Twice a year, our horses have a strenuous job to do: when they shed their coats, they need to perform at their best because their metabolism is working overtime. Some older or sick horses struggle with this. As a horse owner, you can help your horse get through the coat change more relaxed.
Everything still feels like summer, you're wearing a T-shirt and smiling in the sun, while the first signs of fur are already becoming noticeable when you groom your horse. Or you're still enjoying the beautiful snowy landscape, while your horse is already shaking off its winter coat in January. The coat change is controlled by photoperiod, i.e., the length of daylight, and can sometimes start unexpectedly. Whether it's summer or winter coat, the metabolism really gets going. In healthy horses, you probably hardly notice it, but conscious feeding will certainly do your horse good, as its nutrient requirements are increased during this time. Perhaps you could simply feed a few extras during this time as a kind of coat change cure.
In weakened horses, the coat change can place a heavy strain on the immune system, for example in old or sick horses, as well as in pregnant mares, who ultimately have another major task to accomplish.
If you notice that your horse is having difficulty with the coat change, it is advisable to seek help from a veterinarian. A blood test can be used to determine whether there is a deficiency in certain substances. The veterinarian can also clarify whether there is a metabolic disorder behind it.
They exist, those little helpers among minerals and vitamins. Some horse owners feed herbal mixtures as a preventive measure, for example. Cod liver oil is also recommended.
If a deficiency has been identified in a blood test, you should consult your veterinarian to find the right product to remedy the deficiency. Keep in mind that some vitamins require others in order for the body to absorb them properly.
Here is an overview:
It is important that you only feed your pet a suitable product after consulting your veterinarian. Too much is just as harmful as too little.
In addition to a supportive diet, you can also do something for your horse during the coat change. Thorough brushing stimulates blood circulation, is good for the coat and skin, and also has a feel-good effect for many horses.
Finally, all that remains is to wish you and your horse a smooth transition through the seasons!
During intraocular pressure measurement (=tonometry), a special pressure measuring device (=tonometer) is used to measure the physical pressure inside the eye.
Hematology is a branch of internal medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. Hematological diseases include anemia, blood clotting disorders, cancer of the blood-forming cells or lymphatic system, and autoimmune diseases of the blood.
Many eye surgeries that have long been common in humans are now also performed on animals. There are now a number of veterinary specialists in ophthalmology (=ophthalmologists).
Even after centuries of domestication and selective breeding, the horse remains a flight animal. While some behaviors may be undesirable to us humans, they are not behavioral disorders, as they are part of the horse’s natural nature. These include, for example, shying, bucking, or bolting. Kicking, on the other hand, is a typical behavioral disorder.
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in dogs. This aggressive tumor develops in the bone, has a high metastasis rate (spread rate), and occurs mainly in large dogs and giant breeds. Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Greyhounds are at increased risk of developing osteosarcoma. In these breeds, the tumors mainly occur in the long bones of the limbs. Smaller dog breeds are significantly less affected. Here, the tumors are more likely to be found on the short, flat bones of the trunk.
For a long time, stomach ulcers in horses were considered an “occupational hazard” for racehorses and show horses. It was believed that early training, the stress of the racetrack, or frequent travel to competitions triggered the development of stomach ulcers. However, we now know that this condition affects horses of all breeds and performance levels. Even a children’s pony that appears to be grazing peacefully in a pasture can suffer from a stomach ulcer. While approximately 90 percent of all racehorses are still affected by stomach ulcers, the proportion of affected leisure horses ranges from 30 to 60 percent, and among sport horses, it reaches up to 65 percent.
Summer eczema is a recurring allergic skin disease in horses that manifests itself in severe itching and hairless, open patches of skin. The disease can occur in horses of all breeds, although Icelandic horses, Norwegian horses, Shetland ponies, and Haflingers are significantly more commonly affected, while warmbloods tend to be affected less frequently.
Corneal ulcer, also known as corneal ulceration, is one of the most common eye diseases in horses. It is not a growth, but rather a tissue defect that does not heal chronically and can vary in severity. The treatment of a corneal ulcer can be very frustrating, and untreated or incorrectly treated corneal ulcers can lead to serious visual impairment or even loss of the eye.
As a general rule, every dog needs a certain amount of grooming, some more than others. For some dogs, it is even worth taking them to a professional groomer. As a dog owner, you can also do some grooming yourself at home.
Taking in a foal and choosing the long road to happiness on horseback is a real adventure! It is an opportunity to form a bond that can mature over many years and to watch a foal grow into a horse. But it also requires commitment on your part.
Doesn't every rider dream of an unforgettable ride on their four-legged favorite? Whether over hill and dale, along the coast, or simply from place to place. The feeling of sitting relaxed on your horse with the wind in your hair is amazing. Exploring nature together, perhaps racing neck and neck in a riding group or bravely riding into a lake to swim – you probably have all these images and stories of wonderful riding trips with happy horse-rider pairs in your head right now. We all know that it's not always sunshine and roses on four hooves and that some riders work up quite a sweat when riding through unfamiliar terrain. But with a little preparation and a few precautions, you can create the right conditions for returning from your ride full of enthusiasm and wonderful memories.
Almost all of us are familiar with asthma in humans. Chronic respiratory diseases are also becoming increasingly common in horses. These chronic conditions are usually preceded by acute bronchitis.
