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We Analyzed 6,515 Equine Diets in 2021 – Here’s What We Learned
In the last year, over six thousand horse owners from all over North America used Mad Barn to analyze their horses' diets. We looked at diets for weanlings, broodmares, pasture [...]
How to Manage Arthritis in Horses [Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention]
Equine osteoarthritis is a common condition in the ageing horse. Osteoarthritis (also known as Degenerative Joint Disease) involves joint inflammation and is the progressive degeneration of the cartilage lining. In horses with osteoarthritis, long-term wear-and-tear affects the joints and limits mobility.
Equine Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms, Treatment, Tests & Diet
Equine Metabolic Syndrome insulin Resistance Signs & Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Diet Prevention Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a condition that affects how horses metabolize sugars from the diet and use [...]
14 Early Warning Signs of Laminitis in Horses [Countdown]
Hot hooves, a sawhorse stance, severe lameness; these are all signs of laminitis - one of the most dreaded equine conditions for good reason. In severe instances, laminitis can lead to euthanasia of the horse. Laminitis occurs when there is separation in the laminae of the hoof — where the hoof wall is connected to the coffin bone. It can occur in one or multiple hooves at the same time.
Camelina Oil for Horses: Should you Feed this Omega-3 Supplement?
Camelina oil is commonly fed to horses as an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. It is used to support weight gain, joint health, coat quality and general well-being. Camelina oil is extracted from the seeds of the camelina sativa plant, also known as false flax. It contains 35 – 40% alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is an essential omega-3 fatty acid.
Why Is My Horse Cribbing and How to Stop It? [Causes, Risks & Prevention]
Cribbing, also known as crib-biting, is the most common oral stereotypic behaviour seen in horses. Cribbing involves the horse repeatedly and compulsively grasping an object between its teeth and sucking in air. Horses may crib bite for many hours per day, reducing time for other important activities such as eating and socializing.
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in Horses [Symptoms, Treatment & Management]
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is an endocrine-related disease that commonly affects older horses of all breeds. Twenty percent of senior horses, ponies, and donkeys are believed to have PPID. The condition results in an overproduction of pituitary hormones, causing metabolic dysfunction. Horses with PPID may also have insulin resistance and an increased risk of laminitis.
How to Get Rid of Cresty Neck in Horses [Feeding & Exercise]
An overabundance of fat along the top of the neckline, otherwise known as cresty neck, is an indicator of metabolic problems in your horse. In fact, researchers believe this type of regional fat deposit (nuchal crest adiposity) is a strong indicator of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).
Gut Dysbiosis in Horses: Problems of the Equine Microbiome
A healthy equine gastrointestinal microbiome contains a diverse range of beneficial microbes that support digestion, immune function and nutrient synthesis. Because horses are hindgut fermenters, a healthy microbiome is essential for overall wellness. Dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal tract can occur if the microbial population becomes unbalanced or dominated by harmful microbes.
7 Tips for Feeding your Horse in Winter [Cold Weather Care Guide]
What do you need to know to properly care for and feed your horse in the cold winter months? Horses are very adaptable to a wide range of temperatures and are well-suited to living in cold climates. However, you may need to adjust your feeding and management practices when the weather turns cold to keep up with your horse's higher calorie demands.
Barefoot Trimming for Horses: Benefits for the Hoof
Keeping horses barefoot is gaining in popularity because of the benefits in hoof health and movement it can provide some horses. Barefoot hoof trimming is designed to maximize the biomechanical efficiency of hoof function. It is favoured among horse owners who prefer more natural management of their equine companions.
5 Research-Backed Benefits of Turmeric for Horses [Review]
Curcumin, derived from the turmeric plant, is a spice that recently become popular to feed to horses as a dietary supplement. It has purported anti-inflammatory benefits and is used in horses with laminitis, arthritis, metabolic syndrome and other health conditions. Turmeric has long been used in traditional herbal medicine to help relieve symptoms associated with digestive, skin, respiratory and joint disorders.
7 Common Hoof Problems in Horses – Signs & Treatment
Equine hoof problems are a major source of concern for horse owners. Hoof issues can lead to lameness and unsoundness, causing discomfort for the horse and potentially leading to early retirement. In one study, 85% of horses were observed to have at least one form of hoof disorder when examined during regular hoof trimming.
Arthritis in Horses: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Management
Arthritis is defined as inflammation in one or more joints, which leads to pain and stiffness. The condition is degenerative, meaning it cannot be reversed in most cases and tends to worsen over time. However, there are steps that horse owners can take to lessen symptoms and also slow the progression of the disease.
Top 6 Calming Supplements for Horses [Research Review]
Riding and working with horses poses some inherent risk of danger, but the risk is greater when working with an aggressive or moody horse. For this reason, horse owners often look to calming supplements to help make their horse more manageable and easier to train.
Ligament Injuries in Horses: Diagnosis, Treatment and Recovery
What is the best way to support a horse affected by a ligament injury? Unfortunately, due to the nature of many equine disciplines, a horse’s ligaments are prone to injury. In fact, ligament sprains (along with tendon injuries) are the most frequent cause of early retirement for Thoroughbred racehorses.
DSLD in Horses [Causes, Management & Prevention]
Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) is a chronic condition in horses that affects connective tissue, including the suspensory ligament and other ligaments and tendons. This painful condition commonly leads to debilitating lameness. In horses with DSLD, the suspensory ligament progressively weakens causing hyperextension of the fetlock, hock, and stifle.
Hoof Abscess: A Common Cause of Acute Lameness in Horses
Painful hoof abscesses in horses develop when bacterial or fungal organisms enter the hoof structure through a wound or opening and cause infection in the inner tissues. The invading microorganisms and the ensuing immune response generate purulent exudate (pus) which causes pressure inside the hoof. This leads to pain, structural damage and lameness.
Founder in Horses: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Founder is a common cause of lameness in horses. It involves damage to the laminar connection between the hoof wall and the coffin bone. This often leads to rotation and/or sinking of the coffin bone which causes severe pain and can permanently damage the hoof structure.
How to Best Feed a Senior Horse [9-Step Guide]
When it comes to feeding senior horses, there are many factors to consider to support longevity and healthy ageing. Making sure your horse’s core nutritional needs are met and keeping up with routine healthcare are critical to promoting optimal well-being for many more years to come.
How to Feed an Underweight Horse [8-Step Guide]
Putting weight on a skinny horse can be a difficult and frustrating task. There are many different causes of weight loss in horses and feeding strategies will depend on why your horse is underweight in the first place. Weight loss occurs when a horse is in a negative energy balance, meaning that they are consuming less caloric energy than they are using in a day.
Leaky Gut in Horses – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Leaky gut is a digestive issue that most commonly affects performance horses. It can increase the risk of colic and causes systemic inflammation. It is said that 70% of the horse’s immune system resides in the gut. The horse’s gastrointestinal tract breaks down food and absorbs nutrients while blocking toxins and microbes from entering the body.
Podotrochlear Syndrome in Horses – Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
Podotrochlear Syndrome (also referred to as navicular syndrome or navicular disease) affects the podotrochlear apparatus (PTA) of the equine foot and typically occurs in the forelimbs. The condition can cause a variable degree of lameness. There is no single cause of Podotrochlear Syndrome. Multiple structures including bones, tendons, and ligaments within the foot can be affected.
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White Line Disease in Horses [Causes Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery]
While line disease is a hoof condition that can lead to pain and lameness. This condition affects the equine hoof wall in one or more hooves at a time. White line disease originates as a separation between adjacent layers in the hoof wall starting at the toe, quarter, and/or heel, which can then become infected with bacteria and fungi.
