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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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September 26, 2024

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June 25, 2024

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Muscle and Joint Problems

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Lame Horse? Maybe It’s a Muscle Tear

Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA May 5, 2021

Researchers at Oregon State University looked at 14 case studies involving lameness related to muscle tears. Here’s what they found.

PRP Lysate Promising New Treatment Option for Equine Joint Infections

Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc March 17, 2021

Researchers used PRP-L to treat joint infections caused by the common bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, with encouraging results.

Serum Profile Matters in Blood-Based Equine Joint Treatments

Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA December 2, 2020

A Norwegian and Swedish study shows that autologous conditioned serum with higher levels of certain biological anti-inflammatories and growth factors is more likely to reduce lameness in treated horses.

The Horse: Top 10 Horse Health Articles of 2012

Equine Physical Therapy Must Be Individualized

Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA November 25, 2020

Biomechanics expert: The wrong rehab program for a horse can be counterproductive.

Getting to the Point: Equine Acupuncture

Jean-Yin Tan, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM November 22, 2020

Read about the existing science behind acupuncture and what you should know before scheduling an appointment for your horse.

Equine Surgeons Develop Standing Procedure for Knees

Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA August 26, 2020

With a custom-made splint holding the bent knee in place and partially supporting the horse’s weight, equine surgeons can now perform needle arthroscopy in standing, sedated horses.

Equine Back Pain: Dr. Kent Allen’s Bag of Diagnostic and Treatment Tricks

Stephanie L. Church, Editorial Director July 8, 2020

Veterinarians need to assess horses, diagnose the cause of pain, and start medical management early for the best prognosis.

What Does Vitamin Deficiency in Horses Look Like?

Carrie Finno, DVM, PhD May 23, 2020

Your horse might not be getting enough vitamin E and not show any obvious signs. Or, he could have severe disease. Dr. Carrie Finno explains.

New Therapy Could Combat Persistent Joint Infections in Horses

Morris Animal Health Foundation April 8, 2020

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a PRP lysate that, when teamed with antibiotics, can eradicate bacterial biofilms common in joint infections.

corticosteroid joint injections for horses; Stifle injection

Reconsider Amikacin at Reduced Doses for Joint Injections

Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc March 29, 2020

Study: Amikacin is indeed toxic to cartilage, synovial cells, and stem cells. When used preventively for joint injections, lower doses are likely warranted.

Horse Wounds: How to Know if a Joint is Involved

Clair Thunes, PhD March 1, 2020

After identifying the affected structures, veterinarians can use ultrasound, radiographs, and synoviocentesis to assess synovial involvement.

American Quarter Horse Foundation; Life-Threatening Hyperkalemia in Horses

U of M Launches Largest-Ever Equine Muscle Disease Study

Edited Press Release February 18, 2020

University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine researchers have launched a study investigating the genetic and management factors influencing muscle disease in horses. Find out how to get involved.

neuromuscular disease in horses; arthritis treatment for horses; penn vet lecture; Lateral Resistance in a Quarter Horse; horse gait analysis; Study: Gene Therapy Can Help Reduce Equine Lameness

What’s Causing Lateral Resistance in My Quarter Horse?

Richard Markell, DVM February 12, 2020

A horse appears healthy and sidepasses well to the right, but not to the left. Could he be in pain? A sports medicine practitioner shares his thoughts.

Getting Western Horses Back to Work After Stifle Surgery

Betsy Lynch December 11, 2019

Prevailing wisdom has been that Western disciplines are too physically demanding to allow athletes to return to work after arthroscopic stifle surgery. A study presented at the 2019 AAEP Convention found this isn’t necessarily the case.

hind limb lameness in horses; Researchers Study Method to Detect Equine Arthritis Early

Bone Spur Prognosis

R. Reid Hanson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS October 15, 2019

Our gelding’s broken hock has healed with what the veterinarian calls bone spurs. He believes the spurs could be rubbing against our gelding’s tendon, causing pain. What is the long-term prognosis for injuries such as these?

Back to Work: Transitioning Horses Into an Exercise Program Safely

Nancy S. Loving, DVM October 2, 2019

Taking a horse from a sedentary state to active working fitness can be a form of rehabilitation. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all program. Learn how to safely transition your horse into an exercise program.