A horse’s kick is extremely powerful and can cause severe, even fatal injuries. Many riders have experienced broken bones, deep lacerations from a hoof, and even cardiac arrest if the kick landed on their chest. It is also extremely possible to suffer from head injuries that can be fatal if Read more…
A kick to the arm or leg can cause a fracture, the bone will show deformity and the casualty will tell you where it hurts! A nasty kick to the chest or stomach could result in internal bleeding. Find out more about dealing with horse kick injuries and internal bleeding Read more…
5 Best Horse Bits for Trail Riding Success Mullen Training Bit. Full-Cheek French Link Snaffle. Curb Bit With Copper Roller. Pelham Bit. Single Jointed Snaffle. What is the best bit for a horse that pulls? Myler combination bits often work well, the 30 04 being popular or the 30 42 Read more…
Another great way to encourage a new horse to get on the bit is by asking them to flex left and right, then hold the pressure in both reins to signal for them to soften and round their necks. The flexing motion will engage the neck muscles that will be Read more…
The 10 Best Horse Bits Copper Lozenge Link Eggbutt Snaffle Horse Bit — Best All-Purpose Bit. Stubben Easy-Control Loose Ring Snaffle Horse Bit — Best for Beginners. JP Korsteel Blue Steel Oval Link Loose Ring Snaffle Bit — Best for Barrel Racing. What is the best kind of bit to Read more…
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease found in many animals. It is zoonotic, which means it can also be spread to humans. Horses become infected when mucus membranes (in their eyes, mouth, and nose) or cuts and scratches on the legs contact infected urine or blood. What diseases can humans get Read more…
No definitive antemortem (before-death) test exists for rabies in horses. Clinical signs are suggestive but nondiagnostic. The diagnosis is made by postmortem (after-death) evaluation of the brain of the suspected animal. How do you check if an animal has rabies? You can’t tell if an animal has rabies by just Read more…
The mouthpiece of the bit does not rest on the teeth of the horse, but rather rests on the gums or “bars” of the horse’s mouth in an interdental space behind the front incisors and in front of the back molars. How tight should a bit be in a horses Read more…
Immune functions decline as a horse ages… Immunosenescence can lead to increased risk of illness and may reduce response to vaccinations. This is why it’s commonly recommended for older horses (and humans) to receive the flu vaccination. As the body ages, inflammation naturally increases. How do you keep an old Read more…
Risk of Tetanus The good news, however, is that tetanus is not contagious, so it is not passed from horse to horse. Horses can become infected through gastric or intestinal ulcers after eating contaminated soil or droppings. Wounds, especially deep wounds, are a key source of infection. How is tetanus Read more…