Domesticated, or tamed, horses can live in almost any habitat, but wild horses prefer plains, prairies, and steppes for many reasons. Horses need wide open spaces for defense purposes, and they need some shelter, like trees or cliffs, to protect Read more…
FRONT END EXERCISES Riding Downhill. An excellent way to strengthen your horse’s front end is to ride downhill. Stretching Moves of the Head and Neck. Here’s one with good research behind it: Dr. Backing. Riding Uphill. Irregular Cavalletti. Poles in Read more…
One common cause of hind limb weakness, or paresis, is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis. EPM is caused by Sarcocystis neurona, a microscopic protozoa, that migrates randomly through the spinal cord and brain. It can affect any limb and the signs may Read more…
Lack of the right kind of exercise, poor nutrition, degenerative muscle conditions, and chronic systemic disease can all cause loss of muscle mass along the top-line. In older horses, PPID (Cushings Disease) may also contribute to this appearance. How do Read more…
Horses commonly lose muscle mass due to stall rest, a lack of work, and age, according to Sotela. “Chronic lameness in the limbs or spine or neurologic disease can also decrease muscle mass,” she adds. Working with a veterinarian to Read more…
Alfalfa hay will make a horse hot, or crazy. Alfalfa provides a significant amount of calories; however, an excess of calories in any form, whether from alfalfa, grain or oil, without the exercise to burn them, can result in an Read more…
Ride a 20m circle in trot, making regular changes of pace within the gait. Constantly check how your horse is reacting to your leg, and adapt the aid accordingly if he’s being lazy. Progress to walk-to-canter transitions on a circle. Read more…
Most commonly, those who use it hope the baking soda will prevent ulcers by buffering acid in the horse’s digestive system, or help a horse get over the rigors of training by buffering lactic acid that accumulates in its muscles Read more…
Adding vegetable oil, such as canola oil, is a useful way to boost the caloric density of your horse’s diet without significantly increasing his feed intake. Another fat source to consider is stabilized rice bran, a high-fat supplement that is Read more…
Your location should have solid footing that’s not too deep. We recommend arena footing or otherwise. Use caution if you’re lunging on grass as your horse can easily slip on wet grass around the circle. Is it OK to lunge Read more…