Exercise Caution with Spring Pasture Turnout
Horses
that spend the winter on dry lots eating hay have to be carefully managed once
spring grass starts to sprout. Horses have delicate digestive systems, and any
abrupt change in feed is liable to cause colic or founder. In fact, the United
States Department of Agriculture notes that 54... | read »
Health: Seasonal
from the pages of Perfect Horse
A Grooming Guide to Cleaning Your Horse
Your dreams have come true, and you're finally the owner of your
very own horse. But, the realization hits as you're staring down the lead
rope at your new horse: You have no idea what comes next. Don't
worry, Perfect
Horse is here to help! Here, you'll find what you need to know about... | read »
Health: Seasonal
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Year-Round Health Plan for Your Horse
Keeping a horse means a lifetime of learning, as we constantly
explore better ways to provide a safe, healthy environment. Our goal is to
nurture contentment and well-being so our horses can enjoy their lives while we
enjoy them. The first step is providing a proper living environment.... | read »
Health: Seasonal
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Prevent Dehydrated Horses This Winter
During winter your horse may be
more susceptible to dehydration and other ailments. Freezing temperatures turns
the water in your horse's bucket to ice, reducing the amount of readily
available water. A horse's body is made up of 60% water, with sweat glands
located throughout most of its... | read »
Health: Seasonal
from the pages of Horse Journal
Tips for Winter Health Care for Your Horse
One of the first things on everyone's mind when it comes to winter
is whether or not their horse is cold. Consider that: * Very young and very old horses have more trouble regulating
their temperatures. * Horses with little body fat and/or a thin coat have less
insulation. * A horse that is... | read »
Health: Seasonal
from the pages of Horse Journal
Winter May Mean Horse Choke
If you've ever seen a horse choke, you're not likely to forget it. Choke
occurs when food gets caught in the esophagus, not in his airway, as
occurs with people. The horse will cough and retch. Heavy salivation is likely,
and he'll be anxious and upset. He likely won't eat or drink.
Choke... | read »
Health: Seasonal
from the pages of Horse Journal
Fall Horse Pasture Warnings
While pasture can continue to supply a significant part of your
horse's nutrition into the fall months, there are a few things you need to watch
for to help you avoid problems. Milder temperatures and fall rains can combine to produce a second
"flush" of pasture grasses in the fall. This new... | read »
Health: Seasonal
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Should You Blanket Your Horse?
Rather than tell you any hard and fast rules of when to blanket your horse and how heavy of a horse blanket to use, we'll give you some guidelines to help you figure out what's best for
your horse and his situation. You might be surprised to find that, in some
cases, not blanketing your horse... | read »
Health: Seasonal
from the pages of Perfect Horse
Vitamin D and Sunshine for Your Horse
According to Ohio State University Equine Extension, vitamin
D is called the sunshine vitamin because the ultraviolet rays of the sun convert
a compound in the skin into vitamin D. Horses exposed to four to six hours of
outdoor light (even on cloudy days) will make sufficient vitamin D.... | read »
Health: Seasonal
from the pages of Horse Journal
Summer Heat and Horse Wounds
Flies love to feed on and lay their eggs in
an open wound. This is extremely irritating to the horse and introduces bacteria
to the area, possibly even minutes after you've cleaned the wound. Bandaging is,
of course, your best defense, but when the wound is located in an area that is... | read »
QUESTION:
We
travel all over with our horses. For years, we’ve heard about equine distemper,
also known as strangles. Please tell us more about the strangles, how to prevent
it, and what to do about it should one of... | read
