Nexus Equine’s Post

The sun is out, the grass has grown, and laminitis is beginning to make a reappearance! Here’s our top tips on how to prevent laminitis this summer 🏇Exercise- Keeping your horse active and moving is vital for their fitness and overall health. This is where a track system comes into its own! 🐴 Hooves- Regularly pick out their hooves and check for any heat or pulsing. Regular trimming is also advisory. A study by Pollard, D. et al. (2019) found leaving over 8 weeks between trimming can be a contributor to laminitis! 🥕 Diet- Keeping a horse at a healthy weight is paramount for preventing laminitis. Control their hard feed, and monitor their access to grazing and forage. If turned out in a group setting, a grazing muzzle can be used to restrict their intake without compromising the health of other horses. Save this post as a reminder of how to prevent your horse from getting laminitis this summer! #horses #equestrian #horsesgofree #ukequine #laminitis #healthyhorse

Assessing Quality of Life in the Older Horse Check out these tips for assessing your older horse and perhaps to determine when it might be time to say goodbye. https://lnkd.in/gPDqSR3a #seniorhorse #horsehealth #equineeuthanasia

Cooling Hot Horses: The Right Way & Busting Myths Cooling down a horse after intense exercise or in hot weather is crucial for its health and well-being. There are numerous myths surrounding the best practices for cooling horses, some of which can be detrimental. Here we’ll take a look at some of the common misconceptions and the best way to cool a hot horse. Read more here: https://buff.ly/3LJMOwE #horsecare #horsemanship #horselovers

Clipping horses in winter ❄️ As winter rolls around and the days start to cool off, why do we see so many horses’ warm, fluffy coats being clipped off? Contrary to what some may believe, clipping is not purely for the aesthetic! Why do people clip their horses? 1. For horses in work or competition, it assists in managing sweat and heat. A clipped horse will cool down and dry off quicker than a horse with a thick coat. 2. Reduces cold sweats which can occur when a horse’s body must work for a prolonged period to cool down. 3. Comfort – for example, horses who suffer from Cushing’s disease often grow a long, curly, thick coat, which can be uncomfortable and cause overheating. 4. External parasite control- clipping can be a management tool in severe cases of external parasite burden. Read the full article including the types of clips there are, via the link:

As horse owners, providing daily turnout for your horse is essential. Turnout is essential for horses, turnout allows horses to move freely, which helps to maintain their physical fitness, muscle tone, and joint flexibility. An outdoor environment reduces stress and prevents behavioural issues like cribbing, weaving, and stall walking. Daily grazing supports healthy digestion, reducing the risk of colic and ulcers. Horses are natural grazers, and regular access to pasture allows continuous, low-stress feeding, promoting the production of saliva which aids in digestion and buffers stomach acid. Turnout supports joint and hoof health by encouraging natural movement and weight distribution. Regular movement helps maintain healthy joints, prevents stiffness, and stimulates hoof growth and health through natural wear and tear. https://lnkd.in/eh2F-9ZV

Ep. 40: Surviving in the Cold: Horse Feeding and Management for Winter Severe winter weather always raises concerns among horse owners regarding the management of various cold weather challenges and the proper care of their horses. What counts as severe depends on where you live but no matter the location the biggest concerns tend to relate colic risk and weight loss. In this episode we discuss: -how to keep your horses hydrated when their water is freezing -whether feeding more hay or grain is best to maintain body condition in cold weather -the importance of salt for hydration -why horses are at greater risk for impaction colic when temperatures freeze -how your horse can use their diet to keep warm -why blankets can help reduce your feed bill -plus tips on how to make winter barn chores more manageable and so much more! Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   Thanks for riding along with us! #equinenutrition #drclairthunes #winterhorsemanagement #horsefeed #forage #equinepodcast https://lnkd.in/gG7kvfrp

Curious about poll pressure's impact on your horse? 🐎💭 Get the facts in our latest blog article! Uncover implications and solutions 🌟 #justhorseriders #pollpressure #equinecare #horseridingtips. Learn More 📚

Common Hoof Problems - Laminitis The coffin bone of the interior of a horse’s hoof is attached to the inner hoof wall with structures called laminae. When the laminae become inflamed, the horse is suffering from laminitis. If the left untreated, the laminae are weakened, leading to potential separation of the coffin bone and the hoof wall, which can lead to rotation of the coffin bone known as founder. Laminitis causes varying degrees of pain. It can affect one, two or even all four hooves. A laminitic horse may shift his weight back and forth or stand with both front feet stretched out in an attempt to take weight off of his hooves. The affected hooves will be notably warm or hot and the digital pulse will usually be elevated. If made to walk, the horse may move in a hesitant manner. Causes: High carb, lush, spring pasture grass Grain overload Heavy concussion on a hard surface A hard workout without appropriate cool down Exposure to environmental toxins such as black walnut Obese or cresty horses are more prone to laminitis than fit and thin horses, but any horse can be affected Laminitis can also become a secondary issue if a horse is compensating for an injury on one leg by putting most of his weight on another. If caught early, standing the affected hooves in ice water can slow the progression of the disease. Equine Challenge™ Laminae 911 is HIGHLY recommended! As hard as it is to watch, a laminitic horse MUST move daily! Laminae 911 Sale Ends 1/10/25! https://lnkd.in/gveWqAWj #horsesconnectus #fortheloveofthehorse #horsegirllife #lovehorses #horselovers #horselife #horsemanship #horsevitamins #horseminerals #horsefeeding #horsefeed #cowboy #ranchlife #cowgirl #healthyhorse #horse #equinenutrition #horsehealth #horses #equinehealth #horsesupplements #equine #equestrian #laminitis #founder

Daily Routines: How to Keep Your Horse Healthy and Happy Maintaining a daily routine for your horse is essential for their health and happiness. Horses thrive on consistency, and a well-structured routine helps monitor their well-being. Here are key components to consider for keeping your equine friend in top shape: 🚨 Forage First: Horses are natural grazers and should have constant access to forage, such as hay or grass. Ideally, they should consume 2-3% of their body weight in forage daily. 🚨 Daily Grooming: Establish a grooming routine that includes brushing, hoof care, and checking for injuries. This not only keeps your horse clean but also strengthens your bond. 🚨 Regular Exercise: Horses need daily exercise to stay healthy and happy. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes of movement each day, whether through riding, lunging, or turnout #EquineCare #Horsecare #Horsehealth

Wondering if flies make sweet itch worse in horses? 🐴🤔 We've unravelled the truth in our latest blog post! 📚 Dive in to learn more! #JustHorseRiders #HorseCare #EquestrianLife #SweetItchInHorses. Read now 👉