The spring of 2016 was a wet one in Kentucky. The Natural E (aka Leo) took full advantage of the mud by wallowing in it daily. Each afternoon he would kindly transfer the thick coating of mud onto me as I worked to uncover the shiny coat…
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Stacy Curwood is a seasoned Event rider based in Versailles, Kentucky. Her current ride is a 6 year old OTTB affectionately known as Sparky or Sparkles. His show name is Special Dark, like the chocolate! Stacy is having a ball developing this talented young horse.
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Elevate Event Team’s The Natural E (aka Leo) is now officially a Training level horse. In March, Megan competed him in two more horse trials in Florida: Three Lakes, where he finished first, and Rocking Horse Winter II, where he placed second. His…
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Sweating is the process horses use to cool themselves when their body temperature rises. When a horse sweats they...
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Thoroughbreds experience a lot of stress on their joints starting at an early age. Daily wear and tear, injuries, conformation, and aging all contribute to damage that causes joint inflammation and pain. There is probably not a Thoroughbred coming off the track that couldn’t benefit from a joint supplement.
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On the track, constant exercise, frequent shoeing, and the demands of racing can put a lot of stress on Thoroughbreds’ hooves. Bad feet can lead to other issues, such as sore backs and hocks.
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Thoroughbreds in training produce large amounts of free radicals that can damage cell membranes in the muscle. To defend against free radicals, horses use antioxidants like natural vitamin E and selenium to hunt the free radicals and render them harmless.
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If your Thoroughbred is coming straight from the track and has been in training, their metabolic rate will still be high due to intense training and elevated caloric intake. Once leaving the track, many Thoroughbreds benefit from a period of rest and relaxation, along with time to adjust to their new schedules. Their caloric requirements may decrease depending on the type of work involved in their new career, but this will not happen immediately.
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Due to their past lifestyle, the majority of off-the-track Thoroughbreds will have ulcers and some type of digestive imbalance. On the racetrack, Thoroughbreds experience an intense training schedule. Their diets often consist of large amounts of grains that are high in starch and sugar, which can cause the digestive tract to become unhealthy.
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Transitioning an off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) to a new career can result in a host of nutritional challenges. Trying to determine which supplements will best suit your OTTB may be confusing. We’ve developed a helpful infographic and 6-part blog series that outlines the many challenges.
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Mosquitoes are not just annoying; they pose a health risk for your horses. Mosquitoes spread several neurologic diseases: West Nile...
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Do you believe gastric ulcers affect only high-performance athletes such as racehorses or Olympic contenders? Do you believe it takes...
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Article re-posted with kind permission by Equine Guelph: http://equineguelph.ca/index.php Story: Jackie Bellamy-Zions The sun is shining, birds are singing, flowers are...
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If you’ve spent any time around a stable during the summer months, then you are probably acquainted with the smell...
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Lactation places extraordinary physiological demands on mares. Well-fed lactating mares produce the equivalent of 3-4% of their body weight in...
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Love takes many forms Approaching the barn you slide the heavy, hanging door back and the deep rumble sets off...
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Spring has sprung and it is time to evaluate how your horse made it through the winter and revise your...
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Article re-posted with kind permission by Equine Guelph: http://equineguelph.ca/index.php When transitioning your horse to new feedstuff – either to a new...
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Horses that have demanding training or competition schedules, broodmares raising foals, and growing horses can expend a huge number of calories doing their jobs. These horses need energy and lots of it, but they need the kind of energy that won’t cause digestive upset or improper growth patterns.
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I imagine by the end of the winter season my car will be able to drive itself down I-75 between Lexington and Ocala. Why not fly? Well, because my car is loaded up with feed, supplements, and other assorted items that Megan has requested. This trip…
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Can what you feed be making your horse a little crazy? The short answer is yes, it might be. Diets...
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Passion: “a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire.” My passion for horses started young and, as I have recently learned, will never die. For years I was consumed with taking care of horses—it was a full time job—but I put my…
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Click here, to learn more about winter cool down and what to do with a wet horse in the cold....
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On average, 1 out of every 10 horses will suffer from a bout of colic each year. Managing your feeding program can help reduce colic in horses.
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