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.
First Aid
Others
Feeding
What are the basic values of your horse?
How well do you know your horse? Every horse has its own 'normal' values. For example, how much he eats and how much he defecates, but also what his body temperature, resting heart rate, and respiration rate are. As an owner, it is useful to know these basic values. This way, you can more easily determine if something is wrong. Because horses cannot speak, as owners, we sometimes have to guess if something is wrong with them, if they are sick or experiencing discomfort. It is important not to di...
Others
Feeding
Am I giving my horse too many supplements?
Am I not giving my horse too many supplements? If I add this or that, is that okay, or will it be too much? These are questions that we regularly receive from horse owners, and understandably so! We have customers who give only 1 product, but sometimes we also hear that a large number of products are being given. Sometimes the question is indeed; are you perhaps giving your horse too many supplements? In this blog, we will explain what you need to consider. If it's not beneficial? Then it can be...
Skin
Feeding
Vitamin D production in horses: sun appears to have little influence!
We learn something new every day too! It is always thought that horses are comparable to humans in many ways, including the production of vitamin D. We also thought this and also that horses that stand in a fly sheet/eczema sheet all summer, for example, can develop a vitamin D deficiency. There was very little scientific study done on this, so the assumption was quickly made that this is similar to humans. But now there has been some research done! What is the importance of vitamin D? Vitamin D...
Nettle
Detox
Digestion
Feeding
How do you support a horse with sensitive intestines?
How to support a horse with sensitive intestines? Horses have a unique digestive system, which is sensitive to changes in feed, poor quality forage, too much sugar, weather changes, and stress. What can you do as a horse owner if your horse has sensitive intestines and regularly suffers from cramps, mild colic, or diarrhea? Actually, all horses have a sensitive digestive system, but it is more pronounced in some animals than in others. Horses need a lot of fiber to optimize their digestion. Fibe...
Digestion
Feeding
# The difference between hay, pre-cut, and silage
The difference between hay, pre-cut and silage Roughage for horses comes in different forms. From small bales of dry herbal hay to large packages of plastic-wrapped silage or pre-cut silage. What are actually the differences in nutritional value between these various types of 'packaged grass'? And: what is the best for your horse? Roughage is vital for horses. The fibers from roughage are the main source of energy for the digestive system. In the large intestine of your horse, a wide range of mi...
Rosehip
Feeding
Rosehip, beautiful addition to the mineral buffet!
Rosehip, a beautiful addition to the mineral buffet! More and more horse owners are creating a mineral buffet for their horse and this can be as extensive as you want. Green clay, nettle tincture, minerals from the Bering Sea, Celtic sea salt, and so on! Nowadays, there are a lot of products that you can add to your horse's water. And from now on, you can also add rosehip tincture! Healthy extra for horses Many horses love rosehips and they are also extremely healthy for horses. You can give the...
Nettle
Detox
Digestion
Feeding
Transition from grass to hay: take it easy!
The days are getting shorter and although the grass still grows a little, the nutritional value decreases in the autumn. It's time to supplement feed, and in many cases horses also move to the stable and paddock. This transition can be difficult for horses because they have a very sensitive digestive system. What can you do to make this transition easier? In the spring, when horses go from hay to grass, many horse owners are cautious. Most people know that you need to gradually increase grass co...
Others
Stress
Feeding
# A happy horse: what do we, as owners, need to take care of?
A happy horse: what do we, as owners, need to take care of? Horse welfare is very important to many horse owners and fortunately also to more and more institutions. We at HELTIE horse believe that a happy horse is extremely important! It is therefore our goal to bring horses closer to nature, with optimal health and well-being for all horses. But as a horse owner, what should we actually pay attention to and take care of? Good and proper nutrition Many horse owners depend on their boarding stabl...
Weight
Hormones
Feeding
Salmon oil
How to prevent muscle breakdown in the aging horse?
As horses age, they may suffer from muscle breakdown. This is a natural process. In humans, as well, more muscle tissue is broken down as the years go by. This is due to changes in hormone levels, decreased nerve stimulation to the muscles, and a decline in protein metabolism in an older horse or human. Maintaining muscles requires a lot of energy. However, a horse also needs them. It is important that an older horse, even in winter, receives enough energy to maintain its muscles. Unlimited roug...
Weight
Digestion
Feeding
# Nutrition for the older horse: choose a customized ration!
Older horses often need customized nutrition. Most horse owners are aware of that. However, it is not as simple as buying a bag of senior feed on your four-legged friend's 18th birthday and then calling it a day. One senior horse is not the same as the other, so always pay close attention to your horse. When dealing with aging horses, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the teeth wear down, causing chewing problems. Therefore, a good equine dentist who regularly checks the teeth is crucial for an older horse. In addition, the digestion of an older horse changes. From around the age of 20, the processing of food becomes less efficient. Also, organs such as the liver and kidneys start to function less effectively. Older horses may struggle to extract energy, protein, vitamins, and minera...
Others
Feeding
Seven tips to make your horse drink on unfamiliar terrain
If you are competing in shows, going on a multi-day trek, doing endurance, or planning long trail rides, it's important to keep your horse hydrated. A horse that doesn't drink enough not only loses fluids, but also a lot of energy. Moreover, the risk of colic increases when a horse doesn't drink enough. That's why we give you seven tips to make your horse drink when you are on the go.. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink is a well-known English proverb. Figuratively, it means that you can't force someone to do something they don't want to do, but as a horse owner, you can also take this proverb quite literally. However, there are some things you can do to make your horse drink (better) when you are away from home. When should a horse drink? Just like people, some horses drink more than others. Horses can also go without water for a few hours. But when...
Insulin resistance
Feeding
My horse has insulin resistance (IR) - can he still safely graze?
Horses with insulin resistance (IR) are at greater risk of laminitis than horses with optimally healthy sugar metabolism. A horse with IR, recognizable by a hard crest and fat cushions near the tail, should not graze unlimited on sugar-rich grass. But can you never put such a horse or pony in the pasture again? Or are there still possibilities? Many horses are indeed super happy with pasture turnout.... We as owners like to make our horses happy. But unfortunately, unlimited access to the pasture is not suitable for every horse. Especially draft horses, ponies, and horses that have previously had laminitis are at greater risk of the painful condition of laminitis. Does my horse have IR? A horse that is insulin resistant cannot process sugars from food (such as grass and concentrate) well. This leads to fat storage, infections, and loss of energy. Also, the pancreas becomes overloaded. Prolonged...