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.
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? Changes in grazing can cause dietary upsets If food is not processed properly, issues such as gut pain and discomfort may occur
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
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
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
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 for Horses and Dogs – Why is Seaweed Good for Them
Which Kelp It is important to understand that not just any kelp supplement from any type of seaweed is good for an animal supplement. Most are too high in iodine
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
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
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
Herpes in Horses
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
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
