Latest News – The Horse
Linking Chronic Laminitis to Immunologic Hyperreactivity
The pathogenesis of chronic laminitis remains unclear. There is growing evidence, however, of a link between this condition and the development of certain systemic diseases, such as kidney disease, that involve small blood vessel damage. There might also be a link between routine vaccination and acute episodes of chronic laminitis. This has led to the theory that chronic laminitis produces
Aging Changes in Muscles
The results of EMG analysis on muscle groups in the shoulder revealed that MUAP duration and amplitude were significantly lower in the youngest horses compared to the adult and senior groups.
R. equi on Breeding Farms
Rhodococcus equi is the most common cause of pneumonia in foals one to four months of age, bringing costly losses on affected breeding farms.
Feeding Orphan Foals
Orphan–the name itself evokes sadness and sympathy. A baby without a mother, in this case a foal. Whether it occurs through the death of the mare, or just that the mare cannot produce milk or will not take care of her foal, it all leads to one problem: how to care for the foal.
In the past, there have been two standard options:
- Raise the foal by hand as an orphan, using some
Dressage Immersion
Americans might be making great strides in the sport of dressage, but in Germany, dressage is a way of life. An amateur dressage enthusiast, I experienced German dressage culture firsthand during six fascinating days in November. I found trainer Heide Hellwinkel through an American-based company, Hobby Horse Tours, which organizes training trips to Germany.
Safe at Work
Whether riding a reining pattern or jumping a Grand Prix course, the arena is one of the oldest established venues where equine performance is trained and measured. Arena competitions date back to the times when horse-drawn chariots dashed wildly around the Roman Coliseum. While construction and maintenance practices have changed dramatically, equine facilities still share several common
Safe and Healthy Fencing: A Place Apart
In the end, remember that a pastured horse’s safety isn’t just determined by the materials and construction of the enclosing fence. Other factors to consider include his temperament and age, the number and choice of pasture mates and neighbors, the size of his pen or pasture, and the availability of foodstuffs.
Feeding the Masses (Managing Multiple Horses Part 2)
Day after day, dollar after dollar, much of the cost and labor in horsekeeping is seeing that your horse gets the proper kind and amount of nutrition for his individual needs. Offer too much or over-supplement and you’re throwing money away at best. Skimp on feed quality or quantity and you potentially imperil your horse’s health. It’s important to budget wisely when you have only one or two
How Safe is Your Barn?
Barns can be elaborate statements about our love for our animals and our economic status. In terms of equine health and safety, the best solution is one that works, not necessarily the most impressive or expensive one. Often, spending more money on the barn does little or nothing to improve the contribution of the building to the health and safety of the occupants. In fact, less is
Sudden-Onset Headshaking
My pony started tossing his head and cribbing at about the same time. The head tossing has increased to the point of not being able to ride him. He has had his teeth floated and has been checked by a vet for common problems. He has never had any problems before this, and has always been a great pony hunter. I’ve changed bits, used a hackamore, longed him with tack–still with the same
Hauling Training
I’d like information and recommendations for safe hauling of my weanlings. Should they be tied? If hauled loose, when is it time for them to be tied and confined? What’s the easiest way to proceed for happy hauling in the future?
Regumate to Control Stud Behavior?
My yearling stallion has begun his show career in longe line classes. He is beginning to lose concentration and act “studdy” at shows. It was suggested that I put him on Regumate to help control this behavior. What are the pros and cons?
Round Pen Injuries
Has there has been an increase in hind limb lameness since the round pen has become more popular?
Wild Horses and Burros
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages the majority of the wild horses and burros in the United States. The agency manages these animals on the public rangelands consistent with BLM’s multiple-use mission, which takes into consideration natural resources such as wildlife and vegetation, and other users such as ranchers and recreationists
Oxygen Therapy for Horses
Veterinarians are using hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)–treatment in a pressurized oxygen chamber–to treat certain illnesses and injuries in horses. They are extrapolating from human research to guide approaches for treating equine patients.
Feeding to Improve Fertility of Stallions (AAEP 2003)
Research has shown that boars can be fed a specific diet to increase fertility, and the same might be true of stallions. Steven Brinsko, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, from Texas A&M University, discussed the potential of feeding a nutraceutical to stallions to enhance their fertility during his presentation at the American Association of Equine Practitioners convention.
He said the
