Latest News – The Horse
Five Horses Test Positive for Equine Herpesvirus
As 2005 neared its end, equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) killed two horses that were stabled at Turfway Park, a Northern Kentucky racetrack. The victims–one Thoroughbred in training and a lead pony–were euthanatized after they developed the
Can Immunomodulators Help Herpesvirus Victims?
Human and animal scientists have been researching ways to stimulate the immune system in order to prevent or mitigate disease, especially just prior to or during stressful events. Options include vaccination, antimicrobial therapy, and
AAEP Convention 2005: Vaccine Efficacy and Controversies
“There are a huge number of (vaccine) choices out there and it’s hard sometimes to see our way through the forest,” said Julia Wilson, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, associate professor in Veterinary Population Medicine at the University of Minnesota. “What
Five Years Hence…
Morris Animal Foundation has set a tremendous goal for 2006–with input from industry leaders they will determine one priority area of equine health where research should be conducted, seek the most gifted researchers to tell them what specific
Growing Problems
Horse breeders have long known that problems can develop in the bones of young horses as they grow. The term developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) was coined in 1986 to encompass all orthopedic problems seen in the growing foal and has become
The Scoop On Feed
Sweet feeds, pelleted feeds, textured feeds, concentrate mixes, processed mixes … many novice (and seasoned) horse owners are confused over what these feeds are, the purposes they serve, and which horses benefit from them. Read on to learn how you
Evaluating Ulcer Medications
Studies have shown that gastric squamous (the non-glandular area of the stomach) ulcers affect approximately 80-95% of racehorses, and more than half of the entire domestic horse population. A recent study from Murdoch University in Australia
Forelimb Lameness Common in Barrel Horses
A Texas A&M University (TAMU) study has found that horses used for barrel racing were more often lame in their forelimbs than horses used for other disciplines. The study examined 118 Quarter Horses and Appendix Quarter Horses brought to TAM
What’s Brewing Under Those Feathers?
It is quite probable that many people have never heard of chronic progressive lymphedema. However, if you have spent time with draft horses, chances are much more likely that you are familiar with the condition.
Inhalation Therapy for Equine Airway Disease
Editor’s Note: N. Edward Robinson, BVetMed, PhD, is the Matilda Wilson professor in large animal clinical sciences at Michigan State University. He is one of the world’s leading researchers in equine airway disease, and he has lectured on
Bedding Shopping
There was a time when bedding for horse stalls received little attention or discussion, especially in the agricultural Midwest. When horses provided the power for planting and harvesting crops, almost every farm had a field of oats. The oat
EPM Check-Up
Although progress has been made studying equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in the last 10 years, some aspects of the disease remain elusive. One researcher, half-jokingly, notes that EPM is considered the most diagnosed neurologic disorde
Skin Problems in Horses
There are many problems that can affect a horse’s skin–from insect allergies to fungal, viral, or bacterial infections. The skin is the body’s largest and most important organ; it protects the inner structures of the body from the outside
Dealing with Dummy Foals
At first, everything seems fine: Your foal was born without incident and started nursing as he should. But two days later, the baby quit suckling and began acting strangely–wandering around and pressing his head against the stall wall. Your
Semen Collecting from a Blind Stallion
We have a Standardbred stallion that had a minor neurologic episode a few months ago that was never really figured out. He has recovered slowly back to normal, except that he has gone completely blind. He does well at pasture and you would hardl
Pony Girthing/Mounting Issues
My 11-year-old daughter is having trouble with her pony nipping at her when she is girthing him, and when she goes to mount without an assistant. He also smacks his tail and pins his ears, almost looking like he might cow-kick at her sometimes.
