Understanding Winter Challenges Winter brings a host of challenges for our equine friends. From temperature fluctuations to dietary changes, each factor plays a crucial role in their overall well-being. By understanding these challenges, we can better prepare to meet our horses' needs. 1. Beating the Cold Without Over-Rugging Horses are physiologically well adapted to cold conditions, particularly when dry, well-fed, and able to move freely. However, clipping, aging, illness,

It often starts with a routine blood test. Your vet calls with the results — “Liver enzymes are a little high.” This news can be unsettling. It’s not catastrophic or an emergency, but it’s enough to make your stomach drop. If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, you’re not alone. Subtle liver changes are surprisingly common, especially in horses with metabolic issues such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or PPID (Cushing’s disease). The good news? With the right kn

🧬 The Overlooked Gut–Immune–Metabolism Axis It’s now well-established in both human and veterinary science that the digestive system is central to immune balance and metabolic function. Here’s why gut health is crucial for horses prone to: EMS & Insulin Resistance Laminitis (acute and subclinical) PPID (Cushing’s) The Impact of a Compromised Gut When the gut is compromised, several issues can arise: Systemic inflammation increases, raising laminitis risk. Insulin sensitivity