Blood-Horse Publications announces its second annual book warehouse clearance sale will be held Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 at 349 Virginia Avenue in Lexington, Kentucky.

Glucosamine is a popular nutritional supplement that horses are fed in hopes of protecting them from osteoarthritis. Researchers studying the mechanisms of osteoarthritis have identified several compounds, called markers, that are unique to the cartilaginous joints. Increased concentrations of these markers in the blood signify damage to cartilage and/or bone. Recently, a group of researchers

Of particular interest to horse owners was Johnson’s black-and-white linkage of the newly termed “Equine Metabolic Syndrome” (EMS) condition with laminitis and obesity. “Obesity-associated insulin refractory state” was Johnson’s precise description of EMS in these non-Cushing’s horses, many of which also suffer from recurrent laminitis.

Because of its subjective and complex nature, the severity of a horse’s pain is very difficult to assess. Recently, a comprehensive review was published by the University of Minnesota outlining the definitions of the types of pain and the difficulties associated with its assessment in animals.

Pain is broadly classified as acute (of short duration) or chronic (persisting over time), then

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the United Kingdom has advanced hoof balance from a farrier’s art form to a measurement of pressure inside the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint (coffin joint). Some day, a horse’s ideal balance might be determined by a pressure reading of this type.

Excess intra-articular pressure and/or joint fluid volume of the DIP joint is a

Spinal cord disease in horses is fairly common, but it can be difficult to precisely diagnose. Ancillary tests such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis, contrast myelography, and electromyelography can be helpful, but also somewhat risky. There is another diagnostic technique used in humans that is not painful and has no serious side effects. The technique is called transcranial magnetic

All of the cutting-edge hoof information presented at this symposium is very helpful to the fledgling field of equine podiatry. Equally valuable is the open, helpful atmosphere in which everyone is learning and helping each other understand new concepts.

Thrush is very common, and it typically is a mild disease that can be easily treated. More importantly, it can be prevented with adequate foot management and good stable husbandry. However, if you choose to ignore these preventive measures, or you come into possession of a horse with thrush, it needs to be addressed immediately and aggressively as complications and chronic lameness issues can resu

What is your favorite color of horse? Is it the pitch black of Walter Farley’s Black Stallion? The whiteness of the Lone Ranger’s Silver? The sunshine gold of Roy Rogers’ Trigger? How does a breeder capitalize on the fancy colors that bring big bucks? Unfortunately, it’s not always as simple as breeding a black stallion to a black mare to get a black foal. The late Ann Bowling, PhD, author of

Call it what you will–equine physical therapy, equine therapy, physiotherapy, rehabilitation therapy, equine sports therapy, or even alternative therapy. The treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of movement dysfunctions, orthopedic ailments (soft tissue, joint, and bone problems), and neurologic disorders through manual therapies, electrical therapies, and exercise has become

One of the most complex and least-studied subjects involving the horse is heritability of behavior. Do horses truly inherit behavioral traits, or do these traits simply come into being as the result of environmental factors and influences? There are a couple of reasons why there are few learned answers to this question. First, it is a complex issue because a great many factors are involved in

Who is responsible for the horse, and what are that person’s limits morally and legally for making decisions about his/her horse’s health, care, and well-being? Being a responsible horse owner, you tend your horses daily in a way that ensures they are well-nourished, exercised properly, and that their general health is looked after in the means you think best suits yourself, your horse, and

If your horse does more than walk around his pasture eating grass, he is at risk for ulcers. The equine life of leisure–grazing in the sun on lush grass, no worries about when that ambitious owner will appear to ride or train–isn’t reality for most horses. The demands of training can precipitate a pain in the gut–also known as equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Give a horse a job–be it

The health and soundness management of any horse–regardless of his level of use or the problems he might be encountering–horse owner or trainer’s responsibility. The person responsible for the diagnosis, prescribing the treatment, and assessing progress and the effectiveness of the therapies is the veterinarian. The horse benefits from the cooperative efforts of everyone on th

Each state has a veterinary practice act, which is a legal interpretation of what constitutes veterinary practice in that state on all species. For example, chiropractic or acupuncture might be considered veterinarian-only skills in some states, while in other states they can be performed by a skilled lay person under a licensed veterinarian’s direction.

The American Veterinary Medical

In 1982, I was working as an athletic trainer when a veterinarian came in for help in rehabilitating a sprained ankle. As I applied electrical stimulation and range of motion exercise, I asked him what would be done for a horse with a similar injury. He told me of blistering and firing and of extended stall rest, followed by turnout. This concept of rehabilitation was counter to everything an