Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 4, 2025. Link. Most read posts from December 4th AHD Bulletin – Beat seasonal depression before it arrives. Link. Barrel racing event in Waco, TX, epicenter of EHV-1/EHM outbreaks. Link. How cold is too cold? Link. Unused PTO: a red flag. Link. Stay informed without doomscrolling. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 4, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 26, 2025. Link. Most read posts from November 2025 AHD Bulletins – Ownership model frames lasting change. Link. Speed eating cats, skateboarding dogs highlight Thailand’s pet boom. Link. Convenience, connection matter just as much as price. Link. You … [Read more...]
Year-long chronicle update: 1 Horse, 1 Farrier, 1 Year
Sponsored Content In this second installment, Esco Buff, CF, APF, PhD, updates the hoof-care journey of Jackson, a 15-year-old Clydesdale cross gelding. Subtle lameness observations, shifts in hoof quality and environmental stressors are already influencing farriery decisions, owner management and our shared preparation for what lies ahead. Jackson is experiencing arthritic … [Read more...]
Variable hay quality a concern during cold snaps
Cattle feed intake can surge higher than 20 percent to make up for energy expended to keep them warm. Amber Friedrichsen reminds us that a large spread in hay quality across the Midwest exists, making it that much more important to test forage and budget for additional bales or supplemental feed. In short, a bale ≠ a bale ≠ a bale. Source: Hay and Forage Grower, December … [Read more...]
Animal Health Digest celebrates 10 years!
Thanksgiving season is an appropriate time to thank those who support AHD’s curation service. Without you, our weekly Bulletin would not be possible. THANK YOU! The curators who share content they reviewed include: Rick Purnell, editor Dane Erickson, Bulletin manager Patrick T. Malone, weekly columnist Industry colleagues and friends AHD Sponsors In the … [Read more...]
VCPR. Have we got it backwards?
Kudos to Jules Benson, BVSc, and Emily M. Tincher, DVM, for their JAVMA Viewpoint article asserting the need to embrace pet family–centered care to forge a path to more accessible and sustainable veterinary medicine. They ask the question, “What if the VCPR was more CPVR?” Their viewpoint examines the transition from a provider-centered, often medically driven, approach to … [Read more...]
Scroll the AHD Archives
During this past three months, we’ve experienced all-time highs in post readership. The links here will allow you to quickly scroll through the AHD Archives by month, catch posts you missed or revisit the ones you skipped for a later time. Source: Animal Health Digest Archives for November 2025. Link. Archives for October 2025. Link. Archives for September 2025. … [Read more...]
Preventing thrush before it starts
Haylie Pfeffer’s article is a good reminder of the benefits of managing environmental conditions and hoof structure to avoid thrush in horses. Consider it for direct communications with horse owners, social media posts or linked in a newsletter. Thrush is not contagious, but multiple horses at the same barn could be affected, especially in communal, damp, muddy conditions … [Read more...]
Vaccine hesitancy and the importance of client communication
Vaccine hesitancy, compliance and adherence are everyday challenges in veterinary hospitals that are not going away. “Same stuff, different day” apathy can become the norm when veterinary teams face anti-vax sentiment. Yet we know the importance of vaccination to prevent disease and must address client objections to best serve their pets. Each time an animal health pro reads … [Read more...]
How much do radiographs change as a weanling ages?
Radiographic abnormalities noted in weanlings at the November sale can change significantly by the time they are yearlings at the September sale, writes Rolf Embertson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. He says most of the radiographic changes are improvements, but many are not. He references three presentations that looked at: a) changes in carpal and fetlock RA, b) changes in stifle … [Read more...]
Black walnut dangerous for horses
The black walnut tree and its nut are considered toxic to horses and other animals because they contain a chemical called juglone, writes Emily Fought. She continues to warn horse owners about leaves and nuts contaminating grass, hay and water sources. Just 20 percent black walnut in horse bedding, sawdust or shavings can cause toxicity. Source: Cowgirl, November 8, 2025. … [Read more...]
6 steps to manage horses with hock arthritis
When horses develop arthritis in their hocks, they need a management plan that corresponds to both the horse and the owner, writes Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA. She shares important management decisions for the horse owner to make with their veterinarian. As the disease progresses, owners might need to adjust that plan and eventually consider a lower workload for the … [Read more...]
Chewy to acquire SmartEquine from Covetrus, Inc.
Chewy, Inc., has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SmartPak Equine, LLC, from Covetrus, Inc. This acquisition strengthens Chewy’s position as a leader in the equine category and accelerates its expansion into higher-margin health and wellness verticals. Source: Chewy, October 30, 2025. Link. The all-cash transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other … [Read more...]
Convenience, connection matter just as much as price
In this article, My Vet Candy reviews survey results from a paper titled, “U.S. Residents' Self-Reported Access to Veterinary Care and Implications for Care-Seeking Decisions.” The survey of more than 1,100 adults asked what “access to veterinary care” meant. In summary, the results show most people value and respect veterinary professionals, but they often feel shut out and … [Read more...]
It is time to communicate about pet holiday safety
Halloween ranks third for holiday candy-related pet claims, behind Christmas and Thanksgiving, according to data from Independence Pet Group. Independence Pet Holdings’ Jennifer Sperry, DVM, shares tips and an informative infographic about pet safety during this spooky season here <Link>. Thanksgiving kicks off the official winter holiday season, which is now under … [Read more...]
