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
5 Tips for optimizing biodiversity in your horse's pasture
Unfortunately, biodiversity has drastically decreased in the Dutch meadows. There is very little variation in grass species, herbs, and other plants. This not only provides a more one-sided food source for your horse, but also leads to a decrease in insects such as bees and bumblebees, which are important for pollinating plants. It's a shame! Because the balance in all of this is important for a healthy environment and therefore a healthy horse.. Read in this blog how you can optimize biodiversity yourself with these five tips! Tip 1: Mow later Insects like to live in taller grass, but birds and other small animals also seek shelter in tall grass. By mowing your pasture later, you help increase the population of insects which then serve as food for birds and other animals. And for example, mow the side of the ditch less often! Another advantage of mowing later: more structured hay for your horse! Tip 2: Natural fertilization instead of c...
First Aid
Skin
Wounds in horses close quickly with Effective Microorganisms (EM) spray
Every horse occasionally gets a small wound. A nip in the paddock, a bump, or an annoying insect often lead to minor skin damage. Unfortunately, horses can be very sensitive to this and such a wound can lead to unpleasant infections. Sometimes even resulting in blood poisoning or a swollen leg (Einschuss). So you want wounds to be cleaned and closed as quickly as possible!. On the skin of your horse (and yours!), there is a wide biodiversity of microorganisms. It is a whole web of microscopic life. An interesting way to support the natural healing process of the skin is by using Effective Microorganisms. These are 'happy' or 'good' bacteria and other microorganisms that initiate the healing process and help prevent infections. What are Effective Microorganisms? The term 'Effective Microorganisms' refers to a mixture of active bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. These tiny...
Feeding
Pasture
Grass: the biggest sugar bomb for your horse
It's spring, and soon most horses will be allowed back into the pasture. Hooray! But not for all horses is grazing a delight. Especially for hardy breeds and sensitive horses, the pasture can be a dangerous place. Grass can (sometimes) be packed with sugars, especially in the spring and fall after cold nights. However, with proper management, these horses can also enjoy grazing.. Grass and hay contain varying amounts of carbohydrates such as sugars, starch, and fructan. The amount of sugars in the grass depends on the time of day and the season. The type of grass in the pasture also has an influence. Excessive intake of sugars, starch, and fructan is associated with digestive issues and metabolic diseases such as laminitis, insulin resistance, and EMS in horses. Horses with summer eczema or those sensitive to mites also benefit from a low-sugar diet. Tip: Pay attention t...
Feeding
Pasture
Only a meadow with English Ryegrass? With these tips you create more variety for your horse!
Grass is the basis of a horse's diet. This can be in the form of grazing in the pasture, or dried in the form of hay. But did you know that you can improve this basic diet of your horse to make it even more nutritious for your horse? Read in this blog how to do that.. Of course, not everyone has the luxury of their own piece of pasture, but you may be able to take tips from this blog to make adjustments for your horse so that it gets more variety! Choose multiple types of grass Most pastures consist of English Ryegrass. A grass species that thrives in the Dutch climate, provides good yield, and creates a dense sod. However, it is very one-sided for horses and often too high in nutritional value for almost all horses. Many horses can therefore only graze limit...
Minerals
Feeding
When is an extra supplement of minerals in concentrate feed for horses necessary?
Many people think that horses receiving (twice daily) concentrate feed do not need extra minerals. However, that is not entirely true. Much depends on the type of concentrate feed, the quality of hay or pasture, the efforts a horse makes, and the health of the horse. Are there disadvantages to concentrate feed? And when should you supplement with extra minerals?. Traditionally, it is common to give all horses concentrate feed (pellets). However, in recent years, you can see that the science is shifting. If your horse is not in a pasture 24 hours a day, then good hay (unpacked), that is not dusty or moldy, is the basis of the diet in combination with a concentrated mineral pellet. All horses need roughage, in ample quantities, spread throughout the day. Your horse's digestive system cannot function without it. Hay lacks sufficient minerals Minerals are es...
Electrolytes
Insulin resistance
Minerals
Insulin resistant horse? Choose concentrated Bering Sea water as electrolytes!
Horses and ponies that are insulin resistant benefit from receiving as little sugars as possible in any form (carbohydrates, starch, dextrose, etc). However, these horses do need extra minerals, especially if they sweat a lot. But how do you manage this since most electrolytes contain some form of sugar? Choose concentrated Bering Sea water. 1 liter of concentrated Bering Sea water is equivalent to 100 liters of seawater. Seawater contains 20 to 28% table salt, which is filtered out. You can imagine that there are a huge amount of minerals in 100 liters of seawater.. Why are electrolytes necessary? Horses that sweat lose electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium) through sweat in addition to fluids. These minerals are essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system, but also aid in recovery after exertion and promote muscle flexibility. An electrolyte deficiency can lead to issues like cramping. Horses can lose 10-15 liters of sweat in hot weather or during intense exercise, resulting in a loss of electrolytes. To ensure th...
