The question of whether to feed foals concentrate separate from mares (called creep feeding) has often posed a dilemma for horse owners. On one hand, owners want to be certain that foals are getting all required nutrients and growing to their genetic potential. On the other hand, there is concern that too much rich feed can cause bone and joint growth problems. Is there a correct approach to

As the foal takes his initial stance, a proud owner takes stock to see how straight and strong the youngster’s legs are. Many foals are born with seemingly crooked legs (congenital). Most of these crooked legs straighten by the time the foal is a couple of weeks or months old. Some limb deformities develop after birth, as the foal grows (acquired). In determining what specific veterinary

Diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) involves a technique called Western blotting (WB), which identifies antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona, the parasite responsible for the disease. A positive result on WB does not guarantee current infection, but rather exposure, since antibodies and not organisms are being identified.

Currently, young foals with neurologica

Noise and exercise intolerance…those are the usual signs of an upper airway disorder. Many things can go wrong with a horse’s breathing mechanisms that don’t involve the lungs. The diagnoses aren’t always accurate, and treatments aren’t totally effective, but researchers are finding new ways to handle these complicated problems.

Diseases of the upper airway can occur in the hard or sof

Penetrating injuries near the fetlock can be very serious because of their proximity to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), which flexes the lower limb joints, and its sheath. While a horse might have only a small cut or puncture wound, the internal injury can create severe or even non-weight-bearing lameness. If left untreated or undertreated (with only administration of antibiotics,

One of the most traumatic times in a young horse’s life is when he is separated from his mother at weaning time. From birth, he has been dependent on the mare for sustenance and protection. At weaning time that changes, and the youngster must cope with the world, minus his mother’s protective presence.

True, the youngster has become less and less dependent on the mare’s milk for a food

Dietary fats are important components of performance horses’ diets because they are calorie-dense and energy-rich. Previous studies have shown, however, that diets high in soybean oil interfere with fiber digestion in trotters. It is unclear whether feeding poorly digestible carbohydrates, like cornstarch, compounds this problem by overloading the cecum and altering its bacterial population.

Nutritional strategies for raising and competing sounder Thoroughbreds, many of which can be applied to horses of all breeds, was presented by Laurie Lawrence, PhD, at the Thoroughbred International Exposition and Conference (TIEC). Lawrence, who has done extensive research on equine nutrition at the University of Kentucky, covered nutrition of foals, weanlings, and

What does a movie like Seabiscuit have to do with general horse owners? In my opinion, anything that draws positive attention to horses is a good thing. Universal Studios has given this movie every chance to be a success. Based on the best-selling book by Laura Hillenbrand, it’s a story about unlikely people with a big-hearted horse which has tremendous talent. The horse is the hero, although

Artificial insemination (AI) and stallion book size were among the more controversial topics discussed as university professors from across the United States, Great Britain, Australia, and Israel gathered in Louisville, Ky., June 25-28 for the third International Equine Industry Program Academic Conference.

About 35 participants presented papers on a variety of topics ranging from

The landscape of equine reproduction research dramatically changed May 29, when a University of Idaho (UI) and Utah State University team announced they were the first to clone a member of the equine family–the mule–according to an article to be published in the journal Science. The research team includes Gordon Woods, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACT, UI professor of animal and veterinary

Alfred M. Merritt II, AB, DVM, MS, will present the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture at the AAEP’s 49th Annual Convention in New Orleans, La., November 21-25, 2003. Merritt’s presentation will highlight advances made over the last 40 years in our understanding of the function and diseases of the equine stomach, with particular emphasis on Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome

The number of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) cases in Florida had risen to 70 as of May 30, further substantiating an earlier suspicion that 2003 will be a tough year for fighting the disease. Florida’s case count for all of 2002 was 25 horses.

The disease is caused by a virus found in wild birds, and it’s transmitted to horses and humans via the bite of an infected mosquito. Horses d

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) will sponsor two continuing education meetings this summer in Fort Collins, Colo. Scheduled for July 28-30, the first-ever Focus meeting and the 11th annual Practice Management Seminar offer practitioners two separate paths of study for one registration fee.

Focus is a new meeting that spotlights one specific modality or conditio