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.

Cannabinoids

Skin

Clove

Mites

Stamping in the winter. A well-known phenomenon in horses, especially in horses with a lot of hair on their legs. Especially when the weather is damp and muggy, and horses stand in the mud more often, it is often a recurring problem. Mites! How do you treat it and especially how do you get rid of it as soon as possible?

Mites in horses, start treatment as soon as possible!

Stamping in the winter. A well-known phenomenon in horses, especially in horses with a lot of hair on their legs. Especially when the weather is damp and muggy, and horses stand in the mud more often, it is often a recurring problem. Mites! How do you treat it and especially how do you get rid of it as soon as possible?. Mites occur in all types of horses Customers often think that their horse cannot have mites because it is a warmblood and does not have socks. This is perhaps the biggest misconception about mites. All horses can be affected by mites, but one horse may be more sensitive to them than another. It is possible that a horse carries mites without showing any symptoms. However, horses with socks are more sensitive to mites, and horses with Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL) are also more sensitive. T...

Nettle

Weight

Insulin resistance

Triphala

Feeding

Naturally, a horse's weight fluctuates with the seasons. At the end of summer, they tend to be a bit thicker, and at the end of winter, when the reserves have been used to keep their body warm, a bit thinner. Our domesticated horses usually have enough food all year round and ideally should not fluctuate too much in weight. They should not be too thin or too fat. How do you regulate your horse's weight?

Supporting Your Horse in Losing or Gaining Weight

Naturally, a horse's weight fluctuates with the seasons. At the end of summer, they tend to be a bit thicker, and at the end of winter, when the reserves have been used to keep their body warm, a bit thinner. Our domesticated horses usually have enough food all year round and ideally should not fluctuate too much in weight. They should not be too thin or too fat. How do you regulate your horse's weight?. A horse that receives enough high-quality roughage and is provided with its daily vitamin and mineral needs should not lose weight in principle. In very cold weather, horses use a lot of fiber from roughage to keep warm. Therefore, make sure there is plenty of hay available during the winter months. Horses that are in high training or pregnant may also have an extra need for nutrients such as amino acids and proteins. Salmon Oil: Essential Fats Salmon oil can contribute to weight regulation. It...

Minerals

Silicon

Feeding

In winter, horses can sometimes have problems with sand in their intestines. This can lead to diarrhea or even painful sand colic. Of course, it is important to treat a horse that has sand in its belly, but it is even better to address the cause. Do you know why your horse eats sand?

Does your horse eat sand? And do you know why?

In winter, horses can sometimes have problems with sand in their intestines. This can lead to diarrhea or even painful sand colic. Of course, it is important to treat a horse that has sand in its belly, but it is even better to address the cause. Do you know why your horse eats sand?. Eating sand and sand colic seem to occur particularly in autumn and winter. One reason for this is that horses sometimes graze on short or bare pastures, bringing a lot of sand with the grass roots. The transition from pasture to stable and (boring) paddock can also lead to increased sand intake. Six reasons for sand licking If your horse is consciously licking sand, there can be six possible reasons: Silicon deficiency Deficiencies in other minerals Boredom Worms Insufficient roughage throughou...

First Aid

Others

Feeding

How well do you know your horse? Every horse has its own 'normal' values. For example, how much he eats and how much he defecates, but also what his body temperature, resting heart rate, and respiration rate are. As an owner, it is useful to know these basic values. This way, you can more easily determine if something is wrong

What are the basic values of your horse?

How well do you know your horse? Every horse has its own 'normal' values. For example, how much he eats and how much he defecates, but also what his body temperature, resting heart rate, and respiration rate are. As an owner, it is useful to know these basic values. This way, you can more easily determine if something is wrong. Because horses cannot speak, as owners, we sometimes have to guess if something is wrong with them, if they are sick or experiencing discomfort. It is important not to dismiss abnormal behavior as 'trying it out', 'not in the mood', 'rebellious' or 'messing around'. A horse does not make plans to annoy you. If it exhibits abnormal behavior, there is probably something wrong somewhere. In its body, its head, or its environment. Measuring and writing down basic values To get to know the basic valu...

Others

Feeding

Am I not giving my horse too many supplements? If I add this or that, is that okay, or will it be too much? These are questions that we regularly receive from horse owners, and understandably so! We have customers who give only 1 product, but sometimes we also hear that a large number of products are being given. Sometimes the question is indeed; are you perhaps giving your horse too many supplements? In this blog, we will explain what you need to consider.

