What is laminitis? Laminitis is a painful, often devastating inflammatory condition affecting the lamellar tissue of the foot. Each hoof contains 550-600 primary laminae, and each of those consists of […]
Laminitis: How Naturopathy Can Help Read More »
It’s a relatively common yet unfortunate occurrence, the yearling that becomes ‘very upright’ and in the latter stages ‘topples over at the knee’
Why Do Some Yearlings Become Overly Upright/Topple Forward During Sales Prep? Read More »
Sweet itch, Queensland itch, summer dermatitis, seasonal equine dermatitis, Culicoides hypersensitivity are all terms used interchangeably to describe the allergic skin reaction which occurs in many horses.
Sweet Itch: Nothing Sweet About It? Read More »
Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs which includes both tildronate and clodronate. They were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2014 for controlling clinical signs associated with navicular syndrome in
It’s now that time of year in the Southern Hemisphere where the yearling sales season is gearing up. Understandably, much emphasis is placed on the vendor’s side in realising maximal
Are we creating resilient racehorses or superficial sales horses? Read More »
Placentitis. It is the most common cause of late pregnancy loss in mares. It causes many a stud manager and breeder a lot of grief. It costs a lot of
Placentitis: Think about it Read More »
Forages and fibre rich foods which require much chewing, comprise the base starting point for a diet which promotes health in the horse. Chewing results in the production of saliva.
Fibre, Chewing and Gastrointestinal Health Read More »
Ammonia- the colourless gas associated with the pungent, eye watering smell when you enter some barns and when you muck out stalls- comes with some profound health effects on the
The Stabled/Stalled Horse: The Impact of Ammonia and Airway Health Read More »
Recent research has clearly demonstrated that foals born from obese mares are at much greater risk of developing osteochondrotic lesions. This is a very important consideration, given that many people
Mare Body Condition: Osteochondrosis Risk in Offspring Read More »
One of the most often talked about and popular types of supplements on the market are those used with the intention of helping to ‘calm’ the horse. The quality of
Calming Supplements: Use in the Horse Read More »
Corticosteroids, more specifically glucocorticoids, are a group of potent anti-inflammatory and
immunosuppressive drugs that are frequently used in horses.
Corticosteroids. STOP and THINK! Read More »
One of the most significant injury concerns for all athletic horses is that involving the bones and joints. Musculoskeletal injuries are the most common cause of poor performance and wastage
Skeletal Injuries: Considering the Role of Bone Density in the Horse Read More »
Wind-sucking/ crib-biting/ cribbing is a compulsive, repetitive behaviour in horses. It is the most prevalent stereotypy in the equine and is characterised by grasping a fixed object with the incisor
Wind-sucking, Crib-biting, Cribbing: The role of Antioxidants, including Selenium Read More »
Levothyroxine, also known as L-thyroxine or T4, is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine, which is normally secreted by the follicular cells of the thyroid gland.
Levothyroxine Use in Performance Horses and Racehorses Read More »
With stud season rapidly approaching in the Southern Hemisphere, it is important to evaluate factors that influence stallion fertility. Many people are unaware of the potential effects routinely used medications
Ulcer Medications: The Potential Impact on Stallion Fertility Read More »
An adequate intake (and absorption and metabolism) of selenium is essential for maintaining the overall health of your horse. This mineral plays many essential roles: it acts as an antioxidant;
Selenium: Deficiency (& Toxicity) in the Equine Read More »
Many people are familiar with the terrific anti-inflammatory herb Devil’s Claw. This herb is predominantly used in cases of osteoarthritis and to reduce the inflammation and pain associated with injuries
Devil’s Claw and Ulcers Read More »
Equine Asthma Syndrome is a term which encompasses both Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) and Recurrent Airway Obstruction (ROA)
Equine Asthma Syndrome Read More »
Blanketing/rugging horses is a topic which sparks much debate, primarily due to its influence on weight regulation, metabolic function and thermoregulation in the horse. Yet an often forgotten consideration is
Vitamin D and Rugging: An Important Consideration Read More »
Many equine owners/managers/riders add garlic to their horse’s ration. This herb has a wide range of potential therapeutic properties, including its actions as a: hypotensive (ability to lower blood pressure);
Garlic: The Suitability and Use in Horses Read More »
Equine Asthma (EA) is an umbrella term used to describe respiratory (airway) diseases in horses and ponies. It includes conditions we previously referred to as Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD), Chronic
Equine asthma & Clenbuterol: The harmful side effects Read More »
Nutrition plays a paramount role in keeping horses healthy, with the ability to help prevent or manage specific health conditions. The need for appropriate feeding and nutrition practices becomes even
Equine Hospital Nutritional Practices Read More »
Every horse person knows the saying ‘no hoof, no horse’, yet so many horse owners, riders and managers struggle with achieving healthy hoof growth and hoof integrity in their equines.
