Barb Crabbe, DVM, shares what it takes to have great working conditions for veterinarians and farriers to make it easier for them to provide top-notch care for your horse. The article is a good one to share with clients to set some expectations. For many horse owners, a few adjustments in their barn or stable can make a DVM’s dream visit come true. Source: Horse and Rider, … [Read more...]
10 non-negotiables for horse management
Commentary We like the positioning of this list and the underlying message of being accountable and responsible for a horse’s care. Kudos to Devin Conley for this article, which is appropriate for any horse owner of any age. Veterinary teams can use the article to establish the need for basic health care appointments and hopefully avoid some emergency calls for horses whose … [Read more...]
Signs of back pain in horses
A horse’s back changes with age. In the article here, Barb Crabbe, DVM, teaches about a horse’s back and how to keep it healthy as he ages. She begins with an overview of back anatomy and then describes the most commonly diagnosed back problems. Back problems are difficult to diagnose in horses and challenging to treat. Source: Horse and Rider, December 4, 2023. Link. You … [Read more...]
Horse stiffness requires attention
Even slight stiffness requires attention and consideration, writes Devin Conley. He shares the importance of proper warm-ups noting discomfort and stiffness attributed to arthritis, age, and other life factors are things that can be managed with the proper care and support from a veterinarian. Source: Horse and Rider, June 10, 2024. Link. . . . don’t disregard stiffness … [Read more...]
Jade Keller shares the importance of veterinary care
Experienced performance horse trainer, Jade Keller, shares why regular veterinary care is instrumental in achieving success in the competitive world of equine sports. His assertions are just as important for the hobby or backyard horse owner. Regular veterinary care provides a safety net that allows us to address issues before they become major obstacles.” Source: Horse and … [Read more...]
Bute versus Banamine® (flunixin meglumine injection)
Jillian Sinclair shares an educational infographic to explain the differences between these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly used to reduce inflammation and pain in horses. Share the article on social media or in newsletters to help horse owners realize the differences between the two. Source: Horse and Rider, December 21, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Making trailers a fly free zone
Complimentary Commercial Content Trailered animals can’t get away from those pesky flies. The author discusses precautions to minimize flies in trailers and allow horses to travel in comfort. The tips apply to trailering goats, calves and other animals as well. Source: Horse and Rider, April 10, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Essential safety rules to follow when around horses
Jack Benton shared the cowboy after OSHA inspection image in 2016 <Link>. While absurd, it makes a point. Injuries to riders and handlers often increase as the excitement to return to riding increases during spring. It is important to reinforce safety guidelines considering many horses were handled infrequently during the winter months. Jennifer Forsbery Meyers’ basic … [Read more...]
Keep horses’ feet healthy with these tips
Horse feet? Hooves to most. Regardless, the health of those four appendages makes or breaks the value and life quality of a horse. Horse and Rider shares three articles on hoof health, care and whether to shoe or not. Consider sharing these articles with horse owners on social media, in newsletters and with equine hobby groups. Sources: Why hoof cracks happen, Horse and … [Read more...]
A horse’s tongue, a sensitive and important organ
Jillian Sinclair shares why the tongue matters and how to protect it. A horse’s tongue can be injured in a variety of ways. Harsh bit use, sharp hardware on buckets, habitual chewing and even accidents during dental procedures can all damage a tongue. Source: Horse and Rider, July 14, 2022. Link. It’s always a safe option to have a veterinarian conduct any oral exam.” … [Read more...]
Horse trailer safety checklist
Hauling horses is not for the faint of heart. Speeding down the highway with a prized and beloved animal in tow is stressful on its own. But doing so with a trailer jerked from its resting place and forced into duty without much thought could become the proverbial accident waiting to happen. We’re sharing a trailer checklist to help horse owners be sure a trailer is ready to … [Read more...]
Fall checklist for horses’ health
Fall is a good time to arrange veterinary care, assess horses’ conditions, secure winter forage and restore pastures in preparation for winter. Katie Navarra shares fall horse keeping tasks broken down into four areas with checklists. Source: Horse and Rider, September 23, 2019. Link. The fall-health checklist includes: Provide optimal veterinary care Evaluate horse … [Read more...]
Horse heaves: symptoms and treatment
Lung health is a common health topic as wildfires, smoke and dry, dusty drought conditions blanket parts of the country. Heaves is an allergic-based disease that compromises a horse's ability to breathe, similar to the way asthma affects humans writes, Barb Crabbe, DVM. Horse heaves is chronic and can threaten a horse's long-term health and performance.” – Barb Crabbe, … [Read more...]
Why is that horse doing that?
