Many otherwise sound horses have been rendered hard to keep in work because their hooves are weak, dry, cracked, flaky or crumbly, soles bruise easily, collapsed heels or hoof walls cannot retain nails and therefore shoes. Horn quality is strongly affected by genetics, and it is advised to purchase sport horses of a breed noted for sound feet large enough for their body sizes ...

Guest Column: Apple Cider Vinegar - Natural Horse Care Product (15 May, 2012)
- Dr Rensia Moller

Dr Rensia Moller tells of some of the ways that Apple Cider Vinegar help horses ...

Colostrum and Failure of Passive Transfer in Foals (18 April, 2012)
- Dr Sarah Seitz

Newborn foals are somewhat immunodeficient, meaning that they lack antibodies for many of the pathogens they will encounter soon after birth. Mother Nature has overcome this problem by providing your foal with colostrum - the "first" milk produced by the mare which is rich in maternal antibodies ...

Feeding Yearlings For Sales Prep (05 March, 2012)
- Dr Rensia Möller

The development of the future racehorse starts during pregnancy and the developing foetus (via the late pregnant mare), foal, weanling, and yearling should be fed well before it comes time to embark on intense sales preparation. The job of preparing a yearling is made much easier if one is able to begin with a well-grown horse with a good appetite, condition, and coat ...

Nutrition of Mares Influences Milk Characteristics and Development of Foals (14 February, 2012)
- Dr Rensia Möller

The nutrition of the mare affects growth and development of the foal both in the uterus and via milk production. In foals, these effects carry over for a year or more. In one study, 15 one-day-old foals fed milk replacer for seven weeks were compared with foals that nursed on their dams. During the first two weeks, replacer-fed foals did not gain weight as rapidly as mare-nursed foals ...

Study Suggests Lucerne Might Buffer Gastric Acid Production and Prevent Ulcers and/ Reduce Ulcer Severity (03 January, 2012)
- Dr Rensia Möller

If your horse has ulcers, giving him omeprazole is not the only thing you can do to help reduce the severity of the problem. Research from Texas A&M University US showed that feeding lucerne to horses either prevent or was therapeutic in treating stomach ulcers ...

Part II - Start Your Foal Out Right To Help Avoid Bone And Tendon Problems Later In Life (28 November, 2011)
- Dr Rensia Möller

In the earliest stages of life a foal's nutritional requirements are pretty much met with mare's milk and pasture, plus whatever the foal starts nibbling on, such as grain fed to the mare. However, once the foal reaches 2 months of age, his nutritional demands outstrip what the mare can provide with milk alone. It is at this stage that creep feeding can be a benefit...

Part I - Start Your Foal Out Right To Help Avoid Bone And Tendon Problems Later In Life (07 November, 2011)
- Dr Rensia Möller

Your foal is growing rapidly at his dam's side, and by outward appearance he is healthy and content. But it is important to ensure that he is receiving the correct levels of nutrients and that he doesn't grow too fast. Establishing an appropriate feeding program for foals can be difficult. Scientists have done a wonderful job...

Raising And Care Of Orphan Foals (24 October, 2011)
- Dr Sarah Seitz

The birth of a long-awaited foal is an exciting occasion. But what if something goes wrong - the mare gets sick, or doesn't produce any milk, or perhaps she dies. This article will discuss some of the options/considerations for caring and feeding of orphan foals.

Drinking and Eating Behaviour in Foals (10 October, 2011)
- Dr Rensia Möller

Now that we are in foaling season, let's consider drinking and eating behaviour in Foals.

The Use Of Body Condition Scoring In Broodmare Management (5 September, 2011)
- Dr Rensia Möller

It is generally considered that the mare's energy status is the major nutritional factor that influences her reproductive efficiency. Body condition scoring is a visual and hands-on method of estimating the amount of body fat your mare has, therefore it is a useful tool in establishing an individual's energy status.

The Nutritional Demands of Lactation in Mares (1 August, 2011)
- Dr Rensia Möller

Mares must be kept at optimal body condition in order to nourish their foals properly and remain healthy throughout lactation. This is achieved by providing sufficient dietary energy in the form of a well-balanced diet throughout both early and late lactation.

The GI Tract and Immunity (7 July, 2011)
- Dr Rensia Möller

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract not only digests food, it also protects the body against pathogens. Simply stated the GI tract has to sort through all the material and differentiate between good guys and bad guys and decide when it wants to attack something.