Nicky Ellis, Author at Horses & Foals

vitamin e deficiency in horses Frequently Asked Questions

Vitamin E Deficiency In Horses: Can You Prevent It?

Horses are unable to produce vitamin E themselves, so it’s very important that they get plenty of this essential vitamin in their diet. Vitamin E is best delivered along with a bit of fat as this helps it to be absorbed correctly. Horses naturally get an abundance of vitamin E from the grass they eat. … Read more

How Should You Feed A Horse Who Has Laminitis?

It was once thought that horses with laminitis should simply be put down because they were unsound and un-rideable. Today, we know that this isn’t true. A horse who has had an episode of laminitis is more likely to have another episode, but it is possible to prevent laminitis problems and promote good hoof health … Read more

Can My Vet Refuse To Give Me A Prescription?

The short answer to the question “Can my vet refuse to give me a prescription?” is “yes”. A more important question to ask is “Why might my vet refuse to give me a prescription?” In this article, we explore the many reasons why a vet might refuse to write a prescription for your horse or … Read more

What Does It Mean When A Mare Is Waxing?

“Waxing” is a term used to refer to one of the symptoms a mare may exhibit when she is preparing to give birth. You may also hear this symptom referred to as “waxing up”. You will recognize this symptom by the waxy secretion that appears on the mare’s teats. You may see this three (or … Read more

Why Do Horses Paw The Ground?

If your horse is pawing, it may be an indication that something is bothering him or her, or it may be a bad habit. In order to address this behavior, you have to understand it. No matter what the cause, you can be sure your horse is not just pawing to annoy you. Horses don’t … Read more

Why Do Horses Foam At The Mouth?

It’s not uncommon to see a horse foaming at the mouth during riding lessons, horse shows and horse races, trail rides and other riding events. While you might think this is a cause for concern, the fact is foaming at the mouth is not usually problematic and may even be a positive sign. In this … Read more

Summer Sores In Horses: Frequently Asked Questions

What are summer sores? These painful sores are caused by parasite infestation and appear, as the common name indicates, during the warm summer months. You may also hear summer sores referred to as: By any name, if left untreated, summer sores can cause severe problems. Read on to learn more about summer sores in horses. … Read more

how long are horses pregnant Frequently Asked Questions

Horse Reproductive Cycle: How Long Are Horses Pregnant For?

Horses are mammals, and like all other mammals they have a reproductive cycle. But what happens during this cycle? What triggers it? And how long are horses pregnant for? They are larger than humans, so it makes sense that their gestation is longer than ours – but it is a surprisingly small amount of extra … Read more

horse breeding techniques Frequently Asked Questions

Horse Breeding Techniques And Breeding Management Resources

Breeding horses is a complicated and challenging enterprise and not one that should be undertaken by novices. If you’re thinking about breeding horses, keep in mind the fact that there is currently a horse overpopulation in the United States that results in about 100,000 horses a year being sent to slaughter. If you’re making a … Read more

warm blooded vs cold blooded horses Frequently Asked Questions

Hot, Warm And Cold Blooded Horses: What’s The Difference?

Have you ever heard someone refer to a horse as cold, hot or warm-blooded? I bet you have. And you may be wondering why a horse is referred to as cold-blooded yet it’s a mammal and we all know mammals have warm blood? Well, it is not about their body temperature. Horses have the same … Read more