Keeping horses is expensive - no one can argue with that! But there are ways we may be able to save a little money without reducing the quality of care we offer our equine friends. Read on to learn more...
We asked Norfolk based practice, Westover Large Animal Vets Ltd., to share the most common health concerns they encounter in equines during the winter months...
Sometimes, our horses need a bit of a nutritional boost. Maybe they require extra going into winter, after a demanding competition season, or even for ‘extra good looks’ for a special show. Bring on TopGain !
Cosying up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate and a dog in your lap paints an idyllic picture for many, but winter is a dreaded word for almost all equestrians - and many of us are still feeling triggered by last year’s horrendously wet and muddy edition.
At this time of year, you may be looking to buy a foal and experience the joy of bringing on a youngster. Although it is traditional to wean at 6 months, this is actually too early.
Most equestrians dread Bonfire Night as it can be a particularly stressful time for both horses and horse owners alike. With just over 2 weeks to go, now is the time to prepare.
Horses are now well into their ‘Blackberry coats’. There is an old saying that “no horse looks well at blackberry time” as the blackberries often appear when our horses are setting their winter coats, losing their summer dapples and the cooler weather means there is less goodness in the grass.
We've had numerous calls to the Feed Line about underweight horses this month. It will always be easier to put weight on before a cold spell hits, so now is the time to make any dietary adjustments.
As it is with humans, horses are all individuals. Certain horses can react to certain feeds and as owners may perceive that these feeds cause their horse to “hot up” or are even allergic/sensitive to the feed. This feeling can be amplified further when we see 'trends' come and go on social media - we've probably all been there at some point over something, even if we don't care to admit it.
The majority of horse owners are aware of what ragwort looks like, along with the dangers it presents for our horses. So much so we spend a good amount of time and effort digging it up from our paddocks before it sets to seed. But what about plants that look a bit like ragwort?