Steve Kraus, BS, CJF, reviews different types of certifications and accreditations horse owners encounter when shopping for a sport horse or pleasure horse farrier. In the United States, there is no legal framework governing farriery work and no unified system for certifying farriers. He explains differences between a farrier school diploma, a certificate and a full-fledged … [Read more...]
A horse owner’s most difficult decisions
Animal health pros will appreciate Louann Chaudier’s perspectives on dealing with four difficult situations, doing the right thing and determining the most viable set of actions. Economics plays a big role in these decisions, along with any health issues the horse may develop. The article is a good resource for veterinary teams who get brought into a decision-making … [Read more...]
ASPCA announces $5 million California Wildfire Response and Preparedness Fund
Responding to animal welfare organizations working to provide protections for the health and safety of owned and shelter animals due to the California wildfires, the ASPCA has created a $5 million relief fund. The funds can be applied to disaster response costs or capacity-building for disaster preparedness. Source: ASPCA, January 13, 2025. Link. Applications may be … [Read more...]
Tui Na can combat the effects of damp winter weather on horses
Temperature and moisture swings common in winter often create a damp chill for the hardiest of horses. Tui Na warming techniques can help warm the horse’s entire body, writes Amy Snow. Every muscle and every joint in the horse’s body will benefit from being warmed in winter using these easy-to-learn techniques. Source: Equine Wellness, February 17, 2021. Link. Tui-na is one … [Read more...]
Fecal water syndrome is not the same as diarrhea (infographic)
FWS is a condition where horses pass both solid and liquid material during defecation. It is likely not as severe as diarrhea but equally frustrating for horses and their owners. FWS management typically focuses on dietary management and stress reduction on a horse-by-horse basis. The infographic shared in the post is a helpful tool for veterinary teams to use to educate horse … [Read more...]
Encouraging equine hydration in winter
Horses prefer to drink water that is between 45°F and 65°F and drink the most water within three hours of consuming a meal. The author shares things to encourage horses to drink since winter environments often create situations that reduce horses’ desires or access to water. The average adult horse should drink about 1 gallon of water for every 100 pounds of body weight, so … [Read more...]
Senior horse health perspectives
While weight loss and chronic diarrhea are common clinical challenges in senior horses, Nanna Luthersson, DVM, focuses on the importance of dental health and regular checks in this article. She offers tips to help prevent dental issues in senior horses as they age. Source: My Senior Horse, January 3, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: This is good content to share with horse owners … [Read more...]
California fires sending deadly smoke for miles
Air quality is suffering in a widespread area in California. Wildfires fueled by the Santa Ana winds are devasting property and pushing smoke into the atmosphere. Beyond the immediate wildfire crises, the smoke will increase risks to people and animals over the next several days locally and likely spread across the U.S. in time. Consider educating animal owners about reducing … [Read more...]
Should we be concerned about H5N1 in horses?
The risk of H5N1 influenza infection in and from horses is probably very low. Horses rank far down the list of species about which I’m concerned, writes Scott Weese, DVM. However, they’re still on the list. Weese discusses some limited research on horse susceptibility, whether a horse could infect a person and remaining vigilant to the risk of recombination of flu viruses in … [Read more...]
Equine dental exams require sedation
Jeff Reiswig, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, shares the importance of sedation when examining a horse’s mouth. The article presents sedative safety, administration, volume and length of time sedation lasts. Source: The Horse, December 17, 2024. Link. Examining a horse’s mouth without sedating him is ‘essentially pointless’” Also see: 20 things a horse’s teeth are telling you, The Horse, … [Read more...]
What’s new with equine cribbing research?
Cribbing has been studied for more than 400 years without fully understanding why domesticated horse life would cause the condition, writes Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA. She shares 10 things researchers have learned since the 2016 update. Here are three of them: Cribbing is a stress-coping mechanism, not a vice Cribbing literally changes the horse’s brain It resolved … [Read more...]
10 non-negotiables for horse management
Commentary We like the positioning of this list and the underlying message of being accountable and responsible for a horse’s care. Kudos to Devin Conley for this article, which is appropriate for any horse owner of any age. Veterinary teams can use the article to establish the need for basic health care appointments and hopefully avoid some emergency calls for horses whose … [Read more...]
Mexico notifies United States of New World Screwworm detection
Commentary The recent announcement that officials detected a New World Screwworm in Mexico brought memories of removing screwworms from baby rabbits, ducklings and newborn puppies in the late 1960s. These experiences make this situation a priority to share with animal health pros. Vigilant monitoring and managing fly populations is critical to avoiding the devastation … [Read more...]
Microbiome-gut-brain axis; its importance in production animal agriculture
Complimentary Commercial Content Steve Lerner, PhD, shares how two legacy companies, Novozymes and Chr. Hansen, became the company Novonesis <Link>. His role with the new entity is to educate and support the company and industry by sharing the benefits of effective probiotics. Lerner explains the significance of the microbiome-gut-brain axis in animal production and … [Read more...]
Tips to lower winter colic risk for horses
A cold snap, a few inches of snow, or holiday events coupled with family activities can cause delays in winter horse care transitions. Hannah Lochner shares tips to help horse owners reduce the risk of colic as winter advances. While horse owners may already know what they should do, posting this article on social media or linking it in newsletters might help avoid a cold farm … [Read more...]
