Health: Seasonal
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 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
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 »
Health: Seasonal
Foal and Mare Health Care
Life around horses is never boring, but it sure can seem that
way in the small hours of the morning when you are on foal watch and nothing is
happening. You have been dreaming about this event for nearly a year, but you
have also spent the past three cold nights camping out in the stall... | read »
Health: Seasonal
Help Your Horse Slick Off His Coat
Most of us choose to let our horses grow a long, shaggy coat
over the winter. It's natural for the horse, and it's easier for us. There are
no blankets to mess with, and no worries about monitoring body temperatures
underneath heavy clothing. But, when spring arrives and we want to get back... | read »
Health: Seasonal
Udder Woes Rare in Mares
It would be easy for many mare owners who use them as saddle
horses rather than breeding stock to forget that their mares have udders.
Fortunately, problems with the horse's mammary glands are
fairly uncommon. A mare who has never been pregnant usually has a very small
udder, which is... | read »
Health: Seasonal
from the pages of Horse Journal
Survive Your Horse's Shedding
Shedding in horses is triggered by
hormonal changes that are tied to day length. With mares especially, you can
stimulate shedding by mimicking longer day lengths. Keeping a 100 or 200 watt
light bulb turned on in your horse's stall so that the total hours of sunlight
and stall-light... | read »
Health: Seasonal
Horse's Coat Shine Reflects Healthy Nutrients
Everyone wants to see their horses with a sleek, glowing coat
and supple, healthy skin. If you browse through the product selections of any
supplement supplier, you'll likely find at least 10 products devoted to skin and
coat care, sometimes more than 20! Before you rush out to buy a... | read »
Health: Seasonal
Horse Gestation Period
Horses normally carry their foals for 340 to 342 days, but donkeys carry theirs for a full year. The llamas gestation period is about 10 days shorter than a horses, but camels stay pregnant for more than 400 days, while the deer gets the job done in only about 200. | 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
