Latest News – The Horse
Breeding Efficiency Analysis Useful for Breeders
If a horse farm experiences consistently low conception or foaling rates, it is likely that a step in breeding management is the cause rather than the breeding efficiency of the mare, according to Dave Freeman, PhD, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension equine specialist.
2011 KHC Conference Features Equine Business, Farriery Seminars
The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) Annual Conference will be held Jan. 14 at the Lexington Convention Center in conjunction with the Ag Industry Trade Show, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention, and Burley Tobacco Coop Conference. The conference officially begins at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 14, with an Ag Industry pancake breakfast featuring an address from Governor Steve Beshear on the state of Kentucky
EIPH: Common Drug Less Effective Than Thought
The results of a recent study have revealed that a drug commonly used to treat exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) is not as effective as veterinarians previously thought. Belinda M. Buchholz, BS, a second year veterinary student at Washington State University, and colleagues set out to determine if aminocaproic acid (ACA), a drug that helps blood clot, decreases the amount of bleeding
Unwanted Horse Coalition Newsletter Continues to Educate
The Unwanted Horse Coalition’s (UHC) Media Roundup newsletter has been educating its readers through articles and events relating to unwanted horses since November 2009.
Fescue: A Danger to Pregnant Mares
In many parts of the world horse pastures contain a fair percentage of fescue, a hardy perennial grass that thrives despite heavy hoof traffic, intense grazing, and adverse growing conditions. Unfortunately, there’s a drawback: 75% of all fescue is infected with the endophyte Acremonium coenophialum.
Rachel Alexandra’s First Breeding: One for the History Books
Amidst all the hoopla surrounding Zenyatta’s retirement and the speculation regarding the identity of her first mate, last year’s Horse of the Year has been all but forgotten. Yet Rachel Alexandra also occupies a unique place in racing history, and her broodmare career should be one of some interest.
What’s New in the NICU? (Horse Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, is that special place in a veterinary clinic where premature, critical, and newborn foals receive intensive, round-the-clock care. The NICU handles everything from breathing problems to heart conditions to disease and more. If a foal’s in trouble, it’s the place to be.
The Fight to Conquer Equine Laminitis
Teams of veterinarians and farriers from around the country gathered at the fifth International Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot to discuss the most cutting-edge information available for the fight to conquer laminitis. This devastating hoof disease is caused by an inflammation of the horse’s laminae–interlocking leaflike tissues attaching the hoof to the coffin bone.
Equine Dystocia Advancements
Never is timing more important than during a dystocia; managing a difficult birth is truly a matter of life or death. But better understanding of dystocias and the urgency for veterinary intervention means more mares and foals are surviving than ever before.
Equine Navicular Disease
The navicular bone, a small, boat-shaped bone nestled deep in the protective womb of the hoof, only measures approximately 6 cm wide and 2 cm deep (top to bottom) in an average 1,200-pound horse, so how can such a small bone be such a nuisance? Part of the problem is that, despite its cushy abode and small stature, the navicular bone has a big job.
The Equine Compulsion to Crib
What options exist to treat behavioral vices? In my case, a 5-year-old mare that I acquired off the track this spring is a cribber–something I was not aware of before I got her home. I have tried a few options so far, with no positive result.
Chronic Equine Weight Loss
While there are numerous causes for weight loss, a methodical evaluation of these horses is more important than the lengthy list of possible diagnoses.
What’s New in the NICU?
The neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, is that special place in a veterinary clinic where premature, critical, and newborn foals receive intensive, round-the-clock care. The NICU handles everything from breathing problems to heart conditions to disease and more. If a foal’s in trouble, it’s the place to be.
Expanding the Effort
I believe that, in their hearts, every true horseman would like to see the perceived need for equine slaughter eliminated, even those who support it as the only practical way to deal with “unwanted” horses in America. Now, a unique opportunity to do just this has presented itself thanks to an unparalleled expansion of the country’s equine rescue and sanctuary resources to save horses displaced due
Corneal Ulcers
I was wondering about corneal ulcers in horses. I have a 30-year-old horse that has lost eyesight in one eye from age, and I am treating him now for a corneal ulcer. I read your article on eye problems (November 2010 issue) and was wondering what medications are usually used for treating this problem. I know I am using (antibiotics) neomycin and polymyxin B and bacitracin, zinc ointment, and
Chronic Weight Loss
While there are numerous causes for weight loss, a methodical evaluation of these horses is more important than the lengthy list of possible diagnoses.
