My very first horse was an ex-hunter/jumper in her twenties. She was a true gem of a horse, aptly named Lady Be Good. Due to her former career however, Lady...
We’ve all seen at least one article claiming a high percentage of horses are overweight, or even that it’s an epidemic. While the numbers are true, 40+ years as a...
Although it doesn’t quite feel like it, fall is finally here again (in the northern hemisphere, anyway). The leaves will soon change, and the daylight hours will continue to decrease....
The classical signs of Cushing’s Disease in horses (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction/PPID) of poor topline, sagging belly and long curly coat that fails to shed are only evident fairly late...
Most of us understand that horses tend to have a "tricky" gastrointestinal system. Sudden changes in feed, moldy hay, too much grain or lush grass—they can all wreak havoc on...
DMSO is the much quicker and easier way to say, “Dimethyl sulfoxide.” About that, pretty much everyone agrees. It goes downhill from there. Although it was first synthesized way back...
On one level, it’s exactly what it sounds like: restricting what you feed your horse. The devil is in the details, though. Exactly what is being restricted, why, and how much?...
The diagnosis of a hoof abscess is something most equestrians are going to have to deal with sooner or later. It is icky, painful, annoying, and time consuming to figure...
Those of us who are around horses long enough will eventually be forced to deal with the inevitability of sickness and injury. Accidents happen, horses colic, bones break. Sometimes, the...
There’s a well-known saying, “Getting old isn’t for the faint of heart.” I imagine it’s not, but watching your beloved horse grow old is no piece of cake either. Maybe...
Whether you are prepping for sales and halter classes or trying your best to raise a healthy and sound youngster, careful attention to nutritional needs is a key component. Yearlings...
Recently, my gelding injured his leg. He had some puffiness and low-grade lameness, so I treated it with ice wraps and stall rest with hand walking for a few days....
Tendon and suspensory ligament injuries plague horses performing in all disciplines. Even pleasure horses and pasture ornaments may fall victim if they take the proverbial “bad step” over rough ground...
I always thought alfalfa was basically the worst thing you could feed your horse. Maybe not arsenic bad. But I had it hammered into my head from day one that alfalfa...
You know what’s great? When you can put your hands on your horse and make him feel better: rejuvenated when he’s tired, calm when he’s under stress, and comforted when...
You step outside and lovingly gaze into the pasture only to find your horse lying flat on his side. Your heartbeat quickens. OH MY GADS—HE’S DEAD! How many of us...
Growing up, did you save your babysitting money to buy expensive veterinary textbooks? Did you spend your free time memorizing the bones in the horse's hoof and the names of all ligaments...
I have sold quite a few horses. Some for a lot of money, some for a little. Some which had training for years and are solid citizens at their discipline,...
If you are thinking ahead to the imminent summer heat by looking at electrolyte supplements, good for you. Horses lose massive amounts of electrolytes (and water) in sweat, putting them...
I’ve noticed there are two kinds of people who can talk about poop without so much as batting an eye: moms and horse owners. And since I belong to both...
