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Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Improving the Outcome after Tendon and Ligament Injuries
Tendon and ligament injury in horses causes both economic and personal hardship for horse owners and industry professionals. A prolonged period of layup and rehabilitation is necessary, but whether the horse will be sound at the end of the rehabilitation period is uncertain. Lameness due to tendon and ligament injury is common in performance horses, ... Read full story
 11/17/2009
Cautions When Administering Medications
Be familiar with medication side effects and drug interactions before administering therapeutic agents to your horse. Likely lingering in our equine first aid kit, barn and tack room cabinets, or in the horse trailer is an assortment of medications, in bottles, syringes, and tubs, awaiting the next "incident" that might unfold with our ... Read full story
 11/1/2009
Neck Atrophy
Q:I was told by a trainer that my horse has atrophy in her neck that could cause problems later in life. Can you tell me what I may be facing in the future? She is a 4-year-old mare. What, if anything, can be done? Margo Land A:It is my experience that atrophy of the musculature of a horse's neck is usually caused by direct impact blunt ... Read full story
 11/1/2009
Foal Exercise Might Prevent Future Bone Injuries
Tailored exercise programs involving habitual low-intensity loading during early development could reduce the prevalence of osteochondral injury later in life, said a group of veterinary orthopedic researchers. According to the researchers, "The positive effect of exercise on bone mineral density has been documented extensively in several species, ... Read full story
 10/25/2009
First Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Conference Coming in March
The UC Davis Center for Equine Health, in collaboration with the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, and the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, is pleased to announce the 1st North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Conference to be held March 5-6, 2010, in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley just east of Santa Barbara, Calif. The conference is ... Read full story
 10/25/2009
Champion Racehorse Kona Gold Euthanized   *
Kona Gold, a resident of the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park, was euthanized today after a paddock accident. The 15-year-old gelding had resided at the park since November 2007. Cathy Roby, Hall of Champions manager, said a visitor alerted the staff to a problem with one of the horses at about 8:30 this morning, just before the Hall ... Read full story
 9/25/2009
Joint Problems: Blood Tests Might Aid Early Screening   *
New research comparing biomarkers in horses' blood with X rays showed these tests might be useful for predicting whether the animal is at risk of developing a bone or joint disorder, such as arthritis, said the study authors. "If so, blood screening, which is easier than radiographic evaluation of large crowds of animals, would permit preselection," ... Read full story
 9/22/2009
Paralyzed Foal Recovering after Surgery, Therapy   *
A once-paralyzed foal is now up and running about with the help of an equine "walker" following a groundbreaking surgery to remove a cyst from the spinal cord, according to the treating veterinarians in Belgium. The Boulonnais draft horse filly, "Vittel," underwent surgical laminectomy of the L2/L3 vertebrae at one month old on July 3, one week after ... Read full story
 8/25/2009
Link Between Drugs and Racehorse Injuries is a Work In Progress  *
Higher levels of two different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were identified in Thoroughbred racehorses suffering musculoskeletal injuries in Kentucky Racing Commission races compared to non-injured horses. But whether these elevated levels contribute to musculoskeletal injuries or not remains to be determined, reported a group of ... Read full story
 8/10/2009
Snakebite Woes
Q: Have you noticed or had owners comment on the change in a horse's personality after a rattlesnake bite? My mare was bitten on the muzzle six years ago. We almost lost her, but after two days of treatment with various medications she survived. However, her personality seemed to change. She seems less people-friendly and less energetic. And, most ... Read full story
 8/1/2009
Six Catastrophic Injuries Reported at Del Mar   *
Six horses have died from catastrophic injuries at Del Mar during a 10-day span that includes the first week of racing. Three occurred during morning training on Polytrack, two happened during races on Polytrack, and one was in a turf race. The fatalities came from six different barns. Mad for Plaid, a maiden claimer trained by Peter Miller, fractured ... Read full story
