Author: Pure Equine Balance

Reindeer hide is a little different from a conventional saddle pad, so naturally we receive plenty of questions about using and caring for it. Does it shed? Is it hot? How do you clean it? Which direction should the hair run? And is caring for a whole reindeer hide different from caring for a purpose-made…

The Benefits of Reindeer Hide as a Saddle Pad When horse owners think about saddle pads, most immediately consider materials such as wool, sheepskin, felt, foam, or synthetic fabrics. Yet in the northern regions of Scandinavia and other Arctic areas, another material has been used beneath saddles for generations: reindeer hide. Long before modern saddle…

1. Reduce Stress & Support the Nervous System Chronic stress is one of the biggest contributors to gastric irritation in horses. Constant stabling, herd instability, high training loads, travel, pain, and even subtle discomfort from tack or mineral imbalance may all contribute to ongoing sympathetic (“fight or flight”) activation. A naturopathic approach focuses on: A…

Is Mineral Deficiency in Horses Always a True Deficiency? When a horse begins to show signs such as poor hoof quality, behavioural changes, muscle tension, coat changes, or reduced performance, it is common to immediately suspect a nutrient deficiency. In many cases, owners begin adding supplements in an attempt to “replace” what may be missing.…

Iron is one of the most discussed minerals in equine nutrition — yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many horse owners immediately think of anaemia or “low iron” when discussing fatigue or poor performance. However, iron metabolism is far more complex than simply having too much or too little iron in the…

Understanding equine nutrition beyond hay analysis Hay testing, or hay analysis for horses, has become an essential tool in modern equine nutrition. It allows horse owners to better understand what nutrients are present in their horse’s primary feed source and is often used to guide horse supplement decisions. For those focused on improving equine health,…

Blood test is common but is it always the best way? When it comes to assessing your horse’s health, blood testing is often one of the first tools used. It is widely accessible, clinically valuable, and provides important information about what is happening within the body at a given moment. But like any diagnostic tool,…

Hair tissue mineral analysis for horses At Pure Equine Wellness, we believe that true health starts from within. Many of the challenges we see in horses—whether it’s poor hoof quality, behavioural changes, lack of topline, or ongoing health concerns—don’t always begin where they show up. Often, they are a reflection of deeper imbalances within the…