Pet allergy is fairly common, affecting between 15 and 30 per cent of people with allergies such as asthma. Cats and dogs shed a material called dander from their skin and hair.

Dander contains allergens that have been secreted into the animal’s sweat, saliva or urine and it readily becomes airborne, so it can be inhaled by and trigger an allergy.

The ‘First Dog’ Sets the Trend

There’s been growing interest in so-called hypoallergenic dog breeds in recent years, heightened by the appearance of the United States’ ‘First Dog’, Bo.

Many families will share the President’s dilemma. He promised his daughters a puppy as a reward for their patience during his campaign, yet 14-year old Malia Obama has allergies.

Bo is a Portuguese water dog, said to be hypoallergenic. Unfortunately, I don’t have any inside information on whether Malia is allergic to Bo, after all – but I have come across a research paper that suggests that there may be no such animal as a hypoallergenic dog.

Hypoallergenic breeds in the spotlight

The two main dog allergens are known, for short, as Can f1 and Can f2. Researchers at Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, have now shown that hypoallergenic dogs do not shed any less allergen than any other breed.

Sixty hypoallergenic dog breeds are listed in this paper, including 23 terrier breeds. The researchers looked at 190 one-dog families, all of which had a very young baby. They noted the type of dog, and measured levels of dog allergen in the home.

Dust was hovered up from the baby’s bedroom and analysed for the presence of Can f1.

They found that 163 of the homes had detectable levels.

Furthermore, (although this wasn’t the focus of this study) around half of the owners actually allowed the dog in the baby’s bedroom.

Allergen levels did not depend upon the breed of dog.

The researchers believe further research is needed to confirm whether the hypoallergenic label is of any use at all to people with an allergy to dog dander. So you might as well be guided by your heart, not the breed, when you are choosing a dog!

Keep the Dog Outside – and Other Tips!

There are a couple of other things to note about this paper. First, only 17 families kept their dog entirely outside.

Second, around half of the owners let the dog into their baby’s bedroom. This is risky – for the presence of dog allergen might sensitize the baby, leading him or her to develop childhood asthma or rhinitis. And if anyone else in the family had an allergy, all that dog dander floating around is likely to trigger an attack.

If you do want to keep a dog indoors, a kennel by the door in the kitchen is a good idea. See below for more tips for keeping allergy at bay if there’s a dog in the family.

Pet Allergies – Why Suffer in Silence

Nine Best Tips for Pet Owners with Allergies

About Susan Aldridge PhD:

Susan is a freelance science and medical writer and editor based in London, UK. Her regular slot is as a blog writer for Allergy Cosmos where she covers asthma, allergy (including, of course, pet allergy), air pollution and air quality issues.

As with other pets, owning rabbits requires a certain amount of responsibility. Some rabbits require more attention than others, but they all need you to look out for their safety.

Before deciding that a rabbit is the right pet for you, take a second to think about what owning a rabbit requires and what you are going to have to do to keep them safe as well as happy.

Accommodations

Rabbits are very active animals and need to have their own space. Whether you plan on keeping your rabbit indoors or out, they need to have enough space to stand on their hind legs without their ears touching the roof. Skeletal pains due to lack of proper space may cause rabbits to become ill tempered and difficult to handle.

Rabbits require a certain amount of exercise each day and need adequate space to hop and stretch around.

Rabbits also need to have an area where they can have some alone time or a place to escape if they are frightened.

The best type of home you can provide an outdoor rabbit would be something like a small wooden house with a fenced in area around it to allow room for exercise. This should be placed in a shaded area to avoid your rabbit becoming over heated on warmer days.

Their home should be as dry and well ventilated as possible, to help maintain a good temperature for your rabbit. This will also help keep the area more sanitary.

Keep It Clean

Keeping your rabbits cage clean is perhaps one of the most daunting tasks of owning a rabbit. You have got to keep up on changing your rabbit’s litter and cleaning the cage.

This is extra important in warmer weather, because a dirty cage could mean flies. Believe it or not, flies could lay their eggs in your rabbit’s cage, and their maggots could burrow into the rabbit’s fur or body cavity, causing a death due to a disease known as fly strike.

