6-25-24

Healthy Critters Radio by Horse Radio Network Ep. 200: Grief’s Many Parts, Shetland Ponies, Ergonomic Bridles 6-25-24

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We talk with Katarina Koefoed from Pure Equestrian about the ergonomic functions of the bridle; the Critter of the Show is the Shetland pony, Critter Nutrition focuses on grief.

LISTEN IN!

Guests and Links for Episode 200:

• Co-Hosts: Tigger Montague from BioStar US and Pati Pierucci from Pierucci Dressage
• Article: One Day at a Time
• Ask Hedwig
• Learn more about supplements for your horse and dog at Biostar US
• Follow Healthy Critters Radio on Facebook

It’s been a real blast, and we have enjoyed every moment. Things change, and it’s time to try new things… so we’re going to say farewell on a high note. Take good care of your critters! This is the final episode of Healthy Critters Radio.

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Or is it?

At Healthy Critters Radio, we are hopeless animal lovers who want to share our experience and knowledge with you, for the betterment of your animals’ lives. We focus on health, nutrition, behavior, and ideas for overall well-being and happiness. Twice a month, we bring you guest experts, advice, commentary, and a lot of fun and laughter! If there is ever a topic you’d like for us to cover, let us know on our contact page!

– photo credit: Pixabay

The post Healthy Critters #200: Grief’s Many Parts, Shetland Ponies, Ergonomic Bridles appeared first on Healthy Critters Radio.

5-25-24

Healthy Critters Radio by Horse Radio Network Ep. 199: Happy Horse Awards, Bumble Bees, Bobble Heads 5-25-24

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We talk about the purpose behind the Happy Horse awards from BioStar, the Critter of the Show is the Bumble Bee, and we ask, would your horse or dog be an action figure, bobble head, holiday ornament or beer stein?

LISTEN IN!

Guests and Links for Episode 199:

• Co-Hosts: Tigger Montague from BioStar US and Pati Pierucci from Pierucci Dressage
• Article: BioStar’s Happy Horse Award
• Ask Hedwig
• Learn more about supplements for your horse and dog at Biostar US
• Follow Healthy Critters Radio on Facebook

At Healthy Critters Radio, we are hopeless animal lovers who want to share our experience and knowledge with you, for the betterment of your animals’ lives. We focus on health, nutrition, behavior, and ideas for overall well-being and happiness. Twice a month, we bring you guest experts, advice, commentary, and a lot of fun and laughter! If there is ever a topic you’d like for us to cover, let us know on our contact page!

– photo credit: Pixabay

The post Healthy Critters #199: Happy Horse Awards, Bumble Bees, Bobble Heads appeared first on Healthy Critters Radio.

4-25-24

Healthy Critters Radio by Horse Radio Network Ep. 198: Boulardii Yeast for Dogs, Wild Bird Habitats, Cardigan Welsh Corgis 4-25-24

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Our experts discuss S.boulardii probiotic support for dogs in Critter Nutrition; we share tips for creating and maintaining habitats for wild birds; the Breed of the Show is the Cardigan Welsh corgi; and in Coffee Klatch we chat about our favorite fly control strategies.

LISTEN IN!

Guests and Links for Episode 198:

• Co-Hosts: Tigger Montague from BioStar US and Pati Pierucci from Pierucci Dressage
• Article: New Probiotic Support for Dogs: Hedgerow K9 with S. Boulardii
• Ask Hedwig
• Learn more about supplements for your horse and dog at Biostar US
• Follow Healthy Critters Radio on Facebook

At Healthy Critters Radio, we are hopeless animal lovers who want to share our experience and knowledge with you, for the betterment of your animals’ lives. We focus on health, nutrition, behavior, and ideas for overall well-being and happiness. Twice a month, we bring you guest experts, advice, commentary, and a lot of fun and laughter! If there is ever a topic you’d like for us to cover, let us know on our contact page!

– photo credit: Pixabay

The post Healthy Critters #198: Boulardii Yeast for Dogs, Wild Bird Habitats, Cardigan Welsh Corgis appeared first on Healthy Critters Radio.

