HEALTH & EDUCATION

Health & Education

We all want the best care possible for our horses. The Heath & Education section covers both Learning Institutions, Organizations as well as many sources for equine assistance including Veterinarians and Farriers.

For those who want a to formally study horses, the Education section includes College Riding, Equine Studies, and Veterinary Schools. Learn about the wide variety of horses in the Horse Breeds section. Supplements and Treatments Therapy are also included in the section.

Everyone can learn from Fine Art and there are some specialty Museums that might surprise you.

Horses as a therapy partner enrich the lives of the disabled. These facilities are listed in our Therapeutic Riding section. To help children and young adults build confidence and grow emotionally, please see the resources available on the Youth Outreach page.

Looking for a place to keep your horse? You can find it in the Horse Boarding section. Traveling? Find a Shipping company or Horse Sitting service if your horse is staying home!

Want to stay up to date with the latest training clinics or professional conferences? Take a look at our Calendar of Events for Health & Education for the dates and locations of upcoming events.

Do we need to add more? Please use the useful feedback link and let us know!

Presented by Rebecca McOnie, DVM Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and recorded on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 via Zoom.

⚠️ Please note: This presentation includes photos taken during equine surgical procedures. Please view at your own discretion.

This seminar will describe laparoscopy, one of the major minimally invasive or "keyhole" surgery techniques used in equine veterinary medicine. The advantages of laparoscopy will be described, and candidates for this type of surgery highlighted. Additionally, the limitations of laparoscopy will be discussed. Find out when and why to consider laparoscopy for your horse! Speaker Biography: Rebecca McOnie earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. After four years on the Canadian Prairies, she was elated to spend a year in the heat working as a Rotating Equine Intern at Arizona Equine, outside of Phoenix, Arizona. She then moved to upstate New York where she completed a three-year residency in Large Animal Surgery at Cornell University. Dr. McOnie has since worked in a Clinical Instructor capacity and is finishing a fellowship in large animal soft tissue minimally invasive surgery.

Mette Moe Mannseth is one of 5 Master Trainers in the Icelandic horse world. Horses of Iceland visited Mette at her farm, Þúfur, in North Iceland to hear the story of how a young girl in Norway became one of our most influential trainers and riding instructors. Mette discusses her passion, thoughts on training, breeding Icelandics and much more!

Photo courtesy of Kentucky Equine Research

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff

As temperatures cool and competition season winds down for many, autumn is a good time to plan for potential changes to a horse’s routine. Nutrition, water consumption, body condition, and exercise are always important, but these factors are intertwined all year long, no matter the season. A horse’s needs are not static, thus a quick checkup can help ensure horses stay happy and healthy through autumn.

Plan seasonal activities. Is your horse continuing to compete locally, taking the winter off, or prepping for a long haul for warm-weather competition? If the workload is staying relatively constant, it is possible that few dietary changes are necessary. Lightening up training could mean lower calorie needs, depending on the horse.

On the other hand, if you are traveling to a winter circuit, training may intensify or even peak, and dietary needs may need to be adjusted accordingly. When traveling, bring along at least some hay from home to help ease the transition to whatever forage is available at your destination. Trailer travel can also affect a horse’s gastrointestinal tract, so it may be useful to add support from nutritional supplements specifically designed for gastric and hindgut health.

Watch temperatures and haircoat status. No matter the training schedule, low temperatures mean that a horse will need more energy to keep warm. A horse with a clipped coat needs some special attention in this regard. Blankets or rugs are essential for horses with clipped coats, but shorter coats mean a horse’s critical temperature (the temperature at which a horse needs more energy to stay warm) will be higher compared to a horse with a full coat. A horse with a full coat may remain comfortable at 32° F (0° C), whereas a clipped horse may need help staying warm below 59° F (15° C).

The best way to help a horse stay warm from a dietary standpoint is to increase the amount of forage in the diet through the provision of extra hay, soaked beet pulp, or hay cubes. Horses ferment fiber in the cecum, and a byproduct of fermentation is heat. The cecum is the “fermentation vat” that also serves as a horse’s internal heater, thus feeding forage is a good strategy for helping a horse stay warm in colder months.

Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research, advises, “No matter your plans for the fall and winter season, it is of key importance to keep an eye on your horse’s weight to make sure no major gains or losses occur.” This is especially true for horses that are off for the winter or that wear blankets. It is necessary to remove blankets regularly to keep an eye on body condition and monitor proper blanket fit as well.

Assess water consumption. With increased forage intake comes an increased need for water, so be sure horses are drinking enough and that water sources are accessible and free of solid ice. One study reported that in cold weather ponies drank more water when it was either continually warmed or had warm water added to the source compared to water that was at the near-freezing mark.^* Horses will drink cold water, but bucket heaters or the addition of warm water once or twice daily may help encourage more intake. Restore SR (Restore in Australia) is a balanced electrolyte supplement that supports proper hydration and can help encourage water intake.

