Tagged with 'Horse Health'

Gastrointestinal problems often result in weight loss, regardless of how nutritious the diet may be. Erica Sorkin found this out firsthand as she tried to add condition to her new Thoroughbred gelding...

Purchasing a year’s hay supply in one fell swoop constitutes wishful thinking for many horses owners. More often than not, owners must buy appropriate hay one load at a time on an as-needed basis. Changing the diet, even switching from one hay to another, can impact the pH of the horse’s hindgut.

Prebiotics fuel the microbes in the hindgut, thereby promoting the health and reproduction of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, all of which help break down fiber and generate energy for the horse. Recent research in Germany has identified cellobiose as a potential prebiotic for horses...

Among horse owners, biotin is the go-to supplement for hoof and hair growth. Biotin supports cell proliferation and the formation of enzymes that foster normal metabolism. The industrious microbes of the horse’s hindgut synthesize biotin in sufficient quantities that no documented evidence of biotin deficiency has been reported in horses. So, can supplemental biotin help hoof and hair growth if the body already produces it?

Seasonal changes can wreak havoc on hoof health, leaving them cracked, split, or tender. Why so? Prime culprits include increased work, annoying flies that instigate stomping and concussion on hoof walls, and damp conditions that sometimes leave hooves too moist for too long. Horse owners can implement a few management strategies to keep hooves in tip-top shape in the summertime.

Owning a mare often involves a rollercoaster of emotions – for both the mare and the owner! A mare’s mood swings are typically accompanied by irritability, muscular tension, erratic behaviour patterns and a generally uncooperative attitude. This quintessential ‘mare-ish’ behaviour can cause disruptions to training and competition schedules, as some mares become reactive, hard to handle or unfocused in their work.