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...]
Do you know these youth leaders?
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...]