4-10-24

Healthy Critters Radio by Horse Radio Network Ep. 197: Reading Your Horse, Collagen for Connective Tissue, Labrador Retrievers 4-10-24

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We share thoughts about reading your horse; in Critter Nutrition we examine collagen for connective tissue and joint support; the Breed of the Show is the Labrador Retriever; and in Coffee Klatch we share naughty things your horse or dog does that makes you laugh.

LISTEN IN!

Guests and Links for Episode 197:

• Co-Hosts: Tigger Montague from BioStar US and Pati Pierucci from Pierucci Dressage
• Article: Connective Tissue and Joint Support for Horses
• Ask Hedwig
• Learn more about supplements for your horse and dog at Biostar US
• Follow Healthy Critters Radio on Facebook

Co-host Tigger Montague outlines some of the benefits of collagen for dogs:

Collagen is an amazing protein. It is the most abundant protein in mammals, comprising up to 35% of the whole-body protein content, and is considered one of the most useful biomaterials known.

The body creates and uses collagen to provide strength and elasticity to connective tissue, to heal wounds, support osteoarthritic joints, reduce gastroesophageal reflux, repair GI tract damage, assist in skin regeneration, and improve mineral bone density.

• Collagen is the major component of bone, skin, muscles, tendons, and cartilage.

• The amino acid L-proline is an essential component of collagen and is important for proper functioning of joints and tendons.

• Collagen also provides the specific amino acid hydroxyproline, which is the major component of the connective tissues. When connective tissue is damaged, hydroxyproline is necessary for repairing the damaged area.

• Collagen is an excellent source of the amino acid L-arginine, which supports nitric oxide production for increased circulatory support.

At Healthy Critters Radio, we are hopeless animal lovers who want to share our experience and knowledge with you, for the betterment of your animals’ lives. We focus on health, nutrition, behavior, and ideas for overall well-being and happiness. Twice a month, we bring you guest experts, advice, commentary, and a lot of fun and laughter! If there is ever a topic you’d like for us to cover, let us know on our contact page!

– photo credit: Pixabay

The post Healthy Critters #197: Reading Your Horse, Collagen for Connective Tissue, Labrador Retrievers appeared first on Healthy Critters Radio.

3-25-24

Healthy Critters Radio by Horse Radio Network Ep. 196: Manure, Connective Tissues, Hatching Chicks 3-25-24

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What your horse’s poop can tell you, the magic of hatching baby chickens, Tigger’s musings on being on stall rest for injury recovery, and which grooming tote is your fav? Plus, Otis the Podcasting Warmblood shares his skin funk story!

LISTEN IN!

Guests and Links for Episode 196:

• Co-Hosts: Tigger Montague from BioStar US and Pati Pierucci from Pierucci Dressage
• Article: Now I Know How the Horses Feel: Tigger’s Road to Injury Recovery
• Ask Hedwig
• Learn more about supplements for your horse and dog at Biostar US
• Follow Healthy Critters Radio on Facebook

Co-host Tigger Montague finds that treating herself like a horse is a great way to walk the road to injury recovery:

“Recently, on a normal morning in the kitchen, I pivoted to get something from the counter and heard a pop. The pain was so intense I thought I might vomit. My knee was unbendable.

Strangely though, it was weight-bearing — just peg-leg style. I thanked my lucky stars that I could at least walk without crutches as I hobbled to the nearest couch, encircled by two Aussies saying, “What’s wrong with you?”

A strained hamstring coupled with a strained lateral ligament was the diagnosis. Recovery time was labeled “weeks.”

I started with ice and stall rest. Unlike a horse, I didn’t have to stand to get the ice applied. It gave me a new appreciation for how horses can stand on an injured limb while being iced.

The ice turned out to be problematic when the ice machine in the freezer stopped working. Instacart to the rescue. I ordered ice and comfort food: soup, oranges, and Haagen Dazs.

