First discovered in California in 1915, cases of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis are showing up in areas where it was once unknown. The external subcutaneous abscessation that frequently occurs in the pectoral region or ventral abdomen resembles a pigeon’s breast which is the only association pigeons have with the disease. Also known as dryland distemper or false strangles, … [Read more...]
The Horse.com’s 10 most read articles in 2025
Colic, nasal discharge, EHV-1, allergies and wound care were among readers’ favorite content in 2025. Source: The Horse, January 6, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Alternatives to antibiotics for wounds in horses
Commentary, Sponsor Content We appreciate the intriguing review of One Health, natural/herb and gut-enhancing options for equine wound care in this article. It brings to mind the vast number of wound care products that are branded, licensed and manufactured without containing antibiotics or steroids. MAXI/GUARD® Zn7® Derm, manufactured by Addison Biological Laboratory, is … [Read more...]
Help horse owners prepare their horses for winter: a quick list
From nutrition considerations to preventing mud, it’s time to get ready for winter conditions, writes Clair Thunes, PhD. Her article provides a getting-ready-for-winter checklist suitable for social media posts and newsletters. Preparing the environment where a horse lives is in the prevention category for animal health. Source: The Horse, December 4, 2025. Link. Photo … [Read more...]
EHV-1 outbreak update: New case confirmed in Oklahoma
The Equine Disease Communication Center confirmed one new case associated with the outbreak in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. The horse is displaying neurological clinical signs. It did not attend the WPRA but was stalled with horses that did, including one that tested positive for EHV-1 with only respiratory signs. Source: The Horse, December 5, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Preventing thrush before it starts
Haylie Pfeffer’s article is a good reminder of the benefits of managing environmental conditions and hoof structure to avoid thrush in horses. Consider it for direct communications with horse owners, social media posts or linked in a newsletter. Thrush is not contagious, but multiple horses at the same barn could be affected, especially in communal, damp, muddy conditions … [Read more...]
6 steps to manage horses with hock arthritis
When horses develop arthritis in their hocks, they need a management plan that corresponds to both the horse and the owner, writes Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA. She shares important management decisions for the horse owner to make with their veterinarian. As the disease progresses, owners might need to adjust that plan and eventually consider a lower workload for the … [Read more...]
Recognizing pasture asthma
Pasture asthma is different from severe asthma, writes Cyprianna E. Swiderski, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM. Horses with pasture asthma often improve within hours to days of being brought into stalls and away from inhaled pasture particulates. Although veterinarians have previously referred to pasture asthma as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heaves, pasture-associated … [Read more...]
The big 5 of ulcer prevention (video)
Dr. Ben Sykes of BW Sykes Consultancy explains how horse owners can help prevent gastric ulcers. His video is worth sharing with horse owners on social media or in newsletters. Ulcer prevention starts at home with Sykes big five: Adequate roughage, specifically hay Avoiding excessive carbohydrates Managing exercise and exercise duration Ensuring periods of rest … [Read more...]
Keeping arthritic senior horses comfortable
Early recognition of joint injuries and inflammation is a key to getting ahead of arthritis and degenerative joint disease in horses, shares Sarah Welk Baynum. She offers perspectives from three University of Pennsylvania veterinarians, including their thoughts on exercise, weight management, supplements and medications. Source: The Horse, September 2, 2025. Link. Similar … [Read more...]
Recognizing the early signs of joint disease (video)
Complimentary Commercial Content Many owners mistake the early signs of joint disease for training issues or attitude changes, but arthritis could be causing poor performance. Sherry A. Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVSMR, explains what to watch for and why early recognition matters in the informative video. Source: The Horse, August 20, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: This article is … [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...]
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...]
Poll reveals horse owner deworming behaviors
A June poll reveals how frequently a group of respondents deworms their horse(s). Information like this can help veterinary teams understand client behaviors and may provide opportunities to improve horse stewardship. The sponsored article below was linked with the poll results. In it, Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA, shares what scientists are learning about equine parasite … [Read more...]
Regenerative therapy options for horses with osteoarthritis
Some of the most mainstream and popular modalities currently used to manage osteoarthritis in horses are a) autologous conditioned serum, b) autologous protein solution, c) platelet-rich plasma and d) mesenchymal stem cell, explains Matt Leshaw, DVM. He explains how each of the methods is done and relates successes noting regenerative medicine is still in its … [Read more...]
A review of respiratory viruses and performance horse health
Haylie Kerstetter provides a review of the prevalence of respiratory viruses, their clinical and subclinical effects on horses, and management strategies in this article. It reminds us of the importance of managing airway inflammation and reduced respiratory efficiency in active horses. Source: The Horse, April 25, 2025. Link. Respiratory viruses pose ongoing challenges for … [Read more...]
