If your horse has heaves, one of the first things most owners look at is the feed bucket and hay rack. I know that was one of my first concerns with our own mare: are we feeding her in a way that makes breathing harder, and what changes might actually help? The foundation of feeding …
Are you planning a family trip to see wild horses, or do you live near a herd and wonder whether they are dangerous? Seeing horses roaming freely is an incredible experience, but it is natural to ask whether one could hurt you if you get too close. Wild horses can attack humans, but it is …
Horses are not omnivores — they’re herbivores. Their teeth, their digestive system, and their day-to-day behavior are all built around one thing: processing plant fiber, not meat. So if you’ve ever wondered, are horses omnivores, herbivores, or something in between, the answer starts with how their bodies are built. I grew up around horses, including …
Whether you’re feeding your first horse or you’ve been around horses for years, you may still wonder: When does your horse need grain? With so much conflicting advice, it can be hard to know whether grain is helping your horse or simply adding calories it does not need. Most horses do not need grain every …
If you’re like me, you want to do things the right way and make sure your horse is taken care of properly. That includes hauling him safely, which brings up an important question: should you tie your horse in the trailer or let him travel loose? Quick Answer: In a straight-load or slant-load trailer with …
A lot of horse owners wonder if they’re riding their horse too much – or not enough – but the answer depends less on the number of days and more on the type of work you’re asking the horse to do. Many healthy horses can be ridden four to six days a week, and some …
If you’re considering an Oldenburg or another warmblood sport horse, don’t rely on the name alone. The papers, pedigree, and reputation matter, but the individual horse matters more. The Oldenburg – also called the Oldenburger – is a large German warmblood bred primarily for dressage and show jumping. Many mature Oldenburgs stand around 16 to …
Do you own a horse that bucks and find yourself wondering why? Bucking is one of the most frustrating and concerning behaviors a horse owner can face because the same action can mean very different things depending on the horse, the situation, and what changed before it happened. The first step to stopping a horse …
Almost all foals are born without visible teeth. The first deciduous (baby) teeth — the central incisors — typically erupt within the first 8 days of life. By around 8 months, a foal usually has its full set of deciduous teeth. These baby teeth start getting replaced by permanent teeth around age 2.5 to 3, …
When a racehorse breaks down on the track, the decision to euthanize often happens within minutes. To people watching from the grandstand or at home, it can look like a rushed, callous choice. It isn’t. The biology of a horse’s leg makes that decision, in the most serious cases, the most humane option available — …