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

More West Nile Virus Found in Kentucky

A total of seven birds and one horse have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in Kentucky in 2002, according to Rusty Ford of the Kentucky State Veterinarian’s office. The one horse, which was euthanized, was from Fayette County. Two birds were found in Jefferson and Metcalfe Counties, and one each was found in Laurel, Oldham, and Woodford Counties. Last year, eight horses in Kentucky

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California Places Restrictions on Shock Wave Therapy

The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) notified trainers and veterinarians on July 8 of new rules that go into effect on July 24 restricting the use of shock wave therapy (SWT) for the treatment of orthopedic injuries in horses at

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Parelli Pennings: My Experience

I’m only sorry that everyone can’t have the adventure in learning that I’m looking forward to this week while visiting Pat Parelli’s International Center in Pagosa Springs, Colo. Two Lexington, Ky., mounted police officers and myself are heading out

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Probable First Equine West Nile Virus Case in Texas

Preliminary tests indicate that Texas has its first equine West Nile virus (WNV) case. The sick horse was euthanized June 29 near Katy, Texas. West Nile virus was detected for the first time in Texas on June 18 near Houston; since then, 29

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West Nile Virus Education is Key

“Whether or not West Nile virus (WNV) is going to become a serious concern in your state, the media is going to make it one,” stated Bill Saville, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, of The Ohio State University’s (OSU) Department of Veterinary Preventive

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Equine Identification: Are you Prepared for an Emergency?

If all of the horses in your area had to be evacuated due to a natural disaster, and were put into one huge corral, would you be able to pick out your horse?

“Of course!” you might say, because like most horse owners you are extremely familiar with your animal’s markings, build, and temperament, and would know the horse anywhere. But the reality is that a situation like this can have

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Bringing Up Baby

Your young horse is growing up. From birth to age two, a horse will achieve 90% or more of his full adult height. But growing up too fast can cause problems, including an increased risk of developmental orthopedic disease (DOD), which includes which includes several skeletal problems in growing foals.

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Sheath Cleaning Frequency

Gray is a 22-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. My question is how/whether to clean his penis. When he lengthens it to urinate, I try to pick off the black crusty stuff, but it is somewhat unpleasant to do this.

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It’s In the Attitude

Man has been linked to the horse for centuries, but often in the past, it was more of an adversary relationship than a partnership. In recent years, that has changed for many horse owners. Thanks to the efforts of equine behaviorists at the

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Cribbing and Wood Chewing: Just Gotta Gnaw

Cribbing and wood chewing by horses can create problems for horse and owner alike. Wood chewing is often considered by many owners to be a rather benign vice, while cribbing more frequently is considered to be a direct threat to the horse’s

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Think Tough to Increase Profits

For many, enjoying horses is a way of life, and we are willing to work hard in other areas to support this hobby. There are those, however, who have decided to make their involvement in the horse industry a paying supplement to their earnings. I

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Breathe Easier!

When Anne Thomas called me to her ranch house early one spring morning, she said it was urgent. Her 5-year-old horse, Charlie, was having trouble breathing. When I arrived at the barn, I could see the bay gelding standing in the middle of his

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