But how will you know that your horse is racking? Since the activity is a four-beat movement, your horse will step one hoof on the ground at a time. Also, the gait will be smooth, and as the legs will be moving faster, you will not be bouncing on the Read more…
Stop the nap before it starts Learn to recognise the signs that your horse is about to nap and distract them. Keep your horse moving and if they won’t go forwards, try bending their head and asking them to go sideways, they should soon learn that forwards is the easier Read more…
Slow the lope by sitting securely and deeply in the saddle and asking your horse to slow down while you are loping. Practice asking your horse to slow down by gently squeezing and releasing pressure on the reins while maintaining enough forward motion that your horse does not break gait. Read more…
The distance a horse can maintain a gallop depends on their build and physical fitness. A well conditioned horse can easily maintain a gallop for a mile to a mile and a half. At two to two and a half miles most horses will feel fatigued. How long can a Read more…
Ailments and diseases Equine atypical myopathy (EAM). Colic. Cushing’s disease. Equine herpes virus (EHV). Equine influenza virus. Gastric ulcer syndrome. Laminitis. Mud fever. What is the most common horse illness? Find out the top 5 most common health problems affecting horses, how to spot the signs and top tips for Read more…
Electrolytes are provided in the diet to replace minerals lost in sweat and to increase water consumption to offset water loss from sweating. Horses in hard work that receive normal hay and grain diets are likely to require additional electrolytes due to the low levels of sodium and chloride (salt) Read more…
Scabs can be massaged off carefully, but don’t pull or pick them. Using a clean towel, carefully pat the area dry and apply a topical treatment as directed by your veterinarian. Is it good to pick scabs? Even though it may be tough not to pick at a scab, try Read more…
Horse bots are honey bee-sized flies that dart around and glue their tiny eggs or nits to body hairs of horses, donkeys and mules. The fast movements of these flies frighten animals. Horses also can injure themselves as they attempt to relieve the irritation from burrowing activities of newly hatched Read more…
Equine cannon keratosis (also known as cannon dermatitis, stud crud, or leg funk) is a skin condition that affects the front of both rear cannons. It looks like dark oily or scaly dandruff like patches that vary in size. How do you get rid of Cannon keratosis? There is no Read more…
With a calm, easy going temperament the Clydesdale horse is a great choice for riders of all levels; and Clydesdale horse riding is a popular leisure pursuit. Their steady, reliable and sure footed nature also makes them a popular choice as a therapy horse. Are Clydesdale horses good for riding? Read more…