Muscle soreness in horses commonly develops after strenuous or unfamiliar exercise. Affected horses may feel stiff, take shorter strides, or seem less willing to perform as their muscles recover from the increased workload. Mild exercise-related soreness is usually temporary and...
Clostridial myositis is a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection that causes rapid damage to a horse's muscle tissue. Also known as clostridial myonecrosis, the condition is sometimes called gas gangrene because some infections produce gas within the affected tissues. The...
Neurological signs in horses are observable changes that suggest the brain, spinal cord, or nerves are no longer coordinating normal movement, sensation, behavior, or awareness. These signs can range from subtle changes in performance to a sudden loss of strength...
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a life-threatening complication of many serious illnesses and injuries in horses. It most commonly develops in horses with severe colic, colitis, infection, or major trauma, as well as after surgery. However, any condition that...
Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) is an inherited hoof disorder in horses that primarily affects Connemara Ponies and horses with Connemara ancestry. The condition weakens the hoof wall, causing it to crack, separate, and break away as the hoof grows...
Chronic inflammation in horses is a prolonged immune response that can accompany disorders affecting the joints, airways, digestive tract, metabolism, and other body systems. When inflammatory activity continues beyond its useful role in healing, it may contribute to tissue damage...
Equine coital exanthema in horses is an EHV-3 infection with an important practical consequence: a mare or stallion may appear healthy yet still need to be withdrawn from breeding. Even a mild case can cause significant discomfort and disrupt breeding...
Choosing a reliable horse and farm sitter can feel daunting, even when you are leaving for only a short trip. With careful planning, the right person can maintain your horses' normal routines and monitor your property while you are away....
Reiki is a practice some horse owners use to support relaxation and overall well-being in their horses. During a session, a practitioner places their hands lightly on or near the horse while maintaining a calm, quiet presence. Owners may incorporate...
Horse folklore reflects the deep relationship between horses and human civilization. Long before horses became beloved companions and athletic partners, they carried warriors into battle, pulled plows, transported people and goods, and helped shape agriculture, trade, and exploration. Their speed,...
If your horse is eating bedding, it is important to understand why the behavior is occurring. While some horses may occasionally mouth or nibble fresh bedding out of curiosity, regularly eating straw, wood shavings, or other bedding materials is not...
Horse facial expressions communicate emotional and physical states through subtle changes in the eyes, ears, nostrils, and muzzle. These cues can be easy to miss, but learning to recognize them can help you determine whether your horse is relaxed and...
Horses can show signs of grief or distress after losing a close companion, especially when the loss disrupts a familiar social bond. Whether animals grieve has become an important topic in animal behavior and welfare research, as scientists have documented...
Equine science and equine studies programs combine horse management, animal science, and hands-on learning to prepare students for careers in the horse industry. Offered by many colleges and universities, these programs help students build practical horsemanship skills alongside a stronger...
Horses do not cry tears in the same way humans do. As highly social animals, horses can form strong bonds and attachments, and they do respond to changes in their social or physical environment. However, these responses are expressed through...
Rearing is one of the most dangerous behaviors horses can display during handling or riding. When a horse lifts its front legs off the ground, the rider may lose balance and fall, and the horse may also lose balance and...
Stallions and geldings differ in more than reproductive status. Their differences can affect temperament, daily care, training, housing, and long-term management. Although both are male horses, stallions are intact and influenced by reproductive hormones, while geldings have been castrated and...
Choosing the best vitamin E supplement for your horse is not as simple as picking the product with the highest IU per scoop. The right choice depends on what your horse is actually missing from the diet, including vitamin E...
A tracheostomy in horses refers to a surgical opening created in the windpipe to help a horse breathe when airflow through the upper airway is severely restricted. It may be performed as an emergency procedure for sudden airway obstruction or...
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease in horses caused by Leishmania protozoa and transmitted primarily through the bites of infected sandflies. Although the disease is more common in humans and dogs, horses can also become infected in regions where these parasites...
A well-designed feed board, or feed chart, is essential for maintaining accurate and consistent feeding routines for horses. It guides barn staff decisions and helps ensure that every horse receives the diet they need. When feed boards are unclear, outdated,...
Tularemia is a bacterial disease that affects a wide range of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Also known as rabbit fever, the disease is caused by Francisella tularensis, a bacterium that is commonly found in rabbits, rodents, and other wildlife. Infection...
Halitosis, or bad breath, in horses is an unpleasant odor coming from a horse’s mouth or nostrils. While occasional odor associated with horse feed is normal, persistent foul-smelling breath in your horse is often a sign of an underlying health...
Strong respiratory health is essential for your horse's comfort, stamina, recovery, and athletic performance, but choosing the right respiratory supplement is not always straightforward. With so many products marketed for breathing support, it can be difficult to know which options...
Horse sheets can be useful tools for protecting your horse from rain, wind, insects, and temperature changes while supporting comfort in different conditions. From lightweight fly sheets to waterproof turnout options and moisture-wicking coolers, the right sheet or blanket can...
Laminitis is one of the most common and serious hoof conditions affecting horses. This painful disease damages the laminae, the specialized tissues that help suspend and support the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. In severe cases, laminitis can result...
Most horse owners associate digestive discomfort in their horse with gastric ulcers before considering any other condition. Ulcers are common, well-known, and widely discussed by horse owners, but they aren’t the only gut issue that can cause colic, behavior changes,...
Ear plugs for horses are a simple tool designed to reduce noise and help horses stay focused in stimulating environments. Whether used during competitions, trailering, clipping, or other high-noise situations, they work by dampening sound rather than completely blocking it....
Horse ownership comes with a long history of tradition, and many of those traditions include superstitions passed down through generations of riders, breeders, and stable workers. Long before advances in veterinary medicine and modern equine management, people often relied on...
Helping a horse gain weight is not always as simple as feeding more grain or adding extra supplements. Weight gain depends on the horse consuming more calories than it needs, but factors such as forage quality, digestion, protein intake, workload,...