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Have you thought about taking on a few boarders to help make ends meet? If you keep your horses at home, it might seem like a way to make some extra cash. Or maybe you’re considering building or buying a horse facility and starting a business. Can you make a …
All equines are herd animals by nature. Like humans, horses need interaction with members of their own species in order to thrive. But as prey animals, it’s a biological imperative for equines to be part of a herd. The herd represents safety from predators for themselves and their offspring. Being …
There are many wonderful things about spring — but trying to keep your horse clean and his skin healthy isn’t one of them. The list of seasonal challenges includes: Plenty of rain Mud everywhere Remnants of the winter coat trapping dirt, moisture, and sweat Insect irritation Long coats, warm days, …
For nearly as long as horses have been domesticated, the relationship between barn confinement and respiratory disease in the horse has been recognized. This relationship is intuitive, especially when we consider that deep in the lung where the blood takes up oxygen, the barrier between the outside air and the horse’s circulation …
Recognizing lameness in the hindlimbs can be slightly trickier than in the front legs. Generally, there is more movement and some compensation going on throughout the horse’s body. This can cause other limbs to look “off” and confuses the evaluator. In this month’s article we will discuss hindlimb lameness and …
Travel Tips for Horse Owners By Viveka Rannala, DVM Show season is upon us and if you want to compete it’s impossible to avoid traveling with your horse. Even with the most experienced equine traveler, there are always risks associated. Travel puts stress on the body, especially the immune system, …
10 Questions to Help Evaluate Your Horse’s Wellness By Eleanor Blazer A friend mentioned that she was having trouble keeping weight on her mare, Missy. Missy has always been an easy-keeper. I asked her a few questions every horse owner should regularly review. How old is your horse? When I …
Allergies are a common problem in horses and can affect overall health, performance, and quality of life. Common signs include excessive itchiness, hives, coughing, difficulty breathing (heaves), skin lesions along the lower midline (sweet itch), and hair loss from rubbing. Horses may also have swelling (edema) on the body or …
Are you using a cribbing collar? Please reconsider. Cribbing collars are tormenting. They may discourage the behavior, but they do not relieve the urge. The hormonal response that results can lead to oxidative stress throughout the body, potentially harming vital organs, as well as joints and the digestive tract. Inflammation …
Go down the supplement aisle in any feed store and you’ll see supplements from floor to ceiling — all promising to make your horse healthier or perform better. In the world of supplements, it’s not one-size-fits-all. In a recent survey of horse professionals and non-professionals some interesting statistics arose: 12% …
