Equine dental care is often neglected. As humans we are always off to the dentist for our 6 month check-ups. Horses are just like us, they can get tooth ache, cavities and gum disease. So... why shouldn't your horse get regular check-ups too? Knowing what goes on in your horse's mouth will help you prevent any... Read more »
Maintaining your horse's feet in good condition is of primary importance. Neglected feet can develop many conditions which, if left untreated, can result in severe lameness with loss of use of your horse. Thrush and canker are two conditions of the foot which owners of horses should be aware of. Daily cleaning of your horses... Read more »
Tendon injuries are a common occurrence in the athletic horse. Although injury can occur in any tendon in any type of horse and age, the superficial digital flexor tendon of the lower limb is most frequently affected, particularly in the racehorse and event horses. It is characterised by heat, pain and swelling of the limb... Read more »
Are you thinking of taking your horse barefoot? If so, here is some useful information before you go ahead. But to start off with, some words of warning!!! Can my horse go barefoot? Going barefoot successfully is a lot more than just taking the shoes off your horse. It involves you, the horse's owner, taking... Read more »
A subsolar abscess, or pus in the foot, is an infection beneath the sole of the foot. Subsolar abscesses cause severe pain to your horse due to the buildup of pressure under the hoof capsule that cannot expand. The pain can probably be compared to an infection or blood blister under your fingernail, with the... Read more »
Tendon, ligament and joint injuries are common occurrences in horses, and up until recently an injury involving one of these may well have meant the end of a horse's competitive career. But now, with advancing technology, stem cell therapy could give your horse a second chance! What is stem cell therapy? Stem cell therapy is used for... Read more »
Sidebone is the name given to the ossification (bony formations) of the flexible collateral cartilages of the distal phalanx (coffin bone) in the foot. These are found either side of the coffin bone in some horses protruding very little and in others, protruding up towards the level of the pastern joint. These lateral cartilages support... Read more »
Problems with shoeing are most commonly due to horses not being willing to pick up their feet or having them handled, rather than being due to the shoeing itself. These horses are also unlikely to pick up their feet for their owners for daily hoof care, this risks these horses developing problems with their feet.... Read more »
Good hoof care is essential in avoiding conditions such as quittor. Regular trimming and/or shoeing to ensure all the feet are balanced and are free from cracks is essential. If your horse is shod, they should fit properly, therefore avoiding any nasty tread injuries. What is seedy toe? Seedy toe is separation of the dorsal... Read more »
As every horse owner knows, the horse's foot is a very complicated structure. It may not look it from the outside, but within the hoof wall are many elements and sensitive structures that form the foot. Quittor is a condition that affects the lateral cartilages in the foot, however it is relatively uncommon. What is... Read more »