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

MRLS Monitoring Update

Report from Jimmy Henning, Extension Forage Specialist
Department of Agronomy
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture


Twelve horse farms and one hay farm are being monitored for several soil, pasture and

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MSM and Inflammation

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a white, tasteless crystalline powder, is already a favored supplement in the horse industry. Years before any scientific evidence supported its use, it had earned a reputation for helping alleviate many of the

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Horse Dies of Rabies at Pennsylvania Race Course

According to a recent report from the Daily Racing Form, a horse with rabies died May 12 at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pa. The 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding showed symptoms of rabies and was placed in quarantine before h

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Veterinarian Hall of Fame Inducts Two New Members

Two talented equine veterinarians have been inducted into the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame for their extraordinary efforts in the area of hoof care. James Rooney, DVM, Dipl. ACVP, of Queenstown, Md.; and Richard Mansmann, VMD,

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The Spread of West Nile Virus in 2002

West Nile virus (WNV) didn’t wait until the summer to start spreading this year—cases were reported as early as January. As of May 24, the virus had been found in 12 states. It was estimated that WNV would spread across the United States within four years, but many scientists think that it might move faster.

“West Nile virus has been changing and becoming more potent and

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FDA Orders Recall of Mercury-Containing Drug

The government has ordered a nationwide recall of a horse drug sold over the Internet called Miracle Leg Paint, because it contains mercury that is poisonous both to horses and to people, according to an Associated Press report. 

Horse

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Anti-Social Behavior

I am looking for some guidance on a horse I’d like to buy. He is an ex-racehorse, about eight years old, with no information on his history–not even a name.

The problem is that he kicks at other horses when ridden. He kicks

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Regulation of Supplements

Recently, an alarm was sounded that “the authorities” are trying to take away supplement products sold over-the-counter to horse owners. Some people have portrayed it as if Big Brother were trying to keep useful products away from the animals

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Diagnosing Hind Limb Gait Abnormalities

Provided a neurological examination is normal, the most common causes of abnormal hind limb gaits are stringhalt, upward fixation of the patella, and fibrotic myopathy.

Stringhalt

Stringhalt is an involuntary hyperflexion of one

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What’s In The Bag?

Is the data on that tag stitched to the feed bag effective for predicting the performance of the feed? While there are some limitations, the data are useful not only for evaluation, but also to help decide which feed to buy. Furthermore, the fee

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Recharge Your Horse’s Batteries

For horses engaged in regular conditioning and competition, an important consideration for overall health and fitness is the speed of recovery following hard workouts and competition exercise. A bout of exercise burns body fuel, results in loss

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Supplemental Cooperation

Since last month’s column, a big step forward was taken by some manufacturers in the supplement industry. This step forestalled any “en masse” immediate regulatory action; however, it does not mean state feed regulators can’t or won’t enforce

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