Indoor Precautions

If you want to let your rabbit roam your house, there are a few steps that you need take to in order to rabbit proof your home.

Most rabbits love to chew cords, which is why you should place all electronic cords out of reach or get protective coverings for them. Some rabbits are fond of chewing furniture or even the corners of your wall.

If your rabbit likes the corners in your home, there are plastic or wood corner coverings that you can buy to help protect these spots. As for your furniture, there are a few products that you can apply to your furniture that will leave a bad taste in your rabbit’s mouth to discourage your pet from chewing.

Outdoor Precautions

When allowing your rabbit to roam the great outdoors, make sure that you don’t offer too much access. Too much space can lead to a lost or injured rabbit.

One thing you have to be aware of is the fact that rabbits can actually be scared to death. This means you have to do all that you can to keep your rabbit from being in frightening situations. For instance, do not let your rabbit out after dark. Night time is when a lot of animals come out of the woodworks, and this increases the risk of your rabbit being scared.

Plants

Some indoor and outdoor plants could be fatal to your rabbit if eaten. This is why it is best to keep all house plants out of reach of your pet, and only allow your rabbit to eat the food that you give it.

Some plants that can be fatal to your rabbit include daffodil bulbs, geraniums, jasmine, rhododendron, and peonies. If you are unsure if it is safe to let your rabbit eat, keep it out of your rabbits reach until you know for certain. Beware of what is being sprayed on your lawn as well. You don’t want your rabbit playing on grass that has been sprayed with pesticides or fertilizers.

Guest post from Casey Lynch. Casey writes about home insurance for HomeInsurance.org.

‘Arthritis’ simply means inflammation of the joints. Arthritis is when the protective cartilage or synovial fluid in the joints breaks down. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can help to manage it. Some affected areas include the hips, kneecaps, wrists, shoulders, neck and elbows. Some breeds are more susceptible to arthritis than others.

Most cases of arthritis in dogs simply come from old age, and the wear and tear throughout your dogʼs life. However, some common causes of arthritis include poor nutrition, obesity, trauma or damage to the bones or joints, or malformation of a dogʼs bone structure.

The overall outcome of these factors is inflammation of the joints and irritated nerve endings. These will show as stiffness, pain and loss of energy for every day activities.

Some symptoms to look out for when dealing with dog arthritis are:

-  Sleeping often

-  Difficulty in standing, walking or sitting

-  Hesitancy to jump up or climb stairs

-  Decreased interest in everyday activities.

-  Favoring a limb

If you notice any of these symptoms, your dog may have arthritis. Once arthritis has been properly diagnosed, there are a number of home remedies available to help ease the pain your dog’s joints.

Home Remedies for Dog Arthritis

Control Their Weight. A healthy diet is extremely important for your dog during arthritis. Getting rid of excess weight is beneficial for your dog, as he won’t have to carry any more weight around on his joints. Fat tissues secrete hormones that cause pain.

Apply Heat on Sore Joints. Applying a warm compress to your dog’s joints will help to ease the pain. Heat will penetrate deep into the muscle to the joint for relief. Keep in mind your dog cannot get up fast, so avoid burning him with a water bottle that’s too hot.

Light Exercise. Exercise should be regular, but not too strenuous. If your dog wants to turn and go back home after a short walk, let him. The key is constant exercise, but keeping it light and short. Avoid walking when it is too cold out, as the joints will be especially sore. Treadmills are great when supervised, and swimming is a great form of exercise as well.

Keep Them Warm and Comfortable. This is especially important on cold or wet days. Cold weather may cause the joints to be especially stiff or swollen. Add an extra blanket to his bed or let him sleep inside the house. Adding an extra pillow will also help keep him comfortable and ease pain in the joints.

Raise Food and Water Dishes. This is especially important if your dog has arthritis in the neck or shoulders. Bending down may cause tension and pain, so raising his food and water dishes will help him to eat pain free. You may notice a weight loss during arthritis, and the pain to eat may be the source of this.

Slip-Free Floors. Your dog may struggle when walking on hard wood floors. If you notice this, consider getting a rug for common areas he plays or rests. Using different cleaning products on the floors may also help with slipping paws.

