Consider and share these basic principles of horsemanship regarding water: Depending on body weight, in a moderate climate will drink five to 15 gallons per day Variations in water intake for individual horses may occur from day to day Diet affects water consumption Well-fed mature horses spend only five or six minutes a day drinking water in several visits … [Read more...]
Equine laminitis and black walnut wood residue
Very small quantities of black walnut wood residue in shavings can cause laminitis in horses. As little as 10 percent of the total shavings, by weight, may result in clinical signs of toxicity in horses. These signs generally occur within 24 to 48 hours of exposure to the contaminated shavings. The symptoms frequently begin with mild laminitis and swelling of the legs and … [Read more...]
The greening of America, potential dangers are hidden, inherent
Correctly managing spring grass growth isn’t easy, but having an effective plan in place will optimize both cattle and grass production for the remainder of the season. Don’t be too early; overgrazing slows subsequent growth and pasture resilience Early grass is water-laden; consider energy and/or dry matter supplements Hay boosts daily dry matter intake. Source: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 26, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 19, 2026. Link. Most read posts from March 19, 2026 AHD Bulletin – All work and no play? Link. Active listening: 6 strategies so others feel seen, heard, understood. Link. Understanding your window of tolerance. Link. ========================== Study: Humans preferred for empathy, but AI … [Read more...]
Lessons learned from 2025’s EHV-1 outbreak
Article by Merck Animal Health The 2025 EHV-1 outbreak in Texas exposed event-wide risks of inadequate biosecurity. As horse travel and events ramp up again in 2026, equine health experts are urging owners and organizers to apply lessons learned last year. With collaboration between owners, event organizers and veterinarians, outbreaks can be avoided. Source: Paulick … [Read more...]
Hoof-care journey, series update
Includes Commercial Content Jackson’s case continues to evolve, and management remains flexible and responsive. In the latest installment, the 15-year-old Clydesdale cross gelding’s chronic distal limb issues had reached mechanical limits requiring medical injection. The injection provided relief, complementing farriery rather than replacing it. Source: American … [Read more...]
Low-stress handling isn’t just for animals
Commentary Don’t let the cowboy hat and big beard fool you. Ashley Nicholls is an Australian turned Canadian and 2026 Nuffield Scholar <Link>. He says the ways we’ve learned to work with animals may be the missing framework for team cohesion and communication. The concept of low-stress people handling Nicholls promotes is based on the work of Temple Grandin, a renowned … [Read more...]
Shoeing the road horse
Complimentary The American Farriers Journal shares insights from hoof-care professionals to help the horses that run the roads in the new Shoeing the Road Horse report. Offered free as a downloadable PDF <Link>, it can also be found in the AHD library at the link below. Source: American Farriers Journal, March 2026. Link. Images: Link. … [Read more...]
Vaccination time: spring check-ups for horses
While a standard vaccination program for all horses does not exist, spring vaccinations are an important component of ensuring horses’ immune systems are optimized during the highest risk period for disease exposure. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners vaccination guidelines, the five core vaccinations that all horses need include: West Nile virus, … [Read more...]
New betamethasone study quantifies detection time for IM use
According to a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, betamethasone, a corticosteroid, remains detectable above thresholds published by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for 23 days after administration of 12 mg IM. The study also found that IM betamethasone use suppressed the horse’s cortisol levels for 360 hours, or 15 days. … [Read more...]
Review: Preparing the mare for breeding season
Etta Bradecamp, DVM, Dipl. ACT, ABVP, explained how veterinarians and horse owners can work together to prepare mares for breeding season in a presentation at the 2025 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention. The starting point is the breeding soundness exam, she said. Source: The Horse, March 6, 2026. Link. Equine breeding success reflects long-term … [Read more...]
Recent FDA approvals include first oral treatment for canine lymphoma
The FDA granted full approval for the first oral treatment for canine lymphoma, plus three conditionally approved animal drugs and cleared new generics for cats, horses and cattle. Source: AVMA News, March 5, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 12, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 5, 2026. Link. Most read posts from March 5, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Scoring system reveals parasites affect equine skin, coat condition. Link. Practicing radical acceptance. Link. Short online programs for overcoming depression led to improvements. Link. You are in charge. Link. Review: The … [Read more...]
World’s oldest horse supported by superior care, nutrition, devotion
When Paige Blumer, hospital manager for an animal dentist and oral surgeon in Leesburg, Virginia, got her first horse, Fancy, at age 5, she had no idea it would become a lifelong friendship. Today, they are still side by side. Now 37, Fancy was recognized by Guinness World Records as the World’s Oldest Horse and her 38th birthday (and Blumer’s) is April 1. Blumer credits expert … [Read more...]
Scoring system reveals impact of parasites on equine skin and coat condition
A recent study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science marks an advancement in understanding the relationship between parasites and horse health and a scoring system projected to improve welfare outcomes in equine populations. Researchers evaluated the parasitic loads of horses at the University of Connecticut while simultaneously applying the new skin and coat … [Read more...]
Theileria orientalis is moving westward, now in 60 Missouri counties
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is the primary vector for Theileria orientalis ikeda, and it transmits the organism through its saliva while feeding on cattle. This disease has been reported in multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West … [Read more...]
