Horse breeding from planning through foal care

Prevention and treatment for problems of the equine foot

Proper feeding practices for foals, adult horses, and older horses

Discussions about the welfare of our equine friends

Horse-heath-problem risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment

How to care for the basic health needs of horses

All aspects of caring for performance horses

Design and maintain a healthy horse operation

Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leg lameness

News and issues for equine health professionals

Cover Story

The Many Faces of Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Unveiling what EMD and ID really look like.

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Post-Foaling Red Flags
HERDA 20 Years Later
Strangles: An Old Disease in a Modern World
Before She Foals: Managing Broodmares
Beneath the Hoof Wall: Soft Tissues Injuries of the Equine Foot

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Common Pain Meds and Their Long-Term Effects in Horses

December 21, 2022
Posted by Alexandra Beckstett

While NSAIDs are valuable tools for controlling horses’ pain and inflammation, they do come with risks.

Topics: Horse Care, Media, Pain Management, Podcasts, Ulcers, Welfare and Industry, Working With a Veterinarian

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Photo: The Horse Staff

The most common pain medications veterinarians use in horses include the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) phenylbutazone (Bute), flunixin meglumine (Banamine), and firocoxib (Equioxx). Lori Bidwell, DVM, Dipl. ACVA, of East West Equine Sports Medicine, explains how they work and why that method of action might also lead to negative side effects when NSAIDs are administered long-term or under certain circumstances.

This is an excerpt from our Ask The Horse Live podcast, ‘Equine Pain and Discomfort.’ Listen to the full recording here.

About the Expert:

Lori Bidwell

Lori Bidwell, DVM, Dipl. ACVA, is a 2001 graduate of Michigan State University, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, and a certified veterinary acupuncturist. She did her internship at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, and completed her anesthesia residency at Michigan State University. She was the head of anesthesia at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine and has been on faculty at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2015 she co-founded East West Equine Sports Medicine, a sports medicine practice that covers veterinary services for hunter/jumper circuits on the West and East Coasts. Bidwell also consults in anesthesia for equine practices, teaches part of a study abroad program in Thailand and South Africa, and speaks and teaches nationally and internationally. Bidwell competes with her horses in the amateur owner jumper divisions.

Written by:

Alexandra Beckstett

Alexandra Beckstett, a native of Houston, Texas, is a lifelong horse owner who has shown successfully on the national hunter/jumper circuit and dabbled in hunter breeding. After graduating from Duke University, she joined Blood-Horse Publications as assistant editor of its book division, Eclipse Press, before joining The Horse. She was the managing editor of The Horse for nearly 14 years and is now editorial director of EquiManagement and My New Horse, sister publications of The Horse.