Photo: Cealy Tetley 2023 You might call it serendipity — when everything falls into place and something extraordinary happens. Lindsay Traisnel, a life-long equestrian and member of the Canadian National […]
Dressage is an equestrian discipline that combines technical execution and artistic expression. Most riders associate dressage with advanced horse and rider combinations performing intricate movements, but riders of all levels can participate in dressage competitions. Cross-training in dressage can also...
Show jumping is one of the most popular and recognizable equestrian sports in the world. Jumping appears alongside eventing and dressage in the equestrian events at the Olympic Games. While well-known for attracting celebrities at the international level, show jumping...
Dressage is one of three equestrian sports featured at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Known as the highest expression of horse training, dressage is an equestrian discipline that develops the horse's strength, balance, and rideability. In competition, dressage athletes perform movements...
Equestrian Canada (EC) is excited to announce a new partnership with Mad Barn, a leading provider of equine nutrition research, education, and products. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in enhancing the health and performance of the Canadian Equestrian...
Flunixin meglumine, often sold under the brand names Banamine®, Flunazine®, Vetameg™, and Prevail®, is a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in horses. Banamine® is prescribed by veterinarians to help manage clinical signs of pain, swelling, and/or fever. In horses,...
Heart rate monitors are an emerging tool in horse sports, helping to optimize training and enhance fitness. Widely used by human athletes, equine-specific devices are now increasingly accessible to riders, horse owners, trainers, and veterinarians.
Draft horses are heavy breeds originally developed as working animals. Selective breeding for size and strength produced equines that are significantly larger than most modern riding breeds. Some historians believe draft breeds descend from Medieval Europe’s famous “Great Horse.” But...
As your broodmare approaches the end of her gestation period, it’s important to be vigilant for changes that indicate foaling is near. Recognizing these signs of foaling in your mare ensures you can make necessary arrangements and provide appropriate care...
Vitiligo in horses is a disorder that causes patches of skin and hair to lose their normal colour or pigmentation. This condition is not contagious, painful, or life-threatening, but it can be disconcerting to see your horse's skin or hair...
Type 1 Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM1) is a hereditary muscular disorder in horses that results in abnormal accumulation of glycogen (a stored form of sugar) and an abnormal polysaccharide in the muscles. Horses with this condition produce too much glycogen...
Gelatin supplements are commonly fed to horses and are purported to have multiple benefits for both equine health and performance. Anecdotally, gelatin is said to improve hoof health, hair and coat quality, skin health and joint function. Gelatin is a...
Bone bruising is a common condition often seen in young racehorses, such as Thoroughbreds or Standardbreds. It typically arises from repetitive stress, trauma, or microfractures affecting the subchondral bone, which is the layer of bone located beneath the joint’s cartilage....
A hoof or sole bruise is a common injury in horses, occurring when there is trauma to the sensitive tissues within the hoof. This trauma leads to localized bleeding and subsequent bruising. Hoof bruises can cause mild to severe discomfort...
Adequan® i.m. is a widely used injectable medication for the treatment of arthritis and other joint disorders in horses. It is the only FDA-approved polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) for equines. Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can reduce athletic performance,...
Newborn foals are born with an immature immune system, with limited ability to fight off infections and diseases. To build immunity, neonatal foals must absorb immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, from their dam’s colostrum within 24 hours after birth. This...
The horse’s tendons are prone to strain injuries, especially when participating in disciplines, such as racing, jumping and eventing. Tendons are fibrous connective tissues that attach muscle to bone and allow the limbs to move. Tendons serve as a mechanical...
Corrective shoeing is a common way to address or reduce the effects of many hoof issues. From navicular syndrome to laminitis to tendon and ligament injuries, appropriate corrective shoeing done by a qualified farrier can reduce pain and increase the...
Muscle loss in horses is a worrisome problem and one that needs to be investigated promptly. This condition is also known as muscle atrophy or muscle wasting, and is defined as a decrease in muscle mass below normal levels. Loss...
Narcolepsy is a neurological and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorder. It involves the sudden onset of sleep during the daytime. The condition occurs chronically and throughout life in affected horses unless treatment is provided. Two types of narcolepsies are...
Full-time stall confinement isn’t good for a horse’s physical or mental welfare. Horses are social animals who, in the wild, move long distances and eat small, frequent meals all day long. Many domestic horses are stalled due to boarding situations,...
The American Saddlebred horse is a charismatic equine breed with high-stepping gaits and eye-catching looks. Often called "the horse America made”, the breed traces back to Colonial America when settlers crossed imported Thoroughbreds and gaited breeds to produce a distinct...
Shivers, or shivering, in horses is a progressive neuromuscular condition characterized by an abnormal, jerky gait while backing up. Horses affected by Shivers exhibit muscle tremors in the pelvic limbs when forced to back up. Clinical signs typically appear in...
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...
The American Paint Horse is an eye-catching breed with distinctive colouring and stock horse bloodlines. This American breed shares ancestry with the Quarter Horse, which deliberately excluded horses with pinto coat patterns from their breed registry. Paint Horses are adored...
Respiratory problems are a common occurrence in horses, sometimes they occur in acute (short-term) bouts or can be chronic illnesses. Some respiratory diseases are communicable to other horses, while others are not contagious and occur due to allergies or environmental...
The Thoroughbred is a popular horse breed widely recognized for its speed and athleticism. Bred specifically for horse racing since the 17th century, Thoroughbreds continue to rule racetracks around the world. While the racing industry produces tens of thousands of...
External shine is a reflection of internal health. So if you want your horse to have a gleaming, glossy coat, you'll have to start from the inside out. Quality grooming and care have a significant impact on coat health. But...
Bowed tendon in horses is defined as acute or chronic inflammation of a tendon. This condition is also known as tendinitis, tendonitis or tendinopathy. This injury usually occurs when the tendon is strained beyond its limit, resulting in torn collagen...
The Arabian is one of the oldest recognized horse breeds, with a history spanning thousands of years. The breed originated in the Arabian Peninsula and spread worldwide through war and trade. Today, nearly every modern breed of riding horse carries...
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