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 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, judge how serious it is, and know exactly when to call the vet — a practical triage guide.
5 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.
5 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 readHow to recognize colic and other acute emergencies in your horse in time, what to do yourself, and when to call the vet immediately.
5 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 to work out how much hay and concentrate feed your horse needs per day, based on its weight and the work it does.
5 min readHow to build a ration around forage, match concentrates to workload, and prevent colic and overweight with gradual feed changes.
5 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, and how a fixed hoof routine helps prevent lameness.
5 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.
5 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 readWhat protection you need on a horse, which certification marks matter for a riding helmet and body protector, and when an airbag vest is worth it.
5 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