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.

Feeding

In our mission to bring horses closer to nature, nutrition naturally plays a role. In a consultation, we often ask about the horse's diet, as this is often a piece of the puzzle. In almost all of our advice, we emphasize the importance of feeding sufficient quality vitamins and minerals and to critically evaluate the current concentrate feed. But why do we do that? And what is the difference between a balancer and, for example, a basic pellet? Read more about this in this blog.

# Why we recommend feeding a mineral balancer to horses

In our mission to bring horses closer to nature, nutrition naturally plays a role. In a consultation, we often ask about the horse's diet, as this is often a piece of the puzzle. In almost all of our advice, we emphasize the importance of feeding sufficient quality vitamins and minerals and to critically evaluate the current concentrate feed. But why do we do that? And what is the difference between a balancer and, for example, a basic pellet? Read more about this in this blog.. What is a balancer for horses? A balancer is a concentrated pellet, containing a lot of vitamins and minerals, and you only need to feed a small amount. Often, you only need to feed a maximum of 350 grams per horse (600 kg) per day to provide all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that the horse needs daily. For comparison; with concentrate feed, you often have to feed a minimum of 2 kilos to achieve the same levels of vitamins and minerals. The advantage of this is that you pr...

Pasture

Growing grass and grazing horses extract nutrients and minerals from the soil. That is why now is one of the moments to provide the soil with extra minerals. This year was (unlike previous years) sultry and rainy, very conducive to growth. But due to the fact that pastures have experienced a lot of drought or extreme rain in recent years, the quality of grass has deteriorated significantly. Now is the time to provide the pasture with extra minerals. Read in this blog how that works.

Why now is the moment to provide the pasture for horses with extra minerals

Growing grass and grazing horses extract nutrients and minerals from the soil. That is why now is one of the moments to provide the soil with extra minerals. This year was (unlike previous years) sultry and rainy, very conducive to growth. But due to the fact that pastures have experienced a lot of drought or extreme rain in recent years, the quality of grass has deteriorated significantly. Now is the time to provide the pasture with extra minerals. Read in this blog how that works.. Why now? At the end of the grazing season is the time to start providing extra minerals to the soil for the coming season. This way, you ensure that there are enough minerals in the soil when the grass starts growing again. Growing grass and grazing horses extract nutrients and minerals from the soil. Also, the fields are not too wet right now, so you can even drive a tractor over them if needed. The advice is to provide the soil with minerals at least three times a year. But it can also be done...

Pasture

A healthy soil, with a rich soil life and plenty of readily available minerals, provides better grass and therefore better forage for your horse. Why should you actually fertilize the soil or provide it with additional minerals? What should you pay attention to? What is the best solution for the horse pasture? And how do you take care of the oh so important soil life, such as earthworms?

How do you ensure a mineral-rich soil and grass for horses?

A healthy soil, with a rich soil life and plenty of readily available minerals, provides better grass and therefore better forage for your horse. Why should you actually fertilize the soil or provide it with additional minerals? What should you pay attention to? What is the best solution for the horse pasture? And how do you take care of the oh so important soil life, such as earthworms?. The soil is the top layer of the earth's crust. And although you might not think so, it is actually just a very thin and fragile skin on top of an enormously thick layer of rock. This small layer of soil plays a very important role in the planet's freshwater cycle, as a carbon reservoir (essential for plant growth) and even in climate regulation. Large-scale agriculture and modern methods to increase agricultural production have rapidly depleted the soil of nutrients such as carbon and minerals....

Insulin resistance

Sweet itch

Full summer, nice sunshine. For most horses, lovely weather, but for horses with summer eczema, unfortunately, this is the moment when they have to be fully covered to avoid itching. But did you know that the blanket influences the amount of vitamin D the horse receives? Read more about this in this blog.

Did you know that a horse with summer eczema receives less vitamin D?

Full summer, nice sunshine. For most horses, lovely weather, but for horses with summer eczema, unfortunately, this is the moment when they have to be fully covered to avoid itching. But did you know that the blanket influences the amount of vitamin D the horse receives? Read more about this in this blog.. Two forms of vitamin D Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that occurs in 2 forms. There is a plant-based form (D2 - ergocalciferol) and an animal-based form (D3 - cholecalciferol). The plant-based form D2 is obtained by the horse from roughage (grass, hay, and straw). The animal-based form D3 can be produced by the horse itself, but for that, the horse needs UV radiation (sunlight) on its skin. Horses need both forms to meet their vitamin D requirements. Functions of vitamin D in horses Vitamin...

