Latest News – The Horse
The Adaptive Equine Stomach
A study at the Island Whirl Equine Colic Research Laboratory at the University of Florida has determined that the horse’s stomach can adapt to meals of various sizes and compositions, giving researchers a better understanding of how the normal
Periodontal Disease in Horses
University veterinary hospitals and private practitioners have begun to treat and prevent periodontal disease in horses with a new piece of dental equipment called the Equine Dental System. The Universities of Georgia (UGa), Illinois, and
AQHA Considers Changes to Coat Color Requirements
Cremellos or perlinos, which are horses that exhibit lightly pigmented or pink skin over the body, white or cream-colored hair, and blue eyes, might soon be eligible for registration in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). In early
Intracranial Pressure
Two studies done at the University of California, Davis, have allowed researchers to measure the intracranial pressure (ICP, the pressure that the cerebrospinal fluid exerts on the brain) in the horse for the first time and determine how body
Equine Salmonellosis
Salmonella spp. can cause diarrhea, abscesses, septicemia, and other ailments in horses. The October 2002 issue of Equine Disease Quarterly, published by the University of Kentucky (UK) and sponsored by underwriters at Lloyd’s of
Moyer Receives Distinguished Alumnus Award
William Moyer, DVM, head of the Department of Large Animal Medicine & Surgery at Texas A&M University and a member of The Horse‘s Editorial Advisory Board, recently was awarded a Distinguished Alumnus award by Mesa State College i
Unusual Fall Abortions in Kentucky
Pathologists at the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center (LDDC) in Lexington noticed that a few more fetal losses were being seen than was usual during August, September, and October. That prompted increased surveillance and reporting,
Diagnosing Problems Using Equine Hair
A horse’s hair can be used as a diagnostic tool in assessing nutritional status, environmental poisoning, and drug use and abuse, according to Mark Dunnett, BVSc, of the UK’s Royal Veterinary College. Dunnett presented this topic at the Kentucky
West Nile Virus Still Spreading
As of Nov. 3, cases of equine illness caused this year by West Nile virus (WNV) confirmed at the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories had risen to 12,843; 12,105 cases more than the final case count for 2001. Vaccinating for WNV and
What Do You See For 2003?
We’ve certainly had some tough moments in the past couple of years. And despite worry, the industry is strong, but changing. While some of the top-level owners of competition horses–those who own horses as business investments–might be jumping
Is His Heart In It?
Do you know why a Thoroughbred can deliver that great burst of speed to eat up a mile in 1 1/2 minutes, or how an endurance horse can maintain the strength and stamina to cover long distances at steady speeds? Of course you do: Conditioning.
Healing Hoof Cracks
Hoof cracks are a common occurrence in the feet of many domesticated horses, and they can range in severity from a minor blemish to a cause of serious lameness. Causative factors can vary widely, ranging from injury to imbalance of the foot.
Exercise and Bone Development
Beneath the smooth surface of articular cartilage, subchondral bone gives structural support to joints. Normally, newborn foals have a lot of water in this layer, which is slowly replaced by calcium and collagen as the foal weights his joints.
Antimicrobials in Colic Surgery
Colic surgery in horses is classified as a “clean contaminated” procedure because incisions into the intestine can allow bacteria to contaminate the sterile abdomen. Thus, prophylactic (preventive) antibiotic therapy is often administered prior
Predicting Muscle Problems
Competitive endurance riders know that horses lose fluids and electrolytes during strenuous rides. Calcium and magnesium are also lost during prolonged aerobic exercise. Low blood calcium (hypocalcemia) allows sodium to enter nerve cells, leadin
Your Partner in Horse Health
Articles, forums, and other information from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) have appeared in The Horse magazine for a number of years. I thought that for this Forum I might take the opportunity to let you know a
