Latest News – The Horse
Neurologic Herpesvirus in Canada and Pennsylvania
The neurologic form of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) has been detected in horses in two additional areas of North America–Nova Scotia, Canada, and Meadowlands, Pa. At least four affected horses were put down (three in Canada and one in
Settling Down: Reproductive Problems in Performance Mares
Let’s say you’ve got a great performance mare you’d like to breed. But getting her in foal might not be as simple as swapping arena for breeding shed. Mares in performance careers can sometimes be hard to breed because these mares are under more
Pigeon Fever: Abscesses Within and Without
The first thought that might run through your mind as you approach your horse in the pasture and see his swollen chest or belly is that he has been kicked. As you await your vet, you think back over the past few days, and realize that perhaps he
A Closer Look at Insulin
When you think of insulin, you might think first of humans and diabetes. But horses have insulin, too …
What’s My Horse Really Worth?
Sometimes circumstances make it necessary to determine the actual monetary value of a horse. If an owner purchases a mortality insurance policy on a horse, for example, it is necessary to know approximately how much it will cost to replace
Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis
South Beach Baby, a.k.a. Hope, was a 16-month-old Thoroughbred filly who gave the gift of knowledge to many in the horse industry. Her painful battle with degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD) came early in life and progressed rapidly
Welfare in Mexico
Mexico is truly a land of enchantment. Pristine beaches in places with names like Acapulco and Cancun entice visitors, many of them very wealthy, from around the world. Scenic mountains tower over part of the land. Blue skies and balmy
Foals of Non-Milking Mares
I have a gorgeous palomino Quarter Horse mare that I would like to breed, but I have a problem. She ran into barbed wire as a yearling and she cannot produce milk as a result of that accident. The man who owned her before bred her twice, and he
Black Walnut Tree Shavings as Trail Mulch?
Would black walnut tree shavings be safe to use as trail mulch?
Lyme Disease and Shipping Stress
We have a horse on antibiotics for Lyme disease. Will the stress from the trip cause a flare-up in this disease?
U.S. Outreach Needed
There is a growing awareness in the equine community of unwanted, neglected, and mistreated horses. At the 2004 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) meeting, an entire session was devoted to a discussion of the “Unwanted Horse.”
Tips On Natural Horsemanship
Training has come a long way since the days when the term “breaking a horse” could have very well meant just that. Everything from sacking out, a process by which a horse is tied and hobbled before being pummeled with empty burlap bags meant to
Recognizing and Responding to Neglect
Equine veterinarians are in a unique position to recognize neglect or the potential for neglect in horses. They have direct access to horses and horse property, and they get to know horses and their owners by providing care for many years. As
Pointing Fingers?
Originally the reason to cover the plight of working horses in Mexico was to open the eyes of U.S. owners to the fact that our horses don’t have it too bad in this country, despite any disagreements we have on equine welfare issues. We also
WNV in Northern Indiana
West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in Indiana horses in 2001. In 2002, the state reported 704 cases, the fifth-largest outbreak in the United States. Michael Ward, BVSc, MSc, MPVM, PhD, from Purdue University’s School of Veterinary
Decreasing Abdominal Adhesions
Post-operative abdominal adhesions are a significant problem in horses, as they can lead to intestinal obstruction or strangulation. In recent years, a laparoscope is used to look into the abdomen and break down any adhesions that have formed
