Nutrition is critical for a holistic horse health program. When evaluating the cost of feed for horses you have to consider quality over price. I recently bought 2 bales of alfalfa hay for horses and I paid $15 for one bale and $12 for the other. The $15 bale was expensive but very green and … Continue Reading »
I decided to write Horse Harmony, a book about horse temperament, after experiencing a bad match with a tough mule named Jake. Up until Jake came into my life I assumed a good training program was the answer to all behavior issues. After working with several of the best trainers in the country I came … Continue Reading »
I was talking with a good friend who was having trouble getting his horse to go away from the other horses. Having a herd or barn sour horse is such a common problem and I wondered what could be done to improve this situation. The late, great horseman, Ray Hunt, always said, “Make the wrong … Continue Reading »
The weakness of the Metal horse temperament is his digestive tract, specifically the large intestine, and excessive dryness will damage this organ. Impaction colic in horses can be the result of dryness in the large intestine so monitoring water consumption is very important. Metal horses also have an extremely high pain tolerance, which can allow … Continue Reading »
It has been a month since I started feeding a horse di magnesium malate supplement my horses. What a difference! Remi, my Yang Ming horse temperament gelding, had been on magnesium oxide for over a year so he did not show a big change but both Tess and Cerise are different creatures. When my hoof … Continue Reading »
Had a great ride on Cerise today and I credit this to increasing the level of magnesium in her diet. Who would have thought that feeding a horse extra magnesium would make such a difference but for the past several months Cerise has been tense and tight when I worked her. I actually contacted my … Continue Reading »
Earth horses tend to need support for their muscles rather than their joints, and high-quality protein helps the Earth horse temperament develop strong, supple muscles. The goal is to offer horse foods or supplements that offer high-quality protein without excess calories. Alfalfa, for instance, is a rich source of protein, but is too high in … Continue Reading »
Because the Earth horse temperament has poor digestion and is subject to dampness throughout his body, he needs a lot of immune support. Specifically, dampness and poor digestion can lead to: 1. parasite infestation 2. fungal infections 3. lymphatic imbalances 4. respiratory infections 1. Clearing or Preventing Parasite Infestation in the Earth Horse The Earth … Continue Reading »
Does Your Horse Itch? Natural Solutions That Can Help Bald spots, tails with mohawks, and assorted lumps and bumps … all of these symptoms can be signs of an itchy horse. Unfortunately, all the symptoms of horse itch are usually worse in the summer, when bugs, humidity, and heat all contribute to the problem. Does … Continue Reading »
The Earth horse temperament seems to have the most trouble with assimilation of nutrients. Many Earth horses tend to get overweight, so owners compensate by underfeeding these horses. It is important to feed the Earth horse nutrient-dense foods, but not feed more than 1.5% of their body weight daily. Feeding a horse larger amounts of … Continue Reading »
Fire Horse Immune Support Fire horse feeding for immune support includes many of the same products that support digestive health since healthy gut flora is so important for a strong immune system. A poor barrier in the intestinal lining puts extra stress on the immune system so supporting gut health will indirectly support immune health. … Continue Reading »
Guest post: by Jeannie Choate Summer is blazing here in Texas. There are precautions you can take to make your weekend rides enjoyable. If you work in an air-conditioned area most of the time, you might not realize how quick you can dehydrate and just “give out” while riding. Your horses stay out in all … Continue Reading »
Wood horses are high-energy individuals who love physical challenges, and must be kept active or they will develop bad habits like kicking and biting. Wood horses also tend to become unhealthy if they are not exercised enough. While the Wood horse is not a picky eater, he does have a very sensitive liver and is … Continue Reading »
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 »
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 »
It seems like springtime often brings on horse injuries and the question of how best to treat them. Many topical products available for treating horse injuries contain irritating antiseptics and conventional vets can be quick to reach for anti inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. I prefer a more natural plan. Homeopathy for common horse injuries: Arnica … 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 »
Is your horse a solid dependable character or does he transform from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde depending on the circumstances? Is your horse an angel when he gets to do what he wants but a devil if you make a request he does not agree with? Do you get along fine with your horse … Continue Reading »
Bud, my food sensitivity patient, had a flare up of his horse ulcers this weekend but instead of being set back for a week of more he was eating again in less than an hour. What a miracle compared to a few months ago. A little background. Bud has food sensitivities because he was under … Continue Reading »