Massage and Acupuncture Therapy. You can do massages at home or take your dog to a professional. Massages and acupuncture provide relief for sore, inflamed joints and will help to loosen these areas up.

Keeping your dog comfortable during his time with arthritis will be extremely beneficial. You can also talk to your veterinarian about supplements and treatment options available for your dog’s case of arthritis.

You can learn more about dog arthritis causes, symptoms, treatment options and home remedies at www.dogarthritisresource.com

It has been discovered that owning a pet does wonders for your health with many studies showing that pet owners are generally happier and healthier than non-pet owners.

So when it comes to finding your perfect pet, there is no doubt that the possibility of owning a cat is high on the agenda. Can you imagine a more perfect a setting than on a cold winter’s day sitting by a roaring fire and having your cat curled up on your lap purring that rhythmical purr?

There are many anecdotes (below) about the reasons why cats make for such terrific pets, not only because they are loving and affectionate pets, but also because there is a lot you can learn from them.

So what are the reasons for having a cat in the house?

1. For such loving and endearing creatures they are extremely low maintenance. Cat lover Kate Hough said: “The beauty of having a cat is receiving lots of love without expectations. A cat doesn’t need to be walked, trained (unless you have a kitten then there is litter training) nor bathed regularly. They are easy going and independent pets, but at the same time offer you all the love and companionship you would want from a pet.”
2. “You don’t need a back garden or large house to home a cat, they’ll adapt to any surrounding,” says Matt Wright. “My partner and I have moved several times, downsizing and up scaling to a larger home and our cat Misty has come with us every time. She never made a fuss and seemed to enjoy exploring her new surroundings each time. If we had a larger pet like a dog we would have quite a lot to consider. A back garden would be necessary, large rooms would be required and a big kitchen for him to sleep in would also have to be catered for.”
3. The main reason for many cat lovers out there is unconditional love and companionship. Cats are very sensitive to your moods which can make them the ideal pet when it comes to affection. Studies have shown that a loving cat can lower blood pressure and can sooth people who are ill. They are there to comfort you when you’re upset, sit next you when you’re feeling low and make you laugh and be playful when you’re in a pleasant mood.
4. The next reason is lifespan; your cat can grow old with you. They can live up to 16 years and through that time they can be there when you make life changing decisions such as having children. Tom Smith had a cat for a couple years before deciding to start a family, “As soon as my wife and I had a child our cat, Cat (my wife is a big fan of Breakfast at Tiffany’s) loved interacting with him and not only showed us affection she also showed our baby affection. There weren’t any jealously issues concerning our affection turning from our cat to our child, which I’m aware can happen if you have a dog. Although we still love our cat and gave her as much as we could, our priorities changed and Cat was fine with the transition.”

Talking to parents with cats, many found that a cat taught their children values of compassion and gentleness. In comparison to a dog, if a child is rough with a cat by stroking him too heavily the cat will run out of the room and end any interaction with the child.

They are not very tolerable creatures when it comes to rough and tumble, which in turn teaches children the difference between being gentle and rough.

Let’s not forget either that cats are fun too, simply watching them entertain themselves with a toy or interacting with them using a toy can bring a lot of laughter and happiness into the household.

What makes a cat the perfect pet has been written on behalf of PetSci by Bonlays, a leading UK retailer of cat and dog commodities. http://www.bonlays.co.uk love pets and understand how wonderful a feeling it is to introduce a pet into the home. You will find a great range of toys, clothes and travel products to choose from all at competitive prices.

Diarrhea in dogs is not uncommon. Most dogs, at least once in their life, will have a bout of diarrhea for one reason or another. Diarrhea is a passage of loose, unformed feces. Normal feces contains no mucous, undigested food or blood. Food takes around 8 hours to pass through a dog’s small intestines. If your dog has diarrhea, normally there is a large amount of stool passed and more frequent bowel movements. These movements are often uncontrollable and smell much worse than regular feces.

