American Quarter Horse Youth Association regional directors and five national officers for the 2016-17 term were elected July 14 at the Bank of America Youth Excellence Seminar in Amarillo. See if one of these youths is a customer. If so, drop them a note or call with congratulations. Source: America’s Horse Weekly, July 18, 2016. Throughout the year, the officers and … [Read more...]
Extensive horse health article library updated
The AAEP website has an extensive library of horse health related articles written by AAEP veterinarians. These articles are now updated and can be used for personal review and for customer education via websites, newsletters and blog posts. Veterinary teams can take five minutes during a staff meeting to review the information and help in-clinic staff understand its … [Read more...]
New AAEP external parasite and vector control guidelines
Developed by an AAEP task force chaired by Dr. Dennis French, new guidelines provide current information about the control of ticks, flies, lice, mites and mosquitoes. Source: Healthy Horses Newsletter, July 21, 2016. Download as a PDF; these guidelines will soon be available on www.aaep.org within the Guidelines section. INSIGHTS: This is a comprehensive set of guidelines … [Read more...]
10 tips to help keep horses’ hooves healthy and strong
Farrier Chris Volk shares 10 tips and explanations on hoof care for horses: Pick out your horse's feet. Establish what's normal. When picking out the feet, look for signs of thrush, puncture, cracks or abscess. Schedule regular farrier visits according to your horse's individual needs. If your horse is shod, check his shoes each time you pick out his feet. Look … [Read more...]
Racehorse deaths are preventable
Activist Patrick Batuello confirmed 953 horse deaths on America’s horseracing tracks. That statistic doesn’t include all states, nor does it count the number of horses euthanized away from tracks. Batuello, trainers, an owner, a politician and veterinarians recently shared their viewpoints of the U.S. horseracing business with The Washington Post. Shelia Lyons, DVM and founder … [Read more...]
The ABC’s of regenerative medicine for horses
Stem cell therapy can help a horse's body repair diseased or damaged tissues. Veterinarians have come far in understanding and using regenerative medicine. Yet, they have more to learn about how and when to use it. Source: The Horse, July 2016. (article summary only). The full article includes explanatory graphics. Regenerative medicine has been referred to by many people … [Read more...]
Beware the beetle
Blister beetle poisoning is a rare but deadly threat. Blister beetles carry cantharidin, a toxic defense chemical that is a blistering agent. They are found in alfalfa hay with blooms or that contains other insects, especially grasshoppers, since blister beetles are attracted to both. There are several varieties, so the appearance of the beetles depends on the species, which … [Read more...]
Warriors of the West
Mustangs (wild horses) garner divergent attention now throughout range country. Brick Imerman and photographer Sheila Thompson provide an insightful pictorial on these remarkable animals that focuses on stallions. Source: Horse Illustrated, August 2016, page 52. (link unavailable). Nowhere is the hierarchy of the herd more evident than at the water hole. Stallions often … [Read more...]
Help horse owners deworm effectively
Because of anthelmintic resistance, horses are now once again at risk for parasite-related diseases, such as colic, diarrhea, poor hair coat, ill thrift and poor performance. The main reason that chemical dewormers are no longer as effective as they once were is the practice of rotation deworming. Stacey Oke, DVM, MSC, reviews the three classes of dewormers, where resistance is … [Read more...]
15 museums dedicated to horses
Horse enthusiasts will appreciate knowing about these museums that celebrate horses. Summer travelers may find one or more of these along their vacation routes. Source: Equus, July 2016, page 50. (link unavailable) Fifteen must see museums: Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, Aiken, SC American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum, Amarillo, TX … [Read more...]
Snakebite a risk for horses and cattle
All grazing animals are at risk of snakebite in areas where snakes are present. Rattlesnake venom has two types of toxins, myotoxins and hemotoxins. Myotoxins create rapid swelling, pain and bleeding at the bite site and muscle necrosis, while the hemotoxins damage blood vessels, destroying red blood cells and hindering blood clotting. Veterinarians with snakebite experience … [Read more...]
Too hot to trot
When horses are asked to exert themselves in f high heat and humidity, the potential for heat-induced illness is real. Sara Christie shares ways avoid potential heat traps for horses. The information is good for horse and rider. Source: Horse Channel, June 28, 2007. What would be considered moderate exercise under temperate weather conditions can have the same effect as … [Read more...]
Threats in the water for horses
Summer is the peak season for diseases cause by organisms that thrive in ponds, streams and marshes. Heather Smith Thomas shares prevention ideas. This is good information for anyone working with horse owners. Source: Equus, July 2016 page 38. (link unavailable) There’s no reason not to enjoy local rivers and lakes as long as the right precautions are taken. Both people and … [Read more...]
Feral horse population growing; draining resources
The Bureau of Land Management announced last week that as of this March, there an estimated 67,000 wild horses and burros in the West public rangelands, a 15% increase over the estimated 2015 population. This is more than twice the recommended number of horses on the range under BLM land-use plans. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, May 31, 2016. Unfortunately, all the money in … [Read more...]
Jockey cams film race experiences
Take a virtual ride as if you were a racehorse jockey. See what a jockey sees and the decisions required as the race progresses. Source: Horse Network, June 17, 2016. There is so much you simply cannot see and hear unless you are actually in the saddle yourself. Equine Productions strapped cameras on the helmets of a few jockeys at Belmont Park last week and the result is … [Read more...]
