In addition to providing honest advice, we at AskHELTIE believe it's important to have a wealth of information available for horse owners. This way, you can expand your knowledge and help your horse to the best of your ability. Together, we ensure that horses come a little closer to nature.
Algae
Skin
Minerals
Silicon
Salmon oil
Why does a horse's immunity decrease during shedding?
When animals shed or are molting, it significantly affects their immune system. This also applies to horses. Good nutrition is especially important during this time because your horse needs a lot of energy, vitamins, and minerals to shed its coat properly. How can you prevent a dip in immunity during shedding?. The physical effort required to shed an old coat and grow a new one demands a lot of energy and nutrients. As a result, the horse's body can pay less attention to fighting off diseases. During this period, the skin may become more sensitive, and small cracks and irritations can allow bacteria and parasites to enter. Moreover, producing a new coat requires extra energy, leaving less energy available for the immune system. Good Nutrition is Essential Good nutrition is therefore crucial during the...
Others
Is draft bad for a horse?
A draft, which is a cold airflow in an indoor space, has a bad reputation. Drafts are often seen as the cause of illnesses, but that's not entirely accurate. However, a draft can make a horse more vulnerable to viruses. It’s important to avoid exposing horses to drafts for long periods. On the other hand, poor ventilation is often a bigger problem for a horse's respiratory system.. A horse can become more susceptible to viruses if it is in a draft or feels cold. Cold weather is generally favorable for viruses, as they thrive in it. Additionally, it takes energy for a horse to stay warm, and that energy is no longer available for the immune system, causing the horse's resistance to drop. Lowered immunity When it’s cold, the blood vessels in the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and airways constrict. This reduces blood flow to the mucous membranes, which means fewer ant...
Guest blog
Stress
Guest blog HOPE for Horses: Sometimes you have to invest first!
I had to laugh a little at this title myself! Anyone who owns horses knows that keeping them is, or can be, quite an investment. As long as your horse is healthy, it’s all manageable, but when health issues arise, the costs can really add up.. I often hear, "My horse doesn't have that," or "My horse doesn't do that," or "My horse isn't bothered by that..." Well, great! Keep it that way! Horses are puzzles When I look at a horse, I actually see puzzle pieces. Either they fit perfectly together, or a few pieces are missing. Sometimes the puzzle has been forced together in a way that it might need to be taken apart first. Many of my clients have horses like this. The pieces have been forced together—at all c...
Algae
Skin
Clove
Salmon oil
Sweet itch
Black cumin
Allergic reactions in horses: How do they occur and what can you do about them?
Does your horse ever have itching, a runny nose, or a slight cough? And do you actually know what causes it? Many horses are allergic to things like dust, pollen, or an ingredient in their feed. How does an allergic reaction occur? And more importantly: what can you do about it?. Here is the English translation: An allergy is an exaggerated reaction of the immune system. The defense system of your horse reacts strongly to substances in the environment that are actually harmless. This disturbed reaction of the immune system can result in itching, eczema, hay fever, coughing, or bumps. Often, you’ll see horses suffering from an allergic reaction scratch, lick, bite, and rub themselves. Congenital or Slowly Developed Allergies are sometimes congenital. For instance, summer...
Rosehip
Rosehip for immunity, how does that work?
Rosehips – the pseudo-fruits of rose plants – are small fruits that horses really enjoy. They are packed with vitamin C. Some people have nibble bushes with rosehips along their paddock or pasture. But even for horses that can’t pick their own rosehips, they are healthy. Rosehip is excellent for boosting immunity.. English Translation: Roses belong to the same family as apples and strawberries. Rose hips are therefore edible, as are the leaves of rose bushes. The taste, color, and sweetness vary by type of rose. All rose hips are vitamin powerhouses, especially high in vitamin C. They also contain many antioxidants and other substances that help keep the body healthy at the cellular level. Rose hips have healing properties Rose hips are rich in polyphenols, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Sc...
Skin
Stress
Feeding
Persistent Mud Fever: Have You Considered Mental Issues?
Nearly all horses encounter mud fever at some point in their lives. Usually, it's a small spot that disappears in a few days. Sometimes, it takes longer, and more spots appear on the legs. But what if you’ve tried almost everything and the mud fever just won’t go away? What if you have everything in order regarding housing and nutrition? What else can you do about mud fever?. Mud Fever Is a Collective Term When people think of mud fever, they often assume it’s caused by wet paddocks, mites, sunburn, or by horse owners who don’t take proper care of their horses. There is often a stigma attached to mud fever, which is completely unjustified! Mud fever is not breed-specific, age-specific, or related to weather conditions. Mud fever is a collective term for sores on the lower half of horses' legs. It’s a term used for wet sores but also for dry, crusty spots. As a horse...
