Sugar phobia has reached a point where virtually any problem with a horse’s hooves may be blamed on sugar. From thrush to weak laminar connections, sugar is blamed. This phobia often comes with stories of how horses’ feet have improved once the diet was changed. However, sugar is rarely the … Read More
Article written by Aimee Robinson for Valley Vet Supply Let’s go back in time to 1821—for the sake of entertainment, you can be a horse. You’re a drafty fellow, and there are fields to plow, wagons and carriages to pull and the five-day work week has yet to be … Read More
Allergies are a common complaint, especially during the warmer months. The typical treatment involves antihistamines or steroids. And these drugs often give good results. In fact, I would likely do the same for my horses if they were suffering. Allergies are miserable! Coughing, runny eyes and nose, incessant itching—the torment … Read More
In today’s world, biosecurity measures have become increasingly common in our day-to-day lives. Still, veterinarians frequently see outbreaks of infectious diseases in horse stables across the United States. These outbreaks can have detrimental effects on horse health, trigger long lasting movement restrictions, and cause deep financial hardships for owners and … Read More
Scenario one: An equine facility has a policy that riders must clean their horses’ hooves before leaving the arena to keep the barn aisle clean. A hoof pick hangs on a hook next to the arena gate. One day, while cleaning out her horse’s hooves, a woman’s horse reaches up … Read More
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 … Read More
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 … Read More
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 … Read More
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 … Read More
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 … Read More
