Blog

The way we manage our horses can have a great effect on the health and function of their joints through-out their lifetime.  Due to a poor design, horses have relatively small joints in comparison to their body size, so a lot of pressure is put upon these joints. However, we see more issues in the d...

Written by Olivia Colton MSc Tying-up, Monday morning disease, exertional rhabdomyolysis, setfast and azorturia are alternative names for the same condition.  We still do not know all the answers about this muscular disorder, though modern research is helping us see how and why horses tie-up a littl...

  If your horse has been lacking in energy then start with some basic checks...

  Fuel – Are you giving the right fuel for your horse’s energy requirements?

• Feed quality (in date and good specification)
• Correct quantity – too little or too much can = less energy
• Vitamin & Mineral intake – p...

  Crib-biting and windsucking used to be called stable vices, but as horses are increasingly studied we understand more about the motivation behind these behaviours, and they have been renamed as oral stereotypies.  These ‘habits’ are defined as “repetitive behaviours induced by frustration, repeat...

We all know that we should feed electrolytes after our horse has been sweating a lot, but many people do not know what they are, and why they are important. Our Nutritionist Olivia Colton MSc explains…

What are electrolytes?

The science bit! Electrolytes are compounds that when in a s...

Giant Hogweed, or Heracleum mantegazzianum is a white flowering plant in the carrot family, which looks similar to a very large hemlock.  It is also known as ‘hogsbane’, ‘giant cow parsnip’ or ‘cartwheel flower’.  It was introduced to Britain by the Victorians as an ornamental plant, and is now ...

The current heat wave is a godsend for most of us after months of dreary, dull weather, but for your horses sudden excessively warm weather can be very detrimental, leading to dehydration or heat stroke if you don’t look after your horses correctly. WATCH OUT FOR HEAT STRESS  If your horse is expose...

What is it about this bright yellow-orange spice that has caused such a stir throughout the human and equine world?  

  The use of Turmeric began in Indian Ayurveda. It harbours many properties which account for its use as one of the earliest food preservatives.  Other traditional Ayurvedic uses...

We all know that we should feed electrolytes after our horse has been sweating a lot, but many people do not know what they are, and why they are important.  Our Nutritionist Olivia Colton MSc explains… What are electrolytes? The science bit! Electrolytes are compounds that when in a solution become...

We often get calls from customers wanting advice regarding their horse snacking on plants in hedgerows - should they do it, and why are they picking out that particular flower? Horses are known to self-select, choosing the herbs and plants that will help with particular ailments that they may have, ...

Show season is well and truly upon us and whatever sphere you like to complete in summer is an ideal time to take your horse out and about.  Heat and busy environments can make shows a stressful place for both you and your horse, so here at Feedmark we are sharing our top tips for successful, stress...

Flying insects are the bane of many horse and owners’ summer months. For some horses, flies and mosquitoes are more than just a general annoyance- horse’s performance can suffer due to lack of concentration, head tossing and stomping; some horses may come out in hives due to insect bites, and even k...