Bars are not decorative ridges. They’re structural beams, formed by the hoof wall folding inward at the heels. They brace the back of the hoof, support the internal tissues, and help the capsule resist distortion. They are part of the horse’s shock‑absorbing system which is the part you can’t see.

The trouble is, most of our understanding of “abnormal” imaging findings comes from horses who were imaged because they were lame. When you only ever scan the horses with problems, you start to believe that anything you find must be the cause of those problems.

Sole grows slowly - but it does grow when the conditions are right. Quality nutrition is the earliest, most powerful lever you can pull, and it’s one owners can control without waiting for a crisis.

There’s no single “correct” way to care for a horse - only the best set of trade‑offs for your horse, in your environment, with your resources and your budget. Most of the long‑held beliefs that get argued to death on forums and social media share one flaw: they promise a universal rule in a world where horses simply don’t operate on universals. Nutrition, husbandry, behaviour are systems, and systems are shaped by context.

Deep, fluffy bedding looks cosy, but it traps ammonia, heat, and moisture - all of which irritate the respiratory system, encourage bacteria and fungi, and soften hooves. Horses don’t need a mattress; they need a dry, well‑ventilated space where they can lie down comfortably and breathe clean air.

Dirt‑eating can be a perfectly normal part of equine behaviour, but it can also be a quiet signal that something in the diet or environment needs attention.

Selenium problems are sneaky because both deficiency and toxicity produce vague, overlapping, “not quite right” symptoms. Selenium has very small margins between too much and not enough - which is why it's a 'Goldilocks mineral'. That means owners - and sometimes even professionals - often chase the wrong diagnosis while the real culprit is a mineral imbalance hiding in plain sight

Discover the benefits of anti-inflammatories for horses. Compare pharmaceutical vs natural anti-inflammatories for long-term support and relief for horses that are stiff, sore or just showing signs of wear and tear.

A 10 second manure check is a simple habit that can tell you more about your horse’s health than most other practices ever will. It’s not glamorous, but it’s one of the most reliable, real‑time windows into what’s happening inside your horse’s gut. And once you know what to look for, you can spot small problems long before they become big ones.

Feeding gets complicated, and the differences between complete feeds, ration balancers, and targeted supplements matter. Bodyweight is not the only factor.

Small changes add up fast, and the right systems can turn daily chaos into calm, predictable flow. Let’s make your horse life easier, not busier. Here are 10 time saving hacks.

When the forage is good (whether that’s pasture or hay, or a combination), everything else becomes easier: weight stays steadier, behaviour is calmer, digestion runs smoothly, and you’re not constantly chasing problems with extra feeds or supplements. But because hay varies so much between cuts, species, and even paddocks, choosing the right batch can feel like a moving target. That’s why a little knowledge goes a long way in helping you pick hay that truly suits your horse.

PPID (Cushings) is one of the most common hormonal issues we see in older horses, but Australian data shows many cases are still slipping past owners. With around one in five horses over 15 affected, it’s far more widespread than most people realise. The challenge is that PPID doesn’t show up all at once, you need to keep a close eye on symptoms of problems with insulin and metabolic health to catch it early and keep these horses safe.

Here’s a look at the horse health topics you have wanted to know about most.

If you were using an online feed balancing calculator based only on hard feed and ignoring pasture, that would be like trying to balance your human diet by focusing super hard on the biscuit you had at morning tea, and ignoring everything else you ate in that day. If we don’t know what’s in the largest part of the diet, we can’t perfectly balance minerals on paper. So instead of chasing perfect numbers, here at Sound Advice we teach owners something far more practical.

Soaking feeds is one of those topics that sparks endless debate in horse groups, but the truth is far more balanced than the arguments suggest. This week, we’re breaking down the advantages, the drawbacks, and the actual research behind soaked vs. dry feeds.

Our new look Sound Advice Moody Mare Mix pairs Chaste Tree Berry with Magnesium because together they support both the hormonal cause and the behavioural symptoms.

The romanticised idea of a horse bonded to only one person may feel flattering, but in practice it is limiting and harmful.

Superfoods are exceptionally nutrient‑dense and offer extra health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They are rich in desirable nutrients (like antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, or omega 3 fatty acids). They are linked to disease prevention, or addressing chronic disease, and improving longevity with a better quality of life.

While it's tempting to increase weight rapidly with high sugar, empty calories, this can cause a range of other problems in the long-term. For overall health over time you are looking to supply dense calories that contribute other properties to the whole diet.