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.
Joints
Silicon
Neck Osteoarthritis in Horses: Genetic or Not?
The long neck of horses plays an important role in movement and balance. Abnormalities and pain in the neck can therefore have significant consequences for the function of a (sport) horse. The movement from back to front over the topline is essentially interrupted when there is a problem in the neck.. Often, the neck is the first thing people look at in a dressage horse. For jumping horses, the neck is an essential instrument for basculing over the jump. But the neck is not an isolated area. When there is a blockage in the neck, a horse cannot move fluidly as a whole. Osteoarthritis in Horses Osteoarthritis is a condition affecting cartilage in the joints. Cartilage wears down over time, but this process can accelerate with crooked or incorrect movement patterns or due to overloading. Injurie...
Silicon
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Did you know that silicon is sensitive to cold?
Slowly, we are moving towards winter. The days are getting shorter and temperatures are starting to drop. Periods of warm sunshine alternate with frost at night. As long as it is dry, you won't hear horse owners complaining about these kinds of days! It will require some adjustments, but above all it will take some time to be careful with supplements. Because not all supplements like being cold, especially silicon is sensitive to this.. Silicon Prefers a Stable Temperature Hydrolyzed silicon is a product where a silicon molecule is bonded to two water molecules. The benefit of this is that the silicon is very well absorbed by the horse, making it fully usable. However, to keep this bond stable, it’s essential to maintain a stable temperature. High temperatures aren’t ideal, but cold is even worse. For best results, store the silicon at a temperature between 5 and 35 degrees Celsius. Prevent Silicon Crystallization! At excessive...
Joints
Clove
Silicon
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Why do horses with osteoarthritis have a harder time in winter?
In winter, some horses get off to a harder start, needing more time to warm up for training and sometimes walking stiffly in the paddock or when coming out of the stable. What causes this? And what can you do to support your stiff horse in winter?. Stiffness and ‘difficulty getting started’ are often caused by osteoarthritis, especially in older horses. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in your horse’s joints is damaged. This can be due to ‘normal’ wear and tear but may also result from abnormal movement patterns as the horse compensates for pain elsewhere, or from excessive or one-sided training. Injuries or falls can also cause cartilage wear. Cartilage is slow to heal, and when the cartilage pads become too thin, the cushioning function...
Joints
Clove
Silicon
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What is the SI joint and why do you often hear about SI problems in horses?
You regularly hear that horses have a problem with their SI joint. This joint lies deep inside the body and thus cannot be seen. The associated symptoms are regularly somewhat vague and sometimes difficult to treat. So what exactly is the SI joint? And why do we often see complaints in this region?. The SI joint is the connection between the sacrum (Sacrum) and the ilium (part of the hip). Technically, it isn’t a real joint in the usual sense of the word, as there is no cartilage or joint fluid present. This means: no cushioning and no lubricant. Transmitting Forces S and I, sacrum and ilium, are connected by a ligament. The SI joint connects your horse’s back to its pelvis. The SI transfers forces from the engine, the hind legs, to the torso and the rest of the horse's body. The SI is thus...
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...