Untimely rains during the haying season result in anxious farmers and calls regarding methods of preserving hay as an alternative to dry hay. Under normal conditions, hay is cut, crimped, raked and/or turned to reduce drying time, and then baled. … Continue reading →

By E.O’Flynn MRCVS It is that time of year again when many horses become infested with lice. Infestations usually occur in the Winter months when the coat is long. What types of lice affect horses? There are 2 types of … Continue reading →

This article was written by Catriona Murphy. Foaling season brings with it the next generation of equine sports stars, all of them long-legged and inquisitive, following closely behind their dams. However, not every foaling goes well or naturally and there … Continue reading →

Dr Jack Murphy of the UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine and tells us that researchers from UCD are undertaking a national survey to determine the levels of crib-biting in young horses. Crib-biting, he says, represents a … Continue reading →

It is well established that increased age is associated with a decrease in fertility. Fertility declines in mares over 10 years of age. While the live foal rate in mares aged four years is approximately 75%, this drops to 50% … Continue reading →

Strangles is an infectious disease of horses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi. It is a highly contagious disease most commonly seen in young horses and foals but horses of all ages can be affected. What are the signs of … Continue reading →

Many cuts on horses go untreated, but one surgical intervention that is always accompanied by tetanus prevention treatment is castration. A lot of colts are castrated during the spring time of their yearling year, however autumn time gives horse owners … Continue reading →

What is a melanoma? A melanoma is a tumour of the melanin-producing cells of the skin. Melanin is the pigment that makes some skin darker than others and is especially plentiful in the skin of grey horses. What does a … Continue reading →

Small redworms: Cyathostomes or “Redworms” are the most common equine parasite. The adult worm lives in the large intestine where large amounts of eggs are laid. These eggs are passed into the faeces and develop into an infective larva on … Continue reading →

There is no easy answer to this question, but there are a number of things you should consider before making your decision. First, there is the cost of the breeding and the year spent waiting for the foal. You must … Continue reading →