The most common causes of diarrhea in dogs are intestinal parasites and dietary problems. However, there are many different things that may cause diarrhea in dogs. Although it’s not a pleasant subject, it is important to look for possible clues as to why your dog may have diarrhea, because some causes may be life-threatening.
Some other causes of dog diarrhea include:

• Viruses and parasites; very common in unvaccinated dogs and young puppies.
• Kidney diseases, cancers, gastrointestinal diseases; most serious cause of diarrhea, usually accompanied by serious symptoms such as seizures and blood. These are most common in elderly dogs.
• Stress or anxiety
• Over-excitement
• A change in food or environment
• New medications or recent vaccinations
• Consuming dead animals, rotten garbage, glass or poisons. These are also very serious causes of diarrhea, and usually cause bleeding and vomiting.
• Sugary, fattening and spoiled ‘human food’

As you can see, there are some serious causes of diarrhea, which need immediate medical attention, and some causes which can be treated with a little patience and home remedies. Some causes may be prevented altogether.

Home Remedies For Dog Diarrhea

Often times, your dog will not need medical treatment for diarrhea. As long as your dog’s diarrhea does not last longer than a few days, there are many natural treatments and remedies to help cure diarrhea faster.

The first step in curing your dog’s diarrhea is to take away his dog food. It is important to clear the stomach and intestines of food for the first 24 hours. If your dog has diarrhea, avoid giving him rawhides and treats. Your dog should have plenty of fresh water, unless vomiting is accompanied with diarrhea.

With persistent diarrhea, electrolyte beverages can be added to his bowl of water to avoid dehydration. A low-sodium broth may also be given if your dog refuses water.

Training

If your dog’s diarrhea is triggered by stress or over-excitement, it is important to work with him and train him to control his behavior. Help him adjust to a new environment, or remove him from any stressful situation. Patience is key.

Diet and Exercise

The next step to treat your dog’s diarrhea is to give him bland meals after the 24 hour fast. These meals are easily digestible and low in fat. You can feed your dog two or three small meals a day for the first few days. Some foods to consider include cooked rice, boiled hamburger, cooked oatmeal or cottage cheese.
After 2 days of a bland diet, you can slowly re-introduce his dog food back into his diet.

Exercise can also help with treatment for dog diarrhea. As long as he is willing, try and take him for a short walk twice a day. The nervous system for maintaining normal digestion may be stimulated by a bit of exercise.

Herbs and Supplements

Herbs & supplements are great home remedies for dog diarrhea. There are some vitamins and herbs you can give to your dog to help support his digestive system:

L-Glutamine: this is an amino acid which is a source of fuel for cells lining the intestinal tract.
Slippery Elm: This is a herb. Slippery elm neutralizes stomach acids and soothes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
Saccharomyces boulardi: A probiotic yeast. This helps reduce the symptoms of frequent antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Licorice: Licorice helps the healing process in the intestinal lining by increasing blood flow.
Enzymes: These are essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. They also have anti-inflammatory properties.

For more information about diarrhea in dogs, symptoms, causes, treatment options and more, visit www.dogdiarrheahelp.com

From domesticated cats to ferocious cats in the wild, we take a look at how our feline friends see at night and during the day.
Cats are predators, meaning they have evolved through thousands of years to be good at hunting down prey.

Although you may think Cuddles is just a cute member of the family, never forget that a cat’s instinct is to hunt – and to do so incredibly well.

Position of the Eyes

Cats’ eyes are located on the front of their heads; not on the sides like horses and rabbits. For such a predator, this position means the cat has incredibly good depth perception in comparison to that of a horse or a rabbit.

This is really important for being able to judge distances in both playtime and in hunting. The position of the cats’ eyes means they can judge how far away their prey is – or how far away that catnip is – with no problem.

Night Vision

Hunting cats will hunt for prey during the night, when everything is still, undisturbed…and dark. Cats have no problem with low light levels as they are able to adapt to low light with thanks to two areas of the eye:

Firstly, the pupils can be either round or elliptical, whereas in a human the pupils can only be round. When round, the eyes are dilated and to become elliptical the cat can shrink its eyes from the side inwards, allowing only a little amount of light to be let through to the back of the eye.

Their eyes also dilate incredibly quickly (changing from elliptical to round pupils), meaning a great deal of light can be let in – therefore allowing them to see in the dark due to their ability to let more light in.

