It is sensible to keep your horse in its familiar environment, in its normal routine, with any companions to make it feel secure. If it is usually stabled, keep it stabled. If it is normally out in the field, keep it there as long as it is safe, secure and Read more…
The primary purpose behind a standing wrap is to give the tendons and ligaments in the horse’s leg more support while preventing excess fluid buildup (also known as stocking up). This is critical for the horse after strenuous work, during trailering, or when they are on stall rest. When should Read more…
Although wisping, banging and strapping sounds a little brutal, if not medieval, they are all actually a form of massage designed to develop and tone the horse’s muscles. The areas worked on are the neck, shoulders and quarters – never do this on bony or sensitive areas. Why do you Read more…
dark brown eyes. True black horses have dark brown eyes, black skin, and wholly black hair coats without any areas of permanently reddish or brownish hair. They may have pink skin beneath any white markings under the areas of white hair, and if such white markings include one or both Read more…
A swirl located between the eyes indicates an easy going, uncomplicated horse. Swirls higher on the forehead indicate intelligence and a more reactive nature. Long swirls, especially those that extend below the eye indicate a friendly and agreeable nature. What does 2 swirls on a horses head mean? For example, Read more…
dark brown Gray horse Skin Usually black, except under white markings present at birth. Eyes Usually dark brown, unless affected by other genes which lighten eye color Other notes When gray gene is present, horse will always become gray, may be masked by white genetics Can horses have grey eyes? Read more…
Internal parasites, poor teeth, recurrent airway obstruction (heaves) and other conditions can rob a horse of the nutrients needed to give him a good hair coat. Do all horses grow a winter coat? There is no question that most horses have the capacity to grow a winter hair coat that Read more…
The change in coat is triggered by photoperiods lengthening (coming into spring) or shortening (coming into autumn). A lengthening photoperiod will reduce the production of melatonin and begin to shed and shorten the coat. A horse’s coat should see changes between 5-8 weeks of a new photoperiod cycle. How can Read more…
Problems that cause a horse to not shed or not shed well: Low thyroid function. Pituitary Pars intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) – Equine Cushing’s Disease which is a disease of the endocrine system affecting the pituitary gland. Parasites. Poor health in general. How do I help my horse shed a winter Read more…
Wear clothing with a slick finish, such as nylon, so hair doesn’t stick to you. Keep barn lights on for 12 hours a day to promote earlier hair loss. Deworm your horse to help jumpstart shedding. Exercise prior to grooming to warm the skin and loosen the hair. How do Read more…