Editor’s note: A letter to the editor from Fort Dodge Animal Health cited inaccuracies in this article and has been included below.
A new West Nile virus (WNV) equine recombinant canarypox vaccine received USDA registration approval on Dec. 23, 2003, and could pave the way for a new generation of equine
Has there has been an increase in hind limb lameness since the round pen has become more popular?
Purdue University biologists recently determined the viral structure of the West Nile virus (WNV), a development that could greatly augment our understanding of the virus’ life cycle.
Using cryoelectron microscopy and advanced imaging techniques, the Purdue team has determined the orientation of the major surface proteins in a West Nile viral particle. Because these proteins are
My yearling stallion has begun his show career in longe line classes. He is beginning to lose concentration and act “studdy” at shows. It was suggested that I put him on Regumate to help control this behavior. What are the pros and cons?
The USDA’s Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health announced to industry stakeholders Oct. 22, 2003, that Veterinary Services (VS) is working with six states on an electronic Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) project. This would allow state and federal animal health officials to have real-time access to information regarding livestock movements in and out of their
I’d like information and recommendations for safe hauling of my weanlings. Should they be tied? If hauled loose, when is it time for them to be tied and confined? What’s the easiest way to proceed for happy hauling in the future?
Abby L. Fowden, of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, discussed nutritive and endocrine functions of the placenta at the first Equine Placenta Workshop held at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center on Dec. 5-6, 2003. She said the functions of the placenta are as a barrier, for transport of nutrients and waste, nutrient production, and hormone production.
My pony started tossing his head and cribbing at about the same time. The head tossing has increased to the point of not being able to ride him. He has had his teeth floated and has been checked by a vet for common problems. He has never had any problems before this, and has always been a great pony hunter. I’ve changed bits, used a hackamore, longed him with tack–still with the same
Cribbing, the oral stereotypic behavior in which the horse grabs an object with his teeth while flexing his neck and sometimes swallowing air, has long been suspected as a cause of colic. A study from the Universities of Illinois and Liverpool suggests that cribbing increases the risk for entrapment of the small intestine in the epiploic foramen (the passage between the liver and the
Barns can be elaborate statements about our love for our animals and our economic status. In terms of equine health and safety, the best solution is one that works, not necessarily the most impressive or expensive one. Often, spending more money on the barn does little or nothing to improve the contribution of the building to the health and safety of the occupants. In fact, less is
Colorado State University’s Ed Squires, PhD, an honorary Diplomate in the American College of Theriogenology (reproduction), presented several lectures at the 2003 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention. One presentation was on using a new commercially available product called equine follicle-stimulating hormone (eFSH, from Bioniche Animal Health) to have mares superovulate
Day after day, dollar after dollar, much of the cost and labor in horsekeeping is seeing that your horse gets the proper kind and amount of nutrition for his individual needs. Offer too much or over-supplement and you’re throwing money away at best. Skimp on feed quality or quantity and you potentially imperil your horse’s health. It’s important to budget wisely when you have only one or two
The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) reiterated its position on euthanasia and horse slaughter in the wake of an accusatory Blue Horse Charities letter that was disseminated to the racing industry in early November (see article #4801 online). In part, the AQHA position statement read:
“AQHA does not support (national
In the end, remember that a pastured horse’s safety isn’t just determined by the materials and construction of the enclosing fence. Other factors to consider include his temperament and age, the number and choice of pasture mates and neighbors, the size of his pen or pasture, and the availability of foodstuffs.
Laminitis was the primary focus of the Second International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot, held Nov. 10-11 in West Palm Beach, Fla. This conference is held every other year and sponsored in large part by John K. and Marianne Castle, whose Appaloosa Spot had chronic laminitis secondary to Cushing’s disease and died from colic years ago. There are several other private
Whether riding a reining pattern or jumping a Grand Prix course, the arena is one of the oldest established venues where equine performance is trained and measured. Arena competitions date back to the times when horse-drawn chariots dashed wildly around the Roman Coliseum. While construction and maintenance practices have changed dramatically, equine facilities still share several common
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