When it comes to horse hay, cost matters but nutrient content matters more (videos)
Bob Coleman, PhD, shares information for forage growers and horse owners in this article and videos. He notes more than 85 percent of horse owners buy their hay but may not understand or check the hay’s digestible energy, crude protein or nonstructural carbohydrates. Source: Paulick Report, April 22, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
4 ways chickens can benefit from pumpkin
As a follow-up to last week’s post about feeding pumpkins to horses <Link>, Ana Hotaling shares the value the various parts of pumpkins provide for chickens. She asserts that pumpkin is considered a superfood. This is a good article to share with backyard chicken owners. Source: Hobby Farms. Link. As a follow-up to last week’s post about feeding pumpkins to horses … [Read more...]
AAHA resources complement veterinary technician support, development
While National Veterinary Technician Week has ended, the opportunity to involve, develop and use veterinary technicians in practice teams remains every day. Connor Dunwoodie pulled together resources in this article, beginning with the 2023 AAHA Technician Utilization Guidelines and Veterinary Technician Utilization Toolkit. Source: AAHA Trends, October 14, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Recognizing pasture asthma
Pasture asthma is different from severe asthma, writes Cyprianna E. Swiderski, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM. Horses with pasture asthma often improve within hours to days of being brought into stalls and away from inhaled pasture particulates. Although veterinarians have previously referred to pasture asthma as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heaves, pasture-associated … [Read more...]
Can horses eat pumpkin?
Pumpkins, including the skin, pulp and seeds are safe for horses to eat as occasional treats, but it is an acquired taste and common sense is needed when feeding them. Source: My New Horse, EQUUS, October 31, 2023. Link. Also see: Safe feeding tips and precautions when feeding pumpkin to horses, The Equine Institute, September 16, 2024. Link. When preparing pumpkins for … [Read more...]
Make the call and Just ASK
Commentary The call from a local but unrecognized number seemed random. Still, I answered it. It was from my dog’s veterinary clinic. Sharing her name and the clinic’s, the vet tech was calling to check on my dog, noting I hadn’t responded to two wellness visit emails. Yes, I remembered one of the emails but did not act on it at the moment, nor did I act on one text message … [Read more...]
Palpating a horse’s back for soreness (video)
Providing a teaching moment video, Sina Parsaye, DVM, shares how horse owners can palpate a horse's back for soreness to see if there are issues that a veterinarian needs to address. Consider this video for social media, newsletters and training for equine groups. Source: My Senior Horse, June 15, 2025. Link. Video [1:26] … [Read more...]
America Palominos likely descend from six sires
TV horses like Roy Rogers’ Trigger captured people’s interest in palomino horses. Researchers from Mississippi State University studied palomino inheritance patterns and discovered six foundation sires for the modern stock-type horses registered with the Palomino Horse Breeders Association. Fifty-eight percent of PBHA horses trace back to Old Fred, a palomino Quarter Horse … [Read more...]
Foxtail woes. Be warned.
From mouth sores to infections, foxtails aren’t just annoying; they are painful for horses and pets. But the potential secondary problems are even worse. If a foxtail enters the skin, respiratory tract or urinary tract of a dog or cat, it can result in infection, inflammation or worse. Once inside, foxtails can migrate to different areas of an animal’s body. Note the … [Read more...]
Practical guide to equine body condition scoring
Equine body condition scoring is an assessment of external body fat and not muscle development, writes Sarah Nelson in this informative article. She shares tips for monitoring equine body condition along with a horse owner-friendly scoring guide. Consider sharing this article with horse owners as a pre-visit activity and prepare them for a more comprehensive discussion of … [Read more...]
Study: Rate of penicillin administration affects a horse’s arterial blood pressure
In a study of 29 horses under general anesthesia, researchers compared two methods of giving penicillin: 1) a fast injection over one minute and 2) a slower one over 10 minutes. Both methods caused a drop in blood pressure, but the fast injection led to a more dramatic decrease. Source: Paulick Report, October 1, 2025. Link. In equine anesthesia, every decision—from drug … [Read more...]
Researchers using ‘eBeam’ to battle New World screwworm
Texas A&M AgriLife and the National Nuclear Security Administration are exploring safer alternatives to high-radioactivity technologies to address NWS and other invasive arthropods. The eBeam technology used to halt fly reproduction is a potentially safer alternative to high-radioactivity cobalt-60 gamma sterilization. Source: Farm Progress, October 7, 2025. Link. Texas … [Read more...]
The big 5 of ulcer prevention (video)
Dr. Ben Sykes of BW Sykes Consultancy explains how horse owners can help prevent gastric ulcers. His video is worth sharing with horse owners on social media or in newsletters. Ulcer prevention starts at home with Sykes big five: Adequate roughage, specifically hay Avoiding excessive carbohydrates Managing exercise and exercise duration Ensuring periods of rest … [Read more...]
New courses added for youth horse enthusiasts
The AQHLearn program offers online education resources designed for youth ages 8 to 18 and just added new courses. The topics pertain to all aspects of horses, including horse health, history and basic knowledge. Users of all ages are encouraged to register for an account to the free courses Source: AQHA. Link. INSIGHTS: Be sure to share these courses with youth horse … [Read more...]
For a harmonious herd, provide enough space
A new study from The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute suggests that to fully benefit from being on pasture, horses need room to roam. The data showed horses kept in pens that allowed 342 square meters (about one-tenth of an acre) per horse had reduced levels of blood cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. Source: EQUUS, September 5, 2025. Link. The … [Read more...]