AskHQ: I’ve been told my horse has a curb on his hock. What does this mean? A: A curb on a horse’s hock is a form of soft tissue swelling or thickening that appears just below the point of the hock, at the back of the leg. It’s usually caused by strain or injury to the…
New findings on equine asthma and why management at competitions matters For many horses, show environments, rather than being optimal for performance, carry hidden risks to their respiratory health. Increasingly, research is pointing to inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and equine asthma as leading causes of reduced performance in sport horses, often triggered or worsened by…
Q: How is asthma diagnosed in horses, and what is the treatment? A: Clinical signs of asthma occur when a genetically susceptible horse inhales an allergen to which they’re allergic. This results in airway spasm and the production of inflammatory cells and mucus within the airway. Dust in forage or the stable environment is frequently…
Q: Why do people feed their horses rooibos? A: Rooibos (Aspalathus Linearis) is unique to South Africa and has always been known to be healthy. However, the benefits of rooibos have far surpassed anyone’s expectations! Initially rooibos was only used in tea, and whilst it is still used in tea today, the uses of rooibos are now…
Text: Hannah Botha, MSc Equine Nutrition Equine respiratory diseases are a major concern for many horse owners, as they can significantly affect a horse's performance, quality of life, and longevity. Managing respiratory health in horses is, therefore, a critical aspect of equine care, especially in the case of equine asthma (previously known as inflammatory airway diseases…
Diagnosis Diagnosing windgalls is typically not difficult for your vet. Windgall swellings occur directly above the fetlock on the inside and outside of the tendon sheath. Windgalls can affect either or both of a horse's front or hind legs. In some cases, all four limbs will be affected. You may notice heat in the area…
Q: How is medication absorbed once a horse has consumed it orally? A: Shortly after a horse has been given some medication by mouth, the drug travels through the oesophagus, into the stomach and is then (predominantly) absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the small intestine. The level of the drug in the bloodstream…
Q: My gelding’s sheath is quite big and has a lump on either side of it. It hasn’t changed since I bought him and doesn’t seem to cause him any discomfort, but should I be worried about it? Asked anonymously A: Vets are commonly asked to look at a ‘swollen sheath’ and usually it’s in a…
Q: Why is linseed oil the new thing to feed? Asked by Erin Booth A: Oils have been available on the equine market for years now, yet there is still some confusion over which oil to use. While there is technically no ‘bad’ oil, there may be some that are better options for your horse than others.…
[Q] Why is linseed oil the new thing to feed? [A] Oils have been available on the equine market for years now, yet there is still some confusion over which oil to use. While there is technically no 'bad' oil, there may be some that are better options for your horse than others. The reason for…
