In short, stereotypic behaviors are known to begin from lack of sufficient exercise, absence of fiber in the diet, too much confinement in stalls, uncomfortable living conditions, such as poor ventilation, poor lighting, wind drafts, or being restricted or tied, Read more…
Hang a couple of milk jugs from a rope and fill the jugs with pebbles, something to make a little noise to help curb horse stall boredom. This works well for younger horses especially – once they figure out how Read more…
Central fatigue is different. This refers to processes in the brain where the muscles may have the capacity to exercise, but the brain overrides this and makes the horse slow down. Central fatigue can be due to a variety of Read more…
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…