Reminder: Don’t bring home more than ribbons from shows
Fair and show season is here and Sophie Varner’s article reminds us of the importance of planning for animal biosecurity to protect our livestock investments before, during and after shows. The same goes for horses going to events or trail rides. AND . . . don’t forget to protect the pets that travel to shows and events. Veterinary teams can use Varner’s article as a … [Read more...]
Orthobiologics in an equine veterinarian’s day-to-day practice
Orthobiologics are becoming more mainstream in everyday practices with PRP and stem cell therapies being among the more recognizable <Link>. Orthobiologic treatments still require repetition and experience, especially given the variability of individual animals. Stephanie Ruff shares orthobiologic information from a January 2025 seminar in this article. We noted the … [Read more...]
Post-foaling red flags
The birth of a new foal is a welcomed event, but the foal and mare are not out of the woods yet. This article explains 10 emergencies that happen in the hours after a mare foals and require immediate action. Quinn Gavaga, DVM, counsels against a wait-and-see approach when one of these red flags occurs. Acting quickly can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of these scary … [Read more...]
Creating the vet-friendly horse barn
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...]
Equine dental exams require sedation
Jeff Reiswig, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, shares the importance of sedation when examining a horse’s mouth. The article presents sedative safety, administration, volume and length of time sedation lasts. Source: The Horse, December 17, 2024. Link. Examining a horse’s mouth without sedating him is ‘essentially pointless’” Also see: 20 things a horse’s teeth are telling you, The Horse, … [Read more...]
What’s new with equine cribbing research?
Cribbing has been studied for more than 400 years without fully understanding why domesticated horse life would cause the condition, writes Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA. She shares 10 things researchers have learned since the 2016 update. Here are three of them: Cribbing is a stress-coping mechanism, not a vice Cribbing literally changes the horse’s brain It resolved … [Read more...]
Preventing antimicrobial resistance in horses
Diane E. Rice shares what equine veterinarians are doing and suggesting to improve antimicrobial stewardship and avoid improper antibiotic use. J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl., ACVIM, and Wendy Vaala, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, provide three commitments for horse owners that will impact AMR in a positive way: Do all you can to prevent disease and, therefore, antibiotic use … [Read more...]
Helping horse owners’ vaccine decisions
Commentary This recent poll about factors preventing owners from vaccinating their horses in The Horse caught our attention. The results, albeit from a small sample, may reinforce the need for veterinary-client education and more comprehensive questioning since potential side effects and lack of effectiveness topped the list. Digging deeper, we found Haylie Kerstetter’s … [Read more...]
Veterinarian shares what to know about splint bone injuries
Popped splints, or exostosis of the metacarpal or metatarsal bones, are a common finding in working and pastured horses alike. In this article, Fred Nostrant, DVM, discusses what horse owners should know about splint injuries. Consider his article for social media posts, newsletters and information for horse enthusiast groups. Source: The Horse, October 30, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
A fresh perspective on horse expenses
Complimentary, includes Commercial Content A recent study completed by Synchrony noted horse owners spend three to four times more than they initially estimated. Karen Hopper Usher provides a realistic overview of horse costs, where the expenses are derived and the importance of planning for expected and unexpected expenses. Source: The Horse. Link. In addition to … [Read more...]
West Nile Virus now a permanent U.S. resident
Until late summer 1999, few American horse owners had heard of West Nile virus. The story of how it was found, spread, monitored and prevented is worth reviewing. Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, writes the 25-year story of WNV in the U.S. in the feature linked here. Understanding the history informs our current situation as CDC data indicates 48 states and the District of Columbia … [Read more...]
Does cold therapy safeguard horses from injury?
It’s hard to say whether cold therapy reliably prevents or treats any particular condition or if it speeds recovery or improves athletic performance, shares Matt Leshaw, DVM, in this Q and A. He addresses the hosing or icing commonly used as treatment for musculoskeletal injuries. Source: The Horse, via The Paulick Report, June 24, 2024. Link. There's not much research to … [Read more...]
When probiotics might help a horse
Gut health continues to be a frequent topic across all species. In this article, Christine Barakat and Melinda Freckleton, DVM, share situations where probiotics might be worth a try. Probiotics are designed to aid a horse’s digestion by restoring the balance of gut microflora disturbed as a result of illness, stress or medication.” Source: EQUUS, June 24, 2024. Link. Also … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 26, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 18, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from July 18th AHD Bulletin – Facing declining interest in vet practice ownership. Link. Zoonotic web exposes complexity of disease transmission. Link. Biosecurity planning for secure beef supply. Link. ===================================== Managing equine … [Read more...]