The average equine extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) patient has been examined multiple veterinarians before arriving for ESWT treatment, said Alan Donnell, DVM, of Pilot Point, Texas at the third annual Shock Wave Therapy Symposium, held this year on Dec. 3 in Denver, Colo. Donnell treats Quarter Horses and Arabians and travels to 33 major performance shows throughout the

USRider Equestrian Motor Plan has established an endowed fund at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) to promote large-animal rescue efforts and support related training programs.

The $25,000 gift/pledge, which will be matched through the Commonwealth’s “Bucks for Brains” Program for a total of $50,000, will enable EKU’s Fire and Safety Engineering (FSE) Technology Program to prepar

Researchers at The Royal Veterinary College in Great Britain believe they’ve found the answer to what makes a fast racehorse.

The research, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, combined data about the length, shape, and structure of horses with analysis of horses in the field to develop mathematical and computer models of horse movement.

Using

Arizona Department of Racing officials have planned hearings in early January for eight horse owners or trainers whose barns were raided by state and federal officials Dec. 15 at Turf Paradise in Phoenix.

The raids, according to the Arizona Republic, involved tack rooms. Investigators found therapeutic medications that weren’t prescribed by a veterinarian licensed by the

In the treatment of horses suffering from the West Nile virus (WNV), vets have only a few choices besides supportive care. A novel WNV serum antibody product received conditional approval from the USDA in November 2004. Colorado Serum Company announced the product’s availability on Dec. 13, 2004.

Serum antibody products help animals that have been exposed to a disease by increasing th

Coolmore stallion owners are donating one nomination to every one of their stallions worldwide to aid humanitarian efforts following the earthquake-tsunami catastrophe in Asia and Africa, Coolmore announced Dec. 30.

The stud farm in Versailles, Ky., also is offering to assist and facilitate other stud farms interested in donating seasons to their stallions.

The total fund will

“Starting a novice breeding stallion can range from a quick and easy project accomplished in a few brief sessions to a challenging and time-consuming effort over many sessions and even a few weeks,” said Sue McDonnell, PhD, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and head of the Equine Behavior Lab of the Veterinary School of the University of Pennsylvania (New Bolton Center), at the Hagyard

Cryptorchid, ridgling, and even rig are terms used to describe a stallion with at least one undescended testis. The condition is not unique to equids, but the horse is of specific importance as the retained testis fails to produce viable sperm, so fertility rates are affected. However, the testis is still capable of producing testosterone, so the animal will show stallion-like behavior. The

Effective Dec. 1, 2004, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Equine Drugs and Medications Rule permitted the therapeutic use of Surpass, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory product (NSAID) recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in horses. This is a topical preparation of 1% diclofenac cream from IDEXX Pharmaceuticals.

The rule change, which was adopted by

Editor’s Note: This is the first installment in a 12-part series of articles on vaccinations of horses.

Of all the medical advances in the past couple of centuries, the one that might be the most remarkable is also the one we’re most likely to take for granted. The simple pinprick of an intramuscular injection taking less than 10 seconds protects our families, our pets,

Because of the vital services provided to unwanted, neglected, or abused horses by equine rescue and retirement groups, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has developed a new resource guide titled Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities. The guide is designed to help the non-veterinary caregiver successfully provide care to a rescued horse or a

The world is getting smaller every day. People and horses travel across the country and around the planet at rates never seen before. It has opened up huge opportunities for competition, growth, and learning. Unfortunately, it has also given us increased opportunities to be exposed to a growing number of diseases. Never before has it been so important to connect with your veterinarian to focu

The equine esophagus extends into the first one-third of the stomach, making horses susceptible to acid reflux disease. Naturally present bacteria can colonize in ulcers, and the stomach acid can keep them from healing.

September 15th is a day I will never forget. The Dearborn County Sheriff’s office asked if I would respond to a horse trailer accident involving 50 horses, and I was on my way. I was the only vet present to help fire and rescue personnel extract 20 horses from an overturned horse trailer. Once that was done, my tech and I began triage of 30 horses suffering from traumatic injuries.

I hop

I purchased a 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with a fractured knee. My veterinarian put him on lay-up for an additional four months of stall rest. I am concerned about nutrition during both the period of stall rest and the subsequent turnout.