Blog
Read here our articles about related subjects to our supplements.
Sweet itch: Don’t forget the detox for your horse in Feb / March!
Temperatures are rising, horses have started shedding. Spring is really coming! Does your horse have sweet itch? Then this (February / March) is the ideal time to do a detox in preparation for the season. Read more about this in this blog.
Why deworming based on Fecal Egg Count is not always reliable
Many people do a fecal egg count before deworming their horses. That in itself is a good idea, because in this way you can combat the parasites in the horse’s belly in a more targeted way. But unfortunately you cannot rely solely on this method. Certain types of worm infections are not or hardly visible in the manure, especially in winter.
Are you familiar with the medicinal properties of the clove plant in horses?
The clove plant has a versatile effect for both humans and animals. For example, it naturally has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. But it also optimizes the ECS system. This system is the body’s signal generator. So we are not talking about the clove as you know it from the supermarket, but about the plant and the flowers. Curious about how it works? We will tell you all about it in this blog!
Does your horse already have a water bucket with nettle?
Nettles have a powerful antibacterial effect, are high in antioxidants and are a good source of various minerals. A cure with concentrated nettle extract can help your horse to cleanse its body, clean up waste products and improve digestion. That is very simple, because your horse knows how much he needs!
Why horses can more easily get a vitamin E deficiency during the winter
February and most horses have not been on the grass for several months. As the owner we are fed up with the rain and mud and we cannot wait until spring arrives and everything is fresh green again and the horses can go back onto the land.
Fortunately, we can usually continue training with our horses in the winter period, but the horse sometimes feels a bit stiffer and recovers less easily after intensive training. Would there then have been a shortage of vitamin E?
Improve the fertility of your mare or stallion with vitamin E
Vitamin E plays an important role in improving fertility. This has been known to humans for some time. But this vitamin also has a positive effect on horses. Vitamin E is often used in conjunction with other antioxidants. It increases the fertility of mares and stallions and ensures better resistance in brood mares and their newborn foals.
Do’s and Don’ts: How to let your horse gain weight in a healthy way
Is your horse too skinny and would you like to let it gain weight? Then you have a huge choice in foods that all indicate that they are incredibly healthy and that your horse can gain weight well. But are these foods really healthy for your horse? And which one can you choose best for your horse? Read in this article which foods you can best choose. Can’t quite figure it out? Ask our specialists for free advice.
Underweight in horses: difficult to solve?
Is your horse too skinny? Underweight occurs regularly, for example in older horses. Letting an overweight horse lose weight is already difficult, but often solving underweight in horses is even more difficult. How is that actually? Perhaps we are doing something wrong in our management and are we quickly reaching for fatteners? How should it be done?
How do cannabinoids work in different conditions in horses?
Cannabinoid-based supplements are increasingly used for various ailments. In horses and in humans. How do cannabinoids work and why are they so useful for many ailments? In this article, we provide you with an overview of the research into the effect of these signal substances and the complaints in which you can use cannabinoids.
Good resolution for 2021: your horse at a healthy weight!
At our customer service we get people on the phone every day who tell us about the complaints of their horses such as itching, coughing and a bad coat. They then ask us which supplements could help with this. When we then inquire whether the horse may be overweight, we often get the answer: “Yes, he is a bit too fat”. In many cases, those extra pounds are at the root of the problem. And the symptoms will not disappear without doing something about that cause. Not even a supplement. In short: the horse must lose weight!
Why does my horse eat sand? And what is the solution?
At this time of the year we regularly hear that horses have sand in their intestines and sometimes even get colic or diarrhea. How does that sand get in? Why do horses sometimes eat sand? And more importantly, how do you prevent sand build-up from becoming a problem and even causing colic? We list the causes and solutions for you.
Fireworks stress: Are you taking it into account this year?
New years eve is often an exciting moment for horse owners. Because how do the horses get through the night? Won’t they be shocked by the noise and the flares? There will be a fireworks ban in 2020 (in the Netherlands), but carbide shooting is not prohibited in many places. There are also people who will not care about the fireworks ban. How do you help your horse through the New Year? We have five tips for you!
Filled Legs: 6 tips to prevent them
In winter, many horses get less exercise. They are more often in the stable and especially during the holidays they train less. This can cause filled legs: thicker, raised (hind) legs that do not feel warm. What exactly is this, can it harm and what can you do about it? We give you six useful tips!
Curious about the effect of HELTIE horse® Stress on your horse? Try now for free!
New Year’s Eve is approaching and despite the fireworks ban, it is expected that there will be quite a bit of popping. A large part of the horses will go through the New Year without any problems and have little trouble with it. But there are horses that experience a lot of stress around the turn of the year. These horses may benefit from a supplement for support. That is why we are giving a free 100ml HELTIE horse® Stress sample with all orders (regardless of the order value) until December 28th. Read more about HELTIE horse® Stress in this blog.
