Studies indicate that between 60 to 90 percent of horses have gastric ulcers. Stress from showing or intense riding can exacerbate dormant problems. Animal health pros can share these quick tips with horse owners to help address equine ulcer prevention and treatment. Source: Horse and Rider, web posting. Here's how you can help your horses avoid ulcers: Provide … [Read more...]
Curbing cribbing in horses
Cribbing is a compulsive behavioral disorder in which a horse habitually bites down on a horizontal surface with its incisors and sucks in air, often making a grunting or gulping noise. Interventions address concerns that cribbing wears down the incisors and is linked to issues of unthriftiness, poor performance, dental issues, gas colic and strangulating lesions such as … [Read more...]
Stallions with steady jobs behave better
Jim Brinkman, owner of Pitzer Ranch in Ericson, Nebraska, and equine behaviorist Sue McDonnell, Ph.D., with the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, share their experiences about helping a stallion behave well. Source: AQHA Daily, October 19, 2016. Give him a job. “A stallion is a lot like an 18-year-old-boy. If he’s got a steady job, and he’s a little … [Read more...]
Dogs and horses don extreme Halloween costumes
Just for fun! It is almost Halloween. Whether your customers are having a barn party or attending a holiday horse show, some of the most creative horse and dog costumes are about to emerge. Source: Horse Network, October 13, 2017. Photo essay of 28 Halloween horse (and dog) costumes that prove you aren’t trying hard enough. … [Read more...]
Be cautious around horses
Equine veterinarians have higher rates of injury than other occupations, including those in construction, the prison service, and firefighters. Further, an Australian study data reported that while there have been significant decreases in injury and death in workplaces traditionally viewed as dangerous, such as mining and construction over the past several decades, there has … [Read more...]
Ak-Sar-Ben racing remembered
For many who grew up in the Midwest, horse racing meant a trip to Omaha, Nebraska. Closed since 1986, Ak-Sar-Ben race track memories span eight pages celebrating the horses, jockeys, trainers and fans. The name Ak-Sar-Ben is Nebraska spelled backwards. Source: American Racehorse, September/October 2016, page 19. According to Jack VanBerg, Hall of Fame trainer, Ak-Sar-Ben … [Read more...]
Quiz: What horse breed are you?
Just for fun! We often hear of anthropomorphism, the assignment of human qualities to animals. But in this quiz you can apply animal qualities to your human self. It’s known as zoomorphism. Source: Firstline, August 16, 2016. Are you the strong, athletic type? Or are you more of a versatile, hardworking person? Take this quiz to discover which breed of horse your … [Read more...]
Adventures in equine texting
Bo Brock, DVM, shares an experience with a misdirected text and pictures taken during an equine surgery. It is a comical reminder of what happens when texting goes wrong. Source: Equine 360, April 1, 2016. It turned out she was a really funny old lady. When she finally believed that I was a veterinarian sending pictures to a client, and looked close enough at the pictures … [Read more...]
International travel for horses planned far in advance
If you think international travel is hard on you, ask your horses how it affects them. Last week, 43 of the world’s most athletic horses competing in the Longines Masters of Los Angeles, landed at LAX in a cargo plane after an 11-hour flight from Liege, Belgium. Source: Horse Network, September 28, 2016. The horses traveled on board the aircraft in custom designed horse … [Read more...]
Editorial – Wild horse advocates respond to BLM advisory board
The wild horse debate continues. Clearly, the overpopulation of wild horses on public lands is a problem. The challenges are ecological, geological and economical, all compounded by weather patterns. From one perspective, wild horses never seem to be labeled as feral. It may be time to look at their management and control as we manage feral hogs, feral dogs, feral cats and … [Read more...]
11 things you love about equine medicine
Portia Stewart takes readers on a fun ride from the perspective of DVMs and technicians who work with horses. The sequence is nicely illustrated as well. One of these is guaranteed to make you smile. Source: DVM 360, September 14, 2016. These were my two favorites: The feeling of relief after you float a horse's mouth, knowing you got rid of those sharp edges that … [Read more...]
Potential for ultrasound use with horses is almost unlimited
Ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate the female reproductive tract, as well as the, tendon and ligament a horse’s lower limb. The applications are not the limit, according to David Ramsey, DVM. Ultrasound is easily learned and can be used in less common situations, including colic. Ultrasound mechanics are straightforward. Ultrasonic waves are generated by a probe the … [Read more...]
Test your horse smarts
During a recent event, a UBM representative shared that quizzes and brain teasers were very popular. So, if you missed this one and you love horses, try these trivia questions. Source: DVM 360, September 2, 2016. Whoa! Stop what you’re doing and try your brain, which weighs about twice as much as a horse’s brain (that’s a freebie), at these horse trivia questions. … [Read more...]
Young foals susceptible to colic, other GI issues
There’s nothing quite like watching a new foal struggle to stand on wobbly legs. But, colic can quickly spoil that joy. Because of the foal’s delicate gastrointestinal system, it is important to take signs of even mild colic seriously. It could progress to a life-threatening condition in a few hours. Dr. Thomas Lenz reviews common causes for foal colic and gastrointestinal … [Read more...]
USDA Veterinary Services needs feedback
Emerging animal diseases have the potential to negatively affect animal health, public health, and trade. Continuing work begun in 2014, this week, the Veterinary Services (VS) division at the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released an update titled “Emerging Animal Disease and Preparedness Plan.” The agency seeks comments on the document, which expands on the … [Read more...]
