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.
Weight
Digestion
Feeding
# Nutrition for the older horse: choose a customized ration!
Older horses often need customized nutrition. Most horse owners are aware of that. However, it is not as simple as buying a bag of senior feed on your four-legged friend's 18th birthday and then calling it a day. One senior horse is not the same as the other, so always pay close attention to your horse. When dealing with aging horses, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the teeth wear down, causing chewing problems. Therefore, a good equine dentist who regularly checks the teeth is crucial for an older horse. In addition, the digestion of an older horse changes. From around the age of 20, the processing of food becomes less efficient. Also, organs such as the liver and kidneys start to function less effectively. Older horses may struggle to extract energy, protein, vitamins, and minera...
Cannabinoids
Joints
Clove
Silicon
Vitamin E
Black cumin
Osteoarthritis and dental problems: support your horse as it ages
The age at which a horse becomes a "senior" can vary depending on the breed and the individual horse. In general, we are talking about horses around 18 to 20 years old. This is when the first signs of aging start to appear. Joints: Stiffness and Osteoarthritis Older horses often experience joint wear and tear. The production of cartilage slows down in older horses, leading to the gradual thinning of the 'cushioning' cartilage between joints. Cartilage and synovial fluid work together t...
Others
# The benefits of training your horse on a trail ride
When training horses, there is a lot to consider. Whether you are working on basic exercises or training at the highest level. All levels have their challenges. In addition to those challenges, you can also choose different forms of training and decide whether to do this indoors, outdoors, in an arena, or maybe even during a trail ride.. Despite the preference of most riders still going to a closed arena, training your horse on a trail ride is extremely valuable. Why train in an arena? When you actually start training with your horse and focus on improvement or learning something new, it is important to choose where you will train. An enclosed space is ideal when you want to train your horse loose for the first time, for example. In addition, a closed arena often gives a "safe" feeling, allowing many people, and theref...
Nettle
Detox
Organs
Do you know what the benefits are of a detox for your horse?
A detox, or in other words, a cleansing of the horse's body, has several benefits for the horse. Many horse owners are a bit anxious about detoxing, and we understand that, but if done thoughtfully, it is actually a very beneficial action for your horse. Therefore, read in this blog about the benefits of a detox for your horse.. Note! A detox is not always safe to give. Removal of toxins The main function of a detox is to remove toxins. Horses (and also humans) accumulate toxins in the body. These are substances that enter the body through food, illness, obesity, allergies, exercise, and so on. It is inevitable that we get toxins in our bodies, and fortunately, we have a liver and kidneys for that. They help filter and eliminate toxins. However, this is often not enough, and toxins are still stored in the body. A detox...
Nettle
Detox
Organs
Did you know that it is not always wise to give a detox to your horse?
In spring and autumn you hear and read a lot about detoxing horses. We also participate in this, because detoxing is a natural phenomenon in horses and has health benefits. But detoxing is not without risks and should always be given with careful consideration. In this blog, we want to tell you why detoxing is not always wise. If you want to detox your horse, always consult with us first or do it after consulting with a therapist.. Wild horses detox too Wild horses also detox when they live in natural conditions. These horses live according to the rhythm of nature, which means they gain a lot of weight in the summer, but lose a lot of weight in the winter due to scarcity. Toxins are stored in the body in fat tissue, and as the horse loses weight, it slowly gets rid of these toxins throughout the winter. In the wild, horses do not only eat high quality hay or fresh grass, they eat whatever they can find. During certain peri...
Others
Feeding
Seven tips to make your horse drink on unfamiliar terrain
If you are competing in shows, going on a multi-day trek, doing endurance, or planning long trail rides, it's important to keep your horse hydrated. A horse that doesn't drink enough not only loses fluids, but also a lot of energy. Moreover, the risk of colic increases when a horse doesn't drink enough. That's why we give you seven tips to make your horse drink when you are on the go.. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink is a well-known English proverb. Figuratively, it means that you can't force someone to do something they don't want to do, but as a horse owner, you can also take this proverb quite literally. However, there are some things you can do to make your horse drink (better) when you are away from home. When should a horse drink? Just like people, some horses drink more than others. Horses can also go without water for a few hours. But when...
Skin
Ticks in horses: how does that work?