Beyond Biotin: Optimising Horse Hoof Health Read More »
The vast majority of racehorses, performance horses and breeding stock are fed fortified feeds or balancer rations, which are designed to meet the daily nutrient requirements of horses. These nutrient
Nutrient Requirements for Horses: Fortified Feeds and the need for Supplementation Read More »
Magnesium is one of the most commonly self-prescribed nutrients by many horse owners, breeders and riders. This mineral plays an essential role in more than 300 enzymatic reactions within the
Nutrient Synergy: Magnesium and Vitamin D Read More »
Lignophagia (or chewing wood) is an all-too common behaviour observed in horses. Whilst it can be both practical and tempting to lather stable boards and fence posts with products to
Lignophagia: Why Do Some Horses Chew Wood? Read More »
As an Equine Naturopath, one of the questions I am most commonly asked is ‘what herb is good for X condition’ or what nutrient should I give my horse with
Naturopathic Principles: Treat the Individual and not the Disease Read More »
With the rulings of Regumate/Altrenogest use in racing coming under the spotlight around the globe, now is an opportune time to address nutritional and management factors which can contribute to
Regumate / Altrenogest and Difficult Mares & Fillies: What Are The Alternatives? Read More »
Something I see commonly in practice is well meaning owners prescribing supplements to help with a particular health or performance issue in their horse. One of the most commonly misused
When Supplements actually make the problem worse Read More »
‘Foal Heat Scours’ is one of the most common types of diarrhoea to affect foals. Yet the name is a bit of a misnomer, and often leads to confusion as
Foal Heat Scours and Diarrhoea Read More »
Periodontal disease (inflammation of the structures that support the tooth -including the gum, periodontal ligaments and the bone within which the tooth sits), is believed to effect at least one
Horse Dental Health and Systemic Inflammation Read More »
Good horse people know that in many equestrian disciplines, success depends on an optimal partnership between horse and rider, rather than excellent individuals (either horse or rider alone).There is a
Why Can such an ‘Average’ Horse Achieve at the ‘Highest” Level? Read More »
Bacteria in biofilms can readily become resistant to both pharmaceuticals and the host immune system, developing a tolerance to antimicrobial agents, biocides and antiseptics. In fact, research has demonstrated that
Bacterial Endometritis: Bacteria and Biofilms Read More »
Vitamin K is a most important nutrient, which is derived from bacterial synthesis in the horse’s large intestine. For optimal levels of vitamin K to be produced, the horse must
Vitamin K: The role of Gut Health and the Effect on Bone Health and Insulin Resistance Read More »
Salt is made up of the minerals sodium and chloride and is an essential yet often overlooked/forgotten component of the horse’s diet. If you aren’t providing supplemental salt to your
Salt: An Essential Component of the Horse’s Diet Read More »
Bringing a horse back from a tendon injury to return to full athletic performance takes time, patience and dedication. The speed of repair and renewal of tendon tissue is much
Tendon Injuries, Ice and Rehabilitation Read More »
Osteochondrosis (OC) and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are two of the most common juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCC). OC is a disease that causes lesions in the cartilage and bone of growing
Osteochondrosis and Osteochondritis Dissecans: Reducing the Risk Read More »
Topline describes the muscle coverage over the top of the horse’s neck, back and hindquarters. The strength of topline muscles can influence soundness and athletic ability of the horse.Now let’s
What Supplements are best for building Topline? Read More »
Do you train, own or ride fillies or mares? Have you previously, or do you use altrenogest/Regumate or other synthetic progestin products to ‘control’ their cycles or regulate their behaviour?
Fillies, Mares, Hormones and Performance Read More »
When observing a horse’s hoof it is common to see minor lines or ridges on the hoof wall. Hoof rings, also called growth rings, occur in healthy hooves and are
Hoof Rings and Ridges Read More »
Chamomile. It is a very popular herb and valuable medicine when employed correctly. It is also one of a handful of the most commonly used herbs by equestrians- even those
Chamomile: Use in the Horse Read More »
Most horse people are aware that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs (phenylbutazone, flunixin, firocoxib, etc) compromise gastrointestinal (GI) health in the horse. This comes about through inhibiting several
NSAIDs and Ulcer Medications Together? Think Again Read More »
FEEDING YOUR HORSE TURMERIC?…BE CAREFUL!! Turmeric, it’s the ‘wonder’ natural supplement many horse people have been self-prescribing for their horses. Most commonly used for its anti-inflammatory properties, very few, if
Turmeric: Use in the Horse Read More »
Aloe vera has long been recognised and used in many cultures for aiding in wound healing and treating burns. Much research has supported the beneficial use of the plant in
Aloe Vera and Wound Healing: An Effective Home Remedy Backed by Science Read More »
