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.
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Silicon
Young horses in rearing: growing up strong with silicon
A young horse in rearing needs lots of free movement and the right nutrition. Only then can it develop into a powerful (sports) horse with a strong physique. A horse that is ready in its body to gradually start working and then sustain health for many years. Sufficient silicon in the daily ration of young horses supports the formation of strong bones, tendons, ligaments, and joints.. Bone formation Absorbable silicon in the diet of horses (and humans) stimulates bone-making cells called osteoblasts. Additionally, bone-resorbing cells, called osteoclasts, are inhibited by silicon. Silicon promotes better bone density, increased collagen formation, and reduces bone and collagen breakdown. Silicon builds the musculoskeletal system The main component for cartilage, joint fluid, tendons, and ligaments is glucosamine, which is produced by the body itself. Studies show that supplem...
Weight
Feeding
# Why long grass is better than short grass
Most horses are back on the grass by now. It is often thought that short grass is better for horses. A common remark is for example "my horses are in a poor pasture, so they only get a little grass". But is that really the case? Just imagine how tall the grass would be if you had fenced off a piece? That's right, that piece would be quite high. This means that the horses in the poor pasture with short grass have all ingested that grass. In addition, longer grass contains less sugars than short grass. We will explain exactly how that works in this blog.. Side note: it is still important to slowly build up the grazing season for horses that are not on grass 24/7. Long grass does not mean that you can immediately put your horses on it 24/7. Build it up slowly and keep an eye on the fructan index. Very useful to have as an app on your phone. Short grass vs. long grass for horses We have listed the characteristics of grass for you. Because long grass and strip grazing is definitely recommended for all horses. See below in this table the differences...
Joints
Others
Feeding
How can you support the aging horse?
From the age of 15, horses are considered "older." This is a point where many horses start to experience joint difficulties and the first signs of aging. However, every horse is different. Some horses still happily trot around at 25, while others may experience some discomfort at 15. Therefore, we will provide you with guidelines for caring for your aging horse.. Check the teeth of an aging horse Horses' teeth wear down over their lifetime. As a horse ages, more dental problems may arise, causing them to have difficulty chewing and therefore lose weight. It is important for all horses to have their teeth checked annually, but especially for older horses. Loose teeth, excessive tartar, diastemas (spaces between the teeth), or the condition EOTRH can cause discomfort, leading to decreased food intake by the horse. In some cases, it may be necessary to adju...
Guest blog
Guest blog Lion van den Hoek: Blockages in nerve pathways: common but often ignored
For an animal that relies on movement like a horse, a healthy nervous system is crucial. When something is wrong with a (sport) horse, it often manifests as underperformance or lameness. Many of these symptoms can have their origin in problems with the nervous system. This is not always considered, but it is quite common. We spoke with horsetherapist Lion van den Hoek, who specializes in PEMF, or Pulse Electro-Magnetic Field therapy. This therapy focuses on removing blockages in the nerve pathways and allowing energy to flow freely through the horse's body.. Lion van den Hoek has been working in the international show jumping sector for 13 years, as a groom, sports masseur, and trainer. Since 2016, he has been working with NES Health Equine, which he now does from his company Equine Dreams. Van den Hoek's mission is to work from a place of calm and give horses the opportunity to develop themselves. What does the nervous system do? "The nervous system is a communication network that regulates contact between all parts of the body. Signals are se...
Electrolytes
Giving electrolytes: better before or after training?
Now that the temperatures are rising again and both horses and riders are coming out of training sweating, replenishing mineral deficiencies with electrolytes may be wise. In which situations is it a good idea to supplement with electrolytes? And when and how is the best way to give electrolytes, before or after exertion?. A sweating horse loses a lot of salts and other minerals. On hot days, a horse can produce up to 10 to 15 liters of sweat per hour when working. Horse sweat is also very salty. While humans adapt to hot weather and excrete less salty sweat, horses continue to lose large amounts of minerals through their sweat. To replenish all those lost minerals, you can give (liquid) electrolytes to your horse. What do electrolytes do? Electrolytes include: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phos...
Electrolytes
Electrolytes for horses: better absorbable thanks to vitamin B2
Summer is coming! On warm days, your horse sweats extra during training or on a trail ride. A sweating horse can lose a lot of salts and other minerals. To replenish those minerals, many people give electrolytes, often in liquid form. Research shows that these electrolytes are better absorbed in combination with vitamin B2. Electrolytes are ions of salts, acids, and bases that are in liquid form in the body. Horses (and humans) need these electrolytes for the proper functioning of the nervous system, to recover after exertion, and for muscle flexibility. Warm weather = 10 to 15 liters of sweat A horse can sweat as much as 10 to 15 liters per hour during heavy exercise and/or warm weather! This also means a significant loss of sodium, chloride, and potassium. Potassium regulates the water intake of organs, bones, an...