Stall rest too was challenging. By Day 3 I had seriously contemplated taking a spoonful of Thera Calm to deal with the anxiety and stress. I opted instead for some CBD drops I had for the dogs…”

At Healthy Critters Radio, we are hopeless animal lovers who want to share our experience and knowledge with you, for the betterment of your animals’ lives. We focus on health, nutrition, behavior, and ideas for overall well-being and happiness. Twice a month, we bring you guest experts, advice, commentary, and a lot of fun and laughter! If there is ever a topic you’d like for us to cover, let us know on our contact page!

– photo credit: iStock

The post Healthy Critters #196: Manure, Connective Tissues, Hatching Chicks appeared first on Healthy Critters Radio.

2-25-24

Healthy Critters Radio by Horse Radio Network Ep. 195: Horse Training & Canine Culinary 2-25-24

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We share our best horse training advice, we discuss what it takes to incubate chicken eggs (it’s more complicated than you think), Tigger delves into homemade dog food preparation with Julia Child, and we ask what your horse or dog would do with a smartphone camera!

Plus we have some advice for making the most of spectating at WEF & Global in Wellington. LISTEN IN!

Guests and Links for Episode 195:

• Co-Hosts: Tigger Montague from BioStar US and Pati Pierucci from Pierucci Dressage
• Article: Julia in My Kitchen with Dogs
• Ask Hedwig
• Learn more about supplements for your horse and dog at Biostar US
• Follow Healthy Critters Radio on Facebook

– photo credits: iStock, Pixabay

Co-host Tigger Montague reflects on how Julia Child inspired bravery in a generation of household chefs — and how our homemade dog food creations can benefit today:

“I think many of us who started our dog journeys with kibble become fearful of changing course, afraid to give kibble the boot and move on to new explorations with food and health.

I was afraid once too. It seemed daunting and I felt out of my element. Vets recommend kibble — why buck the system?

It was probably the same for many American housewives when they were first exposed to Julia and French cooking. Convenience foods already had placement on grocery shelves (Swanson TV dinners come to mind), not to mention the growing category of ‘time-saving devices.’ Giving up convenience to make a French dish was no doubt intimidating.

And yet, some housewives took the leap, while others at least incorporated elements of French recipes or techniques they learned from Julia’s show. Convenience-food demand would continue to grow, but from those mothers in the 1960s came the foodies, farmers, and chefs of the decades to come.”

At Healthy Critters Radio, we are hopeless animal lovers who want to share our experience and knowledge with you, for the betterment of your animals’ lives. We focus on health, nutrition, behavior, and ideas for overall well-being and happiness. Twice a month, we bring you guest experts, advice, commentary, and a lot of fun and laughter! If there is ever a topic you’d like for us to cover, let us know on our contact page!

The post Healthy Critters #195: Horse Training Wisdom & Canine Culinary Inspiration appeared first on Healthy Critters Radio.

1-25-24

Healthy Critters Radio by Horse Radio Network Ep. 194: Dogs in Public, Magnesium for Horses, Hoary Alyssum 1-25-24

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We tackle the Do’s and Don’ts of taking your dog to public places; in Tiggipedia we learn about magnesium for horses; in Critter Nutrition we focus on hoary alyssum in hay; and in Coffee Klatch we ask what animal you would not want to be!

Listen in!

Guests and Links for Episode 194:

Hoary Alyssum flowers

• Co-Hosts: Tigger Montague from BioStar US and Pati Pierucci from Pierucci Dressage
• Article: Hoary Alyssum: A Plant You Don’t Want To Find In Your Hay
• Ask Hedwig
• Learn more about supplements for your horse and dog at Biostar US
• Follow Healthy Critters Radio on Facebook

– photo credits: iStock, Pixabay

Co-host Tigger Montague updates us on recent cases of hay contamination with the highly toxic-to-horses plant hoary alyssum, and outlines ways to keep the danger risk low:

“The plant likes poor soil, needs plenty of light, thrives in dry conditions, and does not do well with competition from other vegetation.

