Every summer we have lots of people calling us concerned about their horse’s lack of energy. The first step we take is try to pin point what the likely cause is, and to do that we have to ask a few questions: 1. Is the horse otherwise healthy? If your horse is normally happy and energetic and sud...
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Since my last blog I have discovered that Fantom and I were 3rd in the National Championships at Horseshoe; what a little superstar he is! 
Watergate Endurance has been going through a somewhat quiet patch over the last few weeks, giving time to reflect and regroup with plans being made for the later...
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...
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...
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...
Needing to control the diet is a common issue that we are often quizzed about, as many horses are overweight or require a diet low in sugar and starch. It is very easy to restrict what hay and hard feed our horses receive, and we can tailor these parts of the diet to be ideal for your horse’s needs....
What is laminitis?
Laminitis is a painful swelling of the laminae, the delicate soft tissues that hold the pedal bone in place within the hoof. If these tissues are compromised, the pedal bone is not supported correctly within the foot, which may lead to it sinking or rotating. The consequen...
Mares are ‘seasonally polyoestrous’, meaning that they have a season in which they are confined to breeding (not all year round), and they cycle several times within this period. The typical breeding season is between May and October but some mares will cycle outside of these months.
Th...