Do all dogs need the same amount of exercise? All dogs need exercise, but knowing how much exercise is enough will depend on various factors including your dog’s breed, age and health. Even within breeds and age groups there will be variations as no two dogs are the same. Sporting and herding breeds, for example, will need more exercise than...
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The liver makes up around 1% of the horse's total bodyweight and is probably the most important organ in the body since every other organ depends on it. It works closely with the digestive system and has an array of different functions: Blood from the intestinal tract is drained to the liver where nutrients can be stored or metabolised to produce e...
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When it comes to choosing the right bit for your horse, the abundance of choice can make it difficult to decide. With various classes of bit, each with their own subcategories, and then different mouthpieces and cheeks on top of that, it’s easy to lose sight of what you really need. The best thing to do is keep it simple and consider what you...
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What is arthritis? Otherwise known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), arthritis is a progressive and irreversible condition affecting the articular cartilage in the joint. Over time, repeated trauma (wear and tear) causes erosion of the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones within a weight-bearing joint. This is often the natural consequence...
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Winter is when most horses will start wearing their heavy turnout rugs, as the majority of those in work will be clipped. If you’re not exercising your horse over the winter months, you probably won’t need to rug him as his thick natural coat will insulate him from the elements. There are many reasons why rugging is necessary for some h...
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As a horse owner, you may sometimes wish you had the ability to speak the equine language to decipher what your horse is trying to tell you. But actually, understanding their body language is enough, as horses rely on very sophisticated body language to communicate with us and also with each other. There may be the occasional neigh, whinny or snort...
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Equine Strangles is a bacterial infection (Streptococcus equi subspecies equi) of the upper respiratory tract of horses, causing enlargement of the lymph nodes in the throat, which may impair breathing. Strangles is highly contagious and is one of the most commonly diagnosed equine diseases in the UK. Some horses may carry the infection but show no...
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Feed balancers are designed to fill the ‘nutritional gaps’ in a horse’s diet, and are becoming increasingly popular as a versatile foodstuff. Formulated with concentrated levels of essential proteins, vitamins and minerals to ensure a fully balanced diet without added calories, feed balancers eliminate the need for additional supp...
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If you are someone who regularly feeds a Devil’s Claw supplement to your horse, as of January 1st 2016 you will need to take greater care if your horse competes under FEI or BHA rules. The active ingredient contained in Devil’s Claw is Harpagoside – now listed as a ‘prohibited substance’ by the FEI governing body. Harp...
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NEWS RELEASE VioVet has reached the national finals of the 2016 British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Business Awards. It is shortlisted for the SEIB Retailer of the Year Award (Mail Order/Internet Retailer category), which will be presented during the BETA Gala Dinner, at the National Motorcycle Museum, near Birmingham, on Sunday 24 January...
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