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Why Is My Horse Sweating at Rest?
Noticing your horse sweating heavily while standing in the pasture or stable can be alarming, especially if the temperature is mild and your horse isn’t being ridden. Excessive sweating at rest is not normal and warrants investigation. Unlike humans who rely primarily on sweating for thermoregulation, horses are selective sweaters; they typically sweat only during…
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Horse Laying Down More Than Usual
A healthy adult horse typically lies down for 2-4 hours per day, usually in short sessions of 15-30 minutes, often during nighttime rest. When your horse begins laying down significantly more than their usual pattern, it often indicates something is amiss. Increased recumbency can range from mild behavioral changes to serious medical emergencies, making it…
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Why Is My Horse Not Eating?
A horse that suddenly refuses feed or shows a dramatic decrease in appetite is a red flag for any owner. Eating is central to equine health—horses are designed to graze continuously throughout the day, consuming 1.5 to 2 percent of their body weight daily. When a 1,000-pound horse stops eating normally, it’s not just a…
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Diarrhea in Horses
Diarrhea in horses is one of the most common digestive complaints veterinarians treat, yet it often signals an underlying health issue that requires prompt attention. Unlike minor cases of loose manure, true diarrhea represents a breakdown in the horse’s digestive system and can range from mild to life-threatening depending on the cause. As a horse…
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Choke episodes
Choke in horses is a serious condition involving an obstruction of the esophagus, the muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach. Unlike human choke (airway blockage), equine choke typically does not completely block the airway, but rather traps food, hay, or other material in the esophageal passage. This painful condition requires prompt veterinary attention…
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Eye Problems
Your horse’s eyes are windows to their overall health and critical for their safety and performance. Horses rely heavily on their vision to navigate their environment, detect predators, and interact with their surroundings, making eye health a cornerstone of equine wellness. Eye problems in horses are surprisingly common and can range from minor irritations to…
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Hyperlipemia
Hyperlipemia is a serious metabolic condition in horses characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids (fats) in the bloodstream. This condition occurs when the body mobilizes excessive fat stores, often triggered by illness, stress, prolonged fasting, or metabolic imbalances. While hyperlipemia can develop in any horse, ponies, miniature horses, obese horses, and those with underlying…
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Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a complex endocrine disorder that affects an increasing number of horses, particularly those in developed countries. Similar to insulin resistance in humans, EMS involves the horse’s inability to regulate insulin levels effectively, leading to a cascade of metabolic complications. This condition is not simply a weight problem–it represents a fundamental…
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Insulin Resistance (IR)
Insulin resistance (IR) in horses is a metabolic condition that affects how their bodies process glucose and respond to the hormone insulin. When a horse develops insulin resistance, their cells become less responsive to insulin’s signals, causing the pancreas to work harder and produce more insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. This condition is…
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Best First Aid Products for Horses
Equine emergencies can happen without warning, whether your horse is grazing in a pasture, being ridden on the trail, or recovering from a minor injury at home. Having a well-stocked first aid kit is one of the most important responsibilities of horse ownership. Properly equipped with the right supplies, you can respond quickly to wounds,…