top of page

How to keep your horse healthy?

Updated: Jun 30


What does it take to have a healthy horse? 🐎 What are the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to their health? In this blog post, we're going to cover everything you need to know to take care of your horse's health!


cheval en bonne santé

To have a healthy horse, it is quite obvious that you must devote time to it. This is the key so that you can intervene when needed or anticipate problems if you suspect abnormal behaviors or symptoms. There are also a few key things you need to remember:


  1. A balanced diet is the key to a healthy horse 🍎

  2. Fresh water must be available at all times 💦

  3. Horses need a lot of exercise 💪

  4. Proper shelter is essential 🏠

  5. Vaccines and dewormers are necessary to prevent diseases 💉

  6. Regular hoof care to keep your horse healthy 🩺


You could call this list the basis for all the attention your horse deserves. But do you think this is enough? It's no surprise that horses are one of the most popular animals in the world.


They are beautiful, graceful creatures that can be used for many purposes. But did you know that you can also submit your horse to a DNA test?


Yes, it's true ! And there are several uses for this, especially in terms of health! Keep reading to find out more! Assuming you already know a lot about horses, their behaviors and their anatomy, let's see how horse DNA testing can help you..


Horse hereditary disease DNA test


The DNA test will help owners of horses with a predisposition make informed breeding and health care decisions.


The test is actually a screening for inherited diseases that can help you determine if your horse is at risk of developing a specific inherited disease.

In the past, many affected horses were euthanized because there was no way to know if they passed the disease on to their offspring. Thanks to the new DNA test, breeders can make informed decisions about which stallions to use and which mares to mate. The test will also help owners of affected horses provide the best possible care for their animals.


Why do the horse disease test?


Doing this test will let you know if your horse might have one or more defective genes and yet show no symptoms. In this case, only the genetic test will be able to detect whether your horse is a carrier of a hereditary genetic disease or not.


Genetic labs can establish your pet's genetic predisposition to more than 23 different genetic diseases. By identifying the horse(s) carrying a defective gene, you can refrain from breeding them, to avoid passing on unwanted traits to their foals.


This test can also be used by veterinarians 👩🏻‍⚕️ to help confirm or rule out disease diagnoses. A DNA test for an inherited horse disease is now available.


This test can be performed with both mane and tail hair samples. It is quick, easy and relatively inexpensive.


Horse intolerance test


The idea behind the intolerance test is to see how the horse reacts to various foods and drinks. Horse owners can thus identify any food sensitivities or intolerances in their horses and adapt their diet accordingly.


While some horses may show clear signs of intolerance after consuming specific feeds or drinks, others may show no obvious reaction.


This is why it is important for all owners to carry out intolerance tests on their horses regularly, even if there are no apparent signs that anything is wrong.

This way you can ensure that your horse is not bothered and remains happy for many years to come!


What is a food intolerance?


A food intolerance is a condition where your horse has difficulty digesting a particular food. Unlike food allergy, which is a reaction of the immune system, food intolerance does not involve the immune system. However, food allergies and intolerances can cause similar symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.


Food intolerances are often due to an inability to break down certain components of the food.

For example, people with lactose intolerance lack the enzyme lactase, which is needed to break down lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Therefore, they may experience symptoms after consuming these foods.


While food allergies can be life-threatening, food intolerances are usually not serious. However, they can be unpleasant and cause people to avoid certain foods.


How to do the intolerance test?


You can do the test with a sample of your horse's hair, which the laboratory can analyze and provide you with a level of intolerance for each allergen on 3 levels:


  • Strong intolerance: the sample is positive for the allergen ❌

  • No intolerance: it's negative, there's no problem ✅

  • Mild intolerance: weak reaction to the allergen. The levels are not high enough for a positive reading. ⚠️

It is possible to order your test directly from the laboratory site in order to receive a kit to take your samples at home. You will then have to return the equipment and wait a week to receive the results.


To perform these tests, the laboratories use the latest technologies in DNA testing to guarantee you the most accurate results possible. Ultimately, horse health testing can help you make better decisions about your horse's care and management.


By having access to accurate and reliable information, you will be able to provide your horse with the best possible care.


Comments


bottom of page