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.
Cannabinoids
Clove
Black cumin
How quickly do you see results from clove in horses?
Cloven extract is a popular supplement for horses and ponies. It is very versatile because it is pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory, but also because it promotes inner peace and balances the entire body. Therefore, it is a popular product for conditions such as laminitis, arthritis, stress, and summer eczema. But how quickly do you see results when you start with a clove extract?. Always give an extract, never whole cloves! A clove extract is completely different from the cloves you can buy in the supermarket. The effects are therefore completely incomparable. If you want to give your horse clove, always choose an extract specifically sold for horses. This way, you avoid giving the wrong products. A clove extract is made from the entire clove plant and multiple types of cloves are used. This gives a clove extract a wide range of effects. Results depend on the condition Ge...
Cannabinoids
Clove
Black cumin
How do you feed clove or black cumin to your horse?
Some supplements are strong in smell and taste, which can make it difficult to get horses to eat them. Supplements containing clove and/or pure thymoquinone from black cumin are known for this. So how do you actually feed clove/black cumin to your horse? And we also like to give you tips on how to feed it to picky eaters.. Not from the supermarket! If you want to give clove or black cumin to your horse, always choose a supplement that is suitable for horses and never a herb from the supermarket. Clove extract is not the same as the clove you buy at the supermarket to season your food. Clove extract is made from the entire clove plant and often contains multiple types of clove plants so that the product contains as many different types of cannabinoids as possible. The same goes for black cumin, always buy a horse s...
Nettle
Skin
Dandelion
To wash or not to wash horses with mud fever?
Everywhere you see shampoo bars and other shampoos being promoted a lot for mud fever, wounds, and other skin conditions. And then with the advice to wash daily, for example. But is that really wise for mud fever? Do you want the legs to be washed daily or are you perhaps doing more harm with that?. Washing disrupts the skin balance Shampoo bars are all the rage, not only for yourself but also for horses. And yes, generally these are "healthier" than a shampoo from a bottle, but these shampoo bars also have disadvantages. Shampoo bars degrease extremely, if you have ever used such a bar yourself then you notice that your scalp feels extremely clean and your hair becomes a bit stiff. This means that all skin oil is removed and thus also the protection of the skin. The skin balance...
Nettle
Skin
Lymphatic system
Dandelion
What is the difference between CPL and einschuss in horses?
Einschuss (elephant foot) and CPL (Chronic Progressive Lymphoedema) are conditions affecting the legs of a horse. In both cases, the lymphatic system plays a crucial role. Fluid accumulates and the horse develops swellings in the legs. What is the difference between these two leg problems and how can you help your horse?. What is einschuss? Einschuss usually occurs due to a small wound on the horse's leg, which may sometimes be hard to find. An inflammation of the lymphatic vessels occurs, which can spread to the blood vessels. Einschuss is recognizable by the fact that it always occurs on one leg. Swelling in einschuss often starts at the base of the leg and rapidly expands. A minor injury can lead to a severe acute inflammation, resulting in a swollen and warm leg. The horse may also have a fever and feel letha...
Behaviour
Guest blog
Stress
The introverts, it's not about what you see!
*Written from personal experience by Marjolijn.* "People often say "What a calm horse you have", "She doesn't seem to startle easily", "How nice to have such a cool cucumber". These are a few comments I regularly hear about my mare Floxely. And yes, from the outside she does appear calm, and in daily interaction she is quiet and composed. She is not a horse that immediately freaks out when she sees or hears something strange, or at least... you don't see it, but internally there's a lot going on. And that's where the "danger" lies with introverted horses/introverts.. Looks can be deceiving You often see Floxely passing by on social media and she is also depicted on the label of our dandelion tincture. She is a Friesian x Tinker mare who has been with me her entire life. A big, tough mare with an imposing presence and everyone who sees her in person finds her beautiful. And she is, she is fantastic, both in appearance and character. But she always gets labeled: calm, cool, easy, and relaxed. But looks can be deceiving! Floxely is an incredibly sensitive mare,...
Guest blog
Lymphatic system
Guest blog Marjan Cornelis: How to prevent CPL from worsening
Marjan Cornelis is an orthomolecular nutritionist and lymphatic drainage therapist for horses. She has extensive experience treating horses with CPL and has a draft horse with CPL herself. In this guest blog, Marjan is going to tell you more about the condition CPL. What is CPL? What can you do if you think your horse has CPL and how best to care for a horse with CPL. But most importantly, how can you prevent CPL from getting worse? You can read about it in this blog.. What is CPL? Chronic Progressive Lymphoedema (=CPL) is a condition of the legs of horses and is common in cold horses with fur and in Friesians. Years ago, CPL was only seen in heavier horse breeds such as draft horses and Shires, but nowadays it is also seen in many Tinkers and Friesians, recently, unfortunately, CPL has also been observed in other breeds. There are different manifestations of CPL and different stages at which a horse can have CPL. The abbreviation (CPL) stands for: Chronic Pro...
