Expert Horse Health & Wellbeing Advice

Nutrition is not “one size fits all”  Horses have, by nature, transitioned into a life in stables. When creating a feeding plan, it’s important to keep your horse’s origins in mind. This means: forage forms the basis of every ration and pasture access is important. 

Let’s get real about something a little messy: manure. Sure, it might not top your list of favorite topics. But here's the truth—your horse's manure is a goldmine of insight into their health. Learn to read it, and you'll spot issues early, avoid expensive vet bills, and keep your horse happier and healthier. Ignore it, and you could miss signs of trouble until it's too late. In this guide, we’ll go beyond the basics to show you exactly what your horse’s manure says—and how you can use that information to manage their health proactively. 1. Color & Consistency: Your Horse’s Health Barometer The ideal horse manure should be moist, neatly formed balls, usually greenish-brown. Easy to pick up, no fuss. But variations can mean problems: Runny or wet manure: Not just messy stalls—it can point toward stress, sudden diet shifts, bacterial or viral infections, or even parasites lurking inside. Have you recently changed their diet or routine? If not, dig deeper—it's time to investigate parasites or gut issues. Dry, pellet-like manure: Warning bells for dehydration, low water intake, or insufficient fiber. Your horse might need more forage or better hydration strategies. Black or reddish manure: This one’s serious. Dark or bloody tinged manure indicates internal bleeding—your horse needs veterinary attention ASAP. 2. Undigested Feed Particles: Why Chewing Matters More Than You Think Spotting grain or hay pieces in manure? Don’t brush it off. It often signals: Dental discomfort: Tooth pain or dental issues make chewing difficult, decreasing nutrient absorption. Regular dental check-ups aren’t optional—they’re essential. Digestive inefficiencies: Your horse might not be digesting nutrients properly. Time to reevaluate feed quality or digestive aids. 3. Manure Frequency: Counting Matters Healthy horses typically drop manure 8-12 times daily. Keep track: Fewer droppings: Watch out. Could indicate dangerous conditions like colic or impaction. Act fast—your horse might be suffering quietly. Excessive droppings: If your horse seems to poop constantly but maintains poor condition, nutrient absorption might be impaired. Time to check diet composition and digestive health. 4. Odor: Trust Your Nose Horse manure typically has an earthy, mild odor. Here’s when you should worry: Strong, foul-smelling manure: Likely a bacterial imbalance or infection like Salmonella. Don't gamble—call your vet. Sharp, sour smell: Indicates too many rapidly fermenting carbohydrates (grain overload). Adjust feeding gradually and carefully to avoid bigger digestive upsets. 5. Worms in Manure: Parasites Aren’t Always Hidden Sometimes, parasites openly declare war: Long, spaghetti-like roundworms (Ascarids): Common in younger horses. They can lead to severe colic or intestinal blockage. Act fast. Tiny rice-like tapeworm segments: Tapeworm infestations increase colic risk by obstructing intestines. Take action immediately. Pinworms (around anus): Causes tail rubbing, irritation. Not life-threatening, but extremely uncomfortable. Solve it with targeted treatments. Strongyles: Often microscopic, but heavy burdens wreak havoc internally. Regular fecal tests are your best weapon here. 6. Parasites and Gut Health: Understanding the Connection Worm infections severely impact gut health. Parasites damage intestinal linings, disrupt beneficial gut bacteria, and hinder nutrient absorption. While deworming treatments are vital for eliminating parasites, they temporarily stress your horse’s gut and disrupt natural gut flora. 7. Optimal Worm Management: A Proactive Approach Gone are the days of deworming on a schedule. Why? Because resistance is on the rise. Enter Worm & Co, the expert in equine fecal testing. Research shows that 74% of horses are dewormed unnecessarily. Not only does this harm your horse’s gut health—it fuels faster resistance development. That’s why Worm & Co promotes a smarter strategy: test before you treat. With Worm & Co, you get: Professional and accurate manure analysis Personalized insights into your horse’s parasite load A sustainable worm management plan It’s the gold standard for keeping your horse healthy and avoiding unnecessary treatments. 💡 Did you know? Parasite resistance means that formerly reliable treatments like ivermectin and moxidectin don’t work as long as they used to. Testing helps you stay one step ahead. How Does Optimal Worm Management Look? Fecal testing 3-4x per year Targeted treatment only when needed Follow-up testing 14 days after treatment Pasture rotation and manure removal With Worm & Co as your guide, you’re not guessing—you’re leading with knowledge. 8. Gut Health: Your Horse’s Defense & Recovery System Maintaining a healthy gut is your horse’s greatest shield against parasites: Blocks infestations: Strengthens gut barriers, preventing parasite attachment. Accelerates recovery: A healthy gut heals faster post-infection. Eases deworming side-effects: Reduces stress on the gut, facilitating quick restoration of balance. How Curafyt Supports Your Horse’s Gut Health At Curafyt, we know a resilient gut is your horse’s best health investment. A strong digestive system prevents issues and accelerates recovery post-deworming. That’s why we've crafted targeted supplements to reinforce gut balance, support rapid healing, and build lasting resilience. Meet Guts & Glory: Your Horse’s Digestive Hero Our plant-based powerhouse, Guts & Glory, is packed with essential digestive enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics. Designed specifically to restore gut flora, it repairs intestinal lining, fortifies the mucosal barrier, and promotes internal detoxification. This gives your horse the strongest foundation for long-term health, from the inside out. Bottom Line: Your horse’s manure is trying to tell you something. Are you listening?With  Worm & Co by your side for accurate testing, and Curafyt’s Guts & Glory to support gut health, you’ve got the tools to prevent problems before they start. Let’s stop guessing and start listening—because your horse deserves proactive care rooted in knowledge.  

