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.
Respiratory
Can a horse be cured of a pollen allergy?
When pollen starts floating in the air again in the spring and summer, your horse may suffer from hay fever. Some horses experience symptoms earlier in the year, for example, from blooming trees. Other horses are more sensitive to grasses and shrubs that bloom later in the year. How can you support your horse if he has symptoms, and can a pollen allergy be cured?. An allergy is nothing more or less than an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to certain substances, also known as allergens. Specific cells in the blood, called mast cells, play an important role in this process. They trigger a defense mechanism against the perceived intruder, in this case, an allergen. Horses or people with a pollen allergy will then cough, sneeze, and have a runny nose. The allergic reaction of the mast cells causes small inflammations in the airways and mucous membran...
Nettle
Lymphatic system
Lymphatic problems and CPL: which herbs support your horse?
Your horse's lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system. Fluid and waste products are transported out of the body through the lymphatic vessels. A well-functioning lymphatic system is crucial for a healthy and happy horse. The lymphatic system can be affected by conditions such as CPL and "einschuss." Which herbs can support the lymphatic system?. The Lymphatic System The lymphatic system serves various functions. Lymph nodes filter waste products, harmful bacteria, and toxins from the lymphatic fluid and ensure their removal. This is crucial for the immune system and the self-healing ability of your horse. Moreover, the lymphatic system regulates the fluid balance in the horse's body. When the lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels fail to function properly, fluid buildup can occur. You may observe swollen legs, edema, or CPL (Chronic Progres...
Feeding
Concentrate feed or mineral balancer for horses, do you know the difference?
Concentrate feed became the standard in horse feeding in the last decades of the previous century. Concentrate feed contains vitamins and minerals, to which fillers have been added. The idea behind it is to provide horses with their daily needs. From a different perspective, 'the new feeding,' mineral balancers have been introduced to the market in recent years. But what exactly is the difference between concentrate feed and such a balancer? We have listed it for you.. What is a balancer? A balancer is a pellet containing minerals, vitamins, and trace elements. There are no additional substances such as starch, grains, or fillers. That's why you often only give 100 to 300 grams of a balancer per day. That's enough because the concentrations of vitamins and minerals are high. All essential elements are in that small amount of balancer. Furthermore, your horse only needs roughage. The invention of balancers is related to the desire of many horse owners to feed t...
Detox
Dandelion
When dandelion and when detox for your horse?
In the wild, horses eat a wide variety of herbs, grasses, and trees. This way, they ensure they get plant-based ingredients that help eliminate waste products and keep their kidneys and liver healthy. Our horses have much less choice and variety in their diet. You can help your horse by offering herbal extracts that have blood-purifying and detoxifying functions. But which supplement should you choose?. There are several herbs that contribute to the elimination of waste products and boost the digestion of horses. In this article, more about dandelion and a detox herbal blend. Dandelion An herbal extract of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is made from the entire plant, including the root. It is a mild extract that can always be given, even to pregnant mares. If your horse has mild digestive disturbances, such as occasional loose stools or excessive gas, dandelion can provide support. Also, if y...
Respiratory
Glanders: how dangerous is it for horses?
Every horse owner has heard of strangles. This contagious bacterial infection rears its head annually. The disease primarily affects younger horses and foals, with a large portion of adult Dutch horses having experienced strangles at some point. Horses become quite sick from strangles, but in most cases, it resolves more or less on its own. However, in 1 to 2 percent of cases, strangles can "strike inward," and then it is usually fatal.. The bacterium that causes strangles is called Streptococcus equi. The bacterium is highly contagious and can be transmitted through nose-to-nose contact, human clothing, water troughs, and items such as halters and brushes. The bacterium can survive for a few days in water and soil. Outbreaks usually occur in colder months. Infected horses develop fever and nasal discharge, initially white and then yellow. These horses should be immediately isolated. Monitor the other horses daily to detect case...
Nettle
Detox
Dandelion
Your horse's liver and kidneys: keep them healthy!
