Aside from that, rein back is an incredible strengthening exercise even when done unmounted – performing an in-hand rein back a few times a day can work wonders for developing muscles and strength in a horse. What does pulling back on the reins on a horse do? When you pull Read more…
At certain times of year (fall), Stable Flies are particularly drawn to equine eyes, especially the corners of the eye. They cause irritation that results in tearing and squinting and predispose to the development of corneal ulcers and conjunctivitis. What causes watery eyes in horses? Dust, wind, and flies are Read more…
Jockeys often give horses a cue to change leads (often with a flick of the wrist and/or shifting of weight), and many horses learn to change automatically. How can you tell if a horse has changed leads? You will see a slight hesitation in stride and then a shift in Read more…
For your horses we would recommend using a product called Deosect or Switch / Z-Itch. Deosect is a product containing cypermethrin, Switch and Z-Itch contain permethrin all of which kill larvae and adult lice. Does ivermectin kill lice on horses? Both moxidectin and ivermectin also kill external parasites, such as Read more…
That usually happens because the horse is losing his balance and may be stiff through his back. So, he tries to compensate for that by switching to the canter canter that he finds more comfortable for the direction in which he is traveling. What does it mean when a horse Read more…
Liver fluke is a common cause of disease in cattle and sheep but can also infect other grazing animals, including horses, donkeys, deer and rabbits. Horses frequently graze the same pastures as sheep and cattle but are thought to be relatively resistant to liver fluke infection. How do you get Read more…
For newcomers to racing who may not know what a lead change is, it is simply the act of horse switching which leg he or she will reach farther forward with in stride. It is crucial to race on an inside lead through the turns because it maintains balance as Read more…
Seat: Push your right seat bone forward toward your horse’s right ear. Right leg: Close your right leg on the girth to ask your horse to go forward during the change. Left leg: Swing your left leg behind the girth to signal the new outside hind leg to strike off Read more…
Stallions perform the flehmen response when investigating or detecting a mare in heat. Many horses do this when they are introduced to a strange new taste or smell, especially after they are given oral medication or a new supplement. Why do horses have the flehmen response? Sharon Crowell-Davis explains that Read more…
The flehmen response draws air into the VNO or Jacobson’s organ, an auxiliary olfactory sense organ that is found in many animals. This organ plays a role in the perception of certain scents and pheromones. What causes the flehmen response in horses? Stallions perform the flehmen response when investigating or Read more…