  Discover the Simple Vet Recommendation That's Transforming Underweight Horses You've tried everything... 🤔🐴 ✔️ Deworming✔️ Vet checks✔️ Dental work And still, your horse remains frustratingly thin. Sound familiar? You're not alone. In fact, "My horse is too skinny" is the #1 concern we hear from horse owners just like you in the winter period. But here's the good news: There's a solution. And it's simpler than you might think. We’re going to reveal… 🎉 The hidden reason why some horses can't gain weight (hint: it's not what you're feeding them) The 3-step system that's helped thousands of horses reach their ideal weight Why traditional weight gain advice might be doing more harm than good Plus, I'll share the exciting breakthrough in equine nutrition that's changing the game for skinny horses everywhere. Ready to transform your horse's health? Let's dive in… "My horse is too skinny. What can I do?" 😩 Now, as a horse owner myself, I know how worrying it can be when your four-legged friend just can't seem to keep weight on... No matter how much you feed them or how carefully you follow your vet's advice. It's frustrating, it's scary, and it can leave you feeling helpless. But here's the thing: There's almost always a solution. You just need to know where to look. So today, I want to dive deep into this issue and share some insights that might just change the game for you and your skinny horse. Ready? Let's gallop right in! The Skinny Horse Dilemma: What's Really Going On? First things first, let's talk about what might be causing your horse's weight issues. Now,  if you've already: Dewormed your horse Had a vet check Made sure their teeth are in good shape Great! You're ahead of the game. But here's the kicker: Even with all that, some horses still struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Why? Well, there could be a few reasons: Dietary imbalances Digestive issues Underlying health problems Stress or environmental factors The key is to identify which of these might be affecting your horse. But don't worry, we're going to tackle each of these head-on. The Foundation: Roughage is King Before we dive into specific solutions, let's talk about the cornerstone of any horse's diet: Roughage 🙌 I can't stress this enough: Good quality hay or pasture should always be the foundation of your horse's diet. Why? Because horses are designed to be constant grazers. Their digestive systems work best when they're processing a steady stream of fiber-rich food. So, step one in your skinny horse transformation: Make sure your horse has unlimited access to high-quality hay or pasture. When Good Hay Isn't Enough: Enter the Power of Mash Now, what if your horse has dental issues that make it hard to chew hay? Or what if they're just not getting enough nutrients from hay alone? That's where a good mash comes in. But not just any mash will do. You want one that's: High in fiber Low in sugar Easy to digest Some great options include: ZUPA, Seniores Priores, Fibrbeet, ...These mashes can provide the extra nutrients your horse needs without overloading their system with hard-to-digest grains. The Protein Powerhouse: Alfalfa Speaking of extra nutrients, let's talk about alfalfa. This isn't just any old hay. Alfalfa is a protein powerhouse that can really help put weight on a skinny horse. But that's not all. Alfalfa also: Provides essential amino acids Offers a good source of calcium Helps buffer stomach acid (great for horses prone to ulcers) So consider adding some alfalfa to your horse's diet. It might just be the boost they need. 💥💪 Your Secret Weapon: The Right Blend of Oils Now, I know what you might be thinking: "I've heard horses can't digest oil because they don't have a gallbladder!" 🤔But here's the truth: While horses don't have a gallbladder, they absolutely can digest fats. They just need the right kind of fat, in the right amounts. And that's where our Grow&Glow oil comes in. This isn't your average corn oil (which, by the way, is high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids). Grow&Glow is a specially formulated blend of: Flaxseed oil (high in omega-3s) Microalgae oil (our secret ingredient!) Coconut oil Allowing you to increase the energy density of your horse’s diet with extra fat, without feeding extra grain. With typical hay/grain diets a horse is only able to utilize 50-60% of the energy in the feed vs 90% of the energy in oils. Why This Blend is Superior for Horses Balanced Omega 6:3 ratio Unlike corn oil (often used in horse diets), which is high in omega-6 and can contribute to inflammation and related issues, Grow & Glow blend prioritizes omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for supporting cell function and immune function, and promoting overall health.  With microalgae oil providing DHA—a form of omega-3 that’s immediately usable by your horse—this blend ensures your horse gets the fatty acids they need for optimal health without the inflammatory risks of omega-6-heavy oils. The power of combining ALA from flaxseed oil and DHA from microalgae oil Think of omega-3s as a power duo for your horse's health.  