Horse Health

Haygain, the leading horse health innovation company, examine the effect of airborne fungi particles on the health of the competition horse, and examine the ways in which owners can limit their presence in the stable environment. If you are producing a horse or pony for competition then you will be well aware of how much attention to detail is needed to ensure they are as healthy, happy and fit as possible. This means selecting the highest quality feed, bedding and supplements, as well as for...

Sugars in spring grass Winter sees most domesticated horses in the Northern Hemisphere being fed dried forage for months on end to make up for the poor (or, in some cases, non-existent grass) in their field during the cold, dark months. But, once the weather starts to warm up and the days lengthen, grass growth can suddenly go mad with the arrival of spring grass. Even though it looks hugely appealing, and historically spring grass was referred to as ‘Dr Green’ for the therapeuti...

Horse racing is in complete shutdown. Many yards across the country are have closed their doors to protect themselves from the risk of infection. And polo? We’ve got a brief and indescript email from the HPA telling us to be careful. Meanwhile one of the biggest tournaments of the year continues to take place, the SUPA university nationals, seeing hire horses from all over the country make their way to Rugby Polo Club, and multiple tournaments continue to take place down south. Should polo...

When many people think of strangles, they think of yards on shut down, horses with pus-filled ulcers and expensive vet visits. Strangles can be a debilitating illness for horses but can be equally as debilitating for livery yards and their owners as well. There are over 600 confirmed cases of Strangles in the UK every year, with many more going unrecorded. Whilst most horses recover from Strangles without any effects, there is the risk that any horse with the disease can be one of the 20% that s...

It seems like only yesterday we were worrying about a lack of grass and forage stocks, yet after some much needed rain throughout August, our fields are once again looking healthy and plentiful. The sudden grass growth caused for owners to be vigilant as the rapid sugar production could have lent itself to cases of late-Summer laminitis and obesity. As we welcome in the new season, what can you do to ensure your horse is happy and healthy?   Sugar - beware  It’s well...

  Joint supplements are a key element to maintaining your horse’s health. You shouldn’t wait until they begin going lame to start utilising them. As your horse gets older or they become injured, the damage to their joints can become irreversible. It’s vital to start using supplements early on as they can be extremely beneficial and can prolong the efficiency of their joints. For younger horses this will prevent damage and for older horses it will aid the relief of oste...

Check out how you can make your own fly spray with Horsemart's handy hints... It’s a common occurrence for any owner to spot their horse being bombarded by flies and other insects. They’re nothing but pests and the horse itself can become quite distressed by the constant crawling, biting and sucking going on somewhere on their body. Although it can be extremely difficult to eliminate them, you can take some level of action that can help to keep your horse comfortable and rel...

There are a number of horse health issues that are important to spot and treat early. Here at Horsemart we have a large number of advice articles and pages, which offer you plenty of information on a number of severe and not so severe conditions. And, in this article, we’re going to tell you all about the problem of ear mites in horses.   - Purchase any regular domestic flea treatment that you can access in a local supermarket or vets.   - Use a mineral ...

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments to affect horses, especially in later life. Therefore, it’s important to be in a position to spot the problem before it becomes a serious problem. With effective treatment, the problem can be controlled to an extent where a horse can still live a reasonable quality of life, so treating it quickly should be one of the top priorities of any caring horse owner, as this guide explains.   How to spot the signs There are many sy...

  Ringworm is a frustrating condition that can affect any horse. It can potentially progress into illnesses much worse, so it’s important every horse owner knows how to identify and solve the problem. This guide aims to tell you a little more about what it is and highlighting the symptoms that indicate a case of ringworm, alongside some suggestions and tips as to how to take preventative steps.   What is Ringworm? Can sometimes be referred to as Dermatophytos...

Diabetes is quite a common condition in horses both young and old. It can cause a number of problems for appearance, performance and wellbeing, so it’s important every horse owner knows how to identify and solve the problem. This guide highlights the symptoms that indicate a case of equine diabetes, and what to do if a horse contracts the issue. What Causes Diabetes and What Does it Mean? Just like in humans, equine diabetes is a result of the horse being resistant to i...

A question that is regularly searched online by equine enthusiasts - why do horses yawn? It is unlikely that there is one specific answer to this and many will choose to ignore this habit as it’s something humans do on a daily basis, but is there more behind the yawing horse than we think? Here we describe the most commonly used explanations and highlight the things you should consider if you catch your horse baring his gnashers!   Do Horses Yawn For the Same Reasons a...

Owning a horse means so much more than the occasional hack or competition. It means a level of responsibility to ensure your horse remains happy and healthy, and we of course do all we can to ensure this remains so. But with so much to consider, from providing a decent living environment to ensuring you are supplying your horse with the right levels of nutrition, this can sometime be a daunting prospect. Similarly as daunting is the thought of trawling the web to find the most informative g...

Lameness in horses is something that is relatively easy to spot and can end up becoming quite a serious issue if it is not looked after properly. You can usually tell if your horse is lame, by watching its gait. A lame horse will usually develop a limp, which is often recognisable by the bobbing of its head whilst it walks.    One way in which you can examine your horse to see if it is lame or not is to walk it on a lunge line. Often, a horse will appear lame when it first step...

Equine shin splints can be a problem that causes plenty of pain to the animal and also plenty of stress to you, the horse’s owner. You horse can be performing perfectly in training and outside of the paddock. However, if this crippling problem suddenly flares up - which it can do - then the pain can be debilitating for your horse.    Horse shin splints need to be treated quickly. If the problem is neglected then it can cause a horse major injury and even lameness. Here is...

The skin inside horse ears is one of the most sensitive parts of the horse’s body, even more so than the nose and the inside of the mouth. Horse skin is generally quite tough and has a protective coat but the ears lack this and consequently are a prime place for the horse to develop skin problems. Some of these horse skin problems can be caused by viruses, cancer or sometimes insects. They can have a major effect on a horse’s health and should be diagnosed as quickly as possible. Thi...