In line with Vetpro’s policy of helping horse owners & trainers to understand and improve the management of their animals requirements. We have included this section of useful articles written by Veterinarians and nutritionists. These Articles are offered to provide knowledge but in no way should replace the advice of your own Veterinarian.
Please note: Vetpro can not be held responsible for any actions taken as a result of the information provided in these Articles.
Understanding A Horses Digestion – How Horses Process Their Feed
Different areas of the horse’s gut carry out different actions in the process of digesting their feed. The total process from the mouth to the rectum can take 40 to
Shivers and Stringhalt – Involuntary Leg Movements of the Horse
What is Equine Shivers? This is a neurological condition in a horse symptomised by a horse holding up a hind leg which trembles (hence the name Shivers) and often developing
The Basic Care and Management of the Older Senior Horse
The Basic Care and Management What is considered old? Some older animals that are sound and still being ridden will seem younger than a horse retired and turned out, or
How Much Feed and What to Feed Your Horse
The Basic Amounts of Food a Horse Needs Everyday So, to start with let’s take an average horse of around 16.1hh and in light to moderate work they will need
Grass and Pasture in New Zealand – The What, Why, How of Grazing and Grass Related Issues for Horses
Maintaining Grazing Paddocks for Horses New Zealand is the land of green pastures with many different grasses and plants growing in them. In the main, grass is the best fodder for
Feeding Magnesium to Horses – Why, What, How
Why Feed Your Horse Magnesium? It is an important micromineral that is utilised by a horse to protect cells from inflammation and free radical damage. Magnesium has a role in
Horses Gut Health – The What, Why, How of Equine Digestion using Probiotics and Prebiotics Supplements
Why Do Horses need help with Gut Health? If food is not processed properly, issues such as gut pain and discomfort may occur and these in turn create negative behaviour
Ulcers in Horses – What, Why, How
What and Why are Ulcers in the Horse An ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach wall. The horse’s stomach is divided into two areas: One third
Vitamin B1 – Thiamine. What – Why – How
What is Thiamine -B1 to a Horse? Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin and one of the group of B complex vitamins, it is also called vitamin B1. The horse can
The Challenges for Overweight
Obese – Laminitic – EMS – Cushing Diseased Horses Complications of Equine Obesity Aside from the obvious physical issues of too much condition affecting movement, respiratory stress, joints etc, the
Joints – Damage, Arthritis, DJD in Horses
What is Equine Arthritis & Degenerative Joint Disease Arthritis means inflammation in the horse’s joints, this inflammation can be from any cause: infection, trauma etc. However Degenerative Joint Disease is
Care of the Orphan Foal
It is tragic when the mare dies during or soon after foaling. However with veterinary assistance and good care it is possible to successfully raise an orphan foal. Here are
What Supplements Do Your Horses Really Need Each Day
Your horses need a range of minerals but they must be in correct proportions. The actual quantities are important but so is the balance of the formula, more is not
Effects of Sun on Equine Skin
The Positive Effects of Sunlight on Horses The physical positive effect of sunlight is the effect it has on the oils in the skin and that is the conversion to
Developing the Growth of the Young Horse Safely
Nutritional Support of the Young Horse The growth of young horses (particularly between weaning and two years old), has received much attention from the veterinary scientists and some clear results
Feeding Fat – Oils and the Omega Balance
The Benefits of Fat in a Horse’s Diet Like all good horsemasters know, when feeding horses all aspects of their work, the type of horse, the basic pasture/forage availability, all
Kelp – Seaweed for Horse and Dogs Is It Good Them?
What is Seaweed – Algae and Kelp Basically, Algae and Seaweed are the same, – a typically aquatic plant that comes in a diverse range including single cell forms. Kelp
Sixty Signs of a Healthy and Happy Horse
1. Body condition should be not too fat, nor too thin. A horse should display a well rounded rump, the ribs should be well covered but still easily felt and
Horses do get HOT!!
