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

Persistent Uterine Infections

T he question that begs an answer concerning uterine infections, in the mind of Jim Briddle, DVM, Riverton, Wyo., isn’t so much why they occur, but, rather, why they don’t occur more frequently.

It has always been amazing to me, says the”P>T he question that begs an answer concern

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Rotavirus Vaccine

Researchers looked at healthy and sick foals and also checked mares at foaling and two days after foaling to see if the mares were shedding the rotavirus into the environment where the foals could pick it up.

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Piroplasmosis: Scientific Information Needed

Don’t you just hate people who complain all the time and aren’t willing to do something about the problem? Me, too. I have been harping on piroplasmosis in this column for the last two months, and we’ve been covering the controversy stirred up b

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Oversight and Interaction

The policies are stringent. A hard line seems to have been drawn. Responsibilities have been assigned. Excruciating details have been put forth. Now the big questions is: Who?

Georgia and the USDA decided to grant waivers to allow

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Reproductive Challenges: Barren Mares

The anticipation and jubilation surrounding the arrival of the first foals of the new year have come for many of us. It is interesting how transient that celebration is. In fact, we are applauding Mother Nature and the victories of last year’s

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Boarding: You Get What You Pay For

For many horse owners, deciding where to board requires the same careful thought and research as buying a new car, or even a house. Factors such as cost, location, and level of care all figure into the choice. So, too, does the type of horse and

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Importance of a Purchase Exam

There are so many unknowns about a horse that you want to minimize any surprises you may get down the road. Purchasing a horse is an exciting and uplifting experience, and you want your expectations to be fulfilled. In order to avoid any

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Evaluating Placentas Can Pinpoint Potential Problems

Although common knowledge among veterinarians, few horse owners know that the condition of a mare’s placenta following birth is a useful barometer for gauging the health of a newborn foal. If the placenta appears abnormal, the foal could be at

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Without Warning: Dystocia

Eleven months is a long time to wait for the birth of a foal. Even with the best of care, things can go wrong and interrupt the normal development of the fetus and/or compromise the health of the mare.

When the day (or as is often the case,

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It’s in the Blood

Blood tests aren’t magic, but they do have broad capability that ranges all the way from helping determine pregnancy to diagnosing rare diseases. So helpful are blood tests in making diagnoses that in most equine clinics and hospitals, they are

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Share the Feeling

When was the last time you brought a non-horse person close to a horse? I mean really went out of your way to make sure they got to see and touch a horse. When was the last time you introduced a “horsey” friend to your breed or discipline? Let them realize why you have horses in your life, whether as an owner, rider, or horse lover.

My cousin grew up in Lexington, but not around horses.

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The Equine Foot — Form and Function

There is an adage that is as old as the modern-day horse. It goes something like this: No foot, no horse. My late father, who could pick out a minute leg or foot unsoundness at a glance, used to lecture his young son about the importance of good

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Uterine Cysts

The equine uterus, in a manner of speaking, could be compared to a house. When a house is snug and solid with no broken windows, holes in the roof, drafts, or plugged drains, it is a comfortable place in which to live. If, however, there are

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Males as Athletes

In a crowd of geldings, his presence is conspicuous. The stallion that competes in sport adds extra energy to every step. His distinctive bearing attracts the eye, and he truly displays the look of eagles. Horsemen debate the pros and cons

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