‘People ask me how we keep winning – the answer is Vetrofen!’ Horses and ponies are classed as veterans on their 15th birthday. But this doesn’t mean the retirement paddock beckons! Just as with people, modern advances in medicine and nutrition are helping keep senior equines active and healthy well into their twilight years. Read […]
Category Archives: Equine Health
With its golden colours and crisp days, autumn is a favourite time of year for many. But as the seasons change it’s important to think about your horse’s digestive system and gut health. Just as in humans, the gut is a key barometer of health, wellbeing and vitality in equines. The digestive system’s role is […]
Part and parcel of being a competition horse is spending long periods of time on the road. While some horses take travelling in their stride, for others it can be a stressful experience — and this can have a knock-on effect on their gastric health. Aside from travelling, there are any number of other scenarios […]
Many plants are safe for horses to eat, but there are also a considerable number of plants that are poisonous growing in the UK. When consumed, reactions can range from mild irritation to severe colic or even death. As an equestrian, it’s incredibly important to know the names of these plants that are poisonous to […]
Cracked hooves are a fairly common problem that will affect almost every horse throughout their lifetime. In most cases, small cracks and chips are nothing to worry about and are simply superficial damage, but sometimes a hoof crack can be a serious issue that can cause lameness and infections. In this guide, we look at […]
Laminitis is a painful and unfortunately, common disease that affects one in ten horses each year. Where it can’t be completely cured, it can be managed and in many instances, laminitis can be prevented, so it’s very important to understand what to look out for. In this guide, we look at what causes laminitis in […]
The Irish Sports Horse (ISH) is an athletic breed that’s highly regarded as an eventer due to their incredible jump, speed and strength. Energetic and eager to learn, this is a horse breed that can excel in just about any sphere and really thrives when it has a job to do. Vital Stats Weight: 544 […]
Sweet itch in horses is one of the most common skin diseases and affects around five per cent of the UK’s equine population. Also known as Summer Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis or Equine Insect Bite Hypersensitivity, the condition is a lifelong, irritating issue which requires careful management to ensure your horse has the best possible quality […]
Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that affects members of the Equidae family (horses, donkeys, and zebras). It can rapidly spread through unvaccinated horses, which is why it’s extremely important to complete the initial vaccine programme and stay up to date with yearly boosters. On the upside, equine flu is generally not a […]
Winter is notoriously wet in the UK. When the cold weather and shorter days roll around, we’re typically met with constant rain, which means our fields soon turn into bogs and our horses become literal mud monsters. Aside from making horse ownership rather unpleasant, our damp winters also bring about a variety of issues, one […]