 7/30/2009
Traumatic Injury to the Equine Central Nervous System, ACVIM 2009  *
Whether it's a yearling that flipped and landed on his poll or an older horse that tumbled after simply taking a bad step, traumatic injury to the central nervous system is the most common cause of neurologic problems in horses. Yvette S. Nout, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVECC, ACVIM, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, reviewed ... Read full story
 7/26/2009
Molly the Pony to Visit Ohio State Vet School  *
Molly the Pony, one of the world's only prosthesis-wearing ponies, will be visiting The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine Aug. 6 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Visitors will have the chance to hear the presentation "It's All About Molly" at 5 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. in the Wexner Auditorium in the Veterinary Medicine Academic Building by Dr. Rustin ... Read full story
 7/22/2009
Equine Stem Cell Research Supported by Fellowship  *
A University of Guelph researcher has been awarded a prestigious post-doctoral fellowship worth more than $1 million over three years to advance research on the use of stem cells to treat cartilage injuries in horses. The fellowship will allow Thomas Koch, DVM, PhD, to continue the work he began as a graduate student in the Department of Biomedical ... Read full story
 7/20/2009
Bone Bruise Takes Musket Man Out of Race Season   *
Multiple graded winner Musket Man, who made a name for himself during this year's Triple Crown run, will miss Monmouth Park's Haskell Invitational Stakes Aug. 2 and the rest of the racing season with a bone bruise in his left front foot. "It's nothing major," said Derek Ryan, who conditions the colt for Eric Fein and Vic Carlson. "We could run ... Read full story
 7/6/2009
Hock Problems and Age  *
Horses can suffer hock problems at any age. Scott McClure, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, an assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Iowa State University, points out that some horses develop juvenile spavin as foals. "This may have to do with how mature the bones were when the horse was born," he explains. Stress of weight ... Read full story
 7/1/2009
Planning for the Worst While You're Away   *
Take the steps to provide the best treatment possible for your horse and your situation, and decrease the stress on yourself and the veterinary team in the event of an equine emergency. Please turn on your imagination for a moment and put yourself in the following scenario: You're returning home from a relaxing vacation. Your plane lands, you power ... Read full story
 6/14/2009
LSU Vets Aid Horses Trapped in Trailer   *
Veterinarians from Louisiana State University (LSU) responded to an emergency call the evening of May 30 after learning that two horses were trapped in an overturned horse trailer as a result of a single vehicle accident. LSU veterinarians, including Drs. Mustajab Mirza, Petrisor Baia, and Amy Cangelosi, attended to the two Thoroughbred geldings. ... Read full story
 6/8/2009
Australian Steeplechase Racing Faces Crisis With Horse Deaths  *
The fate of steeplechase racing in Australia is coming under fire again as three horses have died in one week of jump racing at the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival. According to news sources that makes seven horses that have died or been euthanized so far this season over jumps, and it's early in the season. The deaths caused a suspension of steeplechase ... Read full story
 5/10/2009
Research Protocol Aims to Improve Bone Chip Rehabilitation   *
If there is one thing most horsemen know well, it is the way things have always been done. The conventional paths to feeding, shoeing, training, and rehabilitating horses are processes that came to be tried-and-true for a reason: they usually accomplished the end goal. Today, the combination of research, technology, and, to some extent, an entrepreneurial ... Read full story
 5/8/2009
AAEP 2008: Racetrack Emergencies   *
Effective management of racetrack emergencies is dependent on preplanning before the first horse leaves its stall, according to Mary Scollay-Ward, DVM, equine medical director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, who spoke at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif. Preparation includes ... Read full story
 5/1/2009
Consider Temporal Nerve Problem in Neurologic Horse Diagnosis   *
When presented with a horse demonstrating facial nerve paralysis and/or a head tilt, neurologists say veterinarians should consider temporohyoid osteoarthropathy, a disorder of the hyoid apparatus (voice box) and associated structures. Although it is not the most commonly diagnosed neurologic condition in horses, it's an important and treatable condition ... Read full story