Laminated in winter, that is not possible, is it?
It’s cold, the ground is hard and your horse stumbles a bit. Then it makes sense to think it’s through the subsurface, right? While it is certainly possible that your horse is sensitive to walking because the bottom is frozen stiff, something else could be going on. Especially if you also see that something is wrong in the stable or in the arena. Your horse can also get laminitis in winter. Another possibility is winter hoof pain or winter laminitis. What’s up with that?
Horses on the grass in winter: dangerous or not?
Some have their horse or pony grazing on the grass 365 days a year without problems, while others are horrified at the thought of putting the horse on grass in winter. Because how dangerous is grass in the winter or can you graze horses in frost without any problems? Read more about that in this blog.
CPL (Chronic Progressive Lymphedema) in horses: symptoms and treatment
Large (draft) breeds of horses are sensitive to CPL (Chronic progressive lymphedema). This incurable condition may be partly genetic and affects the lymphatic system and the elastic function of the skin. Characteristic are the thick ridges on the legs of the horse. Read on this page what CPL is exactly and if you can do something against it.
Why you cannot use the same cream for every type of mud fever in horses
Mud fever is a collective name for scabs and wounds on the lower legs. Mud fever usually starts in above the hoof and often extends over the lower legs if left untreated. Many people do not know that skin complaints called “mud fever” can have many different causes. Bacteria, mites, lice, fungi. And… each cause requires a different treatment!
Magnesium or herbal supplements for stress. What is the difference?
There are many supplements on the market that are said to affect stress in horses. Many of these supplements are based on magnesium or herbs. For the correct effect it is important to choose the right supplement (s) for the right situation. In this article we explain the difference in effect of stress supplements based on magnesium and herbs.
Osteoarthritis in horses: a “happy athlete” still possible?
Many horses experience stiffness and start-up problems over the course of their life. “It’s a diesel” is often said. If a horse is a bit older, these complaints can be caused by osteoarthritis, but that is not always the case. What can you do to keep your horse supple for as long as possible? And how do you ensure that your horse remains a happy athlete even with mild arthrosis?
Forgotten cause in horse stomach ulcers: chronic stress!
You have probably heard that many horses in the Netherlands have stomach ulcers, often without their owner being aware of it. Stomach ulcers can arise because a horse, for example, gets too little or too irregular roughage, due to medication or is trained on an empty stomach. But there is another important cause: chronic stress. How do you know if your horse suffers from chronic stress? What are you doing about it? And how can you prevent stomach ulcers from stress?
This is why you should not train your horse on an empty stomach
Horses produce stomach acid all day long, unlike humans, where stomach acid is only produced when we eat something. To neutralize the horse’s stomach acid, the horse needs to eat. The food stimulates saliva production and this saliva makes the stomach acid less acidic. This ensures that stomach ulcers are prevented. What many people do not know is that it is therefore better not to work with the horse on an empty stomach. We will explain further why this is the case in this blog!
Which plants support the respiratory tract of horses?
There are many supplements for sale for the respiratory tract of horses, but which herbs / plants / trees actually have a positive effect on the respiratory tract? Read in this blog which we recommend if you want to support your coughing horse or horse with other respiratory problems.
10 tips to prevent respiratory problems in winter
Horses that cough, we see this regularly in winter. What are the causes of a cough? What should you do about it? And how do you prevent respiratory irritation to becoming a serious problem? Read our 10 tips!
Willem: “After a tragic loss, I started researching how I can prevent injuries in my horses”
Willem Joëzer de Jong is a Dutch 30-year-old dressage rider from the Frisian village Tzum. He competes horses up to the Intermediar 2 level, has his own training stable, gives instruction and trains young horses. Willem has been an ambassador of HELTIE Horse for several months and tells us a bit more about his horses, his stable and his vision.
Laura: ‘Toxins in straw were the cause of my horses high liver values’
Laura Scheepers is a Dutch show jumper and she runs together with her mother Joyce LS Stables in Sevenum. She is also an ambassador for HELTIE horse®. Laura trains young show jumpers, not only for herself but also for her clients. Laura had to deal with strange complaints with her horses this year. An extensive search eventually led to the straw.
9 tips for keeping older horses on weight in winter
Winter is always a difficult period for older horses. They lose weight quickly and are sometimes a bit stiff. As an owner, you don’t want your horse to get too thin. That is why it is wise to start with measurements on time. After all, it is much more difficult to get an older horse fatter again once it has lost weight. We give you nine top tips for keeping your older horse on weight this winter.
