Some people may tell you that clipping your horse in the summer can ruin their summer coats. However, some of the heavier, thick-coated horses may require clipping all year round to stay comfortable when the weather gets hot.
Laminitis can affect any horse or pony of any age, weight, or time of year. It is one of the biggest causes of lameness and it can be fatal, so every horse owner needs to be alert and be aware of the signs of laminitis in their horse, all year round.
The nutritional requirements of a foal will increase as they grow and will begin to exceed the supply that the mare is able to provide. Ensuring your foal is consuming enough nutrients early on in life will allow for a greater start post-weaning.
During the winter months, hooves can suffer from the muddy and persistently wet conditions. Although hoof growth tends to slow down during the winter months, the hooves of unshod horses do not tend to break down as well as they do in the dry conditions.
Mares can be so rewarding, but also challenging, especially when you need them to perform. Why are mares so tricky and how can we help them? First and foremost, we must always remember our mares are ‘entire’, just like a stallion, they will always come with those hormonal challenges.
Microorganisms are essential for your horse to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These microbes can be found in a horse’s gastrointestinal tract and play a vital role in the digestion of fibre, which is the reliant source of energy that your horse requires. There are billions of microbes continuously breaking down the food your horse consumes, but these microbes need to stay balanced in order to maintain a healthy gut.
When the flowers begin to bloom and the bees are busy, we all know what season is fast approaching - spring. However, for some of us, this time of year also brings with it a sense of dread with the impending result of pollen allergies, or as we all know it, hay fever.
When the rain gets heavier, we all know what the gate ways to our fields will be like. But what does this mean for our horse's? Because the skin is exposed to more mud at this time of year, problems can arise. Looking after your horse's skin is not only important during the winter, but all year round for your horse to feel healthy and happy.
Shetlands as we all know are small and hardy animals, who are particularly popular as children’s ponies, companions or even pets due to their lovable characteristics. Despite their small stature, these cheeky animals are very well adapted to their origins in North Scotland. Grazing in the Shetland Isles is sparse due to the cold environment, so the ponies have had to adapt to the lack of pasture available throughout the year. However, due to this, when they are granted access to lavish grassland, it is common for Shetlands to become quickly overweight.
Fibre is the most important component of a horse's diet, so it is particularly important that the diet is adapted to your horse's workload.
