Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 19, 2026. Link. Most read posts from March 19, 2026 AHD Bulletin – All work and no play? Link. Active listening: 6 strategies so others feel seen, heard, understood. Link. Understanding your window of tolerance. Link. ========================== Study: Humans preferred for empathy, but AI … [Read more...]
Lessons learned from 2025’s EHV-1 outbreak
Article by Merck Animal Health The 2025 EHV-1 outbreak in Texas exposed event-wide risks of inadequate biosecurity. As horse travel and events ramp up again in 2026, equine health experts are urging owners and organizers to apply lessons learned last year. With collaboration between owners, event organizers and veterinarians, outbreaks can be avoided. Source: Paulick … [Read more...]
Vaccination time: spring check-ups for horses
While a standard vaccination program for all horses does not exist, spring vaccinations are an important component of ensuring horses’ immune systems are optimized during the highest risk period for disease exposure. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners vaccination guidelines, the five core vaccinations that all horses need include: West Nile virus, … [Read more...]
New betamethasone study quantifies detection time for IM use
According to a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, betamethasone, a corticosteroid, remains detectable above thresholds published by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for 23 days after administration of 12 mg IM. The study also found that IM betamethasone use suppressed the horse’s cortisol levels for 360 hours, or 15 days. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 15, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 8, 2026. Link. Most read posts from January 8, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Uncertainty. Link. Opportunity flows from where you focus your intentions and attention. AAHA issues NEW guidelines for treating pets with cancer. Link. ============================= More than 1,200 feral, rescue cats … [Read more...]
Early allergen introduction overrides allergy predisposition in offspring of horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity
The findings from a Cornell study of Icelandic horses support the idea that early exposure to an allergen* can prime an individual’s immune system to tolerate it and not become allergic later in life. The study results were published on October 21st in Frontiers in Immunology <Link>. Source: Paulick Report, December 11, 2025. Link. Training of the immune system to … [Read more...]
How much do radiographs change as a weanling ages?
Radiographic abnormalities noted in weanlings at the November sale can change significantly by the time they are yearlings at the September sale, writes Rolf Embertson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. He says most of the radiographic changes are improvements, but many are not. He references three presentations that looked at: a) changes in carpal and fetlock RA, b) changes in stifle … [Read more...]
When it comes to horse hay, cost matters but nutrient content matters more (videos)
Bob Coleman, PhD, shares information for forage growers and horse owners in this article and videos. He notes more than 85 percent of horse owners buy their hay but may not understand or check the hay’s digestible energy, crude protein or nonstructural carbohydrates. Source: Paulick Report, April 22, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Foxtail woes. Be warned.
From mouth sores to infections, foxtails aren’t just annoying; they are painful for horses and pets. But the potential secondary problems are even worse. If a foxtail enters the skin, respiratory tract or urinary tract of a dog or cat, it can result in infection, inflammation or worse. Once inside, foxtails can migrate to different areas of an animal’s body. Note the … [Read more...]
Study: Rate of penicillin administration affects a horse’s arterial blood pressure
In a study of 29 horses under general anesthesia, researchers compared two methods of giving penicillin: 1) a fast injection over one minute and 2) a slower one over 10 minutes. Both methods caused a drop in blood pressure, but the fast injection led to a more dramatic decrease. Source: Paulick Report, October 1, 2025. Link. In equine anesthesia, every decision—from drug … [Read more...]
Cheaper compounded omeprazole likely doesn’t work for equine ulcers
Includes Commercial References While not all compounded medications are bad, Sarah Reuss, VMD, DACVIM, says her biggest concern with compounded omeprazole is whether it actually treats the horse in the manner the owner or veterinarian intends. She explains the challenges with manufacturing and ensuring the compound gets to the site of absorption. Though compounded … [Read more...]
When rescue isn’t rescue: The problem with saving horses from kill pens
There’s a lot to think about in Allison Bowling’s letter to the Paulick Report editor here. From her experiences with the differences in how horses are represented, she opines on comparing ethical rescue versus exploitation. In small animal rescue, she writes, euthanasia is a devastating but real consequence of the overabundance of unwanted pets met by limited capacity for … [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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Environmental management is key when dealing with equine asthma
Call it the heaves, inflammatory airway disease or recurrent airway obstruction, equine asthma occurs when horses are hypersensitive to dust and mold in their environment. A two-fold approach with medication and environmental management is the best way to reduce the effects of equine asthma, according to Rachelle Thompson, DVM, DACVIM. Source: Paulick Report, February 18, … [Read more...]