 4/28/2009
Injury Prompts Elimination of World Cup Contender Kingston  *
Kingston, a dressage horse ridden by U.S. equestrian Leslie Morse, was eliminated from the Rolex FEI World Cup Grand Prix today, after he became unsound at the beginning of his dressage test. "I could tell in the first corner, he felt unbalanced and I knew he wasn't right," Morse said. "We respect the Ground Jury's decision to ring the bell and we ... Read full story
 4/16/2009
Surface Safety, Step By Step   *
What type of impact do various terrains actually have on the health of a horse's hooves and legs? French researchers are using a highly sensitive 3-D dynamometric shoe and other instruments to give unprecedented insight into the biomechanical effects of diverse surfaces on not only a horse's limbs, but his entire musculoskeletal system. Researchers ... Read full story
 4/14/2009
AAEP 2008: Racehorse Exercise Predicts Bone Strength
Nearly 20% of fatal musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred atheletes are due to complete humeral (forearm bone) fractures, which often occur early in training or following an prolonged layup. Rachel Entwistle, BS, of the University of California, Davis, discussed the wastage that occurs with humeral fractures in these atheletes at the 2008 American ... Read full story
 4/5/2009
AAEP 2008: Emergency Services at Steeplechase and Cross-Country Hunter Events   *
At the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., Reynolds Cowles, DVM, of Blue Ridge Equine Clinic in Free Union, Va., reviewed the logistics of various cross-country jumping events that involve the need for veterinary care. Cross-country hunt meets typically have 70-75 mature (6- to 9-year-old) ... Read full story
 3/22/2009
Joint Injections Show Effect in Osteoarthritis Study  *
In a recent study published by researchers from the Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University, both intra-articular medications polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) and hyaluronic acid (HA) possessed the ability to alter cartilage metabolism in treated horses. "These study results clearly indicate that both drugs ... Read full story
 2/23/2009
California Reports Fewer Racing Fatalities During 2008 Season  *
According to the California Horse Racing Board’s (CHRB) annual report, there were 10 fewer racing fatalities during the 2008 racing season than the previous year. The report stated: "Fatalities are still categorized into one of three activities: racing, training, or other. Of the 306 fatalities between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008, 137 were related ... Read full story
 2/15/2009
Inaugural Parade Horse Sustains Minor Injuries   *
The Southern Ohio Ladies Aside team is counting itself lucky after an accident involving one of their horses and a Secret Service truck at Tuesday's President's Inaugural Parade in Washington. Mouse, an Appaloosa ridden by Deb Fuller, was just entering the parade route when an opening car door spooked him. "He was anxious to be the last horse in ... Read full story
 1/21/2009
MRI Diagnostics: Uses and Limitations   *
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to create various types of cross-sectional and three-dimensional images. While commonly used by physicians, MRI has only been used in equine clinical cases for the past decade and has come into widespread use just within the past five years. This modality provides superior ... Read full story
 1/5/2009
Gelatin 'Microspheres' Aid Fracture Repair in Pilot Study  *
Japanese researchers have discovered that injecting specially designed "microspheres" containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) directly into the fetlock joints of horses with defects in their distal cannon bones results in enhanced bone regeneration and healing. The microspheres served as biodegradable drug carriers, designed to continuously ... Read full story
 12/20/2008
Owner Reflects on Big Brown's Injury, Career   *
One minute, Mike Iavarone was all smiles after watching Big Brown work a sharp six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 over the Aqueduct turf course in company with stablemate Kip Deville on Oct. 13, and the next he was announcing the colt's retirement. The excitement of the impending showdown with Curlin in the Breeders' Cup Classic gave way to the agony of seeing ... Read full story
 10/14/2008
Canadian Researchers Focus on Racehorse Safety  *