The Tapetum (membrane at the back of the eyes) is the area of the eye which reflects the light, acting as a mirror to make the cats’ eyes appear lit up. This helps in low light levels as it increases the amount of light that enters the eye which the cat can make the most out of to further enhance images in near darkness.

Color

Cats are not colorblind, despite many people thinking they are. It’s true that cats don’t see the same color as we humans do; but they can see color.

Amy blogs for Direct Sight, an industry-leading provider of glasses including varifocals online.

A puppy can be a great addition to the home, providing companionship and enjoyment for an individual or a family. However, owning a puppy is also a big investment, both financially and personally.

Puppies require regular attention and care, and owners must ensure that they have adequate supplies to care for a pet.

Additionally, most dogs require regular vet care, especially during the puppy years. It is important to consider many different things before purchasing a puppy.

Remember, Dogs Require a Lifetime Commitment

Many people purchase puppies before considering the long-term implications of dog ownership. Depending on it breed, a dog can live anywhere from ten years to almost twenty. It is important to realise this, and to ensure that you will be able to keep a dog for the extent of its lifetime.

Dogs make great companions and develop strong emotional bonds with their owners, and it’s important to remember this when deciding to purchase a puppy.

Financial Considerations

From basic supplies to additional care needs, puppies can be a financial strain. Before getting a puppy, it’s important to ensure that you have adequate finances to care for a dog.

On average, caring for a dog can cost hundreds of dollars a year. Emergency vet care can also cost thousands of dollars, depending on what kind of care the dog needs.

Before getting a puppy, it’s important to make sure that you have or can purchase all of the supplies it will need. These include tags, collars, leashes and food. Additionally, owners should provide a comfortable bed for their pet and toys to keep it entertained.

Time Considerations

In general, dogs require a lot of attention, and puppies even more so. It is important to ensure that you will have the time and ability to properly socialise and train a puppy before you purchase one.

You should be able to take your puppy on daily walks, as exercise is vital to healthy development. House training a puppy also takes time and patience, and puppies need a regular schedule of training to ensure proper behaviour.

It’s especially important that the puppy will be able to socialise regularly with both people and other animals, as this will ensure that it will respond to situations positively later in its life.

Grooming Care/ Basic Health

Puppies will require at least semi-regular grooming, performed either by you or by a grooming expert.

Dogs should be brushed regularly, to prevent hair from becoming tangled or matted, and to reduce the chances of skin problems or irritation. Plus, regular grooming can alert the owner to any flea or parasite problems before they become more harmful.

You will also have to brush the puppy’s teeth regularly to prevent plaque growth or other dental problems, and to ensure that teeth grow properly. A good veterinarian will be able to teach you how to properly brush your dog’s teeth and perform other basic grooming.

On that note, it is important to find a reliable veterinarian who will be able to care for your puppy best.These are some of the most basic considerations that you should consider before purchasing a puppy.

A puppy can be a great companion, but it is important to ensure that both you and your new pet will be able to enjoy a pleasurable companionship experience.

Richard is an animal lover and has worked for the RSPCA for over 10 years. He says it is rare for a day to go by where a puppy isn’t dropped off because the owner cannot meet its requirements.

As we make the transition from winter to the warmer months of spring and summer, one major problem all horse owners will agree on is flies!

Flies, midges and all sorts of other flying insect start to emerge when it gets warm and they can be a major pest for your horse.

Unfortunately horses aren’t very well equipped to deal with flying pests so they can quite easily irritate your horse or even cause diseases such as sweet itch – an allergic reaction to biting midges.

There are some things you can do to help however so don’t despair, take a look at our suggestions to keep your horse fly free!

Natural Fly Repellents

One of your best options to keep midges and flies at bay is to use fly repellents. These are usually solutions that you can spray on your horse throughout the day and they will repel flying insects such as midges.

If you opt for a natural fly repellent, then it is highly likely that the product is going to contain something called Citriodiol™ or citronella.

Citronella oil is extracted from lemon grass and has been used as a natural repellent and biopesticide for decades. Whilst citronella oil is an effective repellent, it does require application directly to the skin every hour or so to be effective, which is why we suggest looking for products that contain Citriodiol™.

