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.
Behaviour
Clove
Stress
How to prevent box walking in your horse?
In the winter period, many horses are back in the stables. The pastures/paddocks are too wet to keep horses outside all the time, but it may also be necessary to stall horses individually in the winter due to supplemental feeding. During this period, we receive many questions on customer service about box walking/restless horses in the stable. Do we have a supplement that can help with this? Let's start by saying that horses need as much free movement as possible and that stable time should always be kept to a minimum. In this blog, we want to explain why a horse may box walk and whether it can be remedied/prevented.. Box walking happens for a reason Most horse stables are 3m x 3m. This is a relatively small space for horses, especially if horses were used to staying outside 24/7 in the summer and having plenty of room. Additionally, the feed suddenly changes from grass to hay, the horse no longer has a choice in what it eats, everything is wet, and there may be a horse next to them that they wouldn't choose to be with in the pasture. These are all reasons why a horse can feel overwhelmed and stressed. The tr...
Vitamin E
Feeding
How much vitamin E is in hay?
Horses that spend many hours in the pasture get enough vitamin E from fresh grass. But in the winter, most horses are hardly on the pasture anymore, or the pasture is bare. They mainly eat dry forage, such as hay. There is much less vitamin E in hay, especially when it has been sitting for a while. In storage, vitamin E disappears from the hay.. The degradation of vitamin E from drying hay is very rapid. Often half of it has disappeared after two weeks. You can imagine that the vitamin E content has become very low by the end of winter. Your horse cannot meet its vitamin E needs in that period with just hay. Why is vitamin E important for horses? Horses need vitamin E as an antioxidant, for the proper function of their muscles, and for the immune system. Vitamin E is also important for the nervous system. All horses need daily vitamin E...
Skin
Silicon
Feeding
A shiny coat says nothing about the health of the horse
'My horse is perfectly healthy because he shines' you have probably heard a horse lover say. But is that true? Is a horse that shines always healthy? We as horse owners like to see a horse that shines like a mirror. But making a horse shine is not an art, it says less about the actual health of the horse than is thought. Read on below!. Oil and silicon make a horse shine Did you know that when horses shine from being given oil, it is because their body cannot get rid of the excess fat and it will secrete it through the skin as a temporary solution? Therefore, never give more than 50-75 ml of oil per day, divided into multiple portions. Horses that are fed oil will automatically shine more. The fats ensure a more oily skin, which makes the coat slightly oilier and shiny. The shine a horse gets from being fed oil does not come fr...
Nettle
Detox
Feeding
8 tips to prevent stable legs in your horse
Unfortunately, in winter many horses get less exercise. They spend more time in the stable and especially during the holidays, they train less. This can cause stable legs: thicker, swollen (hind) legs, which do not feel warm. What exactly is this, is it harmful and what can you do about it? We give you eight useful tips!. Horses are naturally made to be slightly active all day. When the heart pumps harder during this movement, the circulation in the legs also improves. This is partly due to the hoof mechanism: the expansion of the hoof with each step, pumping the blood through the lower leg and hoof. What are stable legs? By 'stable legs' we mean: fluid in the lower legs because the horse stands in the stable for a longer period of time. When a horse stands still for a long time, the circulation in the legs decre...
Guest blog
Digestion
Feeding
Guest Blog Ellen Wijnands - Manure Water in Horses: from Nutritional Advice to Supplements
Ellen Wijnands is a natural nutritionist and uses bioresonance to measure and treat energetic disturbances and blockages, even in horses. In this way, she can offer support for various ailments and issues through a holistic approach. We asked Ellen what issues she encounters in her practice and how she proceeds. Manure water turns out to be a common problem. Ellen: "Manure water is not normal, it is not something that 'belongs to your horse'. A multi-faceted approach gives the highest chance of success. Keep in mind: every horse is different.". Ellen explains: "Especially at the beginning of winter, I often see digestive problems. I also frequently encounter horses with manure water. Manure water arises from changes in the diet. Especially when horses transition from pasture to a diet of only dried roughage." Cause of manure water With manure water, your horse has relatively firm to quite soft manure balls, but a significant amount of liquid is also expelled. This manure water indicates that the digestive juices are not prope...
Algae
Feeding
What is the difference between spirulina and DHA algae for horses?
There are several types of algae supplements available for horses nowadays. Spirulina and DHA algae are well-known examples. What is the difference between these two types of algae? And can they be easily swapped for each other?. Algae are very healthy for horses. They contain proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Make sure to select an algae product specifically made for horses, as there are algae species that are toxic to horses! Spirulina as a protein source for horses Spirulina is a blue-green saltwater algae, known as a cyanobacterium. This is a very ancient life form. Spirulina is naturally very rich in proteins, and also contains vitamin B12, essential amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids. Spiruli...
