Mad Barn Academy

A proper grooming routine involves more than just knocking the dirt off your horse’s coat before tacking up. A well-groomed horse is a well-cared-for horse. Learning to groom your horse correctly and following a thorough daily grooming routine can significantly benefit their health and well-being. Horse owners can also use this time to bond with their horses and check for signs of health problems that might need attention. But if you’re new to caring for a horse, you might not know where to start. Even if you’re an experienced equestrian, this guide from a former professional groom can help you up your grooming game. While there are plenty of grooming tips and tricks, there are no shortcuts to a well-groomed horse. This podcast will also discuss the the tools every horse owner needs in their grooming kit. Keep reading to learn how to keep your horse happy and healthy with a comprehensive, step-by-step grooming guide. Read more: https://madbarn.com/how-to-groom-a-horse/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

A strong hoof is the foundation of a sound horse. When it comes to proper hoof care, it’s all about balance. All horses need regular farrier care, and working with an experienced farrier is one of the best investments you can make in your horse’s soundness. Maintaining correct hoof balance with regular trimming and shoeing by a qualified farrier prevents overloading structures in the limb and allows the hoof to function optimally. A collaborative approach between your veterinarian, your equine nutritionist, and your farrier is the best way to optimize your horse’s hoof health. This podcast will review everything horse owners need to know about proper farrier care for horses. We will also discuss how hoof balance, trimming, and shoeing influence your horse’s health and performance, as well as discuss the recent trend toward barefoot trimming. Read more: https://madbarn.com/farrier-care-for-horses/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Modern domestic horses have very different lifestyles than their wild ancestors. While keeping horses in stalls is convenient for humans, confinement can be detrimental for animals who evolved to graze and walk throughout the day. Turning horses out to pasture provides freedom of movement in a controlled outdoor environment. Regular turnout can improve your horse’s mental and physical health, even if your horse already gets frequent exercise under saddle. While turnout involves some risk of injury, greater turnout time generally provides more benefits for equine welfare. However, the best turnout schedule for your horse will vary depending on their unique needs and preferences. This podcast will review everything horse owners need to know about turning out their horses, including the benefits of turnout and how to keep horses safe in the field. Read more: https://madbarn.com/turnout-for-horses/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Grazing muzzles are a staple in the tack room of many pony and horse owners. These muzzles fit over the mouth and nose of a horse and restrict grass intake while allowing access to pasture. Grazing muzzles have been shown to reduce dry matter intake by between 30 – 80%. These devices can help prevent laminitis and obesity in horses or ponies by decreasing calorie and sugar intake. If your horse is over-conditioned and needs to lose weight, using a muzzle while on pasture will help you manage your horse’s weight without needing to isolate them to a stall or dry lot.  Grazing muzzles allow the horse to be turned out in a herd, enabling social interaction and providing more space to move around. These devices are safe when used properly and have not been shown to cause psychological or physiological stress in horses or ponies. This podcast reviews how and when to use a grazing muzzle. Read more: https://madbarn.com/grazing-muzzles-for-horses/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

How much water does your horse need to drink every day to stay healthy and how much do water requirements increase in hot conditions or when working? Ensuring adequate water intake is important for the optimal health and well-being of all horses. Some horses are more susceptible to becoming dehydrated and have a higher need for water. A typical, idle 500 kg horse requires at least 25 litres (6.6 US gallons) of water per day. In hot weather, horses may require 55 litres (15 US gallons) per day and they may need anywhere from 40 – 70 litres (10 – 18 gallons) per day when exercising. Even if you give your horse constant access to fresh, clean water, horses will not always drink enough water to avoid dehydration. In particular, water intake should be intentionally encouraged in exercising horses, lactating mares, and horses with gastrointestinal issues, and during both hot and cold weather. This podcast discusses why adequate water intake is important, the factors that can affect water intake, how to assess dehydration, and how to encourage water consumption in horses. Read more: https://madbarn.com/how-much-water-should-horses-drink/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Equine osteoarthritis is a common condition in the aging horse. Osteoarthritis (also known as Degenerative Joint Disease) involves joint inflammation and progressive degeneration of the cartilage lining. It also involves changes in the bone and soft tissues of the joint. Arthritis is thought to affect more than half of all horses over the age of 15. It is also the leading cause of lameness in horses.  