Seasonal Horse Care

From AAEP’s Ask the Vet: Adjusting My Draft Horse’s Diet

I am in Pennsylvania and have a 6 year old, 16.2 h., athletic, Percheron x Paint/TB mare (Kit) who is an extremely easy keeper. I have had Kit for a little over a year but due to my current time constraints and the fact that she is boarded 25 miles away, I have trouble getting there consistently and thus, she is receiving very little organized exercise. She is turned out 23 hrs/day in rotated lush grassy (seasonal) pastures w/ access to the barn and plenty of water at all times…

March 13, 2012 Ask the Vet, Nutrition, Seasonal Horse Care 3 Comments

Are Blankets Worth Their Weight?

Hi, Dr. Gray! I have a question about horse blankets. I have never used one, but I was wondering if I should. I have an Arabian/Appaloosa and a Thoroughbred, as well as a senior (vet said over 30) quarter horse. They are all pastured 24/7 but I am not down there every day to adjust [...]

December 13, 2011 Ask the Vet, Seasonal Horse Care 2 Comments

Transitioning from Pasture: What are the Risks?

I have just moved my horse from Missouri to Oklahoma. He is going from full time, lush pasture that received a great deal of rain to turn out with occasional grain (a scoop 2-3 times per week). Now he is in a stall with 1/2 grain and full hay, with a daily turn-out from 9-3. [...]

October 25, 2011 Ask the Vet, Nutrition, Seasonal Horse Care 4 Comments

Are Supplements Seasonal?

My show horse gets a joint supplement, an electrolyte supplement, Omega Horseshine and SmartHoof Pellets. A few people in my barn mentioned that they stop feeding supplements once show season is over, and I’m wondering if that is recommended. I won’t be riding as much over the fall and winter and I’m really confused about [...]

September 15, 2010 Ask the Vet, Basic Health Care, Seasonal Horse Care, SmartPak Features 0 Comments

Blanketing when Trailering

I will be keeping one of my horses in a heated barn this winter. I will trailer her back and forth to team penning events and would like to know what type of blanket I should use when I am transporting her. She will be sweated up when I leave the event, and I live [...]

November 13, 2009 Seasonal Horse Care 0 Comments

Red Maple Leaf Toxicity

Is it true that the leaves of the red maple tree are poisonous to horses? If so, what are the signs? We have noticed several in our pasture now that it’s fall and are concerned. LL, Vermont Dear LL, Yes, the leaves and bark of the red maple (Acer rubrum) are toxic to horses, although [...]

October 7, 2009 Barn Skills, Misc. Topics, Seasonal Horse Care 0 Comments

Preventing Sunburn in Horses

I recently purchased a horse with a large white blaze. He is out on pasture all day and is suffering from sunburn on his nose. I have tried to use the face masks that have a nose cover, but he plays face games with the other horses all day and his mask frequently gets ripped [...]

August 5, 2009 Seasonal Horse Care 6 Comments

How Much Pasture Do Horses Eat?

Could you tell me how long a horse that gets 2 flakes of hay morning and evening would have to be turned out on good pasture to get the same intake? Thanks! KP, Pennsylvania Dear KP, I have a short answer for you and a long answer. I’ll give you the short one first! According [...]

July 30, 2009 Ask the Vet, Nutrition, Seasonal Horse Care 1 Comment

Feeding Insect Control to Pregnant Mares

I saw in one of your emails that Equitrol II can be fed to pregnant/lactating mares and foals. I have searched Farnam’s site and can find no information to this effect. I contacted Farnam years ago when I first bred my mares and was told that there was no research on Equitrol at that time [...]

July 8, 2009 Seasonal Horse Care 1 Comment

Getting horses to drink in the winter

I am concerned that my Percheron mare is not drinking enough water, now that the seasons have changed. She has access to a salt block, but doesn’t use it that much in the colder months. Can I add anything to her water to make it a bit more appetizing? EO, Maine Dear EO, I just [...]

January 7, 2009 Seasonal Horse Care 0 Comments