Equine WNV Diagnoses Increasing
Horses in three states recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV): two in New York, one in Oklahoma and five in Wisconsin, according to officials at the Equine Disease Communications Center. Source: The Horse, September 13, 2016. In addition to vaccinations, horse owners also need to reduce the mosquito populations and their possible breeding areas. Recommendations … [Read more...]
How horses see the world
Common problems between horses and their handlers are often rooted in how differently they see the world. Here’s what you need to know about equine depth perception, night vision and other sight-related systems. Source: Equus, March, 2016. Understanding the variance between equine and human vision helps us to train horses more effectively states Janet L. Jones, PhD. She … [Read more...]
Special Issue – AAEP Equine Veterinary Journal (EVE)
The online issue is dedicated to the abstracts of the International Conference on Canine and Equine Locomotion 2016, London, UK, 17-19 August 2016. The canine abstracts are not included in the 78 abstracts presented. Source: Equine Veterinary Education, August 2016. (link to table of contents only) INSIGHTS: The review article in the printed American Edition, Equine … [Read more...]
Robert Miller speaks out in Western Horseman
Dr. Miller a lifelong horseman, a veterinarian has had a professional relationship with Western Horseman since 1949. He visited with Katie Frank on foal imprinting, starting colts and his love for mules. Source: Western Horseman, September 2016, page 44. (no link available) 'If you love your horse . . . don’t start them until they’re three. And don’t train them for (any) … [Read more...]
Human-animal bond helps with empty nest syndrome
Facing an empty nest at home, author and mother Ashley Collins shares her experience and realizations of how her horse is part of her emotional support network. She also acknowledges how the family dog reacts to college preparations taking place in the home. This article supports the increasing discussions about the human-animal bond and one-health initiatives. Source: Horse … [Read more...]
Riding to the hounds
Fox hunting or riding to the hounds is a long-held tradition of the fall. Riders gather, don stock ties, jackets and tall boots, then tote traditional whiskey flasks to ward off chills or the discomfort of a spill. Many hunts no longer chase live animals. They instead follow a pre-determined drag scent trail. Source: Horse Network, August 24, 2016. It may sound extreme, but … [Read more...]
Fall brings risk of red maple poisoning in horses
As fall approaches, it is important to remind horse owners about the dangers posed by leaves from some maple trees. Horse owners who board horses or have just found new stable accommodations may not remember to check on tree varieties. The green leaves from fallen limbs are also toxic as they wilt and dry. Source: Equus, September 2016, page 30. Wilted or dried red maple … [Read more...]
Travel with the right horse papers
It takes a handful of documents to travel across the country with horses. In addition to health certificates and Coggins tests, this author outlines equine and personal documents critical when crossing state lines. It is a good reference piece to share with horse owners. Source: The Trail Rider. Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, shares information about each travel document: what … [Read more...]
AAEP risk-based vaccinations
This article provides a refresher for equine veterinary teams. Veterinarians are uniquely positioned to understand the risks posed to individual horses because of where they live, the lifestyles to which owners expose them and the diseases that are active in a practice area. Reviewing the facts about equine diseases that can be prevented or minimized through vaccination is … [Read more...]
Cure tail rubbing in horses
The main causes of tail rubbing in horses are presented in this article. It also offers ways horse owners might treat the issue(s), Including involving veterinarians. Bugs Pinworms Dirt, sweat, dry skin Other allergies Habit Source: Horse and Rider, August 14, 2016. Tail rubbing can be a frustrating problem. Sometimes the cause of a horse’s itching isn’t … [Read more...]
Mosquitos and horse health from AQHA sponsors
The AQHA Daily health archive contains two articles about mosquitoes and West Nile virus provided by AQHA sponsors. Horse owners should read these. Animal health pros who interact with horse owners should be familiar with information like this. Source: AQHA Daily, July 2016. Equine west nile threat increases during peak mosquito season, July 31, 2016. What horse … [Read more...]
TV schedule for equestrian events at the 2016 Olympics
Viewing options for Olympic equestrian events are provided for network, cable and streaming sources. Source: HorseChannel.com, August 1, 2016. There’s good news and less-good news for equestrian sports fans in the United States as the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro approach. The good news is that pretty much everyone, no matter how they consume television, will get … [Read more...]
Exploring the equine biome
Researchers are working to better understand the role of various species of microorganisms throughout the equine intestinal system. The collective groups of microbes, their genomes and how they interact is referred to as the microbiome. Source: The Horse, August 2016, page 26. Studying the equine intestinal microbiome is important because horses are hindgut fermenters," … [Read more...]
Overview: AAEP Equine Veterinary Journal (EVE)
We received the printed July issue of EVE this week. Review the table of contents for this journal of the AAEP to determine if any of the studies are relevant to your work. Source: Equine Veterinary Education (EVE), July 2016, Volume 48, Issue 4. (partial link). Equine veterinary teams will find value in this article: Equine tapeworm infections: Disease, diagnosis and … [Read more...]
Stretching benefits horse health
Jessica McLoughlin, registered equine massage therapist, shares stretching techniques that help horses stay in. This is great information to share with youth groups and horse owners. Source: Equine Wellness Magazine, July 20, 2016. Stretching is free! With everything costing so much these days, this versatile tool gives your pocketbook a welcome break. Stretching can and … [Read more...]