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.
Stress
Why an occasional bit of stress can't hurt
In fact, when we talk about stress in horses, it is almost always about the negative consequences of stress, such as startle reactions, stomach ulcers and behavioural problems. But did you know that stress is not always only bad?. Chronic stress is indeed a serious health issue. This prolonged form of stress arises when a horse's basic needs are not met and when the horse experiences constant stress or anxiety. Chronic stress can lead to various (biochemical) changes in the body over time, compromise the immune system, and cause illnesses. Positive Stress On the other hand, horses can also experience positive stress. This happens, for example, during training sessions. By making exercises slightly more challenging or dema...
Stress
Triphala
What does triphala do for stress and tension?
Triphala is an Indian herbal mixture that has been used in Aryuvedic medicine for centuries. It is a natural medicine that has proven effects on animals and humans. Also for stress complaints.. Triphala is made from dried fruits originating in the Himalayan region. It is a well-known herbal powder in India. Triphala consists of three plants: Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). There has been considerable research on the efficacy of Triphala for various diseases and complaints. This mixture has positive effects on a wide range of conditions. For instance, Amalaki stimulates digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties, Bi...
Clove
Stress
Triphala
Chronic stress - what does it do to the horse's body?
Chronic stress, the prolonged holding of tension, can cause all kinds of problems in horses. Stomach ulcers are a well-known problem with prolonged stress, but emaciation, a lack of resistance, fertility problems and stereotypic behaviour (such as aerial sucking) are also linked to chronic stress.. Chronic Stress in Horses Chronic stress occurs when a horse experiences continuous tension or anxiety. It is different from acute stress, where a horse may startle, possibly run away, or snort and then release the tension. With chronic stress, the tension persists. This can be caused by insufficient forage, a lack of social interaction with other horses, or training at a level unsuitable for the horse. Persistent pain, such as from unrecognized lameness, can also lead to stress symptoms over tim...
Stress
How do you prepare your horse for fireworks?
Fireworks, around you you have probably heard it on a regular basis. The time has already arrived and will only get worse in the coming period. For many horses, it is not a problem and causes little/no stress. However, for some horses (and their owners) this is a very stressful period. In this blog, we therefore want to give you some tips for making New Year's Eve as stress-free as possible.. Tip 1: Provide Plenty of Forage If there’s one thing that calms horses, it’s chewing! Ensure your horse always has access to forage. Chewing has a soothing effect and also directly calms the stomach. Saliva produced during chewing neutralizes stomach acid, reducing the risk of ulcers. Tip 2: Use Calming Herbs or Supplements If you know your horse is prone to stress, consider starting calming herbs or a supplement in advance. Herbs and supplements won’t completely eliminate stress or sedate your...
Magnesium
Minerals
Stress
The effect of magnesium on the nervous system of horses
Many horse owners give their horse magnesium. But why do so? Isn't there enough magnesium in the regular feed? And what function does this mineral actually have in the nervous system of horses?. Horses with Increased Magnesium Needs Horses that perform heavy work, sweat frequently, are pregnant, or nursing a foal often require more magnesium. Additionally, horses that are naturally nervous or excitable typically have higher magnesium needs. A Versatile Mineral Magnesium is essential for around 300 bodily processes. This mineral is crucial for the health of your horse’s bones, muscles, and nervous system. It also plays a role in energy production and metabolism. Magnesium positively affe...
Guest blog
Stress
Guest blog HOPE for Horses: Sometimes you have to invest first!
I had to laugh a little at this title myself! Anyone who owns horses knows that keeping them is, or can be, quite an investment. As long as your horse is healthy, it’s all manageable, but when health issues arise, the costs can really add up.. I often hear, "My horse doesn't have that," or "My horse doesn't do that," or "My horse isn't bothered by that..." Well, great! Keep it that way! Horses are puzzles When I look at a horse, I actually see puzzle pieces. Either they fit perfectly together, or a few pieces are missing. Sometimes the puzzle has been forced together in a way that it might need to be taken apart first. Many of my clients have horses like this. The pieces have been forced together—at all c...
Skin
Stress
Feeding
Persistent Mud Fever: Have You Considered Mental Issues?
Nearly all horses encounter mud fever at some point in their lives. Usually, it's a small spot that disappears in a few days. Sometimes, it takes longer, and more spots appear on the legs. But what if you’ve tried almost everything and the mud fever just won’t go away? What if you have everything in order regarding housing and nutrition? What else can you do about mud fever?. Mud Fever Is a Collective Term When people think of mud fever, they often assume it’s caused by wet paddocks, mites, sunburn, or by horse owners who don’t take proper care of their horses. There is often a stigma attached to mud fever, which is completely unjustified! Mud fever is not breed-specific, age-specific, or related to weather conditions. Mud fever is a collective term for sores on the lower half of horses' legs. It’s a term used for wet sores but also for dry, crusty spots. As a horse...
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,...
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...
Cannabinoids
Clove
Stress
Triphala
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...
Guest blog
Stress
Guest blog HOPE for Horses: Stress in horses
The science has discovered that when a body is experiencing stress, cell division occurs differently than when there is no stress. This is the reason why a body becomes "sick". The stress remains in your cell, so every cell that divides afterwards carries the information of the stress again. Only when this stress is released can the next cell division take place without the information from the stress! It's pretty cool how something like this works, right?! But then, the question may arise: How do you relieve the stress?. Learning to release stress I think we all know that being exposed to stress for a long time or frequently is not beneficial for health. Unfortunately, you cannot escape stress, it is a given that you will have to deal with stress in your life. The good news is that you can learn how to deal with it and how to release stress. This varies from person to person and certainly also from horse to horse! Knowing that avoiding stress is impossible, how can we help release the stress? From well-behaved t...
Behaviour
Stress
Feeding
Is your horse acting normal?
Do you ever observe your horse in the pasture, paddock, or in the stable? What do you look for? And what stands out to you? Do you know what is 'normal' for your horse? Small deviations in a horse's behavior can be signs of early discomfort, illness, or social issues. Therefore, make it a habit to regularly observe your horse.. As a horse owner, you want the best for your animal. Therefore, it is important to have an idea of what behavior is 'normal' for your horse. Is the animal dominant or lower in rank? Does it like to play, have friends, sleep often in the paddock or stable? Eating behavior and how often your horse drinks are also interesting facts to know. And of course, it is important to see if your horse eats sand or digs holes. Herd Behavior How a horse behaves within the herd is a crucial indication of how it...