Nettle
Detox
Lymphatic system
What is the function of the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system of horses is receiving a lot of attention. But what is it exactly? And what makes the lymphatic system of horses so special compared to that of humans? We explain it in this article.. Everyone knows the circulatory system. That runs between the heart and lungs and to all extremities of your body. But in addition to this system of vessels for blood, there is a second vascular system present in the body of all mammals. This is the lymphatic system. Structure of the lymphatic system The function of the lymphatic system is to drain fluid, containing a number of substances. The fluid that flows through the lymphatic system is called lymph or lymphatic fluid. The lymphatic system b...
Nettle
Lymphatic system
Dandelion
Which herbs support your horse's lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system of your horse is important for draining fluid from the body tissues, clearing away dead cells, and removing waste and toxins. A well-functioning lymphatic system ensures a properly working immune system and a healthy and happy horse.. If you think your horse could use some support, for example, if he has a weak immune system, looks tired, or often has swollen legs or stable legs, there are natural herbs that you can use. Nettle: blood purifying Nettle is a well-known herb for horses and works as a blood purifier. During the growing season, you can pick the nettle yourself: then take the young tips and let them dry to remove the 'sting.' In winter, a ready-made supplement is more convenient. A liquid extract of nettle is more...
Behaviour
Guest blog
# HOPE for Horses: Respect always pays back
So, "the suffering caused by fireworks" is behind us for a while. No matter how well you prepare your horses, it's not their favorite day.. Respect for the leader Since the former leader is no longer around, the new leader (Trustful) is insecure during New Year's Eve. He runs back and forth, wanting to keep everyone together. When another horse experiences stress, he wants to be there. Because it's not practical for us to leave all horses outside, this is the only time of the year when a door is placed in the stable. Not all horses are inside, some trust in the new leader's abilities. They are just as calm as Trustful used to be. Th...
Nettle
Minerals
Dandelion
Rosehip
Four tips to prevent a dip in immunity in your horse
In the cold, wet, and dark days of winter, many horses experience a dip in their immune system. The shedding of their winter coat, when the days start getting longer, can also have a negative impact on their immune system. Is there a way to prevent such a resistance dip? We provide you with four tips. Tip 1 - Ensure sufficient exercise even in winter Horses are animals that require movement. However, during winter, it can be less appealing - and sometimes even impossible - to go out with your horse. If you only have access to an outdoor arena, or have to work during the day, this may mean that your horse gets less exercise in winter. Make sure your horse has as much free movement as possible daily, even if you don't find it appealing to be outside. Generally, horses tolerate cold weather much...
Minerals
Others
Feeding
Uhm... my horse suddenly doesn't use the mineral buffet anymore ?!
You must have been very enthusiastic about setting up a mineral buffet for your horse. You found the right method for hanging or placing the buckets, purchased all products, and filled the buckets with enthusiasm. The horses were also very excited and the buckets are quickly empty. Until after a few weeks, you see that the horses are no longer interested and the water in the buckets becomes dirty. What now? Was it not a good idea after all, did the horses only find it fun for a while? And most importantly, what should you do now?. The first time choosing can cause confusion Often, when a mineral buffet is placed for the first time for horses who are not familiar with it, it can go two ways. Either they don't understand what to do with it and completely ignore it, or out of enthusiasm, the buckets are immediately emptied. But both are a sign that horses are not consciously choosing to drink a specific water. And that's quite logical because our current horses are far from their natural state of being. They are fed and give...
Nettle
Clove
Rosehip
Which herbs give your horse a boost for immunity?
It's winter: dark, cold, and wet. Not the best conditions for your horse's immunity. Especially since ventilation can be less effective in closed stables and viruses can thrive better at low temperatures. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your horse's immunity is optimal. Which herbs can help with that?. There are several herbs that can influence the immune system. For example, rosehip contains a lot of vitamin C, nettle has a blood-purifying effect, and echinacea stimulates the immune response. We list them for you. Rosehip: antioxidant effect A good way to boost your horse's immunity is to add a liquid extract of rosehip to its feed. Rosehip can also be used as part of a mineral buffet. Rosehip is rich in vitamin C. Research in horses has shown that when rosehip is used effectively, it has a c...