With this information, researchers have provided key insights on managing and preventing hoary alyssum growth:

• Mowing alone will not control it, and could worsen infestation by cutting down the shading canopy of neighboring vegetation.
• Irrigation can be useful to support forage grasses, increasing their competitiveness with hoary alyssum.
• Over-utilization of pastures and ranges weakens perennial grasses and creates an ideal scenario for weed invasion.
• Herbicides are frequently mentioned as a tool for managing this specific plant, particularly after the growing season.
• Pastures and areas that have been cleared, disturbed by construction, or had introduction of new soil or fill should be monitored for three years or more.
• Hand-pulling weeds is more manageable when the plants are small and have not spread widely.
• A vigorous stand of alfalfa, grown in healthy soil and either irrigated or receiving plenty of rainfall, can help reduce hoary alyssum in alfalfa hay.”

At Healthy Critters Radio, we are hopeless animal lovers who want to share our experience and knowledge with you, for the betterment of your animals’ lives. We focus on health, nutrition, behavior, and ideas for overall well-being and happiness. Twice a month, we bring you guest experts, advice, commentary, and a lot of fun and laughter! If there is ever a topic you’d like for us to cover, let us know on our contact page!

The post Healthy Critters #194: Dogs in Public, Magnesium for Horses, Hoary Alyssum appeared first on Healthy Critters Radio.

12-25-23

Healthy Critters Radio by Horse Radio Network Ep. 193: Holiday Fun with Equestrians, A Classic Re-visit 12-25-23

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We wish you a Happy Holiday with some of our best holiday discussions, songs, and more from past HRN Holiday Radiothons! With tips for good puppy bonding, Hedwig’s advice for humans during the holidays, a reading of “‘Twas the night before Festivus,” the “13 Days of Christmas according to Healthy Critters” song, our dog’s and horse’s New Year’s resolutions, and more!

Listen in!

Links for Episode 193:

• Co-Hosts: Tigger Montague from BioStar US and Pati Pierucci from Pierucci Dressage
• Ask Hedwig
• Learn more about supplements for your horse and dog at Biostar US
• Follow Healthy Critters Radio on Facebook

Co-host Tigger Montague gives her recipe for puppy bonding at a formative time in the young dog’s development:

“I really make time with the puppy. That is challenging for a lot of people who work in offices or have to be away from home. The nice thing about Christmas is, generally you’ve got a little time that you can really bond with your puppy. And it’s a crucial time of bonding. I like to have the puppy in my lap, I like to have the puppy on the couch — I know lots of people are rolling their eyes right now — I make sure the puppy follows me into the kitchen, into the bathroom, into the bedroom…everywhere I am, the puppy is.

I think in the beginning, that is ultra-important. That bond is like the bond with their mother, and that’s sort of who we’re replacing. In a way, we’re better than the mother in that we will show them really amazing things in their life. [Dog] mom is more about feeding and cleaning, and the human is more about, ‘Hey, we can play! We can go outside, we can go on adventures, you can go in the car…'”

At Healthy Critters Radio, we are hopeless animal lovers who want to share our experience and knowledge with you, for the betterment of your animals’ lives. We focus on health, nutrition, behavior, and ideas for overall well-being and happiness. Twice a month, we bring you guest experts, advice, commentary, and a lot of fun and laughter! If there is ever a topic you’d like for us to cover, let us know on our contact page!

The post Healthy Critters #193: Holiday Fun with Equestrians, A Classic Re-visit appeared first on Healthy Critters Radio.

12-10-23

Healthy Critters Radio by Horse Radio Network Ep. 192: Holiday Gifts for Horse & Dog Owners, Stories, Toucans 12-10-23

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We talk about favorite holiday gifts for horse and dog owners, the Critter of the Show is the Toucan; in Critter Nutrition, Tigger shares her tales of Christmas with animals.

Listen in!

