Learn the benefits and risks of magnesium for horses, including calming effects, gut health impacts, and correct supplementation for metabolic, behavioural and performance support. Magnesium is one of the most […]
Magnesium for horses: Is it helpful? And what do I need to know? Read More »
When used appropriately, herbal medicine can be a powerful support tool for our horses’ health. In my work as an equine naturopath, clinical nutritionist & herbalist, I use herbal medicines
What can herbal medicine do (and what can’t herbs do?)… Read More »
Most breeders focus on broodmare nutrition in late pregnancy or once the foal is at foot. However, how you feed and manage your broodmare year-round has a direct and lasting
Intra-articular (joint) injections are frequently used in horses and ponies with the aim of managing pain and inflammation, particularly in conditions such as osteoarthritis. One of the most commonly used
Joint injections and laminitis…what is the risk? Read More »
It’s well known that what and how we feed our horses can significantly influence their likelihood of developing gastric ulcers. It is also appreciated that the use of medications such
One of the most commonly overlooked factors which can contribute to gastric ulcers Read More »
Most of us love to give our horses and ponies treats, whether as a reward or simply as a way to interact with them. However, it’s important to recognise that
Carrots: Are they a suitable treat for horses and ponies? Read More »
The judicious use of many medications in our horses and ponies can be important and even life saving in some situations, yet they are not without their side effects. Some
Side effects of commonly used medications in horses and ponies Read More »
Photosensitization (also known as photodermatitis) is light-induced inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) caused by a heightened sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. This condition is non-contagious and often looks like
Photosensitivity in horses…Lucerne (alfalfa), clover and other potential contributors Read More »
Here in the Southern Hemisphere, we’re currently in summer. Which means in many regions the weather is hot and/or humid. This in turn affects the nutrient requirements of our horses.
Salt: Too little or too much? Read More »
When thinking about nutrition for hoof health, biotin gets a lot of attention. Supplemented in appropriate amounts, biotin may help to improve hoof wall integrity. Conflicting evidence exists as to
Hoof Health: Beyond Biotin Read More »
What we feed our horses and how we feed them are crucial to their health. Diet and nutrition are known to play an important role in our horse’s gastrointestinal (GI),
Grain Free Feeds….What does this mean, and do our horses really need these feeds? Read More »
We all love a stallion looking strong, healthy and well. Yet it is all too easy for this vision of how we want a stallion to look to adversely impact
How does your stallion’s body condition influence his fertility rate and libido? Read More »
We commonly read or hear that when introducing a new feed into our horses’ and ponies’ diets that we should make the change slowly. But why is this? And is
Why is it important to make dietary changes slowly in horses and ponies? Read More »
When we transition from winter into spring or from summer into autumn/fall weather, we can suddenly find that our horses have increasing amounts of green grass to graze. With plenty
Grass, Hay, Fibre and Short Chain Fatty Acids Read More »
When we talk about stress in equines, we often think of those horses and ponies that never settle, constantly spook, pace the fence line in the paddock, or sweat up
Whether you’re somewhere in the world currently enjoying warmer weather, or contrastingly, at the other end of the spectrum and starting to experience cooler conditions, salt is a crucial part
The Importance of Salt for Horses and Ponies Read More »
As we transition from early autumn/fall and get closer to winter, the conversations around when to start rugging/blanketing and what rug(s) to put on your horse or pony are commonplace.
HELP! My horse won’t put on body condition… The horse that fails to thrive can be one of the most frustrating challenges for owners, trainers, breeders and riders. The horse
HELP! My horse won’t put on body condition Read More »
Injectable vitamin B12 is a common treatment given to horses. One of the primary functions of vitamin B12 is to help make red blood cells, which are important to carry
Vitamin B12 for Horses Read More »
Short answer: In the early morning (3AM -10AM)*. Here’s Why Several key factors influence the level of sugar in the grass our horses and ponies graze. This includes the weather,
What Is The Safest Time To Graze A Horse Or Pony At Risk Of Laminitis? Read More »
When it comes to feeding our broodmares, we are inundated with choices in terms of commercial feed mixes and concentrates. It’s common for our feed selections to be largely influenced
Coco Pops, Feeding Broodmares and Skeletal Development…What’s the Link? Read More »
We all want to do what’s best for our horses. Marketing experts employed by large brands know this. Clever product marketing targets this. That’s why it is common to find
Laminitis ‘Prevention’- But at what cost? Read More »
Selenium is a crucial trace-mineral in the diets of our horses and ponies. It plays many key roles in the body and is particularly important in reproductive health (both mares
Selenium- Is your horse actually using the amount on the feed or supplement label? Read More »
Protein- it’s a most crucial component of a horse’s diet, yet is commonly blamed for causing a whole host of problems in horses: Everything from ‘hot behaviour’, to joint problems,
The Importance of Protein Read More »
One of the most significant impacts of modern domestication of horses is the profound reduction in daily physical activity. Even horses who are worked regularly and are in peak fitness
Horses are meant to MOVE. A LOT… Read More »
Hot, humid weather brings with it some important health considerations in relation to our horses. Heat stress is one of the most commonly recognised conditions associated with heat and humidity.
Heat, Humidity and Horses Read More »
Overweight horses and ponies can pose a real challenge for owners to manage. Particularly at times of the year where there is an abundance of lush feed. It is well
Overweight horses and ponies: there’s more to the equation than just feed… Read More »
When we think of the term ‘stress’, we often think of horses that pace the fence line, shy at non-existent monsters (!), call out incessantly when their paddock mate leaves
Stress in Horses: Why it isn’t always obvious Read More »
If there’s any horse feed that can cause heated debate about whether or not it is suitable and even valuable for horses- then soy may well take the cake. For
Soy: The Good, Bad and Confusing! Read More »
Spring is here in the Southern Hemisphere! Which means crisp nights with longer daylight hours and warmer weather. After a long, cold winter-this weather is a welcome relief. But it
Iodine. It’s an essential trace mineral in our horse’s diets which plays many crucial roles. It is vital as a constituent of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
There’s much interest in ulcers in horses and for very good reason. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) affects 60-90% of adult horses and 25-50% of foals and weanlings. The condition
Ulcers in Horses: The importance of understanding how medications work Read More »
Body weight, body condition and adiposity (levels of body fat) are factors which contribute to equine health in many different ways. Similar to the human population, the percentage of equines
The Overweight Horse: An Holistic Approach Read More »
For those of you who ride mares and/or fillies you may have noticed somewhat erratic changes in her mood and behaviour during spring. The mare who was steadfast and easy
An Holistic Approach to Mare Behaviour Read More »
Tying up is a broad term used to classify a wide variety of muscle disorders which result in the dissolution of muscle cells during exercise. Technically known as ‘exertional rhabdomylosis’
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