Preventing antimicrobial resistance in horses
Diane E. Rice shares what equine veterinarians are doing and suggesting to improve antimicrobial stewardship and avoid improper antibiotic use. J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl., ACVIM, and Wendy Vaala, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, provide three commitments for horse owners that will impact AMR in a positive way: Do all you can to prevent disease and, therefore, antibiotic use … [Read more...]
Weese: Rabies deaths reminders of the need to educate public
Rabies is still here and will likely always be, writes Scott Weese, DVM. While we have tools to effectively prevent infections, the human factor is the weak prevention link. Sharing two cases of human deaths from rabies, he stresses the importance of a better public understanding of rabies risks. Source: Worms and Germs, November 30, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Midwest Food Bank getting hay to North Carolina farmers hit by Hurricane Helene
Midwest Food Bank is seeking volunteers and funds to transport hay to North Carolina livestock farmers struggling to secure enough feed for their cattle to survive the winter. To date, 650 large round alfalfa hay bales have been donated to Midwest Food Bank for this critical relief effort. Some shipments are already on their way. Volunteers are needed to transport the relief … [Read more...]
Can fecal microbiota transplantation help treat diarrhea in foals?
Fecal microbiota transplantation is a medical procedure that transfers healthy bacteria from a donor's stool into a patient's colon. In adult horses, FMT has been shown to improve intestinal diversity. Australian researchers explored the effects of treating diarrhea in foals using FMT and found it to be safe for foals. Source: The Paulick Report, November 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Four situations among the hardest for horse owners to deal with
Keeping the welfare of the horse in mind, Louann Chaudier shares managing through difficult decisions for a horse’s life quality and ways to decide on a course of action. She covers a) costly vet bills, b) firing professional help, c) selling the horse to save money and d) when the owner’s health intervenes. Source: Horse Illustrated, November 1, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Medical-grade honey’s superior antibacterial activity
Honey is known as a natural, effective and safe alternative to traditional antiinfectives. But not all honey is alike. Researchers have discovered that medical-grade honey, particularly manuka honey, exhibits significantly stronger antibacterial properties compared to non-medical-grade honey. Source: Vet Candy, October 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Leptospirosis a post-hurricane risk
Commentary This article about the spikes in leptospirosis cases after Hurricane Fiona ravaged Puerto Rico in September 2022 serves as a warning to areas in the U.S. hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Whether people or animals, the elevated risks of leptospirosis require more vigilance and communication in healthcare communities. Source: IDSE, November 4, 2024. Link. Early … [Read more...]
Practices find value in Promoboxx® benefit from ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance
Sponsored Content Social media usage cuts across all demographic groups, be they generational, racial, gender-based or other. ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance has partnered with Promoboxx* to help practices capitalize on opportunities social media offers to promote practices and consistently engage with clients. The Promoboxx platform is currently provided at no … [Read more...]
Veterinarian shares what to know about splint bone injuries
Popped splints, or exostosis of the metacarpal or metatarsal bones, are a common finding in working and pastured horses alike. In this article, Fred Nostrant, DVM, discusses what horse owners should know about splint injuries. Consider his article for social media posts, newsletters and information for horse enthusiast groups. Source: The Horse, October 30, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
A fresh perspective on horse expenses
Complimentary, includes Commercial Content A recent study completed by Synchrony noted horse owners spend three to four times more than they initially estimated. Karen Hopper Usher provides a realistic overview of horse costs, where the expenses are derived and the importance of planning for expected and unexpected expenses. Source: The Horse. Link. In addition to … [Read more...]
Signs of back pain in horses
A horse’s back changes with age. In the article here, Barb Crabbe, DVM, teaches about a horse’s back and how to keep it healthy as he ages. She begins with an overview of back anatomy and then describes the most commonly diagnosed back problems. Back problems are difficult to diagnose in horses and challenging to treat. Source: Horse and Rider, December 4, 2023. Link. You … [Read more...]
Comparing professional and at-home laser therapy for horses
Includes Commercial Content Laser therapy is now recognized for its therapeutic benefits in veterinary medicine. Research supports its use in reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and accelerating tissue repair and healing. In this article, the authors compare professional and at-home therapy approaches. Source: Equine Wellness, October 21, 2024. Link. For most equine … [Read more...]
Infection control, prevention and biosecurity. Is your plan current?
AAHA’s Infection Control, Prevention, and Biosecurity Guidelines have been available since 2018. Having an ICPB plan is critical to ensure the safety of pets, pet owners and clinic staff. A lot has happened in the six years since the guidelines were published, making updating any current plans important. Emily Singler, VMD, reviews the steps to create an effective ICPB and its … [Read more...]
Dairy biosecurity starts with mentality change
Biosecurity consultant Dan Hougentogler shares the challenges of improving biosecurity practices on dairies, especially those with multiple species on the farm. One of the bigger issues is to get producers to take biosecurity seriously. Source: American Agriculturist, October 21, 2024. Link. Changing the mentality is really about managing people to reduce our potential for … [Read more...]
Water-soaked hay improved asthma in horses
Hay and bedding are a common source of airborne particles in horse barns. In a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, researchers found that soaking hay with water before feeding was effective in reducing the clinical signs of asthma. To be effective, a specific protocol must be followed. The hay must be soaked for 45 minutes and any dried hay that … [Read more...]