Skin
Mud Fever in Horses: Should You Remove Crusts or Not?
When your horse has mud fever, you might get varying advice. Whether to wash or not, whether to remove crusts or not. How to handle it? It depends on the type of mud fever! We explain it in this article.. Mud fever is a term that can refer to several different skin conditions. It’s often a bacterial infection, but fungi and parasites like mites can also cause skin flakes, inflammation, itching, and spots. Cracks or wounds can also occur with mud fever. To treat mud fever properly, you need to look at the form it takes: Is it ‘dry’ mud fever or ‘wet’ mud fever? Wet Mud Fever If the skin in the coronet and around the mud fever spots is wet from wound fluid or if you see blisters or open inflammatio...
Skin
What is the difference between mud fever and scratches?
When horses have itching and spots on their legs, the terms ‘mud fever’ and ‘scratches’ are often used interchangeably. What is the actual difference? And what can you do if your horse has mud fever or scratches?. Actually, the difference between mud fever and scratches is not so much about what they are, but where they occur. Mud fever is located at the lower parts of the legs, in the pastern area or around the fetlock and cannon bone. Scratches are higher up, usually on the hind legs, often at the front of the hock, and sometimes even higher. However, mud fever and scratches often have the same causes. Collective Term Mud fever is a kind of collective term. It refers to an irritation or inflammation of...
Lymphatic system
Mites
Why mites and CPL are especially common in cold-blooded horses
Itching, scratching, stamping, rubbing, and scratching: horses with thick stockings seem to suffer more often from parasites on their legs, such as mites. The resulting skin problems, mud fever, and sometimes even CPL are also more common in cold-blooded horses. Why is this? And what can you do about these annoying conditions?. Most draft horses and also Friesians have substantial feathering on their legs. This doesn't have to be a problem in itself, and feathering can actually be protective for the underlying skin. However, sometimes all that hair has a concealing effect. You don't notice skin issues as easily when there is a thick coat of hair covering it. Additionally, feathers are warm and provide a good hiding place for parasites. As a result, you might only notice conditions like mud fever or a mite infection whe...
Joints
Silicon
Did you know that silicon stimulates glucosamine production in horses?
Horses with joint issues such as early-stage arthritis or insufficient joint fluid often receive supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin. These are substances that the body uses to build things like cartilage and joint fluid. But did you know that the body also produces these substances on its own? And that this is much more effective than glucosamine or chondroitin absorbed through diet? We explain how it works and how you can stimulate the body's own production of glucosamine for a smoother horse.. Many horse owners give glucosamine as a supplement for joint issues or to make their horses more supple and help them get 'up and running' faster. However, scientific research shows that supplementing with glucosamine has minimal effects. The glucosamine from the supplement must travel through the intestines to reach its destination in the joints, and this absorption process is poor. The mineral silicon, given in a well-absorbed hydrolyzed form, is a much more effective supplement. Silicon stimu...
Skin
Lymphatic system
Mites
What skin problems occur on horses' legs?
Scabs, spots, wounds and flakes: horses regularly have itchy legs. The question is then: what could it be? And above all: what can you do about it? An overview.. Whether you have a KWPN horse with white legs or a Clydesdale with thick socks, every horse can have some spots on its legs. There can be several causes for itching, scabs, and wounds on horse legs: Mud Fever Mites Rain Rot Fungal and Bacterial Infections Mud Fever Mud fever is a general term for skin irritation or inflammation, usually in the pastern area or lower legs. Symptoms include redness, flakes, wounds, scabs, swelling, itching, and/or pain. Mud fever can be caused by bacteria and fungi...
Hooves
Silicon
Silicon as Internal Support for Thrush and Laminitis
Hoof problems are common in horses. For example, thrush can be a persistent issue in wet weather or when horses spend many hours in the stable. Many people treat hoof problems from the outside with sprays, pastes, or oils. However, it is often also wise to support your horse from the inside. This is especially true for thrush and brittle hooves, as well as for laminitis.. Laminitis is a metabolic disease that can have a severe impact on the quality of the hooves. The laminae in the hoof wall can detach, which is very painful for the horse. In the early stages of laminitis, the horse may be slightly sensitive or stumble, and if it progresses, you often see the typical stance with extended front legs to relieve the hooves. Hoof Health from Within For healthy hooves, building materials are necessary. Your horse obtains the building materials for all hoof tissue from...