Mad Barn Academy

Supplements targeting joint health are some of the most sought-after dietary supplements for horses, especially due to the high prevalence of joint injuries and deterioration later in life.

But which equine joint supplements actually work and which are all hype? Many of the ingredients often touted for improving joint health have limited research in horses.

And some of the most popular supplements believed to work have been demonstrated ineffective when actually studied in equine populations. (You may be surprised by which ingredients DON’T work.)

That being said, there are some compounds that have been well-researched in horses and demonstrate efficacy for improving metrics of joint comfort, health and function.

In this podcast, we will review the research behind 8 of the most popular joint supplements for horses and help you decide which are worth your money and which should be avoided.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/best-joint-supplements-for-horses/

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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.

The type and amount of bedding you use for horses affects more than just how long it takes you to clean his stall. Bedding adds cushion to the floor of your horse’s living space, absorbs moisture, and helps control odours that could harm your horse’s respiratory health.

Bedding depth also influences resting behaviours. Good bedding materials provide enough cushion for horses to lie down and are easy for care staff to keep clean.

Different materials have unique advantages and disadvantages. Selecting the best bedding for your horse will depend on budget, housing situation, health needs, and the available materials in your location.

This podcast will discuss the benefits of bedding and review common types of bedding materials used for horses.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/best-bedding-for-horses/

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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.

Antibiotics or antimicrobial drugs are effective medications for the treatment of bacterial infections in horses.

Common equine infections requiring antibiotics include infected skin wounds and abscesses, pneumonia, infectious diarrhea, cellulitis, peritonitis and more.

Many antibiotics have broad-spectrum action meaning they act against many different bacteria. Others more specifically target certain bacterial strains. Your veterinarian can determine which antibiotic is appropriate for your horse given their medical situation.

These drugs are not without risks, and they can have adverse effects on horse health when given without veterinary oversight.

As a horse owner, it is important to understand how antibiotics work, when they should be used and how to properly administer them to your horse.

This podcast will review antibiotic use in horses, types of equine antibiotics, and how to limit the associated risks for your horse.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/antibiotics-for-horses/

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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.

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a medicinal plant that is frequently used to soothe skin irritations. The gel of the inner leaf is also commonly fed to reduce or prevent gastric irritations and ulcers in horses.

Aloe vera gel contains several active ingredients with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects. This herbal remedy also stimulates mucous production and influences gastric acid production.

Although commonly fed to horses as an anti-ulcer agent, there has only been one study to examine the effects of aloe vera effects on horses with gastric ulcers. High doses of aloe powder were shown to improve gastric ulcer severity but not to the same extent as the FDA-approved drug GastroGuard (omeprazole).

This podcast reviews the current state of knowledge on the use of aloe vera for gastric ulcers in horses.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/aloe-vera-for-horses-with-ulcers/

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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.

Alfalfa is a popular forage choice for horses and an ingredient in many equine feeds. This legume forage can be processed and preserved in many different ways to make it easier to incorporate into the diet.

Alfalfa is nutrient-dense and is an excellent source of energy, protein and minerals in the equine diet. It is also typically low in non-structural carbohydrate content.

This makes it a valuable roughage to include in the diets of pregnant and lactating mares, mature performance horses, or other horses requiring protein supplementation.

However, some horse owners hesitate to feed alfalfa due to concerns about its safety. If you are considering adding alfalfa to your horse’s diet, and want to know if it is a good choice, then this podcast is for you.

Read more: https://madbarn.com/alfalfa-for-horses/

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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 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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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.