Contemplate hoof care. Work with your farrier to determine if any shoeing changes should be made for colder weather. Some opt to remove shoes while others may add snowball pads to prevent the buildup of snow and ice. Bio-Bloom PS (Bio-Bloom HF in Australia and certain other locales) is designed to provide optimal nutrition support for hooves and coat, and autumn is a great time to consider adding it to the diet.

Schedule a veterinary exam. Autumn vaccinations, dental checkups, and general health evaluations will help prepare a horse for changing seasons and potentially catch problems before they start. Your veterinarian can advise of any health concerns that may need special care in cold weather. “A dental evaluation can help ensure a horse has the proper dentition to chew the forage needed for warmth as temperatures chill,” recommended Whitehouse.

Survey turnout areas. Turning out horses has numerous benefits, foremost of which are free-choice exercise and social interaction with peers. Despite these benefits, danger lurks in some fields. “As pasture grasses become dormant, horses may be more inclined to taste-test weeds they would ignore at the height of growing season,” said Whitehouse.

Because of this, it is important that weed control measures are well established, and it is just as crucial that horses are provided an alternative forage source when on pasture during autumn and winter. Further, any dead branches that have fallen from trees should be picked up immediately. The dried leaves of certain species, particularly some maple trees, are toxic to horses and definitively linked to an atypical muscle disorder.

In summary, a horse’s dietary needs are not constant and should be evaluated seasonally to ensure all calorie and nutrient needs are being met appropriately. For dietary help, reach out to a nutrition advisor at Kentucky Equine Research.

For years, Kathy sought healing from an emotionally destructive relationship. Through working with horses in a mental health therapy program she was finally able to uncover and confront the root cause of her suffering. Kathy’s interactions with horses served as a catalyst for her to find healing within herself. Watch the video below to see how horses helped Kathy uncover a 30-year secret.

As part of our mission to spread awareness of the healing power of horses, we seek to share stories of transformation that illustrate the healing journey and personal growth people can experience through the involvement of horses in mental health programs and services.

The American Quarter Horse is such a popular breed for several reasons.

Versatility: They are incredibly versatile horses, excelling in a wide range of disciplines. From ranch work to rodeo events like barrel racing and calf roping, to dressage and show jumping, Quarter Horses can do it all.

Speed: As their name suggests, they are incredibly fast over short distances. This makes them ideal for racing and other events that require quick acceleration and bursts of speed.

Gentle Temperament: Quarter Horses are known for their calm and docile nature, making them suitable for riders of all levels. They are often used as family horses and are great with children.

Athleticism: They are athletic and powerful horses, with a strong build and muscular physique. This allows them to perform at a high level in various disciplines.

History and Legacy: The Quarter Horse has a rich history and has played a significant role in the development of the American West. Their legacy as working horses and their association with cowboys and ranching has made them iconic.

Popularity: The American Quarter Horse Association is the largest equine breed registry in the world, with millions of registered horses.

This popularity has helped to solidify their place as one of the most sought-after horse breeds.

You can learn all about The History of the American Quarter Horse Breed courtesy of the AQHA. Interested in becoming a member? Learn more HERE.

You can find more interesting stories in our section on Health & Education.

Watch the story of the incredible impact that a small nonprofit organization is having on the community of Oakland, California. “We Ride Too” is committed to serving a wide range of young people in the Oakland area who face various challenges and traumas with limited access to resources. Through programs for youth to connect with nature and horses, each child has a place where they are told they "can," instead of "can't," breaking barriers and making a difference for their mental health and future.

In this episode of StallSide, we sit down with Dr. Katie Garrett, the current president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Dr. Garrett shares her insights on the evolving landscape of equine veterinary medicine, the role of AAEP in shaping the future of the profession, and the challenges and opportunities facing equine practitioners today. She also highlights the important work of The Foundation for the Horse, the charitable arm of the AAEP, which supports equine welfare through education, research, emergency relief, and equitarian initiatives that provide care to underserved horse populations. Tune in to hear about her leadership journey, key initiatives within AAEP, and how the organization and its foundation are advancing equine health and supporting veterinarians in delivering the highest standard of care for horses.

There once was a horse called Ace who used to bite and intimidate people. Watch as his owner seeks Monty Roberts' help to change this behavior and witness how quickly Ace learns to become a good citizen. See how his owner works with Certified Monty Roberts Instructor Maya Horsey to learn ways to establish clear consistent boundaries and improve the relationship with Ace. Go to: montyroberts.university.com.