Water horses need safety and a trustworthy rider. They can be brilliant show horses but panic easily. They perform well in events that call for animation and excitement, and are motivated by cheering crowds. The Water horse possesses a strong digestive system, but because of his high-spirited nature he burns through calories quickly. The challenge … Continue Reading »
The Metal horse temperament is the prototypical hard-working ranch horse. He enjoys order and control, and can stand up to some of the toughest working conditions. Metal horses do their jobs perfectly but otherwise desire very little interaction. Unlike the Earth horse, the Metal horse assimilates nutrients very easily. And unlike the Fire horse, the … Continue Reading »
Earth horse temperament types love two things: Appreciation and food. They are solid citizens who want to be acknowledged for the good work they do, and food treats often go a long way toward keeping them happy. They make perfect school horses and work well with children. They develop bad habits when their daily routine … Continue Reading »
Although many horse owners and trainers are now beginning to acknowledge the differences between the horse personality types when it comes to training and management, few acknowledge the need for feeding a horse based on type. Yet, if each type needs to be handled and trained differently, why should all the types be fed in … Continue Reading »
Why can’t there just be a pill to cure all those stubborn equine symptoms. We would pay any amount of money for something easy to make our horses well! But it is not so easy. You see those stubborn equine symptoms are not just simple conditions. They are the result of a process that has … Continue Reading »
Despite a solid holistic horse health program my horses were not slick and shiny and I was really annoyed by this. I pride myself on taking the best possible care of my horses but after 18 months of drought followed by a hard, wet winter my horse’s coats looked like crap. The hair was long, … Continue Reading »
Leafy Greens Reverse Toxic Effects January 25, 2010 This is an article my friend, Trish, sent me when we were discussing chia seeds . Aflatoxins can be found in feeds for horses as well. It looks like the chia plant, which is a type of sage, was used in this study. Not such a bad … Continue Reading »
I have been looking for a perfect fat source as a feed for horses for over 2 years. It seems that almost all sources of fat as a feed for horses also have a down side. I have finally found one that seems to be perfect. Chia seeds! My good friend, Trish, introduced me to … Continue Reading »
The spring grass is coming up and it is so tempting to let your laminitis horses out on pasture but you must resist. Sugar is high and magnesium is low in spring grass and this combination is one of the main triggers for laminitis horses. The really sad thing is that spring grass is also … Continue Reading »
These days most horse owners are clued-up enough about horse health care to recognize insulin-resistance in their equine friends. The insulin-resistant horse is the laid-back easy keeper who gains weight if he catches even a whiff of grain. He’s also the one with the cresty neck, elevated levels of insulin and triglycerides in the blood, … Continue Reading »
Have you ever found bits of wadded up, chewed hay laying around the feed area and wondered about the health of your horses teeth? This is called quidding and if you are seeing it then most likely you have an older horse who has lost most of his teeth, a horse that recently had his … Continue Reading »
Spring is just around the corner and this is the time many people start thinking about sending their young colts to trainers, either to be started under saddle or for more advanced training. Many people send their horses for training with futurities, derbies, and classics in mind … all events catering to young horses. While … Continue Reading »
I went to one of my client’s recently and she asked me to look at one of her 2 year olds. This filly had a lump on her chest that had been there for over a week. My client had assumed it was from a kick but the lump was hard and not going down. … Continue Reading »
I frequently get asked by horse owners whether they should treat herbs as food or medicine for their horses. It’s a good question, especially if you are a do-it-yourself kind of horse owner and want to be sure that what you feed your horse is safe. Herbs are included in many supplements for horses so … Continue Reading »
These days, horse lovers are becoming aware of the many factors that can cause horse ulcers. Antibiotic therapy is one of the main culprits, and many horse owners are anxious to prevent ulcers from occurring if their horse must have antibiotic therapy because of an injury or acute illness. But here they run into a … Continue Reading »
Well, I had hoped 2010 might be a little bit quieter than 2009 but so far that is not the case. It seems like there is some new excitement every day. My cousin, Sonny, who helped me so much with my fence has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. He has been having some confusion … Continue Reading »
Whether it is because the economy sucks or your area has had a “bad weather” year, hay for horses can be in short supply, especially during the winter. If the winter ahead looks bleak in terms of hay, consider these other options: – alfalfa cubes – chopped alfalfa – Ontario timothy/orchard grass balance cubes – … Continue Reading »
Ever wonder why your horse that gets the “perfect” food and care needs more to eat to maintain weight and your neighbor’s horse that gets a no extra care seems fat and happy? Well one of my good friends asked me this question and I had to get a bit more information before I could … Continue Reading »
I have been working so much with horse digestion issues and ulcers lately and I feel the frustration of my clients about wanting to prevent these problems. Until recently I did not have much to offer other than doing everything possible to support good digestion. What I have come to understand is that digestive support … Continue Reading »
You know what they say about leading horses to water and making them drink … During the cold winter season, many horses drink less than they should, setting them up for impaction colic, poor digestion, and other kinds of problems. Most horses drink 8-10 gallons of water when the weather is warm, but may drink … Continue Reading »