Bucket handles can be dangerous. The vivid photos and short text explain how horses get eye and nostril injuries from buckets. Anyone dealing with horse owners needs to see this information. Including a “bucket check” reminder in annual checkups or farm visits is a good practice for veterinary teams. Source: Stable Management, March 7, 2016. Lurking in every barn is a … [Read more...]
What’s the buzz?
Barb Crabbe, DVM, discusses the three main threats mosquitoes pose to horses: Eastern equine encephalomyelitis Western equine encephalomyelitis West Nile virus These diseases are part of five diseases recommended for annual vaccinations from the AAEP core vaccination guidelines. The others are rabies and tetanus. Source: Horse and Rider, April 2016, pages 52-59. … [Read more...]
Laminitis – special report
Horse owners will read and mull over the information shared in this laminitis special report. Two main articles discuss 1) the increasing prevalence of the endocrine form and its relationship to grass and forage and 2) keys to preventing laminitis. There’s no doubt that many questions could be asked of veterinary teams, dealers and retailers as a consequence of reading and … [Read more...]
Equine vaccination Q and A
Horse owners have questions about vaccines. Nancy Loving, DVM addresses common questions from magazine readers in this article. Veterinary teams, dealers and representatives will find value in understanding the horse owner perspectives. The questions remind us that our knowledge when not shared leaves our customers with questions. Source: The Horse, March 2016, page 16. … [Read more...]
Ethics important when deciding on rebates, incentives
Doctors Messer, Peterson and Morgan provide perspective on the influence of animal health company rebates or incentives on product choices in this article. It reviews ethics and professional guidelines from AAEP and the AVMA plus the need for clinical diagnoses and VCPR. Source: Equine Veterinary Education, AE, February 2016, page III. (direct link unavailable) Certainly … [Read more...]
Recognizing, quantifying pain in horses
Our industry continues to study the impact and dynamics of pain in all species. This article introduces a new equine pain scale and its implementation in a hospital setting. Equine veterinary teams and representatives that service them will benefit from reading and discussing the information presented. Source: Equine Veterinary Education, January 2016. Pain management is … [Read more...]
Equine cellulitis
When a horse’s leg swells to double or triple the normal leg size overnight, owners and vets must take immediate action. Cellulitis, while common, can be frightening for owners. Having a veterinary professional respond quickly and decisively is critical to avoid further injury. Caused by bacteria penetrating the dermis and multiplying in the subcutis, the origins of cellulitis … [Read more...]
Trail riding with dogs
Understand the value, training and best breeds to develop a good trail dog. The companionship for horse and rider is represented in this essay and pictorial. Source: Horse Illustrated, March 2016, page 36. (direct link unavailable) Trail dogs are common on ranches and farms, but less so in areas where people trail ride for pleasure. But a good trail dog is worth his weight … [Read more...]
Help horses with hives
An untold number and types of allergens cause hives. Barb Crabbe, DVM, reviews myths and facts about hives in horses in this article. Animal health pros who deal with horses and their owners will appreciate this article as new information or simply a review. Persons working with FFA or 4-H groups can use this information to position allergy testing and explain first aid for … [Read more...]
Prevent winter colic
Colic tops the list of winter equine health challenges. Water, diet and movement are critical. Equine veterinary teams and dealers will appreciate this resource when working with horse owners. The content is also appropriate for websites, newsletters and blogs. Source: EQUUS, February 8, 2016. Cold weather may conspire against your efforts to keep water flowing to your … [Read more...]
Three must-reads from ‘The Horse’
This issue is well done, diverse and interesting. It reflects the partnerships with AAEP and AAVT. Horse owners won’t toss it away. It starts with the drive-to-work observations of Stephanie Church, editor-in-chief, who notes how easily interspecies contact can muddle our best prevention efforts. If you deal with horse owners in any capacity, this issue is a keeper. Source: … [Read more...]
Proud flesh tips
Equine veterinary teams need to see what equine owners receive via email. The information presented here, including the linked material, makes good content for a clinic website or newsletter. Source: Equine Network, February 2, 2016. As a horse's wound begins to heal, pinkish granulation tissue fills in the gaps between soft tissues. Granulation tissue normally stops … [Read more...]
Horse longevity
Two articles cover equine aging in this issue. Manage Your Horse to Live Longer and The Science of Aging cover: Dental care Weight monitoring and diet/nutritional management Activity needs Hormonal imbalances Arthritis and chronic inflammation Vaccination efficacy Parasite control Stress Equine veterinary teams and equine sales representatives will benefit … [Read more...]
ED hits horses, too
I was stopped in my tracks by this article. Stallions may lose interest in breeding or have trouble impregnating mares. Foaling season is underway so breeding season is about to start. David Ramey, DVM, walks readers through broad categories of stallion problems in this article. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 2016, page 55. Things to think about if it appears … [Read more...]
Solving equine skin problems
Equine skin problems are uncomfortable and perplexing. Anna O’Brien, DVM, reviews common skin problems and what to do about them in this article. Equine veterinary hospital teams and the reps who call on them will benefit from reviewing this article and discussing the various treatment options. Source: Horse Illustrated, February 2016, page 57. (direct link unavailable) The … [Read more...]
