At some point, almost every horse owner ends up wrapping a leg. Maybe it’s after a hard workout. Maybe you’re trying to reduce swelling after an injury. Or maybe you’re protecting a wound while it heals. Whatever the reason, leg bandages are a common part of horse care. The challenge … Read More
If horses have one special talent, it’s finding creative ways to injure themselves. A small scrape can appear overnight. A minor cut can turn out to be deeper than it first looks. And sometimes a horse comes in from turnout with a wound that leaves you wondering exactly what happened … Read More
Most horse owners eventually face a situation they never saw coming. A trailer accident. A deep cut from a pasture mishap. A sudden bout of colic. A horse that comes in from turnout not quite right. In those moments, preparation matters more than panic. The truth is, emergencies are stressful … Read More
Some horses seem to gain weight just by looking at a bale of hay. We call them easy keepers, and while it’s often said with a smile, carrying extra weight can sometimes signal a much bigger issue. Equine Metabolic Syndrome, or EMS, has become one of the most important health … Read More
There are a lot of things to love about spring. Longer rides, greener pastures, warmer weather. But keeping horses clean this time of year? That’s another story. Between mud, rain, shedding coats, sweat, and insects, spring can be rough on a horse’s skin. It sometimes feels like you finally get … Read More
Most horses don’t need a huge pasture or a fancy barn to be happy. But they do need companionship. I learned that lesson years ago with a horse who had everything I thought he needed — good feed, turnout, shelter, and plenty of room to roam. On paper, it looked … Read More
Most of us recognize obvious lameness pretty quickly. But muscle pain and body soreness can be much harder to spot, especially in horses that quietly keep doing their jobs anyway. I think horse people sometimes get so used to little behaviors — tail swishing, stiffness, resistance, head tossing, difficulty picking … Read More
If you spend enough time around barns, you’ll hear a lot of opinions about hay. Horses can’t eat alfalfa. Round bales are dangerous. First cutting is always better. Most of us have probably repeated at least one of those ourselves at some point. The truth is, choosing forage for … Read More
Confirmed Case(s) – Outbreak Update Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture Number Euthanized: 1; Horse 1: Age: 5; Gender: Gelding; Breed: Quarter Horse (QH); Confirmation Date: 4/20/2026; Horse Status: Euthanized; Comments: A 5–year–old Quarter Horse gelding in Santa Clara County was confirmed positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). The gelding has been quarantined on premises with no additional exposed horses on the property. … Read More
Confirmed Case(s) – Official Quarantine Source: State Department of Agriculture Number Confirmed: 1; Number Exposed: 1; Facility Type: Private Facility; Comments: Horse imported to Oregon from California approximately 2 weeks prior to diagnosis; See past published Outbreak Alerts: https://nwhorsesource.com/category/news/alerts Equine Disease Communication CenterUpdates on current disease outbreaks are listed on our EDCC website as they occur and will … Read More
