

Livestock

Hoof care isn’t all about the hoof

Horse Health: A horse’s lifestyle and diet can make a major difference in hoof health 

By Carol Shwetz August 10, 2016

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

Livestock

The common lumps and bumps of horses

Horse Health: Often the best treatment is benign neglect until they get better on their own

By Carol Shwetz July 5, 2016

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

Livestock

Management strategies for using grazing muzzles

Horse Health: Grass consumption can be reduced by 30 to 80 per cent depending on the horse or pony wearing one

By Carol Shwetz June 22, 2016

The grazing muzzle is a simple, effective, and sensible tool caretakers can use to manage the grass intake of their horses. The grazing muzzle is a basket-like contraption — a piece of headgear a horse wears with the intention of slowing down and reducing grass intake on pasture. The horse wearing the muzzle can breathe

Livestock

What to expect when your horse is expecting

Horse Health: The majority of mares foals between dusk and dawn

By Carol Shwetz June 1, 2016

Foaling is a remarkable process that few owners witness. They usually arrive to discover a healthy foal having already nursed and easily following alongside its dam. An uneventful foaling and a vigorous newborn foal are the natural outcome of a healthy mare with an excellent nutritional program and opportunity for plenty of movement. The duration

Both wound and hoof care have been neglected on this horse, considerably increasing the risk for the development of proud flesh.

Livestock

Preventing or repairing ‘proud flesh’ on horses

Horse Health: Proper management from the outset is important in avoiding its appearance, especially on lower limbs

By Carol Shwetz April 27, 2016

Nature has a way of healing wounds in horses and for the most part, has a remarkable inherent ability to return the skin to its original state. However, horses, more so than any other species, tend to be particularly prone to a troublesome complication of wound healing referred to as ‘proud flesh.’ Whenever it appears,

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Tag Archives Horse Health

The importance of feeding salt to horses

When horses ‘choke’

The many reasons a horse rolls

A horse’s posture can tell you a lot about its health

Clovers can affect horse health

Hoof care isn’t all about the hoof

The common lumps and bumps of horses

Management strategies for using grazing muzzles

What to expect when your horse is expecting

Preventing or repairing ‘proud flesh’ on horses

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