Salmon oil
Salmon oil for horses: Are horses fish eaters?
Salmon oil is a well-known dietary supplement for dogs. But in the horse world, there seems to be still a "taboo" on salmon oil. Because horses are not fish eaters, right? But salmon oil has very positive properties which make it a good addition for horses as well.. Did you know that horses in Iceland are often fed herring in winter since it's a good source of protein and fat? This used to be very common because obtaining a good protein source was challenging. So, it's not unusual to feed fish to a horse, however, nowadays you see that fish is not given fresh but in supplement form. More is also known about the benefits of fish oil and why salmon oil is an added value for the horse. Why would you feed salmon oil to horses? There are several reasons to give...
Joints
Silicon
The differences between biotin and silicon in horses
To improve the quality of your horse's hooves and coat, you can choose from several supplements. At Ask HELTIE, we received the question about the difference in effectiveness between biotin and silicon. Both products improve your horse's hooves in the long term. But there are also important differences between silicon and biotin. Let's break it down for you.. Both biotin and hydrolyzed silicon should be given for the long term. Studies on biotin indicate that it takes between eight and ten months before you see a real effect on the hooves. Silicon also needs some time, although you may expect a clear effect on hooves and coat a bit earlier, around four to five months. Silicon: essential mineral for skin and coat Silicon is an important mineral for your horse. It allows the body to produce the necessary building blocks for hair, hooves, tendons, ligam...
Others
Feeding
Pasture
Are you already prepared for the grazing season?
Spring has sprung and you can almost see the grass growing. That means the horses can almost go back out to pasture! Wonderful of course, but there are a few things to keep in mind when transitioning from stable to pasture. How do you ensure a smooth start to the grazing season and a healthy horse?. To start with, make sure the pasture is ready. Check the fencing for holes and sharp protrusions. Make sure the electric fence is working everywhere and that the gates open and, especially, close smoothly. The water supply is also important. Clean water troughs and ensure automatic waterers are functioning. Check the pasture for weeds that may be toxic to horses, such as seedlings of the Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus). These seedlings sprout in the spring, especially if there are sycamore...
Cannabinoids
Joints
Clove
Silicon
Joint Problems in Horses: Which Supplements for Which Problem?
Joint problems in horses: Which supplements for which problems? If your horse is suffering from joint problems, there is a range of supplements available. But which product does exactly what? What are the mechanisms of action? And how do you make the right choice for your horse? Broadly speaking, there are three types of joint supplements for joint problems. The supplement - or combination of supplements - you choose depends on your horse's symptoms. You can choose from herbs, silicon, and canna...
Cannabinoids
Hooves
Clove
Laminitis in horses: how cannabinoids can contribute
Laminitis is a painful condition in horses that unfortunately occurs quite frequently. Inflammations in the horse's hoof wall cause swelling, fever, and pain. Various measures are necessary to prevent and treat laminitis. Did you know that cannabinoids can also help your horse with laminitis? These natural substances have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects and also support your horse's immune system, reducing the chance of recurrence.. That's why in this blog we would like to explain how cannabidiol can contribute to addressing laminitis. How does laminitis develop? The University of Utrecht names three causes for the development of laminitis. Firstly, a disease or inflammation elsewhere in the body. Such inflammation or disease causes an accumulation of toxins in the blood. These toxins will lead to changes in blood flow in the hoof, resulting in laminitis. The second reason is overloading of the foot, for example due to an i...
Detox
Sweet itch
Step 1 approach to summer eczema: detox!
Do you have a horse with sweet itch? A detox is the first step in the total approach to summer eczema. It ensures that the body has more capacity to process the saliva of the culicoides. This is because all accumulated waste products are cleared during a detox. How exactly this works and what is important to read can be found in this article.. Why detox? It is inevitable that horses ingest toxins in their bodies. Through drinking water, food, medication, vaccination, radiation, and deworming, these toxins enter the body. The body will eliminate most of these toxins through the liver and kidneys. However, some of these toxins cannot be processed by the body and are stored in the body. You can think of it as the filter of a car. This too will eventually become full and need to be cleaned. If this does not happen, the car will not be abl...