A horse trainer recently told me he had to euthanize one of his best horses. After he left, my granddaughter was upset and wanted to know how horses are euthanized, if it’s painful, and where they bury horses. We decided to research her questions to find out. Horses are most commonly euthanized by administering lethal …
Veterinary disclaimer: Hair loss in horses can indicate infectious, parasitic, hormonal, or nutritional conditions — some of which are contagious to other horses or to humans. This guide is for educational purposes. If you are unsure of the cause, or if hair loss is spreading, accompanied by itching, skin changes, or behavioral changes, consult a …
I recently checked the bit on my friend’s horse and noticed the animal needed its teeth floated. When I told the owner, my grandson asked how I knew the horse needed his teeth floated and how often it would need to be done. In general, most horses need to have their teeth floated annually. However, …
Navicular syndrome—sometimes referred to as navicular disease or caudal heel pain syndrome—is a complex condition that affects multiple structures in the horse’s hoof, not just the navicular bone. With over 25 years of hands-on experience caring for and evaluating horses, I’ve encountered several cases firsthand. When a neighbor asked me to assess a horse he …
As we were loading our horses, I asked my daughter to ensure we had Coggins test certificates in the truck. My grandson overheard our conversation and said he’ll check, but what are they? The Coggins test detects Equine Infectious Anemia(EIA), a disease not unlike HIV, but in horses. It is a rare disease, but it …
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer This article provides educational information only and does not replace professional veterinary care. Consult your veterinarian immediately if diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, is watery or projectile, or includes fever, colic signs, or lethargy. Severe cases often require IV fluids and can be fatal within hours, as emphasized in the Merck …
Veterinary disclaimer: Founder and laminitis are veterinary emergencies. This guide is intended for educational purposes only. It does not replace professional diagnosis, radiographs, or individualized treatment plans. Contact a licensed veterinarian immediately if you suspect either condition. Founder in horses is one of the most serious hoof conditions a horse owner will face — painful, …
In South Louisiana, mosquitoes are everywhere, but if you have horses, you also have flies. My grandson asked me about this phenomenon; he wanted to know why flies follow horses wherever they go. Flies feed on large mammals that are dark, warm, and move around a lot; in other words, horses. Horseflies sustain themselves on …
A fly mask is a horse’s best friend when insects are on the move. It protects their face, ears, and eyes from pesky insects and keeps them comfortable. There are many different styles of fly masks on the market, but not all are created equal. Here are three of the very best fly masks with …
Twin brothers recently visited our farm to look at a horse; their stop-over inspired my grandson to ask if horses can have twins or triplets. I’ve never owned a broodmare that delivered multiple foals, so I decided to research the topic. Horses can have twins, but it’s rare, and typically one or both are lost …