Horse Education Online

06/06/2026

Come see Horse Education Online at the Western States Horse Expo! From our real horse skeleton, our “Build-a-Horse” game, Horse Tracker Software, to our homeschool/charter school-approved educational programs, we have something for everyone!

06/05/2026

When a horse loses weight, the immediate instinct is often to pour more grain into the bucket. But adding calories without investigating the cause can mask underlying problems.

Start with a body condition score to confirm actual loss versus normal fluctuation. Then evaluate forage quality and quantity, poor hay means poor nutrition regardless of grain.

Dental issues prevent proper chewing and digestion. Parasite burden steals nutrients. Chronic pain, such as from arthritis or ulcers, reduces feed intake. Metabolic disease, organ issues, or even social stress in group turnout can also play roles.

Work through each possibility systematically. The Weight and Body Condition Calculator helps track changes over time. Share trends with your veterinarian before making major diet adjustments.

Use the Horse Weight and Body Condition Calculator and track changes over time.

06/02/2026

Sodium and chloride are essential daily minerals for horses. A salt block offers free-choice access, but consumption varies widely. Some horses lick very little, especially if the block becomes dirty, hard, or unappealing.

Loose salt mixed into feed provides a measurable daily intake. This becomes particularly important during hot weather, heavy sweating, transport stress, or intense workloads.

Owners should also understand the difference between plain salt (sodium chloride) and electrolyte supplements. Electrolytes replace sodium, potassium, and chloride lost in sweat, often requiring more targeted dosing.

The Salt and Electrolyte Calculator on Horse Education Online helps estimate needs based on conditions and activity.

06/02/2026

Three conditions that are frequently discussed together are lumbosacral (LS) pain, sacroiliac (SI) region pain, and primary hindlimb lameness. These conditions often produce similar signs, including reluctance to work, difficulty engaging the hindquarters, poor impulsion, and reduced athletic performance. In many horses, more than one condition may be present simultaneously, making diagnosis even more complicated.

Understanding the differences between these disorders can help owners, trainers, and riders communicate more effectively with their veterinarian and recognize when further investigation is needed.

Click the link below to learn more at Horse Education Online.

Three conditions that are frequently discussed together are lumbosacral (LS) pain, sacroiliac (SI) region pain, and primary hindlimb lameness. These conditions often produce similar signs, and understanding the differences between these disorders can help owners, trainers, and riders communicate mor...

05/30/2026

Vaccine dates, deworming schedules, feed adjustments, subtle symptoms, medication dosages, and weight changes all matter for equine health. Relying on memory increases the risk of missed boosters, overlapping treatments, or delayed recognition of patterns.

Consistent records help owners and veterinarians spot changes early. A log of past symptoms can clarify whether a new sign is truly new. Feed histories explain weight fluctuations. Medication notes prevent accidental double-dosing.

Horse Tracker offers a centralized place to store these observations. Enter information as it happens, then review the timeline before appointments or decisions.

This tool supports awareness, it does not replace veterinary exams or diagnostics. Use records to ask better questions, not to self-diagnose.

Start tracking before the next detail slips away.

05/28/2026

Whether a horse is sprinting down a racetrack, collecting in a dressage arena, navigating rough trail terrain, or simply walking through a pasture, the hock is heavily involved in every stride.

Understanding how the hock works can help horse owners better recognize early signs of discomfort, make informed decisions about hoof care and training, and appreciate just how much stress this region endures throughout a horse’s life.

The equine hock, also called the tarsus, is one of the most important structures in the horse’s hind limb. It plays a central role in movement, athletic performance, balance, and soundness. Because of this, the hock is also one of the most common locations for arthritis, strain, and performance-re...

05/26/2026

Taking a horse’s temperature provides an objective data point. Normal adult range generally falls between 99–101.5°F, but deviations warrant attention.

However, fever alone never tells the full story. A horse with a mild temperature but bright attitude, normal manure, good water intake, and pink, moist gums may differ significantly from a horse with a normal temperature who stands dull, refuses feed, or shows labored breathing.

Owners should monitor multiple signs: appetite, manure output, hydration, respiratory rate, gum color, and any pain behaviors like flank watching or pawing.

If fever combines with lethargy, reduced eating, or other abnormalities, contact a veterinarian promptly. The Horse Education Online fever guide helps organize observations before that call.

Save this and read the Horse Education Online fever guide.

05/22/2026

A farrier career is skilled, physical, and deeply connected to horse movement, anatomy, and long-term soundness.

It is not just trimming or shoeing.

Good farriers need horsemanship, anatomy knowledge, problem-solving ability, patience, communication skills, and business sense.

If you are thinking about becoming a farrier, start by understanding what the work actually involves.

05/21/2026

The equine carpus (knee) is one of the most important joints in the horse’s body. Every time a horse gallops, lands from a jump, turns sharply, or even walks across uneven ground, the carpus helps absorb force and stabilize the limb. Because of the tremendous stresses placed on it, the carpus is also one of the most commonly injured joints in athletic horses.

Understanding how this joint works can help recognize problems early, understand veterinary recommendations, and appreciate why proper conditioning and management matter so much.

The equine carpus is one of the most important joints in the horse’s body. Every time a horse gallops, lands from a jump, turns sharply, or even walks across uneven ground, the carpus helps absorb force and stabilize the limb. Because of the tremendous stresses placed on it, the carpus is also one...

05/19/2026

When you create a free account on Horse Education Online, you automatically get access to our Horse Tracker Basic! Track one horse for free, or upgrade to Horse Tracker+ to track your whole herd!