The advantages of using painkillers in horses are that they help an injured or ill horse feel better, eat more, lose less weight, stay in the hospital for a shorter time, and often avoid chronic pain, she explained. The potential disadvantages include the possibility that the horse makes the injury worse by being too active because he doesn’t hurt as much, the fact that painkillers can slow down t

On occasion, certain dental problems in horses might call for removal of one or more permanent incisor teeth. A veterinarian experienced in equine dentistry can perform the necessary dental surgery to remove the tooth with the horse standing and sedated. Radiographs (X rays) taken before and after the procedure document tooth condition and position, and they help verify complete tooth removal.

Most people can picture the first responders who come to the rescue in the wake of a natural disaster. But who provides emergency help for the dogs, cats and, horses that people love? And who takes care of the cows, poultry, and hogs that form the backbone of animal agriculture? North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine is helping to fill the need through a unique

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has launched a new Web site dedicated to its ongoing Clean Sport Campaign.

The Web site contains information about the regulations that the FEI is implementing this year to combat doping in equestrian sports.

Just 20 years ago, overall equine survival of surgical colic hovered at 39-48% due to anesthetic complications and breakdown of surgical incisions. Recent overall survival rates range from 55-95%, dependent on timely intervention and clinician/hospital experience. Postoperative management has taken great strides with improved patient monitoring, stabilization of cardiovascular status, and car

More than 1,270 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “What do you do to help your horse cope with below-normal temperatures?” The responses varied for cold weather horse care.

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of the eight equestrian disciplines of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The competition is held every four years, and the 2010 edition is coming to Lexington, Ky., Sept 25-Oct. 10. What do you need to do in order to attend?

Endotoxemia causes delayed gastric (stomach) emptying, which can cause the stomach to retain acidic contents and cause or worsen gastric ulcers. At worst, delayed gastric emptying can lead to accumulation of reflux material and gastric rupture. Researchers investigated the effects of DMSO on delayed gastric emptying caused by experimentally induced endotoxemia, and they unfortunately found that it

Cincinnati's River Downs Race Track has established a "surrender stall" program for horse owners who can no longer care for their animals. The program was established in response to the removal of six allegedly malnourished horses from a farm operated by former Thoroughbred horse trainer Chad Moore, said River Down

The largest outbreak of equine atypical myopathy in Europe has ended with freezing winter temperatures, with a record number of 371 reported cases, according to a group of researchers in Belgium.

Atypical myopathy causes severe generalized weakness and stiffness, often ending in death. Urine becomes coffee-colored, and blood workups show significant increases i

Persimmons are tropical, bright orange fruits that are claimed to have many health benefits in humans, from helping prevent cancer to arresting the hiccups. However, they have a dark side–they can form hard “concretions,” or fiber masses, in the gastrointestinal tracts of horses and humans that can require surgery to remove.

Such masses, termed bezoars, are even harder

One day after Barbaro’s brother Lentenor broke his maiden in impressive fashion, farm managers reported that La Ville Rouge, the dam of both horses, aborted her 2010 foal.

The foal, which was aborted Dec. 24, 2009, had been sired by Dynaformer and would have been a full sibling to the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, as well as the first filly produced from La Ville Rouge.

Lentenor, a full brother to ill-fated 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, broke his maiden impressively on the turf Jan. 20 at Gulfstream Park.

Making his third start and first as a 3-year-old, Lentenor went off as the even-money favorite in the 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight contest. The son of Dynaformer and La Ville Rouge, by Carson City, stayed close to the pace set by long

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) awarded $546,789 in the form of 164 equine grants to rescue groups and humane organizations across the country in 2009, according to its just-released year-end report.

Grants were distributed in 40 states and the District of Columbia.

A major factor in dealing with large-scale cruelty seizures involve

Veterinarians will provide horse owners with timely, accurate information on reproduction, lameness, and equine skin conditions through the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ online “Ask the Vet” discussion tool. Horse owners are invited to pose questions to AAEP-member veterinarians regarding each month’s specific veterinary topic. Upcoming topics and participat