It's not just horseback riders that cough and wheeze at this time of year. Respiratory problems are common in horses as well. Loss of performance may be the first sign that something is wrong. Mildly affected animals may cough occasionally when eating or when starting work. As the condition gets worse they may cough almost continuously. Why is coughing such a problem in the winter? We need look no further than the changes in management that accompany the colder weather. Ho...

Do you know anyone with a horse that has had tetanus? Probably not. Despite the fact that the organism responsible for the disease is often present in soil and horse manure, it is not a common disease. That is largely due to the widespread use of vaccination. But that doesn't mean you can be complacent. Tetanus is an ever present threat to the health of your horse. In many cases the disease is fatal. Tetanus is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. It produce...

"I think your horse has colic." Words to strike fear into any horse owner's heart. But what is colic? What signs should you look for? Colic refers to pain originating in the abdomen. Generally horses do not tolerate abdominal pain very well. So if there is any disturbance of gut function they tend to show signs of pain. Signs of mild discomfort might be stretching, standing as if to urinate, and pawing the ground. If he is more painful the horse will get up and down, ...

Spring is here, and the warmer weather is on the way. As the grass starts to grow, the sun appears and nothing seems so attractive as meandering down those country lanes or cantering up the bridle paths on your own horse. If you have only ever ridden at a riding school before, buying your first horse will be a real experience for you ? and one you shouldn?t go without doing some careful thinking and planning first. A horse should be your trusted companion for some time ? y...

Having recently been lent an original copy of the ?Treatise on the Diseases of Horses? written by William Gibson, Surgeon, in 1751, it has been interesting to compare horse lore then to now. This article looks at one of the early chapters. Some pictures from the book are reproduced at http://www.limebrook.com/1751horselore.html Written in the old English manner with ?f?s instead of ?s?, it does not make easy reading, but it is fascinating, not least in the fact that little...

Current info about pet grooming is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest pet grooming information available. The more authentic information about pet grooming you know, the more likely people are to consider you a pet grooming expert. Read on for even more facts that you can share. We all know that basic dog grooming or cat grooming is a necessary evil, but do we give our animals all that they deserve? Do we even know what ...

There was a time when livestock owners follow a general mandate: sheep and cattle are enclosed using electric wires while horses are left enclosed in wooden fences. The excuse was that horses' eyes have poor vision, hence, it is not suitable to use thin electric wire horse fence. Horse fencing needs to be blunt or the horses would get caught in the wires. Nowadays, new varieties of electric horse fences are available. The new horse fence, horse fencing wires, and cables are d...

A child?s rocking horse is a toy for your child in the shape of a horse mounted on rockers. The rockers are essentially springs, which enable a child to rock and ride. The rocking movement entices many a child. It is also popular as a hobbyhorse. These riding toys give your child the illusion of riding a real horse and therefore are a favorite with most children. Although only a small horse, a child?s rocking horse is strong enough for your child to sit and ride. It is in ...

Buying horse properties, especially your own horse is similar to buying a dog except that this pet can be very expensive. Quality horses aren't cheap. If you?re in the market for a horse, you might be checking out newspaper ads, equine forums on the Internet, your state?s agricultural bulletin, notices on tack and feed stores or livestock auctions ? all in search of a good horse at a good price. Depending on the animal?s breeding, health, age, size and ability, a recreational...

Horse supplies run the gamut from grooming products to nutritional supplements. But there is an essential horse supply that you shouldn't leave your barn, or your saddlebag without. Horse first aid pack might be just the thing that could save your horse's life. Hollywood had often dramatized the situation wherein the rider shoots his horse because it is injured. Probably, he doesn't have his first aid pack with him. No good comes from killing a horse over a minor injury if yo...