Latest News – The Horse
Reproductive Emergencies in the Stallion
Although uncommon, reproductive emergencies will occur in the breeding stallion and when they do, prompt attention and action must be instituted. Trauma to the external genitalia is always a possibility under natural mating situations
One More Piece in MRLS Puzzle
Researchers at the University of Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center (LDDC) have uncovered one more piece in the puzzle that is known as mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS). Whatever caused early fetal losses and late-term abortions
Soothing Itchy Eyes
My 20-year-old Appaloosa mare seems to have increasingly puffy, swollen eyes each spring and summer.
Guinea Grass Toxicity
I have a gelding that can’t eat guinea grass because it causes his hair to fall out in patches.
Vaccinating Geriatric Horses
Can you help me find a list of geriatric horse vaccinations?
Truck Training
I recently had a difficult time trailering my horse to a show. While loading him, we had backed the trailer up to the barn, which resulted in a situation where he became afraid of the truck/trailer by the barn area. After returning from the
Legalities of Equine Rescue
Driving home one evening at dusk, you notice a horse standing listlessly in a small, fenced paddock on a farm located a few miles from your home. The horse looks quite thin, almost to the point of emaciation, and there is neither food nor water
Is Dietary Fat Really Healthy?
Marketing claims regarding the virtues of fat in equine diets are plentiful. Statements such as “Added dietary fat for improved performance,” “Increased stamina,” “Calm energy,” or “Improved coat and hoof condition” abound. Indeed, at times it i
Joint Disease Model
Horse owners are familiar with the devastating effects of osteoarthritis (OA) in performance horses. Methods to detect OA earlier, treat it more effectively, and slow its course are heavily researched. One problem, however, is the lack of an
Chronic Uterine Torsion in Mares
In late pregnancy, mares are susceptible to a dangerous complication called uterine torsion. Accounting for 5-10% of obstetrical emergencies, twisting of the uterus can be fatal to fetus and mare if left untreated. The hallmark of acute uterine
Foal Sex Selection
Sex selection of foals prior to conception is highly desirable for horse breeders. Currently, sperm can be sorted by their X and Y chromosomes, improving odds of sex selection through artificial insemination. Flow cytometry measures DNA in cells
Underrun Heels–Not So Innocent
Underrun heels sounds like an innocent term. Certainly it doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of horse owners in the same way as, say, navicular syndrome. It should. The disorder is so common today that many people fail to see it as an
Understanding Back Pain
There are many causes for back pain in horses, and they can range from the dramatic to the benign.
Things to be Thankful For
With fall comes Thanksgiving, followed quickly by Christmas, then the New Year starts us all over again. Where did 2002 go? Where have the past few years gone? In 1999, we were all worried about Y2K (haven’t heard that one in a while, huh?). Lat
WNV Vaccine Challenge Study
Research and development representatives from Fort Dodge Animal Health (FDAH) presented results from their challenge study of the West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine on Sept. 18. The information was presented at the World Organisation for Animal Healt
