Category Archives: General Horse Care

Holistic Horse Health: The Buzz From the Barn

Madalyn Ward, DVM shares her answers to specific holistic horse care questions from clients. To see more questions and answers on real holistic horse care situations check out the Horse Health Hotline postings. Q – Brittle hooves on 10 year old Percheron/QH gelding – The first 6 years I had this horse he was on … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horsekeeping Newsletter October 2015

October 2015 Protecting your horses from dogs and other predators Holistic Horsekeeping How to have a healthy happy horse. Volume 20, Number 9 =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* In This Issue: 1. Protecting your horses from dogs and other predators 2. Don’t Miss Your Chance! =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* 1. Protecting your horses from dogs and other predators If you have horses, … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horse Health: The Buzz From the Barn

Madalyn Ward, DVM shares her answers to specific holistic horse care questions from clients. To see more questions and answers on real holistic horse care situations check out the Horse Health Hotline postings. Client 1: Q – How do you feel about using Quest dewormer for encysted small strongyles?  Are they a concern in a … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horse Health: The Buzz From the Barn

Madalyn Ward, DVM shares her answers to specific holistic horse care questions from clients. To see more questions and answers on real holistic horse care situations check out the Horse Health Hotline postings. Q – Two years ago when my 20-year old donkey shed in the spring, she lost 1/2 of the hair on her … Continue Reading »

Horses in a Nutshell

Whether you are just getting started with horses or have been caring for them for years, here is a nice diagram on the basics. I, of course, like to see horses barefoot whenever possible, but wanted to share this infographic submitted by a reader as it does contain a lot of basic holistic horse care … Continue Reading »

Cold Weather Horse Care Tips

Guest Post by Ashly Snell Taking care of your horse during cold weather often demands a different set of requirements than warmer weather. When the wind starts to howl and the temperatures begin to drop, keep these tips in mind so your horse can be well cared for: Shelter: First, horses can benefit from having … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horsekeeping Newsletter March 2015

March 2015 Pros and Cons of Using Sand as Bedding Holistic Horsekeeping How to have a healthy happy horse. Volume 20, Number 3 =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* In This Issue: 1. Pros and Cons of Using Sand as Bedding 2. Mentoring Program at Holistic Horsekeeping =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* 1. Pros and Cons of Using Sand as Bedding Sand is my … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horse Health: The Buzz From the Barn

Madalyn Ward, DVM shares her answers to specific holistic horse care questions from clients. Q – Is it safe to use Diatomaceous Earth on horses as an anti-parasitic? If so, how much and how often? A – I tried Diatomaceous Earth for parasite control years ago and it was not effective. It might work in … Continue Reading »

SKIPS SNAZZY MOON: aka ‘Bruiser’

Guest blog by Larry Hannon AQHA Professional Horseman Certified Horse Temperament Typologist http://larryhannon.com This is one of our colts that was 3 months old when this picture was taken.  Bruiser was very ‘Stand Off’, and his mother left her impression on him.  I was a good 30 yards from him, and used the zoom on … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horse Health: The Buzz From the Barn

Madalyn Ward, DVM shares her answers to specific holistic horse health care questions from clients. Q – “When do you recommend Chia, BOSS and/or Rice bran as part of the feeding protocol? Is it by type or symptoms or just good nutrition?” A – “I recommend the chia for horses that don’t need weight gain … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: Gift, an Earth Mare with Cracked Hooves

There are many reasons for a horse to have cracked hooves such as poor nutrition, dry weather or dry weather alternating with wet weather. Infrequent or improper trimming can also cause hooves to crack but in Gift’s case none of these conditions existed.

Holistic Horse Care: Acupressure for Sweet Itch

If you have ever had a horse suffer with sweet itch you know the misery it causes. Acupressure for sweet itch can be part of a holistic health care program to treat this frustrating condition. About Sweet Itch Sweet itch is caused by a sensitivity to the bites of tiny, flying gnats. Topical insect repellants, … Continue Reading »

Pain Explained with Traditional Chinese Medicine – Part 1

Ever wonder why the miracle product that works on so many horses does not do a thing for your horse? Or why the wonder cure you found and shared with all your friends did not help their horses one little bit. The reason is not all pain is the same. Western Medicine tends to lump … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horse Care: How to Deal With the “No Drug” Rules for Horse Shows

For those of us who like a holistic horse care program the idea of limiting the use of drugs in competitive horses sounds like a great idea, but is it? Limiting the access to drugs such as bronchodilators, diuretics and non steroidal anti inflammatory agents can cause unnecessary suffering for horses that truly need them. … Continue Reading »

Horse Nutrition: Pros and cons of Alfalfa as a horse feed

If you ask most horses they will tell you that alfalfa is a wonderful horse feed. Most horses love this leafy, green hay. Experts in horse nutrition recognize alfalfa as a high protein, mineral rich forage but few look at the energetic properties of this hay for horses. Alfalfa has a neutral thermal nature which … Continue Reading »

Horse Problems: What is a sheer heel?

Your horse is lame and the vet says the problem is in the hoof but there is no reaction to hoof testers. If this is the case with your horse then you may want to consider a horse problem called sheer heel. When one side of the horse’s hoof grows faster than the other side … Continue Reading »

How to Choose the Right Horse Supplements

Open any horse supply catalog and you will find upwards of 40 pages of different horse supplements. The reason there are so many supplements has to do with the poor quality of many of our horse foods and hay. This is not the fault of the horse food companies but a reflection of the general … Continue Reading »

Holistic Horse Care: Avoiding laminitis in horses

Laminitis in horses is a devastating condition once it takes hold. With a holistic horse care program you can significantly lower the risk of laminitis in horses but you still must stay alert for early signs of the condition. There is no vaccine against laminitis in horses, so diet and management are your best defenses. … Continue Reading »

Horse Temperament: Learned behaviors at a ranch sorting

I took Remi, my Yang Ming(Metal/Earth), horse temperament, gelding, to a ranch sorting last weekend. We both had a blast. Remi has had some bad experiences in the past and he can get very tense when going to new places. I want him to be able to overcome his learned behaviors of holding his breath … Continue Reading »