The health guides cover what can go wrong with a horse and how to prevent it: from colic, lameness and laminitis to vaccinations, deworming, dental care, feeding and daily management. They help you spot signals early and judge when a situation can wait and when it is urgent. The emphasis is on recognition and prevention in plain language. For diagnosis, dosage and treatment, the vet remains the right source. These guides do not replace veterinary advice, but help you stay prepared and alert.
What atypical myopathy (pasture myopathy) is, which maples carry the toxin, when the risk is highest, and what to do if you suspect it and in the pasture.
7 min readWhat arthritis is, why bone spavin is the best-known form, the warning signs, and how to keep an arthritic horse working through exercise and a plan.
6 min readHow to recognize Cushing's disease (PPID) in an older horse, how the vet makes the diagnosis, and how to manage daily feed and laminitis prevention.
6 min readWhat EMS is, how to recognize the signs, how it differs from Cushing's, and why weight loss and management are the real treatment.
6 min readHow to recognize gastric ulcers (EGUS) in your horse, which stable and feeding factors cause them, and what management can prevent.
6 min readHow to recognize a hoof abscess by sudden lameness, a warm hoof, and throbbing pain, what to do yourself, and when to call the vet.
5 min readWhat the navicular region is, why the term covers several conditions, the signs to watch for, and how to manage it with vet and farrier.
6 min readRecognize colic from your horse's behavior, know the types of colic, judge how serious it is, and know what to do right away and when to call.
10 min readBald patches, scabs, and lumps: how to tell common horse skin problems apart and know when to call the vet.
6 min readA watery or squinting eye, or a horse shaking its head: how to read the signals, what to do yourself, and when to call the vet.
5 min readHow to recognize an irregular gait, locate the sore leg, judge how serious it is, and know when to call the vet right away.
6 min readHow to recognize laminitis in horses, what to do during an acute attack, and how to reduce the risk in spring.
6 min readMud fever causes scabs and swollen lower legs that are easy to spot but slow to clear. Here's how to treat it and stop it coming back.
4 min readWhat coughing and labored breathing can mean, which signs to take seriously, and how to reduce dust in the stable.
5 min readWhat sweet itch is, how to recognize it, and how to manage the itch with rugs, shelter, and skin care through summer.
5 min readHow to recognize a thickened tendon or warm leg after exercise, what to do right away, and why recovering from a tendon injury takes so much patience.
6 min readHow to judge whether your horse's complaint can wait or is an emergency, what to report by phone, and what a vet visit costs.
5 min readHow to judge hay quality by color, smell, and feel, what to check with haylage, and when a forage analysis is worth doing.
6 min readHow to use the body condition score and a weigh tape to judge whether your horse is too fat or too thin, and adjust its weight gradually.
6 min readHow to adjust your horse's ration for harder work: forage as the base, dosing concentrate feed, and when a supplement is actually worth it.
5 min readWhat normal horse manure looks like, what unusual color, consistency, or diarrhea can mean, and when to call the vet.
5 min readWhen a supplement is worth it and when it isn't: joint supplements, electrolytes, and the rest, with a clear-eyed look at the claims.
6 min readHow much hay, concentrate feed, and water a horse needs per day, worked out from its weight and the work it does.
4 min readHow to build a ration around forage, match concentrates and supplements to the horse, and prevent colic and overweight with gradual feed changes.
4 min readWhy insects do more damage than you would think, which protection fits which situation, from fly mask to sweet itch sheet, and when to call the vet.
5 min readHow to introduce a new horse to the herd step by step: settling-in period, meeting over the fence, joining the group, and when to step in.
6 min readWhat being in heat means for mares, what behavior is normal during the cycle, how to handle it in training and competition, and when to call the vet.
6 min readHow to judge whether it's time, what to arrange around euthanasia, and why grieving a horse deserves serious attention.
6 min readWhat weaving, wind-sucking and stall-walking are, why punishing or blocking them doesn't work, and how movement, forage and company reduce it.
6 min readWhat changes as your horse ages: from coat and weight issues to Cushing's disease (PPID), dental care, and an adjusted care routine.
5 min readWhat daily horse care involves: feeding, water, stall, turnout, and checks, in a fixed routine that's easy to keep up.
4 min readHow to help a new horse settle calmly into its stable, herd and rider: feed, health and routine in the first weeks.
5 min readHow often the farrier should come, what trimming and shoeing cost, when hoof boots are an alternative, and what to look for when choosing a farrier.
6 min readHow often to have your horse's teeth checked, what floating involves, and which eating or bit problems point to a dental issue.
5 min readHow manure removal, pasture rotation, and targeted deworming keep parasite pressure low on your pasture, without deworming more than necessary.
5 min readWhen to clip a horse, when a blanket is needed, and how to adjust seasonal care for coat, sweat, and weather.
5 min readHow to set up a healthy horse stable: bedding, ventilation, mucking out and hygiene that protect the airways, hooves and skin.
5 min readHow much turnout a horse needs, how to build it up safely, and which spring risks to avoid with turnout and outdoor living.
5 min readHow to recognize heat stress in your horse, why plenty of cold water is the best first aid, and how to plan hot days around riding, turnout, and transport.
5 min readToxic plants for horses (ragwort, yew, sycamore maple, acorns): where the danger lies, how to prevent it, and what to do if you suspect poisoning.
6 min readGetting back on after a fall: check yourself and the horse for injury, then take the step back into the saddle.
5 min readWhen and how often to deworm a horse, why fecal egg counts are replacing fixed schedules, and how to prevent resistance.
6 min readWhat belongs in a first aid kit for your horse, and how to assess, clean, and bandage a wound until the vet arrives.
5 min readWhich vaccinations your horse needs, how often to repeat them, and the influenza requirement the KNHS sets for competing.
5 min readWhat veterinary care is routine for a horse of your own: vaccination schedule, tailored deworming, and the annual dental check.
4 min readWhen a physiotherapist, osteopath, or chiropractor can help your horse, why the vet always comes first, and how to recognize a good practitioner.
6 min readWhy stall rest is prescribed, why it's hard on a horse, and how to limit stress, stomach issues, and boredom until it can move again.
6 min readHow young talents handle performance pressure, selection stress, and motivation, and when a sports psychologist or coach is a good idea.
6 min readWhy your first riding lessons leave you sore in places you didn't expect, whether that's normal, and when to slow down.
5 min readHow to protect your sport horse's body as training intensity rises: buildup, footing, recovery, and the early signs of a tendon injury.
5 min readHow young elite riders avoid overtraining: managing training load, building in recovery, and returning sensibly to training after an injury.
6 min readHow professionals stay in equestrian sport for years without burning out, by organizing recovery, rhythm, and support.
4 min readWhen your horse needs leg protection, which type serves which purpose, and why fitting it wrong can do more harm than good.
5 min readHow to transport a horse safely: choosing a trailer or truck, calm loading, securing it well, smooth driving, and building up the first ride.
6 min readWhen a riding helmet is mandatory (law, KNHS, SVP), which standards apply to helmets and body protectors, and when an airbag vest is worth it.
6 min readHow to tell if your saddle fits, which signals point to a poor fit, and when to call in a saddle fitter or vet.
5 min read