Farm Call: Your Questions Answered
Helping the Gassy Horse
May 21, 2013
Q. Are there any products available to give on a daily basis to horses that develop gas easily, or do you have any other suggestions on how to address the problem?
Old School Tying Up Treatment
May 14, 2013
Q. Your article on tying-up left out the old remedy I have used successfully every time: vitamin E/selenium injections prior to whatever led to tying-up episodes in the past. I never had this fail and wonder why it has been abandoned?
Recipient Mare Traits Passing On to Foals
May 07, 2013
Q. A friend of mine suggested that receiving mares would influence the foals--especially regarding future performance records--in a negative way. Is there any proof or research available about the receiving mare's effect on the foal?
Prolonged Gestation: Is Fescue Toxicosis a Possibility?
April 30, 2013
Q. My mare was bred more than 390 days ago and still has not delivered the baby. She's showing signs she's in foal. I suspect fescue grass poisoning/toxicity is delaying the foaling. Is this possible? Should I give her domperidone?
Insulin Resistance and Iron Overload
April 23, 2013
Q. Do you know of any research on how to reduce iron overload in horses that already are insulin resistant and have foundered? Is there an equine equivalent of chelation therapy to flush out toxins or heavy metals?
Possibly Protective Broodmare
April 16, 2013
Q. I am concerned that my mare might be so protective that she won't let me near her or her foal. How will I deal with that?
Introducing Mare and Foal to Other Horses
April 09, 2013
Q. At what age is it safe to introduce a foal to the herd? And is there a recommended way for introducing the foal and mare to the herd (one horse at a time, dominant horse first/last, geldings first, mares first, etc.)?
Cold Weather Leg Wrapping
April 02, 2013
Q. In extreme cold temperatures I wrap my horses' lower legs in fleece-lined boots at night, as they are prone to laminitis and I hope it will aid circulation and keep them warm. Do you think this helps them, or what would you suggest during winter?
Laminitis Risk Factors
March 26, 2013
Q. What is the most important risk factor that make some horses more prone or predisposed to laminitis than others?
Founder vs. Laminitis
March 19, 2013
Q. I hear a lot of people use the words laminitis and founder interchangeably. Are these two conditions the same thing?
Unusual Spots
March 12, 2013
Q. Our mare has suddenly developed white spots all over her body with no apparent cause. There doesn't seem to be any irritation or irregularity in the skin. Are there any clues as to the cause?
Differences in Urine
March 05, 2013
Q. My two horses' urine output is very different. The ammonia smell of my Thoroughbred's urine is a lot stronger than that of my Quarter Horse. I read that protein affects ammonia levels--could that be why? What could be causing this?
Why Does My Horse Drool so Much?
February 26, 2013
Q. My gelding drools every once in a while. My vet says he's in excellent dental health. Could his drooling be due to an allergy? Or could it be behavioral because I give him treats?
Will Rolling Cause Colic?
February 19, 2013
Q. Does the actual act of normal rolling cause torsion? Also, is there a relationship between torsion colic and time of feeding or amount fed?
Timing of Gelding
February 12, 2013
Q. Does any loss of body size or development result from early gelding? One of our local veterinarians will not geld before the horse is a year old. Is there any research on this topic?
Concerning Collapse
February 05, 2013
Q. My mare collapsed while warming up at a show. Upon standing, I checked her vitals and all were normal. Since then, she's been lethargic and more marish. My vet and I have been trying to figure out what is wrong. Any ideas?
Bedding Down the Senior Horse
January 29, 2013
Q. How essential is stall bedding for a senior horse?
When is a Young Horse Ready to Ride?
January 22, 2013
Q. I have a fine-boned 3-year-old Welsh/Quarter Horse cross that I would like to start in regular work and training, but I'm reluctant for fear of placing too much stress on her young spine. When is it safe to start and ride her on a regular basis?
Loose Stools in Old Age
January 15, 2013
Q. My 27-year-old gelding is generally healthy. However, this year he developed loose stools. He's on a dewormer program and has his teeth regularly floated. Is there something I'm missing?
Encouraging Cold Weather Water Consumption
January 08, 2013
Q. Is it a good idea to add a little salt to your horses' diet in the winter to get them to drink more water?
Resolving a Common Swelling
January 01, 2013
Q. My mare's rear legs swell around the tendon and fetlock area overnight after exercise. She is not lame or sore, but I wrap it when it swells. Is this swelling common, what it could be, and are there any prevention steps I could take?
Bute for Old Bones
December 25, 2012
Q. I have a 38-year-old grade gelding with huge, arthritic knees. He fell three weeks ago. X rays show nothing broken or fractured. My veterinarian wants him on bute forever. Is there anything else that could help him with no side effects?
Managing Navicular Syndrome
December 18, 2012
Q. I have a 5-year-old old Irish Sport Horse mare, recently diagnosed with navicular syndrome. I was wondering what is the best way to take care of her and try to prevent things from getting worse?
Bacteria in Semen
December 11, 2012
Q. I'm wondering if there is a bacterial component that can be present in stallion semen. We have a stallion that will settle mares easily one year and then not be able to settle mares the next.
EPM and Pregnancy
December 04, 2012
Q. I know there are many treatments available for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), but are there any that are safe for use in pregnant mares? Would sulfadiazine/pyrimethamine (Rebalance) be a safer option over either of these?
