Mares Behaving Badly: Is it Estrus or Something Else?
Find out if your mare’s frustrating antics are due to estrus, and learn about ways to keep them in check.
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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.
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.
Read MorePosted 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.
Read MorePosted 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.
Read MorePosted 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.
Read MorePosted 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.
Read MorePosted 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.
Read MorePosted 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.
Read MorePosted 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.
Read MorePosted 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.
Read MorePosted 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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