Latest News – The Horse
Maryland EHV-1 Outbreaks Winding Down
Veterinarians suspect the recent deadly outbreaks of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in Maryland have subsided. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reported EHV-1 outbreaks at two Maryland tracks, a race training facility, and a private
New Sling Shows Promise in Clinical Setting
Practitioners need to quickly assess an acutely recumbent (unable to stand) horse’s prognosis, and that can be difficult. Putting a horse in the Andersen Sling Support Device (ASSD), the gold standard for equine slings, requires at least six
On the Forehand
The foreleg of the horse is, for the most part, a model of good engineering. It is structured in such a fashion that the horse can move slowly or at speed with the concussion of each footfall minimized by a sophisticated shock absorbing system.
Barefoot Horses
Veterinarians are often asked about leaving horses barefoot. I must say from the onset that I favor horses being maintained without shoes when possible. Whether or not it is feasible for a horse to go without shoes will depend on the owners’
Acclimating Competition Horses
It becomes obvious that acclimating to a new environment is a challenge for the competing horse, involving everything from wellness and altitude to circadian rhythms involving time zones. It also becomes obvious, based on research, that there is no
Spring Fevers
Respiratory problems are frequent health issues for horses, and are often associated with microbial infections. For horse owners preparing for spring competitions or the birth of foals, a review of respiratory diseases is timely. Owners need to
Helping Older Horses Get Up
I have an older horse that sometimes lies down and has trouble getting up. What rescue equipment can be used to help?
Cribbing Weanling
I have a client with a foal that was weaned a few days ago, and it has started cribbing. Within only a few hours after it was separated from the mare, it was seen doing something funny that the owners now appreciate was cribbing. Once they
Cushing’s Disease in Horses
It’s spring, yet your aging equine has failed to shed his long, shaggy, winter coat. Furthermore, he’s developed a saggy belly coupled with loss of muscle over his croup and rump. He’s gulping down far more water than he used to, and his stall i
Hollywood Horses
Horses have been an integral part of movies since The Great Train Robbery debuted in 1903 as a silent film. That pioneer production opened the floodgates for the western movie, and horses began galloping across the screen in waves until the late
Oh, Horse Manure!
If you have horses, you have manure. Dealing with the waste can be burdensome and sometimes costly for farm owners, not to mention some waste management methods are harmful to the environment. If you’re looking for a way to improve your current
Q&A Neurologic Equine Herpesvirus
The University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center has the only Office International des Epizooties (OIE, or World Organization for Animal Health) reference laboratory for equine herpesvirus in the Western hemisphere. Samples from most of the outbreaks are sent there so George Allen, PhD, professor in the department of veterinary science and head of the OIE laboratory, can type these
How Many Jumps Does a Horse Have?
When USA Equestrian Team member Lisa Jacquin and her star jumper For The Moment earned their share of the team silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the gutsy Thoroughbred gelding was at the top of his game. He was fast, powerful, and precise
Selenium: A Balancing Act
Selenium in a horse’s diet is a balancing act–the horse has to have a small amount, and too much is fatal.
Housing the Horse
The health and safety of the horses that will live in a barn are of primary importance no matter the style. But barns come in many sizes, shapes, and styles to meet the needs of intended use, climate, site, and the owner’s budget. Personal taste
Musculoskeletal Disease Biomarkers
Colorado State University (CSU) researchers have found significant patterns of six different signals of damage or “biomarkers” in the serum of racehorses with certain musculoskeletal diseases.
Biomarkers are indicators of abnormal
