Study and Self-Assessment Articles

Credit: equimanagement Beet pulp is a high-fiber feed that can support calories, gut fill, and hydration when used correctly. It is popular because it adds digestible fiber without the starch load many owners want to avoid. It is not a magic weight-gain shortcut and it is not right for every horse. The “best” beet pulp plan depends on dentition, eating speed, water access, and how carefully you introduce it. For a quick foundation on how fiber, protein, and energy fit togethe

Equine influenza is one of the fastest-moving respiratory diseases in horses. It spreads easily anywhere horses share airspace, trailers, barns, arenas, or people who handle multiple horses in a day. The flu vaccine is not “for show horses only.” It is a practical risk tool for most horses that board, train, lesson, or travel. Medical disclaimer:  This is general education only. Confirm vaccine choices and timing with your veterinarian based on your region and your horse’s ri

Credit: foxvalleyequine A horse vaccination schedule is really a risk plan. The right timing depends on what your horse is exposed to this year, not what your neighbour does. Boarding barns, training facilities, travel, mosquito season, and outbreak pressure can all change what matters. Use the guide and chart to build a sensible baseline, then have your veterinarian confirm the exact products and timing for your region and your horse. TLDR Start with core protection  most ho

Stall flooring is something you notice every day in the barn. It affects how much you spend on bedding, how long stalls take to clean, how strong the ammonia smells, and how comfortable your horses are when they stand and lie down. Rubber stall mats and stall mattress systems can both work very well if they sit on a solid, gently graded base with a clear drainage plan and a realistic cleaning routine. They can both cause problems if urine has nowhere to go and wet spots are n

Credit: vetspecialists Pigeon fever (aka “dryland distemper”) is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis . Most horses show firm, painful swellings that mature into abscesses—often over the chest (pectoral area), along the belly midline, or on a limb. Cases rise in warm, dry months and spread via flies and contaminated equipment or hands. Your first move is safety: isolate the horse , start a vitals log every 30–60 minutes  (temperature, heart rate,

Credit: Equestology Mud fever—also called pastern dermatitis or scratches—is a skin infection that targets the pasterns and fetlocks, often the hind limbs. Wet, muddy footing plus tiny skin nicks lets bacteria/yeast/mites take hold. Your first moves are simple and safe: bring the horse onto dry footing, part or lightly trim hair so you can see skin, do one gentle clean and full dry, then apply a thin, breathable barrier only when the skin is dry. Avoid heavy pastes on damp sk

When colic strikes, you don’t have time to hunt for tools or guess what to do next. An Emergency Colic Kit puts the right items in one place—thermometer with lube, stethoscope, watch, headlamp, gloves, notepad—and pairs them with a simple, first-hour plan: observe behavior, take time-stamped vitals, and call with a clear trend. This guide shows exactly what to pack, how to measure, and when numbers cross into “call now.” We’ll keep it owner-safe and practical: short steps, re

Strangles spreads quickly because barns share water, handlers, and tack—and the first signs can look like “just a cold.” The difference is how fast fever and throatlatch lymph node swelling show up and how easily secretions move from horse to horse. This guide gives you the practical side: the early signs owners actually see, the first 24-hour isolation steps that limit spread, barn biosecurity that works in the real world, when and how testing clears quarantine, and where va

Learn about the gait deviation called paddling or winging out - what causes it, and whether it's considered an issue for the horse.

Learn the causes, consequences, and management strategies for interfering: a common equine gait fault.

Understand "forging", a common gait fault in horses. Learn its causes, consequences, and corrective approaches.

Rain rot leads to scabs that cause the hair to fall out in clumps Rain rot—also commonly known as mud fever , rain scald , or scratches...

Learn what causes high-low syndrome, or uneven feet, in horses.

Learn how to spot equine lameness in this comprehensive guide.

Learn the cause, treatment and prevention of quarter cracks

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a prevalent, complex metabolic disorder affecting horses, ponies, and donkeys, characterized by...

Hydration is one of the most overlooked aspects of daily horse care, yet it plays a crucial role in nearly every system in a horse’s body. Whether it’s scorching summer heat, a long trailer ride, or an intense training session, horses lose water through sweat, respiration, and even manure more quickly than most people realize. Dehydration can sneak up quietly, showing only subtle signs—until it becomes an emergency. That’s why every horse owner should know how to perform quic

Credit: The horse If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is my horse’s heart rate normal?”  — you’re already thinking like a responsible horse owner. Just like in humans, average heart rate for a horse is one of the clearest windows into what’s happening internally. Whether your horse is resting in the stall or just finished a workout, their pulse can reveal signs of stress, pain, fitness, or something more serious. In this post, we’ll break down what counts as a normal heart rate,

Learn the basics of equine nutrition in this easy-to-understand breakdown.

This article dives deeper into the equine nervous system. Learn how this system influences movement, emotion, coordination, and neurological disorders.