As we start the New Year, many of us make resolutions to eat better, exercise more, and re-evaluate our diets in general. But have you done the same for your horse? Now is a great time to take a closer…
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Blog Archives
Snow Isn’t The Only Winter Worry
Horse-keeping during the winter brings its own unique challenges, and those challenges can wreak havoc on your horse’s GI tract and increase his risk for digestive upset. But with the right care and support, you can help ensure your horse…
Posted in Blogs, Health & Nutrition
Triumph Over Thrush
I’ve owned horses throughout my life, and thrush is something I always thought I knew how to deal with. But recently my horse, Sawyer, came down with a very bad case of thrush, and boy was there more to learn!…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
Get Schooled
Everyone knows that college students don’t make the best choices when it comes to food. Check out these horses, then ask yourself — is your horse on a college student diet?
Posted in Health & Nutrition
SmartGut® Ultra Pellets Research Presented at the Colic Research Symposium
Dr. Frank Andrews, large animal internal medicine specialist (ACVIM) and Director of the Equine Health Studies Program at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, has spent the last 24 years researching the causes, treatment, and prevention of gastric ulcer…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
EMS vs. PPID – Do You Know The Difference?
EQUINE METABOLIC SYNDROME (EMS) EMS refers to a collection of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity and the development of laminitis in horses. Faulty insulin metabolism is a key component of EMS and can include both insulin resistance (IR)…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
The Art of Clipping
TIPS + TOOLS TO ACHIEVE THE PERFECT CLIP To Clip or Not To Clip? Before you clip, think about your horse’s living and exercise situation this winter. For more help deciding, visit SmartPak.com/ClipOrNot Clip If… You or your barn staff…
Posted in Blogs, Health & Nutrition
Saving Katalyst
Kelsey was living a rider’s dream. But that dream turned into a nightmare when her horse experienced a life-threatening colic episode. Kelsey Herring has loved horses for as long as she can remember. She started out riding western, spending weekends…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
Under, Over, or Ideal
You be the judge It’s hard to resist the urge to squeal over how adorable a chubby pony is, but unfortunately, overweight horses and ponies aren’t cute — they’re unhealthy. Being too thin also comes with risks and health concerns.…
Posted in Health & Nutrition, Quizzes
Chill Out This Winter
Help your horse keep his cool this winter, and discover what ingredients will help him chill out. Edgy Eddie He’s occasionally nervous and tense, looking around and fidgeting as you get on. Slightly on edge, he is sometimes unfocused on…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
Dealing with Scratches
My horse Razz has some eye-catching chrome: a stripe, snip and four white socks. It’s one of his more attractive attributes when he’s otherwise doing his wild Arabian impression, but it also seems to be a magnet for scrapes and…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
Managing Stifle Issues
As any horse owner who has dealt with them can attest to, stifle issues can be tough to diagnose, treat, and manage. In the blog below, I’ll share my top tips for what has helped my horse Luna stay comfortable…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
Anatomy of arthritis
Your horse’s body is an impressive machine. It’s designed to manage the normal wear and tear that’s associated with being a horse — an animal designed to be on the move! However, research has shown that joint problems are a…
Posted in Blogs, Health & Nutrition
Anatomy of colic
Colic is a general, catch-all term used to refer to any sort of abdominal pain in horses (in layman’s terms, it’s a belly ache). Based on that definition, the term “colic” could be used to describe gastric ulcers or problems…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
Anatomy of an ulcer
A horse needs to graze for approximately 17 hours daily to meet his nutritional needs, so his stomach was designed to continuously produce acid to aid in digestion. In a natural grazing situation, where a horse is eating and chewing…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