Guests and Links for Episode 192:

Toucan

• Co-Hosts: Tigger Montague from BioStar US and Pati Pierucci from Pierucci Dressage
• Article: How to Help your Horse Stay Warm this Winter
• Ask Hedwig
• Learn more about supplements for your horse and dog at Biostar US
• Follow Healthy Critters Radio on Facebook

– photo credits: iStock, Pixabay

Co-host Tigger Montague regales us with her own “Christmas with animals” tales from years past:

“When my ex-husband and I bought our farm 39 years ago, it came with five cows and a bull. Neither my husband nor I had any cattle experience. What could possibly go wrong?

Our first Christmas at the farm began before light, with our dogs barking unusually loudly and frantically. My husband refused to get up, so I threw on a bathrobe and went to let the dogs out. They ran out into the backyard like hellhounds. I figured it was a raccoon or maybe deer. We had houseguests, my husband’s brother and his wife Elaine from Atlanta. The barking had woken them up, and I assured them they could go back to sleep. I headed for the kitchen to make coffee.

Then I heard it. Moo. Right by the kitchen window. It was still dark. Oh crap, did the cows get out? I threw on a coat, jammed my feet into my trusty Bean boots, found a flashlight and headed outside. Mind you, I was still in my nightgown.

There they were. Five cows and, somewhere in the dark shadows, one bull. The dogs had stirred the cows up, and I was waving my arms frantically trying to shoo them out of the backyard and into the pasture…”

At Healthy Critters Radio, we are hopeless animal lovers who want to share our experience and knowledge with you, for the betterment of your animals’ lives. We focus on health, nutrition, behavior, and ideas for overall well-being and happiness. Twice a month, we bring you guest experts, advice, commentary, and a lot of fun and laughter! If there is ever a topic you’d like for us to cover, let us know on our contact page!

The post Healthy Critters #192: Holiday Gifts for Horse & Dog Owners, The Toucan, Tigger’s Funniest Christmas Fails appeared first on Healthy Critters Radio.

11-25-23

Healthy Critters Radio by Horse Radio Network Ep. 191: Thanksgiving Treats for Your Dog, Keeping Horses Warm in Winter, Jack Russell Terriers 11-25-23

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In this episode we discuss which Thanksgiving leftovers you can give to your dogs and cats; the Critter of the Show is the Jack Russell Terrier; in Critter Nutrition we have warming supplements and advice on helping your horse stay warm in the winter; and in Coffee Klatch we ask which cartoon character your horse or dog reminds you of.

Listen in!

Guests and Links for Episode 191:

• Co-Hosts: Tigger Montague from BioStar US and Pati Pierucci from Pierucci Dressage
• Guest: Ashley Hebrank
• Article: How to Help your Horse Stay Warm this Winter
• Ask Hedwig
• Learn more about supplements for your horse and dog at Biostar US
• Follow Healthy Critters Radio on Facebook

– photo credit: Pixabay

How can you help a horse stay warm in winter? Co-host Tigger Montague offers her advice:

“Horses need movement. By nature, horses are herd animals who are constantly moving and continually foraging for food. Horses maintained in a herd or turned out 24/7 get basic circulatory support by simply walking and eating. Yet horses who spend eight hours a day or more in a stall may need additional circulatory support to help reduce stiffness in their joints and body.

Even younger horses feel the demands cold weather makes on their bodies: joints become stiffer and it’s harder to stay warm, even under blankets.

With improved circulation, horses can move more comfortably even in cold weather. Increased circulation improves blood flow throughout the body, which also plays a key role in tissue healing and repair…”

At Healthy Critters Radio, we are hopeless animal lovers who want to share our experience and knowledge with you, for the betterment of your animals’ lives. We focus on health, nutrition, behavior, and ideas for overall well-being and happiness. Twice a month, we bring you guest experts, advice, commentary, and a lot of fun and laughter! If there is ever a topic you’d like for us to cover, let us know on our contact page!

The post Healthy Critters #191: Thanksgiving Treats for Your Dog, Keeping Horses Warm in Winter, Jack Russell Terrier appeared first on Healthy Critters Radio.