Equine Wellness

Article by Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD for ECIR Group Easy keepers and overweight horses and ponies have been around forever. Laminitis has also always been with us, and it’s no secret that overweight animals are at high risk. We now know that the vast majority of laminitis cases are caused by …

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Wolf teeth are relatively small teeth of variable shapes and sizes that erupt in front of the first premolar. They occur in about 70% of the equine population, males and females alike. They commonly appear at 6-18 months of age, sometimes later. Horses may have wolf teeth on one or …

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Without well-maintained feet, a horse’s performance may decline. The feet can fall apart and the horse will become uncomfortable or flat-out lame. Riding is interrupted, and it’s really unpleasant to see our equine friends not moving or feeling their best. Your farrier plays a critical role in preserving your horse’s …

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A smooth, strong topline is a definitive sign of health. Your horse’s back musculature not only looks good but is important for his ability to support his spine and joints. If the topline is diminished, it’s important to assess the cause. Some possible reasons include: Multiple pregnancies Poor saddle fit …

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It sometimes begins with a horse that becomes anxious under saddle, has unexplained spooking and bucking when ridden, refuses to go forward, and has an inability to make progress in training. Or maybe they just resist being mounted and are cold backed but then work out of it. Perhaps the …

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Long summer days turn into crisp fall days and before we know it, winter has arrived. When we think of old man winter in horse form, we think of an old horse who has a long, shaggy hair coat and a swayed back, fat deposits in odd places, and is …

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Tying-up is a disorder that occurs when normal muscle physiology is altered. Horses that tie up have painful, uncontrollable muscle contractions that lead to damaged muscle. Muscles fail to function properly, and symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the episode—from mild signs of stiffness and reluctance to move …

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From young horses to seniors, child’s mount through the upper level stars of any sport, the joints of a horse take considerable stress. The core supplements for joints in any species are glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid. They are components of the joint cartilage and/or synovial fluid that bathe the …

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Researchers[i] from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, were looking for a non-invasive means to measure stress in horses. Horses can experience stress from a variety of sources including forage restriction, loss of a buddy, isolation, travel, unfamiliar environments, as well as excessive training. While there are physiological and endocrine changes …

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