Fiber is one of the most important components in the equine diet, providing up to 70% of a horse’s energy needs. Fiber in equines diet predominantly originates from forages such as hay and pasture g...
Forage should constitute the bulk of your horse's diet, but not all of it needs to be provided as long-stemmed forages like baled hay. Forage cubes and pellets are other options that may be beneficial...
Glaucoma refers to increased intraocular pressure, the fluid pressure within the eyeball that gives the eye its shape. [ref n="1"] Glaucoma in horses develops when there is an imbalance in fluid drain...
Degenerative joint disease (also called arthritis) refers to degeneration and loss of the articular cartilage, cartilage within a joint space that protects the bones on either side of a joint. As the ...
Breeding Soundness for Stallions Reproductive Anatomy Examination Identification History VD Testing Physical Exam External Exam Internal Exam Semen Evaluation A Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) aims to e...
Neurectomy refers to the surgical cutting and removal of a nerve to prevent pain sensation. [ref n="1"] In horses, neurectomy is considered a salvage procedure, meaning it is a last resort only perfor...
PEHs in Horses Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Prognosis Summary Progressive ethmoidal hematomas (PEHs) in horses are non-cancerous masses that develop from the ethmoidal labyrinth. This a structu...
Immune-mediated myositis (IMM) is a muscle disorder in horses where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own muscle fibers, resulting in severe muscle atrophy. IMM is one of the two disorders clas...
Psyllium is a rich source of soluble fiber that can be incorporated into equine diets. Soluble fiber remains undigested by enzymes in the stomach (gastric juices), but passes into the hindgut where it...
Clipping a horse’s coat is often messy and time-consuming. It can also be stressful for both horses and humans. With the right approach, clipping your horse doesn't have to be a dreaded chore. Cl...
The overo pattern is one of three coat patterns in American Paint Horses (APHs) recognized by the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), along with Tobiano and Tovero. Among Overo variations, the fr...
Wolf teeth in horses are short teeth sometimes found in the space between the front and cheek teeth on both sides of the upper jaw. Wolf teeth are normal, but have no particular function for horses. W...
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is a treatment modality for horses where a machine produces pulses of electromagnetic fields directed at a specific part of the body. Research suggests that...
Corticosteroids are a class of medication used to treat inflammation and pain. Corticosteroid joint injections are a common treatment for arthritis in horses. When injected directly into a joint, cort...
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER), commonly known as tying-up or azoturia, is an exercise-induced condition in horses characterized by the excessive breakdown of muscle tissue. This results in muscle spa...
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that is commonly spread to horses through direct contact with contaminated food and water sources. While there are many different species of the Leptospira bacte...
Sesamoiditis in horses refers to pain and injury around the sesamoid bones, pairs of small triangular bones found at the back of the fetlock. Inflammation in this area can cause pain and changes to th...
Acupuncture is a therapeutic modality that has been adapted over the centuries to suit various species, including horses. Treatment involves the insertion of fine needles into specific landmarks on th...
Managing manure is an inevitable aspect of equine stable maintenance and requires careful consideration. A successful manure management program will depend on multiple factors including the number of ...
The Breton horse is a French draft breed from Bretagne, or Brittany, a province in northwest France. There are three types of Breton horses: the Postier Breton, the Central Mountain Breton, and the He...
The Appendix horse is a mixed breed produced by crossing an American Quarter Horse with a Thoroughbred. The cross is also known as an Appendix Quarter Horse. Appendix horses can become eligible for pe...
Looking for ways to reduce swelling in your horse's legs? Several factors can lead to leg swelling in horses, ranging from mild conditions such as "stocking up" to more severe issues such as celluliti...
Sacroiliac pain is a common cause of poor performance and low-grade lameness in performance horses. The sacroiliac joint is the point on the horse’s body where the pelvis and the spine connect, play...
Pedal osteitis in horses is a condition characterized by inflammation and damage to the pedal (coffin) bone within the hoof. Affected horses can experience pain and lameness, which may be worse after ...
Sidebone in horses is a common condition that affects the collateral cartilages of the hoof. It occurs when the normally flexible cartilage plates in the horse's hoof gradually become hardened and cal...
Cobs are small draft-type horses known for their hardiness and versatility as recreational riding mounts. The cob isn’t a distinct breed. The term refers to a common body type in several popular hor...
The Swedish Warmblood is a sport horse breed that originated at the state studs of Sweden. While less popular than some warmbloods from mainland Europe, many Swedish Warmbloods excel at the top level ...
Keratomas in horses are abnormal growths or benign tumors that develop within the hoof capsule, potentially resulting in lameness and discomfort. These non-cancerous masses comprise overgrowths of ker...
Synovial infections in horses refer to infections in the synovial structures, which include joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths. These infections can be severe and potentially career-ending for equine ...
Ionophore toxicosis, a severe and often fatal condition in horses, arises from the ingestion of ionophores, antibiotic compounds that are common in livestock feeds. Common ionophores in livestock feed...