Stephanie Ruff

Stephanie Ruff has spent her entire career in various facets of the equine industry. She was a freelance writer for many years, was the owner/editor of Arabian Finish Line, managing editor of Arabian Horse Life and content manager of Practical Horseman and Dressage Today before moving to The Horse. She has ridden many different disciplines, but for the last 20 years has focused on dressage. Stephanie has both a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky and has always had a keen interest in equine health, science, and research. A native of Pennsylvania, Stephanie enjoys hanging out with her Arabian and Half-Arabian mares, two German Shorthair Pointers, traveling and embracing the Florida lifestyle where she currently lives.

Articles by: Stephanie Ruff

Pfizer Releases New Tapeworm Dewormer

On July 18, Pfizer Animal Health announced the U.S. release of Equimax, a dewormer designed to kill all major equine parasites in one dose–including tapeworms.

The apple-flavored paste dewormer combines praziquantel with ivermectin to treat horses four weeks of age and older.

According to the company, Equimax has been proven safe and effective in over 25 countries with more than 2

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Wild about Behavior

Why does my stallion not perform as eagerly in the breeding shed as in the past? Why does my mare’s ground behavior become nearly unbearable during estrus? Is there a reason that my gelding isn’t moving along as easily in his training as other horses I’ve worked with in the past? What can be done about each situation? These are all questions that a unique group of equine veterinarians,

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Terrorism Targets

September 11, 2001, did more to the American consciousness than make us aware that we are vulnerable to something as heinous as hijacked airplanes being crashed into densely populated office buildings. The September 11 attacks also brought with them the realization that if terrorists want to strike a blow against this country, there are a variety of approaches they might take, including the

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Dealing With EPM Today

While West Nile virus continues to dominate headlines when it comes to equine health, researchers are working to unlock the mysteries of that other, not-quite-so-new disease–equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). High on the list is understanding the life cycle of the disease.

“Knowing about the life cycle is important because it would allow us to more effectively test treatment

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Starting a Rescue Facility

I live in Florida, and I am researching private equine rescue facilities. I am interested in starting one in my area. I see a great need for it! Any info that you could send my way would be appreciated.

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First 2003 West Nile Virus Finding in California

The first evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) in California this year was found in mosquitoes collected in Imperial County near the Salton Sea, announced Diana M. Bontá, RN, DrPH, state health director,  on Aug. 20. Several flocks of

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Vote in the Ivercare — Because You Care Award Program

Nearly 31,000 online votes were received from the public in the semifinals of the Ivercare–Because You Care award program sponsored by Farnam Horse Products. Earlier this year, more than 100 organizations and individuals were nominated for the award program, which was initiated by Farnam to recognize nonprofit organizations and individuals that strive to improve the health and welfare of

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Large Animal Rescue Video Deemed a Success

An organization has sought to remedy the problem of large animals being dragged, strangled, drowned, or dropped during attempted rescues due to improper training of emergency responders for lage animal rescues.. USRider has produced a video to

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EEE Confirmed in New Jersey Horse

New Jersey officials announced last week that the state’s first equine case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) since 2000 had been detected. The 8-year-old Thoroughbred in Mays Landing, Atlantic County, was euthanized Aug. 7.

Eastern”P>New J

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PHF in Oklahoma

The death of at least one Oklahoma horse has been definitively linked to Potomac horse fever (PHF), a disease rarely found in the state, and two of her stablemates likely died of the same illness. The horse manager at the farm with the confirmed

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New WNV Antibody Treatment Explained

West Nile Virus Antibody is a prescription product, administered intravenously by a licensed veterinarian. It is an antiserum product that increases the antibody level in the circulatory system. This enhances an animal’s ability to neutralize virus present in the blood.

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The Tapeworm Life Cycle

The most significant single difference between the tapeworm and most other parasite life cycles is that the tapeworm life cycle involves an intermediate host–the forage (or oribatid) mite. This mite is highly prevalent in equine environments, being found in hay, straw, and grass in densities of up to 20,000/m2. It ingests tapeworm eggs that are passed in the horse’s feces and

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Purchase, Design, and Management of the Farm

So you want to have your own horse farm. Should you build or buy? Hire a real estate agent or go out looking on your own? What about once you’ve acquired a facility–how do you manage the soil, fencing, employees, security, and manure? Four individuals versed in purchase, design, and management of horse farms shared their knowledge about establishing and getting the most out of your equine

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Melanomas: Gray Horses vs. Solid-Colored Horses

A recent Austrian study has shown that melanomas in gray horses are less malignant than those found in solid-colored horses characterized by early metastases (cancer that started from cancer cells from another part of the body). Researchers believe this might be because gray horses have specific genetic factors that inhibit the metastatic processes. Additionally, the researchers found that th

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West Nile Virus Antibody Product Receives Conditional License

The USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a conditional license to Novartis Animal Vaccines, Inc., for the manufacture and distribution of West Nile Virus Antibody, Equine Origin, for treatment of disease caused by West Nile virus (WNV).

Typically, antibody products are very specific and mimic the activity of naturally occurring molecules used by the body’s immune

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