An average 1,100-pound (500-kilogram) horse requires a minimum of 400-500 milligrams of Zn in the diet per day. Wheat bran, wheat middlings, and brewer’s grains are good Zn sources. Most forages contain low- to marginal Zn concentration, but fortified commercial concentrates typically contain sufficient amounts. What causes zinc deficiency in Read more…
Because horses’ teeth are so different than ours, they require yearly dental examinations with an equine dentist to make sure that they don’t have too much tartar buildup or any complications with their gums. Who looks after horses teeth? Prevention is better than cure and it is important to maintain Read more…
Horseshoes, which is also called horseshoe throwing, is a non-contact game which is usually played outdoors. It can be played individually, between two people, or two teams with two members each. This is a classic example of a old fashioned pastime that has turned itself into a organized and very Read more…
In general, female horses can breed until they are 25 years old, and male horses can breed up to 30 years old. But some horses may stop breeding either much younger or older depending on their health, fertility, and history. At what age can a male horse mate? Although most Read more…
When used as a feed source, clover can provide your horses with sufficient protein, energy, and fiber to help meet their daily requirements. The three varieties that will most commonly grow in your horse’s pastures are red clover, white clover, and alsike clover. What is the best clover for horses? Read more…
Lucerne is a high-quality feed and a valuable component of many, if not most horses’ diets. There are good reasons though why it shouldn’t be used as the only source of roughage for horses. Lucerne is a high-quality feed and a valuable component of many, if not most horses’ diets. Read more…
Many equine nutritionists now recommend feeding haylage instead of hay although there are pros and cons to each. Haylage is much closer to the horses natural diet of grass, both in texture and nutritional value it is more palatable and digestible than hay, has a higher nutritional value and is Read more…
A bridle path allows the bridle or halter to lie flat on the head of the horse, which may be more comfortable. It also is thought to give the horse the appearance of a slimmer throatlatch, a generally desirable conformation trait. Is a bridle path necessary? I tend to think Read more…
A: The neck threadworm is a common name for the filarial parasiteOnchocerca cervicalis. The adult worm lives in or around the large nuchal ligament that runs from the withers to the base of the skull. No clinical signs have been associated with presence of the adult worms. How do you Read more…
An exercise rug, also called a quarter sheet, is a great way to keep your horse comfortable when you’re riding in cold or inclement weather. They are especially appropriate to prevent chills in horses that are always clipped and blanketed. Does my horse need an exercise sheet? An Exercise Sheet Read more…