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

The Body’s Building Blocks

Like a structure made of tinker toys, protein is composed of smaller pieces–the amino acids. These can be rearranged to form the different types of protein-based tissues in the body. Protein is one of the basic nutrient elements of the equine

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Advances in Equine Dentistry

It often is very difficult to break free from old customs, habits, and traditions. This holds especially true in the horse world. Horsekeeping is steeped in the rich traditions of a long, colorful history. Many of these time-honored customs

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Find Reproductive Problems

Most of us associated with breeding mares and stallions can’t wait for the season to end and don’t want to think of barren mares and stallions until next year. However, the most opportune time to identify causes of infertility might be missed if

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Environmental Effects on Hormone Activity

Some compounds present in the environment, both from natural and man-made sources, can disrupt the delicate hormone balance necessary for reproduction in several species possibly including horses, according to Cynthia Corbitt Gulledge, PhD, of the University of Louisville’s biology department. Gulledge presented “Hormones and Anti-Hormones in the Environment: Relevance for Equine Reproduction

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Periodontal Disease in Horses Becomes a Priority

University veterinary hospitals and private practitioners have begun to treat and prevent periodontal disease in horses with a new piece of dental equipment called the Equine Dental System. The Universities of Georgia, Illinois, and California

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Bluegrass Equine Reproduction Symposium: Stallions

A four-day seminar focusing on reproduction education for veterinarians was hosted by Hagyard-Davidson-McGee veterinary firm in Lexington, Ky., Oct. 23-26 This is the fifth year for a fall seminar hosted by the group, which now alternates with a

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Fall Abortions in Kentucky

Pathologists at the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center (LDDC) in Lexington noticed that a few more fetal losses were being seen than was usual during August, September, and October. That prompted increased surveillance and reporting,

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Kentucky Drug Council Discusses EPO Options

The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council met Thursday at Keeneland to discuss options to identify and enforce the prohibited use of erythropoietin (EPO). The drug, commonly called EPO and marketed under the name Epogen, is suspected to be in us

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Effects of Airport Radiation on Shipped Semen

As airports across the country and around the world continue to tighten security, there is a growing concern among some researchers that increased irradiation levels for screening luggage and shipped parcels have the potential for damaging

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The Gray Gene

British scientists have identified the distinctive gene that gives about 3% of the Thoroughbred population the gray coat color, and they plan to continue studying the genetics in hopes of learning why grays are more prone to developing melanomas

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Varner Wins Theriogenology Award

The American College of Theriogenologists (ACT) recently honored Dickson Varner, DVM, Dipl. ACT, of Texas A&M University, as the 2002 Theriogenologist of the Year. The award is given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in the field

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AQHA Announces Equine Public Service Award Winner

EL NINOS POCO, a 1998 bay gelding, was honored October 18 at the Great Midwest International Quarter Horse Show in Valley City, North Dakota. First announced in 2001, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Equine Public Service Award

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Pfizer helps Exmoor ponies

Pfizer recently donated drugs to the Moorland Mousie Trust in the United Kingdom to help retain the value of the rare breed Exmoor pony. Pfizer has provided the local anaesthetic Domosedan, free-of-charge to enable the castration of the 14 colts

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Purina Veterinary Conference 2002

Only 20 miles from downtown St. Louis, Mo., is a 1,200-acre research farm owned by the nutrition company Purina Mills. On Oct. 3-5, 140-plus veterinarians and another 50 Purina Mills representatives gathered to tour that research facility and

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