Ticks occur in the summer, when it is warm and dry. They are mainly found in tall grass and bushes. A tick can survive for up to a year without food and will simply wait until a cow, horse or human passes by. The tick then bites and starts sucking blood, up to 600 times its own weight! Some ticks can transmit diseases. Protecting your horse from ticks can be quite challenging. It is wise to regularly check your horse for ticks. In addition, you can add herbs and essential oils to your horse's feed to make the blood unappetizing for these annoying pests.. What is a tick? Ticks are spider-like creatures with eight legs. The sheep tick (Ixodus ricinus) is most common in our area. This tick bites humans, sheep, cows, and horses. Ticks bite to suck blood, as they need that blood to grow. Ticks go through several moults or metamorphoses, during which they become a little bigger each time. They need the proteins from blood for each moult. Adult females also need blood to lay eggs. The sheep tick can transmit diseases while feeding. This mainly happens...
Weight
Insulin resistance
Digestion
Triphala
Ancient herb Triphala supports weight loss and metabolism of horses
Triphala is an herbal mixture that has been used in India for centuries as a natural medicine. It is used for digestive complaints, stress, and to stabilize blood sugar levels. Research has shown that Triphala has strong medicinal properties in humans and rodents. This traditional supplement can also be used in horses, especially for insulin resistance.. What is Triphala? Triphala is a powder made from three different (dried) fruits from the Himalayan region. It is a well-known herbal medicine from the Aryuvedic tradition. The fruits in Triphala are: Amalaki or Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). Research in recent years has shown that Triphala is effective in treating various conditions. Indian gooseberry stimulates digestion, acts as a laxative, and has anti-inflammatory...
Weight
Insulin resistance
Stress
Triphala
Which conditions can triphala be used for in horses?
Triphala is a "herbal mixture" of 3 dried fruits from the Himalayan region. It has been used in India for centuries due to its great healing properties. In this blog, we will explain the conditions in horses where triphala can be used.. Insulin resistance Triphala has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels. It helps lower and balance blood sugar levels. Triphala is therefore very suitable for horses with insulin resistance. In addition, triphala is anti-inflammatory and horses with insulin resistance usually have an increased inflammatory value in their body, leading to itching. Triphala also supports in this area, reducing itching. Gastric ulcers Mucous membranes are supported by triphala. It helps restore mucous membranes,...
Skin
Triphala
Black cumin
Horse with melanoma? Combine triphala with black cumin!
Unfortunately, some horses deal with melanomas. These are tumors that mostly occur in fungi around the tail/anus. Some melanomas can cause a lot of problems and discomfort for the horse. But did you know that a combination of triphala and black cumin can support melanomas?. What are melanomas? Melanomas are skin tumors that arise from excessive production of pigment cells (melanocytes). This excessive cell division results in a bump/tumor called a melanoma. The skin of fungi and piebald horses contain more melanocytes, which is why these horses are more sensitive to melanomas, but melanomas can occur in horses of all colors and breeds. The growths are most common around the anus, on the base of the tail, genitals, and head. Some melanomas are visible on the outside...
Nettle
Skin
Sweet itch
How do I support my horse with sweet itch?
When your horse has sweet itch, it is important to constantly monitor the itching in the summer months to prevent it from getting out of hand. A total approach works best in this situation, which means combining multiple measures. You may have already put a rug on your horse and applied soothing cream to the affected areas. What else can you do to support your itchy horse and prevent it from rubbing its mane and tail raw?. First of all, it is important to make sure that your horse indeed has sweet itch, as horses can experience itching in the summer months due to other causes as well. For example, excessive sugars in their diet or allergies can also cause itching. Overweight horses are more prone to itchiness, and some horses may itch if their pasture has been spread with fertilizers. Total approach important Sweet itch is a challenging issue. The best way to combat it is by implementing a range of measures. This...
Insulin resistance
Feeding
My horse has insulin resistance (IR) - can he still safely graze?
Horses with insulin resistance (IR) are at greater risk of laminitis than horses with optimally healthy sugar metabolism. A horse with IR, recognizable by a hard crest and fat cushions near the tail, should not graze unlimited on sugar-rich grass. But can you never put such a horse or pony in the pasture again? Or are there still possibilities? Many horses are indeed super happy with pasture turnout.... We as owners like to make our horses happy. But unfortunately, unlimited access to the pasture is not suitable for every horse. Especially draft horses, ponies, and horses that have previously had laminitis are at greater risk of the painful condition of laminitis. Does my horse have IR? A horse that is insulin resistant cannot process sugars from food (such as grass and concentrate) well. This leads to fat storage, infections, and loss of energy. Also, the pancreas becomes overloaded. Prolonged...