Prevention

Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD)

Updated:

August 5, 2026

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Hoof wall separation disease (HWSD) is an inherited disease in some Connemara ponies characterized by separation and cracking of the outer hoof wall. This can lead to ponies having to support their weight on the sole of the hoof instead of the hoof wall, which, in some cases, can result in chronic inflammation, severe lameness, and laminitis. Affected ponies typically show clinical signs within the first six months of life.

Outdoor Riding in Wildfire Season: Protecting Horses and Riders

Updated:

July 29, 2026

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Canadian equestrians breathe a sigh of relief when long-awaited spring weather finally arrives and the outdoor riding season begins in earnest. Time to fit up our horses and ourselves for trails, competitions, and the pleasure of spending time outdoors, finally free of the layers of winter gear and horse hair that come with the chillier seasons…

Your Horse: Heat Stress and Hydration

Updated:

July 28, 2026

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Is it hot enough for you? If you feel suppressed by repeated days of hot and humid weather, you can be sure that your horse feels worse.

Poison in the Pasture - Plants Toxic to Horses

Updated:

July 22, 2026

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"My horse is smart enough not to eat toxic plants" - This is a comment I often hear during property visits focused on responsible manure and pasture practices. While it’s true that horses generally avoid undesirable or toxic plants when there’s ample healthy forage available, issues tend to surface when pastures are overgrazed and food choices become limited. That’s when horses may resort to eating weeds or harmful plants. It’s essential for horse owners to recognize which plants pose a threat and to understand how to control their presence in grazing areas.

The Impact of Air Quality and Pollution on Your Horse’s Lungs

Updated:

July 21, 2026

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There’s nothing like hearing a horse cough to set people scurrying around the barn to identify the culprit. After all, that cough could mean choke, or suggest that a respiratory virus has found its way into the barn. It could also indicate equine asthma. Yes, even those “everyday coughs” that we sometimes dismiss as “summer cough” or “hay cough” are a wake-up call to the potential for severe equine asthma.

Sweet Itch… Flaxseed Can Help

Updated:

July 10, 2026

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Recurrent Seasonal Pruritus (commonly known as Sweet Itch) is the most common allergic skin condition in horses. Horses with sweet itch experience intense itching along the abdomen, the back, mane, and tail.

How to Build a Successful Rehab Program for Horses with Undiagnosed Pain

Updated:

July 9, 2026

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When a horse shows subtle signs of lameness or discomfort but no clear veterinary diagnosis, it can be discouraging and costly for owners. These vague issues are unfortunately common and often leave owners uncertain about the next step. This article outlines key principles to guide you through such cases, using the example of Remy — a mare who arrived with back pain and bucking behaviour but no definitive medical findings.

Horse Pasture Management During Drought

Updated:

July 8, 2026

Horse grazing in a managed pasture during drought conditions on a Canadian horse farm

Some weather experts consider drought to be any time in which precipitation falls by 25 percent below average. On a horse farm with seasonal hay and pasture production, this requires attention to the amount of snowfall prior to the growing season and to the rain that falls prior to and during the growing season.

Biosecurity Strategy for Equestrian Events

Updated:

July 2, 2026

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“Event Cancelled. Quarantine in Effect.” No equine event manager or exhibitor wants to hear these words. However, the growing number of equestrian events, increased interprovincial and international equine movement, and the rising concentration of horses at individual events have all heightened the risk of infectious disease outbreaks and transmission.