What Does The Adrenal Gland Do In Horses?

Gonadocorticoids, also produced by the adrenals, act on sperm production in stallions and affect reproductive behavior in both sexes. The adrenal glands also produce the catecholemines, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones are responsible for the “fight or flight” response when a threat is sensed. What is the function of the Read more…

Do Horses Have A Thyroid Gland?

Regulatory control of the thyroid gland in horses is similar to other species. Clinical signs of hypothyroidism in adult horses are minimal. Several drugs and physiologic and pathophysiological states can cause circulating thyroid hormone concentrations to be low without actual pathology of the thyroid gland. Where is the thyroid gland Read more…

Where Does A Horse Sweat?

Sweat appears on the head, flanks and top of the rump when a horse is extremely hot and may be at risk of heat stress. A horse who does not sweat as much as his herdmates in the same environment—or who doesn’t sweat at all—may have anhidrosis, a dangerous failure Read more…

Do Horses Have An Olecranon?

Olecranon disruption prevents horses from extending the elbow, diminishing their ability to bear weight on the forelimb (2,3). The ulna acts like a lever arm, helping to maintain the leg in extension by placing proximad forces on the olecranon through the triceps brachii muscle (3). What is the elbow of Read more…

Do Baby Horses Need Horseshoes?

Unless a young foal needs corrective trimming and even shoeing in the case of Developmental Orthopedic Disease (club feet or underrun heels), shoeing will not be necessary until you begin training the young horse. How old does a horse have to be to put shoes on? Do not start shoeing Read more…

Can Irish Draught Horses Do Dressage?

Irish Draughts have achieved top marks as hunters, event horses, jumpers, and dressage mounts in international competition, and crossing them with Thoroughbreds has produced performance horses with exceptional strength, soundness, and temperament. Are Irish Draughts Warmbloods? The Irish Draught breed society does not state whether they believe their horses to Read more…