Can Horses Sniff Out Poisonous Plants?
From Equine Science Update: Recent research from Poland suggests that horses may use their sense of smell to avoid poisonous plants. Many plants are toxic to horses, potentially causing serious health issues or even death if ingested. So how do horses identify poisonous plants? In the wild, horses may avoid unfamiliar plants or those with […]
Managing Thin Soles in Performance Horses
October 10, 2024 Comments Off on Managing Thin Soles in Performance Horses
From Equine Science Update: Thin soles and poor palmar angles are common issues in performance horses, significantly impacting their comfort, movement, and hoof health. Horses with thin soles are more prone to lameness due to increased sensitivity, pain, bruising, and a higher risk of developing solar abscesses. Managing thin soles can be challenging for farriers […]
Continue reading …Multi-State EIA Outbreak in Quarter Horse Racehorses
October 9, 2024 Comments Off on Multi-State EIA Outbreak in Quarter Horse Racehorses
From the EDCC: On September 20th and 24th, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed equine infectious anemia (EIA)-positive results in 4 Quarter Horse racehorses that were part of a group recently moved from racing in New Mexico to Los Alamitos in California. Several of the EIA-positive horses were showing clinical signs of EIA upon […]
Continue reading …Four Autumn Feeding Facts for Horses
September 27, 2024 Comments Off on Four Autumn Feeding Facts for Horses
From KER: As summer transitions into autumn, new horse-keeping challenges arise. Be on the lookout for these four potential problems. 1. Deteriorating pasture quality warrants a diet overhaul. “In the spring, we are often concerned about the pasture being too good in quality or high in fructans, which sometimes mandates the use of drylots and grazing […]
Continue reading …Know the Signs: Early Detection of EPM is Critical
September 25, 2024 Comments Off on Know the Signs: Early Detection of EPM is Critical
Use these resources to help identify the early signs of EPM (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis). Click on the following resources to download a PDF. Know the clinical signs of EPM: Put this “Don’t STALL signs” poster in your barn and stay alert to the early signs of EPM. Learn more about EPM: This brochure details the […]
Continue reading …Buying Hay for Horses: How Much?
September 18, 2024 Comments Off on Buying Hay for Horses: How Much?
By Kentucky Equine Research Staff: Fun with math! Sharpen your pencil, and grab a notepad. What is this, retro math? Let me rephrase: grab your cellphone, hit the utilities icon, employ the calculator function. Here’s the puzzle: if you own two horses, both about 1,100 lb (500 kg) and both eating about 1.5% of their […]
Continue reading …Horses Smarter than Previously Thought, Study Suggests
September 3, 2024 Comments Off on Horses Smarter than Previously Thought, Study Suggests
From Equine Science Update: Horses are more intelligent than previously believed, according to a new study that shows how they cleverly adapted their behaviour to maximise rewards with minimal effort. Researchers at Nottingham Trent University sought to understand more about equine learning processes, as this knowledge could lead to more humane training methods and improved welfare for […]
Continue reading …New Hampshire Resident Dies From Eastern Equine Encephalitis
August 28, 2024 Comments Off on New Hampshire Resident Dies From Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Boston.com is reporting that “an adult from Hampstead, New Hampshire, died from an eastern equine encephalitis virus infection, health officials announced Tuesday” in a story by Lindsay Shachnow posted on August 27, 2024. According to UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, “Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), also known as sleeping sickness, is a viral disease that causes inflammation of […]
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From Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital: Have you ever seen an enterolith? Sometimes called intestinal stones or calculi, these rock-like masses are formed inside the colon and, if they become large enough, cause obstructions, leading to colic episodes! In cases of enteroliths, you will see round-shaped masses, but they also form irregular lobe-type shapes and […]
Continue reading …Age-Old Question: Which Salt Blocks Do Horses Prefer?
August 23, 2024 Comments Off on Age-Old Question: Which Salt Blocks Do Horses Prefer?
From Kentucky Equine Research: Many owners satisfy their horses’ requirement for salt through the provision of salt blocks. Which salt blocks do horses prefer? Researchers at Cornell University decided to find out. “Sodium is an essential nutrient that maintains cellular osmotic balance while encouraging water consumption to maintain hydration. Horses in hot environments and exercising horses have […]
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