Horses will constantly rub affected areas as a response to the intense itching. In the acute phase (early phase) the skin will become red and inflamed, and devoid of hair. Crusting and weeping sores may be present. In the chronic phase (later phase) the skin will thicken, blacken and become Read more…
Start by adding a tablespoon of the vinegar to the horse’s feed twice daily. Gradually work toward 1/2 cup to each feeding (two feedings per day) for a total of one cup per day. How do you use apple cider vinegar on horses? Adding half a cup (0.11 liters) of Read more…
Sweet Itch is a skin disease (sometimes called summer itch or seasonal allergic dermatitis) and is caused by an allergy to the saliva of certain biting flies or midges (e.g., Culicoides spp.). How do I stop my horse from itching in the summer? Contact your vet and ask him or Read more…
If eaten by horses, St. John’s-Wort may cause photosensitization, since this weed contains black dots composed by hypercin, a pigment that is absorbed by the body and activated by exposure to sunlight. What does St Johns Wort do to animals? John’s wort can serve as a calming agent for your Read more…
Cutaneous Habronemiasis or commonly known as “summer sores” or “Florida sores” is a common skin disease of horses primarily caused by three species of parasites: Habronema Muscae, Habronema Microstoma and Drashia Megastoma. The housefly and the stable fly are responsible for carrying the larvae of these parasites. What worms cause Read more…
You can help your horse build sole depth by making sure your farrier is not cutting sole away during trims and by adding protection with products like Hoof Armor (I have no financial interest in Hoof Armor, it’s just a really neat product). How do you fix a horse’s thin Read more…
If he is on a flat hard surface, stone dust for example, his sole will be flatter than if he spends most of his time in deeper footing. While I believe most horses can do fine barefoot, some may require a lot more maintenance than others, to make it work. Read more…
Flat feet develop as a result of genetics, conformation faults, poor physical conditions, lack of hoof care or early shoeing, as is the case for most Thoroughbreds. Long toes and underrun heels go hand-in-hand with flat feet. Why does my horse have flat feet? Mostly, though, as stated, flat feet Read more…
The ergot is a small callosity on the underside of the fetlock. They can sometimes be found on all four fetlocks, but not all horses have detectable ergots. They may vary from pea sized to 1.5 inches in diameter. Horses with feathers tend to have the largest ergots. What is Read more…
Seaweed can be fed safely to horses and may have some benefits to offer. However, if you are using a seaweed supplement, it’s crucial that you establish whether or not you reaching toxic levels of iodine and under no circumstances should you provide your horse or pony with ‘free access’ Read more…