Latest News – The Horse
Conformation of Racehorses
In her study, nearly all racing-bred Thoroughbred foals were carpus valgus (knock-kneed) at birth, many toed out, and a few had offset knees. But at about 18 months of age, nearly two-thirds had offset knees and the incidence of knock knees
Ophthalmology for Ambulatory Practitioners
“I have a special interest in eyes, but they’re only about 5% of my work,” began Ann Dwyer, DVM, of Genesee Valley Equine Clinic in Scottsville, N.Y., at the Western Veterinary Conference Feb. 20-24 in Las Vegas, Nev. “Some problems will always
Vaccine Care and Handling
“A lot of very smart people are not aware of how to properly handle vaccines,” said Rocky Bigbie, DVM, MS, director of field veterinary services with Fort Dodge Animal Health, at the 2005 Western Veterinary Conference held Feb. 20-24 in Las
Farnam/Purina Partner on New Feeding Program
On March 7, Farnam and Purina announced they were partners in the manufacturing and promotion of a new line of feeds and supplements. The line was created to avoid over-supplementation while delivering state-of-the-art nutrition to horses of all
“Seabiscuit” Star Euthanatized
Thoroughbred “I Two Step Too,” known for his role in “Seabiscuit,” was euthanatized on March 7 at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington after battling a rare type of tumor called a neuroblastoma in his nasal cavity. I Two Step Too was cast as
Update Influenza Vaccines
Veterinarians and horse owners, as caretakers of the health and wellbeing of our animals, tend to be vigilant about ensuring the safety and efficacy of vaccines. But do we ever step back to examine if these vaccines, which include multiple antigens
Vet Student/Farrier Courses
The importance of podiatry in equine practice and to the overall well-being (especially soundness) of the horse is well known. Treatment and prevention of lameness involving the distal limb centers around a thorough knowledge of hoof care. Due to
Athletic Taping of the Lower Limb
Athletic taping is commonly used in human sports medicine to begin a physical therapy program; it stabilizes injured soft tissues and helps prevent further injury. Years of experience in the use of athletic taping as well as scientific research
Dental Floating Value
Maintaining dental health is believed to be critical to optimum feed intake, digestive tract health, and body condition. In Western Canada, there are about 70,000 PMU mares that usually don’t get routine dental care. Researchers from the Western
What is Ringbone?
My 17-year-old Arab gelding has been diagnosed with ringbone. His granddam and another of her offspring also had this disease. What exactly is ringbone? Is it hereditary? What is its cause?
Rhodococcus Equi Pneumonia Linked to Large Farms, Lots of Horses
Farms with large acreage and many mares and foals are more likely to have cases of Rhodococcus equi foal pneumonia than smaller farms with fewer horses, according to a recently published Texas A&M University (TAMU) study. Additionally, farms that are intensively managed and use what are considered desirable practices to prevent disease are more likely to have R. equi cases.
Recurrent Mastitis
We have a 25-year-old mare that gets a case of mastitis almost like clockwork every 35 days.
Is My Horse Psychotic?
I bought my gelding as a stallion from a local sulky racetrack a year ago (where he never got out of his stall except for training). He had just turned three and was very excitable, so we had him gelded. After several months, he seemed to calm
African Horse Sickness: Fighting a Foreign Foe
If you’re a horse owner in the United States, you’ve probably never worried about African horse sickness (AHS), let alone seen a case of it. Sounds pretty exotic, doesn’t it? But then again, so did West Nile virus six years ago.
The bad
Foaling a Premature Foal
Normal gestation in a mare lasts anywhere from 320 to 360 days. The average is about 341 days. A foal born at less than 320 days will display immature characteristics such as silky hair coat, overly pliable ears, weak or lax flexor tendons, and
Vesicular Stomatitis Detected in New Mexico
On April 27, the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, confirmed the finding of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in horses at one premises in Grant County, N.M. This is the first confirmed case of vesicular
