Expert Horse Health & Wellbeing Advice

Dull Coat, Slow Shedding, and the Vet Finds Nothing. Does Your Horse Need a Detox?

by Valerie De Clerck on Sep 08 2026

Your horse does not have a buildup of toxins that needs flushing out. He has a liver, and in autumn that liver carries more work than at any other time of year. Here is what support really means.

Expert Horse Health & Wellbeing Advice

Horse Liver Health: Why Detox Matters More Than You Think

by Dr. Valerie De Clerck on Jul 13 2026

A slightly high liver enzyme on routine bloodwork is common and rarely an emergency, but tracking the full pattern over time with your vet, not just one number, is what actually catches hepatic stress early. Supportive herbs like milk thistle and dandelion, alongside good hay and pasture management, can help horses carrying extra liver load.

Expert Horse Health & Wellbeing Advice

Milk Thistle for Horses and Ponies: Natural Support for Your Horse's Liver

by Valerie De Clerck on Sep 19 2024

Milk thistle is a well-known liver herb for horses, and its antioxidant effects have solid backing. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms are still borrowed from other species, but a small equine trial shows real gains in energy metabolism and recovery.

Expert Horse Health & Wellbeing Advice

The Dangers of St. Jacob's Ragwort and How to Remove It from Horse Fields

by Valerie De Clerck on Aug 22 2024

Ragwort is highly toxic to horses even in small, repeated doses, and the liver damage it causes often goes unnoticed until it's irreversible. Here's how to recognize it, understand the risks, and clear it from your pasture.

Expert Horse Health & Wellbeing Advice

Equine laminitis: definition and causes

by Valerie De Clerck on Sep 21 2023

Laminitis is a painful, often preventable hoof condition with several distinct triggers, from metabolic disease and pasture fructan to excess weight and long-term corticosteroids. Here is what actually drives it and how vets assess the risk.