Long toes and underrun heels go hand-in-hand with flat feet. Most horses can recover from flat-footedness with corrective farriery, improved diet and physical rehabilitation. What causes a horse to be flat-footed? Mostly, though, as stated, flat feet are the result of incorrect trimming of the hooves. The sole will exfoliate Read more…
Most commercial feeds contain iodine in the form of iodized salt, calcium iodate, EDDI or kelp meal. What is horse feed iodine? Iodine is a trace mineral that horses uses to regulate their basal or resting metabolism. Iodine is concentrated in the thyroid gland, located next to the trachea and Read more…
Lameness is a key sign of thin soles. If the condition isn’t diagnosed, horses are often uncomfortable walking around, especially on hard, abrasive surfaces, and some develop sole bruising. When these symptoms are prevalent, it’s important to examine the soles. What does it mean if a horse has thin soles? Read more…
Thin soles can be caused by over-trimming, and most practitioners now know not to try to trim an arch into a flat sole. Wet environments can overly soften the sole and contribute to thinning. Then, too, some horses are simply genetically predisposed to thin soles. How do you treat thin Read more…
If your horse is suffering from cracked, dry hooves, coconut oil can help. Coconut oil contains vitamins C and E as well as capric acid and lauric acid which can help promote healthy hooves, skin, and hair. Rub coconut oil onto sore or dry spots of the hooves daily. Can Read more…
The most prevalent bacterial causes of enteritis/colitis include Clostridium perfringens type C, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium piliforme, Salmonella spp, Rhodococcus equi, Ehrlichia risticii, and Lawsonia intracellularis. Equine rotavirus and coronavirus are the most prevalent viral agents of enteric disease. What causes gut infections in horses? Clostridium bacteria have been diagnosed as Read more…
Ten Ways to Optimize Your Horse’s Digestive System Maximize pasture turnout. Feed good quality hay. Don’t let your horse’s stomach empty out. Go easy on the grain. Offer hay first, then grain. Replace some carbohydrates in your horse’s diet with alternative caloric sources. Never limit fresh water. What can I Read more…
Horse Health Pine Tar is intended to help restore moisture to hardened frogs, keep hooves from cracking and splitting, and maintain hoof pliability. A natural topical antiseptic, germicidal treatment to maintain hoof health. How do I toughen my horses hooves? The addition of biotin, a common ingredient in hoof supplements, Read more…
Keep a regular farrier schedule. Provide proper nutrition and a quality hoof supplement such as Farrier’s Formula® Double Strength to develop a denser, healthier, and more resilient hoof. Regularly apply a non-caustic hoof conditioner such as Farrier’s Finish® to help regulate moisture balance. What does it mean when a horse’s Read more…
Remember – a horse with their head up cannot buck. Also, make sure to keep your leg on. Many times a rider will try to correct bucking by stopping the horse. It is much more correct to reinforce forward motion. What does it mean when a horse bucks its head? Read more…