Includes Commentary Time management in animal healthcare isn’t about squeezing more hours out of the day – it’s about spending the hours you have on what moves the needle, writes Brian Sullivan. His focus is on salespeople, but the guidance is universal. He asserts that it’s not time that’s scarce, it’s your focus. Agreed. Source: Veterinary Advantage, April 2025. … [Read more...]
Improving the odds for successful rehab after tendon injuries
Rethinking the weeks of stall rest to rehabilitate horses with tendon injuries, equine veterinarians are now beginning to include rehabilitation plans based on controlled movement, rather than stall rest. The objective is to reduce the overzealous scar tissue and resulting adhesions. To find ways to support the rehabilitation process, the Schnabel Lab is researching to evaluate … [Read more...]
Researchers say long-term firocoxib use appears safe for horses
Firocoxib is often prescribed to manage chronic pain and inflammation in horses, and its long-term use appears safe based on bloodwork. The drug is for once-daily use for up to 14 days, researchers on this study suggest firocoxib might be suitable for extended treatment in appropriate cases. Source: The Horse, August 19, 2025. Link. Veterinarians should evaluate horses … [Read more...]
How often do farriers encounter laminitis?
Data from the 2025 American Farriers Journal Business Practices Survey shows more than one-third of farriers see laminitis monthly. The article also shares information about farriers’ charges, trimming and more. Source: American Farriers Journal, August 20, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Vets urge smarter parasite control to combat drug resistance
Commentary The topic of parasite resistance is not new to U.S. livestock production. However, the British Veterinary Association’s actions described in this article are important. Many foreign production environments are more condensed than those in the U.S. and can foretell future domestic production issues. The BVA’s new policy position warns that routine, blanket … [Read more...]
Tetanus creates problems for animals after storms
Because animal environments are commonly populated with Clostridium tetani, or tetanus, any wound can easily become contaminated at any time. However, caution is warranted in areas damaged by storms. Storm damages provide abnormal opportunities for horses, cattle and hogs to be injured and get a tetanus infection. Source: Feedstuffs, August 6, 2025. Link. Following a storm, … [Read more...]
CSU study finds fasting horses isn’t necessary before anesthesia (video)
Challenging the long-held belief that horses need to fast before surgery, Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Rachel Hector, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVAA, conducted an in-house study to examine the age-old practice. They found that horses that weren't fasted passed manure sooner and produced more of it after surgery, with no increase in anesthesia risk or … [Read more...]
Financial strain often shapes horse owners’ veterinary decisions
A University of Kentucky study motivated by frequent references to the challenges of keeping equine practitioners in the profession confirms that financial constraints affect decisions about veterinary care. Nearly 50 percent of respondents reported being able to accommodate unexpected medical expenses of $5,000 or less. Source: Veterinary Advantage, June 2025. … [Read more...]
Buzz off! Deer flies irritate horses and pester riders, too!
Gina Fortunato, MBA, shared a recent horse riding experience with disruptive, biting deer flies that aggravated her horse despite fly shields. She shares her experience and some facts about deer flies, including feedback horse owners offered via social media. Gina (right) and a friend are pictured with their horses. Source: Gina Fortunato, Animal Health Digest, July 28, … [Read more...]
Tight nosebands associated with reduced stride length
Noseband tightness is a welfare concern with equestrians. A new study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Equine Veterinary Science provides an informative perspective of a new issue caused by tight nosebands. The study found that not only do tighter nosebands increase pressure on the nasal bone, but they also cause a significant decrease in stride length when compared to … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 31, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 24, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 24, 2025 AHD Bulletin – The stares we can’t ignore. Link. Decoding pet insurance: Navigate policies, client questions (podcast). Link. Improve employee communications by these 9 phrases. Link. Difficult customers. Link. Hunter ticks and pathogen … [Read more...]
Hunter ticks and pathogen transmission variables
The quest to better understand ticks continues. We shared longhorned tick information in the July 17 AHD Bulletin <Link>. Speaking at the AVMA conference last week, Susan E. Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM, shared a range of tactics that affect how quickly ticks can spread disease. The overview differentiates the methods tick species use to find a host and factors that influence … [Read more...]
Enteroliths in horses: Causes and prevention
Enteroliths develop when mineral deposits form in concentric layers around a central nidus, such as a piece of wire, small stone, twine or other foreign body in the large colon, writes Alicia Long, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVECC. She shares what is known and what is not known about these strange rocks that form and could weigh up to nine pounds*. Each article here discusses … [Read more...]
Use of flank laparoscopy in the standing horse as a diagnostic aid in horses with chronic abdominal pain
Advances in laproscopy equipment allow veterinarians to view and explore potential causes of abdominal pain in horses. Exploratory laparoscopy is a well-established, minimally invasive diagnostic tool in horses. Researchers of a recently published study sought to report indications, findings and outcomes of equine exploratory laparoscopy in a case series to support its … [Read more...]
IMPORTANT! Animal health references missing in World Health Organization’s pandemic agreement
Viruses jumping from animals to humans are increasing around five percent annually, meaning these pathogens are forecast to cause four times the number of spillover events in 2050 than in 2020, according to article authors Carel du Marchie Sarvaas and John de Jong. Zoonotic disease incidence represents 60 percent of infectious diseases in humans. Although much of the world … [Read more...]
