Prevention

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When a horse shows subtle signs of lameness or discomfort but no clear veterinary diagnosis, it can be discouraging and costly for owners. These vague issues are unfortunately common and often leave owners uncertain about the next step. This article outlines key principles to guide you through such cases, using the example of Remy — a mare who arrived with back pain and bucking behaviour but no definitive medical findings.

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Minimizing the Risk of Respiratory Issues in Horses - Horses are inherently built to live outdoors. With protection from harsh weather, access to clean water, and good hay, many horses thrive without the need for stabling. However, this ideal scenario may not always be feasible for their owners.

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Like humans, horses are living longer than ever. Typically, older horses will live into their twenties and often into their thirties. It’s natural to worry about your horse’s health into the golden years. Studies report that 70 percent of horses aged 20 years or older have some type of health issue requiring modifications in management practices and veterinary care. Let’s examine the six key issues your older horse might face, and tips to help you keep your horse feeling comfortable during those senior years.

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Our knowledge of optimal equine management is continually expanding. The science relied upon to make informed management decisions for our horses is changing as more research becomes available. One of the primary nutrition concerns across North America is the management of horses with metabolic health issues. This article will discuss the goals of nutritional management for these horses, how science has evolved, and updated guidelines based on the newest science for horse owners to follow.

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4 Key Principles - As the shorter, colder winter months settle in, brief but purposeful groundwork sessions become critical for a horse’s physiology. Granted, fitness-based groundwork will not keep a horse at peak performance level, but it will prevent total erosion of neuromuscular and metabolic fitness during times of abbreviated schedules.

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Horse owners may wonder if the air inside their barns poses any real risk—and if there’s anything that can be done after construction to make it better. The short answer: yes and yes.

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The average life expectancy of horses is around 20 years, but some survive into their 40s. Horses 20 years of age and older increasingly account for a larger percentage of the population, in part due to advances in veterinary care.

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Understanding the Bigger Picture - “The farrier crippled that horse.” Over the past few months, I have heard this from at least two people complaining on behalf of a friend whose horse had gone lame. The farrier was implicated in both cases, and I was asked to consult on one of them. I am going to talk about several issues we farriers deal with all the time, and why it is highly unlikely that the farrier was responsible for the lameness.

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Fall is here! The leaves are changing and the temperatures are cooling off. It’s hard to imagine that such a pretty time of year could possibly be harmful to our horses. However, fall leaves can pose a potentially deadly threat. The following are trees that are highly toxic to horses.

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During periods of heavy rainfall, many horse owners may notice the emergence of rain rot in their horses. This skin condition can be frustrating, but with proper care, it is often manageable.

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