Tapeworms are becoming more of an issue in horses as we learn more about how they affect horse health. Some regions of the country have a greater risk of equine tapeworm problems. In the upper Midwest (Wisconsin and Minnesota), for instance, studie
When a horse founders and the damaged laminae that hold the coffin bone to the hoof wall release their grip, the coffin bone is no longer held in place. It rotates (tips down at the front) or slips downward in the hoof. The goal when shoeing these
Shelly, crumbly feet can be a challenge for horses and their owners. The feet break down too readily if the horse is barefoot, and they are unable to hold nails if he’s shod. In this article we’ll look at several causes and potential treatments for
“Moon blindness” is a chronic, painful eye disease, and it’s the most common cause of blindness in horses. It was so named during the 1600s because people thought recurring attacks were related to phases of the moon. This eye disease might be one o
The first days of a foal’s life can be risky; there are a number of things that can go wrong. Some problems can be dealt with easily (such as constipation), while others are life-threatening (such as a ruptured bladder).
In this article, Bonni
Embryo transfer (ET)–recovering the embryo from a bred donor mare for placement into a recipient mare that will carry and raise the foal–has become a useful reproductive tool for a growing number of breeders. Mares that are competing, or mares
Pneumonia is, simply put, inflammation of the lungs. It can be mild or life-threatening (and quickly fatal) depending on its cause and the age of the foal. Pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Many foals are susceptible to
Your new foal is struggling to his feet and instinctively wobbling toward mom. You watch in anxious interest as she licks and nudges to encourage him–while he noses at her front leg, her flank, her buttock, and finally, DINNER!
The mare’s
Rainrot (rain scald) is a skin problem that often appears during wet weather.
A horse’s nutrient requirements increase with cold weather; he needs more calories to generate heat to keep warm. Mature horses in good condition usually don’t need grain, however, if they have good winter pasture or grass hay.
Sometimes it’s challenging to keep weight on a horse. A hyperactive horse might burn off too many calories to stay in optimum body condition, while an old broodmare with digestive inefficiency can lose weight during the stress of lactation.
To work with horses successfully, we must be able to communicate adequately with voice, touch, and body language.
It is better–and easier–to prevent a horse from starting the habit of cribbing than it is to stop that habit.
When handling a horse, you are better prepared for his actions and reactions if you can interpret his body language, to know whether he is at ease with what you are doing, nervous, afraid, annoyed, or resentful.
The old saying, “No hoof, no horse” is very true, especially as it pertains to the horse’s working ability and soundness. The horse is an athlete; we use him for a variety of athletic purposes — racing, jumping, chasing cattle, pulling carts.
There are many options available today for horse owners when installing or redoing pen and pasture fencing. The first thought should be the safety of the horses. Sometimes a fencing makeover will mean tearing out all of the old fence and
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