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.
Others
How to read a label of a horse supplement?
Etiketten, what a drama sometimes to clearly understand what exactly is in there. It's full of legal obligations and with that the "sales pitch". But even that sales pitch is sometimes very cryptically described. So how should you actually read a label?. Labels of horse feed and supplements are different! We always emphasize that you should carefully read the labels of a feed bag so you know exactly what the ingredients are and also review the analysis. Because that information says a lot about how good this feed is for horses. For horse feed, for example, you don't want it to be full of just grains and you want the sugar and starch percentage to be nice and low. Unfortunately, this knowledge about labels of horse feed is not completely applicab...
Minerals
Rosehip
Vitamin E
Keep broodmare resistance high for childbirth!
Did you know that foals are born with virtually no immune system? Only a small part of the necessary antibodies is already present before birth via the placenta to the foal. All other antibodies they need to be able to deal with viruses and bacteria are obtained from the mare's colostrum. That is the first milk produced immediately after birth.. So colostrum is incredibly important for the foal! A foal that does not receive enough colostrum is very vulnerable and can deteriorate quickly. But the foal not only needs to drink enough colostrum, the quality of that colostrum is also very essential. The mare can only produce good colostrum when her own immune system is in good shape. And as an owner, you can help her with that. Vitamins and minerals for resistance broodmare A growing foal in the womb requires a lot of minerals, vitamins, as...
Behaviour
Magnesium
Others
Silicon
Is rearing the best place for foals to grow up?
Most foals go to a special place for rearing after weaning. Here they usually spend about two to two and a half years. But does a foal actually have to be in rearing? What does good rearing look like? And what are the alternatives?. Because we don't have a lot of space everywhere in the Netherlands, you often find affordable rearing locations for foals in the more rural provinces, or even abroad. As the owner of a young horse, you usually don't have daily visibility. This makes choosing a good rearing location quite difficult. Important aspects to consider in your choice are herd composition, feeding policy, and exercise. Behavior specialist chooses mixed herd Dr. Machteld van Dierendonck of the Faculty of Veterinary Medici...
Vitamin E
Better fertility of mares and healthy foals thanks to vitamin E
Vitamin E plays an important role in improving fertility in mares. This has been known for humans for some time. But this vitamin also has a positive effect on horses. Vitamin E is often used together with other antioxidants. It increases the fertility of mares and stallions and ensures better resistance in breeding mares and their newborn foals.. The effectiveness of vitamin E in people with fertility problems has been well researched. There have also been a number of scientific studies done in horses. Vitamin E deficiency Vitamin E is an incredibly important vitamin. Not only for fertility, but also for your horse's muscles and nervous system. It is a powerful antioxidant. Because horses do not produce vitamin E themselves, it must come from their diet. Grass contains a lot of easily absorbable vitamin E, so horses that spend all day in...
Nettle
Rosehip
Prevent resistance dip in horse? Choose nettle and rosehip!
At the end of winter/in early spring, many horses experience a dip in resistance. Horses are shedding their winter coat and preparing themselves for spring. This is also a period where there can be significant temperature differences, with frost at night and temperatures above 10 degrees during the day. But how can you prevent a resistance dip in your horse?. Liquid rosehip for extra antioxidants and vitamin C Rosehip is a fruit known for being very good for overall resistance and many horses find it very tasty! Many horse owners give these fruits in dried form, and it is a delicious treat for horses. But if you really want to use rosehip for its medicinal properties and truly boost your horse's resistance, always choose a liquid rosehip tincture. Through a tincture, more medicinal substances can be extracted from the fruits, making the effect much s...
Feeding
Roughage for horses: there is more than hay!
When we ask our customers what roughage their horse gets, the standard answer is (pre-cut) hay. And this is logical, because this is also the largest source of roughage for horses. But there are several types of roughage that can provide more variety for your horse and even make it possible to keep (almost) all horses on unlimited roughage! In this blog, we will gladly explain to you which types of roughage there are, in addition to unpackaged hay/pre-cut.. But first: what we prefer. We are gradually seeing a shift towards unpackaged hay and we are extremely happy about that! Even large stables are increasingly opting for unpackaged hay and that is so incredibly nice to read. Our preference is really for unpackaged hay. Pre-cut/silage always undergoes a fermentation process because it is wrapped in plastic, which results in, among other things, a different pH. This disturbs so much in the body, causing overall resistance to decrease, minerals to be...