Respiratory
# 10 tips to prevent respiratory problems in winter
Horses coughing, we see that regularly in winter. What are the causes of coughing? What should you do about it? And how do you prevent irritations to the airways from becoming a serious problem? Read our 10 tips!. There can be multiple reasons for a cough in your horse. A single cough may not be a problem, we also sometimes clear our throat without there being an issue. A passing dust cloud or a pellet of feed getting stuck can cause an occasional - harmless - cough in your horse. Also, when you start your training in cold weather, your horse may cough once, without you needing to worry immediately. Take coughing seriously Apart from the exceptions mentioned above, you don't really want your horse to coug...
Respiratory
What you need to know about respiratory problems in horses during the winter months!
As it is getting colder now, respiratory problems in horses are often seen more frequently during the winter months. This is related to several factors such as changes in diet, stable management, and climate. Read everything you need to know about respiratory problems in horses during the winter months in this blog.. Two groups of horses with respiratory problems Coughing in horses during the winter months can be broadly divided into two groups: Horses that start coughing due to irritation of the airways from prolonged exposure to irritating substances in the air such as dust, mold, and ammonia. Horses that develop inflammation of the airways as a result of reduced overall resistance. In the first group of horses, symptoms usually appear in the first half of winter. The second group generally starts showing...
Guest blog
Lymphatic system
Natascha Bos: 'Lymphatic drainage improves recovery after injuries'
In the Netherlands, Natascha Bos is the founder of manual lymphatic drainage for horses. She works as a therapist herself and trains others through her company De Blauwe Hengst. We spoke to Natascha about what lymphatic drainage can mean for horses, especially after an injury. Her advice: "The lymphatic system is crucial for the recovery of your horse. Don't wait too long to provide support!. Natascha: "The lymphatic system is very important for the horse's body. The lymphatic vessel system transports, from different tissues, joints, and organs, all substances that are no longer useful. Through lymph fluid, these waste products come to the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes have multiple tasks including filtering. Ultimately, the lymph flow drains into the blood." Lymphatic system important for immunity "The lymphatic system is a kind of separate department of the immune sys...
Others
Is natural deworming possible in horses?
Obtaining dewormers for horses is becoming increasingly difficult in the Netherlands. Worms are also becoming more resistant to chemical dewormers. Many horse owners are therefore looking for a natural way to deworm their horse, but is natural deworming possible? Keep reading in this blog.. Don't rely blindly on a fecal examination A fecal examination can be a good indication of the number of worms in your horse. Especially in the winter, a fecal examination is not reliable because worms are dormant. But even encapsulated worms are not always visible in the feces, as a fecal examination is a snapshot. So don't rely blindly on the results of a fecal examination and deworm preventively at least once a year with a broad-spectrum dewormer. Pumpkin seeds and sainfoin There are a number...
Digestion
Why a fecal examination in horses in the winter can be falsely negative
Many people have fecal examinations done before deworming their horses. In itself, that is a good idea, because this way you can combat the parasites in the horse's belly more effectively. But unfortunately, you cannot rely blindly on this method. Especially in winter, some types of worm infections are not or hardly visible in the feces.. During a fecal examination, the number of worm eggs in your horse's feces is examined. A few eggs are not a problem, but if there are many worm eggs present, then a deworming treatment is advised. Deworming based on fecal examination can prevent over-deworming. This was sometimes a problem in the past, as worms become resistant to deworming agents that are given too frequently. Red bloodworms in hibernation In autumn, the larvae of the red bloodworm go into a resting state. They then settle in t...
Cannabinoids
Clove
How do cannabinoids work for different conditions?
Supplements based on cannabinoids are increasingly being used for various ailments, both in horses and in humans. How do cannabinoids work and why are they so effective for many conditions? In this article, we provide an overview of the research on the functioning of these signaling substances and the symptoms for which cannabinoids can be used.. How does it work? About 30 years ago, scientists discovered that all vertebrate animals, including horses and humans, have a so-called 'endocannabinoid system'. This system is very important for a range of physical processes. Oxygen transport, proper signal transmission in the nervous system, bone formation, and digestion are all influenced by this system. Mental health is also linked to the endocannabinoid system. It acts as a bridge between body and mind, ensuring that a person or animal remai...