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.
Digestion
Why is one horse more susceptible to worms than the other?
Your horse always has a positive fecal test, but your friend's horse always tests negative. Same conditions and yet one horse is affected by worms and the other is not. How can this be and what exactly does this have to do with? This mainly has to do with the immunity and the early years of your horse. We explain it in this blog. Keep reading!. Rearing period of young horses sets the basis for worm susceptibility The influence of the rearing period is extremely important for the susceptibility to worms. Foals from mares who have had worm problems during and after pregnancy automatically face a higher level of worm infestation. Foals eat their mother's feces to build their intestinal flora, if this feces is infected with a higher amount of worms, the foal is immediately exposed to an infection. It is therefore extremely important to be...
Nettle
Detox
When do you choose nettle and when for a detox for horses?
A horse in nature cleanses its body twice a year through a period of scarcity (winter) and by seeking out cleansing plants and herbs. Did you know that waste products are stored in fat tissue? In winter, when there is a scarcity of food, horses in nature lose weight, causing the fat tissue containing the waste products to break down. A very natural process through which the horse cleanses its body throughout the year. In summer, horses in nature are very capable of eating herbs and plants that support the body in cleansing. Our horses do not have this option, so what then? And do you choose liquid nettle or a detox for your horse?. What are the benefits of liquid nettle for your horse? We humans often see nettle as a weed that causes itching if touched incorrectly. But horses see nettle as normal food. Some horses eat them fresh, but most horses prefer them dried and without the "sting". Nettles are extremely healthy for horses, rich in minerals, and have an alkaline effect. But most importantly, they purify the blood! And it is this blood-purifying property that makes nettle a nice herb for horses. Ideal for hor...
Detox
Mites
Mite season approaching: do a detox!
Mites are troublesome insects that can cause a lot of itching and misery. Horses with thick socks, such as draft horses and Friesians, can suffer greatly from these pests. In the fall, mites start to emerge. Want to prevent crusts and itching as much as possible? Give your horse a detox before the mite season begins!. Mites become active when the temperature drops and horses start to grow their winter hair. They then crawl into the socks and thicker hair to keep warm. Mites usually start their activities in early October, when the temperature drops below 15 degrees. To ensure that your horse suffers as little as possible from itching, irritation, wounds, and crusts, give your horse a detox. Do this in time, before autumn begins. If the mites are already active, then you are too late. Prevention is the key wor...
Guest blog
Organs
Digestion
Feeding
Natascha Bos: 'Disturbed pH value in horses often not recognized'
The pH value, we have all heard of it before. Something to do with chemistry and that little piece of paper that changes color, right? What many people do not know is that the pH value, or acidity, plays a very important role in the health of our horses. An imbalance in pH can lead to various symptoms. Natascha Bos from Blauwe Hengst discusses the influence of acids and bases in the horse's body, how to recognize acidification, and how to prevent it. What is the pH value and how does it work in horse nutrition? The pH is the degree of acidity, or acidity levels. You may have had to measure this in a liquid using litmus paper in high school. The pH can vary from 0 to 14. A pH of about 7 is considered neutral. In nutrition – for humans and for horses – we talk about acidic and alkaline foods. Natascha explains: "Humans naturally consume acidic and alkaline foods. For example, animal products and grains are acidifying, while leafy greens a...
Others
Feeding
Do you have a `sour` horse?
We are not talking about a sour mare in terms of behavior, but literally a horse with a high acidity level in the body. Did you know that an acidic horse will eventually experience physical complaints? And that you can prevent acidification of the body by ensuring the base is good? Read in this blog what we mean by a sour horse, how to recognize it, and also how to prevent it.. Everything depends on the right pH value Acidity is expressed in pH. A high acidity level, so sour, is a low pH. A low acidity level, so basic, is a high pH. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. The lower the number, the more acidic it is, where 7 is neutral. Every cell and organ in the body has a specific pH value at which the cell functions optimally. For example, the stomach has a lower pH value to kill pathogens, while other organs may require a higher pH. However, the pH of the blood is crucia...
Guest blog
Feeding
Guest blog Agrobs - Grains: horse feed or not?
You hear more and more that people prefer to feed their horses as much grain-free as possible. However, the practice of giving concentrate feed based on grains is very old. Why would it suddenly not be good for a horse anymore? What do grains do in the horse's body? And: which horses can benefit from some grains?. Grains, nowadays often hidden in muesli or pellets, have long been an important part of horses' diets. When horses used to work in the fields, they expended much more energy than our current sport and leisure horses. They often worked hard all day and had few breaks to replenish their reserves. They had to eat while the farmworker had his sandwich. Grains can be eaten quickly, contain a lot of energy, and are also easy to transport and do not spoil as quickly. Thus, grains became an important co...
Feeding
# 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
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
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
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
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
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...