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.
Hooves
Welfare
What Do Those Ridges on a Horse’s Hooves Mean?
Sometimes you can see horizontal ridges on the hooves of horses or ponies. Many people worry that this indicates past laminitis. That can be true, but it doesn’t have to be. So what do these ridges really mean, and how can you get a smooth, healthy hoof wall?. The hoof wall grows from top to bottom – from the coronary band just below the last hairs to the sole that touches the ground. It takes around 8 months to a year for a hoof to fully regenerate. Hoof growth problems remain visible for a long time, and improvements are often only noticeable at the bottom – sometimes only after a year. Patience is essential to improve hoof health. Hoof wall movement The hoof wall is 6–12 millimeters thick. The outer surface repels water but is not rigid; it is slig...
Hooves
Diseases
Welfare
Sensitive to Laminitis? Support Your Horse in Winter!
A horse prone to laminitis can experience hoof problems even in the winter months. There are multiple causes, but as an owner, you can take many steps to support your horse during the cold season.. Laminitis is a painful condition, often triggered when a horse consumes sugar-rich grass. However, horses can also be affected in winter – either by “regular” laminitis or winter laminitis. What is winter laminitis? Winter laminitis occurs when cold weather causes blood vessels in the hooves to constrict. Less blood flows to the legs and hooves, and the adrenal glands produce more cortisol, which also constricts blood vessels. In healthy horses, this is usually fine, but older horses (possibly w...
Welfare
Wet feathers: how wet do they really get?
Among horse owners, there is always debate about whether or not you should clip a horse’s leg feathers. Especially in winter, many choose to clip them to keep the legs dry or to make treatment easier. Some also believe it helps prevent mud fever during the wet months. But what is the actual purpose of feathers, and how bad is it if they get wet and muddy?. Feathers protect the skin from external influences Breeds like Tinkers, draft horses and Friesians are known for their long leg hair. This wasn’t random; it was bred into them because they originally lived in wetter, rougher environments where the feathers served an important purpose. Feathers have several functions: Weather protection: The long hair protects skin and tendons from cold, rain and mud. It keeps moisture out longer so the skin stays warm and dry. Protection from insects and irritat...
Stress
Horse & Fireworks: How to Support Your Horse During Firework Season
New Year’s Eve is festive for many people, but it can be a stressful time for horses. Bright flashes, loud bangs, and the unpredictability of fireworks can cause anxiety. Fortunately, as an owner, you can do a lot to make this period as calm and safe as possible. In this blog, you’ll learn how to support your horse from preparation to aftercare.. Why do horses react strongly to fireworks? Horses are prey animals. Their senses are highly tuned to detect danger. Sudden bangs and flashes can trigger fear or panic. Common reactions include: Restless pacing Excessive sweating Loss of appetite Startle reactions or attempts to flee Increased heart rate and muscle tension It is therefore important to prepare and support your horse in advance. Step 1: Prepare early Desensitization & habituation Some horses respond better to sounds if you star...
Insulin resistance
Diseases
Can Winter Laminitis Be Prevented in Horses?
When it gets cold in winter, some horses become sensitive or careful when walking, even on good ground. Sometimes these horses even stretch their front legs forward to relieve pressure on their hooves. This may look like laminitis, but it is not. The causes and solutions are different.. Winter laminitis – nowadays also called winter foot pain – is different from regular laminitis. Some symptoms are similar, such as difficulty walking or changing posture to relieve the hooves. Winter laminitis can occur in cold weather (usually during frost). Horses with winter laminitis do not have warm hooves. This is a major difference from regular laminitis, where the hooves feel warm and a throbbing pulse can be felt in the hoof. In winter laminitis, there is no inflammation, so the hooves...
Welfare
Horse Blankets: Necessary or Luxury?
We already know that two groups exist. One group of horse owners considers horse blankets unnecessary, as horses have their own natural “blanket.” The other group believes horses cannot do without a blanket. Of course, it’s not that black and white! In this blog, we will take a closer look at the function of horse blankets during the winter months.. When is a horse cold? In general, horses do not get cold quickly; their comfort temperature is between 5 and 20/25 degrees Celsius. This means that only below or above these temperatures might a horse start feeling uncomfortable. Weather conditions play a big role: 5 degrees feels very different in wet and windy conditions than in dry and sunny weather. Some horses feel comfortable at cooler temperatures, while others prefer it warmer. Just because horse X is enjoying the rain at 5 degrees doesn...
