All horses are stressed by travel, especially if it involves a long time in transport, but some are stressed more than others. The circumstances of shipping may make a difference in the level of stress.

Horsemen used to think that a diet of rich alfalfa could cause kidney problems in horses, but this is untrue. A healthy horse can handle extra protein just fine.

Wounds often need prompt and proper care to ensure best results in healing. Try to determine whether you can treat it yourself or need help from a veterinarian. Even in serious injuries, what you do for the horse as you wait for the veterinarian can make a difference in the final outcome.

Flies and mosquitoes can be a serious nuisance. Some are a health risk, spreading diseases like West Nile Virus, encephalomyelitis, and equine infectious anemia. Nancy Hinkle, PhD, entomologist at University of Georgia, says stable flies are annoying pests.  “They feed mainly on the lower portions of the body, around the belly and the legs. By contrast, if horses are near cattle, they may have a few horn flies on their backs,” she says.