One woman. One horse. One goal.
Raise awareness of domestic violence in 48 states. Meredith Cherry embarks on the Centauride this fall to visit domestic violence centers, women’s shelters, schools and community centers. The objective is to raise awareness about the realities of domestic violence and provide hope to women dealing with its effects. She will begin her ride will depart in Grass Valley, … [Read more...]
AQHA’s Huffhines shares strategic plan highlights
Craig Huffhines, executive vice president of the American Quarter Horse Association, shares the key areas of the 2016 strategic operating plan for the association. The leadership team came up with five points to make AQHA the service and membership organization that will best advance the equine industry and ensure superior service for members and owners. Source: America’s … [Read more...]
10 most poisonous plants for horses
Hundreds of poisonous plants grow in North America, and many are common. "I defy anyone to tell me they have a pasture with zero poisonous plants," says Jeffery Hall, DVM, PhD, a toxicologist at Utah State University. Source: Equus, June 2014. According to Anthony Knight, BVSc, MRCVS, plant toxicologist from Colorado State University, these 10 plants are those most … [Read more...]
Ranch sorting grows in popularity as a horse show event
Ranch sorting takes skill and cow savvy. It also relies heavily on a competitor’s horsemanship skills. Source: America’s Horse Daily, June 15, 2016. Two riders, two horses, two pens, 11 head of cattle – and only 60 seconds to work. INSIGHTS: Representatives who are not horse people can use this article to get more familiar with customers who are into equine athletic events … [Read more...]
Unusual white-headed thoroughbred foal born
This story about a newborn Thoroughbred foal will intrigue even those only slightly interested in horses. Source: Blood-Horse, June 6, 2016. In 35 years in the industry I’ve never seen a Thoroughbred like this,” said Eric Guillot, who trains for Southern Equine. “The mare hasn’t thrown anything unusual before, but Bodemeister throws a lot of white. I’ve got a few by him … [Read more...]
Most common form of cancer in horses may have a genetic link
A new study from Cornell University suggests some horses are more susceptible than others to sarcoid skin tumors. Researchers found regions on two chromosomes that differed in horses with the tumors compared to those without, indicating to the researchers that, at least in part, a horse's genes can determine how susceptible it is to the tumors. Source: Seeker, June 13, 2016. … [Read more...]
Tips for good horse photos
Shows, rodeos and fairs pepper summer days into fall. Cellphone cameras make shooting a photograph easy. However, many of these photos are just snapshots instead of something that represents a horse and rider in the best light. Mary Cage provides good tips to use when photographing horses. Source: American Racehorse, May/June 2016. (direct link unavailable). Various factors … [Read more...]
Overview: Equine Veterinary Education (EVE)
We received several positive responses to posts referencing the tables of contents from scientific journals. The May print issue of EVE arrived this week and the June issue is shown online. Review the table of contents for this journal to determine if any of the studies are relevant to your work. Source: Equine Veterinary Education (EVE), May 2016. (partial link only) … [Read more...]
It’s just me and the horse
Something worthwhile is coming from the Bureau of Land Management’s capture of wild horses from Wyoming. After therapy and medication, including self-medication, fails U.S. veterans of post-traumatic stress disorder and severe brain trauma, wild Mustangs are helping them thrive again. BraveHearts works with BLM to bring horses to Illinois where veterans work to help train … [Read more...]
Equine coronavirus: an emerging enteric virus of adult horses
Equine coronavirus (ECoV) is an emerging virus associated clinically and epidemiologically with fever, depression, anorexia and less frequently colic and diarrhea in adult horses. Sporadic cases and outbreaks have been reported with increased frequency since 2010 from Japan, the United States and more recently from Europe. Source: Equine Veterinary Education, April 2016. … [Read more...]
Summer horse health concerns
Summer is almost here. Horse owners and their channel support teams need to keep in mind common health concerns. Summer can be hard on horses. Source: Equus, Issue #403. The specifics of the season will vary by location, but there are some nearly universal concerns. Here's a quick look at some of the conditions that could adversely affect the well-being of horses this … [Read more...]
Sharpen equine shot skills
Stacy Tarr, DVM, Wellington, Colorado, reminds readers of the right and wrong ways to give horses intramuscular injections. She also warns that assuming clients know how to do it may be a mistake. Source: Western Horseman, June 2016, page 30. (direct link unavailable) Tarr recommends a three-step process: Clean the site Use the right needle Administer in one … [Read more...]
Fighting equine influenza
Equine influenza virus can spread through an entire herd in a matter of days. We can no longer assume that older horses are immune. This feature covers the virus, viral mutation, pathways and recovery. Veterinary teams, dealer associates and sales representatives will appreciate the fresh resources on this ugly virus. Source: EQUUS, June 2016. (direct link … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – 100 years of horse history
We found this content and video fun. It also offers a historical pictorial. Source: Horse Network, May 3, 2016. Look back at how the events, horses and Absorbine® products that shaped the way we live and ride today. … [Read more...]
Stressful stalls?
Summary: Even though horses may appear more comfortable in a stall than in a group setting, one study indicates that physiological stress indicators may tell a different story. This article presents what the best housing option might be. Source: The Horse. Individual stabling systems have developed partially out of convenience and partially out of a mistaken understanding … [Read more...]