Study supports use of horses in substance detox therapy programs
Elevated cortisol is an effect of chronic addiction and withdrawal, which negatively impacts the cognitive function needed for substance abuse recovery. Researchers sought to know if equine therapy interactions could mediate these stress responses. Studies have indicated equine-based therapy does reduce stress responses, improve patient comfort and confidence and emotional … [Read more...]
Tracking contagious equine metritis
Contagious equine metritis is a bacterial venereal disease transmitted primarily through breeding and has been detected sporadically in the United States, most recently in 2024. The USDA details the spread of the disease here, from pony stallions on a Florida facility to horses of other breeds around the country. Fifty two cases, including 18 domestic ponies, 18 riding … [Read more...]
Q and A: Why broodmares are prone to colic
When discussing colic in the broodmare, the cause of the pain can be broadly divided into two categories: pain originating from the gastrointestinal tract and pain originating from the reproductive tract shares, Katy Dern, DVM, MS, DACVS. She discusses gastrointestinal conditions seen before foaling and those seen in the post-parturient time period. Source: Paulick Report, … [Read more...]
Gender and appearance bias exacerbates equine DVM shortage
A study published in Equine Veterinary Journal shared results of a focus group study of current and former equine veterinarians to learn what stressors led to, or could lead to, them leaving the profession. Beyond compensation, student loan debt and work-life balance, discrimination was an overall challenge. Seventy-six percent of participants reported experiencing some form of … [Read more...]
FDA’s raw pet diet directive
Responding to multiple cases of H5N1 avian influenza in domestic and wild cats fed contaminated raw diets containing poultry, the FDA has issued a directive to pet food producers to ensure that their food safety plans address H5N1 influenza contamination issues. Scott Weese, DVM, discusses the directive and how to address pet owners who are inflexible about avoiding raw … [Read more...]
Encouraging equine hydration in winter
Horses prefer to drink water that is between 45°F and 65°F and drink the most water within three hours of consuming a meal. The author shares things to encourage horses to drink since winter environments often create situations that reduce horses’ desires or access to water. The average adult horse should drink about 1 gallon of water for every 100 pounds of body weight, so … [Read more...]
House Appropriations Committee funds $5 million for veterans’ equine therapy
Funding initiatives to help Thoroughbreds find a second career is a top priority for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association . . . to be able to do that while aiding Veterans is a big victory.” – Tom Rooney Source: Paulick Report, May 24, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
10 gallons a day to keep a horse hydrated
Regardless of the season, the average adult horse should drink about one gallon of water for every 100 pounds of body weight; a 1,000-pound horse would need 10 gallons of water each day. Horses prefer to drink water that is between 45° F and 65° F will drink the most water within three hours of consuming a meal. Horses may struggle to get enough water during colder … [Read more...]
Mesenchymal stem cell use helps promote recovery in suspensory injuries
Includes Commercial Content Seventy one percent of racehorses treated with MSCs returned to racing following treatment and rehabilitation according to the results of a re prospective study. Source: Paulick Report, February 19, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Platelet-rich plasma is used in regenerative medicine and often in conjunction with stem cell treatments <Link>. AHD … [Read more...]
Do equine chiropractic treatments work?
There’s limited scientific research on the efficacy of chiropractic treatments in equine medicine. Research reported in Equine Science Update investigated the effect of chiropractic manipulation on heart rate, stride characteristics and rider-perceived quality of work under saddle. Source: Paulick Report, February 19, 2024. Link. Scientists used 38 showjumpers that had no … [Read more...]
Pasture friends important for equine learning
Social stimulation and interaction with other horses may influence the development of a horse's social skills and their ability to communicate with humans according to a Finland study of 57 horses of various ages and relationship status with humans. . . . horses living in pastures with other horses for at least eight months of the year are better able to follow cues from … [Read more...]
Review: Multiple reasons for equine deaths during foaling
Complications during foaling are a predominant cause of death and disease in foals and mares regardless of the difficulty of the birth. In a review of cases, researchers categorized deaths into five groups based on the primary organ system associated with the cause of death. Their results showed the most-common reasons for death were: fatal lesions in the gastrointestinal … [Read more...]