Summer

Caring for the Equine Elder

Updated:

September 4, 2026

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With today’s medical advances, research, and improved management, horses are living longer and longer lives. In the past, most horses were considered old when they reached their late teens. These days, it’s not uncommon for horses to live into their late 20s or even into their 30s, allowing us to spend plenty of quality time with our elder equine friends. Proper management is key to ensuring that the older horse is happy and comfortable throughout his golden years.

Horse Health Lines - Fall 2026 Issue Added to WCVM Newsletter Archive

Updated:

September 1, 2026

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.

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.

Fly ID: What’s the Buzz Around Your Horse?

Updated:

July 27, 2026

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Summer brings with it a surge in insect activity, and flies can quickly become a serious source of discomfort for horses. These pests are more than just irritating—they can transmit disease and provoke allergic responses.

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.

Sweet Itch… Flaxseed Can Help

Updated:

July 10, 2026

Dr. Wendy Pearson PhD, Veterinary Toxicology, seasonal pruritus, sweet itch, Type 1 allergic response insect bites, omega-3 fat, Culicoides extract, horse health, full fly sheet horse, fly mask horse

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.

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.

Extending the Competitive Career of the Senior Horse

Updated:

June 25, 2026

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There comes a time when even the horse that has carried you to countless victories begins to show signs of age. For many riders, accepting that a trusted competition partner is becoming a senior can be difficult. Yet with modern advances in veterinary medicine and improved management practices, many horses now continue to perform successfully into their late teens and even their twenties. This is particularly true in disciplines such as dressage and show jumping, where years of training and experience are essential to reaching the highest levels of competition.

Horse Respiratory Diseases: Prevention and Performance

Updated:

June 23, 2026

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A healthy respiratory system is essential to every horse's well-being and athletic performance. Like humans, horses rely on their lungs and airways to deliver oxygen throughout the body, but the demands placed on their respiratory system increase dramatically during exercise. Efficient oxygen exchange allows working muscles to perform, while the respiratory tract also serves as an important defence system by filtering and removing dust, bacteria, ammonia, and other airborne irritants. Although mucus, coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge help clear the airways, excessive amounts of these signs may indicate an underlying respiratory problem.