SWIMMING LESSONS

Q: Should you only use a water treadmill for injured horses? Does a vet need to refer your horse? A: Any horse can benefit from water treadmill exercise. It doesn't matter what their age or level of activity - all horses will derive some benefit from moving against the resistance of the water. The only exception…

BylizzieSeptember 30, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: HEAVES

Q: What are heaves? A: An equine respiratory allergy such as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) commonly known as heaves, is a possibility during seasonal changes. Two of the major causes of heaves are: Increased amounts of dust in the hay or bedding, which horses who are stabled tend to inhale. As a result, the horse may…

BylizzieSeptember 27, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: BOX REST BOREDOM

Q: My horse has to be stabled pretty consistently for the next few weeks and I wanted to know how I can make it easier for him? A: Horses are designed to live outside and move all day. They are also trickle feeders so need to be able to pick at food constantly. To recreate this…

BylizzieSeptember 25, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: A FRACTURED PELVIS

Q: My friend's horse has been diagnosed with a fractured pelvis, yet the horse is not having surgery. Is this normal? A: Pelvic fractures are challenging to handle in horses, not just because of the horse's size but because of the heavy muscling and tissue that surround the pelvic area. This makes surgical intervention such as…

BylizzieSeptember 17, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Health Horse Training

ASKHQ: OLDER HORSES

Q: My older horse still seems to love work, but I'm concerned as his stiffness is definitely increasing. I've had my vet to look at him, and she agrees that we need to slow down, but how do I do this when he enjoys his work so much? A: Many horses bodies start to slow down…

BylizzieSeptember 16, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: CLICKING FETLOCKS

Q: My horse's fetlocks click when I pick up his feet. What could it be? A: Clicking joints and fetlocks are fairly common in horses, and are generally speaking nothing to worry about. Clicking joints in horses are very similar to clicking joints like knuckles and knees in humans, where sudden expansion of the joint creates…

BylizzieSeptember 13, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

LUMPS AND BUMPS: SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMAS

What they are: Squamous cell carcinomas typically occur in warm, sunny climates (like ours!) and often show up on non-pigmented skin like white eyelids or sheaths. They are the most common malignant skin tumours in horses, and 18% of them will spread throughout the body. These lumps often appear innocuous at first and it is easy…

BylizzieSeptember 8, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

LUMPS AND BUMPS: SCARS

What they are: Scars can form lumps and bumps anywhere on your horse's body. A scar forms when an injury heals but some disorganised tissue remains. Scars that occur across bones are especially noticeable. Scars typically feel somewhat hard, and perhaps stringy. In most cases, they are not sensitive to touch or pressure. Treatment: It is important that…

BylizzieSeptember 6, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

LUMPS AND BUMPS: SARCOIDS

What they are: Sarcoids are unfortunately very common, being the most common skin tumour affecting horses. Sarcoids can have a varied appearance and will appear as anything ranging from a hairless area of skin to a big multi-lobed ulcerated mass. It is often difficult to identify sarcoids as they have such a variety of common appearances. Sarcoids…

BylizzieSeptember 5, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

LUMPS AND BUMPS: WARTS (PAPILLOMAS)

What they are: Warts are a type of tumour and are the most common growths found in horses. They are raised grey or pinkish cauliflower-like growths that are usually fairly small (usually not much bigger than the size of a pea). They can appear alone or in groups, and the most common location in which to…

BylizzieSeptember 4, 20190Comments

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