Heather Smith Thomas, Author at The Horse

Heather Smith Thomas

Heather Smith Thomas ranches with her husband near Salmon, Idaho, raising cattle and a few horses. She has a B.A. in English and history from University of Puget Sound (1966). She has raised and trained horses for 50 years, and has been writing freelance articles and books nearly that long, publishing 20 books and more than 9,000 articles for horse and livestock publications. Some of her books include Understanding Equine Hoof Care, The Horse Conformation Handbook, Care and Management of Horses, Storey's Guide to Raising Horses and Storey's Guide to Training Horses. Besides having her own blog, www.heathersmiththomas.blogspot.com, she writes a biweekly blog at https://insidestorey.blogspot.com that comes out on Tuesdays.

Mares Behaving Badly: Is it Estrus or Something Else?

Posted by Heather Smith Thomas | Jan 13, 2023 | Article, Behavior, Breeding and Reproduction, Hormones For Breeding, Mare Care, Mare Care and Problems, Reproductive System, Sports Medicine

Find out if your mare’s frustrating antics are due to estrus, and learn about ways to keep them in check.

What Medications Are Safe for Mares?

Posted by Heather Smith Thomas | Jul 17, 2022 | Article, Breeding and Reproduction, Breeding Basics, Horse Care, Mare Care, Mare Care and Problems, Medications, Vet and Professional, Working With a Veterinarian

Giving medications to pregnant mares is never without risk and should always be discussed with your veterinarian.

Feeding Endurance Horses

Posted by Heather Smith Thomas | Jul 10, 2022 | Conditioning, Conditioning For Competition, Endurance, Feeding Fats, Feeding High-Performance Horses, Grains, Hay, Horse Care, Nutrition, Nutrition Basics, Pasture and Forages, Sports Medicine, Sports Nutrition, Transport Stress, Water & Electrolytes

Feeding hard-working endurance horses is as much art as it is science. Our sources walk you through an endurance horse’s diet, from conditioning to post-race.

Maintain Hoof Health by Avoiding Frequent Wet-Dry Cycles

Posted by Heather Smith Thomas | May 3, 2022 | Article, Hoof Care, Hoof Problems, Horse Care, Lameness

Mud isn’t the only moisture-related enemy of hoof health—consider dewy pastures and frequent bathing, as well.

Fighting Foot Funk

Posted by Heather Smith Thomas | Mar 16, 2022 | Abscesses, Hoof Care, Hoof Problems, Horse Care, Thrush, White Line Disease

Learn how to combat foot issues such as thrush, white line disease, and abscesses that can develop in or be exacerbated by moist, muddy conditions in this article from the March 2022 issue of The Horse.

The Hardy Horse: How Horses Handle Winter

Posted by Heather Smith Thomas | Dec 21, 2021 | Anatomy & Physiology, Article, Digestive System, Digestive Tract Problems, Diseases and Conditions, Frostbite, Hoof Anatomy & Physiology, Hoof Care, Horse Care, Lameness, Laminitis (Founder), Seasonal Care, Winter Care

From growing a thick winter coat to producing heat as they digest forage, here’s how horses are inherently designed to cope with cold weather.

A Guide to Equine Diagnostic Imaging

Posted by Heather Smith Thomas | Oct 15, 2021 | Computed Tomography (CT), Diagnosing Hoof Lameness, Diagnosing Lameness, Diagnostics and Technology, Endoscopy, Horse Care, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Radiography (X rays), Scintigraphy, Sports Medicine, Ultrasound, Vet and Professional, Working With a Veterinarian

Diagnostic imaging technology has improved tremendously in the past few decades, with several effective options to choose from. Learn about the machines and technologies your veterinarian can use to look inside your horse, including MRI, CT, PET scans, and more.

Equine Dental Care: Painful Points and Uneven Arcades

Posted by Heather Smith Thomas | Sep 20, 2021 | Article, Dental Problems, Dentistry, Horse Care, Nutrition, Veterinary Practice, Working With a Veterinarian

Here are some common dental issues that can negatively impact your horse’s performance and how they can be corrected.

Hoof Care for EMS Horses

Posted by Heather Smith Thomas | Jun 16, 2021 | Cushing's Disease, Diagnosing Hoof Lameness, Farrier Issues, Hoof Care, Hoof Problems, Horse Care, Lameness, Laminitis (Founder), Metabolic Problems, Metabolic Syndrome, Shoeing

Find out how to recognize when a horse is at risk of developing EMS-related laminitis and what you can do to either prevent or manage it so he stays sound.

Horse Farm Biosecurity

Posted by Heather Smith Thomas | Apr 27, 2021 | Biosecurity, Diseases and Conditions, Equine Herpesvirus (EHV), Farm and Barn, Farm and Barn, Healthy Farm Management, Horse Care, Influenza, Quarantine, Respiratory Problems, Strangles, Welfare and Industry

Infectious diseases such as influenza and equine herpesvirus can come home with you via exposed horses and on your tack, equipment, skin, and clothing. Here’s how to avoid these scenarios and keep your horses healthy.

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Heather Smith Thomas

Articles by Heather Smith Thomas