"The health of the gut is directly influenced by the state of the nervous and endocrine systems, our main barometers for stress." When my newest addition to our small herd, Gwynna — a 40-inch, five-year-old Shetland-Mini cross — arrived last summer, she was overweight, sore, and dehydrated. I quickly discovered that gut health was an issue for her, namely impaction. After our first and thankfully the only emergency call, my vet explained that Miniature horses are prone to impaction colic. Combine this tendency with 30-degree Celsius heat and the stress of a new space, herd, and hay, and she was a prime candidate for problems.

Fencing is an essential part of responsible horse ownership, providing both security and safety for your animals. Historically, choices were limited to wooden rails or barbed wire — options that are still in use across many parts of Canada today.

Those who primarily work in riding arenas or round pens with sand footing, such as equestrian riding coaches, riding instructors, and horse trainers, are at an higher risk of respiratory issues.

It often feels like horses are magnets for mishaps. Their injury-prone tendencies can be chalked up to natural instincts—such as their strong flight response, social dynamics within the herd, or simply their innate curiosity that leads them into trouble.