Bell boots, also known as over-reach boots, are protective gear for horses, designed to shield the hooves and pasterns from injuries. They can also protect horseshoes, and may improve confidence during movement for certain horses and disciplines. These boots are...
The horse's eye is large, delicate, and vital for navigating its environment. Its prominent position and limited natural protection make it especially vulnerable to injury. Eye prolapse, also called proptosis, is uncommon but serious, occurring when the eyeball is displaced....
Selecting the best trailer for your needs involves evaluating how different designs impact safety, ventilation, ride comfort, loading ease, and long-term durability. Horses are sensitive travelers, and factors such as airflow, suspension, flooring, and interior space can make the difference...
Swollen sheath in horses is a common condition that owners may notice when the area around the penis appears enlarged or puffy. In many cases, sheath swelling is mild and temporary, often linked to inactivity, seasonal changes, or fluid retention...
Horse handling is one of the most routine and hazardous activities that takes place in any barn environment. Whether you're leading a quiet gelding to turnout or managing a fresh young horse on a cold morning, every interaction carries some...
Most horse owners know that poor air quality in dusty barns can cause coughing, nasal discharge, or laboured breathing in sensitive horses. But what happens when a horse seems worse outdoors—even on fresh green pasture? Just like people, horses can...
Keeping a horse barn safe goes beyond caring for the animals—it’s about protecting the people who work there. Every day, barn staff face hazards ranging from poor air quality and heavy lifting to unpredictable animal behavior, slippery surfaces, and machinery...
Running a horse farm—whether it's a small private stable or a large-scale boarding, training, or breeding facility—requires strong organization behind the scenes. One of the most valuable tools in managing horses and daily operations is effective record-keeping. Accurate records help...
Horse racing demands speed, precision, and safety—for both horses and riders. Inadequate racetrack surfaces are considered a risk factor for musculoskeletal and catastrophic injuries in horses at high speeds, making track design a crucial factor in preventing harm. To meet...
The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a highly destructive parasitic fly that poses a significant threat to equine health and welfare. Unlike typical fly larvae that feed on dead or decaying tissue, screwworm maggots consume living flesh, resulting in...
In equestrianism, the relationship between horse and rider relies on clear communication, trust, and mutual understanding. Natural aids—such as the seat, legs, hands, and voice—serve as the rider's primary tools for guiding the horse, while artificial aids like bits, whips,...
The quality of the air horses breathe plays a critical role in their overall health and performance. Unlike humans, horses have a highly sensitive and efficient respiratory system designed to meet the oxygen demands of intense physical exertion. However, this...
Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue that forms at the site of an injury in humans, extending beyond the original wound boundaries. They are dense, fibrous, and typically raised, smooth, and shiny in appearance. While horses do not develop...
Social License to Operate (SLO) is the informal but important public approval that lets industries operate without major opposition. In equestrian sport, SLO reflects how the public views the sport’s ethics, transparency, and care for animal welfare. The level of...
Hoof capsule avulsion, or hoof degloving, is a traumatic injury that can severely impact a horse’s ability to move and function normally. The hoof plays a vital role in supporting the horse's weight, absorbing shock, and maintaining balance, which is...
Proper feed storage is essential for effective horse care and efficient farm management. Horses rely on consistent, high-quality nutrition to maintain their health, performance, and overall well-being. Incorrect feed storage can lead to spoilage, contamination, and pest infestations, which waste...
Neck threadworms (Onchocerca cervicalis) are a type of parasitic worm that primarily infect horses. The adult worms live deep within the ligamentum nuchae (the connective tissue along the horse's neck), while their microscopic larvae (microfilariae) migrate into the skin, where...
Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate (DDSP), commonly known as "flipping the palate," is a respiratory condition that significantly affects a horse’s performance, especially during intense exercise. It is one of the most common causes of upper airway obstruction in...
Rollkur, or hyperflexion, is a technique used in equestrian disciplines to create a compact, low, and rounded horse posture. It involves excessive flexion of the horse’s neck, where the horse’s head is drawn back towards its chest, potentially exceeding its...
Tongue ties are devices commonly used in horse racing to restrict a horse's tongue, which helps improve control and optimize upper airway function. Typically made from materials such as cloth, leather, or elastic, these devices are tied around the tongue...
Whisker trimming involves the removal of a horse’s long, sensitive vibrissae—specialized hairs around the muzzle, eyes, and sometimes ears. These hairs are deeply rooted and connected to nerve endings, playing a crucial role in sensory perception. Traditionally performed for cosmetic...
Hypothermia and frostbite are serious cold-weather conditions that can affect horses exposed to extreme low temperatures, especially when combined with wind and moisture. Although horses are naturally equipped to withstand cold weather, prolonged exposure to temperatures below their thermoneutral zone...
Blood doping is a type of performance enhancement that artificially increases the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity. In equine sports, the purpose of blood doping is to improve a horse’s performance by raising the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in...
Gas colic, also known as tympany or flatulent colic, is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in horses characterized by the excessive accumulation of gas in the intestines. This condition can lead to significant abdominal discomfort and distress, posing a serious health...
Osselets are a form of arthritis that affects the fetlock joint, commonly seen in young, active horses engaged in high-performance activities such as racing and jumping. This condition develops as a result of repetitive, high-impact stress on the joint, leading...
Ascarids (Parascaris equorum) are significant parasitic threats to equine health, particularly in young horses. These large, robust roundworms can grow up to 15 inches long and are most commonly found in foals and yearlings, whose developing immune systems make them...
Selecting the right boarding facility for your horse is essential for both your horse’s well-being and your peace of mind. Boarding involves housing your horse at a facility not on [...]
Equine tail alteration practices, including tail docking, nicking, and blocking, are highly controversial. These procedures involve modifying or removing parts of the tail, primarily for aesthetic or competitive purposes. Such practices raise significant welfare concerns due to the associated pain...
Purpura hemorrhagica (PH) is a severe immune-mediated condition in horses characterized by widespread inflammation of blood vessels, known as vasculitis. This condition often develops as a secondary complication of infections, particularly those caused by Streptococcus equi, the bacterium responsible for...
Stallions are male horses that have not been castrated and thus have high levels of testosterone. This hormone can drive behaviors such as aggression, dominance, and a strong mating instinct. Testosterone, produced primarily in the testicles, plays a crucial role...