New research shows that flaxseed oil's ALA (omega-3) is like a smart detective that finds health sensitivities, while microalgae oil's DHA (omega-3) is the superhero that instantly supports them. So you need both! Horses can only convert a tiny 10% of ALA into useful omega-3s, which means traditional supplements with only flaxseed are mostly wasted.  By combining ALA's immune-signaling abilities with DHA's direct cellular support, this combo provides a scientific breakthrough: better immune function, faster healing, and stronger overall health that ALA alone could never achieve. Enhanced Absorption with Coconut Oil (MCTs) Coconut oil’s medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) boost the incorporation of omega-3s into cell membranes, making their benefits—like healthier skin, hooves, and energy metabolism—available faster. MCTs also provide easily digestible energy for active or recovering horses. Antioxidant Protection with Vitamin E Vitamin E protects omega-3s from oxidation, ensuring they remain effective while also supporting your horse’s immune and muscle health. Natural vitamin E is significantly more bioavailable than synthetic forms, meaning your horse absorbs and uses it more efficiently. This is crucial when adding oils to your horse’s diet to maximize their benefits and maintain overall health. Avoiding the Pitfalls of Single Oils Omega-6 Overload: Oils high in omega-6, like corn or sunflower, can worsen inflammation. Linseed Limitations: Only 10% of ALA converts to usable omega-3, making it less efficient than microalgae oil. Key Takeaway 📌 The Grow & Glow blend delivers a perfectly balanced, highly bioavailable solution that supports your horse’s health more effectively than any single oil.   How to Use Oil Safely Now, it’s true that horses can’t handle large amounts of fat at once. That’s why we recommend splitting the daily dose over at least two meals and gradually introducing it into their diet. This allows their digestive system to adjust and ensures they can comfortably process the added fat without any issues. When used as directed, oil supplementation is not only safe but has been scientifically proven to support gut health, body weight, stamina, skin health and overall immunity. When Diet Alone Isn't Cutting It: The Gut Health Connection Now, here's where things get really interesting. Sometimes, even with the perfect diet, horses still struggle to gain weight. Why? Because the problem isn't what's going into their body... it's how their body is processing it. That's right, we're talking about gut health. And this is where a product like Guts&Glory comes in, in combination with Grow&Glow.  This isn't just another probiotic. It's a holistic approach to gut health that: Repairs intestinal cells Strengthens the gut barrier Improves digestion with digestive enzymes Balances the microbiome with pre- and probiotics and Saccharomyces In other words, it helps your horse get the most out of every bite they eat. But here's the kicker: Most probiotics on the market? They're just pre- and probiotics. And sure, that sounds good on paper... But if the intestine itself isn't healthy, those probiotics are just going to flush right out. That's where Guts&Glory is different. We don't just add good bacteria and hope for the best. We restore the entire ecosystem. Think of it like this: We're not just adding fish to a polluted pond. We're cleaning the water, balancing the pH, adding plants, and THEN introducing the fish. 🧑🔬🐟 The result? A thriving, balanced gut environment where those good bacteria can really go to work. And a horse that's finally able to use all the nutrients you're providing. Now that's what I call getting the most out of every bite! 🍽️💪🐴 The Bottom Line If you're dealing with a skinny horse, remember: Start with a solid foundation of good-quality roughage Consider adding a fibre-rich, low-sugar mash if needed Don't forget the power of protein (alfalfa) Add the right kind of oil, like Grow&Glow, for an extra calorie boost Address gut health with a product like Guts&Glory And most importantly, be patient. Weight gain in horses takes time. But with the right approach, you can help your skinny horse become the healthy, vibrant horse they were meant to be. Have you tried any of these strategies? I'd love to hear about your experiences! Until next time, Veterinarian Valerie 👩⚕️🩺

Colic is a common problem in horses that can range from mild abdominal pain to a life-threatening condition. Recognizing colic symptoms is crucial for timely treatment of this condition.

Studies have shown that nearly 70% of sport horses have gastric ulcers [1]. Gastric ulcers are highly painful and can lead to decreased performance, reduced appetite, colic, and other health issues. Read on to learn how gastric ulcers can develop, how to recognize them, and what you can do to prevent them.