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

Respiratory

Black cumin

Horses are not humans, we all know that. But when it's cold, it can sometimes be difficult to determine how your horse feels about it. Does your horse also feel cold when it's cold outside? And is that actually a problem? Will your horse, for example, catch a cold from it? And what can you do to support the immune system and respiratory tract?

Brrr… cold! Will my horse catch a cold from that?

Horses are not humans, we all know that. But when it's cold, it can sometimes be difficult to determine how your horse feels about it. Does your horse also feel cold when it's cold outside? And is that actually a problem? Will your horse, for example, catch a cold from it? And what can you do to support the immune system and respiratory tract?. Horses feel most comfortable at temperatures between -5 and 10 degrees. Yes, that comfort temperature is much lower than for us humans. So, just because you feel cold doesn't mean your horse is cold. This is partly due to the digestion of horses. When digesting plant fibers in the large intestine, a lot of heat is released. In short, horses can handle winter temperatures much better than humans. They often even enjoy it! Customization Of course, there are individual differences per horse. For ex...

Feeding

Social media is an ideal platform to introduce new products, including horse feed. The most beautiful photos and stories are seen there with the most stunning user experiences and beautiful packaging. A muesli for stable digestive function, feed to support overweight horses, feed for horses with a sensitive stomach, a muesli for horses with itching/summer eczema, and so on. All slogans are used to persuade you as a horse owner to buy that feed for your horse (with a condition or health problem).

# Horse feed: do you listen to marketing or read labels?

Social media is an ideal platform to introduce new products, including horse feed. The most beautiful photos and stories are seen there with the most stunning user experiences and beautiful packaging. A muesli for stable digestive function, feed to support overweight horses, feed for horses with a sensitive stomach, a muesli for horses with itching/summer eczema, and so on. All slogans are used to persuade you as a horse owner to buy that feed for your horse (with a condition or health problem).. But do you listen to this marketing or are you as stubborn as us and always read labels first before drawing your conclusion? Marketing vs. Reality There is fierce competition in the horse feed industry, with so many brands, so many types, and also so many customer preferences. You rarely see a standard basic pellet nowadays; there are now various types of pellets, muesli, and slurries available for different types of horses with various conditions. The marketing held for this feed is enormous,...

Others

It is often said that horses should not stand in a draft. But when do you actually speak of a draft? And how bad is a draft really? We'll give you the facts.

Horse in a draft - problem or not?

It is often said that horses should not stand in a draft. But when do you actually speak of a draft? And how bad is a draft really? We'll give you the facts.. With the word 'draft' we indicate that there is a draft in an indoor space. Sometimes it's a light breeze, sometimes there is quite a bit of 'draft'. The line between ventilation with fresh air and annoying draft is actually difficult to determine and often also personal. There is no strict definition for a draft. Viruses primary cause of disease Draft is often seen as the cause of illness, especially colds. This is not entirely correct. Illness and colds are caused by viruses, not by air circul...

Behaviour

Guest blog

Stress

Sometimes you buy/receive a horse of which you already know that it comes with some baggage. And sometimes a horse comes into your life of which you suspect that there are already some items in the baggage, but it is not clear at first.

HOPE for Horses: Training with a traumatized horse.

Sometimes you buy/receive a horse of which you already know that it comes with some baggage. And sometimes a horse comes into your life of which you suspect that there are already some items in the baggage, but it is not clear at first.. Most traumas are not physical Traumas are definitely not always just physical. No, most of the traumas our horses experience are of a different nature, namely: Often moved Overwhelmed Constant pain Stress from a changing herd Stress from improper housing Low-quality roughage Poor quality of the ground. Just a few possibilities where stress can come from, but the list is much longer. Feeling safe on the ground One of our horses had enormous stress from the ground. As soon as it rained for a longe...

Mites

Feeding

When your horse is bothered by mites, it is useful to tackle that problem through multiple routes at the same time. The brushes, blankets, and environment of your horse need to be clean, your horse needs to be treated for mites, skin and resistance can use support, and it is important that your horse eats as healthily as possible. You can read about that in this article.

Good horse nutrition is important for mites

When your horse is bothered by mites, it is useful to tackle that problem through multiple routes at the same time. The brushes, blankets, and environment of your horse need to be clean, your horse needs to be treated for mites, skin and resistance can use support, and it is important that your horse eats as healthily as possible. You can read about that in this article.. The health of a horse is largely dependent on the health of its gastrointestinal system. Digestion is one of the most important bodily processes for horses, and they are therefore very sensitive to disruptions in the digestive tract. A healthy bacteria population in the small intestine, cecum, and most importantly the colon of your horse is essential. Microbiome The bacteria, fungi, and yeasts in a horse's intestines are called the microbiome. That name indicates that it is actually a whole ecos...

Mites

Stamping, rubbing, and biting in the legs: Mites in horses are especially a problem in autumn and winter. In horses that are kept outdoors, mite infestations can occur due to a wet and muddy ground, but in horses that are also stabled, the bedding is often a significant factor. Which stable floor is best for horses sensitive to mites?

Which stable floor for horses sensitive to mites?

Stamping, rubbing, and biting in the legs: Mites in horses are especially a problem in autumn and winter. In horses that are kept outdoors, mite infestations can occur due to a wet and muddy ground, but in horses that are also stabled, the bedding is often a significant factor. Which stable floor is best for horses sensitive to mites?. Mites are spider-like insects that are not visible to the naked eye. They thrive in moisture and warmth. Therefore, socks of cold-blooded and Friesian horses are often a favorite habitat for mites. But mites can also be found in straw and hay. Straw, flax, or sawdust? Mites can come from straw. So, if your horse spends a lot of time in the stable and is sensitive to mites, it may be useful to choose a different bedding. When using sawdust or flax in the stable, the risk of mite infestation is mu...