The liver and kidneys have an important function in eliminating waste products through urine and feces. The liver also plays a crucial role in digestion and the production and storage of vitamins. The kidneys are essential for electrolyte balance and hydration of your horse. How do you keep your horse's liver and kidneys healthy?. What Do a Horse’s Kidneys Do? The kidneys remove excess salts, water, and waste products from the bodies of mammals. They are part of a system that includes the urinary tract and the bladder. For this system to function well, a horse must always have access to plenty of fresh water so it can drink adequately. Keeping the Kidneys Healthy To keep your horse’s kidneys healthy, first ensure there is always fresh drinking water available. Clean the water trough daily. Also, make sure your horse gets...
Digestion
What you need to know about equine digestion
Horses have a unique digestive system, which has a huge impact on their health. A horse with a healthy digestive system is healthy, happy, and balanced. It is therefore important to understand what makes the digestive system of horses so special.. A horse is not a human, and a horse is also not a cow. That's obvious, but it's sometimes forgotten when we talk about digestion and the gastrointestinal system. However, it's an important fact because horses need to be fed differently than cows or humans. 'Hind gut fermenter' A horse is a so-called 'hind gut fermenter.' With this English term, scientists indicate that the main part of the food digestion process in horses occurs in the hind part of the digestive tract. That is to say: in the lar...
Feeding
No influence on your horse's roughage?
By no means everyone has the space and opportunity to keep horses at home. Many people therefore have their horses at another horse owner's house or at a boarding stable. This saves work, time and maintenance, but it often also means that you yourself have little or no influence on the roughage your horse eats. In this case, what can you do to optimise your horse's ration?. For many boarding stable owners, it is not possible to store different types of roughage. And while many people prefer to feed unpacked hay, that also requires a large covered storage capacity and often more labor than large packaged bales. That is not always feasible or affordable. Therefore, many Dutch horses are given pre-packed haylage in plastic. Packaged Hay Haylage, also known as packaged hay, is an intermediate form between hay and silage. It is lightly fermented. Lactic acid bacteria fr...
Skin
Sweet itch
Is itching in spring or summer always caused by sweet itch?
Spring has begun. Time for longer evenings and higher temperatures. Unfortunately, this also means that the midges that cause summer eczema become active again. However, if your horse is itching, rubbing its tail, or scratching its mane, it doesn't always mean that it has summer eczema. Itching in spring or summer can have various causes.. When you see a horse scratching, stamping, or rubbing, two things are often considered: mites or sweet itch. Mites are mainly a problem in the winter months (although they can persist) and are mainly found on the legs. But when itching occurs on the mane and tail, especially in spring and summer, most people often think primarily of sweet itch, especially in horses of more robust breeds. Causes of Itching in Horses Let's list the possible causes of itching in horses - especially on the tail and...
Weight
Skin
Obesity as a cause of itching in horses
Many Dutch horses could afford to be a bit slimmer. Overweight can cause various problems. Not only joint overload or laminitis, but also itching! How is that?. It may sound a bit strange, but fat accumulations in the body can more or less take on a life of their own. Fat reserves indeed influence hormone levels. When an animal has a lot of adipose tissue, quite a few hormones are released as well. Research in humans has shown that these extra hormones are the cause of high blood pressure, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Fat reserves also often spontaneously become inflamed. This happens, for example, in horses with fat accumulations in the crest of...
Guest blog
Behaviour
Guest blog
Guest blog HOPE for Horses: what are we doing?
Heady title of this blog huh? I agree, but it should perhaps be discussed at some point. Because, what are we doing in horse country?. Not too long ago, I helped an incredibly sweet girl with her horse (and they're not alone). The first time I saw them, a few things about this horse caught my attention. Thick neck, little muscle on the neck, no muscles on the back. So, a very thick neck, but the muscles elsewhere on his neck were simply gone. Not every horse has a nice "fat neck," but you can see when the balance is off in the horse's body. Additionally, sensitive all over the back. Barely able to walk "normally&...