Since the loss of Barbaro and Eight Belles, NBC's Roundtable on the horseracing industry at the 2008 Preakness Stakes, and the congressional hearing in June 2008, researchers are highlighting their efforts to improve racehorse safety and Canadian scientists are not to be left out. "The Ontario Veterinary College's Comparative Orthopaedic Research ... Read full story
 9/10/2008
Readers Respond: Accident Prone  *
More than 1,000 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Has there been an accident involving horses on your farm?" Results were as follows: Yes, and a horse or person was hurt: 49.86% (544) No: 40.70% (444) Yes, but no one was hurt: 9.44% (103) Readers shared their accident stories in the comments below. Results ... Read full story
 7/17/2008
Making Racing Safer  *
Life is an extreme sport, complete with everyday risks. When it comes to Thoroughbred racing, the fate of horse and rider are linked in an event, the outcome of which is, by its very nature, in doubt. Win or lose, no one envisions the tragedy that can occur in the blink of an eye that ends the career or the life of horse or rider on the racetrack. ... Read full story
 7/1/2008
Understanding and Preventing Catastrophic Injuries  *
Following the euthanasia of filly Eight Belles, who suffered catastrophic injuries to both front legs a quarter mile after finishing second in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, members of every sector of the Thoroughbred industry have banded together to proactively address safety and welfare issues. In this article, representative members of the equine industry ... Read full story
 7/1/2008
Special Report: Catastrophic Injuries  *
Following the euthanasia of the filly Eight Belles, who suffered catastrophic injuries to both front legs a quarter-mile after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, members of every sector of the Thoroughbred industry have banded together to proactively address safety and welfare issues. The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care is proud to present ... Read full story
 6/17/2008
Horsemanship, Lack of Data Discussed at Eventing Safety Summit  *
Officials with the U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) and U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) collected input from the equestrian community on ways to improve eventing safety at a summit on June 7-8. Proposed solutions range from required pre-competition preventive veterinary checks to promoting rider education. The summit, held in Lexington, Ky., included ... Read full story
 6/10/2008
Aortic Rupture Cited in O'Connor Event Horse Death  *
According to a statement released on the U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) Web site, preliminary necropsy findings on the horse Tigger Too, a 17-year-old gelding, show that he passed away from an acute abdominal aortic rupture. Final necropsy results are pending. Tigger Too died while competing at this weekend's Jersey Fresh CCI***. The horse was ... Read full story
 5/12/2008
Chelokee Continues to Improve  *
Chelokee, who dislocated his right front ankle during the Alysheba Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 2 at Churchill Downs continues to improve at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, according to Larry Bramlage, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. "Everything is going as well as hoped for," Bramlage said. "He continues to do well." The colt's chances ... Read full story
 5/12/2008
High-Tech Fetlock Joint Fragment Removal  *
VIDEO | Joint chips plague many high-performance horses--up to 29% of Standardbred yearlings and 2% of Thoroughbred yearlings. Often the chips must be removed, usually with arthroscopic surgery, before the horse can return to full soundness. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., Alastair ... Read full story
 4/8/2008
Surgery for Triple-Level Spinal Cord Compression  *
Spinal cord compression in the neck, more technically known as cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy or CVSM, can cause notable incoordination and affects about 2% of racing Thoroughbreds. Probably the most well-known horse affected by CVSM was Thoroughbred champion racehorse and sire Seattle Slew, whose successful surgeries were well-publicized. ... Read full story
 4/4/2008
Readers Respond: Racehorse Awareness  *
More than 1,400 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "What do you think is the most pressing issue facing the welfare and safety of racehorses?" Results were as follows: Injury Rates: 60.33% (853) Medication/steroid issues: 35.01% (495) Environment and lifestyle: 28.36% (401) Trainer and handler education and licensing: ... Read full story
 4/4/2008
To Support and Protect  *
Boots and bandages can help protect a horse's legs and provide some support, but they shouldn't be relied on as a substitute for good conditioning. No horse has perfect conformation, nor does every horse have the perfect job or the perfect footing in which to work. With this in mind, horse owners reach out to use every available technology to ... Read full story
