Paws and Hooves

25/02/2026

20/02/2026

Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle

20/02/2026

20/02/2026

The drug of choice for Babesiosis is:
A. Albendazole
B. Ivermectin
C. Diminazene aceturate
D. Penicillin

20/02/2026

IT'S QUIZ TIME! ✍️ Do you know which condition is the leading cause of equine lameness cases? Drop your answers in the comments. ⬇️

The answer is "C" - Osteoarthritis!

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of lameness in horses, accounting for about 60% of lameness cases. It’s a progressive joint disease where the smooth cartilage that cushions the ends of bones gradually breaks down due to wear and tear, injury, or inflammation. As the cartilage deteriorates, the bones in the joint start to rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.

In horses, OA often starts with inflammation of the joint lining (synovitis) or the joint capsule (capsulitis), which can speed up cartilage damage. Early and effective management of this inflammation is important because it can help slow the progression of the disease and protect the joint.

Treatments for OA in horses focus on relieving pain and inflammation (symptom-modifying drugs) and, when possible, slowing or changing the course of the disease itself (disease-modifying drugs).

While OA can’t be reversed, prompt attention and ongoing care can help horses stay comfortable and active, allowing them to enjoy a better quality of life even with this chronic condition.

05/02/2026

Temperature, heart rate and Respiration

05/02/2026

The "1-2-3" Rule for Birth
Once the big day arrives, breeders live by this simple checklist to ensure the foal is healthy:
1. 1 Hour: The foal should be standing.
2. 2 Hours: The foal should be nursing (crucial for antibodies).
3. 3 Hours: The mare should have passed the placenta.

゚viralシfypシ゚viralシalシ

05/02/2026

05/02/2026

Horse Pregnancy Explained: Month-by-Month Foal Development (Complete Guide)

Horse pregnancy is one of nature’s most fascinating journeys. From a microscopic embryo to a strong, standing foal, the process takes about 335–345 days (11 months). Each month brings critical changes that shape the foal’s health and future.

Here’s a clear, accurate, and easy-to-understand breakdown of every stage of horse pregnancy 👇

⸻

🟤 Month 1 (Days 1–30)
• Fertilized egg travels to the uterus
• Embryo implants around day 16
• Heartbeat detectable by day 24–25
• Most sensitive stage with highest risk of early loss
• No visible signs in the mare

⸻

🟤 Month 2 (Days 31–60)
• Embryo officially becomes a fetus
• Head, spine, and limb buds form
• Eyes and ears begin developing
• Placenta starts functioning
• Pregnancy clearly confirmed by ultrasound

⸻

🟤 Month 3 (Days 61–90)
• Fetus about the size of a mouse
• Legs, tail, and neck fully shaped
• Major organs forming
• S*x organs begin development
• Mare may show slight weight gain

⸻

🟤 Month 4 (Days 91–120)
• Fetus grows to 15–20 cm
• Facial features become defined
• Mane and tail follicles start forming
• Fetus moves deeper into abdomen

⸻

🟤 Month 5 (Days 121–150)
• Rapid skeletal growth
• Hooves begin forming
• Hair follicles, whiskers, eyelids develop
• Fetus weighs around 1–2 kg
• Mare’s belly starts rounding

⸻

🟤 Month 6 (Days 151–180)
• Fetus clearly looks like a foal
• Coat pattern begins to appear
• Muscle development increases
• Immune system starts forming
• Mare needs better nutrition

⸻

🟤 Month 7 (Days 181–210)
• Significant weight gain in foal
• Mane and tail lengthen
• Bones continue hardening
• Foal practices reflex movements
• Mare’s pregnancy becomes obvious

⸻

🟤 Month 8 (Days 211–240)
• Fat reserves develop
• Lungs continue maturing
• Foal weighs about 15–20 kg
• Mare may move slower and rest more
• Foaling preparations should begin

⸻

🟤 Month 9 (Days 241–270)
• Rapid growth phase
• Organs near full maturity
• Strong fetal movements felt
• Udder may start developing
• Close monitoring recommended

⸻

🟤 Month 10 (Days 271–300)
• Foal positions for birth
• Lungs and digestive system finalize
• Udder enlarges
• Teats may show wax droplets

⸻

🟤 Month 11 (Days 301–345)
• Final weight gain (almost 50% of total growth)
• Pelvic ligaments soften
• Udder full and milk may drip
• Foal fully ready for birth

⸻

🟢 Foaling (Birth)
• Normal labor lasts 15–30 minutes
• Front hooves appear first, followed by nose
• Foal stands within 1 hour
• Nurses within 2 hours
• Placenta expelled within 3 hours

⸻

🐴 Why This Matters
Understanding each stage of horse pregnancy helps owners, breeders, and horse lovers:
• Improve mare care
• Prevent complications
• Ensure a healthy foal
• Recognize warning signs early

A healthy foal starts with informed care 💚



Source: Horse and rider

05/02/2026

Horse World

Heat bends reality. ✨🐎

02/02/2026

1-2-3 rule for foaling

FOALING SEASON IS UPON US!

Are you ready to assist your broodmare? Here are some tried and true guidelines to remember during foaling:

• Unless there's an emergency, allow the foal time to break the fetal membranes. Once the foal breaks through, be sure it’s breathing.

• Generally, it’s not recommended to cut or break the umbilical cord. If it has not broken during delivery, it will usually break when the mare or foal gets up.

• Encourage the mare and foal to rest as long as possible. Give them an opportunity to bond undisturbed.

• Following birth of the foal, the mare and her newborn should be monitored for normal breathing, brightness and alertness. The mare should be non-aggressive, curious and accepting of the foal.

• The foal should stand and nurse within two hours of birth. If the foal has not nursed within three hours, call your veterinarian. The foal may be weak and in need of assistance or medical attention.

• By the third hour, the mare should pass the placenta, and the foal should pass meconium. Once the placenta has been expelled, examine it to make sure it is intact, particularly at the tips of the horns. The afterbirth will be Y-shaped and should have only the hole through which the foal emerged.

• A foal must receive colostrum (the mare's first milk) within the first eight to 12 hours of life in order to absorb the antibodies. If a foal is too weak to nurse, it may be necessary to milk the mare and give the colostrum to the foal via a stomach tube.

Contact your veterinarian to learn more so you can be prepared to help the new mother and foal get off to a great start! If your mare and foal are not meeting these milestones in the appropriate timeframe, call your vet immediately.

02/02/2026

Swap the saddle for a soul connection. Horses aren’t gear or trophies—they’re friends who read your heart before words.
Know them: their quirks, their trust, their wild spirit.
Use them? That breaks the bond.
Who’s your equine companion? Share below! 👇

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