KCAHC seeks innovators in companion animal, ag tech and food animal sectors
The KC Animal Health Corridor is now accepting Emerging Company applications for the 2026 Animal Health Summit, taking place August 31st to September 1st. The Summit provides a global platform for early-stage companies in companion animal health, ag tech and food animal production to present their technologies and business plans to investors, strategic partners and industry … [Read more...]
Filly or colt? How a mare’s age may influence the gender of her offspring
A study from Brazil suggests a possible correlation between a mare’s age and the gender of her offspring. Analysis of the combined data showed that mares older than 15 were more likely to deliver fillies than were younger mares. On the other hand, the age of the sire seemed to have only a minor effect on gender ratios. Source: EQUUS, December 1, 2026. Link. Image: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 25, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 19, 2026. Link. Most read posts from February 19, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Avoiding difficult conversations. Link. Yes, they really do make TV for cats and dogs. Link. Oral care at home helps pets stay healthy. Link. Command respect with your voice. Link. Most employees see their jobs as … [Read more...]
World class VMX 2026 attendance, dates set for VMX 2027
Complimentary NAVC reports VMX 2026 saw more than 28,500 veterinarians, veterinary nurses/technicians, support staff, students, exhibitors and guests in attendance from 78 countries. During the five-day event, attendees could select from 1,200+ hours of continuing education credits, interact with over 720 exhibiting companies and attend nightly entertainment and network with … [Read more...]
Reading stress signals in horses
Horses are constantly broadcasting their internal state through body language, breathing, and muscle tone. The question isn’t whether they are talking to you; it’s whether you’re tuned to the right frequency. Kate Fenner, (BEqSc (Hons), PhD, shared this stress scale in the context of training <Link> emphazing that a horse's emotional state exists on a … [Read more...]
Review: Pigeon fever cases on the rise in the U.S.
First discovered in California in 1915, cases of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis are showing up in areas where it was once unknown. The external subcutaneous abscessation that frequently occurs in the pectoral region or ventral abdomen resembles a pigeon’s breast which is the only association pigeons have with the disease. Also known as dryland distemper or false strangles, … [Read more...]
AVMA’s new resource strengthens biosecurity practices, advances One Health
AVMA’s new biosecurity webpage brings together trusted guidance and tools to help prevent and control infectious diseases across a range of animal species and settings. The newly launched webpage <Link> was developed in direct response to AVMA member requests. Source: AVMA, February 4, 2026. Link. INSIGHTS: Well done! The webpage provides foundational information … [Read more...]
Farrier shares: signs, symptoms, treatment options, anticipated outcomes of thrush
Includes Commercial Content David Hallock is well acquainted with thrush and explains there are several opportunities for it to become prevalent and persistent. The article is complete with photos and guidance for farriers and horse owners that veterinary teams may find useful. Treating the thrush should result in a big, healthy, clean and open frog. Consistent cleaning … [Read more...]
Software integration is key to greater veterinary AI adoption
Commentary Destined to become a clarifying pivot point in veterinary technology development, we’re sharing a new paper, Companion Animal Veterinary Software: Part I, Navigating Practice Challenges with Support of Technology and AI, authored by Jon Ayers, Jeff Dixon, Dr. Adam Little, and Adam Wysocki, with contributions from Andrew Luna. As might be expected given this … [Read more...]
4 easy ways to ice-proof horses’ hooves
Melinda Freckleton, DVM, shares the importance of dealing with “ice balls” or “snowballs” caused when snow and ice get packed under a horse’s hoof, warms up slightly against the sole, then freezes readily against the cold metal of the shoe. To avoid injuries from poor footing or hoof damage, she shares ice-fighting strategies. Consider sending this article to horse-owning … [Read more...]
How prolonged maternal care in horses builds better brains and improves social skills
Study results from INRAE in France showed that foals who stayed with their mothers were much better off in several areas. Their brains developed faster in the parts that control emotions and social behavior and there was stronger connectivity in the default mode network. The researchers were surprised to find that foals with their mothers gained more weight even though they … [Read more...]
Why veterinarians recommend using a broker for pet insurance
This article is a good read for veterinary teams willing to promote pet insurance benefits but hesitant to direct pet owners to specific pet insurance brands. To support those discussions, Animal Health Digest created a “Pet Insurance Guide.” The guide is a free tool designed to save time, advance pet health insurance conversations, and highlight the benefits for clients, their … [Read more...]
AQHYA releases “AQHA Achieve,” a virtual knowledge contest for youth
Here’s a fun way to engage young horse enthusiasts in your community. Share this with your equine connections and remember to include local teachers, 4-H, FFA and equine group leaders. Include local media, as well. The three-phase virtual program from the American Quarter Horse Youth Association offers youth worldwide an accessible way to compete, learn and earn recognition. … [Read more...]
USDA announces New World Screwworm Grand Challenge
The New World Screwworm Grand Challenge funding opportunity marks a pivotal step in USDA’s comprehensive strategy to combat NWS and prevent its northward spread. As part of the commitment USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will make up to $100 million available to support innovative projects that enhance sterile NWS fly production, strengthen preparedness and … [Read more...]