Latest News – The Horse
Mare Milking Early
I have a Paso Fino mare whose due date is three months away and her milk bag is full, hot, and dripping very white milk. She has been waxed over for about a week now, but thankfully she seems to be in no distress. I can find no one with this
Skunk Cabbage Toxic to Horses?
Recently our horses have begun eating skunk cabbage that grows on the property. Is it harmful to horses?
Eye Removal
I was just informed that my young Quarter Horse needs to have his eye removed. What does this procedure consist of?
Help Limit Laminitis
To be sure, we don’t yet know everything about laminitis. We don’t know exactly why it occurs, why some horses have more acute attacks than others, or why some severe cases bounce back while seemingly lesser cases go downhill until euthanasia is the
West Nile Virus Encephalitis
In August 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) was identified as the cause of encephalitis in birds, horses, and humans in New York. Since then, WNV activity has spread north and south along the East Coast, and west to several states following bird
Locked Into Place
Much has been learned about exertional rhabdomyolysis (tying-up) in recent years, but unfortunately some of that knowledge has been troubling. For example, at least one newly recognized cause of tying-up in foals has, in identified cases, always

The Dreaded Corneal Stromal Abscess
The corneal stromal abscess is a very serious and potentially vision-threatening condition in horses. Here’s what you need to know.
Malicious Mycotoxins
Leave your saddle sitting in a corner of your tack room after you and your horse are caught in a rainstorm, and you’ll get an eye-opening look into the world of fungi and molds. Within days, your leather tack will have sprouted a patchy coat of
West Nile Virus in Ontario, Canada
According to Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, as of July 30, 2002, West Nile virus (WNV) has been confirmed in 38 birds, and another five birds are presumably positive in Ontario.
The confirmed and presumed positive birds have been found in the following regions:
Chatham-Kent (8 confirmed),
Haldimand-Norfolk (1 presumed),
Haliburton-Kawartha-Pine Ridge (
West Nile Virus in Minnesota and South Dakota Horses
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced July 30 that West Nile virus (WNV) has been confirmed in four Minnesota horses through testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.
Minnesota’s first confirmed WNV cases in horses involve single horses in Hennepin, Clay, Roseau, and Beltrami counties. The Board
Poppies Causing Positive Drug Tests Down Under
According to an Associated Press story, poppies grown on the Australian island state of Tasmania for the pharmaceutical industry are causing controversy by producing positive opium tests in racehorses. Six horses have been disqualified in the
Putting Equine Podiatrists in Their “Right Minds”
While most people don’t consider equine podiatry an artistic profession, Ric Redden, DVM, owner of the International Equine Podiatry Center and organizer/chief instructor of the first In-Depth Equine Podiatry Course going on this week, heartily
West Nile Virus Detected in South Dakota
West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in a dead crow in Aberdeen, South Dakota, a state health official said June 26. Testing at the State Public Health Laboratory in Pierre confirmed the virus. This is the first detection of the virus in Sout
West Nile Virus Exhibit at Dallas Museum of Natural History
The Dallas Museum of Natural History opens a special educational exhibit about West Nile virus (WNV), Wed., July 31. The exhibit allows visitors to explore what the virus is, how it originated, how we can protect ourselves and how it is
West Nile Virus In 31 States and D.C. in 2002
West Nile virus (WNV) has continued its advance across the United States, appearing for the first time in 2002 where it has visited in previous years, and making its debut in other states untouched by the virus before 2002. In all, 31 states and
American Humane Association Aids Animals in Minnesota
The American Humane Association has donated $2,000 to provide an emergency food supply for 30 horses and 1,100 head of livestock affected by the flooding in Minnesota. Combined with a matching donation by the Humane Society of the United States,