Horses and humans speak different languages. While humans primarily communicate through spoken language, horses mainly communicate through body language. It is important that you understand your horse in order to work together harmoniously. Here is a little translation guide to help you.
If your horse's ears are pointed straight forward, it is alert and focused. Ears pointing in two different directions indicate that your horse is aware of its surroundings from several directions at once. With ears tilted slightly to the side or backward, your horse is relaxed or dozing. If your horse lays its ears back, it is threatening. Laying the ears back while riding indicates that your horse is focused on the rider and listening to commands.
If the lips are relaxed, your horse is also relaxed. If the lower lip hangs down, it is dozing. Pressed lips indicate discomfort or pain. If your horse pulls its upper lip up strongly and stretches its head forward, this is called flehmen. Your horse is sniffing for smells such as pheromones (see below). However, flehmen also often occurs in cases of stomach ulcers or colic.
Ideally, your horse's eyes should be bright and alert, but relaxed. Cloudy, expressionless eyes with a strongly angled fold of the upper eyelid are a sign of discomfort or pain. If your horse opens its eyes wide so that the whites are visible, it is very frightened.
When startled or frightened, your horse will flare its nostrils wide. It is preparing to flee. Wide nostrils can also mean that your horse has detected a smell. When horses meet, they make contact with each other via their nostrils.
Yawning is an expression of relief from unpleasant pressure, physical exertion or stress. However, yawning also occurs frequently with stomach ulcers. And, of course, your horse yawns when it is tired. If your horse snorts, it is relaxing. If your horse chews or licks its lips with its tongue, it is processing information. This happens, for example, when your horse has learned something during training. It needs a little time to process it.
If your horse nudges you lightly with its head, it wants to ask you to do something. I would like a carrot or I am bored. If your horse turns its head away from you or walks away, it is not interested in what it expects. If your horse raises its head and opens its nostrils wide, it is positively interested in something. However, if your horse jerks its head up, it is in a defensive posture. Head shaking is a strong signal of too much pressure.
If your horse pushes you away with its shoulder, it is clearly indicating that it believes it is higher in rank. In this case, you should clarify the hierarchy immediately and calmly but firmly reject it with your hand. If your horse walks parallel to other horses or you, this is a friendly sign.
If your horse is relaxed, its tail will swing loosely from side to side. Unless it is being used to ward off insects, tail swishing indicates displeasure and tension. During training, this can indicate dissatisfaction and overstrain. If your horse tucks its tail in, it is insecure and fearful. Horses carry their tails high when they are playing boisterously.
If your horse scrapes its hooves, it is impatient. Stamping with its legs is also a sign of impatience, but can also express dissatisfaction. Stallions scrape or stamp to impress mares.
If a horse suddenly turns its hindquarters toward you and perhaps even lifts a hind leg to kick, this is a strong threatening gesture. Fixing its gaze on you and rearing up shows dominance. Get out of my way.
Pheromones are scents that horses use to communicate with each other. They serve as recognition and sex attractants and indicate that the animals are of the same species. However, horses also perceive the pheromones of other animal species.
Horses do not only communicate through body language. They also make various vocal sounds. Your horse may greet you happily with a gentle whinny or snort. Horses also do this with each other. Horses call to their fellow horses in the distance with a slightly louder whinny. However, a shrill whinny or squeal is a sign of fear, aggression, or that the horse feels threatened by another horse. Horses also squeal playfully when they are bucking and romping around.
Piroplasmosis, also known as babesiosis, is a parasitic infection transmitted by ticks that is particularly prevalent in warm climates. Horses, dogs, and humans are all susceptible to this infection. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infectious disease transmitted by ticks. It was named after its discoverer, the German physician Paul Ehrlich. The disease, also known as tick fever, is endemic in the tropics and subtropics, but also in the Mediterranean region. It is therefore important to be aware of it when traveling to southern destinations. Ehrlichiosis became known during the Vietnam War, when several German shepherd dogs belonging to American soldiers fell ill and died. German shepherds, Dobermans, and huskies are still particularly susceptible to this disease.
The word acupuncture comes from Latin and is composed of the words for "needle" and "prick." Classical acupuncture is one of the oldest therapeutic methods in traditional Chinese medicine and has also been practiced on animals in Europe since the beginning of the 18th century. It belongs to the field of complementary medicine, which means that it supplements the treatment methods of conventional medicine.
There are also "bleeders" among animals: animals with blood clotting disorders. These are either congenital or caused by another underlying disease. They are rare in animals, but can quickly become life-threatening in the event of major injuries.
Lyme disease is a globally widespread infectious disease transmitted by ticks that can affect both humans and our pets, especially dogs but also horses. Even though the disease is very rare in horses, Lyme disease should always be considered in cases of long-standing lameness, neck pain, or coordination disorders with no clear cause.
It's good that our dogs need to go outside regularly! This gives us the opportunity to take a break from our everyday routine of work, household chores, and everything else, to get some fresh air, relax, and do something for our bodies. Your dog can also be your exercise partner! There are various sports that are suitable for this. Make sure that you adapt the activity and level of exertion to your dog's breed, age, and health. It is also important that you do not overtax your dog and adapt the training to the circumstances. For example, a jog in the summer can push him to his physical limits, but you may not even notice because he is faithfully following you. Unfortunately, this can also have fatal consequences for your four-legged friend. So always be mindful—towards yourself and your faithful companion.
It can occur suddenly or develop slowly and almost unnoticed. The horse seems to be stiff, and riding together is no longer enjoyable. What is going on?
With age, signs of wear and tear become noticeable in the body, even in our horses. Good care, adequate nutrition, and appropriate training are the best prerequisites for a long, healthy horse life. It is always important to remain attentive in order to quickly notice small changes and take action.
You drive to the stable in high spirits and lead your horse out of the pasture full of enthusiasm. But as soon as you start walking it to the grooming area, you notice that something is wrong. The familiar sound of hooves on the ground sounds somehow different. When you lunge your horse, it becomes clear: your horse is lame!
Especially during the cold and wet season, dogs can also suffer from painful inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) and the entire lower urinary tract. The causes and symptoms are similar to those of bladder infections in humans. Is your dog urinating more frequently than usual and in pain when doing so, or has it even accidentally urinated in the house even though it has been house-trained for a long time? Then your dog may be suffering from a bladder infection, which should be treated by a veterinarian.
Sometimes a violent coughing fit comes on completely unexpectedly and frightens us as much as it does our dog. Whether it's a dry "barking" cough, a mucus-filled retching or a wheezing sound, coughing can manifest itself in many different ways. It's important to investigate the cause so that we can help our dog quickly.
Seizures also occur in dogs. How at risk your dog is depends largely on its breed: some breeds are more prone to seizures than others.