Lead that sweaty horse to water and let him drink
It is best to rehydrate sweaty, hardworking horses without delay, but the key is to know how much water to allow at one time. Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, DACVS. recommends offering small amounts, up to a half gallon, every 20 minutes, which allows the water to move through the horse’s system. Source: EQUUS, July 7, 20265. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article … [Read more...]
Texas flash floods add to growing disasters list, concerns
Commentary We should appreciate the people working to secure lives and property in Texas following the rampant flooding of the Guadalope River. Opportunists may use events like this to advance agendas on global warming or budget cuts. Instead, we were moved to consider the cumulative effect of disasters and the resulting economic burdens on the individuals and businesses … [Read more...]
Horse trailer safety: How hot is too hot?
Air temperature and relative humidity directly impact horses' ability to cool themselves. As a rule of thumb, you can assess a horse's cooling efficiency by adding together the air temperature (°F) and relative humidity (%) according to information from the University of Minnesota Extension: Less than 130: cooling ability is good 130 to 150: cooling ability is reduced … [Read more...]
Study suggests horses smarter than previously thought
The ability to think into the future had not been considered beyond a horse’s cognitive capacity until recently. Researchers from Nottingham Trent University were surprised when horses in a behavior study caught on rapidly to the rules of the study game. Source: My Senior Horse, July 3, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: Considering the myriad tales of wild horses’ ability to adapt, … [Read more...]
Statistics about the horse industry
Frank Lessiter will help you bone up on U.S. horse data with these statistics from the American Horse Council, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports and other sources. He notes it’s important for equine owners and veterinarians to stay abreast of industry trends, especially considering the increasing scrutiny of equine sports. Source: American Farriers Journal, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 10, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 3, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 3, 2025 AHD Bulletin – WOAH, invest in vaccines to defend against growing disease threats. Link. Redesigned Secure Beef Supply website, new biosecurity resources. Link. 13 plants that gardening experts say repel mosquitoes. Link. New York judge says a … [Read more...]
WOAH urges investment in vaccines as defense against growing disease threats
Commentary Before you say, “well, duh” or “it’s a global issue” or “we diligently promote vaccination,” take a few moments to read this article and skim the World Organization for Animal Health report. You’ll likely find some convincing facts to share the next time you encounter vaccine hesitancy. It warns that infectious diseases are spreading into new territories, placing … [Read more...]
Dos and donts to reduce the disruptive effects of artificial light on horse health
Exposure to natural light is crucial for maintaining healthy circadian rhythms and overall well-being of horses, shares the author. The article focuses on avoiding artificial light inside and outside to maintain circadian rhythms. Red light is recommended for checking on horses at night as they do not disrupt melatonin production and sleep patterns. Source: EQUUS, May 15, … [Read more...]
No colic, but a mechanic might be required for laminitis
Boasting the combined attributes of a horse, a mountain lion and a motorcycle, the Kawasaki Corleo concept <Link> was unveiled at the Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan. The Corleo is positioned as a revolutionary off-road personal mobility vehicle; a rideable robot propelled by four legs and powered by a hydrogen-fueled engine. If intrigued, be sure to watch the computer-generated … [Read more...]
Frog wins inaugural Farrier Dog of the Year
Farriers often take a dog with them as they travel from one job to the next. This year the American Farriers Journal celebrated farrier dogs with a contest. Frank Lessiter introduces the 2025 winner, Phrog Frog Diggity Dog who works alongside farrier Jeremy Zackowski. Frog goes to work every day with Jeremy, unlike many of the dogs celebrated during Take Your Dog to Work Day … [Read more...]
Research in action: Shedding light on the age-old mystery of early pregnancy loss in mares
The answer to a foal lost during pregnancy is most often, “I don’t know.” Not satisfied with that answer, Mandi de Mestre, BVSc, PhD, PGCAP, MRCVS, refocused on the embryo to uncover possible reasons why they survive. Her ongoing research on the genetics of equine embryos overlaps with similar questions in human pregnancy loss, specifically recognizing gene copying … [Read more...]
Understanding the benefits of horse liniments
Includes Commercial References Available in liquid, paste or gel form, liniment is a topical treatment that helps relieve muscle soreness, joint stiffness, swelling, pain and circulation. Most horse liniments are applied directly to the skin, writes Taryn Holliday, DVM. She shares ingredients, actions and applications in this article to help us understand what some over time … [Read more...]
Colic prevention. What science says.
Responding to an EQUUS reader’s feedback, Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, shares that studies support horses having more pasture time to reduce colic risk. Perception is not always reality and sample size makes a difference. Source: EQUUS, May 2, 32025. Link. Scientific studies support the fact that horses who spend more time on pasture are less likely to colic than those who … [Read more...]
How horses see the world is not like us
Fascinating! At basic levels, equine vision is different from human vision in almost every way; acuity, range, eye contact and detection of peripheral motion, writes Janet L. Jones, PhD. Eight times larger than human eyes horses’ eyes are larger than those of any other land mammal. That size doesn’t mean their vision is exceptional. Jones shares how horse eyes evolved, the … [Read more...]
10 most poisonous plants for horses
Only a small number of toxic plants are likely to bring serious harm to horses. Anthony Knight, BVSc, MRCVS, reviews the ones most dangerous to horses in the United States in this article. Source: EQUUS, May 22, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: Different weather conditions and migratory birds can bring seeds into pastures and paddocks where toxic plants have not been seen routinely. … [Read more...]