Here are three reasons to keep your heels down: Stability and safety. To lengthen your leg deep and around your horse for jumping or quick movements. A secure, anchored position if your horse spooks. Why do you ride a horse with your heels down? Letting your weight fall down into Read more…
hind legs. The front legs are called the forelimbs and the hind legs are the hind limbs. What is a horses knee called? It’s the exact same situation with your horse. In fact, in veterinary terms, the joint that we commonly refer to as a knee, is called the “carpus”. Read more…
When a registered Quarter Horse is crossed with a registered Thoroughbred horse, the resulting foal is considered an Appendix Quarter Horse. This is because the foal receives “Appendix” registration. An Appendix Quarter Horse can only be bred to a regular registry Quarter Horse. What does Appendix mean in horse breeding? Read more…
That said, not all domestic horses have long manes, and breeds like the Akhal-Teke traditionally have short, sparse manes. Can a horse have no mane? Although roaching has many pros, it also has a few cons. Without a mane, horses have less protection against insects such as flies and mosquitos. Read more…
Gaskin (horse) – large muscle on the hind leg of a horse or related animal between the stifle and the hock; the relevant section of the leg. What’s the Gaskin on a horse? the part of the hind leg of a horse, or other hoofed mammal, between the stifle and Read more…
Stand at the horse’s shoulder. Cue your horse to walk with a slight forward motion of your right hand (not a tug or pull) on the lead rope. Say “walk” or “come” or whatever word you choose to use consistently. Walk forward yourself. What is the proper way to walk Read more…
The flank area of your horse is located immediately in front of the horse’s sheath or udder. The flank includes the rear lower line of the horse’s abdomen area. The shape of the flank implies certain things about the horse’s conformation as well as his capabilities under saddle. What is Read more…
The foreleg of the horse is, for the most part, a model of good engineering. Most of a horse’s weight is carried on its forelimbs. A horse puts more stress on its front legs than its rear limbs, because it carries 60-65 percent of its weight up front. What is Read more…
Common Procedures and Conditions Choke. One of the most distressing conditions for an owner to witness is an episode of choke. Laminitis. Laminitis is a condition we see very frequently within our practice and is now an almost year round condition. Liver Biopsy. Testing for Respiratory Disease. Ultrasound. Investigations. What Read more…
Hock injections can be effective anywhere from 6-12 months. How often can you inject a horse? Depending on how your horse reacts to treatment, your vet may suggest routine injections yearly, bi-yearly, or on an as-needed basis. It is not recommended to inject the same joint more than twice in Read more…