Horses

Horses are large, athletic animals whose bodies are often put under a lot of stress. This can lead to many problems with their muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Ultrasound therapy can be used in...

Horses love to play with one another or alone. When horses gets bored, they are much like other animals, they will find ways to entertain themselves. Sometimes they will chew on their stalls. ...

Horses with itching ears will often shake their heads, rub their ears on walls or fences and hold a particular ear drooped to one side. They can be extremely "head shy"--meaning they don't want...

One essential task of horsemanship is knowing how to properly and safely catch a horse in a pasture or field. Catching a horse is the first step in working with the horse on the ground or riding....

As with all species in the animal kingdom, horses dominate, protect, bully, and submit to other horses in order to establish a pecking order. This order keeps all members of the herd safe, and...

Clydesdale horses were developed in the early 19th century in the part of Scotland that was known as Clydesdale at the time. Today the area is called Lanarkshire. The breed was created by a cross...

Horses have been an important part of human history for thousands of years. Used by man in wars, for transportation and as working companions, horses have proved invaluable to nearly every...

Equine massage is becoming increasingly popular as a way to help horses reach and maintain peak performance. Race horses, show horses and work horses all benefit from the healing touch of massage....

A horse that is irritable, seems to be in pain shortly after eating, has had stomach ulcers or has had Bute or Banamine, may have hind gut ulcers. Horses do most of their digesting in the hind...

Environmental triggers such as mold, dust and grass proteins are the most common causes of equine allergies. However, sometimes horses develop allergies with little or no warning. At the initial...

Disorders of the pituitary gland can lead to a hormonal imbalance known as Cushing's disease in horses. The disease occurs most often in older horses, with 20 being the average age of diagnosis,...

When you're training a horse, you might not always get the ideal personality to work with. Horses can easily become bored, unfocused, fearful or skittish. According to Catherine Bird, an...

Miniature horses or ponies are smaller versions of full-sized horses. To be considered a miniature, an animal must be no taller than 34 inches. In 1978, the American Miniature Horse Association...

Renal failure happens in horses when the kidneys stop functioning properly. According to "Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook," symptoms of renal failure in the horse do not appear until about 70...

Many horse owners give vaccinations to their horses themselves to save on time and money. The majority of vaccines are intramuscular (IM) injections (although some may be given as a subcutaneous...

Horse manure is recycled grass. No major disease has ever been linked to exposure to horses or horse manure, even among veterinarians or others who care for horses. However, poor hygiene while...

Ringworm is a contagious infection that can be passed on to other horses, even if the horses never meet. There are ways to treat and prevent ringworm, but it will take special care to get rid of...

Whether you are planning a hunting trip or just a getaway in the great outdoors, a horseback trip can be an excellent choice. Horses have been used to carry gear for centuries, and pack horses...

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a neurological disease in horses caused by a parasite, sarcocystis neurona, which is carried by birds and then picked up by opossums. Horses become...

If you have kids and horses, chances are those youngsters are anxious to take their first ride. But it is important to prepare carefully. Many young children, especially those with limited...

Suspensory ligaments run from a horse's knee (in the foreleg) or hock (in the rear leg) down each side of the cannon bone, supporting the fetlock joint. When a suspensory ligament is...

While horses have such regal stature and they are awfully strong, their digestive tract can be one of the most fragile systems in their bodies. Diarrhea can be caused by a change in environment,...

Two species of lice feed on horses. Haematopinus asini, or H. asini, are a sucking type of lice often found at the base of longer hair such as the mane, tail, forelock and just above the hooves....

The horse flu, also known as equine influenza or EI, refers to the varieties of influenza virus A specific to horses. There is no known cure for this particular disease in the equestrian world. So...

Most people who have shown horses have run across the horse who performed perfectly at home only to explode in the show ring. This can be a frustrating experience for horse owners and horse...

Insulin resistance is a problem that has been around for a long time but has just recently been identified in horses. It is akin to Cushing's disease in that it causes many of the same problems in...

Horses are large, athletic animals and their joints take a lot of weight and stress. Over time, their cartilage can wear down, causing the bones to rub against each other. Many horses will develop...

Horses can be allergic to one or more elements in their environment. Your horse may have never experienced allergic symptoms to a particular element before, but now the same trigger is causing an...

Probiotics -- the term means "for life" -- have been used for decades in horses. They are dietary supplements that include live, beneficial bacteria. A 2006 study by Veronique Julliand of the...

Proper diet is an essential part of protecting the health of your horse. Whether your horse is in active competition or just used for light riding, it is important to follow a sensible feeding...

The Gypsy horse--also known as Gypsy Vanner, Gypsy Cob and Tinker horse--is a strong work horse, yet gentle and attractive.

According to Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook, horses should never be given antibiotics unless they are sick, injured or undergoing surgery. This is because of the risk of side effects from...

No matter the age of your horse, it is important that he receive proper nutrition for optimal health. Good nutrition is vital for any horse, but it is even more essential for performance horses....

Many older horses fall prey to arthritis and other joint problems as they age, and it is important for horse owners to be on the lookout for signs of discomfort in their equine companions....

Pulling back is a result of claustrophobic panic. The horse feels trapped and tries to escape. Generally these type of horses believe the way out is to fly right through something at all costs....

Many horse owners and vets are increasingly concerned about their horse’s digestion and colic related symptoms caused by poor nutrient absorption in the horses of all ages which is often combined...

According to the Merk Veterinary Manual, mange in horses is extremely rare in the United States. The three main types of mange exist. Sarcoptic Mange is the rarest, but most severe. Psoroptic...

Gypsy horses have been the friends and companions of travelers for centuries, and their gentle nature and laid-back attitude makes them perfect mounts for both adults and children. In fact, many...

Equine remedial therapy is also known as equine massage therapy and is an emerging practice for treating sports injuries in horse athletes. The horses used for races and other athletic events...

Want to buy a miniature horse? Believe it or not, some people keep miniature horses or Shetland ponies as pets in their houses. Miniature horses can be fun for your kids and family and actually...

Winstrol-V, formerly known as Stanozolol, is considered an anabolic steroid. When administered to horses, its tissue-building (anabolic) properties are much greater than its masculinizing...

Horse's teeth grow their entire lives. Senior horses, in particular, need to have their teeth floated (filed) as needed for this reason. It also means that as horses age, their teeth can literally...

Acupressure is is form of acupuncture but pressure is applied with fingers and hands instead of needles. Humans have benefited from theses practices for thousands of years, but equine acupressure...

Installing an electric fence is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to keep your horses where they belong. Electric fences can be set up in under an hour, and these sturdy fences can be a very...

Thinking about adopting a equine friend? Need a helpful article that will help you along? Well, look no further!

Just like humans, horses are susceptible to certain diseases that can be prevented by vaccinating your horse. The vaccines you give and how often depend a lot on what type of horse operation you...

Many horses are overweight. Diet, exercise, environment and health issues can all contribute to your draft horse's obesity. Horses are designed to eat all day, so it can be difficult to restrict...

Urinary tract infections in horses are very rare. Fortunately, horses with UTIs exhibit recognizable signs and, once the condition is definitively diagnosed, it is easily treatable.

Cushing's disease is a condition where the horse's endocrine system produces too much of the corticosteroid hormone cortisol. The high level of cortisol has many effects on the horse, including...

Pinworms are parasites found in the horse's rectum that are thin and about an inch and three-quarters long. Most of the dewormers available on the market for horses are effective against pinworms,...