Sooner or later, nearly all horse owners will deal with a hoof abscess. But what does “hoof abscess” actually mean? Although most commonly seen during the wet winter and spring months, hoof abscesses can plague horses year-round and usually occur when debris and bacteria enter the foot through hoof cracks … Read More
When horses talk, we listen but how good are we at deciphering what they have to say? According to a recently published study (Nov 2021) by Dr. Katrina Merkies, researcher and associate professor at the University of Guelph, and her master student Haley Belliveau, we are faring well. Using an online survey, participants … Read More
A lot of attention has been directed to bacterial endotoxins, MMP enzyme activators, and fructan or starch fermentation as factors in laminitis, but how much are they really involved? With laminitis, it is usually hormones, not the hind gut. In the “horse broke into the feed bin” scenario, too much … Read More
Examining difficult end-of-life decisions The gelding stood with his head cocked to one side, nose extended forward. Curious and charming, our heartstrings tightened when we learned he was mostly blind. We’ve all seen inspirational stories of sightless horses living happy lives. With the right companion, and enough human love, he … Read More
by Eleanor Blazer Is your horse getting a little “long in the tooth”? This expression usually means the horse (or person) is getting old, but even young horses can have teeth that are too long or have sharp points. It’s very important to understand how horse’s teeth change as they … Read More
Swimming and aquatreadmill work take center stage at educational event for owners who prioritize their horses’ peak performance, health and well-being. June 23, 2022, Franklin, Tenn: Haygain’s interest in equine respiratory health prompted staffers to dive into the topic of aquatic exercise for horses recently. The company was honored to participate … Read More
A variety of options are necessary for optimal control Flies can be more than an annoyance – they can even be dangerous, whether impacting a ride with your horse in a single, painful bite or transmitting diseases to horses and cattle. “Flies are pesky, they’re hard to control. And a … Read More
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can cause acute renal failure, in-utero infection and abortion, and equine recurrent uveitis in infected horses. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has published on its website comprehensive guidelines to educate practitioners about risk factors, transmission, clinical signs, treatment and other considerations pertaining to … Read More
Nominate an Altruistic Equine Veterinarian During Summer 2022 ‘Good Works’ Campaign The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is honoring horse doctors this summer who perform “good works” to benefit horses and the equine community. The Good Works for Horses campaign – sponsored by AAEP Educational Partner Zoetis – will … Read More
Laminitis caused by high insulin is different from other types Laminitis caused by high insulin is different from other types of laminitis. Both you and your veterinarian are anxious to relieve your horse’s pain when there is laminitis. The first thing reached for is usually phenylbutazone or another NSAID drug … Read More
