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Supporting Your Horse's Immune System

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Rhodococcus equi Pneumonia: Rethinking Treatment to Fight Resistance
Skill, Science, and Sensitivity: Unpacking Horse Training Misconceptions
Rehabilitating the Neurologic EPM Horse
Building a Balanced Diet for Your Mare and Foal
Joint Health Matters: Top Therapies for a Successful Season
The Abscess Ruptured, But My Horse is Still Lame. Now What?
Understanding Horse Aggression
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Deciphering Multilimb Lameness in Horses

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April 9, 2025

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Foaling & Foaling Problems

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Caring for Pregnant Mares and Foals

Oklahoma State University April 14, 2023

Knowing what to expect and when to call your veterinarian during pregnancy and foaling will help reduce the risk of complications.

Time to Thrive: Neonatal Health Concerns

Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc November 17, 2022

Time is life for a foal. Here’s a look at the top causes of illness in newborn foals and how to manage a sick foal.

Save That Foal: How to Keep Newborn Foals Healthy

Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA February 21, 2021

Give your new foal the best chance for a healthy start to life by understanding the red flags—and the green lights—of neonatal health.

do Recipient Mares Pass Traits on to Foals

Do Recipient Mares Pass Traits to Foals?

Katrin Hinrichs, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT June 13, 2020

One researcher describes what we know about the receiving mare’s effect on the foal in embryo transfer scenarios.

failure of passive transfer in foals; foal failure of passive transfer; Feeding and Riding the Lactating Mare

New Way to Detect Failure of Passive Transfer in Foals

Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA July 2, 2019

Digital and optical refractometers are simple, rapid, and cost-effective methods for assessing failure of passive transfer in foals with moderate to good accuracy, researchers found.

thoroughbred foals; predicting foaling; Mare with newborn foal

Predicting Foaling: Calving Alert System Might Work for Horses, Too

Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA January 6, 2019

The accelerometer is designed to detect subtle restlessness, the researchers said. Small movements, such as weight-shifting or minor head-bobbing, could be caused by distress related to the first stage of parturition, they said.

Horse Pasture Renovations Benefit Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment August 23, 2018

A Kentucky Thoroughbred farm is reaping the benefits of healthier mares and foals after making horse pasture renovations over the past year with guidance from University of Kentucky personnel.

retained fetal membranes in mares; deworming broodmares near foaling; Newborn foal attempting to stand

Newborn Foals: What to Watch For

Multiple Authors April 13, 2018

Be familiar with the most common problems that can happen within 24 hours of foaling.

meconium impactions, meconium impaction, foal health problems, meconium impactions in foals

Managing Meconium Impactions in Neonatal Foals

World Equine Veterinary Association April 7, 2018

Meconium impactions are the most common cause of intestinal obstruction and one of the most prevalent health issues overall in neonatal foals.

Stall or Pasture: Where Should Your Mare Foal?

Michelle Linton, BSc, BVMS, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM) February 24, 2018

Find out the pros and cons of a stall vs. pasture birth from Dr. Michelle Linton of the University of Pennsylvania.

predicting foaling; Tips for Providing Veterinary Care for Foals in the Field

What to Expect During Foaling

Michelle Linton, BSc, BVMS, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM) February 23, 2018

University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Michelle Linton describes the how a normal foaling should progress.

Preparing for a Winter Foaling

Michelle Linton, BSc, BVMS, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM) February 22, 2018

Do you have a foal due during the cold months? Dr. Michelle Linton offers tips on how to prepare.

10 Foal Care Resources on TheHorse.com

The Horse Staff February 8, 2018

Ensure your foal has a smooth start to life and prompt treatment of any issues that might arise.

Get Ready For Your Foal!

Michelle Linton, BSc, BVMS, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM) February 8, 2018

Do you have a foal due? Learn how to prepare your mare for foaling, care for your newborn, and spot issues early.

15 Facts About Assessing the Neonatal Foal’s Health

Michelle Anderson May 10, 2016

The newborn foal is both precious and precarious. Knowing the signs of distress to look for during foaling and those first few hours, and acting immediately, can literally mean the difference between life and death.

Assessing the Foal and Placenta After Birth

Peter Morresey, BVSc, MVM, MACVSc, Dipl. ACT, ACVIM, CVA April 29, 2016

A foal’s first hours are fragile. Here, Dr. Peter Morresey of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, in Lexington, Kentucky, shares the early signs of trouble to look for in both the foal and its placenta. What you learn might save a foal’s life.