Horses engaged in high-intensity exercise, such as racing, may develop osteoarthritis at an earlier age due to wear-and-tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but with proper management, many horses can continue to live comfortably and maintain a good level of fitness. A balanced feeding program that provides anti-inflammatory nutrients can help to support healthy joints. In addition, modified exercise routines, medications and therapeutic bodywork can also manage arthritic pain in your horse. This podcast reviews arthritis symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and nutritional considerations. Read more: https://madbarn.com/how-to-manage-arthritis-in-horses/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Horses are prone to hoof cracks for various reasons. Cracks can lead to the hoof chipping away in certain areas. Cracks can be a cosmetic problem that can be easily corrected, but sometimes, they indicate something more serious is happening within the hoof. Hoof cracks are usually described by their location, length (partial or full), and the presence or absence of bleeding and/or infection. In many cases, the underlying hoof damage is considerably more extensive than what is seen from the outside.  This podcast features details on hoof anatomy, summarizes the main causes and types of hoof cracks and highlights the most effective treatments. Read more: https://madbarn.com/hoof-cracks-in-horses/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Horses may not require as much sleep as humans, but quality sleep is still vital for your equine’s overall health and well-being. Although horses can sleep standing up thanks to their unique stay apparatus, REM sleep is only possible when they are lying down, and their muscles can relax. Many factors can prevent a horse from getting enough quality sleep and lead to signs of sleep deprivation. Factors include pain, injury, health conditions, loud or bright barn environments, and even social hierarchy. While equine sleep disorders are still poorly understood, horse owners should be aware of the signs of sleep deprivation in horses and take action to improve their horse’s sleep quality. This podcast will review the current science on equine sleep patterns and the consequences, signs, and treatment of sleep deprivation in horses. Read more: https://madbarn.com/sleep-deprivation-in-horses/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Tying-up in horses is a colloquial term for Exertional Rhabdomyolysis, a condition involving exercise-related muscle cramping and damage. Some horses experience a single episode of tying up whereas others experience recurrent tying-up. During an episode, the affected horse becomes stiff and reluctant to move. Your horse may only taking short, shuffled steps. In severe cases, a horse displays signs of distress including pawing at the ground, excessive sweating, and quick, shallow breathing due to the pain associated with this condition. Tying-up episodes should be taken seriously. If your horse is displaying signs, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately. The veterinarian can help identify whether this is a sporadic case or whether your horse is genetically susceptible to recurrent tying-up episodes. This podcast reviews the types, symptoms, causes and management. Read more: https://madbarn.com/tying-up-in-horses/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Horses can experience a number of different dental issues over their lifetime, impacting their ability to chew and digest their feed. Unaddressed dental issues can affect your horse’s health, condition, behaviour and performance. This is why it’s important to have your horse’s teeth checked by an experienced veterinarian or equine dentist on a regular basis. Dental problems are the third most common medical problem seen in large animal practices in the U.S. Unfortunately, postmortem studies show high levels of clinically significant, undiagnosed dental disorders in horses.  This means that many horses are not getting the dental care they need. In this podcast, we will discuss some of the common dental issues facing horses and signs of teeth problems and their treatment. Read more: https://madbarn.com/dental-issues-in-horses/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Dehydration is a serious problem in competing and working horses, especially during hot weather. Horses are very sweaty animals and can quickly become dehydrated. Horses competing in endurance racing or engaging in sustained heavy exercise are at the highest risk of dehydration. Dehydration occurs when your horse loses excessive fluids from sweat, urine, feces, and respiration. If your horse does not drink enough to offset the fluid loss, she can become dehydrated. The most common signs of dehydration are poor performance, loss of skin elasticity, weakness and increased respiratory rate. Dehydration also increases the risk of heat stroke, tying-up and slow exercise recovery. Knowing the signs of dehydration and how to help keep your horse hydrated is important for every horse owner. Read more: https://madbarn.com/dehydration-in-horses/ ⁠_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at ⁠https://madbarn.com⁠ for more resources, videos and articles.

