Stress and stallion fertility
With breeding season now underway in the Southern Hemisphere, stallion fertility is an area of focus.
Stress and stallion fertility Read More »
Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements
Abstract: Non-pharmaceutical interventions in the successful management of refractory lymphocytic-plasmacytic enterocolitis
Background: Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enterocolitis (LPE) is a rare, poorly understood form of infiltrative intestinal disease in horses, with a generally grave prognosis. Corticosteroids are the drugs most commonly used in treatment,
Post Viral Syndromes in Equines
We commonly hear of ‘viral infections’ being blamed for a horse’s poor performance, recovery, lethargy or general lacklustre health. The horse who doesn’t look a picture of health; is not
Post Viral Syndromes in Equines Read More »
Omeprazole and Stallion Fertility
With our attention on the breeding season, looking at ways we can increase stallion fertility parameters and resulting pregnancy rates in broodmares is of immense value. Whilst we are always
Omeprazole and Stallion Fertility Read More »
Probiotics for horses
Probiotics for horses is something which is continuing to become more popular. Many feed and supplement companies are now adding probiotics to their formulations. Plenty of horse people feed their
Probiotics for horses Read More »
Hoof Health: Beyond Biotin
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 »
Antimicrobial Resistance
At the time of writing this article, it is World Antimicrobial Awareness Week: an important week not only in terms of equine, animal and human health, but also in helping
Antimicrobial Resistance Read More »
An Introduction to Off The Track Thoroughbreds (OTTB)
Among the many breeds and types of horses available to riders, off the track thoroughbreds (OTTB) are a highly popular choice of mount. And for a very good reason! Their
An Introduction to Off The Track Thoroughbreds (OTTB) Read More »
Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the horse. Is GLUTEN a culprit?
Equine Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes a group of diseases affecting the mucosa and submucosa of the intestinal wall. It is characterised by the abnormal infiltration of inflammatory cells in
Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the horse. Is GLUTEN a culprit? Read More »
Mineral Licks: A valuable addition to our horses’ diets or not?
It’s well appreciated that horses and ponies (just like humans) have basic daily mineral and vitamin needs. Whilst a forage (pasture, hay) based diet forms the foundation of sound nutrition
Mineral Licks: A valuable addition to our horses’ diets or not? Read More »
Injury and Pain in our Horses and Ponies
Effectively treating pain in our horses and ponies can be a complex issue. Whilst non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are mainstay to help with the inflammation associated with pain, there are
Injury and Pain in our Horses and Ponies Read More »
TRYPTOPHAN…A helpful or harmful calmer for horses?
Tryptophan is a common ingredient in ‘calming’ products for horses. It is an amino acid which is a precursor to serotonin. This means that tryptophan is one of the building
TRYPTOPHAN…A helpful or harmful calmer for horses? Read More »
Vitamin B12 for Horses
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 »
Laminitis ‘Prevention’- But at what cost?
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 your horse actually using the amount on the feed or supplement label?
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 »
Feeding The Injured Horse
Injuries in our horses can be frustrating and upsetting occurrences- and more often than not, they tend to occur when our horses are coming along really well. Ironically, although we
Feeding The Injured Horse Read More »
Iodine & Horses
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).
An Holistic Approach to Mare Behaviour
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 »
An Holistic Approach to Horse Joint Health
Lameness is one of the most common complaints in the working horse, with joint damage accounting for around 60% of these cases. Progressive damage and changes to soft tissue, cartilage
An Holistic Approach to Horse Joint Health Read More »
Supplements: An Holistic Approach
Do our horses really need them? Supplements. They can be a contentious topic. Yet nearly all horse owners, trainers and riders use them at some stage in one form or
Supplements: An Holistic Approach Read More »
Tying Up
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’
Calming Supplements: Use in the Horse
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. STOP and THINK!
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 »
Skeletal Injuries: Considering the Role of Bone Density in the Horse
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: The role of Antioxidants, including Selenium
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 »
Selenium: Deficiency (& Toxicity) in the Equine
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 »
Vitamin D and Rugging: An Important Consideration
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 »
Beyond Biotin: Optimising Horse Hoof Health
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 »
Nutrient Requirements for Horses: Fortified Feeds and the need for Supplementation
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 »
Nutrient Synergy: Magnesium and Vitamin D
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 »
Naturopathic Principles: Treat the Individual and not the Disease
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 »
Regumate / Altrenogest and Difficult Mares & Fillies: What Are The Alternatives?
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 »
When Supplements actually make the problem worse
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 »
Bacterial Endometritis: Bacteria and Biofilms
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: The role of Gut Health and the Effect on Bone Health and Insulin Resistance
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: An Essential Component of the Horse’s Diet
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 »
What Supplements are best for building Topline?
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 »
Hoof Rings and Ridges
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 »
Turmeric: Use in the Horse
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 »