 1/1/2008
New AQHA Fund to Benefit Equine Head Injury Research  *
The American Quarter Horse Foundation recently announced the addition of a fund to support the research of critical injuries in horses to its equine research program. The fund was named in honor of Refrigerator, American Quarter Horse racing's all-time leading money earner and multiple world champion. The Foundation will award funding for research ... Read full story
 10/1/2007
Tufts' Cummings Vet School Offers Stronger Equine MRI at New Facility   *
Veterinarians at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton, Mass., now have the ability to look for lameness, brain damage, and other conditions within horses by using the first equine-capable high-strength magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology in New England. The equipment will be instrumental in diagnosing ... Read full story
 8/28/2007
Health Problems of Young Horses in Training  *
Young horses in training are vulnerable to a wide variety of problems--everything from respiratory disease to training injuries. These horses are often taken off the farm where they grew up, transported to training facilities where they experience a new environment, and exposed to other horses from various places. This commingling of youngsters means ... Read full story
 8/1/2007
Skin Grafts Made Simple   *
Pinch and punch grafts aren't the most attractive option for closing slow-healing wounds, but they are a viable option for quickly closing these types of injuries. The procedures are quick and simple, according to Linda Dahlgren, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, assistant professor of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of ... Read full story
 7/6/2007
Maiden Mare
I have a 3-year-old maiden mare. She is in estrus and has been bred twice. She bled both times. The blood was spread over the stallion's penis and most of the way around above the glans penis (the cap-shaped termination of the penile shaft). What would cause this? A tear? Should I just use artificial insemination? Jackie, via e-mail The ... Read full story
 3/1/2007
Could This be Back Pain?
My mare appears to be in pain particularly in the withers, shoulder, and stomach areas. She used to round her back, but has since stopped. She squeals when she is touched. She has been checked for ovary problems, bladder problems, lameness, and her blood test came back normal. Is it possible that she has a pinched nerve? Is there anything else I can ... Read full story
 8/1/2006
Study Inconclusive on Arlington Fatal Injuries  *
Add the Illinois Racing Board to the list of those who have little idea what has caused the recent spate of fatal injuries to horses at Arlington Park Racecourse. The IRB, at its July 11 meeting, heard a staff report on the 17 breakdowns that have occurred during racing in the current meeting--a number comparable to 12 fatal injuries during the ... Read full story
 7/13/2006
Veterinary Education Abroad  *
Owning horses is, by default, continuing education. Veterinarians are required to receive a certain number of hours of continuing education to maintain their licenses. Many practitioners take training above and beyond what is required by law simply because they want to learn, and because there are so many new developments in various areas of equine ... Read full story
 6/1/2006
Dealing with Old Injuries
I have a 20-year-old Quarter Horse that is in top working condition, worked daily in basic dressage, and he is always happy to jump whatever I ask him to. However, before I purchased him, he had a deep wound in his offside flank. It’s long been healed, but it has left a star-shaped scar. He is very supple on his near side, but his hip is stiffer on ... Read full story
 6/1/2006
Unexplained Swelling
I have a 16-year-old gelding that I found lying down with a swollen rear leg. I assumed that he had gotten his leg hung in the fence, but the next morning, I noticed that his front leg diagonal from his affected back leg was also swollen, and I noticed what appeared to be a cut inside his nostril. The next day all four legs were swollen and his nose ... Read full story
 6/1/2006
Hurricane Pony Receives Prosthetic Limb, Helps Kids  *
Molly, a 15-year-old Appaloosa pony, survived Hurricane Katrina when it hit Louisiana. She was rescued from her pasture near New Orleans after the storm and given a new home with Pony Paradise. However, Molly's storm tragedy didn't end there; a rescued pit bull that had shown no previous aggressive tendencies attacked her and several other ponies, ... Read full story
 5/11/2006
