VH Freelance Equestrian Services

05/09/2026

Now we have the rain ,the moles are on the move,if you need us give us a call.

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

Another full on week🤩👍✅

Just look at those beautiful views🌞🐾🌅🐴

01/09/2026

Beautiful Bobby🩶

Such a fun boy🫶🏻

31/08/2026

Lills loves her afternoon skip outs because she knows she gets lots of fuss and the scratchiesss🥹🥰

29/08/2026

Very soggy ponies & a very soggy me today! ☔️ 🌧️in fact I reckon I could’ve wrung myself out I was absolutely soaked through but the horses needed tending to whether it was raining or not😂🙌🏻🐴

Safe to say I think the girls are enjoying a good muddy roll and drying off in their stables🐴

Very grateful for the rain though which is much needed! Keep an eye on that green lush grass that will shoot through in no time!😱☘️🌿

28/08/2026

The Overuse of Previcox / Equioxx in Horses
(And Why “Better Than Bute” Isn’t the Standard We Should Be Using)

Previcox and Equioxx are both forms of firocoxib, a COX‑2 selective NSAID commonly prescribed for pain and inflammation in horses. COX‑2 selective means the drug targets the inflammation‑producing COX‑2 enzyme while sparing more of the COX‑1 enzyme that protects the stomach and kidneys, however they still reduce the protective prostaglandins that keep the gut lining healthy- and are not "ulcer free".

These drugs are often described as “safer than bute.”
But here’s the truth: bute is well‑known to cause significant gastric and hindgut ulceration when used long‑term in a high percentage of horses, so being “better than bute” is not exactly a meaningful measure of safety.

The FDA‑approved Equioxx label clearly states: not for use beyond 14 days.
Yet in my practice, I see horses on it for months… even years.

NSAIDs are not preventative, they do not heal anything.
Long‑term use can come with real consequences.

In both human and vet medicine, it’s well‑established that chronic NSAID use can contribute to:

• gastric ulcers
• colitis
• kidney stress or damage
• reduced blood flow to the digestive tract
• hindgut irritation
• systemic inflammation over time

So while owners are trying to reduce mild to moderate MSK discomfort, they’re often doing it at the cost of the digestive system, which ultimately drives more inflammation long‑term.

Pain is communication.
Masking it without understanding the root cause often leads to bigger problems long term.

To be clear, this post is not stating that NSAIDS should not be used, medications absolutely have their place. However many owners are unaware of the long term side effects. Risks and benefits should always be considered. For those who take this post as denying seniors horses comfort- it is not that. Unfortunately I see many young and middle aged horses on long term NSAIDS. I like to ask "at what cost"?
And the answer will be different for everyone!

If you want to read more- head to my blog!

https://kcequinewellness.ca/blogs/equine-wellness/lets-stop-overusing-previcox-equioxx-for-horses

If long term medication is not for you, and you're looking for a holistic approach to help your horse heal naturally head to my website to book your consult now.

Apply for your consultation today:
https://kcequinewellness.ca/pages/holistic-nutrition

Follow KC Equine Wellness on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kcequinewellness

Check out my blog:
https://kcequinewellness.ca/blogs/equine-wellness

28/08/2026

Always interesting and educational reads🙌🏻👍

Why I Don’t Recommend Vegetable Oils for Horses!

Vegetable oils like canola, soy, and corn are highly inflammatory and harmful to horses. These industrial seed oils disrupt digestion, stress the liver, and increase inflammation, worsening conditions like ulcers and metabolic issues. You would surprised how often owners are told to feed their horses these oils- in fact I hear about it almost every week!

Instead of helping, vegetable oils add metabolic stress and damage gut health. Horses need biologically appropriate fats from whole-food sources like flax, h**p, chia, or rice bran for example.

Choose balance and whole foods over industrial oils for your horse’s health and comfort.

Read more on my blog below!

Apply for your consultation today:
https://kcequinewellness.ca/pages/holistic-nutrition

Follow KC Equine Wellness on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kcequinewellness

Check out my blog:
https://kcequinewellness.ca/blogs/equine-wellness

28/08/2026