Horse Health Care

If you ask EQUUS Managing Editor Christine Barakat this question, she's going to always answer the same way. And not because she doesn't know a lot about horse health care, but because she knows she doesn't know enough.

… and where trace mineral blocks come up short. As summer saunters leisurely toward fall, many of us are enjoying increased horseback activity or starting to gear up for socially distanced shows. But while it’s good to keep our horses fit and occupied, their nutritional needs should also be a primary focus.

Five important features to consider when shopping for weatherproof equine outerwear. Cold weather is upon us and your first instinct might be to bundle your horse up like a child—in so many layers that he can barely move, with only his eyes visible. Resist that urge! Go instead for a blanketing system that is waterproof, breathable and light, with a rip-stop outer shell (think 1,200-denier, ideally with Teflon™ Shield finish) and at least three insulation options (such as 0 gram, 300 gram and 500 gram) for varying weather conditions.

Your horse’s fly protection getup may have a gap.

We all know fly masks protect against flies. It’s in the name, right? But nowadays they can do a lot more.

An equine veterinarian outlines a treatment plan for curing a horse of a persistant case of scratches.

A rare complication from a routine equine strangles vaccine causes an injection abscess that requires careful treatment.

How do I know if my horse is cold? Should I blanket him in the winter? Dr. Joyce Harman answers these cold-weather questions and more in this edition of EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet.

In this edition of EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet, Dr. Joyce Harman encourages a horseowner to do some detective work to find out if her horse is sleep-deprived or in pain.

How safe is your horse's drinking water? Find out what toxins he may be ingesting and how to combat them in this edition of EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet.

Dr. Joyce Harman details how a saddle's width can adversely affect its fit on your horse in this edition of EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet.

Dr. Joyce Harman shares reasons why a horse might not take his bit and how to correct the problem in this edition of EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet.

Dr. Joyce Harman explains how to fit a treeless saddle for different types of horses and riders in this edition of EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet.

Is it safe to give your horse alcohol? Dr. Joyce Harman answers in this holiday edition of EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet.

What type of stall flooring is best for your horse? Dr. Joyce Harman outlines what works in this edition of EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet.

Getting your horse to take his medicine can be a challenge. Dr. Joyce Harman offers up several ideas for a frustrated reader.

Equine Electro-Acuscope Therapy - a little known therapy, is used in humans as well as equines. By Jayne Pedigo for EquiSearch.

Time takes its toll in predictable ways, providing you with guidelines managing the changing needs of older horses.

Curing your horse of this smelly fungal infection doesn't take long when you use this simple treatment technique and make a few management changes.