AAEP-Member Veterinarians to Share Expertise at Western States Horse Expo  *
The latest in cutting-edge equine health information will be delivered during the Western States Horse Expo, June 9 - 11, 2006, in Sacramento, Calif. Veterinarians representing the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) will discuss several health topics that are important to horse owners and others who are involved in the care of horses. Created ... Read full story
 5/4/2006
Racing Surface Drawing Rave Reviews From Horsemen  *
Lone Star Park's main track is in its best condition ever, according to several horsemen who have been stabled in Grand Prairie, Texas for several weeks. The 10th annual 66-date Spring Thoroughbred Season commences Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. for an action-packed 15-week run through Sunday, July 23. "We really like what we've seen so far," said Bret ... Read full story
 4/12/2006
The Gift of Sight  *
It seemed like a little scratch. His eye was only a tiny bit swollen. Veterinarians said use the ointment a few times per day and he should be in good shape in about a week. Four antibiotics later and weeks of frustration by my local vets-- and they so did try--my horse Bernie was referred to the Cornell University Equine Hospital in Ithaca, N.Y. Why ... Read full story
 4/11/2006
AAEP Convention 2005: Three Years of Racing Deaths in Victoria, Australia  *
A comprehensive post-mortem survey in Victoria, Australia, found that euthanasia for catastrophic forelimb injury was the most common cause of Thoroughbred racehorse fatality. Additionally, Lisa Boden, AB, BVSc, MACVS, of The University of Melbourne in Australia, observed that sudden death (when the horse dies suddenly--not as the result of euthanasia) ... Read full story
 2/16/2006
Picking Up the Pieces at Ellis  *
No call at 2 a.m. is good. Rodney Leibring, DVM, received one of those calls on Nov. 6. Leibring, a Thoroughbred racetrack practitioner, was asked by the male caller if he was at Ellis Park yet. Leibring, confused because he wasn't expected there until after 8 a.m., replied, "No why?" The man told Leibring that he needed to get there right away. A ... Read full story
 11/10/2005
Snake Bite Preparedness
Q: Our area has a healthy population of rattlesnakes. We spend six to 10 hours a week on trails where we have seen snakes. I would like to be prepared in the event one of our horses gets bitten. What are the procedures and supplies we should have on hand? Pat A: When on excursions into areas frequented by pit vipers (also called crotalids, ... Read full story
 10/1/2005
Deliberate Abuse?   *
I hope you remember me from psychology graduate school back in the early '80s. Time flies. Anyway, I still have horses and enjoy your contributions on behavior to The Horse magazine and web site. Sometimes I wish I had gone into horse or dog behavior, but I am enjoying work as a clinical psychologist and enjoying horses for a diversion. I've been starting ... Read full story
 10/1/2005
Prosthetics: Science, Not Science Fiction   *
There is a roadside pasture in Pullman, Wash., where a black Quarter Horse stallion has been known to stop traffic. It's not simply the pastoral beauty of a handsome horse in a natural setting that draws attention. Rather, it's that this particular stallion has a feature few people have ever seen on an equid: An artificial limb. While hardly common, ... Read full story
 7/1/2005
Assess Heel Lacerations Early for Best Recovery  *
"A simple heel bulb laceration may look like a regular 'nothing' cut, but it could be life-threatening if it's in the coffin joint, so you need to get it evaluated right away," said Robin M. Dabareiner, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, while describing a study she completed recently with colleagues at Texas A&M University (TAMU) College of Veterinary Medicine. ... Read full story
 4/26/2005
AAEP Convention 2004 Wrap-Up: Kester News Hour  *
Probably the best-attended session at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention, the Kester News Hour features brief reports of new research that was too new or brief for inclusion in the scientific program. The information is presented in a fun, rapid-fire format by two of the country's top equine veterinary specialists--internal ... Read full story
 3/3/2005
Injuries Associated With Steeplechase Racing   *
Studies have been conducted to determine the types of injuries that occur in horses on flat racetracks in the United States and steeplechase and hunt races in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data on injuries occurring during U.S. steeplechase races. Researchers from the Maryland duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia-Maryland ... Read full story
 8/1/2004
