My veterinarian recently diagnosed my 14-year-old Quarter Horse mare that competes in barrel racing at rodeos and jackpots with proximal suspensory desmitis. He mentioned shock wave therapy as a treatment option, but I’m curious: How quickly does it heal these types of injuries? I’m finding good things about the therapy, but minimal on the speed
Continue Reading...Why Do Horses Buck?
Skippy was almost aptly named. He didn’t skip, but he did hop and jump. And to his owner’s great regret, Skippy bucked. “He was a horrible ride,” recalls Amber Cash of Newark, Delaware. “He kicked, he bucked, he bit, he would run and not stop. I thought I could train it out of him, but
Continue Reading...One in four horses’ bits don’t fit, research finds
Many owners are using bits that do not fit, new research suggests, as the importance of giving more consideration to a horse’s breed, age and sex in mouthpiece choice is highlighted. In the study, researchers from the University of Helsinki looked at the variation in oral dimensions between 554 horses and ponies – including types such as warmbloods, Connemaras
Continue Reading...13 bridles you might like in your tack room
The best bridles for your horse won’t be the same as the best bridle options for his field mate – it all depends on the size and shape of his head, what discipline you do, how he goes and what works for him. If you’re not looking for an anatomical bridle, but something a bit more traditional, a
Continue Reading...A new way to evaluate loss of muscle mass in horses
A new scoring system developed by researchers at the University of Kentucky (UK) and beyond, promises to take some of the guesswork out of detecting and monitoring loss of muscle mass in horses. The Muscle Atrophy Scoring System (MASS) is similar to the Body Condition Score (BCS) system, the nine-point scale designed to assess equine body
Continue Reading...When Resistance Develops Suddenly
When a horse becomes resistant out of the blue, it’s important to determine the reason for the resistance. Trainer Tim Hayes discusses how to fix the problem. Q: I’ve owned my 6-year-old Fox Trotter gelding for three years, but just last year he started to periodically balk when my husband or I rode him. He stops
Continue Reading...How to easily improve your dressage test…and your score
Nail your first halt A good first impression goes a long way in any aspect of life, but so too in Dressage. A super first halt can mean the difference between having to start straight away fighting for those points to push your score back up, or it could be the benchmark to begin your
Continue Reading...Washington Horse Tests Positive for Strangles
The Washington State Veterinarian’s Office confirmed on June 4 that a horse at a boarding facility in Spokane County, Washington, tested positive for strangles. One other horse on the property was exposed. The horse is under private veterinary care, and biosecurity measures have been implemented. EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that
Continue Reading...Third California Horse Tests Positive for EHV-1
On June 6, a 7-year-old Holsteiner mare in San Mateo County, California, tested positive for equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM, the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus type 1). She was referred to a veterinary hospital after developing a fever and mild neurologic signs and is currently isolated and quarantined. The mare participated at an event in
Continue Reading...Longe Lessons at the Spanish Riding School
Having a good seat is a way of life at the Spanish Riding School (SRS). But getting a good seat isn’t an easy task, nor is it a quick one. For most of us seeking to ride in harmony with the horse, spending a few years riding without stirrups or reins in longe lessons might
Continue Reading...Tongue Resistance in the Dressage Horse
Q: My 9-year-old gelding has a habit that seems to be getting worse instead of better. I have regular instruction—dressage basics with some jumping. But when I ask my horse to accept more contact, he hangs his tongue out of the right side of his mouth. The more contact I take, the more he sticks his
Continue Reading...What Is The Best Type Of Goat For Horse Companion?
If you’re trying to find a new friend for your horse, you might be wondering what is the best type of goat for horse companion. Let’s find out everything you need to know about keeping goats with horses, and the best types of goats to get! All horses should live with another animal, preferably a horse
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