Colic is one of the most feared conditions within the equine community. As many horse owners know, colic is an unpredictable, painful, and sometimes fatal condition. Colic refers to abdominal pain in horses that can lead to potentially serious health complications. Cases of colic may present as mild and be resolved in less than 24 hours with or without veterinary treatment. Colic can also be more severe, requiring emergency surgery.  Colic is usually triggered by a combination of factors, including diet, workload, and stress exposure. It can also be caused by gas buildup, feed impaction, grain overload, sand ingestion or parasite infection.  Horses are more susceptible to digestive upset than other domestic animals due to their unique digestive system. Gut disorders, such as colic, diarrhea, or enterotoxemia, represent approximately 50% of medical problems in adult horses. It’s important to act quickly and call your veterinarian if your horse shows signs of colic, such as pawing, rolling, laying down, loss of appetite or other signs of discomfort. Colic is something all horse owners strive to prevent. In this podcast, we will discuss strategies you can employ to reduce the risk of colic and other digestive problems in your horse. Read more: https://madbarn.com/prevent-colic-in-horses/_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Flies are more than just a nuisance to horses and their owners. Without proper fly control, these insects can transmit diseases to your horse and cause skin irritations. Effective fly control for horses starts before fly season begins with environmental management strategies to prevent flies from breeding on your farm. You can also protect your horses from flies by adding features to your barns that discourage insects from hanging around horses. Fly spray is one of the most common methods for controlling flies. But horses often need added protection from wearable fly gear to stay comfortable during peak fly season. Feed-through fly control is also available for horses, and some supplements may help support skin health in horses sensitive to bug bites. This podcast will review everything horse owners need to know about effective fly control for horses. Listen now to learn how flies impact horse health and the best strategies for protecting your horse from biting insects. Read more: https://madbarn.com/fly-control-for-horses/_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Coughing is a common clinical sign in horses that can be entirely benign or the first clue of a medical condition. Your horse’s cough is a normal reflex that keeps his airway healthy and clean. But some conditions associated with coughing require immediate veterinary care. Horse owners should learn to identify different types of coughs to determine when to call the vet. While certain diseases only respond to medical treatments, feeding and environmental changes can also help manage coughing in horses. This podcast will review the causes, symptoms and diagnosis of coughing in horses. We will also discuss treatment options for breathing conditions and how horse owners can address respiratory health with management changes and nutritional support. Read more: https://madbarn.com/coughing-in-horses/_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Whether you are a seasoned equestrian or a new horse owner, trailering your horse can be a daunting task but does not have to be uncomfortable for you or your horse. Many factors influence equine welfare while trailering. However, the right vehicle, proper trailer maintenance, careful driving, and thorough preparation will help ensure a safe and successful journey with your horse. Ensure your horse is familiar with the trailer before hitting the road, and practice loading and unloading several times at home. To keep your horse safe, it is imperative to gather relevant paperwork and carry the necessary equipment you or your horse may require. Even with the best preparation, travelling to new facilities, competitions, or clinics can cause travel stress in horses. Trailering also increases the risk of dehydration, ulcers, gut issues, and respiratory problems. This podcast will review trailering tips to keep your horses happy and safe on the road and discuss how to support equine health while travelling. Read more: https://madbarn.com/trailering-your-horse/_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Looking for ways to prevent boredom in your horse? Enrichment activities for your horse don’t need to cost a lot and can be easy to set up. Many horse owners are aware of the basic components of animal welfare. You know to provide nutrition, water, shelter, safety, and medical help when needed. But a component of animal welfare that often gets missed with horses is the need to express normal and species-appropriate behaviours. It can be difficult to provide