A disease that can be debilitating in young horses is osteochondrosis. This affliction has its genesis during the youngster’s growing years and can compromise the horse’s ability to perform later in life if it is not dealt with early. Osteochondrosis is one of the diseases that comes under the general umbrella of developmental orthopedic disease (DOD), a term coined in 1986 by a blue

The body condition of a broodmare can affect reproductive performance and milking ability. Recent research has indicated that mares should be kept in a minimum body condition score of 5.5 (see “Selected Body Condition Scores and Descriptions,” below or download this Body Condition Score poster here). This body condition is

Eleven months is a very long time to wait for a foal. I know from personal experience that the further along the mare is, the more your hopes and dreams for your “perfect foal” grow. It doesn’t matter if the foal is bred to gallop to the wire or jump to the moon, or whether you are dreaming about lots of markings or a perfect blanket, everyone wants one thing–a healthy foal. So, it’s no

Lufenuron is a once-a-month flea control product for dogs and cats. The active ingredient inhibits chitin production; chitin is a component of the outer surface of many insects. Fungal organisms also contain chitin in their cell walls, making them susceptible to lufenuron. Researchers at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine recently published a series of cases where

The most common angular limb deformity in foals is carpus valgus (sometimes called toeing out) in which affected foals have limbs that flare outward below the carpus (knee). This deformity can be corrected surgically with hemi-circumferential periosteal transection and elevation (HCPTE). The procedure involves lifting the fibrous layer, called the periosteum, off of the outside of the carpal

Horses which survive an episode of severe colic can be temporarily unable to eat. Anorexia, nasal regurgitation, and ileus (lack of bowel movement) prevent oral feeding. After several days of malnutrition, the horse’s ability to heal is impaired. Humans who are unable to eat normally are fed intravenously; this method is known as parenteral nutrition (PN). While PN has been used in horses, it

In most cases of navicular disease, the condition affects both front feet with lameness as described previously. Horses most at risk are those with certain heritable conformation features such as upright pasterns and small foot size relative to body mass.