by Karen Briggs

Enteroliths aren’t an everyday occurrence. They’re rare and fascinating oddities, something to be observed in a jar at the vet hospital… but if your horse is harboring them in his gut, they can be a death sentence.
continue reading "Enteroliths: A Rock in the Wrong Place"

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a growing problem among horses, according to a report in Equine Disease Quarterly.

“Studies have reported carriage rates of 0-5 per cent in horses in the general population, but on some farms the prevalence can exceed 50 per cent,” said Dr. J. Scott Weese of the Department of Clinical Studies at the University of Guelph in Ontario.

“Colonized horses may never have any problems with MRSA, but they are more likely to develop an MRSA infection under certain conditions,” he said. “Colonized horses are also of concern because they can transmit MRSA to other horses and people.
continue reading "MRSA a growing problem in horses"

Reducing accident rates among horses has been revealed as a key strategy in fighting growing antibiotic resistance.

Research commissioned by the United States Department of Agriculture showed the most common reason for foals and horses to receive antibiotics was through a wound, injury, or trauma. The finding was made in the department’s National Animal Health Monitoring Systems Equine study in 2005.
continue reading "Drug resistance in equine bacteria a growing concern"

by Marcia King

There are some food needs that just can’t be argued against:

1. Humans + popcorn + cola at movies.

2. Women + chocolate at anytime.

3. Horses + natural forage at all times.

These combinations aren’t exclusively important for their nutritional values – the first two are mostly “zip” when it comes to addressing anything involving the required daily allowance – but they can sure make us feel satisfied when we get them, and downright surly when we’re deprived of their pleasures. Similar with horses and forage.
continue reading "No grass! No hay! Now what? How to keep the pasture- or hay-deprived horse happy"

by Marcia King

With horse owners frequently clamoring for products to help manage their horses’ acute or chronic joint conditions, equine veterinarians are often called upon to make joint therapy recommendations.

Although some non-prescription items don’t get the job done due to label inaccuracy, there are reputable formulas and products that veterinarians like – drugs and ingredients backed by scientific studies, clinical research, and respectable clinical observations.
continue reading "Joint Formulas That Work: What veterinarians prefer and why"

by Marcia King

“Popped knees” is a layman’s term for enlargement in the front of the carpal joints of a horse. The knee looks like it has “popped out.” Sometimes this is accompanied by marked lameness, sometimes not.

“The enlargement at the front of the knees is usually from the enlargement of the synovial structures: the three tendons that go over the front of the knees, these two joints, and one bursa between the tendon and the joints,” explains Barrie Grant, DVM, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons, San Louis Rey Equine Hospital, Bonsall, California.

“Inflammation in any of those three structures will cause an enlargement to the front of the knee and therefore give the appearance that the knee has popped.”
continue reading "Popped knees explained"

by Marcia King

There they are: your two best friends. “Fred” has been your buddy since you were a teenager, sharing your victories and disappointments, always steadfast and reliable. “Bonnie” has only been part of your life for a couple of months, but you’ve hit it off in a big way and look forward to a long and active friendship.

Now you want them to meet and be best buds, too, so the three of you can share pleasurable times together. But like all relationships, it’s hard to predict how this is going to go: Fred is your middle-aged Quarter Horse; Bonnie is your Border Collie puppy.

While you’ve seen many agreeable horse/dog combinations amongst your friends’ animals, you’ve also seen dogs that are relentless about chasing horses or clueless about avoiding horses’ legs. You’ve also witnessed horses that are unreasonably terrified over dogs, as well as the occasional horse that actually runs after and attacks any dog hapless enough to stray into her pasture.

How can you help foster a safe, compatible relationship between your animals?
continue reading "Dogs and Horses: Getting a safe relationship"