Others

Feeding

Not much is heard about vitamin D in horses. Usually it is assumed that horses can produce this vitamin themselves under the influence of sunlight. But what about horses that always wear a blanket? Or horses that spend a lot of time in the stable? What not everyone knows is that many horses have an extra need for vitamin D. For example, due to heavy training, old age, or summer eczema. We will give you an overview of everything about vitamin D in horses.

How about vitamin D in horses?

Not much is heard about vitamin D in horses. Usually it is assumed that horses can produce this vitamin themselves under the influence of sunlight. But what about horses that always wear a blanket? Or horses that spend a lot of time in the stable? What not everyone knows is that many horses have an extra need for vitamin D. For example, due to heavy training, old age, or summer eczema. We will give you an overview of everything about vitamin D in horses.. Vitamin D is important for: Bone formation and bone strength (a deficiency can lead to bone loss and rickets) Liver function and liver health Insulin sensitivity and preventing metabolic syndrome (EMS) A strong immune system Energy in muscles (a deficiency can lead to muscle weakness) Problems in the body - of people and horses - often result in an increased use of vitamin D. In those cases, a horse also needs more vitamin D. Your horse has a higher need for vitamin D when: Allergies and immune...

Cannabinoids

Guest blog

Clove

Clove cannabinoids are very versatile in horses. This is because they support the ECS system. This is a system that takes care of different processes in the body. We have asked Miranda Hoogenberg about her experiences. She has used cannabinoids in various situations such as stress, inflammation, and pain, but also in grief and stress when the leader of the herd died. But first, who is Miranda?

Guestblog HOPE for horses: ‘Cannabinoids good for the entire system in horses’

Clove cannabinoids are very versatile in horses. This is because they support the ECS system. This is a system that takes care of different processes in the body. We have asked Miranda Hoogenberg about her experiences. She has used cannabinoids in various situations such as stress, inflammation, and pain, but also in grief and stress when the leader of the herd died. But first, who is Miranda?. Who is Miranda Hoogenberg Miranda Hoogenberg from HOPE for Horses helps people and horses come together in riding and in their general cooperation. "I teach horseback riding from dressage, jumping, and cross-country to coaching. I always try to look and feel what is suitable for both horse and rider. What is really important for the horse and for the human? That is really my passion," says Miranda. "Working on strengthening the inner, emotional, and spiritual aspect of the interac...

Algae

Salmon oil

Omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, are very important for your horse. To ensure an adequate intake of these healthy fats, your horse needs to find them in its diet. This is because the main omega-3 fatty acids are often not sufficiently produced by your horse itself. What exactly is the situation? And what is the difference between EPA, DHA, and ALA?

DHA operation horses: how does it really work?

Omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, are very important for your horse. To ensure an adequate intake of these healthy fats, your horse needs to find them in its diet. This is because the main omega-3 fatty acids are often not sufficiently produced by your horse itself. What exactly is the situation? And what is the difference between EPA, DHA, and ALA?. You have probably heard that there are healthy and unhealthy fats. This applies to both humans and horses. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the health of our horses and have numerous health-promoting properties. They play a role in eye function, heart function, blood circulation, blood pressure, fat metabolism, vein function, and the triglyceride level (amount of fat in the blood) of horses. The most well-known omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA),...

Weight

Vitamin E

Overweight in horses is more common than we realize, especially during the summer period it is difficult to keep horses at a healthy weight. There are horse owners who choose not to let horses and ponies graze, or only very limited. But grass also contains very important nutrients, including vitamin E. And did you know that vitamin E is an important vitamin for overweight horses? Let's delve into this in this blog!

Why vitamin E is important for overweight horses

Overweight in horses is more common than we realize, especially during the summer period it is difficult to keep horses at a healthy weight. There are horse owners who choose not to let horses and ponies graze, or only very limited. But grass also contains very important nutrients, including vitamin E. And did you know that vitamin E is an important vitamin for overweight horses? Let's delve into this in this blog!. Vitamin E important for overweight horses Horses with overweight have an extra need for vitamin E. Firstly, vitamin E is important for all horses to eliminate waste products (free radicals) that are released during exercise. This is to prevent muscle pain, stiffness, and prolonged recovery after intensive training. But with overweight, there is more to it! Fat is a major source of inflammation. Therefore, horses with overweight experience more inflammatory reactions in the body than normal. Ther...

