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.
Guest blog
Lymphatic system
Guest Blog Puur Maddy: Support an Optimal Lymphatic System
Autumn is in full swing, which means as a lymph drainage therapist, you might notice more “autumn ailments.” Laminitis from lush autumn grass, filled legs because horses move less… In addition to my work at HELTIE, I, Madeleine, also work as a lymph drainage therapist (Puur Maddy). Every day I see how vital the lymphatic system is for your horse’s health and recovery. It’s often overlooked, yet it plays a key role in removing waste products, supporting the immune system, and aiding recovery after injuries. In this blog, I’ll explain what the lymphatic system does and how Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) can help your horse.. What is the lymphatic system? The lymphatic system consists of lymph nodes, vessels, glands, and lymph fluid. It’s as extensive as the circulatory system, running throughout the body—superficially under the skin and deeper around the organs and legs. It directly affects multiple organ systems and supports the immune system. Circulatory System vs. Lymphatic System The circulatory system is a “closed system” powered by the heart, pushing fluid into the tissues. The lymphatic system, however, is “o...
Lymphatic system
Stress
The Relationship Between the Lymphatic System and Stress in Horses
The lymphatic system is crucial for a horse’s health. This sophisticated network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes is responsible for removing waste, supporting the immune system, and maintaining fluid balance. Horses have a far more extensive lymphatic system than humans. When horses experience prolonged stress, however, this system can become strained.. Function of the Lymphatic System Lymph vessels transport substances that are no longer needed from throughout the body, including damaged cells, excess fluid, and waste. Lymph fluid carries these substances to the lymph nodes, which filter the fluid and return waste products to the bloodstream. The lymphatic system works closely with the immune system. Lymph flow occurs primarily through movement and can also be stimulated through Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), a gentle massage technique. Incr...
Feeding
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Horse feeding: Is it really that complicated these days?
Inorganic or organic minerals. Sugar-free, GMO-free, soy-based or not. Basic pellets, sport feed, muesli, mash, supplements, natural, organic, back to nature, for sensitive stomachs or itchy horses. Just reading the labels on feed bags can feel overwhelming. And if you try to dive deeper into nutrition, you quickly get the impression that you’re doing it wrong – according to forums, social media, and feed brand marketing. That’s why this article goes back to basics: what horses truly need, with a healthy dose of common sense.. Forage: the foundation of the ration Horses should eat forage for most of the day. Forage is a broad concept, but most owners think of hay. Yet forage includes more: herbs, twigs, straw, bark – basically everything a horse would find in nature. This makes forage the true foundation! The quality of your hay is crucial for your horse’s health. Poor quality affects the stomach, gut flora, immune system, digestion, energy, and performance. The nutrition of your horse stands or falls with forage qual...
Weight
Feeding
Feeding tips for winter: Keep your horse at a healthy weight
Wild horses in nature follow a yearly cycle of gaining and losing weight. In spring and summer, they eat more than they need and build up reserves. In winter, high-energy food is less available, and they must rely on more fibrous, low-sugar plants. They burn more energy to stay warm and naturally lose some weight.. Our domesticated horses are far less influenced by these natural rhythms. While some ponies and draft breeds are still closer to the “wild” situation, warmblood sport horses rarely show the same seasonal weight fluctuation – even if kept outside year-round with unlimited grass and hay. Maintaining weight Owners generally prefer their horses to stay at a steady, healthy weight – not too fat in summer, not too thin in winter. This means adjusting care and feeding with the seasons. Avoiding overwei...
Others
Welfare
Exercise in winter: How to keep your horse fit when it’s cold
As temperatures drop in autumn and winter and rain becomes more frequent, you may feel less motivated to ride and train your horse. Especially if you only have an outdoor arena, keeping your horse fit during the winter months can be challenging. So how do you maintain your horse’s condition?. Keeping yourself warm We often tend to humanize our horses, but horses tolerate cold much better than we do. The first tip is therefore: make sure you stay warm and dry while training. As they say in Norway: “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.” With modern riding gear that is both wind- and waterproof, there’s no reason to skip training because of the weather. As long as it’s not pouring rain or very windy, your horse usually won’t mind moderate weather conditions. Warming up properly H...
Skin
Resistance
Mud: Does my horse get mud fever from it?
In autumn and winter, many horses suffer from flakes, small wounds, and sometimes even infections on their lower legs. These complaints are often grouped under the name “mud fever.” Many people think mud and wet conditions in the paddock or field directly cause mud fever. However, that is not entirely correct. So, what’s the real cause, and how should mud fever be treated?. Mud fever is a term horse owners use for skin problems on the lower legs and in the pastern folds. These include wounds, scabs, flakes, and infections. If the problems occur higher up the leg, the condition is usually called “rasp.” Bacteria, fungi, parasites Mud fever can be caused by bacterial infections, fungi, or parasites such as mites. We usually distinguish between “dry mud fever” (scales and cracks) and “wet mud fever” (with fluid and blisters). When a horse stands on wet ground, in mud,...
