Latest News – The Horse
Jutted Jaw in a Foal
Our foal was born with something that our veterinarian called a “jutted jaw.” Can you provide any information on this condition and what, if anything, needs to be done about it?
Equine Vacation: Monumental Escape
It can be as simple as that first outing in the fall, with leaves crunching underfoot and cool breezes blowing life into us and our horses. It can be as exciting as a once-in-a-lifetime trip to herd cattle in Wyoming, a vacation in Germany to learn dressage under the tutelage of a master, or riding on the beach with waves crashing and the smell of freedom blown in the salty air.

The Role of Antioxidants for Horses
Antioxidants (which include vitamins E, C, and A, selenium, glutathione, lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, and isoflavins) act to stabilize free radicals and halt oxidative damage. Here’s a look at how they function.
Optimizing Implant Therapy in Cycling Mares
Deslorelin acetate implants (Ovuplant from Fort Dodge Animal Health) have proven highly successful at inducing ovulation in mares. Implanted mares typically ovulate within 48 hours. Unfortunately, despite administration of prostaglandin during diestrus, a percentage of mares with implants, perhaps as many as 1 in 4, experience a prolonged interval to the next ovulation. Researchers from
Understanding Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure is a term describing a group of clinical signs that develop as a result of other cardiac diseases. As the name implies, equine congestive heart failure is generally an endpoint of disease, and it is considered rare in horses. There is little information available about congestive heart failure, but a study from North Carolina State University re-examined cases of
Tell-Tale Signs of West Nile Virus
Unfortunately, clinical signs of West Nile virus (WNV) aren’t unique, making it difficult for practitioners to suspect WNV above other neurologic diseases. For this reason, researchers from the University of Florida set out to closely scrutinize the clinical signs of WNV to see if any are particularly unusual. Records of 46 horses admitted to the hospital in 2001 with confirmed cases of WNV
Coming of Age
We’re all getting a little bit older, but as with fine wine and good horses, that often means things are getting better. The Horse magazine is celebrating its 21st year in 2004 since its inception as Modern Horse Breeding. And you’ll notice a few things different this year. For one, we are sharing our love of our horses in a new column called Horse Fever. We also are
New EPM Treatment Approved
On Nov. 19 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Navigator for treating equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). This drug has been under development for more than six years.
IDEXX Laboratories of Westbrook, Maine, received approval for the 32% nitazoxanide antiprotozoal oral paste designed to kill the single-celled protozoan parasite Sarcocystis neurona, which
New Vaccine for WNV Awaits Approval
A new West Nile virus (WNV) equine recombinant canarypox vaccine awaits USDA approval, and once available, could pave the way for a new generation of equine vaccines in the United States. Merial developed this Recombitek equine WNV technology, and assembled a group of researchers, clinicians, and private practitioners in New Orleans, La., on Nov. 19, 2003, to review WNV and the research behin
Rapid Testing for West Nile Virus
By the 2003 West Nile virus (WNV) season, a majority of state laboratories had obtained (or were establishing) the capacity to run the IgM Capture ELISA, the most common quick test for the disease. The test measures a class of antibody produced early after infection, can be performed on serum samples drawn from suspect cases, and takes two to three days to process. Other tests take four days
Why Is Your Vet The Best?
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) wants horse owners to share why his or her veterinarian is the best by participating in the My Vet Matters Contest.
From Jan. 1-Oct. 31, submit an entry explaining why your vet is exceptional. One winning entry will be chosen each month, and the winning horse owner and vet will each receive prizes. The 10 monthly winners will be
Beaten Arkansas Horses Recovering
Two Arkansas Quarter Horses, a 3-year-old filly named Puddin’ and a 5-year-old mare called Fat Girl, were seriously injured when they were attacked Aug. 6 while owner Patrice Swan was away. The two were brutally beaten with unknown blunt objects wielded with tremendous force, probably baseball bats or ax handles, by unidentified attackers who have not been captured. The injuries to both horse
Colorado Fires Cause Evacuation
Equine evacuation plans were put to the test in Colorado when the Overland Fire in canyons northwest of Boulder grew so quickly that within just a few hours, 3,500 acres were engulfed and indefensible. The fire started early on Oct. 29 near Jamestown, Colo., and spread east. By Oct. 30, wet weather and crews had extinguished the fire.
Officials from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office
AQHA Supplemental Registry Proposed
The American Quarter Horse Association’s (AQHA) Stud Book and Registration Committee will discuss various matters relating to the breed and AQHA’s registration process, namely eligibility of horses with white beyond certain prescribed limits on their bodies and those of a particular lineage, during the 2004 convention in Reno, Nev., March 5-9.
During their Oct. 7 meeting, the stud book
No Grass, No Horse
Research published in Nature shows that climate changes and the highly specialized digestive system of the wild horse Equus ferus might have contributed to its extinction in North America.
AAEP Tail Docking Position Statement
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) board of directors recently approved a new position statement regarding tail docking. The statement written by the Equine Welfare Committee reads:
“Tail docking in horses should only be performed when it is a medical necessity or when it is vital to ensuring the horse’s safety in a work environment. Tail docking should not be