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

Spleen Problems

I heard that a horse’s spleen is unique, but my friend said horses don’t have a spleen. What’s the truth?

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Pests: Insect and Otherwise

Summer also means insect season. And while in the past that might have been seen as an annoyance, today it can mean much more, and much worse. Today, it can mean life-threatening illness, and even death. Those insects can carry a growing host

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Posting The Guard

With more land owners deciding to use their acres to house a horse or pony comes the inevitable question, Which fence should I use? Because you are trying to contain living creatures who are nomadic by nature, and accident prone by design, you”P>With more land owners deciding to use their acres to house a horse or pony comes the inevitable question, Which fence should I use? Be”>With more land owners decidi

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Ovariectomy

Ovariectomy is a procedure that generally is performed to remove an abnormal ovary. Occasionally, an ovariectomy is performed in fillies or mares which have particularly bad behavior during their heat cycle in an effort to make them more

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Common Skin Issues for Horses

 The horse’s largest and most visible organ is his skin. Its job is to protect the internal organs from the outside environment; to help maintain constant temperature, water, and mineral balance; and to

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Leather Care For A Stable Connection

Leather accumulates dirt, sweat, and just plain grunge whenever it contacts the horse’s coat and skin. To maintain the leather’s reliability, you continue the care that began at the tannery. You’ll apply leather care preparations to remove harmful

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Fly Protection Uncovered

These days, we have quite an arsenal at our disposal to attack and repel flies. From electric bug zappers, to pheromone traps, to parasitic wasps that feed on fly pupae, we’ve explored all sorts of ways and means of getting rid of flying insects.

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Tennessee Confirms West Nile Virus at State Level

The Tennessee Department of Health announced yesterday (Sept. 17) that nine dead birds found in Shelby County appear to be infected with West Nile virus (WNV) according to preliminary tests. The birds, all blue jays found in zip code areas 38117

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West Nile Virus Continues to Affect Humans and Horses

Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut have now experienced their first human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) for 2001. A 72-year-old male from the Gwynns Falls area of Baltimore City, Md., was announced as positive for WNV on Sept. 6 b

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West Nile Virus Vaccine Information

The following information is written with information from Rocky Bigbie, DVM, a representative of Fort Dodge Animal Health. Fort Dodge produces the West Nile virus vaccine.

Q: Why should we vaccinate now if

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Larry Bramlage Selected as Vice President of AAEP

Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, has been named the 2002 vice president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). He will be inducted into office at the AAEP’s 47th Annual Convention in San Diego, Calif., Nov.

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Elizabeth Santschi to Join AAEP’s Board of Directors

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) announces the appointment of Elizabeth M. Santschi, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, to the board of directors as a director at large. Her three-year term will begin at the AAEP’s 47th Annual

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Western Influences

DATELINE JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health Ministry has officially designated the outbreak of western Nile River fever as an epidemic. Since the beginning of the outbreak, 13 people have died and 61 are being treated in hospitals… source”P>DATELINE JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health Ministry has officially designated the outbreak of western Nile River fever as an epidemic. Since the beginning of the outbreak, 13 people have died and 61 are being treat”>DATELINE JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health Ministry has officially designated the outbreak of western Nile River fever as an epidemic. Since the beginning of the outbreak, 13 people have di”DATELINE JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health Ministry has officially designated the outbreak of western Nile River fever as an epidemic. Since the beginning of the out”I>DATELINE JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health Ministry has officially designated the outbreak of western Nile River fever as an epidemic. Since t”>DATELINE JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health Ministry has officially designated the outbreak of western Nile River fever a”DATELINE JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health Ministry has officially designated the outbreak of weste”ATELINE JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health Ministry has officially designated t”TELINE JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health Ministry has offi”ELINE JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health”LINE JERUSALEM: T”I

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Scintigraphy: Get It While It’s Hot

Many times radiographs fail to show even stress fractures. Enter nuclear scintigraphy. This sophisticated technology uses radioactive material that, combined with a bone-seeking agent, is capable of locating stress fractures and other bone damage.

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