Ovulation and fertility
To make sure a mare conceives, you have to get the timing precisely right, so planning is crucial. Dr Mac explains.
Maggots in a horse’s ears: prevention is easier than cure
Flystrike can be just as problematic in horses as in sheep, says Dr Mac.
How to fix a ‘show sour’ horse
When a horse that has previously done well starts to misbehave at shows, you can be fairly certain that it’s nervous and needs habituation, says Dr Mac.
Use a curry comb to groom your horse
Get the sweat out of your horse, as well as dirt and loose hairs. Dr Mac shows how.
Does your horse suffer from thrush? Follow these guidelines
The frog acts as a shock absorber for the foot as it strikes the ground. If the frog is infected with thrush, your horse will be reluctant to walk and...
How much should a horse cost?
Breed, conformation and supply and demand are among the factors that affect the price of a horse, explains Dr Mac.
Make your own insect-repellent hanging garden in your stable
Hanging baskets will brighten up your stable yard and keep away flies, mosquitoes and other annoying pests, by Kim Dyson.
Reducing stress in broodmares
Owners of broodmares should ensure that their animals’ feed is optimal and the timing is right, says Dr Mac.
The many uses of Epsom salts
Magnesium sulphate has a wide range of medicinal uses for humans, from easing inflammation to acting as a laxative. And it’s no less useful on horses, says Kim Dyson.
How to fit a western saddle
An ill-fitting saddle can affect performance and even cause behavioural problems and back injuries in a horse. Follow these few simple techniques to ensure a good fit, says Dr Mac.
Cinnamon, the fat-fighter
Obesity and insulin resistance are common problems today. Cinnamon is a useful treatment, says Kim Dyson.
Are worms troubling your horse?
Is your horse in poor condition, despite receiving good food? Worms could be the problem, says Dr Mac.
Dealing with equine sarcoids
A sarcoid can occur on any horse (or indeed, any equid) and can be troublesome if it grows in vulnerable areas prone to chafing or similar irritation. Kim Dyson explains.
Training western pleasure horses
In South Africa, western pleasure is a discipline largely reserved for children. In the US, things are very different. Dr Mac spoke to Greg Wheat, a highly regarded trainer based...
Remedy for gastric ulcers
Ulcers are a common problem in horses. The good news is that they can be treated naturally and easily with an age-old fermented milk drink packed with probiotics, says Kim...
Dealing with horse allergies
The weather is beautiful at this time of the year. However, this is also when horses suffer most from allergies, leading to asthma, eczema and other problems, says Kim Dyson.
Beware of impaction colic
Drought-stricken pasture can produce drier intestinal contents that are more likely to get stuck. The result may be impaction colic, a potentially fatal condition, warns Dr Mac.
Help! My horse is choking
Choke in horses is caused by an obstruction of the oesophagus, not the windpipe, and urgent veterinary attention is imperative, says Dr Mac.
Paint, pinto or piebald?
The old English terms for a white horse with black patches and a white horse with chestnut or bay patches are, respectively, ‘piebald’ and ‘skewbald’.
Grow these plants to help get rid of summer bugs
As always, the warmer weather has brought a crop of pests. Kim Dyson provides a useful list of plants that act as natural insect repellents.
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