Latest News – The Horse
Grass Sickness Linked to Clostridium botulinum Bacterium
United Kingdom (U.K.) researchers recently found that grass sickness is strongly associated with low antibody levels to the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, indicating that affected horses couldn’t fight off infection. Findings from the study, which was conducted at the U.K.’s University of Liverpool (UL), funded by The Home of Rest For Horses, and published in the Equine Veterinary
Alberta Court Upholds Farrier’s Right to Float Horse Teeth
The technicalities of defining veterinary medicine were tested in February in the Alberta, Canada, Court of Appeal when three appeal court justices ruled that a farrier was not guilty of illegally practicing veterinary medicine when he floated horses’ teeth as a service to horse owners.
According to reports in The Western Producer, an agricultural news publication for Western
Arkansas, Illinois Clamping Down on Equine Milkshakes
Arkansas and Illinois have altered their medication policies to, among other things, provide harsher penalties for trainers if a horse in their care tests positive for a milkshake (a sodium bicarbonate mixture administered via stomach tube, intended to decrease blood acidity, countering the lactic acid that is produced during high speed performance and which increases fatigue).
Milkshake
Skin Problems in Horses: The Creeping Crud
Dealing with skin problems, unfortunately, is part of having a horse. Since skin is the largest organ of the body, it’s no wonder there’s much that can go wrong. Designed to safeguard internal organs from external forces and to help maintain consistent temperature, water, and nutrient levels, the skin is an integral part of a horse’s health.
Referring a Horse
Referral centers are those clinics or hospitals that offer diagnostic and therapeutic options not readily available or possible in a field (barn) type situation. These can include diagnostic modalities such as endoscopy with or without a treadmill, ultrasound, scintigraphy, and radiography, just to name a few. Referral centers can also offer a wide range of surgical care–on an elective or
Governing Equine Competition
As the National Governing Body for equestrian sport, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF, formerly U.S.A. Equestrian) takes seriously the importance of providing a fair and level playing field for all competitors. This mission is a large and important one. Administering the rules and regulations requires not only the work of the Federation’s employees, but it also requires assistanc
Chickens, Ducks, and Horses
Do chickens and ducks pose a health risk to horses, humans, sheep, goats, and my dogs? Are there any vaccinations I should be pursuing for my animals in light of the chickens and ducks? Is Salmonella a risk?
Are Grass Clippings Toxic to Horses?
A friend swears that I put my horses at serious risk by mowing my pasture with a rotary finish mower. Is this true?
Surgery for Septic Osteitis?
My horse has septic osteitis, and I don’t think my vet has had much experience in this and feels that surgery would be detrimental. I’d like to talk to someone with more experience for more information.
Play Invitation
We have been struggling with a very particular behavior problem with a young colt. From birth, he’s been a strong and athletic rascal, and has been “full of himself,” with the usual colt behavior tendencies. We have dealt successfully with all the nippiness and rearing when leading him and turning him out, etc. He has occasional relapses, but we feel confident that he’s under control as far a
USEF Powers Upheld
The United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) authority to enforce its own rules and regulations has been affirmed, at least temporarily, in a federal court in Lexington, Ky. A decision on whether the injunction should be made permanent is
EEE in Venezuela
According to an April 26 ProMED report, Venezuela’s Animal Health Service, Ministry of Agriculture recently reported a case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a horse from the district Bolivar in the
Farriery is Veterinary Medicine in Florida
On March 2, the Florida Board of Veterinary Practice (FBVP) unanimously voted that their interpretation of the state’s practice act (which governs animal care and what is construed as veterinary medicine) said acupressure, aromatherapy, animal
AAEP’s March My Vet Matters Honoree Chosen”AEP’s March My Vet Matters H”EP’s March My Ve”P’s M
Suzanne Wilcox, DVM, of Hubbard, Ohio, has been selected by the AAEP’s 50th Anniversary Committee as the My Vet Matters Contest’s March honoree. Wilcox, who practices at Diamond Ridge Equine, Inc., was nominated for the award by horse owner
AAEP’s March “My Vet Matters” Honoree Chosen
Suzanne Wilcox, DVM, of Hubbard, Ohio, has been selected by the AAEP’s 50th Anniversary Committee as the My Vet Matters Contest’s March honoree. Wilcox, who practices at Diamond Ridge Equine, Inc., was nominated for the award by horse owner Stacey Hotchkiss. Nearly 70 veterinarians were nominated last month.
In her nomination of “Dr. Sue,” Ms. Hotchkiss told of Dr. Wilcox’s heroi
Rolex Three-Day Footing Proves Sticky, But Safe
To the relief of riders, owners, veterinarians, and spectators at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bayer, last week’s series of deluges did not prove dangerous for horses on cross country on Saturday, April 24. Many
