Originating from Friesland in the Netherlands, Friesian horses have a rich lineage that has been tracked for about 150 years through the Royal Friesian Horse Studbook. Known for their striking black coats, feathered fetlocks, and balanced physique, Friesians are valued...
Understanding your horse's energy requirement is important for formulating a balanced diet that supports athletic performance, weight maintenance and overall function. Horses, like all animals, rely on energy from their diet to fuel their everyday activities. Energy is required for...
If you own a horse with metabolic health issues, you are likely familiar with the risks associated with lush pasture grasses. Excess sugar intake from grazing green pasture can trigger abnormal insulin responses in metabolic horses, increasing their risk of...
High performance horses are no different than the world's top human athletes. Like professional soccer players or Olympic swimmers, elite equine athletes need to be extremely fit to consistently perform strenuous physical activity and compete at the top of their...
The horse's natural diet consists of fiber-rich forages, which are relatively low in fat. However, fat supplementation has become increasingly popular for various types of horses, from athletes needing extra energy to metabolic horses who benefit from low-starch diets. Adding...
Every 2 years, equine professionals gather at the Equine Science Society (ESS), an international meeting, to share new research and exchange ideas. The first ESS meeting was held in 1960 and included a group of 27 equine nutritionists and physiologists...
In March of 2024, a diet evaluation was requested for a 19-year-old, underweight running-bred Quarter Horse gelding named Mojo. He weighed approximately 1,000 lb (454 kg) and was located in Mississippi, USA. Reported concerns included weight, topline, joint, and respiratory...
Owning a horse is a dream for many, but it is essential to understand that buying the horse is just the beginning. Horses come with a range of ongoing costs, from feeding and healthcare to boarding and equipment. So, how...
Heart disease in horses, as in humans, encompasses a broad range of conditions that affect the heart's structure, function, or electrical activity, potentially compromising the horse’s health and performance. The heart is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout the body,...
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), also known as antibiotic resistance, is a growing global concern that extends beyond equine medicine into all aspects of human and animal health. The overuse and misuse of these critically important drugs can lead to the development...
Equine lung health may not be something many people think about until their horse is affected by a respiratory condition. However, awareness of common respiratory problems that can affect horses, as well how to prevent these types of illness, is...
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...
Assessing a horse's nutritional status is critical for maintaining health and performance. Identifying and correcting vitamin and mineral deficiencies can help prevent a range of health issues, from poor coat condition and hoof quality to more serious problems like immune...
In April of 2024, a diet evaluation was requested for a 9-year-old Quarter Horse gelding named Rage. He weighed approximately 1200 lb (544 kg) and was located in Alberta, Canada. Reported concerns included respiratory, topline, and joint health, and as...
Fat pads, also known as regional adiposity, have become an increasingly common problem in horses today. They can be described as areas of fatty tissue that develops in certain anatomical locations on the horse’s body. Two common places for fat...
Horses produce 1 to 2.5 gallons of sweat per hour, amounting to up to 60 gallons daily. Sweat, produced by over 800 sweat glands per cm² of skin, contains water, electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium), and proteins like latherin,...
It was a long shot, with the odds stacked squarely against them. After failing to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, Canada's Eventing Team was at risk of missing out on a team spot for Paris 2024. Missing the...
Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient that horses require in trace amounts to support cellular function. The selenium content in soil contributes to its final concentration in plants. Worldwide, selenium levels in soil vary widely. Selenium imbalances are common in horses....
Iron is a trace mineral that is required in the horse’s diet. Iron is involved in many bodily processes, including transporting oxygen in the blood and producing energy in cells. Supplementation with this mineral is usually not recommended because it...
The horse's digestive system is both large and sensitive. It has evolved over millennia to absorb nutrients from grazing pastures and meet the unique energy needs of a free-roaming, incredibly athletic animal. As the horse evolved on the Steppes of...
Choosing the best configuration of shelter in your horse’s pasture is one of the most important aspects of horse management. Most horses seek shelter at some point during the day, whether from cold and precipitation or from insects and heat.
A grade horse is any horse with unidentifiable or unknown parentage. These horses also include unregistered equines with mixed breeding. Grade horses don’t have a uniform breed type, and characteristics can vary significantly between individuals. Their lack of registered pedigrees...
The Oldenburg, or Oldenburger, is a well-known warmblood breed from Lower Saxony in Germany. Oldenburgs are famous sport horses commonly used for dressage and show jumping. This breed profile will discuss the history, characteristics, health problems, and nutritional needs of...
The Selle Francais is a sport horse breed from France, best known for their talent in the show-jumping arena. Selle Francais horses also compete at the elite level of dressage and eventing. This breed profile will discuss the history, characteristics,...
A balanced feeding program is key for yearling horses, as it sets the foundation for their growth and development into adulthood. Yearlings are transitioning from foals to young horses, and their nutritional needs are unique during this stage of life.
Hairlessness is rare in horses. While selective breeding produced several hairless breeds in other domestic animals, no truly hairless horse breeds exist. There are anecdotal accounts of hairless horses throughout history. Some horse breeds are mistaken for hairless horses due...
Genetic testing in horses involves analyzing a horse’s DNA to gain information about their genetic makeup. This process can identify specific genetic variations responsible for various traits, as well as predispositions to genetic disorders. Several common equine health conditions have...
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for horses, influencing bone health, muscle function, and the immune system. Adequate vitamin D intake is considered important for growing horses to support normal bone development. In horses, vitamin D is...
Have you ever struggled with a horse that has a difficult time maintaining their body condition? For horse owners, the term "hard keeper" is more than just a casual phrase, it's a familiar and often perplexing challenge. Hard keepers, despite...
An orphan foal is a young horse that cannot nurse their birth mother. Foals may be orphaned for a number of reasons, including the mare’s death or severe illness, rejection of the foal, or the mare’s failure to produce adequate...
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Advanced Gut Health Supplement
DHA-Enriched Fat Supplement
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Powder
Enhanced Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Advanced Gut Health Supplement
Probiotic & Prebiotic Supplement
High-Potency 5-Strain Probiotic
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Enhanced Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Hoof, Skin & Coat Support
Extra-Strength Omega-3 Oil
Joint Health Supplement
DHA-Enriched Fat Supplement
DHA-Enriched Fat Supplement
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Organic Trace Mineral Blend
Enhanced Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Mood & Hormone Support
Metabolic Health Formula
Mood & Hormone Support
Muscles & Nerve Support
Advanced Gut Health Supplement
Advanced Gut Health Supplement
Respiratory & Performance Supplement
Essential Amino Acid Blend
Essential Amino Acid Blend
Muscles & Nerve Support
Performance & Muscle Support
Respiratory & Performance Supplement
DHA-Enriched Fat Supplement
Immune & Respiratory Support
English