It is fun to give your horse a delicious treat every once in a while. However, these treats should be given in moderation, and some foods should never be given at all. Here are a few of the foods that should not be given to horses.

Meat

Horses are herbivores. They should never be given meat, though they will eat meat if it is offered to them. Many studies have shown that horses begin to behave violently when they eat meat. It is important to stick with the diet that horses have evolved for and keep them on a plant-based diet.

Caffeine

Caffeine isn’t going to improve your horse’s performance. There is no reason to give them caffeine and doing so can cause irregular heart rhythms.

Garlic and Onions

Many treats contain garlic flavorings, which is fine in extremely limited quantities. Garlic and onions can destroy red blood cells, eventually resulting in anemia.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb leaves are poisonous to humans and horses alike. Consumption of rhubarb leaves can cause kidney failure, as well as damage the digestive and urinary systems.

Fruit Pits

The pits of fruits can cause the horse to choke. Furthermore, these pits contain small amounts of cyanide, which can be harmful when they are compounded. Generally, a horse should never be given more than two pieces of fruit at a time and all pits should be removed beforehand.

Chocolate

We all know chocolate is poisonous to dogs, but it is poisonous to horses too. Chocolate can cause many problems for a horse, including colic, seizures, and internal bleeding.

It is important to make sure that your horse’s treats will keep it healthy, in addition to making it happy. If you’re unsure about what will make a suitable treat for your horse, you should consult with your veterinarian before you give it to your horse.

There are many things that can cause elevated stress levels in horses. There are also multiple signs that will help you determine how stressed your horse is. Knowing the signs can help you keep your horse happy and healthy.

Signs of Stress

It is important to familiarize yourself with the signs of stress. Horses have different body language than people, so it is necessary to pay attention to your horse’s behavior. Some common signs of stress include:

• Weight loss- weight loss can also be caused by health problems, parasites, or poor nutrition, though it can be a sign of extreme stress.
• Stall walking- this is essentially pacing. Whether the horse walks around the stall, the fence line, or back and forth, its stall walking is a sign of stress.
• Tooth grinding or biting
• Bad behavior- such as pawing, pulling, bucking, rearing, or bolting
• Extra urination or manure
• Trembling
• High pulse and respiration
• Sweating or tail swishing

Causes of Stress

If your horse exhibits multiple signs of stress, you should attempt to determine the cause. Determining the cause will provide you with the best way to alleviate the horse’s stress. Common causes of stress are:

• Changes in environment
• Veterinary exams
• Transportation
• Social Separation
• Pain or illness

   Ensuring that your horse has a regular schedule can help relieve its stress, because it will know what to expect. A little bit of stress is usually okay, but extensive stress should be alleviated whenever possible. Remember that you can’t eliminate all the stress in your life, and you won’t be able to eliminate all the stress in your horse’s.

It is important to pay attention to your horse and their behaviors. You must keep an eye out for signs of stress and do everything in your power to eliminate the potential stressors. If you can’t determine the cause of stress, you should contact your veterinarian.

           During the coldest times of year, people start thinking about the best ways to keep their horses comfortable. This brings up a widespread debate- should you blanket your horse? Choosing whether or not to blanket your horses is largely a matter of preference. Here are a few pros and cons that might help you make your decision.

Pros

            Blanketing horses can help to keep them dry, clean, and ready to ride. Clipped horses lose their natural layer of insulation, so they may need to be blanketed to maintain a safe temperature. Blankets can also be used to help horses used to warmer climates acclimate to colder temperatures.

            Some horses are incapable of regulating their temperature to the degree required to withstand winter freezes. Often if a horse is older or has problems maintaining their weight, a blanket can be useful in allowing them to stay warm and comfortable. Furthermore, if precipitation is present alongside the cold temperatures, a waterproof blanket can allow a horse to stay more comfortable. When a horse does not have access to adequate shelter from the weather, blankets can also be useful to keep the horse warm enough.

Cons

            Most horses are capable of regulating their own temperature quite effectively. Their winter coats usually provide plenty of insulation, especially when they are dry. The use of blankets stops horses from regulating their own temperatures.

            Blanketing can also cause injuries due to an ill-fit or the horse becoming entangled. Some horses simply don’t like blanketing, and it will take a great deal of time to help them adjust to the blanket. Blankets cost extra money and time for maintenance. Blanketing can also cause overheating, particularly if temperatures raise quickly. 

          Whether you choose to blanket or not is completely up to you. Differences in situation can influence your decision. If you do choose to blanket, make sure you check underneath frequently to ensure that your horse is not overheating.

            Another important winter problem is dehydration. The best way to avoid dehydration in your horse is by installing a Bar-Bar-A Horse Drinker. This will keep the water at the perfect temperature to coax your horse to drink enough water. For more information about installing a Horse Drinker, contact us today!