How Hot Can a Horse Get? It doesn’t need to be a hot day for a horse to heat up as the exercise will heat up the horse, especially his
Mycotoxins and Binders – Why, What, How
Why Have Toxin Binders Been Developed Mycotoxins are an issue for animals, most particularly swine, poultry and to some degree cattle, with a few that are particular for horses. Large
Laminitis from Dietary Intake
How Does This Form of Laminitis Happen? There are different forms and triggers of the disease in horses called Laminitis or sometimes called Founder sometimes it takes more than one
Wound Care
There are different types of wounds that can occur with horses, the correct first aid procedure is essential. Always have some first aid items on hand in the stable yard
The Thin Horse – How to Create Weight Gain
When your horse is thin there is more to think about than just increasing the feed. First of all it is so important to try and analyse why condition of
Nutrition for Brood Mares
When Grass is Never Enough and a Foal Needs a Good Start in Life What Does the Pregnant Mare Need? A foal needs a good nutritional start in life from
Vitamin E Supplement for Horses
What is Vitamin E and When Does a Horse Need It? Normally horses will provide themselves with all the vitamins they need if they have a good basic diet (even
Energy – What, Where, How
A horse needs strength – stamina – muscular response – for a successful performance. Energy is a necessity for all of these elements of success, whatever equine sport the horse
Selenium – What, Why, How
What is Selenium? Is it Good for a Horse or is it Toxic? Selenium is an essential trace mineral and like a lot of essential nutrients, a small amount does
Protein- What, Why, How
What is Protein? Protein is a vital requirement for all horses, the demand is greatest for the growing horse and the late trimester mare, and the least for the spelling
Calcium Supplementation – How this Relates to Oxalate Grasses
Normal Pasture Conditions Calcium, for a horse, is a very important mineral. Keeping a horse on good quality pasture, feeding lucerne chaff or fibre mix and not overfeeding grain means
Emu Oil
The Properties of Emu Oil Emu oil was discovered by the Aborigines many thousands of years ago. It has been utilised in Aboriginal culture as an antiseptic, analgesic and nutrient.
Electrolytes – Why, When, What, How
When horses are working the muscular activity associated with training and competition results in a rapid increase in body temperature. The only way for horses to lose this excess body
Copper, Chromium & Selenium – Three Essential Trace Elements
Trace elements are essential for normal body function. They are involved in the enzyme systems that control the many biochemical reactions that take place within the cells. Three trace elements
Carbohydrates in Grass – Effects on Behaviour & Performance
The Processes of Grass that Create the Sugar Energy The primary source of feed for most horses is pasture. To understand the horse’s digestion of grass, we have to start
Equine Coughs Colds and Herpes
Dr Peter Gillespie. BVSc MACVS. Viral respiratory disease is the most common reasons for coughs and colds and for poor performance in competition horses in New Zealand. The early recognition
Equine Allergies
So out of the blue your horse has developed some unusual reactions either on their skin – lumps or itchy areas, or their eyes and nose may have a clear
Mud Fever – Symptoms and Solutions
What is Mud Fever in Horses It is not really a fever, and has several different names: greasy heel, scratches, pastern dermatitis or dermatophilosis infection. It is actually a skin
Preparation for Birth- Who gives the signal
Eleven months, eleven days have passed quickly. It didn’t seem long ago that the stud master had phoned to say that your mare had been served. Nor did it seem
Improving Bone Density
Dr Peter Gillespie. BVSc MACVS. Fifty five million years of evolution has seen the horse develop from a small, dog sized creature with four toes on each leg into the
Skin Diseases
Annabel Ensor BVSc. Ringworm Ringworm is a common contagious skin disease of horses. It is caused by a fungal infection. Trichophyton equinum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum, and Microsporum canis are
Equine Tendon Injuries
Structure Think of a tendon like a telephone cable consisting of parallel bundles of collagen fibres, arranged longitudinally (Fig 1). Cells called fibroblasts are interspersed between the collagen fibres; their
The Rig – Cryptorchid Horse
Dr Peter Gillespie. BVSc MACVS. A cryptorchid horse, or rig, as it is commonly known, has one or both of its testicles retained in its inguinal canal or abdominal cavity
Pre-purchase – The Vet Examination
Dr Peter Gillespie. BVSc MACVS. The horse industry, be it racing, eventing, showjumping or dressage, both for business and pleasure, relies on the buying and selling of horses for its
The Equine Hock Joint
Dr Peter Gillespie. BVSc MACVS. Situated midway between the stifle joint and the foot in the hind limb, is the hock, one of the hardest working joints in the equine
The Equine Suspensory Ligament
Dr Peter Gillespie. BVSc MACVS. Injuries to the suspensory ligament are a common occurrence in athletic horses. They can occur in both the fore and hind legs and have the
Tye-Up Muscle Myopathy
Dr Peter Gillespie. BVSc MACVS. Tye-up or Exertional Myopathies are the terms given to a group of muscular conditions that commonly affect performance horses.. The common assumption that all cases
30 Facts You Should Know About Your Horses Feet
Dr Peter Gillespie BVSc MACVS The term foot and hoof are often used synonymously. By definition the hoof is the integument of the foot and the foot is the part
