Horses require about half an hour of deep REM sleep each day. This is very important for their health. REM sleep only occurs when they lie flat on the ground. Therefore, lying flat for half an hour a day is essential for every horse. Merely resting or dozing while standing is not enough. Feeling Unsafe As prey animals, horses in the wild are vulnerable to predators, making lying flat to sleep a risky moment. In a herd, standing horses keep watch over those that are lying down. Even so, the sleep...

What nutritional needs does my older horse have?

As your horse ages, its nutritional needs may change. But how do you know when to do something about the ration? At what age does it start? And what should you feed then? In this article, we give you tips for feeding your old(er) horse.. Some horses start showing signs of aging as early as 15 years old, while others remain very active and healthy well into their twenties. The individual differences are significant, so it’s essential to closely observe your own ‘senior’ horse before determining what they should eat. An older horse is still just a horse In principle, older horses don’t always need a different diet than younger horses, but if your horse has ailments or weight issues, it may be wise to make adjustments. Older horses...

Nine tips for keeping older horses at weight in winter

For older horses, winter is always a somewhat difficult period. They lose weight quickly and are sometimes a bit stiff. As an owner, you do not want your horse to become too thin. That is why it is wise to start taking measures in time. After all, it is much harder to fatten up an older horse once it has lost weight. We give you nine top tips to keep your older horse at weight this winter.. At what age a horse is considered a “golden oldie” depends on the individual animal. Generally, you can assume that from around 15 years of age, you should start paying more attention. However, some horses only show their first signs of aging after the age of 20, and for ponies, it often takes even longer before they can be considered elderly. Why Older Horses Lose Weight There are several reasons why older horses are often harder to keep at a healthy weight: Food absorption becomes less efficie...

Why an occasional bit of stress can't hurt

In fact, when we talk about stress in horses, it is almost always about the negative consequences of stress, such as startle reactions, stomach ulcers and behavioural problems. But did you know that stress is not always only bad?. Chronic stress is indeed a serious health issue. This prolonged form of stress arises when a horse's basic needs are not met and when the horse experiences constant stress or anxiety. Chronic stress can lead to various (biochemical) changes in the body over time, compromise the immune system, and cause illnesses. Positive Stress On the other hand, horses can also experience positive stress. This happens, for example, during training sessions. By making exercises slightly more challenging or dema...

What does triphala do for stress and tension?

Triphala is an Indian herbal mixture that has been used in Aryuvedic medicine for centuries. It is a natural medicine that has proven effects on animals and humans. Also for stress complaints.. Triphala is made from dried fruits originating in the Himalayan region. It is a well-known herbal powder in India. Triphala consists of three plants: Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). There has been considerable research on the efficacy of Triphala for various diseases and complaints. This mixture has positive effects on a wide range of conditions. For instance, Amalaki stimulates digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties, Bi...

Chronic stress - what does it do to the horse's body?

Chronic stress, the prolonged holding of tension, can cause all kinds of problems in horses. Stomach ulcers are a well-known problem with prolonged stress, but emaciation, a lack of resistance, fertility problems and stereotypic behaviour (such as aerial sucking) are also linked to chronic stress.. Chronic Stress in Horses Chronic stress occurs when a horse experiences continuous tension or anxiety. It is different from acute stress, where a horse may startle, possibly run away, or snort and then release the tension. With chronic stress, the tension persists. This can be caused by insufficient forage, a lack of social interaction with other horses, or training at a level unsuitable for the horse. Persistent pain, such as from unrecognized lameness, can also lead to stress symptoms over tim...

How do you prepare your horse for fireworks?

Fireworks, around you you have probably heard it on a regular basis. The time has already arrived and will only get worse in the coming period. For many horses, it is not a problem and causes little/no stress. However, for some horses (and their owners) this is a very stressful period. In this blog, we therefore want to give you some tips for making New Year's Eve as stress-free as possible.. Tip 1: Provide Plenty of Forage If there’s one thing that calms horses, it’s chewing! Ensure your horse always has access to forage. Chewing has a soothing effect and also directly calms the stomach. Saliva produced during chewing neutralizes stomach acid, reducing the risk of ulcers. Tip 2: Use Calming Herbs or Supplements If you know your horse is prone to stress, consider starting calming herbs or a supplement in advance. Herbs and supplements won’t completely eliminate stress or sedate your...

Hoof abcess & Clove: deploy only after it has been broken open!

Hoof ulcers, many horse owners recognise it. Your horse is limping from one day to the next. Really doesn't want to put any more weight on the leg and may also have some elevation and the hoof feels warm. But what is a hoof ulcer and how can clove support?. What is a hoof abscess? A hoof abscess is a localized collection of pus in the hoof caused by a bacterial infection. This abscess is located in the hard part of the hoof, which makes it difficult for the infection to drain. This creates significant pressure in the hoof, which can be extremely painful. Since the abscess has no natural exit, it must eventually break through somewhere. This is usually through the sole or the white line, but in some cases, a higher-placed hoof abscess may exit throu...

The effect of magnesium on the nervous system of horses

Many horse owners give their horse magnesium. But why do so? Isn't there enough magnesium in the regular feed? And what function does this mineral actually have in the nervous system of horses?. Horses with Increased Magnesium Needs Horses that perform heavy work, sweat frequently, are pregnant, or nursing a foal often require more magnesium. Additionally, horses that are naturally nervous or excitable typically have higher magnesium needs. A Versatile Mineral Magnesium is essential for around 300 bodily processes. This mineral is crucial for the health of your horse’s bones, muscles, and nervous system. It also plays a role in energy production and metabolism. Magnesium positively affe...

How do you keep your horse at weight in this winter?

Many horses are overweight, not only in summer but also in winter. But there are also horses that actually lose too much weight in the winter period. How can you make sure your horse stays nicely on weight in winter? We would like to give you some tips!. Losing Weight in Winter is Normal! Many horse owners become “worried” when they notice their horse losing weight. Often, they immediately resort to extra feed, supplements, and other measures. Feed companies’ marketing plays into this concern! However, did you know that it’s entirely normal for your horse to lose weight in winter? Horses naturally gain a lot of weight in summer because it’s a season of abundance. They build up reserves during this time, so it’s not surprising that horses easily...

Healthy joints in growing horses

When you have young horses, you want them to grow up healthy. So that as an adult horse they are strong enough to do fun things with you and have a long and healthy life. Healthy joints are essential for this, but not always obvious. How do you make sure your young horse develops healthy joints?. Whether your young horse is being raised in a rearing facility or at home, the most important things it needs for healthy joints are good roughage and plenty of free movement. A lot of free movement. In addition, minerals also play a crucial role. Preventing OC(D) Two major causes of joint problems in horses are OC (Osteochondrosis) and OCD (Osteochondrosis Dissecans). OC involves flattening or malformation of parts of the joints, while OCD also includes loose fragments of bone (chips) in a join...

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...