Holistic Horse Care

The hoof and sole can bruise, causing pain and lameness

What is Hoof Bruising?


On a healthy foot the sole will be slightly concave, elevated off the ground.  If the sole bears pressure it will often bruise, causing lameness, and may develop into an abscess. 

Do not give carrot to your overweight horse and horses prone to laminities.  

An article by Susan Domizi talks about the benefit of seaweed to your horse.

Seaweeds are best known as the richest natural source of iodine.  Although iodine deficiency alone impairs thyroid function, deficiencies of other nutrients found in seaweeds, such as zinc, selenium, and manganese, can exacerbate the effects of iodine deficiency and impede healthy thyroid function.

Summer is here and is here to stay!

We have heard Rosehip does magic to pain but have you heard:

- Rosehip was nearly three times more effective at reducing osteoarthritis pain

- Rosehip was also 40 percent more effective than the common alternative osteoarthritis remedy glucosamine

An article by Hilary Moore on digestive health of spot horses.  Digestive health of horses are linked to the followings:

- Dressage horses prone to have ulcers (over 50%)

- Feeding routine (empty stomach during work, horse shows and daily stabling) leads to ulcers

- Feeding Bute can lead to ulcers.

Q&A with Judith Shoemaker, DVM on arthritis supplement

An article by Dr. Bill Ormston on what we can do if your horse has been diagnosed with kissing spines?

Kissing spines may be a major component in sore backs in horses.   It is usually considered a congenital problem, meaning it has been there since the birth of your horse.

Do you know we could be contributing to our horse back pain?  The article is an excerpted from Hands-On Senior Horse Care.  But most of these are really just common sense:

-    Putting cold water on a hot back,

-    Inadequate warm-up/cool-down,