Am I giving my horse too many supplements?

Am I not giving my horse too many supplements? If I add this or that, is that okay, or will it be too much? These are questions that we regularly receive from horse owners, and understandably so! We have customers who give only 1 product, but sometimes we also hear that a large number of products are being given. Sometimes the question is indeed; are you perhaps giving your horse too many supplements? In this blog, we will explain what you need to consider.. If it's not beneficial? Then it can be harmful! You will never hear us say "if it's not beneficial, then it doesn't harm". Because even natural products can have a negative influence on the body if they are used incorrectly. Therefore, never just give a supplement to your horse, but always use it for a reason. And of course, there are also products that you can give without any problems, but why give something if it's not necessary? Our advice is always: use a supplement for the period...

Skin

Mites

Autumn, winter, mud and rain... The perfect combination for dirty, wet horse legs. Often, we have the tendency to shave off all the hair of horses. Trim the legs neatly, tidy up the beard, make the ears look nice, and so on. A sleek horse, looking neat without much hair, standing like a real model. But is it really wise to shave everything off?

Did you know that the feathers of the horse keep the legs dry?

Autumn, winter, mud and rain... The perfect combination for dirty, wet horse legs. Often, we have the tendency to shave off all the hair of horses. Trim the legs neatly, tidy up the beard, make the ears look nice, and so on. A sleek horse, looking neat without much hair, standing like a real model. But is it really wise to shave everything off?. Hair has a purpose! By now, it's (hopefully) common knowledge not to touch or shave off the whiskers of a horse. These whiskers are extremely important and serve a crucial function, preventing horses from bumping into things. But the hair in and around the ears also has a purpose: it prevents dirt and water from getting into the ears and protects them from external influences. Never cut/shave the ear shells, leave the hair on the inside intact! The same goes for the hair on the legs of horses, t...

Skin

Others

Rain rugs and winter rugs for horses are a much-discussed topic in the horse world. There are people staunchly against rugs because they believe that every horse should be able to be in the Netherlands without a rug. That every horse naturally grows enough coat and that the winters in the Netherlands are not so extremely cold that a rug is not necessary. To some extent, that is true, but it is a bit more nuanced. Here is our view on rugs!

Why we are not anti-rugs with horses

Rain rugs and winter rugs for horses are a much-discussed topic in the horse world. There are people staunchly against rugs because they believe that every horse should be able to be in the Netherlands without a rug. That every horse naturally grows enough coat and that the winters in the Netherlands are not so extremely cold that a rug is not necessary. To some extent, that is true, but it is a bit more nuanced. Here is our view on rugs!. Point 1: every horse is different! Some horses thrive in the winter, are completely in their element and enjoy the cold and the season. Some horses stand under the shelter at the first drop of rain, with their heads down feeling miserable. And that is not because they are spoiled by the owner, but because the horse prefers a certain type of weather. They are sometimes just like people 😉. Why wouldn't you provide a rug for the horse that is unhappy in the rain, so that its mood improves and it c...

Cannabinoids

Behaviour

Clove

Stress

The end of the year is approaching and in many places in the country that means: fireworks! This can cause stress, for horses and their owners. Can a horse get used to fireworks? And how can you make the New Year's Eve and the days leading up to it as stress-free as possible for your horse?

Fireworks! Nine tips for a stress-free New Year's Eve for your horse

The end of the year is approaching and in many places in the country that means: fireworks! This can cause stress, for horses and their owners. Can a horse get used to fireworks? And how can you make the New Year's Eve and the days leading up to it as stress-free as possible for your horse?. Horses are flight animals, who naturally prefer to run first before they look to see what is going on. It is therefore to be expected that horses are afraid of fireworks. Also carbide shooting will not be very funny for most horses, if they hear it for the first time. But... police horses can handle all those bangs. And some other horses don't seem to care much. They are apparently used to it. Start on time Below are some tips to help your horse get through New Year's Eve more easily. It is usef...

Behaviour

Stress

Stable vices arise from stress. A stressed horse will exhibit stereotypic behavior more often than a horse that is comfortable in its own skin. Behaviors such as weaving and crib biting are soothing and addictive for a horse. But as an owner, if your horse has a stable vice, you naturally want your horse to stop this behavior. Unlearning is actually not possible, due to the addictive nature of these behaviors. What can you do instead? Address the underlying reasons for the stress.

