Treating Edema (or Oedema) in horses - a form of inflammation - is a critical aspect of equine care and a common condition within the equestrian community.  Many horse owners will have experienced a horse with Edema; often arriving at the stable one morning to be horrified by the sight of their horses legs heavily swollen. Edema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid under the horses skin that has settled at points within the body, most commonly in the legs but also found in the belly.  Luckily, although Edema swelling can look serious, the fluid build up is not blood or plasma but r ..read more

In the vast expanse of Australia's countryside, amidst the rugged outback terrain, a unique equestrian discipline thrives: Campdrafting. Rooted in tradition, steeped in skill, and embraced by communities across the Australian outback, Campdrafting is more than just a sport; it's a way of life. As we delve into the essence of Campdrafting, this article will explore the disciplines rich history, unravel its intricacies, and draw parallels with the adrenaline-fuelled world of Rodeo sports such as Breakaway Roping or Barrel Racing which are popular equine sports in North Americ ..read more

In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the popularity of holistic and alternative therapies when caring for our horses. This trend reflects a growing recognition among horse owners, trainers, and veterinarians of the importance of addressing equine health and wellbeing from a comprehensive and integrative perspective. Holistic approaches emphasise treating the whole horse—body, mind, and spirit—rather than focusing solely on isolated symptoms or conditions. Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal medicine, and magnetic therapy, offer natural and non-in ..read more

Border Collies, renowned for their intelligence and boundless energy, make wonderful companions for those who appreciate their wit and incredible agility. Border Collies are exceptional athletes and are well known as working dogs and as a great breed for taking part in dog agility, with many world-champion agility dogs being Border Collies.  However, like all breeds, Border Collies are a ‘high-maintenance breed’ and can be susceptible to certain health conditions. In this article, we'll delve into common health concerns that may affect these brilliant dogs and explore ways to ensure their ..read more

Golden Retrievers are medium-sized dogs that were traditionally bred in Scotland and first recorded by The Kennel Club in 1903. They are one of most popular dog breeds in the UK and are a firm family favourite. Golden Retrievers are a powerful and strong breed of dog with a broad head and a recognisable double-coat; often yellow or golden in appearance. Retrievers, however popular as a family pet, sadly experience a number of common health issues from conditions that impact the whole body including higher than average levels of hip dysplasia and joint issues such as canine arthritis. Furt ..read more

What is Kinesiology Kinesiology is a form of holistic therapy which studies the mechanics of body movements and aims to detect and correct imbalances or diseases in the body that may lead to stress, nutritional deficiencies, joint conditions or minor injuries. Kinesiology is based on the ancient Chinese acupuncture theory of ‘chi energy’ and has a variety of techniques which include acupressure, lymphatic massage, hypertonic muscle release and reflex and trigger points. Kinesiologists are now commonly adopted by sportspeople, athletes and the elderly to help support joint mobility, reduce or c ..read more

Massage therapy on humans and animals has been widely used for thousands of years. Massage works the soft tissues and muscles to help improve mobility, flexibility and aid the healing process. Massage therapy on horses is a commonly adopted form of therapy within the equine community benefitting horses recovering from an injury or as part of their ongoing wellbeing. Whether your horse is a pet horse at home or a grand-prix level sports horse, providing them with regular massage therapy has shown to create significant benefits to their ongoing health and wellbeing. In this article we look ..read more

The worldwide dairy industry There are over 270 million dairy cows worldwide who produce over 600 million tonnes of milk each year. The EU has around 23 million dairy cows producing a whopping 135 million tonnes of milk annually. The USA produces over 87 million tonnes of milk annually; around 15% of the worlds annual milk! India has the largest population of dairy cows in the world with over 43 million dairy cows making up 16.5% of the worlds dairy cow population. In the UK dairy farming is in decline; in 2010 there were 1.8million dairy cows which shows a dramatic drop from over 3.2 mil ..read more

Pole bending is an equine discipline which is well supported in the USA and Canada and similar to barrel racing is a popular gymkhana game, often seen in high school rodeos. As with all rodeo disciplines, the foundation of the sport was formed through the necessity to control a heard on horseback and have the skills to do so safely and effectively. The horse and the rider must work as a team to complete the course in as fastest time as possible. Pole bending is a great way to enforce good horsemanship and can be an early route into rodeo for many young riders. In the majority of case ..read more

Dogs are not immune to stress and anxiety. If you want to help your dog, you might be interested in some natural and holistic ways to do so. Holistic methods treat your dog as a whole, not just a symptom, and use natural sources to calm and balance their nervous system. In this article we look into some of the most popular herbs and natural supplements that are marketed to reduce anxiety in dogs, such as chamomile, passionflower, melatonin, L-theanine, CBD oil, and certain types of lignans. Additionally, we will give you some tips on preventing or minimizing stress and anxiety in dogs using ot ..read more