Problems in the Hip and Pelvis   *
When you think about equine lameness, you probably think first about the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the leg, and of course the hoof. But lameness can also stem from trouble higher up the skeleton, including the pelvic (or sacroiliac) region. While considered relatively uncommon, pelvis-based lameness might be more prevalent than previously ... Read full story
 7/1/2004
Protecting the Elbow From the Shoe
I'm desperate to find some way to prevent my 20-year-old Thoroughbred mare from cutting her elbow on her egg-bar shoe when lying down. She has been wearing egg-bars on her front feet to give her a little extra support since she pulled her front right suspensory for the second time. The egg-bars themselves seem to be fine; she is going great in them, ... Read full story
 7/1/2004
Bumps and Bruises  *
Horses often get banged and bruised by running into things, being kicked by another horse, falling down when running and bucking, etc. It's not unusual to suddenly discover your horse has a large, soft lump on some part of his body. The most common areas are the hindquarters, chest, or along the ribs. The skin might not be damaged, but the injured ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
AAEP 2003: Preventing Supporting Limb Laminitis  *
“Laminitis in the contralateral (same end--fore or hind--opposite leg) limb is a well-recognized and potentially devastating sequela (result) in horses with complete fractures, sepsis involving a synovial structure, catastrophic breakdown injuries, and other conditions that cause unilateral non-weight-bearing lameness,” said Ric Redden, DVM, founder ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
Preventing Supporting Limb Laminitis   *
"Laminitis in the contralateral (opposite fore or hind) limb is a well-recognized and potentially devastating sequela (result) in conditions that cause unilateral non-weight-bearing lameness," said Ric Redden, DVM, founder of the International Equine Podiatry Center in Versailles, Ky., in his presentation on the topic. "The mechanism of contralateral ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
Not-So-Happy Trails  *
More and more horse owners across America are turning to trail riding as their recreational equine-based activity of choice. Breed registries such as the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, and Appaloosa Horse Club are recognizing this phenomenon and are encouraging it with special awards for miles ridden. As more ... Read full story
 8/1/2003
The Inflammatory Cascade   *
Equine pharmaceutical companies are developing new drugs every year that have the ability to reduce inflammation and pain associated with various horse injuries. When people hear of inflammation, the first thought that usually pops into their heads is pain and tissue damage at the site of injury. Before you can start treating inflammation, you need ... Read full story
 5/1/2003
The Sound Barrier  *
The debate over fast workout times for sale 2-year-olds The specter of catastrophic injury continues to haunt sales of Thoroughbred 2-year-olds in training. Every time a horse breaks down during an under-tack show, the debate heats up again. Are immature racing prospects being asked to work too fast too soon? John Kimmel, a trainer who has a veterinary ... Read full story
 4/30/2003
Leg Amputation   *
"If a horse needs an amputation or he's not going to live, that's not much of a choice," began Ric Redden, DVM, founder of the International Equine Podiatry Center and host of the 2003 Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium, in a presentation on Jan. 18. "Horses with catastrophic injury or disease of the lower limb are most often euthanized as there is irreversible ... Read full story
 4/14/2003
Treat Hoof Punctures Early   *
It seems like such a mild problem, a nail or splinter in the tough hoof. The solution also seems simple--take the object out, clean the foot up, give the horse some time off, and everything will be all right. For superficial hoof wounds, that's pretty much all it takes. "But a deeper puncture wound that penetrates any of the synovial structures that ... Read full story
 5/1/2002
Hoofcare Education at Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium  *
One of the most common comments at the 15th annual Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 21-23, 2002, was that if farriers or veterinarians don't have a passion for working on laminitic horses, they shouldn't take the cases. Horse owners know that a laminitic horse is a high-maintenance case in terms of treatment and convalescent care, ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
Collapsible Cross-Country Fences to be Tried in Britain   *
