Fiber
Unlike humans, horses are able to extract energy from the fiber in their diet. The fiber is converted to volatile fatty acids (VFAs) by a bacterial fermentation process in the hindgut; the VFAs are then used to synthesize glucose...
Q: Can you feed a purebred Arabian straight alfalfa? I have an 8-year-old Arabian mare who is underweight. The vet said to put her on alfalfa and grain, but the owner of my boarding stable says that straight alfalfa...
Q: My horse has been diagnosed with severe ringbone. I know he’ll never be ridden again, but I want to keep him pasture sound. Is there any medicine to help keep him comfortable? I don’t want to keep him...
Equine influenza is a respiratory virus that is very common in horses. Highly contagious, this disease can be avoided with a proper vaccination program.The influenza virus family is made of three different types: A, B, and C. Types B...
If you are a pleasure rider or only work your horse hard occasionally, his diet will differ from that of a high-performance competition horse.Both types of horses need to have a dietary foundation of high-fiber roughage—either hay or pasture....
Q:
I have a 5-year-old Paint gelding who has been diagnosed with pedal osteitis. I have done what my veterinarian has suggested: lower his heels, use Equi-pak as a pad and feed a mineral supplement. I have seen little improvement....
We all know it’s important to vaccinate our horses, but do we really know a lot about the diseases we are trying to guard against? Understanding these diseases can go a long way toward helping you make educated decisions...
You’ve spent many months planning and waiting for your new foal. It’s important that you take steps to protect him during his first year of life with vaccinations that can keep him healthy and even save his life.
At one...
There has been a surge in reported cases of Pigeon Fever in Texas during the past year. With summer and fly season in full swing, now is the perfect time for horse owners to become aware and educated about...
Q: I have a nice pasture at my house and I’m thinking about bringing home a Miniature Horse. However, my pasture has various fruit trees, including apple, fig and black walnut, among others. Is it safe to keep a...