Citriodiol™, extracted from eucalyptus, is considered the most effective natural insect repellent currently available and works great if you are looking for a natural, gentle fly repellent. Studies have shown that Citriodiol™ is almost as effective as some synthetic repellents when used in similar quantities.

In some cases, you might need something a little more effective than the natural suggestions above – especially if your horse suffers badly with sweet itch and that’s where the synthetic repellents come in.

Synthetic Repellents

Some people are a bit wary of using products that contain man-made (synthetic) chemicals. However, if you horse is suffering from stress caused by flies and a natural repellent just isn’t keeping the insects at bay, it might be time to try something a little more powerful.

Synthetic fly repellents typically contain a chemical called DEET. DEET is a highly effective repellent that was developed by the Armed Forces to repel insects in the jungle! Despite it’s strength, DEET is perfectly safe to use as a repellent and is highly effective. Don’t be put off by the fact that it was developed by the army, if you horse is suffering major stress from flies – use DEET!

Most fly repellents for horses will not contain more than 20% DEET, but this is enough to provide protection for a number of hours at a time. DEET repellents need only be applied 2-4 times a day.

Other Ways to Keep the Flies at Bay

If you can cover your horse’s face, ears and body with rugs and masks, this can help reduce the amount of flies that can reach the skin of your horse. As it gets warmer you probably aren’t going to want to cover your horse up though!

Instead, try not to turn out when flies are most active (dawn and dusk). If you do want to use insect repellents though, a combination of a DEET repellent and natural repellent works great!

Keep an Eye Out for Sweet Itch

The summer months are when sweet itch is most likely to occur as this is when midges are most active. Keep an eye on the condition of your horse’s skin, this way you’ll be able to act fast if you notice that your horse is reacting to midge bites.

There are products available, such as Killitch that will treat the allergic reaction, soothe the skin and help to repel the midges.

Your Thoughts

Have you got a great way to keep the flies at bay? We want to hear it! Let us know in the comments below!

Prospective horse buyers and loaners may put a great deal of weight on the overall appearance of your horse during their viewing; hence, showing them a nicely groomed and well-turned-out horse might just give you an edge and increase your chances of closing a good deal.

To help you get started in the right direction, below are our top turn out tips for a horse viewing:

1. Safety First – Even if you and your horse have a strong bond, you cannot entirely be sure on how he or she will react at any given moment during the cleaning and grooming process. As a precaution, make sure that your horse is safely tied with a halter and avoid standing directly in front or behind him.



2. Commence the Pre-Bath – Starting on one side of the horse, use a rubber curry comb to loosen up matted dirt, dust, mud, dandruff, and dead hairs from the horse’s body. Utilizing small yet vigorous circular strokes, start currying from the neck and work your way down to the hindquarters, and then go around on the other side of the horse to repeat the procedure. For the best results, stroke your curry comb against the grain of the horse’s coat. For the bony and tender parts such as the legs and face, use a grooming mitt instead of a curry comb.

3. Bathe Your Horse – A horse that just had a good and clean bath will almost always have a competitive edge over a horse that didn’t have any. Once the pre-bath has been completed, it’s now time for your horse to get wet and lathered. Here are the steps:

1. 

Using a water hose with a nozzle, start at the front legs and then spray the hose towards the back legs. This way, you’ll have your horse be accustomed to the feel and sound of the water before getting his or her entire body wet. Then, spray your hose to the chest and neck, and then work the hose towards the stomach, the hindquarters, and the tail.
2. Dab a wet sponge onto the horse’s face instead of using the hose, taking extra caution not to let any excess water get into the ears, nostrils and eyes. Although some horses can tolerate being sprayed with water on the face, most horses will find it annoying and might get startled.
3. 

After getting your horse all wet, apply a good amount of shampoo solution using a hand mitt. Start from the neck area and work your way down towards the back and the legs. Use a circular motion, just like you would when using a curry comb, to create a good lather on the body. Furthermore, this action makes the shampoo solution seep deeply into the coat and further loosen any trapped dirt or grime. For the horse’s face, use a soft sponge to apply the shampoo solution. Make sure that the mane and the tail are shampooed to a thick lather.

The best shampoos to use are those labelled for equine use, although mild shampoo formulas may also suffice in most cases. However, always keep in mind to have a precise mixture of shampoo and water to get the best cleaning effect. Mixing instructions are usually found on the shampoo bottle’s label.
4. 