Is a horse better off with or without a rug in the winter: the eternal and annually recurring discussion
A topic where the horse community is often diametrically opposed: rugs in winter. Often you are pro rugs or you are anti rugs. Rugs come in different variants and thicknesses. In this blog we want to tell you more about whether rugs are necessary in the winter months and what you should pay attention to. So that you can decide for yourself what is best for your horse in which circumstances.
How do you support your aging horse?
From the age of 15, horses are seen as “older”. In many horses this is a point where the joints get a bit more problens and the first ailments of old age develop. But of course every horse is different. One horse is still happily hopping around at the age of 25, while the other horse indeed has some discomfort at the age of 15. We are therefore going to give you tools for the care of your aging horse.
Do you choose dried or liquid nettle for your horse?
Almost every horse owner feeds his or her horse nettle, as nettle is known for its medicinal properties and because horses find it very tasty. But is it also a suitable supplement for your horse? And is it better to give nettle fresh, dried or in liquid form?
Sand eating horse? The mineral silicon may be the solution
From one day to the next your horse is suddenly licking the sand in the paddock. You’d never seen him do this before. Why is your horse suddenly eating sand now? This can have various causes, such as a shortage of the mineral silicon or boredom. Read more in this blog about what causes sand eating and what you can do to prevent it.
Silicon for your horse: which form is most absorbable?
The mineral silicon is gaining in popularity. This makes sense, because silicon is an extremely important substance that helps to keep tendons, ligaments, cartilage, joints, coat and hooves in good condition. There are therefore more and more products with silicon available. When purchasing, pay particular attention to the absorbability, because silicon can occur in many forms. And not all of these forms work. How can you know if the silicon is really absorbed into your horse’s blood so that it can do its job?
Is it justified that people are afraid of doing a detox on the horse?
Many people are reluctant to detox their horses. They are often afraid that the horse will suddenly develop ailments or that a detox is very intense. But is this right? And what should you pay attention to if you decide to detox your horse? Read more about this in this blog.
What are the consequences if you do not detox your horse?
The usefulness of a cleansing treatment is still much underestimated by horse owners. The comment you often hear is that horses in nature do not get a detox cure, why should we then give our horses this? This statement is incorrect, because horses in nature do look for cleansing herbs such as thistles. Read more in this article!
Do you also have stress when you are looking for a vitamin E supplement for your horse?
There are dozens of Vitamin E supplements for horses available on the market. Powder or liquid, synthetic or natural, with or without selenium and with or without grape extract. Do you know what is best? In this blog, we tell what you should pay attention to so that you can make the right choice for your horse.
Do you know why vitamin E is indispensable in the ration of horses?
Vitamin E is one of the most important vitamins for the health of your horse. It is a powerful antioxidant that is absolutely necessary for your horse’s muscle health and nervous system. Grass contains more than enough vitamin E in an easily absorbable form. But if your horse is not in the pasture, for example in the winter, a vitamin E deficiency is lurking. But horses with muscle problems (for example PSSM) also benefit from extra vitamin E.
Why grape extract has a synergistic effect in a vitamin E supplement for horses
Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant and absolutely necessary for the health of the horse’s muscles. It also contributes to the health of the nervous system. Read in this blog why adding grape extract to a vitamin E supplement is an added value.
Why a high-dose vitamin E for horses never can be 100% natural
Vitamin E is available in various forms. Often a distinction is made only between synthetic and natural vitamin E. But supplements that are high in Vitamin E cannot be 100% natural. Read how that works in this blog.
Cannabidol and CBD-oil: How do you choose the right product for your horse?
Cannabinoids, the active components of products such as Cannabidol or CBD oil, have made a significant march into the market. Cannabinoids support, for example, joint problems, pain and stress. But if you as a horse owner are interested in these herbal supplements, the choice becomes complicated. There are numerous products in very different concentrations and made from different plant species on the market. What do you need to know to choose the right product for your horse?
Cannabinoids in horses
Cannabinoid is the name for a group of substances that are produced by the body itself, but which can also be found in cannabis plants and clove plants. CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two best-known cannabinoids. But did you know there are many more? There are currently 130 different cannabinoids known to science. In addition to being the body’s signaling device, they have great anti-inflammatory therapeutic value.
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS): Symptoms, Causes and Prevention
Recently you have been hearing more and more about the “Equine Metabolic Syndrome” or EMS. Horses with EMS have a disturbed metabolism due to obesity. Their hormones are out of balance, they underperform and can develop laminitis. What are the symptoms and causes of EMS and what can you do about it?
Mineral deficiency? Silicon remedies mineral deficiency!
