Almost all horses spook (that is, shy, sidepass, jump, spin, rear, and/or bolt when startled and scared). As prey animals in the wild, these evasive maneuvers often saved their lives. Do all horses get spooked? This is particularly true if Read more…
In a painless procedure, tattoos of India ink are stamped on the inside of a horse’s upper lip for identification purposes. Tattooing is just one of many safeguards used to prevent fraudulent substitutions in horse races, known as ringers. Does Read more…
Mud fever boots will help to keep your horse’s legs clean and protected when he’s turned out in muddy conditions. Shires offer two close contact “mud socks” that fit snugly around the contours of your horse’s leg like a second Read more…
Not only does mud make it difficult for horses to move properly, but it can cause slips and falls. Mud also affects a horse’s balance, and standing in mud over the long-term can cause joint pain. If your horse stands Read more…
Some horses seem to be prone to hoof abscesses. This may be because of their living conditions (wet, muddy conditions soften the hoof and predispose to infection) or because of the anatomy of their hooves. What causes horses to get Read more…
Hand Walk or Graze in Shade – Putting a horse back into his stall while still wet can cause him to heat back up, particularly if the air is still. Allowing your horse to fully or partially dry outside in Read more…
Horses are more stressed and spook on windy days because they hear many different sounds and cannot identify predators. The wind also creates additional sounds made by objects blowing in the wind, such as leaves, debris, etc. This can frighten Read more…
Don’t feed moldy hay to horses. Most moldy hay problems are from mold spores, which can produce respiratory disease in horses. Many of the common mold toxins develop in the field during a delayed harvest. If you suspect a mold Read more…
Like us, horses can get stressed and nervous when traveling, competing, or learning the ropes of a new job. They exhibit anxiety in different ways—from excessive chewing or grinding teeth, weight loss, to spooking easily, pacing, rearing, bolting, sweating, or Read more…
For pleasure. Horses roll because it feels good! Wallowing in the dirt scratches an itch they otherwise could not reach. According to Clark, it is also an indication that they are happy and feel safe in their environment. Why do Read more…