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...
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...
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...
Hooves
Skin
Tendons
Silicon
In Which Conditions Should You Provide Extra Silicon?
Silicon is one of the essential minerals for your horse's health. This mineral is important for a wide range of bodily processes, from bone formation to skin health and from tendon repair to joint lubrication. In which conditions and problems do we recommend a silicon supplement?. The mineral silicon is a sort of jack-of-all-trades. This can sometimes make it a bit confusing to determine when to use silicon for your horse. In principle, silicon is a basic necessity for your horse, meaning it is always needed. However, the question is whether you need to supplement it, or if your horse is already getting enough from its diet. Silicon is found in various plants, such as nettles. In this article, we briefly outline the conditions in which silicon can be an effective suppleme...
Cannabinoids
Joints
Clove
Silicon
Horse with joint problems? What is the best thing to use in that case?
Joint problems in horses are very common. It can range from a minor deviation to severe lameness. After visiting a veterinarian, horse owners often look for something to support the horse's joints. But what should you choose? Given that there are so many options on the market? How do you make the right choice?. Is there pain or discomfort? A horse that is lame (or not completely sound) does not necessarily experience unbearable pain. An abnormal gait can also result from incorrect posture or stance. Of course, pain or discomfort can still be present. Your veterinarian can often rule this out and provide a diagnosis. Based on this information, you can look for a supportive supplement that offers mild pain relief. For arthritis and age-related issues, clove extract works very well. Clove is both pain-rel...
Joints
Magnesium
Silicon
Supporting Joints: continuous supplementation or as a short course?
When your horse comes out of a heavy competition season or has just been broken in, you may want to provide some extra support for his joints. Even if your horse is a bit older and sometimes stiffer, it can be a good idea. When do you use which supplement and do you continue to give it or opt for a short course? We will explain it to you!. To combat stiffness and joint pain in a horse, there are various supplements available. It depends on the horse and the situation what you can give and how to best use these supplements. Magnesium: important ingredient A sport horse needs magnesium. This mineral is essential for the nervous system, bones, and muscles. A horse that performs a lot of work and experiences above-average stress needs extra magnesium. Because Dutch roughage contains relatively little magnesium, it is good for most hor...
Hooves
Minerals
Silicon
No hoof, no horse! What to do in cases of hoof cancer, thrush, and crumbling hooves?
The expression 'No foot, no horse' is old. And a cliché. But yes, healthy and strong hooves are indeed vital for your horse. We list the most important ailments and give you tips to keep your horse's hooves healthy.. The most common 'problem' with horse hooves is crumbling. Especially in dry conditions, many horses have crumbling hooves. Pieces of hoof break off and it doesn't look very nice. Fortunately, it's usually not a very big problem and a visit from the farrier usually resolves it. Sometimes crumbling is (partly) caused by a mineral deficiency. To prevent hooves from crumbling, it is important for you to: Give your horse enough minerals and nutrients Provide enough (free) exercise Not constantly keep...
Skin
Silicon
Salmon oil
What to do with a horse with a dull coat?
A beautiful shiny coat with little apples... that's what we all want for our horse! But the reality is sometimes a lot duller. What can you do about it?. In spring, horses shed their old winter coat and a shiny, soft summer coat emerges. At least, in the ideal case. Sometimes horses come out of their coat poorly or the new coat is not as beautiful and shiny as hoped. Shampoos? Although it can be handy to wash your horse or use an anti-tangle product in the mane or tail, shampoos and gloss sprays are not the real solution if you want your horse to shine. The proverb says: 'True beauty comes from within.' And that applies to the horse's coat too! U...