Horse Health

Omeprazole is an FDA-approved drug that is sold under the tradenames GastroGard and UlcerGard. Omeprazole is used to prevent or treat equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Gastric ulceration is a painful condition with an extremely high prevalence in horses. Up...

As many horse owners know, colic is an unpredictable, painful, and sometimes fatal condition. Colic refers to abdominal pain in your horse. It is an amorphous condition that can lead to potentially serious health complications. Colic may present as a...

Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for all living things. Vitamins have diverse roles within the horse's body, affecting energy metabolism, growth and repair, muscle function, neurological health, immune function and much more. Vitamins function as cofactors for metabolic...

Lameness in the horse's stifle joint can result in shortened stride length, reluctance to work or a rough canter. While lameness is more commonly attributed to problems with the hock joint, stifle lameness is seen frequently in performance horses. The...

What can you do to prevent ulcers from developing in your horse? Equine ulcers are all too common, with studies showing that up to 90% of horses will be affected by ulcers in their lifetime. Stomach ulcers, also known as...

Hindgut acidosis is a condition in which the hindgut of the horse becomes excessively acidic. It is usually caused by too much starch in the horse’s diet, resulting in increased production of lactic acid in the lower intestinal tract. When...

Equine laminitis is a painful condition affecting the horse's hooves. Cases of laminitis range in severity from mild foot tenderness to chronic founder, potentially impeding the horse's ability to walk. Laminitis is the bane of any horse owner's existence. Horses...

Yeast are single-cell organisms that include over 1,500 unique species found naturally in soil, plants, fruit, and on the skin and in the intestinal tract of mammals. Live yeast are used as probiotic supplements for horses, primarily to improve fibre...

Looking for ways to prevent boredom in your horse? Enrichment activities for your horse don't need to cost a lot and can be easy to set up. Many horse owners are aware of the basic components of animal welfare. You...

Prebiotics are types of fibre that are given to horses as a food source for the beneficial microbes in the hindgut. Prebiotics support fibre digestibility, gut health, and nutrient assimilation in the hindgut. Horses with disrupted digestive function, observed as...

Free fecal water syndrome is a condition in which horses experience both solid and liquid phases during defecation. The liquid phase can occur before, during, or after defecation of the solid phase or sometimes occur completely separate from the solid...

Is your horse getting a balanced range of essential and non-essential amino acids from their feeding program? Your horse needs adequate amino acids in their diet to make proteins. Proteins are complex molecules that are required for almost every physiological...

Equine gastric ulcers are extremely common, especially in performance horses. But ulcers can also occur in the horse's hindgut and have negative consequences for digestive health. Hindgut ulcers are also known as colonic ulcers. Veterinarians often refer to the condition...

Whether a foal, a broodmare, or a mature or aging horse, supporting joint health is a common concern for many horse owners. Being proactive can help to prevent joint problems from affecting your horse, robbing them of performance, comfort and...

Supplements targeting joint health are some of the most sought-after dietary supplements for horses, especially due to the high prevalence of joint injuries and deterioration later in life. But which equine joint supplements actually work and which are all hype?...

Lysine, methionine and threonine are known as rate-limiting amino acids that are required in the horse's diet because they cannot be made in the body. Of the 21 amino acids that exist, these three are most commonly deficient in the...

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace mineral that is required in the horse's diet to support the proper function of many enzymes and proteins. It is involved in antioxidant protection, immune function, protein synthesis, and cellular communication. Zinc is also...

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is required in the horse's diet for the production of keratin – the main protein that forms a strong, durable hoof structure. Biotin is most commonly known for supporting hoof growth and quality. It...

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) that are essential in the horse's diet. Supplementing your horse's feeding program with omega-3 oil can support anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the body and contribute to overall health and well-being. Giving your horse a...

Chasteberry is an herbal supplement that is used to support mood balance and hormone health in female and male horses. The Chastetree berry (Vitex agnus-castus) plant is a shrub that grows in the Mediterranean and parts of Asia. The fruits...

Probiotics are live microbes (bacteria, yeast, fungi and protozoa) that help horses maintain a healthy gut by protecting against "bad" microbes or pathogens. Maintaining a healthy microbiome promotes optimal digestive function and absorption of nutrients and helps support the immune...

Have you noticed changes in your horse such as weight loss, a dull coat, disinterest in feeding or crib chewing that have resulted in poor performance? Your horse might be experiencing stomach pain, most likely due to gastric ulcers. Equine...

Do you know the dangers of high iron levels in your horse's hay or water? Iron overload is a growing concern among horse owners as more is learned about the harmful effects of having too much of this mineral in...

Selenium (Se) is an antioxidant mineral that is necessary in the horse’s diet. Horses derive selenium by consuming hay or grasses that grow in soils that contain this trace mineral. However, if you live in a region with low selenium...

Given the importance of the hoof, it's important to know that what you feed your horse will have a profound impact on its hoof growth and quality. In this article, we will go over what nutrients your horse needs to...

If you have taken the first steps towards feeding your horse a balanced diet that includes a concentrated mineral and vitamin supplement, there's a chance that your horse may turn its head up when first introduced to it. But don't...

Feeding a quality forage should be the basis of every feeding program. Given the forage portion will account for the large majority of nutrient intake for your horse, isn't it important to understand what is in that forage? By knowing...

Many horse owners do not fully appreciate the significance of providing adequate salt to their equine companion.  In terms of cost-to-benefit ratio, it would be hard to think of another nutrient with such a low cost that provides the benefits...

Vitamin E, or alpha-tocopherol, is an essential vitamin that must be obtained through your horse's diet. There are many products sold in the equine supplement industry that contain varying forms of vitamin E that are available, but it is sometimes...

Trace minerals are only needed in very small amounts in a horse’s diet. Think milligrams! Despite this, however, the majority of horses still receive too much energy and protein and not enough trace minerals from their diet. Deficiencies in key...