Others
Welfare
Is my horse cold?
When summer ends and temperatures start to drop, horse owners often wonder: Is my horse feeling cold? Should I put a rug on? Should I bring him into the stable earlier? And what if it rains heavily?. Like other mammals, a horse wants to maintain a stable body temperature. This is easy when the outside temperature falls within the so-called "thermal comfort zone." In that range, the horse does not need to use extra energy to stay warm or cool down. A different comfort zone than humans The comfort zone for horses is lower than for humans. An unclipped horse has no problems with temperatures between 5 and 25 °C. That means at 10 °C and dry weather, your horse won’t be cold, even thoug...
Salmon oil
Diseases
Managing Coat Problems in Horses with PPID
Horses with PPID often develop a long, thick, and curly coat. Medication for PPID may slow hair growth slightly, but often only to a limited extent. Should you do something about this coat – and if so, what?. The typical PPID coat is very warm and can cause itching. This becomes particularly uncomfortable during the increasingly hot summers. In addition, horses with PPID have slow wound healing, and wounds are harder to detect and treat under a thick coat. That’s why many horse owners choose to fully or partially clip their PPID horses. Preparation Clipping a PPID horse can take considerable time. This is due not only to the thick coat but also to the horse’s potentially sensitive skin. Your horse mi...
Insulin resistance
Diseases
Why are horses with PPID more prone to laminitis?
PPID is a condition in which the horse's hormonal balance is disrupted. It often occurs in older horses. With PPID, there is too much cortisol in the bloodstream, and the regulation of insulin — the hormone responsible for sugar metabolism — is often disturbed. Both mechanisms increase the risk of laminitis.. In PPID (formerly known as Cushing’s disease), the function of the pituitary gland is impaired. This happens because the signals that regulate the pituitary gland weaken as the horse ages. The disrupted pituitary function leads to an overproduction of glucocorticoids in the bloodstream. These hormones weaken the hoof structure, affect the blood vessels in the foot, and contribute to or worsen insulin resistance in the horse. Mechanisms As PPID progresses, the middle part of the pituitary gland p...
Nettle
Insulin resistance
Feeding
Herbs Recommended for Horses with PPID
When a horse develops PPID, it’s crucial to pay close attention to its diet. PPID causes hormonal fluctuations and dysregulation. As a result, many PPID horses become insulin resistant, which can lead to laminitis (hoof inflammation). A well-balanced ration and herbal support are therefore important considerations for managing PPID.. Horses with PPID should consume minimal sugars. Low‑sugar hay or soaked hay forms the cornerstone of a healthy diet—especially important if your horse has previously experienced laminitis. The hay should serve as the base of the ration. Additionally, your horse needs a high-quality balancer with essential vitamins and minerals. Soaking hay reduces nutrient content, so supplementation of amino acids and omega‑3 fatty acids may also be beneficial. Regulating Blood Sugar Spikes In addition to prope...
Diseases
How to Recognize PPID in a Horse
PPID stands for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction, a disorder affecting the function of the pituitary gland. This condition was formerly known as Cushing’s disease. In horses with PPID, the pituitary gland becomes overactive and/or enlarged. This gland is a small hormone-producing organ located near the brain.. It is estimated that PPID occurs in about 15% of horses over the age of 15. The symptoms seen with PPID are partly caused by imbalances in various hormone levels, and partly by the increased pressure the enlarged pituitary gland puts on surrounding areas of the brain. Symptoms One of the most well-known symptoms of PPID is the development of a long, curly coat. In some cases, the coat even changes color! In addition, about a quarter of horses with PPID also develop laminitis. Other symptoms incl...
Triphala
Welfare
Triphala: Be critical about what you give your horse!
Triphala is becoming increasingly popular in the equine world – and we totally understand why! It’s a powerful herb with strong medicinal properties. Triphala can be used for gastric ulcers, sugar-sensitive horses, stress, eye problems, and various digestive issues. But did you know that the production of Triphala often goes wrong? And that’s exactly why you should be very critical about what you buy!. Not all Triphala is equally pure The quality of Triphala strongly depends on the origin and processing of the ingredients. Some manufacturers use fillers, artificial additives, or uncertified herbs, which can reduce the effectiveness or even have adverse effects. Triphala should be pure and free of additives. Always check the ingredient label and only buy herbs from trustworthy (online) stores. Risk of heavy metals and pesticides Unfortunately, a lot of Triphala is contaminated with heavy metals...