Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), otherwise known as Triple E or sleeping sickness, is a rare and lethal virus in horses that causes inflammation of the brain. EEE is transmitted through mosquito bites and attacks the central nervous system (CNS). It...
The Lipizzaner, or Lipizzan, is one of the most culturally significant European horse breeds. Made famous by the Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, these horses are recognized worldwide for their classical dressage ability. Named for the...
Horses are single stomach (monogastric) herbivores that evolved to graze on fiber-rich roughage. Their unique digestive system consists of a foregut and hindgut, each with different functions for breaking down feed and absorbing nutrients. The stomach and small intestines, which...
The Gypsy Vanner is one of the most recognizable breeds in the world. Also known as the Gypsy Cob, Irish Cob, and Romani Cob, these horses resemble a smaller version of draft-type breeds and come in many different coat colours....
The Percheron is a French draft horse breed known for its power and versatility. Although the breed's exact origins remain a mystery, these horses likely descend from the heavy war horses ridden into battle by Medieval knights. Percherons gained popularity...
The Clydesdale is an iconic breed of draft horse from Scotland. Made famous by the Budweiser Clydesdales that pull the company's beer wagon at special events, the breed is renowned for its distinctive looks and powerful pulling ability. These horses...
Andalusian horses belong to a lineage of baroque horses originating from the Iberian Peninsula, a region of southwestern Europe that contains modern-day Spain and Portugal. Today, the Andalusian name is most commonly used in North America to refer to horses...
Feeding horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), previously referred to as Equine Cushing’s disease, can be a challenge. Horses affected by PPID are typically older and may have other health issues including equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). This condition can...
The Standardbred is an American breed developed for the sport of harness racing. But just like their Thoroughbred ancestors, these horses can go on to successful second careers as riding horses after they leave the racetrack. Standardbreds are classified as...
The Hackney is an elegant breed of light horses developed in Great Britain for carriage driving. These equines are known for their high-stepping trots, which help them stand out in harness show arenas. Hackneys come in two different height ranges....
The Haflinger is a small horse breed from the Tyrol region of Austria and Italy. Initially developed for traversing the region’s mountainous terrain, this hardy breed is now commonly used as a versatile family horse.
A hunter’s bump, or sacroiliac subluxation, is a hump on the horse’s lower back that develops above the croup. It is most apparent when viewing a horse in motion from behind.
The Paso Fino is a gaited horse breed from the Caribbean and South America. The breed’s name translates to ‘fine step,’ which refers to the Paso Fino’s famously smooth four-beat lateral ambling gait.
Heat stress occurs when the horse’s internal cooling mechanisms stop working efficiently and the ability to maintain a normal body temperature is affected. This is common and in hot and humid conditions, or following vigorous exercise. Without intervention, heat stress...
Enteroliths are calcifications or mineral masses that can form in the horse's intestines, sometimes resulting in impaction colic. These intestinal stones form when the horse consumes an indigestible object, which is not passed by the digestive system. Mineral deposits then...
Hypothyroidism refers to inadequate production of thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine and (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are produced by the thyroid gland and play a role in regulating your horse's metabolism. Hypothyroidism most commonly occurs in neonatal foals and...
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), previously referred to as Cushing’s Disease, is an endocrine-related disease that affects approximately 20-25% of senior horses, ponies, and donkeys. Signs of PPID in horses include abnormal hair coats, muscle atrophy, loss of topline, poor performance, regional...
Raising a healthy foal involves working closely with your veterinarian and equine nutritionist to make sure they are maintaining proper growth and development. Foals grow quickly in the first few months after birth, reaching ~80% of their mature height and...
Shipping horses over long distances can be a daunting but rewarding undertaking. Many breeders, trainers, exporters and equestrians eventually find themselves needing to transport a horse over a long distance via air or land travel. Even settled horse owners may...
Performance horses have higher energy and protein requirements than horses at maintenance (not exercising). Formulating diets to meet the requirements of horses in work should take into account their level of work and performance goals, as well as help mitigate...
Knowing your horse's body weight is important to determine their nutritional requirements, administer certain medications and monitor their health status. However, not all horse owners have an easy way to measure their horse’s body weight. Mature adult horses can weigh...
Forage is the single highest volume component in the equine diet. The type, quality, and maturity of the forage you feed have the greatest impact on the nutritional composition of your horse's ration. The only way to precisely assess the...
Staying up-to-date with required vaccines is important to keep your horse healthy and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccines have been developed for 14 major equine diseases, including Strangles, West Nile Virus, Equine Influenza, and Equine Herpesvirus. Some vaccines...
Tetanus, or lockjaw, is a non-contagious neurological disease that results from a bacterial infection. Horses are particularly vulnerable to tetanus, with individuals of all ages and breeds affected worldwide. Tetanus spores are particularly dangerous for horses as they survive for...
Botulism is a fatal neuroparalytic disease that affects horses, humans and other animals worldwide. Botulism interferes with nerve signalling, weakening and often paralyzing the horse. This disease is caused by the ingestion of botulinum toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria....
Alopecia or hair loss in horses can occur for several different reasons and may be temporary or permanent. Alopecia refers to the partial or complete absence of hair that occurs in any area of the body where hair is normally...
Chia seeds are derived from the Salvia hispanica plant and are fed to horses to support gut health and provide nutrients. A member of the mint family, chia has been cultivated for over 5,000 years in Central America. The seeds...
Modern domestic horses have very different lifestyles than their wild ancestors. While keeping horses in stalls is convenient for humans, confinement can be detrimental for animals who evolved to graze and walk throughout the day. Turning horses out to pasture...
Turning horses out on pasture is one of the best ways to encourage natural grazing behaviour. Fresh forage can be a valuable part of a balanced equine diet, but grass does not have the same nutritional value throughout the year....
The American Quarter Horse is the most popular horse breed in the world. The AQHA has registered more than 6 million Quarter horses since 1940, thanks to the breed's trademark character and versatility. As one of the oldest recognized breeds...
