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The Many Faces of Equine Metabolic Syndrome

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Post-Foaling Red Flags
HERDA 20 Years Later
Strangles: An Old Disease in a Modern World
Before She Foals: Managing Broodmares
Beneath the Hoof Wall: Soft Tissues Injuries of the Equine Foot

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Focus on Health: The External Horse

August 1, 2010
Posted by Nancy S. Loving, DVM

The world might admit that beauty is only skin deep, but a horse’s inner health is reflected onto all external features–a radiant and silken hair coat, mane, and tail mirror a horse’s overall internal health.

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Does your horse’s outer "shine" reflect his inner health?

The world might admit that beauty is only skin deep, but a horse's inner health is reflected onto all external features–a radiant and silken hair coat, mane, and tail mirror a horse's overall internal health.

Nutritional Considerations

Nutrient availability and absorption are critical to a horse's health. Stephen White, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, professor at the University of California, Davis, College of Veterinary Medicine, says, "Maintenance of normal hair cycles and turnover of epidermal skin cells takes a lot of energy, protein, and certain trace elements and minerals

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Written by:

Nancy S. Loving, DVM

Nancy S. Loving, DVM, owns Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, and has a special interest in managing the care of sport horses. Her book, All Horse Systems Go, is a comprehensive veterinary care and conditioning resource in full color that covers all facets of horse care. She has also authored the books Go the Distance as a resource for endurance horse owners, Conformation and Performance, and First Aid for Horse and Rider in addition to many veterinary articles for both horse owner and professional audiences.