Horses

A big decision when installing mats in a horse stall is what kind of mats you want to use. Mats come in varying forms, including those that can be cut to fit with a utility knife. These type of...

Leather split reins can be attached to a bridle's bit by leather fobs or "slobber straps," which keep the horse's saliva (and water when a horse drinks) from discoloring or damaging the reins....

Between farm calls, medication and procedures, a horse's medical costs can add up quickly, especially if there are complications with your horse's ailment. If surgery or radiographs are involved,...

Muddy stalls can be both useful and harmful for horse owners. Some moisture in the stall area ensures that the horse's hooves are moist and will not crack. Too much moisture, however, can cause...

Believe it or not, horses are just like people. They have good days and bad days, and, yes, some act a little crazy at times. If you purchased a problem horse, then he's more than likely still a...

If you're one of the many horse crazy kids entering college and have grown up around horses or perhaps you've never gotten a chance to ride in the past but have always wanted to find a way to...

Equine thrush is a bacterial infection, F. necrophorum, which develops in moist airless areas of the hoof, especially the frog. The frog is a heart-shaped muscle in the center of the hoof. If...

The D-ring snaffle is one of the most popular, and one of the most versatile, bits in the equine world. This widely used bit can be used for everything from breaking young horses to competing on...

Maybe you have taken your child to a fair and he was delighted with those little ponies. They are not ponies, however. They are miniature horses. Mini horses are a breed that is currently being...

There really is no safe child's horse. There are levels of dependability, but when you're dealing with a big animal who has a built-in "flight" instinct, there will always be a level of danger....

Rope halters are an excellent choice for horse owners. They have no hardware to break and are as strong and rot resistant as the material from which they are made. In addition, they are almost...

Horse health is important in any setting. In most cases preventative health care is sufficient to keep a horse healthy. In the case of equine mange the only prevention is keeping your horse away...

Leather saddles need to be cleaned of mold, which can quickly erode and destroy the leather surface of the saddle. Mold also can cause an infection on the horse if it makes contact with the...

Many riders prefer roughout(suede)saddles for the grip it provides. For this reason, they are also popular as training saddles. However, roughout cannot be cleaned with traditional leather oils...

Horses are constantly growing and replacing their coats. Most horses and ponies grow two coats a year: a heavier one for winter and a lighter one for summer. These coats have a natural sheen and...

If you're an experienced rider ready to buy a horse but short on cash, there is a way to practice owning a horse before laying out the money to buy one. You can feed lease the horse. Terms of a...

Equine physical therapy is considered a "developing field" by practicing physical therapist Jennifer Brooks. According to Brooks's article "What Can Physical Therapy Do For My Horse?" it is more...

A leather harness performs the important task of helping you control an animal, such as a horse, when it is hooked up to a carriage or cart. With regular use, the harness will become dirty and...

PMU horses are used to make a form of estrogen for human females to take to help with menopause. The animals if not sold privately will be sold into slaughter. They make great riding and driving...

Cushing's Disease, or Cushing's Syndrome, is often thought of as a disease that only afflicts older horses, however, it has been known to occur in horses as young as eight years old or younger...

Hair loss in ponies is not always a health issue. Some horses develop bare patches when shedding the winter or summer hair coats, and the hair grows back as the new seasonal coat grows in. There...

Horse owners use a foaling stall for a mare and her new foal, and for stallions and injured horses. Foaling stalls are larger than typical box stalls to accommodate these special needs. The most...

Just like with a car, when buying a horse, there's the all-important test drive. Before the test drive, gather as much information about the horse as possible--vet history, foot issues,...

Breeches are stretchy, yet tight-fitting, riding pants used mainly by dressage and jumping riders. Breeches are different from jodhpurs in that they extend to mid-calf length as opposed to...

There are numerous reasons why horse owners may want to add a ramp to their step-up trailer. Perhaps they have a horse who is difficult to load. Step-up trailers can also cause problems for some...

Equine colic is a blanket term used to describe any condition in which a horse demonstrates signs of abdominal pain. Sometimes a blockage of undigested food somewhere along the gastrointestinal...

Making sweet tea for your horse is a quick and easy way to increase water consumption or just give your horse a special treat. In some disease states, such as kidney disease, your veterinarian may...

While there are definitely times that horse owners will need to turn to a professional trainer for help and advice, many experienced equestrians find that training their own horses from the ground...

Adequan (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan or PSGAG) is used in veterinary medicine to treat non-infectious degenerative joint disease (DJD) in horses. According to its manufacturer, Adequan is the...

Dryland distemper, colloquially known as pigeon fever, is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. While this equine disease has been documented worldwide, outbreaks in the...

There are many options for horse owners in providing proper nutrition for their horses. While the majority of a horse's nutrition comes from forages such as grasses and hays, mixed feeds and...

Pregnant horses, like pregnant people, have specific nutritional needs so they can support both themselves and their growing babies. Knowing what to feed and when to feed it is paramount to...

A responsible horse owner knows how important it is to put her horse on a worming schedule in order to keep parasites at bay. While tapeworms are not usually a danger to horses, they still have a...

Once you've determined, through forage and feed analysis or veterinary examination and testing, that your horse's diet is mineral-deficient, you can easily supplement those nutrients. The hard...

A turnout blanket is designed to keep a horse warm and dry through the winter when it is turned out to pasture.

There are more than 2,500 species of palm trees. Some of these species are toxic and harmful to horses. For example, the Sago Palm and the Fern Palm are toxic and 1-2 seeds can be fatal to a...

When it comes to caring for a major equine injury, few things are as simple and as effective as Epsom salts. Primarily magnesium, the crystals could easily be grown at home using just basic...

Wild horses don't spend long hours on hard pavement, jumping over obstacles or chasing cows. Domesticated horses are asked to do all that and more, which is why a hard-working horse needs shoes to...

Flax seed can be an ideal addition to a horse's feeding program. Flax, when properly prepared and measured, offers a host of nutritional benefits, can be easy to feed, and is economical to provide.

Hay racks hold hay so that it does not fall onto the ground in the feeding area and get dirty or wasted. The design of hay racks will allow airflow through bars or squares so that it keeps the hay...

No matter what breed of horse you own or what type of riding you do, it is important to provide your equine companion with the best nutrition possible. Horses were designed by nature to be...

You may be buying a young horse for future riding, or perhaps you already own the animal and you want to decide whether or not to sell it, based on whether its ultimate size will suit your...

Veterinarians differ in their opinions of what causes navicular disease. According to Equine Natural Therapy, possible causes include fracture of the bone, tendonitis, reduced blood supply...