care

Does My Horse Have Colic?

Colic is a common affliction in horses, and it's also the top cause of natural death in equines. You should know how to recognize the symptoms so you can tell right away if your horse is suffering from colic.

What Is Impaction Colic in Horses?

Horses often develop colic, which is the name for a condition that means abdomen pain. There are a lot of varied possible causes for horses developing colic. Some types of colic can be fatal; others are much milder.

Horse Choke Food

Choke is a condition in which a horse's esophagus becomes blocked by ingested food. This blockage does not block the horse's trachea, so the horse is still able to breathe. However, because the horse cannot swallow, this can lead to dehydration and the development of aspiration pneumonia.

What Causes a Horse's Hair to Fall Out?

Horses and ponies are known for their long, flowing manes and tails and coats of glossy hair. However, anything that can grow hair can also go bald. But any time a horse's or a pony's hair starts to fall out is not normal.

Fatal Horse Diseases

Horses are like any other animal: they can be exposed and vulnerable to diseases. Many ailments that a horse can face are treatable and, in most cases, preventable. But there are a few that, without immediate intervention, can end the life of a horse.

What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Problems in Horses?

The thyroid gland secretes hormones that are essential to keeping a horse healthy, including the hormone thyroxin. A thyroid that is not secreting enough thyroxin is said to be sluggish. A sluggish thyroid is also called "hypothyroidism" or "goiter.

Cushing's Disease in Horses

Equine Cushing's Disease results from the increased production of cortisol and other hormones. This is caused by a pituitary gland abnormality and is mainly seen in older horses and ponies. The disease is assessed through a series of blood tests.

Stroke Symptoms in a Horse

Quickly identifying stroke symptoms in a horse can save the life of the animal. A horse, which may appear to be in perfect health, can rapidly slip into a state of stroke with little warning. Many strokes are caused by a brain hemorrhage, which left untreated, can cause death.

Horse & Human Crossover Diseases

Diseases that are transmitted from horses to humans are called zoonotic diseases. Sometimes the transmission is directly from the horse, and other times it is indirectly transmitted from the pathogen causing the disease in the horse.

Common Horse Diseases

The horse has long been part of man's history. From the first wild horses tamed by Native Americans to the different varieties of domestic horses available today, they have played a valuable part in our lives.

Horse Anatomy: Head & Neck Region

Horses share many pieces of anatomy with humans, but many significant horse parts might be less well known. Learn about horse anatomy and parts of a horse's head and neck from a ranch owner in this free horse care video.

Horse Anatomy: Front Legs

The front legs of a horse have parts owners and riders must learn to talk with trainers and vets. Learn about horse anatomy and parts of a horse's front legs from a ranch owner in this free horse care video.

Horse Anatomy: Body Region

Horses have barrels, gaskins, docks and withers, anatomy features important for riders to know. Learn about horse anatomy and parts of a horse's body from a ranch owner in this free horse care video.

Horse Anatomy: Back Legs & Hooves

Horse anatomy includes hocks, gaskins and pasterns, features owners and riders should learn to converse with specialists. Learn about horse anatomy and parts of a horse's back legs and hooves from a ranch owner in this free horse care video.

Horse Feeding Schedules

Many quarter horses can do with one scoop of feed in each of the morning and night and hay for grazing during the day. Feed a horse enough to maintain weight with tips from a ranch owner in this free horse care video.

Horse Nutrition

Horses have a food pyramid just like humans, though theirs includes dry, cured hay and food formula in pellets. Feed a horse healthy, nutritious food with tips from a ranch owner in this free horse care video.

Taping a Horse's Wound

Taping a wound on a horse comes after cleaning the wound and ensuring the horse can safely heal without professional medical attention. Learn to tape a horse's wound with tips from a ranch owner in this free horse care video.

Taping a Horse's Wound with Vet Wrap

Taping a wound on a horse with vet wrap is a careful procedure that should not adversely affect circulation. Learn to tape a horse's wound with vet wrap with tips from a ranch owner in this free horse care video.

How Much Is a Horse First Aid Kit?

Horses look like big, graceful animals, but they can be quite clumsy. When nicks, cuts and bumps happen, it's essential to have a good first aid kit on hand. Knowing what it to put in it and how much it will cost to make and maintain will help you be prepared for those minor injuries at the barn or out on the riding trails.

How Much Hay Does a Horse Eat?

Many people have thought about owning a horse. What stops some of them is the cost. There's the price of the horse, the cost of boarding and veterinary care, the farrier has to come several times a year, and the tack is also costly.

Information on How to Take Care of a Horse

Taking care of a horse is a big responsibility. Horses need a lot of care to keep them healthy and happy. They need food, water, shelter, exercise, companionship and regular care from a farrier and a veterinarian.

Horse Colic Symptoms

Colic is a potentially fatal condition of a horse's digestive system. There are three main causes--trapped gas, eating too much or a blockage in the intestines. Since a horse can't throw up, once something is in the digestive system, it is there to stay.

