Articles, case studies & advice

Forage is essential to satisfy both the horse’s physical and psychological needs. The physical need for forage is to provide bulk and help to maintain a healthy digestive system, whilst the psychological need is that horses have a natural “drive” and need to chew as they are “trickle feeders”.

Exercise is an essential part of a weight-loss program; a horse will only lose weight if he is expending more energy than he is consuming.

Obesity remains prevalent in the UK leisure sector of horses and ponies and is now also commonly found in the sports and elite horse sectors. It is of great concern to all equine communities from both veterinary and welfare points of view.

Obesity remains prevalent in the UK leisure sector of horses and ponies and is now also commonly found in the sports and elite horse sectors. It is of great concern to all equine communities from both veterinary and welfare points of view.

Tying-up or ER (exertional rhabdomyolysis) is a problem that every yard will encounter at some point in time with reports of 5-7% of the thoroughbred population being affected.

There are some simple dietary adjustments that can put into place to help reduce the risk of tying-up, or other symptoms of muscle myopathies.

Muscle pain and impaired performance that occurs during or after exercise is known as exertional myopathy and more commonly as tying-up.

Dr. Stephanie Valberg, world-leading specialist in equine muscle myopathies explores the evolutionary, environmental and genetic factors that influence exertional rhabdomyolysis.

In the past 30 years, the understanding of equine gastric ulcer disease (EGUD) has advanced by leaps and bounds. Read the interview with veterinarian Al Merritt.