Cannabinoids
Black cumin
The healing power of thymoquinone (black cumin) for horses
Black cumin has been known for its medicinal properties since ancient Egyptians. Thymoquinone is the main active ingredient of the black cumin plant (Nigella Sativa). Black cumin grows in the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, and Asia, and is mentioned in both the Bible and the Quran as a powerful medicine.. Recent scientific research in humans and animals shows that thymoquinone indeed has many beneficial effects, including on high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, asthma, bacterial and viral infections, skin conditions, and even neurological problems. It is therefore one of the most promising plant substances we know. Thymoquinone can be used for a wide range of issues. Thymoquinone works directly Oil is often pressed from black cumin seeds, containing besides thymoquinone, several other...
Nettle
In which situations do you give (liquid) nettle to your horse?
Nettle is more than just a healthy treat for your horse, it actually has a natural healing effect. But do you know in which situations you can use nettle for your horse? It is not for nothing that it is one of our most recommended supplements during advisory consultations. We recommend giving your horse nettle for 10 to 14 days every quarter. This is a healthy but also very tasty treat for all horses. Read in this blog for which horses/situations it is extra recommended!. Nettle is very healing Nettle is much more than a simple "weed" that grows everywhere and itches a lot. Horse people love nettle and that's not without reason. Nettle has multiple healing effects and is healthy for every horse. This makes it useful as both a 'healthy treat' and therapeutically. The healing effects of nettle for horses are: Blood purifying Detoxifying Supporting intestinal flora and metabolism Boosting overall resistance Anti-histamine effect Anti-inflammatory Reducing...
Silicon
Which form of silicon is the best choice: hydrolyzed, orthosilicic acid, or diatomaceous earth?
Silicon is a mineral that is becoming increasingly well-known. It is essential for maintaining collagen and for bone formation, among other things. Silicon also helps prevent eating sand. Unfortunately, not all forms of silicon are easily absorbed by horses. There is a difference in absorbability between orthosilicic acid, diatomaceous earth, and hydrolyzed silicon. The most effective form of silicon for horses is in hydrolyzed form: liquid and with tiny molecules. Only very small molecules can pass through the intestinal wall.. Almost all naturally occurring silicon in nature is 'locked' in very stable mineral compounds such as silicates and silicon oxide (sand). These minerals are so stable that they can hardly dissolve into a form that is absorbable in the digestive system of mammals. The silicon in these minerals is therefore not available as a supplement for humans and animals. Before it can be absorbed, the molecule must first be detached from these compounds. Difficult to obtain There are few minerals or metals t...
Digestion
Feeding
Psyllium cure for sand colic: often dosed much too low in horses!
Psyllium, or flea seed, is a good way to remove sand from the intestines of your horse. If your horse regularly ingests some sand, in the paddock or on a short pasture, it is good to give a course of flea seed every month or six weeks. But beware: the dose stated on the packaging of many psyllium products is too low. A sand cure works best when short, but powerful. Read on to find out what the correct dosage is.. A horse ingests sand while grazing, by eating hay from a bare ground, or by intentionally licking sand in the paddock. Dust in hay can also cause the absorption of sand or clay. A little sand in your horse's intestines is normal, and small amounts are simply excreted by your horse. What you want to prevent is the sand accumulating. This sometimes happens if a lot goes in and little comes out. This can lead to sand colic, a painful and sometimes even deadly form of colic. The most risky period fo...
Digestion
Stress
Feeding
Horse with gastric ulcer? Use psyllium seeds for relief.
Unfortunately, many horses suffer from gastric issues to some extent. Gastric ulcers are common and can quickly develop. Any form of stress (due to incorrect nutrition, housing, or work) can quickly lead to irritation and result in gastric ulcers. While there are many supplements available for sensitive stomachs/gastric ulcers, did you know that the "simple" psyllium seeds can also provide relief? Of course, this is not a miracle cure. But it certainly helps in addressing gastric issues. Read more about this in this blog.. Always limit stress with your horse Giving supplements against gastric ulcers for an extended period is not recommended. There may still be details in the overall approach that work against this, such as grains in the diet. Always ensure that the basic conditions for your horse are good. Every horse is different and has individual needs. Limiting stress is a big part of this, and it varies for each horse. Some horses get stressed if they have to stay outside 24/7, while others get stressed if th...
Feeding
Why is sunflower oil not suitable for horses?
For sober horses that lack energy for their work, giving oil can be a convenient solution. The horses get more energy from it without getting fat or suffering from sugar cravings or insulin resistance. Many people choose sunflower oil because it is easy to obtain and cheap. But unfortunately, sunflower oil is not suitable for your horse! In this article, you will learn why.. Many horse owners like to give their horse some oil. The horse's coat will shine, and oil is a good energy source for horses that easily become overweight from sugars and grains. Or for horses that suffer from metabolic diseases like insulin resistance. Flaxseed oil and sunflower oil are therefore often on the horse menu and are even often recommended by veterinarians. This while sunflower oil is actually not recommended at all. Fatty acids: important nutrients for your horse It is important for...