Detox

Mites

As the days get shorter and winter begins, many horses face an annual problem: mites! How does your horse get a mite infection? And can a mite infestation be prevented?

Why does my horse have a mite infestation?

As the days get shorter and winter begins, many horses face an annual problem: mites! How does your horse get a mite infection? And can a mite infestation be prevented?. Stamping, rubbing, scabs, and sometimes even swollen legs: an infection with mites is no fun for your horse. During the winter months, when horses spend more time in the stable, these pesky parasites often strike. What are mites? Mites are tiny creatures that like to nest on horse's legs. They resemble little spiders. Mites are especially at home on horses with long socks. The Chorioptes mite, the type of mite that is common in horses in the Netherlands, causes itching, scabs, and irritation. Ho...

Skin

Mites

Your horse is stamping its feet, has crusts in the fetlock pits, or keeps rubbing its legs... What could be the issue? Some say: mud fever! Others call out: mites! But what's actually the difference? And what should you do if your horse has mud fever and/or mites?

Does my horse have mud fever or mites?

Your horse is stamping its feet, has crusts in the fetlock pits, or keeps rubbing its legs... What could be the issue? Some say: mud fever! Others call out: mites! But what's actually the difference? And what should you do if your horse has mud fever and/or mites?. Mud fever is a collective term for various skin conditions above the hoof, in the fetlock pit, and on the lower legs. You may see crusts or small wounds and your horse often has itching. Although itching is not always present. Mites are parasites that reside in the socks and complete their entire life cycle, from egg to adult mite, there. Mud Fever and CPL The term mud fever is used for different conditions and does not provide much information about the cause and severity of the ailment. Mud fe...

Cannabinoids

Clove

Stress

Triphala

If your horse is stressed, you would like to do something about it. Stress is not fun for your horse and can even lead to dangerous situations. But... there are many remedies and supplements available. Which one should you choose? The answer depends on your horse and your situation!

Horse Stress: Choose your clove, triphala or a stress product?

If your horse is stressed, you would like to do something about it. Stress is not fun for your horse and can even lead to dangerous situations. But... there are many remedies and supplements available. Which one should you choose? The answer depends on your horse and your situation!. Every horse experiences tension from time to time. Sometimes it is short-lived, but sometimes it is truly chronic. If you want to help a horse with stress, it is important to first investigate where the stress is coming from and what type of stress it is. This way, you can better assess what you need to do. Circumstances Horses are herd animals that require social contact and free movement. If they do not (or insufficiently) receive this, it can lead to prolonged, chronic stress. A lack of rough...

Weight

Feeding

Usually we receive questions about overweight horses and the best way to help them lose weight. But there is also a group of horses that easily lose weight and become thin quickly, especially in the winter season. And helping a horse gain weight, in a healthy way, may be even more challenging than helping a horse lose weight.

How to keep a thin horse at a healthy weight in the winter?

Usually we receive questions about overweight horses and the best way to help them lose weight. But there is also a group of horses that easily lose weight and become thin quickly, especially in the winter season. And helping a horse gain weight, in a healthy way, may be even more challenging than helping a horse lose weight.. In this blog, we want to give you tips on how to keep a thin horse at a healthy weight! Losing weight in the winter is okay! Remember that it is normal for horses to lose weight in the winter, it is part of nature and actually very desirable! In nature, horses become overweight in the summer due to the rich nutrients in the grass, but in the winter they lose weight because there is less food available. This is also a natural detox for horses and is actually beautiful when it happens! As horse ow...

Digestion

Feeding

Horses have much more stomach problems than people. Stress, heavy work, and a less adequate feed policy can contribute to this. But also, for example, after a move or illness, stomach problems can occur. What can you do about this and how do you keep the pH of the horse's stomach under control?

How do you keep the pH value of the horse's stomach balanced?

Horses have much more stomach problems than people. Stress, heavy work, and a less adequate feed policy can contribute to this. But also, for example, after a move or illness, stomach problems can occur. What can you do about this and how do you keep the pH of the horse's stomach under control?. In the lower part of the horse's stomach, gastric juice is released, which contains a lot of hydrochloric acid. This acid kills harmful bacteria, fungi, and yeasts that may be present in the feed. If the stomach is too empty or if there are other disruptions, the acid can 'splash' up to the upper half of the stomach and damage the gastric mucosa there. Many stomach problems A 2000 American study showed that about 60% of the horses in the study had stomach problems. This increased to as much as 9...

Others

Digestion

Feeding

Giving limited or unlimited roughage to your horse is still a topic of much debate. Some horses do fine on unlimited roughage, but there are also horses that become way too fat. Often, this is not due to the amount of roughage, but to the nutritional value of the roughage. As a horse owner, you cannot always change this and have to deal with the feed that is available (at the boarding stable).

# The ideal feeding schedule for horses with limited hay

Giving limited or unlimited roughage to your horse is still a topic of much debate. Some horses do fine on unlimited roughage, but there are also horses that become way too fat. Often, this is not due to the amount of roughage, but to the nutritional value of the roughage. As a horse owner, you cannot always change this and have to deal with the feed that is available (at the boarding stable).. Hay high in sugars In recent years, we are seeing more and more issues with feeding unlimited roughage. The hay in the Netherlands is very high in sugar due to the dry/warm summers, with percentages around 15% becoming almost normal, whereas it is preferred to have them under 8% and even under 5% for horses sensitive to sugars. Due to the high sugar percentages, horses easily gain weight, develop health issues, and unlimited feeding becomes a risk. Of course, roughage is more than just hay! Roug...

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