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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# Why do mushrooms grow on the manure heap of horses?
Have you ever spotted mushrooms on the manure heap of your horses? This is not a problem at all and very normal. It means that your manure heap is full of nutrients for growth. Horse manure is not for nothing a popular fertilizer used by mushroom growers. Did you know that there are mushroom species that only grow in manure? These species mainly or exclusively grow on manure and do not occur in other places. But how is this possible and why do mushrooms like to grow on the manure heap? Read more about that in this blog.. Mushrooms are fungi A mushroom is a fruiting body of a fungus. And did you know that they contribute to the decomposition of organic residues? With their fungal threads they clean up organic material. For every type of waste, there is a mushroom. They are very picky, so there are mushrooms that only grow on a specific tree species but also mushrooms that grow on the manure heap. But why mushrooms on the manure pile? In the forest, you often come across mushrooms on moist, warm ground. On the dec...
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Pasture
Less flies and odor at the manure heap
Where there are horses, there is manure. And where there is manure, you almost always have a manure heap. The disadvantage of this is that such a heap can smell and cause flies. Do you need a manure heap? What are the rules? And how can you prevent a fly outbreak or odor nuisance?. If you only have a few horses that are not in stables, you can make a compost heap with the dry manure from your pasture and paddocks. This involves some trial and error, you also use, for example, garden waste, and you have to turn over the compost. The advantage is that you can eventually use this compost for your (vegetable) garden and you do not have to dispose of the manure. Permit required for the manure heap? When cleaning your stables, there is bedding and urine in your manure. In that c...
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Feeding
How to prevent algae growth in your horse's drinking water
Temperatures are rising, the sun is shining more often. Lovely! But.. the algae are also growing rapidly, causing your horse's water troughs to turn green in no time. Even if you change the water daily, sometimes green residue still appears. Read in this blog how you can prevent this.. Why does the drinking trough turn green? Algae thrive best in stagnant water. Algae naturally occur in water, but especially when using rainwater/groundwater, the quantity is higher. Due to the relatively small surface area of a drinking trough, the water heats up quickly and receives a large amount of sunlight, allowing the algae to grow well. But how do you prevent algae? There are a few things you can do to prevent your horse's water trough from getting covered in algae residue in a day or pr...
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Is natural deworming possible in horses?
Obtaining dewormers for horses is becoming increasingly difficult in the Netherlands. Worms are also becoming more resistant to chemical dewormers. Many horse owners are therefore looking for a natural way to deworm their horse, but is natural deworming possible? Keep reading in this blog.. Don't rely blindly on a fecal examination A fecal examination can be a good indication of the number of worms in your horse. Especially in the winter, a fecal examination is not reliable because worms are dormant. But even encapsulated worms are not always visible in the feces, as a fecal examination is a snapshot. So don't rely blindly on the results of a fecal examination and deworm preventively at least once a year with a broad-spectrum dewormer. Pumpkin seeds and sainfoin There are a number...
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Rain blankets, winter blankets, outdoor blankets: What do you choose for your horse?
In the blog "Is a horse better off with or without a blanket in the winter: the eternal and yearly recurring discussion" we talk about blankets. But do you know the difference between all the types of blankets that are available? Often, different terms are used for the same type of blanket. Read this blog to learn about the types of blankets and when to use them.. Rain blanket or unlined blanket A rain blanket is an unlined, waterproof outdoor blanket. These blankets usually have a smooth lining, but fleece is also an option. Keep in mind that fleece can be rougher on the coat and can be compared to 50-100 grams of filling. Rain blankets are thin blankets that are most commonly used and can be used in many situations. At the beginning and end of the winter season when temperatures are still high, these blankets are often used. These blankets ensure that h...
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# Is a horse better off with or without a blanket in the winter: the eternal and annually recurring discussion
An issue where the horse community often stands diametrically opposed: blankets in the winter. Often you are pro-blanket or you are anti-blanket. Blankets come in different variations and thicknesses. In this blog, we want to tell you more about whether blankets are necessary in the winter months and what to look out for. So that you can decide for yourself what is best for your horse under which circumstances.. Horses are less likely to get cold than humans Once the longest day has passed (June 21st), ponies/horses start preparing their coat for the winter period. Especially the hardy breeds start shedding almost immediately after the longest day, warmblood breeds are often a bit later. Ponies and horses are able to develop a well-insulating and waterproof winter coat. The ideal outdoor temperature for horses is between -5 and 10/15 degrees Celsius, which is their comfort temperature. What is considere...
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5 tips to get your horse safely through the autumn/winter
Begin October, or when the weather changes, a lot changes for horses and owners. Horses are not only busy growing their winter coats, but owners are also starting to think about how to best get their horse through the winter. That's why in this blog, we have a number of tips.. 1 - Choose the housing that suits your horse Always outside or partially in the stable. 24/7 outside sounds great to most horse owners. And the majority of horses will also prefer this. But 24/7 outside is not ideal if it doesn't meet the "requirements" of your horse. Not all horses find peace in a herd, usually the herd is unstable or the horse is low in rank. And a 24/7 outdoor space must always have a dry place to stand and lie down, which can be a challenge in the Netherlands. Choo...
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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...
Joints
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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...
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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...
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Pasture
9 Tips against flies in the pasture
Spring has started with radiant, dry weather. Unfortunately, flies also love this weather, as they are now present in large numbers. That's why in this blog tips to reduce flies in the pasture so that your horse can graze in peace and enjoy the weather.. Clean the pasture regularly By cleaning the pasture daily (preferably multiple times a day) you attract fewer flies to the land. Flies like to gather in large numbers on a pile of manure and linger around it. The more manure you leave on the land, the more flies you attract. Keep the pasture clean by cleaning it out regularly. And another benefit: you get a workout! Don't place manure heap directly next to your pasture Of course, it's ideal if you don't have to walk far with the wheelbarrow when...