Cozy barns create equine respiratory risks
Optimal ventilation is critical to equine respiratory health. Too much vs. too little is discussed in this email that horse owners received this week. This content can be used effectively on DVM websites, in blogs and newsletters. Source: Equus, January 11, 2016 email. A shut-tight barn may feel warmer, but the lack of air circulation allows ammonia fumes and dust to … [Read more...]
The new navicular paradigm
Navicular disease has gained well-deserved attention in the past two years. Lameness is a challenge for horse owners and veterinarians, regardless of what it is called. This article sets the stage for more comprehensive treatment of navicular disease and lameness. Equine veterinary teams and sales personnel servicing them will benefit from reading this story and discussing how … [Read more...]
Editorial – Royal Winter Fair: Number-one rated indoor horse show in North America
We learn more every day about the animal health industry as the list of publications and topics grows at Animal Health Digest. The story on horses at the Toronto, Canada, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is a new discovery for me. Source: The Saddle Horse Report, December 14, 2015, page 28. (direct link unavailable) The pomp and circumstance is unlike most other events. As … [Read more...]
Consummate cowgirl
If you have ever watched rodeos, you’ll recognize Pam Minick. She will be presented with the Western Horseman Award during Ranching Heritage Weekend at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo place January 15 through February 6, 2016. Since 1973, she has competed, hosted rodeo broadcasts and served as emcee. She currently hosts two RFD-TV programs, Gentle Giants and The American … [Read more...]
Horse health by the season
This article gives horse owners a quick rundown of the most common seasonal health concerns from a veterinarian’s perspective. Barb Crabbe, DVM, provides tips to avoid health issues and a checklist that reminds horse owners what to prepare for. Source: Horse & Rider, January 2016, page 38-43. (direct link unavailable) Dr. Crabbe shares the top health care seasons from … [Read more...]
Runny nose
Horse owners will likely keep this checklist and photo-filled story on equine nasal discharge. The article will cause horse owners to notice their horses’ sniffles and consider calling their veterinarian. Veterinary hospital personnel will appreciate the resource, as well. Source: Equus, January 2016, page 26. (direct link unavailable) The color, odor, quantity and … [Read more...]
Draft horse revival
I remember from childhood eight huge sets of harness, halters as big as I was tall and horseshoes as big around as five-gallon buckets hanging in the barn. These were my great-grandfather’s who raised and bred registered Percheron draft horses in Southwest Iowa. Family outings to the Iowa State Fair, Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Days, a brewery tour at Budweiser, plus … [Read more...]
State of the Equine Union
Highlights from an American Horse Publications survey that is sponsored by Zoetis show the state of the equine union in this article. It’s clear that the equine industry has stabilized and is perhaps growing slightly in terms of the number of people competing and the number of horses people own,” C. Jill Stowe, Ph.D., director of the University of Kentucky Agriculture Equine … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Manage acute founder and laminitis
Sled-runner hooves was how my grandfather drew attention to horses and ponies with founder. From an early age, it was common to see a foundered horse with severely overgrown hooves around where I grew up in Southwest Iowa. Most were backyard horses that ate grass in small lots. Occasionally, one would get into a grain bin, overeat and then founder. Seeing these animals struggle … [Read more...]
10 ways to help horses with heaves
Equine veterinarians and dealers will appreciate this extensive article as a resource when servicing horses and owners experiencing RAO (recurrent airway obstruction). Reps calling on equine vets and dealers may wish to share this article with customers as a resource for websites and for specific customers with chronic problems. Source: Equus, December 2015, page 42. (direct … [Read more...]
Crowning of the UPHA 2015 National Champions
The nearly 200 pages celebrating American Saddlebred horses, their owners, trainers and show results is a reminder of just how much passion, time and effort is involved in equine ownership. The current issue of The Saddle Horse Report is dedicated to the horses and people who participated in the American Royal show in Kansas City, Missouri. Source: The Saddle Horse Report, … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – First-ever equine leptospirosis vaccine
Equine veterinarians, dealers and sales/marketing representatives who serve them will want to know about this e-blast delivered for Zoetis. Western Horseman has 160,000 subscribers, 20,000 web visits and 500,000 in total readership. Certainly, this large circulation will draw attention and create questions. The notice includes a link to a risk assessment tool, as … [Read more...]
Write ‘em, Cowboy: Celebrating Baxter Black
My father grew up on a traditional southern Iowa farm, moved to town and worked in the financial industry, but always followed Baxter Black. I still remember his laughter at the photocopies of Baxter Black articles he would send me. Speaking of Black, in an article in the September issue of Western Horseman, Red Steagall says, "Baxter looks out a window that is uniquely his … [Read more...]
Overview of the Merck-Henry Schein National Equine Veterinary Economic Study
Special Feature – The fall 2015 Henry Schein Animal Health Equine Solution Veterinary Magazine contains an impactful overview of the National Equine Veterinary Economic Study completed in 2013. Veterinarians have responded positively to the data and results. Source: Henry Schein Animal Health Equine Solution Veterinary Magazine page 12. Merck Animal Health and Henry Schein … [Read more...]
American Pharoah: Making history, what makes him run, ranking, personality
The latest issue of Equus is full of information about American Pharoah’s Triple Crown winner. He is the first horse in 37 years to win the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes) since Affirmed in 1978. American Pharoah joins a very exclusive group of equine racing athletes. A deep bruise in his left front hoof might have kept him from racing had it … [Read more...]