Horse Show Safety Clothing Rules

Horse riding is a popular but dangerous sport. Horse riding enthusiasts must wear the proper protective gear, such as helmets and pants designed to protect the rider in case of an accident. There are various types and styles of protective gear, so riders are sure to find something that suits them while also providing protection.

How to Give Your Horse a Massage

Massaging your horse is an easy and pleasant way to nourish his health as well as his sense of well-being. Massage can move toxins out of your horse's muscles and increase blood circulation. While there is no doubt that muscle tissue will benefit from massage, your horse's bones, tendons and ligaments will benefit as well.

How Much Water Does a Horse Drink?

As with any animal, water is very important to a horse's health. The horse must drink enough water to keep its body hydrated and enable it to perform essential life functions such as sweating and digestion.

SafeChoice Horse Food

SafeChoice is the brand name of a pelleted horse food made by the Nutrena company. It offers complete nutrition for horses and some specific features and benefits. If you know more about it, you can compare it to other horse foods to decide if it might be the best choice for your horse.

Blue Seal Horse Food

Blue Seal Feeds Inc. is a company that has been manufacturing horse feed products since 1868. Blue Seal's headquarters is located in Londonderry, N.H., and it maintains 11 manufacturing plants throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States.

Seminole Horse Food

Seminole is a popular brand of horse feed. Seminole has been manufacturing horse feed for more than 75 years. Seminole produces an array of horse feed options. Seminole has researched and studied horse nutrition, watched horses live and thrive, and has listened to its customers' desires.

How Does a Horse Obtain Food?

Domesticated horses, or horses that are managed and cared for by humans, are given food by their owners. Wild horses, on the other hand, forage for their food much like cattle. They can be divided into two groups: Feral horses, who were born to domesticated horses but now live in the wild, and equines, who have never been domesticated.

Strategy Horse Food

Strategy was the first company to develop horse feed in pellet form for commercial sales. It was designed to provide nutrition for all types of horses. Now, Strategy has enhanced its horse feed to provide a higher level of nutrition quality to a wide range of horses.

Tribute Horse Food

Tribute Horse Feeds are formulated based on innovative research of the nutritional requirements of all types of horses, with formulas specific to each horse category.

Protein Supplements for Horses

Horses need protein supplements when their normal diets lack any of the 10 essential amino acids not normally synthesized in their bodies. Protein synthesis in horses requires lysine (most importantly, as this is most lacking in equine diets), as well as valine, tryotophan, arginine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, leusine, methionine, threonine and phenylalanine.

Purina Horse Food

Purina has been a leader in equine nutrition for more than 100 years. It is a name trusted by horsemen all over the world and has become the standard for horse feed. Backed by years of research, Purina horse food is top of the line for your horse.

Purina Horse Feed

Purina Horse Feed is an industry leader in both quality of product and its reputation. The Purina Mills company is an industry leader in equine research and nutritional requirements. The company designed a full line of horse feeds that meet the specific needs of different horses, including the ULTIUM Competition Horse Feed, the Athlete Horse Feed, the Equine Adult, Equine Senior and the Equine Junior products.

Legends Horse Food

Legends Horse Feeds provide complete nutrition solutions for horses of all types and ages. The Legends Horse Feeds reputation spans many years, and its products are now exclusively distributed from MFA Inc.

Purina Strategy Horse Food

Purina Mills Strategy Professional Formula GX is a nutritious and revolutionary horse feed product that has existed since 1991. It was the first commercial pelleted horse feed product and was formulated for horses of all different lifestyles and age groups.

Equalizer Horse Food

Equalizer horse food is a tasty grain-based nutritional supplement that is added to horse feed to make it more nutritious. Always talk to your vet before adding equalizer to your horse's diet. It's known by a variety of names, including balancer feed and ration balancer.

About Different Types of Horseshoes

Horseshoes may appear like straightforward, simple things, but selecting the right ones can actually take some thought. Horseshoes can be made out of a variety of materials and even vary in width, length and shape, depending on the type of horse and the purpose the shoe needs to serve.

Metal Pole Building Kits

Looking for a fast, easy way to build that needed barn or commodities shed? A metal pole building kit may just be the answer. Budget-conscious business owners are aware of the savings a metal building can provide.

MGC Pole Building Kits for Horses

MGC designs and manufactures a broad range of modular pole buildings, including storage sheds, center aisle horse barns, cabins, portable offices, run-in sheds, storage sheds, shedrows and portable offices.

How to Build a Single Horse Barn

If you own just one horse, you do not need to spend a fortune on a huge barn. You will want to provide him with a clean, dry shelter that you can keep him in if he's sick or if you need to have access to him immediately for training, showing or just daily loving.

How to Build a Horse Stall

Horses are strong, but delicate animals. Their proper care requires bringing them in from the paddock, and that means they must have stalls. A good stall need not be elaborate, although some are. However, it must account for a few basic features that provide shelter, a floor that is suitable for mucking, and a structure that is sturdy enough to withstand some horse kicking.

Bit-less Horse Bridles

Bit-less horse bridles are often used on young horses for early training. Learn more about bit-less horse bridles with tips from a horse trainer in this free horse care video.

