By Tony Hawkins, DVM, Valley Vet Supply Technical Service Veterinarian In Part 1 of this series, we discussed heat stress in dogs, which are very prone to overheating. Now, we’re moving on to horses. Horses are very proficient sweaters, making them some of the most efficient animals at cooling themselves …
To ensure hay quality, reduce dust irritants, and maintain nutrients, hay steaming is the way to go for optimal horse health Recently The ECCO FEI World Championships were held in Herning, Denmar. Among scores of considerations for traveling with an equine to an international event, hay quality and gut health …
Sooner or later, nearly all horse owners will deal with a hoof abscess. But what does “hoof abscess” actually mean? Although most commonly seen during the wet winter and spring months, hoof abscesses can plague horses year-round and usually occur when debris and bacteria enter the foot through hoof cracks …
When horses talk, we listen but how good are we at deciphering what they have to say? According to a recently published study (Nov 2021) by Dr. Katrina Merkies, researcher and associate professor at the University of Guelph, and her master student Haley Belliveau, we are faring well. Using an online survey, participants …
A lot of attention has been directed to bacterial endotoxins, MMP enzyme activators, and fructan or starch fermentation as factors in laminitis, but how much are they really involved? With laminitis, it is usually hormones, not the hind gut. In the “horse broke into the feed bin” scenario, too much …
Examining difficult end-of-life decisions The gelding stood with his head cocked to one side, nose extended forward. Curious and charming, our heartstrings tightened when we learned he was mostly blind. We’ve all seen inspirational stories of sightless horses living happy lives. With the right companion, and enough human love, he …
by Eleanor Blazer Is your horse getting a little “long in the tooth”? This expression usually means the horse (or person) is getting old, but even young horses can have teeth that are too long or have sharp points. It’s very important to understand how horse’s teeth change as they …
Swimming and aquatreadmill work take center stage at educational event for owners who prioritize their horses’ peak performance, health and well-being. June 23, 2022, Franklin, Tenn: Haygain’s interest in equine respiratory health prompted staffers to dive into the topic of aquatic exercise for horses recently. The company was honored to participate …
A variety of options are necessary for optimal control Flies can be more than an annoyance – they can even be dangerous, whether impacting a ride with your horse in a single, painful bite or transmitting diseases to horses and cattle. “Flies are pesky, they’re hard to control. And a …
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can cause acute renal failure, in-utero infection and abortion, and equine recurrent uveitis in infected horses. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has published on its website comprehensive guidelines to educate practitioners about risk factors, transmission, clinical signs, treatment and other considerations pertaining to …