To function and perform properly, a horse needs sufficient vitamins and minerals. It is often difficult to know whether your horse is realy getting enough. What makes it extra difficult is that minerals and vitamins mutually influence each other. Recent research shows that the mineral silicon plays a central role in many bodily processes and also helps to absorb certain vitamins. How is that exactly? And is there an easy way to remedy mineral deficiencies in horses?
Is a lick for your horse sufficient in warm weather?
Most horses have access to a lick, but it is often difficult to estimate whether these licks are used. Some horses eat the lick at once, so to speak, and other horses do years with 1 lick. But what do you do with warm weather? Do you need to add electrolytes or is that not necessary?
Why long grass is better than short grass
Most horses have been on the grass for a while now. At the moment the grass has grown a lot (if there is no mowing) and the horses find the long grass less and less tasty. But that longer grass is healthier for the horse. Read in this blog why that is.
When do you give HELTIE horse Joints and when HELTIE horse Silicon?
At HELTIE horse® we have two supplements aimed at your horse’s joints: The herbs of HELTIE horse® Joints and the mineral silicon in our HELTIE horse® Silicon. We are often asked which supplement can be given when. What is the difference?
Providing electrolytes: better before or after training?
Now that temperatures are rising again and both horses and riders are sweaty from training, supplementing mineral deficiencies with electrolytes may be wise. In what situations is it a good idea to replenish electrolytes? And when and how best to give the electrolytes: before or after exercise?
Rearing young horses: growing up strongly with silicon
A raising young horse needs a lot of free movement and proper nutrition. Only then can he grow into a powerful (sports) horse with a strong frame. A horse that is ready in its body to work slowly but surely and then keep it healthy for many years. Sufficient silicon in the daily ration of young horses supports the production of strong bones, tendons, ligaments and joints.
Cannabidol: indispensable in the total approach of sweet itch in horses
Sweet itch in horses is a difficult problem. Both horses and owners often go crazy with the itching and sanding off the mane and tail. Unfortunately, the itch cannot be solved with a single remedy, but requires a total approach. HELTIE horse® Cannabidol ™ can help your horse with sweet itch.
How the endocannabinoid system (ECS) of horses works
Scientists only discovered in the early 1990s that humans and animals have an endocannabinoid system. This system is the “signal generator” in the body. It checks at cell level whether there is a problem. The system then sends a signal to the brain so that it can send the correct auxiliary chemicals to the relevant cell. In this way, the endocannabinoid system regulates certain processes in the body, such as pain, inflammation and the immune system. Read more about how this system works in horses in this article.
Laminitis in horses: how cannabinoids can contribute
Laminitis is a painful condition in horses, which unfortunately occurs regularly. Inflammations in the hoof wall of the horse cause swelling, fever and pain. Various measures are required to prevent and treat laminitis. Did you know that cannabinoids can also help your laminitis horse? These natural substances have an high therapeutic level of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect and also support your horse’s resistance. This reduces the chance of recurrence.
Six differences between glucosamine and silicon
Glucosamine products and silicon are the two main options for stiffness or joint problems. But which product should you use when? What are the differences? And which supplement works best? We have listed the information for you.
Joint problems in horses: which supplements for which problem?
If your horse suffers from its joints, a variety of supplements are available. But which product does exactly what? What are the modes of action? And how do you make the right choice for your horse?
The benefits of a liquid lick, made from concentrated sea water
Almost all horses have a lick in their stable. Sometimes it hangs there for years to dust, in other cases the stones are almost gnawed up and the owner starts to doubt whether his horse is ingesting too much salt. Dosing is difficult. And what is actually in such a stone? A liquid lick for horses offers a solution.
Improve the quality of grass and roughage with Meadow Minerals
The quality of the grass in your pasture determines the nutritional value that your horse receives through grazing or through the hay you harvest. Many pastures in Europe are quite poor in minerals. Therefore, especially on poor soils, it can be a good idea to improve your grass quality with meadow minerals. Then you get more yield and better roughage quality.
Silicon stimulates the production of glucosamine in horses
Gewrichtsklachten zoals artrose komen bij paarden regelmatig voor. Als gevolg van ouderdom, maar ook door intensieve belasting. Vooral de gewrichten in de benen zijn kwetsbaar, kogel- en sprongblessures zijn bekende problemen. Veel mensen voeren een glucosamine-supplement om hun paard soepeler te maken. Maar onderzoek toont aan dat je veel beter silicium kan geven om je paard weer op gang te helpen. Hoe zit dat?
TIP: make an extra drinking bucket with minerals!
A horse is very capable of deciding what nutrients it needs. HELTIE horse® Minerals may also be added to drinking water. That is why you can also make two water bowls, one with fresh water and the other with a dash of HELTIE horse® Minerals.