O-Ring Snaffle Horse Bits

An O-ring snaffle bit for horses is a horse bit often used on young horses or to try and soften horses. Learn more about O-ring snaffle horse bits with tips from a horse trainer in this free horse care video.

Snaffle Horse Bits

A snaffle bit for horses is a horse bit that doesn't require any leverage. Learn more about snaffle horse bits with tips from a horse trainer in this free horse care video.

Combination Horse Bits

A combination horse bit will work similarly to a bit-less bridle by creating pressure on the nose band. Learn more about combination horse bits with tips from a horse trainer in this free horse care video.

D-Ring Snaffle Horse Bits

A D-ring snaffle horse bit is often used as an inexpensive starter bit. Learn more about D-ring snaffle horse bits with tips from a horse trainer in this free horse care video.

Performance Leverage Horse Bits

A performance leverage bit for horses is used mainly for show horses that will be performing. Learn more about performance leverage horse bits with tips from a horse trainer in this free horse care video.

Snaffle Horse Bits With Leverage

A snaffle bit for horses that has leverage will create a lot more assertive control of the horse. Learn more about snaffle horse bits with leverage with tips from a horse trainer in this free horse care video.

How To Lunge Horses

Learn tips on how to lunge horses in this free equestrian-care video.

Types of Horse Fencing

Whether you are a new horse owner or a long time equine companion, fencing for your horse is always a concern. You may have a small acreage that requires minimal fencing, or, perhaps, you have several horse acres that need fencing to separate off stallions from geldings, and mares from weaning foals.

How to Build a Mesh Fence for Horses

Keeping horses is a challenge that can be very frustrating yet very satisfying. One of the biggest expenses horse owners face is fencing. Good-quality fencing will cost you as much as, if not more than, your actual barn and/or storage buildings.

How to Build a Folding Wood Fence Gate

These step-by-step instructions are for building a simple 3-foot-high folding wood fence gate in the size you need. For this example, 4 feet is used for the overall gate width to allow the steps to be clear.

How to Build a High Tensile Electric Fence

High-tensile electric fences provide an inexpensive, low-maintenance alternative to traditional fencing for all kinds of livestock. This type of fence uses a few basic components: posts, wire and an energizer.

How to Build an Electric Fence

Building an electric fence requires wire and posts just like any other wire livestock fence. In addition to these basic components, you must also connect a fencing energizer, called a "charger," to some of the wires on your fence.

How to Build a Wooden Shed

A wooden shed provides convenient storage for lawn and pool supplies. Simply select a flat open spot and you can build a structure to suit your needs. With a little imagination, wooden sheds can even add to a property's appeal.

How to Build a Barn Style Shed

Barn style sheds are great little places to store outdoor lawn and garden tools, hoses, and anything with a small engine. They can easily be left as they are once you complete them with a large, empty space inside, or shelves can be added for extra storage space.

How to Build an Outdoor Storage Bench

Do you spend time outside on activities like yard work and cars and want a big storage unit for supplies that also serves as a bench for you to sit on? This article walks you through instructions on building a storage bench that is 5 feet long and 2 feet wide with a removable top.

Gambrel Roof Building

The gambrel roof is a gable roof with a double slope on each side. The double slope is created by two common rafters that meet between the top of the wall and ridge. Building this type of roof is beyond basic carpentry skills and should be attempted by a carpenter who is at an intermediate to professional level.

How to Build a Barn Double Door

If you like the rustic look of double-hung barn doors, you can build them yourself without too much know-how, time or trouble. You will just need a few tools, some good-quality lumber and a strong buddy to help you when it comes time for hanging.

How to Build Old Style Wood Barn Doors

One kind of barn-door style that is seen in a lot of places--and especially on older barn buildings--features horizontal ledges with a diagonal "X" pattern between them. You can build a door like this for your shed or garage, and if the door opening is large enough you can even build a set of double doors.

How to Build a Barn Door

A basic barn door is a necessity for any barn, particularly if you have animals or livestock inside. These instructions are for a barn door that measures 8 feet wide by 8 feet high. You can modify it to fit the dimensions of your own door opening.

How to Build a Pole Shed

You can build a simple but functional pole shed building using 12-foot-long creosote or pressure-treated poles as the vertical framing members. The basic technique for constructing a pole building is this: Insert each pole into the ground and let it stand upright.

Metal Steel Kit Buildings Barns

Metal and steel buildings kits, such as those for barns, offer a strong and lower-cost structure than lumber and brick buildings. Kits give you, the nonprofessional builder, the opportunity to work from a set of illustrated plans and diagrams in order to save money on labor.

How to Build a Horse Shelter

Being out in a pasture is the best environment for your horse. Keeping a horse cooped up in stalls inside a barn leads to many respiratory problems as well as behavior problems. However, even in the nicest pasture there needs to be some protection from the elements while your horse is outside.

How to Build a Lean-To Horse Shelter

Giving your pastured livestock a place to get out of the elements is important. Constantly bringing individual animals into an enclosed stall is unproductive for breeding situations, and pasture life is actually a much healthier living situation for retired animals when possible.