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Discussions about the welfare of our equine friends

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Magazine
Cover Story

Supporting Your Horse's Immune System

What does it take to optimize the equine immune response and fight off disease?

Also in this Issue

Rhodococcus equi Pneumonia: Rethinking Treatment to Fight Resistance
Skill, Science, and Sensitivity: Unpacking Horse Training Misconceptions
Rehabilitating the Neurologic EPM Horse
Building a Balanced Diet for Your Mare and Foal
Joint Health Matters: Top Therapies for a Successful Season
The Abscess Ruptured, But My Horse is Still Lame. Now What?
Understanding Horse Aggression
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Equine Hoof Care Teams at Work

Smart Manure Management for Small Horse Farms

Florida Mare Tests Positive for Strangles

2 Washington Horses Positive for Equine Influenza

EHV Case Confirmed in Utah

Managing Laminitic Pain in Horses: What’s New?

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EDCC Health Watch

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2024 AAEP Convention
2024 EquiSUMMIT
2024 Olympics
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Managing Your Performance Horse’s Joints

April 9, 2025

Understanding, Recognizing, and Managing Pain in Horses

March 20, 2025

Additional Features

How Much Does It Cost to Own a Horse?

Dealing With Equine Colic: Here are 33 Do’s and Don’ts

Promoting Longevity in Performance Horses

Everything You Need to Know About Laminitis in Horses

How to Feed Your Horse

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Smart Manure Management for Small Horse Farms

April 15, 2025

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Equine Behavior

Our animal behavior experts field your questions about why your horse does XYZ.

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Equine nutritionists respond to queries about forage, grain, supplements, and other related topics.

Performance Horse Health

Veterinarians and researchers tackle questions about equine athletes.
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Fact Sheet: Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID)

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Marcia King

Marcia King is an award-winning freelance writer based in Ohio who specializes in equine, canine, and feline veterinary topics. She’s schooled in hunt seat, dressage, and Western pleasure.

Articles by: Marcia King

Managing the Easy Keeper

Marcia King March 1, 2009

Much like humans, horses need a proper diet and adequate exercise to maintain a healthy body weight.

Traditionally, in the event of some sort of accident–trailer overturned, horse stuck somewhere, horse down, environmental disaster–the owner or witness often attempts to deal with the incident himself/herself or with the aid of a friend

Don’t Ignore Melanomas

Marcia King October 1, 2008

The latest research indicates that equine practitioners and the general public need to understand that a melanoma is not just a benign bump.

The statistics are a little daunting:

Up to 80% of gray horses older

Herbs for Horses

Marcia King October 1, 2008

While there is some scientific evidence that herbs can be used as effective treatments and preventives in humans and animals, “natural” does not always mean “benign.”

You probably know the types: Eager Ellen, who is sold

Senior Horse Nutrition

Marcia King September 1, 2008

Base your senior horse’s diet on a full assessment of his health and management to help his well-being.

Barefoot vs. Shod

Marcia King August 1, 2008

This point/counterpoint discusses the controversial issue of whether horses need to wear shoes. Back in 2002, Tufts University hosted a seminar for farriers and veterinarians to review the barefoot hoof care methods devise

5 Hints for Hiring a Horse Sitter

Marcia King August 1, 2008

Give careful consideration to your candidates to increase the odds of having a satisfactory outcome.

20 Hot Weather Trailering Tips

Marcia King July 1, 2008

Keep your horses cooler, less stressed, and happier when hauling in hot, humid conditions.

Equine Therapy: Sound Choices

Marcia King June 1, 2008

Many equine therapy devices are available, but which ones work? Keeping your horse in action or getting him sound and back into battle: twin goals of just about everyone who works with competition horses or who spends a chunk of time playing with the

Desensitizing Your Horse to Fly Spray

Marcia King May 1, 2008

A HORSE’S LAMENT: How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. ‘Tis the rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril. Yonder vessel full of foul sound and fury. Cruel icy tears assailing my body. –Equus

What’s New in Horse Trailers

Marcia King March 1, 2008

The majority of newer trailer features deal with improved construction, safety, convenience, and economy–the practical stuff–as well as amenities and purchasing options.

Winding Down

Marcia King October 1, 2007

Giving your horse a break from training can result in a healthier, happier horse–if you do it correctly.

Bitless: A New Breed of Bridle

Marcia King August 1, 2007

What is the difference between The Bitless Bridle and other cross-under bitless bridles (CBBs) versus the traditional type of bit-free bridles such as the hackamore? Even more importantly, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the CBBs versus

All Stocked Up

Marcia King July 1, 2007

It happened again: Your horse was fine for the entire weekend of riding, but when you got him ready for another weekend packed with activities, you discovered his hind limbs were swollen. You know it’s not overuse; the boarding barn provides

Mini Management 101

Marcia King March 1, 2007

The small size of Miniature Horses and Donkeys belies their strength and hardiness. Explains Mikelle Roeder, PhD (animal physiology), professional animal scientist and equine nutritionist for Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, “The diminutive stature and

Trailer Tire Anatomy

Marcia King February 1, 2007

Some people claim that a tire is a tire is a tire: It’s round and black and holds air. But that’s not really the whole story. Tires are manufactured for different purposes and load-bearing capacities. They come in different sizes and vary in