Start rinsing from the top and then work your way down, making sure that no shampoo residues are left on the horse’s body. Keep in mind that shampoo residue can cause irritation and will leave the coat looking dull and dry.




4. Make That Coat Gleam – After drying up your horse, it’s now time to get his or her coat gleaming. Using a soft bristled body brush, start brushing your horse with smooth and straight strokes that follow the grain of the hairs. This helps put the hairs neatly back into their natural position. However, be very gentle when brushing the face and other sensitive parts to avoid irritating the horse.



5. Trim the Excess Hairs – Excess and protruding hairs are not a pleasant sight to any potential horse buyer or loaner. Horse parts that usually have excess hairs are the fetlock, throat, ears, and chin. Moreover, trimming adds a great deal of definition to the horse’s body contour that enhances the looks of your horse from a potential buyer’s perspective.

6. Clean and Trim the Hooves – Using a hoof pick, start picking dirt and debris at the heel and work your way towards the toes. Keep in mind to be very gentle at the sensitive frog area avoid startling your horse. Instead of a hoof polish, just use a soft brush to make the hooves look clean. Potential buyers and loaners usually want to see the natural appearance of the horse’s hooves. If the hooves of your horse look a bit lengthier than normal, a good trimming job should be undertaken.

7. Brush that Tail – Even with a good conditioner applied to the tail, some hairs may still end up tangled or knotted. Applying a good detangler spray, coupled with a dandy brush, will almost always be sufficient in straightening the tail and make it look full. Using a comb for straightening the tail is not recommended as it often causes a lot of hairs to be ripped out.



8. Comb the Mane – Combing the mane requires smooth and gentle strokes. Doing it vigorously will annoy your horse. A plastic mane comb is best for this purpose, and it will less likely rip out any mane hair.

Equine Online is an equestrian classified website offering free advertising worldwide including horses for sale and loan

Don’t Forget to Include Pets in Emergency Preparedness Plan.

As a pet owner, it’s important to be prepared for an emergency. In some cases, emergency situations may require you to leave your home for days, weeks, or even longer – and such evacuations go more smoothly and safely if you prepare ahead of time.

Step 1: Arrange short-term boarding for your pet

In the event you must evacuate to a shelter or other location that does not accept pets, you’ll need to know ahead of time where your animal can spend a few days without you. If you have friends nearby, but outside of your immediate area, ask if they’re willing to take in your pet for a few days. Also, call local animal shelters and kennels to determine what places provide emergency care during evacuations.

Step 2: Choose a long-term or permanent caregiver for your animal in case something happens to you

Consider the qualifications of everyone you know, and choose someone experienced with animals and who has the time and money to care for an additional pet. Speak with any potential caregivers to determine their interest level and to make certain they understand the time and effort required to care for a pet.

Step 3: Pack an emergency evacuation kit for your pets

It’s important to be prepared by putting together an emergency kit for pets ahead of time.

Make sure your kit is in an easy-to-reach location, clearly labeled, and portable. Include at least 3 days worth of pet food, disposable litter trays (if you have a cat), paper towels for messes, disinfectant, lightweight feeding dishes, an extra collar and leash (for dogs), 7 days of bottled water for every person and pet in your household, a basic first aid kit, copies of veterinary records and other important papers, a flashlight, blanket, chew toys, duct tape, permanent markers, extra batteries, baby wipes, and a week’s supply of any pet medications.

See our guide on preparing an emergency 72-hour kit for pets.

Step 4: Develop a plan and practice it

Study evacuation routes out of your local area and have a back-up plan in place in case you are unable to evacuate in time. Determine which rooms in your house are safest during high winds or flooding. Also, find a safe, dry place in your home for storing food and important items during storms or other natural disasters. Run through your emergency procedure to determine how long it will take you to collect your emergency kit, grab your animals, and head to safe area.

Also, obtain an emergency pet alert sticker for your home to notify emergency officials and rescue workers of the presence of animals inside your home. List the number and type of pets inside your home and your veterinarian’s name and contact information. You can obtain these stickers free of charge from the ASPCA.