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.
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...
Cannabinoids
Respiratory
Black cumin
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
# 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
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
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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
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...