Food sensitivity in horses can lead to all kinds of gut discomfort, disease, and any number of health issues. Obviously, none of this makes for an easy life, and diagnosis of sensitivities and intolerances in horses is key to their overall health and well-being. Over the last decade or two, gut health in both humans and companion animals has become something of a hot topic. And with good reason: the trillions of microbes (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses) that call your gut home do far more than just ensure digestive ease and belly comfort. A balanced microbiome plays a crucial role in o ..read more

The use of prebiotics and probiotics in horse diets has become a common practice — and for good reason.1,2,3 Increased attention to and understanding of gut health in humans, pets and livestock have led to more research and effective solutions available on the market. Research studies have shown: 82.7% of horse owners and leasers believe that prebiotics and probiotics are beneficial to their horse’s gut health.3 More than half (52.9%) of these horse owners use feeds containing prebiotics or probiotics, while 32.7% offered a supplemental prebiotic or probiotic.3 68.2% of horse owners said ..read more

Adding supplements to your horse’s diet is a great way to maximize his health. To take it a step further, choose supplements that optimize the nutrient availability of the food he’s eating. When supplementing the equine diet, a common challenge is finding and using products that complement the forage currently being used. Grain-based complete feeds may be convenient for delivering additional protein, energy, vitamins and minerals; however, they don’t offer the same benefits as supplements in other forms, such as lick blocks and feed additives. THE BENEFITS OF FERMENTATION The key to effectiv ..read more

If your horse doesn’t seem to be catching on when you’re training or teaching him, it could be due to stress. Conversely, if he’s passing with flying colors, it could be caused by exercise! Both stress and exercise can have an impact on his learning ability due to the release of a variety of neurotransmitters. A recent study* that explored this phenomenon involved 41 horses that were divided into groups and either assigned to a calm, ridden exercise session, exposed to unpredictable and uncontrollable stress, or given a period of inactivity. They were then evaluated on their ability to master ..read more

Does your horse have anxiety? If you’re not sure, some of the tell-tale signs your horse could be anxious include weight loss, excessive chewing, pacing, sweating and easily getting spooked.  If you’re noticing that your horse is exhibiting these signs, here are 5 relaxation techniques you can use to calm them down. 1) Stay grounded Horses are sensitive creatures by nature, which means they are sensitive to you and your emotions. That’s why the first step is to make sure your emotions are in check.  Have you been stressed or anxious recently? If yes, try and ground yourself before be ..read more

Trauma-focused therapeutic riding is a valuable tool for people recovering from abuse, neglect, and other traumatic experiences. Here’s a closer look at the positive effects it can have on participants. WHAT IS TRAUMA-FOCUSED THERAPEUTIC RIDING? An emerging field that harnesses the healing power of horses, trauma-focused therapeutic riding helps people who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect, and abandonment. It can help people for whom all other interventions, including more conventional therapies, have failed. Horses make excellent therapists. They do not lie, they do not judge, and th ..read more

Even though colic is a common concern for horse owners, it is usually unpredictable and unpreventable. Horses are naturally prone to colic, but the good news is over 80% of cases are treatable on the farm. Signs your horse may have colic: Biting or kicking their flank or belly Frequently turning to look at their side Lying down or rolling Little or no passing of manure Dry or mucus-covered manure Not drinking water Poor appetite Heart rate over 45 to 50 beats per minute Sticky gums Unusually colored mucous membranes While you may not be able to prevent all types of colic, there are ways to r ..read more

Improving the odds for horses suffering from colic remains a top priority for researchers. Survey a group of horse caretakers and veterinarians about their top health concerns and colic usually heads the list. Although treatment options for colic have improved dramatically in the last several decades, that rate of improvement has slowed in the last 20 years. Horses, and the people who care for them, are ready for a new investment in research to further colic prevention and care. Colic is a common problem and refers to any cause of abdominal pain. Experts say that 4% to 10% of all horses will ..read more

Kelcie’s pulled out all the stops to ensure that their one-of-a-kind pumpkin spice horse treats check all the boxes! Husband and wife horse enthusiasts Kevin and Mary Elizabeth Nairne had two of the key ingredients required to start a successful horse treat company – knowledge and passion. With her extensive experience in show jumping and his background in corporate sales, they identified an opportunity to introduce a high-quality treat aimed (initially) at the sport horse market. “Together we decided to develop a horse treat made from all-natural, healthy ingredients,” says Kevin. “We wanted ..read more

Your horse’s environment can have a large impact on her ability to learn. Here’s how to create a training space that sets her up for success. Wondering how to create an environment that encourages your horse to learn? If, as Shakespeare says, all the world’s a stage and we are merely players, then we have to set up a helpful stage, and be pleasant players. You, as the teacher, must create a pleasing atmosphere that helps your student, the horse, relax — a stage that sets the mood for learning. Any time you interact with your horse there are three main variables to consider — her mental and phy ..read more