Insulin resistance

Vitamin E

Feeding

Sweet itch

Under natural circumstances, horses obtain their required vitamin E from fresh grass. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is crucial for muscles, prevents stiffness, and supports a healthy nervous system. Sport horses have a higher need for vitamin E, but this also applies to horses sensitive to sugar and horses with PSSM. If your horse doesn't have access to fresh grass, you need to ensure a good supplementation!

Horse not on the grass? Provide extra vitamin E.

Under natural circumstances, horses obtain their required vitamin E from fresh grass. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is crucial for muscles, prevents stiffness, and supports a healthy nervous system. Sport horses have a higher need for vitamin E, but this also applies to horses sensitive to sugar and horses with PSSM. If your horse doesn't have access to fresh grass, you need to ensure a good supplementation!. Horses that are sensitive to sugars, such as horses that gain weight quickly, have had laminitis, or horses that suffer from sweet itch], cannot graze unlimited. Therefore, these horses are often kept in a paddock and given hay as roughage along with a mineral and vitamin pellet. This is wise and healthy for these horses. But you need to pay close attention. Vitamin E in case of insulin resistance There is a lot of vitamin E in fresh grass, so you don't have to worry about vitamin E for horses t...

Hooves

Silicon

Crumbling hooves, or actually crumbled hooves, are common in the summer. Regular trimming can already be a good solution, but did you know that the mineral silicon can also contribute? One of the properties of this mineral is that it is the building material for hooves. Want to know how the mineral silicon can contribute to crumbling hooves? Then keep reading!

What the mineral silicon does for crumbling hooves

Crumbling hooves, or actually crumbled hooves, are common in the summer. Regular trimming can already be a good solution, but did you know that the mineral silicon can also contribute? One of the properties of this mineral is that it is the building material for hooves. Want to know how the mineral silicon can contribute to crumbling hooves? Then keep reading!. Cause of crumbling hooves in summer We always call it crumbling hooves when pieces of hoof wall break off due to drought. But actually, this is a incorrect way of naming it. In the summer, during drought, it is more like crumbled hooves. Pieces of the hoof break off due to drought/ standing on uneven ground, etc. The causes of crumbling hooves in the summer are: Period of drought Mineral deficiency Lack of movement Shortage of building materials for the hoof Lack of moisture in the hooves Harder...

Hooves

Minerals

Silicon

Salmon oil

Many horses have dry hooves in the summer. This is annoying because dry hooves can crumble or split. Cracked hooves are not solved immediately, but there are things you can do to improve hoof quality and reduce the risk of dry hooves.

Seven useful tips against dry hooves in the summer

Many horses have dry hooves in the summer. This is annoying because dry hooves can crumble or split. Cracked hooves are not solved immediately, but there are things you can do to improve hoof quality and reduce the risk of dry hooves.. Hooves grow slowly. Once they are damaged, they also recover slowly. The key is to prevent hooves from crumbling as much as possible. This means taking a number of measures both externally and internally to keep the hooves healthy. Just applying a bit of oil to the hoof is really not enough! Unfortunately... Tip 1: Timely visit to the farrier Make sure your horse is trimmed regularly. This prevents little chips and cracks from getting worse and prevents the hooves from wearing unevenly. Regular...

Nettle

Respiratory

You have probably heard that nettle is healthy for horses. This prickly plant contains a lot of minerals and vitamins. But what you may not know is that nettle is also a natural remedy for hay fever and pollen allergies! To find out exactly how, read this article.

Horse with pollen allergy? Nettle helps!

You have probably heard that nettle is healthy for horses. This prickly plant contains a lot of minerals and vitamins. But what you may not know is that nettle is also a natural remedy for hay fever and pollen allergies! To find out exactly how, read this article.. Nettle is a well-known herb for horses. You can pick the young tips (with gloves!) and let them dry to remove the sting. Or you can use a ready-made supplement. A liquid extract of nettle is the most effective: highly dosed and easily absorbed by your horse. Nettle contains many minerals, such as silicon. What is pollen allergy in horses? An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance. For example, pollen from a plant. The so-called ‘mast cells’ play an impo...

Questions? AskHELTIE!

Are you looking for advice about your dog or horse? Or do you want to know more about conditions or ingredients? Feel free to contact AskHELTIE, and we will be happy to assist you! .