Equine Balanced Support

11/14/2025

11/14/2025

What a great experience! Temple Grandin did not disappoint with her presentation 💕 So much information. Thank you Jennifer of 10-42 Police Horse Retirement Home for a great evening. And kudos to AdventHealth for creating their Harnessing Health Initiative and to Horse Farms Forever for the work they do!

𝟭 𝗗𝗔𝗬!⁣ Reminders…….
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Tomorrow we welcome Dr. Temple Grandin to Marion County for the How Horses Think: Conservation Summit 2025 🧠🐴⁣
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We’re counting down to an unforgettable evening of education, inspiration, and powerful conversations about conservation! ⁣
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Presented by Brook Ledge Horse Transportation and AdventHealth Ocala — see you there!⁣
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💥 (𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘚𝘖𝘓𝘋 𝘖𝘜𝘛. 𝘕𝘰 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳).💥

11/13/2025

Common Complications from Vitamin E Deficiency in Horses

Vitamin E plays a vital role in equine health as a potent antioxidant, essential for maintaining neuromuscular function and immune integrity. Deficiency in this fat-soluble vitamin, particularly in horses with limited access to fresh pasture, can lead to several serious health complications.

One of the most recognized consequences is Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (EDM), a neurological disorder primarily affecting young horses. EDM results in spinal cord degeneration, leading to incoordination (ataxia), especially in the hind limbs.

Another severe condition is Equine Motor Neuron Disease (EMND), typically seen in older horses. EMND causes progressive muscle wasting, trembling, weight loss, and weakness due to degeneration of the motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem.

Vitamin E deficiency also compromises muscle health. Nutritional Myodegeneration, also known as white muscle disease, can occur in foals born to mares deficient in nutrients. This condition affects both cardiac and skeletal muscle, leading to weakness, difficulty nursing, and, in severe cases, sudden death.

Additionally, a deficiency in vitamin E can impair immune function, making horses more susceptible to infections and prolonging recovery times from illness or injury. Horses under high oxidative stress—such as those in intense training or with chronic illness—are particularly vulnerable if vitamin E intake is insufficient.

Prompt diagnosis through blood testing and appropriate supplementation is critical. Addressing vitamin E deficiency early can prevent irreversible damage and improve outcomes, primarily when managed with dietary correction and supportive care.

11/11/2025

Did you know over 1 million horses served alongside U.S. forces in Europe during WWI? This Veterans Day, we rememberu the heroes—both human and equine. 🇺🇸

Today, we honor our human and horse heroes. Thank you for your service. Horses have been veterans, too. During World War I, the U.S. shipped about 1 million horses and mules to Europe to assist the Allied war effort. Happy Veterans Day!

Photo by William Ivor Castle/Wikimedia Commons

11/10/2025

🎊🎁Happy birthday to everyone celebrating this week 🎂🎉

11/09/2025

Here are this weeks best sellers!

11/08/2025

Be sure to visit the Source booth while at Equine Affair this weekend! We would love to see some more pictures !!

11/07/2025

We hear them on the farm all the time! This is the first sighting like this, so cool.

11/07/2025

🚨 It’s not the airway—but it is an emergency.
From feed types to dental issues, understanding the causes and signs can make all the difference.
👇 Learn what to do before it happens.
📌 Save this post for your barn safety toolkit and tag a fellow horse owner who needs this info!



Choke in Horses: Recognition, Response, and Risks

Choke in horses is a condition where food or other material becomes lodged in the esophagus, wholly or partially obstructing it. Unlike in humans, choke in horses does not involve airway blockage, but it is nonetheless a medical emergency. It most commonly occurs when a horse eats too quickly, ingests dry feed without adequate water, or consumes foreign material.

Clinical signs of choke include coughing, gagging, repeated stretching of the neck, excessive salivation, and nasal discharge that may contain food particles. The horse may appear distressed or anxious and may stop eating or drinking. In severe cases, swelling along the neck may be observed.

If choke is suspected, the horse should be removed from food and water immediately. Do not attempt to force water or feed into the horse’s mouth. Contact a veterinarian immediately. While waiting, keep the horse calm and its head lowered to reduce the risk of aspiration.

Choke can be caused by dental problems, such as uneven or sharp teeth that impair chewing, eating too quickly, dehydration, or poor feed quality. Pelleted feeds and beet pulp are common culprits if not properly moistened.

Complications from repeated or prolonged episodes may include aspiration pneumonia, esophageal rupture, or stricture formation. After an episode, the horse may need soft feed, dental care, and dietary adjustments to prevent recurrence.
Early recognition and veterinary intervention are critical to minimizing complications and successful recovery.

✅ Things you can do to minimize the risk of choke:
Have your horse’s teeth checked and floated regularly by a veterinarian or equine dentist
Always provide clean, fresh water—especially when feeding dry or pelleted feeds
Soak beet pulp and pelleted feeds thoroughly before feeding
Feed smaller, more frequent meals rather than large quantities at once
Use slow feeders or place large rocks in feed tubs to slow fast eaters
Avoid feeding horses immediately after heavy exercise
Ensure feed is free of foreign objects or mold
Tailor feed types and textures to the horse’s age, dental condition, and chewing ability

11/06/2025

If you are at Equine Affair be sure to visit our sister company Source Inc.!!

11/05/2025

Horse owners have been warned to be careful who they believe, after a controversial message was shared on social media regarding laminitis. Vets, nutritionists and manufacturers are among those who have spoken out or contacted H&H after a barefoot advocate claimed that the painful and often fatal ho...

11/05/2025

The Fall 2025 edition of the Horse, Vet, & Farrier Magazine is now live!

Check it out at https://www.thenaep.com/hvf