a natural lifestyle for domesticated horses that meets their social and behavioural needs. Fortunately, we can counteract deficits of the domestic environment by offering our horses enrichment (often referred to as environmental enrichment) that provides an outlet for their natural behaviours. Here we review 9 DIY enrichment activities for horses! Read more: https://madbarn.com/horse-enrichment-activities/_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Hot hooves, a sawhorse stance, severe lameness; these are all signs of laminitis – one of the most dreaded equine conditions for good reason. In severe instances, laminitis can lead to euthanasia of the horse. Laminitis occurs when there is separation in the laminae of the hoof — where the hoof wall is connected to the coffin bone. It can occur in one or multiple hooves at the same time. The separation can lead to permanent structural changes in the foot and lasting lameness. It can sometimes result in severe coffin bone rotation and the coffin bone may even puncture the sole of the hoof. Researchers have learned that laminitis does not strike out of nowhere. Instead, there are often early warning signs and a prolonged subclinical phase before full-blown laminitis appears.  If you can learn to recognize these early signs in your horse, then the chances of identifying and hopefully reversing the condition before it becomes severe are much improved. Read more:  https://madbarn.com/signs-of-laminitis-in-horses/_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

A hyperactive horse is commonly referred to as a “hot” horse. You may know the feeling of dealing with a hot horse all too well: it can feel like your horse is going to explode at any moment. Hot horse behaviour is associated with changes in stress hormones. Cortisol is a stress hormones that has a cascading effect on the horse’s body. Chronically elevated cortisol levels in horses are associated with ulcers, colic, and impaired immune function.  Hyperactive behaviour can manifest as: Overreacting to new stimuliNervousness and anxietyBuckingBoltingRearing while on the ground or under saddle This unwelcome behaviour is dangerous to both horse and owner, creating fear and tension. In some cases, an owner might choose to sell their horse if the behaviour becomes too much for them to handle. Luckily, there are strategies that can be implemented to help manage hot horses. The first step is to ensure your horse has a well-balanced diet with the right amounts of energy, vitamins, and minerals. Wondering why your horse is displaying hyperactive behaviour? It may just be your horse’s personality: hot-blooded breeds such as Thoroughbreds and Arabs are known to be more reactive than others. In this podcast we review the top nine reasons your horse is acting "hot" Read more:  https://madbarn.com/why-horse-is-hot/_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Routine equine dentistry is an often overlooked aspect of preventative care that can significantly impact your horse’s welfare and performance. Horses have specialized teeth adapted to continuous grazing. Unlike human teeth, horse teeth erupt throughout their life and can become imbalanced if they are not worn down evenly. Domestic horses may have diets and eating patterns that prevent them from wearing down their teeth naturally. Uneven wear can cause significant discomfort, especially for performance horses wearing bits and bridles during exercise. Unfortunately, many horses aren’t getting the dental care they need. Postmortem studies frequently report undiagnosed dental disorders in horses.  This podcast will discuss why dentistry is critical to horse health care. We will also review everything horse owners need to know about routine dental exams and teeth floating. Read more: https://madbarn.com/horse-teeth-floating/_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.

Adding fats and oils to your horse’s diet is a great way to increase calorie supply without relying on grains and high-NSC feeds. Fats can be added to the diets of underweight horses as weight gain supplements. Oils also provide cool energy to support exercise performance, weight maintenance and gut health. High-fat feeds are typically made with rice bran, ground flax, or vegetable fat. Oils such as canola, soybean, flax, or camelina oil are also popular options for horses. All oils and pure fats provide the same amount of caloric energy per gram. However, not all oils are equal in terms of how they influence processes in the body. When deciding which fat supplement to add to your horse’s diet, equine nutritionists also care about the fatty acid composition of the feed. As this podcast will discuss why certain fat sources have advantages over others. Read more: https://madbarn.com/fat-supplements-for-horses/_______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.