Take an inside look into the latest the scientific studies at the University of Saskatchewan's veterinary college, with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's semi-annual newsletter: Horse Health Lines.

Horses rely on sweat to cool themselves, and when sweating they are losing both water and electrolytes. If you have ever observed a horse sweating, you might have noticed a white residue left on their coat, which consists of electrolytes they have lost via sweat. These electrolytes must be replenished for the horse to maintain their hydration, fluid balance in the body, and nerve and muscle function.

The familiar saying “No Hoof, No Horse” remains a stark truth for owners managing ongoing hoof concerns. A 500-kilogram horse relies entirely on four relatively small structures to bear substantial bodyweight. When the added impact of athletic effort — such as galloping — is considered, each hoof may absorb forces approaching 3,000 pounds. Horses prone to cracks, splits, or brittle, flaky horn quality are often sidelined with lameness or repeatedly lose shoes, interrupting training and competition schedules. Anyone who has dealt with a horse that cannot retain its shoes understands just how discouraging compromised hoof integrity can be.

There was a time when researching a question meant visiting a library and consulting trusted reference books. Horse owners seeking guidance on feeding or management would turn to well-worn volumes on their shelves or flip through back issues of equestrian magazines saved for future reference. Information required effort to obtain, and sources were relatively limited.

As winter subsides and a new season approaches, mare owners eagerly anticipate selecting the perfect stallion. However, before making breeding decisions, several crucial factors must be considered to ensure a successful and responsible outcome.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has recently issued revised Internal Parasite Control Guidelines to help minimise the risk of parasitic disease and maintain the effectiveness of current drugs for as long as possible by delaying further development of anthelmintic resistance.

As a photojournalist specializing in horseback riding vacations, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing incredible opportunities that I will always cherish. Through my work, I've had the chance to explore hidden corners of the world that most tourists never see and connect with fascinating people from across the globe who share a passion for horses. In my view, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in a new culture than from the saddle of a native horse, taking in the sights, sounds, and scents of a place.

One day in the 1980s, Lindsey Serafini’s grandfather was watching his Standardbred horses getting shod.
“The farrier was shoeing with hoof pads and my grandfather said, ‘I could make those,’” says Serafini, who is a fifth-generation owner of Castle Plastics.

When a rider feels a horse breathing hard under saddle, it is common to make an immediate judgement about that horse’s level of fitness. However, respiration can be an unreliable indicator when viewed in isolation. Elevated breathing rates may reflect far more than conditioning alone, offering insight into a horse’s emotional state, muscle tension, or even its innate athletic ability. While respiratory patterns always provide valuable information, the real challenge lies in interpreting what they truly signify.