Horse ears come in different sizes, depending on breed and genetics. They usually feel soft and fluffy – but not every horse likes to have its early warning system touched. If you are a horse owner and your horse lets you stroke its fluffy ears, this is actually a sign that your horse trusts you. The horse's ear is something very special.
Let's say you're riding your horse in the arena. You make a noise or give your horse a command. This reaches the horse's ear in the form of sound waves, which are then transmitted to the middle ear and then to the inner ear. This is where the hearing cells are located, which convert the sound waves into signals that the brain can recognize at high speed. The auditory nerves transmit these signals to the brain. The horse then processes the information and, if everything goes well, follows your instructions.
Horses are flight animals. In the wild, they need keen senses to avoid falling prey to their enemies. Their ears are therefore part of an early warning system. The sense of hearing is therefore very important for horses and is correspondingly well developed. Horses hear much better than we do, not least because they can turn their ears up to 180 degrees, even independently of each other. Horses can practically hear mice coughing. This explains why, during a leisurely ride, we may come to a spot where our horse suddenly becomes nervous and refuses to move. We hear and see nothing suspicious, but our horse senses danger. A wild boar mother walking with her young, a family of foxes out on the prowl, or perhaps just a little rabbit that has just hopped out of the way. It's no different in the riding arena. We are completely content, when suddenly our four-legged friend rears up. We humans can hear nothing and see nothing. Until it eventually becomes apparent that a mouse is nibbling at something next to the arena.
It can be even more exciting when the wind is blowing hard. It literally blows sounds into our horses' ears, which can make them nervous. They receive too much information that they may not be able to process. After all, horses' ears are in action 24 hours a day. Even when they are resting, these antennas are on. This is where they perceive, absorb, and process information. In windy conditions, this can be difficult, causing the horse to become constantly agitated.
Horses recognize our voices. The frequency range of human voices is pleasant for our beloved animals, but our spoken language is not the main form of communication for a horse. The ear and its position in conjunction with the eyes, the entire facial expression, and the posture of a horse can be indicators of its mood in the language of horses. This ranges from listening attentively with ears pricked forward to "Watch out, I'm pretty angry" with ears laid flat and perhaps a protruding mouth.
You've probably heard sayings like these before: Cats only see their owners as "can openers"! Cats aren't dogs, waiting to serve their masters... But cats can learn rules too.
Tetanus is a usually fatal, notifiable infectious disease caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This disease, also known as lockjaw, has been known since ancient times and is widespread throughout the world. Both humans and horses are particularly susceptible to the toxin, whereas dogs have only a low sensitivity and therefore do not need to be vaccinated.
Some people love it when their pony's coat shines in all its glory and even sparkles here and there. It is groomed and sprayed, the mane is braided, and hardly a hair is out of place. But coat and hoof care is not just a matter of appearance. Regular brushing means much more than that.
Horses are flight animals. They need their sense of sight to spot enemies as quickly as possible. We therefore sometimes have to battle our favorite's instincts, because a horse sees—and flees.
Sarcoid is the most common tumor in horses worldwide. It is a connective tissue tumor involving the skin that does not form metastases in internal organs but often recurs after surgical removal. It is therefore referred to as a semi-malignant tumor. Horses of all breeds and ages are affected, as well as donkeys and mules.
Age is not a disease. We all get older and our bodies show signs of wear and tear. Some of us age faster than others, while others stay fit a little longer. Our horses are similar. From a certain age onwards, the signs can become increasingly noticeable. But this is no reason for us horse owners to get nervous. With keen observation skills and a little support, our beloved animals can grow old in good health.
Basically, senior cats are just like people who are getting on in years: not everything works as well as it did when they were young. They have a few aches and pains, and sometimes, unfortunately, serious illnesses. And everything can slow down a little. It happens gradually: age becomes more and more noticeable over the years. Some cats age earlier, while others remain young and fit for longer. In any case, the aging process can be accompanied by good care.
Horseback riding is a wonderful hobby, especially with your own horse! When humans and animals form a strong team, you develop a completely different connection than when you are "jumping" from one horse to the next at a riding school. But how can you find happiness with a permanent horse partner if you can't afford to buy your own horse? Or if you can't find the time to devote to a horse on your own? A riding partnership could be the best decision for you and your horse.
Malassezia dermatitis is a skin disease caused by yeast fungi, which often manifests itself in dogs as an outer ear infection but can also affect the entire body.
Echocardiography refers to the ultrasound examination of the heart, which is used in the diagnosis of heart disease. This requires a special ultrasound device and a veterinary practice specializing in cardiac ultrasound.
Gerbils are sociable pets that are fun to watch as they go about their business. But they also need attention. Before you know it, these little speedsters can jump out of their enclosure with a high leap.
It's an exciting time! You've made the decision to get a puppy, and most of the preparations are done. Now the question is whether you should enroll in dog training classes. Of course, you could also work with a dog trainer. Or you might feel confident enough to go it alone, because you already have a lot of experience with dogs.