Vitamin E
What feed and supplements for optimal fertility of breeding stallions?
Just like broodmares, breeding stallions may sometimes need some extra support. Especially if they are also used in sports or do a lot of breeding. Of course, not everyone has a KWPN breeding stallion in the stable, but there are quite a few people in the Netherlands and Belgium who breed with, for example, Shetland ponies or their own crosses. What should you look out for in the nutrition for optimal fertility of a breeding stallion?. While stallions do not carry the foal and therefore do not need to receive the building blocks for, for example, the skeleton of a foal like broodmares, they still have special nutritional needs. These are mainly related to fertility. Optimal fertility of breeding stallions You want a breeding stallion to be as fertile as possible. This is to prevent disappointments and a lot of effort, energy, and costs for veterinarians and travel for both the stallion owner and the mare owner. In some breeds,...
Hormones
Others
# Why there are so many 'early' foals
In recent years, it is becoming more common to see foals born in March, February, or even January. For some breeders, it seems like a competition. In nature, the period between April and June is the best time for a foal to be born. It is warmer and there is plenty of spring grass for the mare to make nutrient-rich milk. So why are there so many early foals?. As the days get longer and the grass starts to grow, the mare's hormone system kicks in. Although the first heat cycle often occurs in February, there is usually a higher chance of conception in April, May, and June. This is the natural breeding season. The horses have shed their winter coat, their immune system is in order, and there is plenty of nutritious grass available. Shift A mare is usually pregnant for over 11 months. After the foal is born, it takes about a week for the first heat cycl...
Cannabinoids
Joints
Clove
Silicon
How do I help my horse with joint problems?
There are many horses with joint problems. This can be due to wear and tear, injuries, their build, or less than optimal conditions when they were young. Whatever the cause, as a horse owner, you have to deal with it! And so does your horse. What can you do for your horse with joint problems, such as arthritis, OCD, and kissing spines?. Joint problems come in different shapes and sizes. An older horse that is a bit slow to get going may have a mild form of arthritis in some areas of its legs. There's nothing unusual about that, as we humans often face this as we age. But a young horse with joint problems is less common. In that case, you might think of OC, overloading, or an injury. Arthritis in horses Arthritis is a condition that affects the cartilage in the joints and is also referred to as joint wear and tear. Arthritis can...
Magnesium
Silicon
Vitamin E
Which supplement is suitable for muscle building in horses?
Many horse owners would like to help their horse build muscle. For example, with young horses or animals that have been out of training for a while. Others are mainly looking to prevent muscle breakdown. This is more common with older horses or horses that have a condition or injury. How do you support your horse's muscles?. Muscles consist of muscle fibers, which are fed and maintained by the body. You can build and grow muscles through targeted training and providing the right nutrition and supplements. Both of these factors are important! One cannot do without the other. Vitamins and minerals Some vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy muscle tissue. If your horse doesn't get enough of these minerals and vitamins, it can lead to stiffness or a less effective training effect. Magnesium ensures a good tran...
Behaviour
Guest blog
Guest blog Miranda Hoogenberg from HOPE for Horses: from HARD to HEART
Having and training a (young) horse can be so much fun, if you have the right horse... or the right help with training..... but..... having a (young) horse can be hard work...... I see them all pass by in my work and yet I agree with: “Having a (young) horse is Fun!!!” A perfect match! The road to riding is truly one of the most beautiful moments for building a bond with your horse and it doesn't always require (a lot of) stress. We bought a young horse for my daughter last summer, they fell for each other instantly, so it was a clear case. As a mother, I would have preferred to see a slightly older horse for my daughter (almost 15), but well, I know better than anyone t...
Magnesium
Silicon
Vitamin E
How do you support a horse with muscle binding?
Muscle binding, also called 'tying up' or Monday disease, is a disease. It is not just a bit of stiffness. The muscle metabolism of the horse is out of control with muscle binding. You must treat muscle binding immediately. How do you recognize muscle binding, what can you do about it, and how do you prevent this serious condition?. Muscle binding usually occurs about ten to fifteen minutes after a horse has been in motion. It is a total acidification of the muscles, especially the muscles of the topline (back, loins, buttocks). The symptoms sometimes resemble colic. Muscle binding is not always easy to recognize. An important indication is that muscle binding mainly occurs after a heavy effort, preceded by several days of rest during which the same feed was given. Muscle binding starts with stiffness, hard muscles, and not...