A lot of content is still valuable years after its origin. Barb Crabbe, DVM, shared odd horse behaviors, how to tell if something is wrong and what to do about it in this article first published in 2015. She shares some examples when medical disorders were the underlying cause of aberrant horse behavior. . . . a horse can’t talk . . so he depends on you to listen to his … [Read more...]
While late, horses still need a fall wellness exam
Winter is in full swing, but with all the confusion from Covid-19, not all horses received their normal exams. Christine Barakat, DVM, stresses the importance of comprehensive wellness exams to help prevent problems. She shares a partial list of the topics likely to be addressed in them and why. With mares foaling now, veterinarians receive calls to assist. Performing exams … [Read more...]
Quiz: Boost your fly warfare expertise
Whether on the farm, in the stable, near the kennels or backyard patio, flies are a nuisance. Barb Crabbe, DVM, offers a 10-point quiz followed by the answers and some facts about each question. It’s likely there will be few perfect scores! Source: Horse and Rider, June 15, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: At least half of the answers can be used in social media posts, newsletters or … [Read more...]
Horses: skin care, socialization and going swimming
Horse owners are inquisitive. They work hard to own and nurture horses for what may be relatively few days of riding enjoyment. The articles below help clear up some issues with aggression and ensure horses and riders enjoy time together. Sources: Why horses need social bonds, Horse Network, May 20, 2020. Link. Domestic horses spend more time in aggressive behavior and … [Read more...]
Debunking 4 common horse-feeding misconceptions
Clair Thunes, PhD, acknowledges that knowing what and how to feed a horse can be confusing with the options available these days. She says to read and follow the manufacturers’ labels. . . . be sure to measure feeds by weight, not volume.” – Clari Thunes, PhD Source: Horse and Rider, April 8, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Thunes offers concise counsel that horse owners will … [Read more...]
Clean and disinfect horse barns the right way
Barb Crabbe, DVM, shares valuable information about horse barn cleanup in the face of an equine disease outbreak and in the context of everyday stable maintenance. It is a timely article for horse owners to consider as spring arrives and barn activities increase. Source: Horse and Rider, November 27, 2019. Link. Recent studies indicate equine influenza virus can be spread as … [Read more...]
Equine depression is real
Long-term exposure to inescapable or repeated stressors can lead to depression for horses, according to a French study published in 2016 < link >. Justine Harrison revisited it. She examines some of the causes, lists signs to watch for, and give tips on how to help alleviate equine depression. The study focused on two elements: the spontaneous expression of “behavioral … [Read more...]
Horses, horse owners and coronavirus (podcast)
Complimentary Sponsored Content from Merck Animal Health Dr. Nicola Pusterla, an equine infectious disease expert from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, talks about coronaviruses and answers key questions in late February 2020. Can horses contract coronavirus? What is equine coronavirus? How is equine coronavirus spread? How … [Read more...]
Free horse advice is worth what you pay for it
Not discounting internet and social relationships, Kaylon Sullins Robinson asserts there are questions that when asked online could lead you and your horse into a dangerous or unhealthy situation. She highlights three: Should I call the vet? How can I fix this? What bit should I use? Note that Robinson recommends calling the veterinarian or trainer in each of her … [Read more...]
Solutions for a biting horse
For horse people, a biting horse is a liability. They are dangerous to you, other people and other horses. Even a warning nip can cause injury, and a full-on chomp can be tragic. Learn some of the underlying causes, plus how to manage and reform a horse that bites. Source: Horse and Rider, January 20, 2020. Link. Slapping a biting horse on the muzzle is not a useful … [Read more...]
Repurposing racehorses on the ranch
Approximately 20,000 Thoroughbred foals are born each year. By the time they are two or three years old, few make the grade to become money winning racehorses. This leaves an ongoing supply of retired racehorses looking for new jobs. Megan Arszman shares that not all retired racehorses find new jobs doing 3-day eventing or show jumping. Many end up being cow horses and they … [Read more...]
Horses helping seniors
Human-animal bond research continues to expose the power of animals interacting with humans and vice versa. The Connected Horse program in California is stretching the approach for seniors with dementia, including Alzheimer’s. The program also recognizes the needs of caregivers and uses older horses past their prime. The combination appears effective and is the focus of … [Read more...]
Avoid, treat equine ulcers
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...]
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...]
She’s an angel, she’s a devil, she’s a mare
Barb Crabbe, DVM, shares steps to help manage inevitable moodiness in mares. She references methods to maximize the influence of progesterone and minimize the influence of estrogen. Source: Horse and Rider, May 2016. (direct link unavailable) Control methods fall into three distinct categories that influence (a mare’s) cycle in three different ways. (The article) discusses … [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...]
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...]