Michael Ball, DVM

Michael A. Ball, DVM, completed an internship in medicine and surgery and an internship in anesthesia at the University of Georgia in 1994, a residency in internal medicine, and graduate work in pharmacology at Cornell University in 1997, and was on staff at Cornell before starting Early Winter Equine Medicine & Surgery located in Ithaca, New York. He was an FEI veterinarian and worked internationally with the United States Equestrian Team. He died in 2014.

Articles by: Michael Ball, DVM

Premature Foals (Book Excerpt)

Foals can be born prematurely for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for a premature delivery are infection of the placenta (placentitis) or long-standing placental insufficiency.

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The Equine Eye: Ocular Emergencies (Book Excerpt)

Well before an ocular emergency occurs, you should familiarize yourself with the easily visible outer structures of a horse’s eye. Observe the eye with the aid of a penlight or other light source. Evidence of pain is a clear symptom of most ocular

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Locomotion: The Way a Horse Moves (Book Excerpt)

Locomotion is at the very heart of what most domesticated horses do for a living. The way a horse moves (specifically) often is taken for granted. Locomotion is directly linked to conformation as it dictates “the way a horse moves.”

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The Respiratory System (Book Excerpt)

The respiratory system’s main goal is to transfer oxygen from the air we breathe to the red blood cells where the oxygen will be transported throughout the body and be available for all organs and tissues.

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Being Prepared for Emergencies (Book Excerpt)

The best way to prepare for emergencies is to try to prevent them. Perhaps the best approach to first aid is to minimize the risk of accidents, injuries, and disease. Sometimes we do foolish things with, and to, our horses.

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Dealing with a Trailer Accident

Having an accident with a van or trailer carrying a horse is a nightmare. Always do everything in your power to prevent a vehicle accident with horses on board (or anytime for that matter).

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Foaling a Premature Foal

Normal gestation in a mare lasts anywhere from 320 to 360 days. The average is about 341 days. A foal born at less than 320 days will display immature characteristics such as silky hair coat, overly pliable ears, weak or lax flexor tendons, and

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Bleeding of the Uterine Artery

There are two large arteries that supply the uterus with blood. One crisis that can occur is severe hemorrhage of one of these arteries into the surrounding tissue or abdominal cavity.

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Exercise Exhaustion

Exercise exhaustion can occur after relatively brief maximal exercise or after prolonged submaximal exercise.

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Emergency Transportation

You should be prepared to ship a horse if it is in need of emergency care at a veterinary hospital. If you have your own trailer, make sure that it is in working order at all times (the truck, too) and always have a back-up plan.

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Ocular Emergencies

Observe the eye with the aid of a penlight or other light source. Evidence of pain is a clear symptom of most ocular diseases. However, sometimes it is not the first sign, so paying some attention to the eye and becoming familiar with what looks norm

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Complications from Vaccinations

Sometimes a horse has a reaction following a vaccination. The local and whole body reaction to a number of the equine immunization products is a well-known side effect of these necessary shots. Some horses demonstrate signs of systemic illness, such as depression, inappetence, and fever.

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Wounds and Lacerations

One of the most important facts regarding severe wounds is that the sooner they are noticed and repaired the better the patient’s prognosis, both functionally and cosmetically. Another aspect of wounds is that they bleed, some significantly more than others.

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Severe Dehydration

Dehydration can be a significant problem for the performance horse as well as for horses suffering from other disease processes.

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