Stress
Welfare
Stress Signals in Horses: How Do You Recognize Them?
Horses are prey and flight animals. When something changes in their environment, they quickly become alert or stressed. This can affect how we interact with them, their health, and safety. So how do you recognize stress in horses? In this article, you will learn more about the background and what you can do yourself.. Where welfare once meant “the absence of pain and discomfort,” the definition today is much broader and includes the question: Does the animal feel well? Mental health in horses is receiving increasing attention. Various researchers have tried to describe how we can recognize whether a horse feels mentally good or bad. That’s not easy. While there are lists of possible stress signs—such as showing the whites of the eyes, tail swishing, or ears pinned back—not all are scientifically confirmed. St...
Welfare
7 Tips to Keep Your Horse Mentally Healthy
When it comes to horse health, the focus is often on physical wellbeing. But what about your horse’s mental health? Is your horse truly comfortable and happy? Here are 7 tips to help keep your horse mentally healthy.. Tip 1: Ensure Social Contact Horses are true herd animals, and social contact is a top priority. Being part of a herd provides safety, comfort, friendships, and calm. Eating, grooming, moving, and resting together helps your horse feel secure and mentally relaxed. A stable herd is essential. Tip 2: Provide Enough Roughage Horses eat around 20 hours per day, making feeding a crucial part of their life. Stress from not being able to eat calmly can lead to gastric issues. Ensure your horse has acce...
Others
Welfare
The Impact of Training Techniques on the Mental Health of Horses
When working with a horse, you can apply different training methods. A basic understanding of how horses learn and how training affects their physical and mental well-being is essential. Without this knowledge, unexpected and unintended effects can occur, which are unpleasant for both horse and rider.. In recent years, scientific research has increasingly shown that the way we train horses affects their welfare—not only physically. Training that does not match the horse’s nature or learning style can cause stress and confusion, leading to unwanted behaviors such as spooking or ignoring aids. Bucking and Refusing Bucking, rearing, refusing, and other problem behaviors are usually reactions to a welfare issue. This could involve pain, ill-fitting tack, lack of free movement, insufficient social...
Skin
Resistance
Sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn: an enormous source of power for horses
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a striking shrub with bright orange berries that naturally occurs in Europe and Asia. In the equine world, sea buckthorn is increasingly used as a natural source of power, not only because of the berries but also the leaves and bark. Each part of the plant contains unique substances that can support the health, vitality and resilience of horses in various ways. In this blog, we explore the special properties of sea buckthorn and the added value of the whole plant.. The power of sea buckthorn berries The orange berries of sea buckthorn are known as one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C. The berries naturally contain a high concentration of antioxidants, including vitamin E, carotenoids and flavonoids. This makes sea buckthorn berries a powerful ally for: Supporting the immune system The combination of antioxidants helps the body neutralise free radicals. As a result, the immune system of horses can respond more strongly to external challenges. Hea...
Others
Welfare
Is it Good to Give a Horse a Holiday?
Many people occasionally give their horse time off—during winter, bad weather, or when they themselves go on vacation. But is it actually a good idea? When is it suitable to give your horse a break, when is it not, and what should such a holiday look like?. The short answer: It depends on the horse. Every horse is different, and it’s always a matter of individual needs. Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking about giving your horse a break. Mental Balance Horses are creatures of habit and herd animals. Changes in daily routine can cause stress, especially in nervous or inexperienced horses. If your horse is mentally sensitive, it may be best to keep its routine as normal as possible while you’re away, particularly for horses that spend...
Stress
Welfare
Can Horses Suffer from a (Winter) Depression?
November and December are the months when many people feel mentally low. The days are short, and the weather is often gloomy. Winter depression can easily sneak in. But can horses experience this as well? And if so, how can you recognize it, and what can you do about it?. The term “depression” is sometimes used broadly. Clinically, a depression is a mental disorder, but many people also use the word to describe a temporary dip in mood. A clinical (medically diagnosed) depression is a serious illness and requires treatment by professionals. On the other hand, a winter dip can be unpleasant but is usually easier to resolve or often fades on its own. Many people can relate to a winter dip. Horses can experience it too! Winter Dip in Horses Horses experience a winter...