Can a horse unlearn a stable vice?

Stable vices arise from stress. A stressed horse will exhibit stereotypic behavior more often than a horse that is comfortable in its own skin. Behaviors such as weaving and crib biting are soothing and addictive for a horse. But as an owner, if your horse has a stable vice, you naturally want your horse to stop this behavior. Unlearning is actually not possible, due to the addictive nature of these behaviors. What can you do instead? Address the underlying reasons for the stress.. A stable vice, also known as 'stereotypic behavior', occurs when a horse experiences stress, often for an extended period of time. Performing repetitive behavior, such as crib biting, helps the horse release a bit of the 'happiness hormone' endorphin into its bloodstream. This makes the horse feel better and endorphin also has a numbing and calming effect. Unfortunately, this substance is also addictive. A horse will therefore be inclined to engage in this behavior repeatedly. Crib biting, weavi...

Cannabinoids

Clove

Magnesium

Stress

Horses can experience stress for various reasons. This can be due to moving, incorrect (feeding) management or a traumatic experience, for example. Some horses are more sensitive to stress than others. There are also horses who are a bit spooky during work and often struggle with the so-called "arena ghosts". Many horse owners then turn to a magnesium supplement, as this is believed to be the solution. But is it really? Is magnesium the miracle cure for stress?

Is magnesium the miracle cure for horses with stress?

Horses can experience stress for various reasons. This can be due to moving, incorrect (feeding) management or a traumatic experience, for example. Some horses are more sensitive to stress than others. There are also horses who are a bit spooky during work and often struggle with the so-called "arena ghosts". Many horse owners then turn to a magnesium supplement, as this is believed to be the solution. But is it really? Is magnesium the miracle cure for stress?. Different types of stress Horses can experience different types of stress. These forms can be divided into 2 groups: acute stress & chronic stress. If the horse is startled by an unexpected situation, found a trailer ride stressful, or was tense during a competition, then it is acute stress. The horse has experienced stress, but can quickly let it flow away and continue with "normal" life without long-lasting effects. In chronic stress, the body experiences prolonged stress causing...

Stress

‘Stable vice’ may sound harmless, but the associated behavior certainly is not. Cribbing, weaving, box-walking are all the result of significant stress and arise when a horse is restricted in its natural behavior for too long. Usually because they are kept alone in a box for too long. How do you prevent stable vices? And what if your horse already exhibits this kind of behavior?

Preventing and managing stable vices in horses

‘Stable vice’ may sound harmless, but the associated behavior certainly is not. Cribbing, weaving, box-walking are all the result of significant stress and arise when a horse is restricted in its natural behavior for too long. Usually because they are kept alone in a box for too long. How do you prevent stable vices? And what if your horse already exhibits this kind of behavior?. A stable vice is a form of repetitive behavior that was originally developed to relieve stress. By performing the repetitive behavior, such as cribbing, the horse releases a dose of endorphins into its blood. Endorphins are hormones that make the horse feel better, this substance has a numbing and calming effect. Endorphins are also addictive. A horse will therefore tend to repeat this behavior over and over again to get another 'hit.' What stable vices are there? The most well-known stable vice...

Skin

Feeding

We learn something new every day too! It is always thought that horses are comparable to humans in many ways, including the production of vitamin D. We also thought this and also that horses that stand in a fly sheet/eczema sheet all summer, for example, can develop a vitamin D deficiency. There was very little scientific study done on this, so the assumption was quickly made that this is similar to humans. But now there has been some research done!

Vitamin D production in horses: sun appears to have little influence!

We learn something new every day too! It is always thought that horses are comparable to humans in many ways, including the production of vitamin D. We also thought this and also that horses that stand in a fly sheet/eczema sheet all summer, for example, can develop a vitamin D deficiency. There was very little scientific study done on this, so the assumption was quickly made that this is similar to humans. But now there has been some research done!. What is the importance of vitamin D? Vitamin D comes in 2 forms: D2 and D3. Horses get vitamin D2 from their diet (grass, hay, and herbs, for example), while horses produce vitamin D3 themselves. Vitamin D plays an important role in many processes. It is involved in: The absorption of calcium and phosphorus Supporting the immune system Preventing unintended cell division and cell mutations Regulating the production of keratin in the skin Various neurological functions The sun may have little inf...

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