Horses

There are various treatments available for equine osteoarthritis. However, these are mainly palliative and do not promote healing, says Dr Mac.

Reduced vision at night and a reluctance to enter dark stables in the daytime may be associated with night blindness, says Dr Mac.

As a rule, you should avoid tying off the umbilical cord after birth. However, if very heavy bleeding occurs, it’s time to act, advises Dr Mac.

About 2% of foals are unable to expel the meconium within the first 24 hours after birth, warns Dr Mac.

In the US, Soft-Ride boots are often used to make a horse more comfortable on a hard floor, such as in a stable or a horsebox. South African owners should...

Certain horse breeds have an inborn ability to separate a cow from a herd, a trait that makes them a valuable partner on a farm, says Dr Mac.

Knowing the difference is important to breeders, as the genetics are not the same, although the colours may appear similar, says Dr Mac.

Jumping to win means you have to feel each stride as you ride and know when to shorten or lengthen it, says Dr Mac.

Experience over the past two years has demonstrated the value of monitoring egg counts in manure. This is key to planning an effective worm control programme, says Dr Mac.

It’s convenient to be able to open farm gates without dismounting. Here’s how to teach your horse the trick. Be prepared, though, to invest a bit of time and patience,...

The severity of African horse sickness (AHS) is strongly linked to the immunity status of the horse concerned, and the dose of the virus it receives from biting midges.

A horse that gets into the habit of shying at every perceived danger can be both irritating and dangerous. Fortunately, there are ways of teaching it to become more confident.