The horse world is cautiously getting back on the road as competitions re-emerge on June calendars. Productive horse people likely spent some of the pandemic doing horse trailer maintenance: checking breaks, tires, interiors, hitches and electrical connections. Those critical aspects of safe equine transport tend to get a lot of …
Hemp is all the buzz these days, and for good reason. It’s a plant with literally thousands of uses. Hemp is used for clothing, fuel, paper and everything in between. It’s a weed and capable of growing in many different conditions with little fertilizer. Hemp is nutritious and can have medicinal …
The hock joint of the horse, also known as the tarsus, is very important to both hindlimb flexion and rotation. I am frequently asked about hock pain in horses. Pain in the hock can stem from numerous locations around the joint, but also inside the joint. The hock is comprised …
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 …
Read MoreWhich Leg is Lame? A Beginner’s Guide (part 2 of 3)
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 …
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