Summer sores are a common problem among horses during the warmer months. As a horse owner, it’s important to know what summer sores are, how to treat them, and when you need to call your vet. Summer sores, also known as cutaneous habronemiasis, are caused by larvae of worms that can be found in the […]
If your horse is over the age of 10 and showing recurring colic symptoms, enteroliths may be suspected. When detected early, up to 95% of horses will recover following their surgical removal, but these intestinal stones can be deadly. Ranging from pea-sized to softball-sized – and sometimes larger – enteroliths are mineral masses which form
Worming during the first year of life is paramount to protect the health of young horses, particularly foals. Every foal should receive at least four worming treatments by 12 months of age, with the first targeting Parascaris equorum – the roundworm. The First Worming Foals and weanlings are highly susceptible to intestinal parasites, and require
A pre-purchase examination is the first step to selecting the right equine partner for your competitive riding career. In this article, we share some helpful advice to make that choice a little easier. The equine athlete will face many challenges during their riding career. Regular travel, stressful environments and a strenuous exercise regime may affect
Sand colic occurs when high levels of sand and dirt are ingested and accumulate in the horse’s digestive tract. However, even small amounts of sand can irritate the gut wall so, by far, prevention is the best way to avoid the dangerous consequences of sand colic. Here are a few simple ways to prevent sand
As a horse owner, it can be concerning to see little red worms in your horse’s poo. These worms are known as small strongyles, or cyathostomins, and are one of the most common types of internal parasites in horses. They are typically found in the large intestine and can cause a variety of health issues
I found little red worms in horse poo. What should I do? Read More »
To walk or not to walk – that is the question. But the answer isn’t always clear. If you suspect your horse has colic, the first thing you should do is call your veterinarian. Only with their recommendation, should you walk your horse during a colic episode. Put simply, without the advice of a veterinarian,
If you suspect your horse has colic, the most important thing you can do is take action immediately. Any colic episode, no matter how mild, has the potential to become life-threatening. Every step you take may directly influence the outcome for your horse. Identifying colic can be challenging. At times, a horse may exhibit obvious
There are three common reasons for unexpected weight loss. These include inadequate diet, poor dental care and ineffective worming. If your horse is losing weight unexpectedly, then you should assess these three areas to ensure their needs are being met. Nutrition As a general rule, every horse should be consuming 2-3% of their bodyweight in
My horse is dropping weight unexpectedly. What should I do? Read More »
Just like us, horses too experience stress. If not recognised, stress can affect your horse’s health, wellbeing and performance. In this article, we identify common causes of equine stress and how they can be avoided. Prior to domestication, horses lived in large herds and grazed up to 20 hours per day. As such, it’s