In the wake of several fatal injuries to international-level three-day event competitors in 1999 and 2000, cross-country course designers began working to come up with safer fence designs, including fences which "give" on impact. Over the past three years, several designs for "frangible" (readily or easily broken) cross-country fences have been brought ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
AAEP Convention 2001: Surgical Techniques   *
Veterinarians and horse owners can share in a tremendous amount of knowledge from the AAEP Convention. While many of the topics on surgery were designed to help the practitioner learn new techniques and aren't applicable for the lay person, there are other topics that dealt with surgery and its uses that had a message for both veterinarian and client. ... Read full story
 2/1/2002
Foot/Lower Leg Wounds and Treatment  *
When you find your horse with a severe wound of the hoof or lower leg, you likely want to clean it up, remove any foreign matter such as fence wire, and apply antibiotics, right? However, this could make evaluation by your veterinarian more difficult, said Earl Gaughan, DVM, of Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine at the 15th annual ... Read full story
 1/29/2002
Anesthesia: Down, Not Out  *
Put a horse down. Euthanized. Humanely destroyed. The list goes on. It is how we in the business describe the unsavory, but sometimes necessary, task of killing a horse. Sometimes an animal becomes sick or crippled from a chronic problem, such as laminitis, and it is more humane to end the suffering; or a mare suffers complications from foaling and ... Read full story
 10/10/2001
Derby Decisions  *
Every competitive horse has normal wear and tear, just like human athletes. Horses on the road to the Kentucky Derby in Thoroughbred racing receive more media attention than probably any other equine athletes. So, when a spring season arrives, and when there is attrition in the upper ranks of 3-year-olds, it is seen and commented on by millions of ... Read full story
 10/10/2001
AAEP Convention Topics Preview: Lameness/Injury  *
The latest information on scores of topics is presented at the AAEP convention; we can't report on them all, but we do try to bring you a representative sampling. This year, many of the topics can be grouped into five categories: fighting infection, reproduction, lameness/ injury, medicine, and predicting performance. In-depth coverage following the ... Read full story
 1/1/2001
Equine-Related Human Injuries  *
Like bicycles, skateboards, and dogs, horses supply fun and risk. Riding bikes or skateboards can lead to falls, and dogs can bite. Handling and riding horses can mean falls, bites, and kicks, but like other leisure pursuits, the pleasures outweigh the pitfalls. Associating with horses requires recognizing the hazards. When humans and horses interact, ... Read full story
 10/1/2000
Equine Physical Therapy  *
A few months ago, a friend of mine came limping up the barn aisle on crutches. She explained sheepishly that she'd taken a tumble off her bicycle, badly spraining an ankle in the process. Her rehab regimen would entail staying off her horse, keeping the ankle in a brace, and making regular visits to a physical therapist for rigorous sessions designed ... Read full story
 7/1/2000
Common Problems and Their Signs: Part Two  *
In the April issue, the cover story began our study of common problems that can affect your horse. Those included the oral cavity, eyes, GI system, and respiratory system. The ability to recognize abnormalities depends on a person's knowledge of what is normal; the greater someone's knowledge of normal anatomy, physiology, behavior, and environment ... Read full story
 6/1/2000
Wound Care  *
Wound care is one of those many horse issues where there are as many opinions regarding treatment as there are horse owners and veterinarians. There are hundreds of agents (both commercial and home-brew) available to paint, spray, smear, gob, and cover wounds. You can use yellow ones, black ones, red ones, and even purple ones. On this point I am, ... Read full story
 8/1/1999
Inflammation  *
Within every living cell (muscle, tendon, lung, bone, etc.), there is a biochemical and cellular time bomb waiting to go off—inflammation. However, it is to be noted that inflammation is a double-edged sword. More animals (and probably people) die from an inflammatory disease than all other disease processes combined, yet without an adequate inflammatory ... Read full story
 4/1/1999
Two Horses Die Of Stab Wounds   *
Two horses died and seven others were injured from stab wounds in the morning hours of Dec. 5, 1998, according to police in the rural western Arkansas town of Barling. Sergeant Powell of the Barling Police Department said this is the third recent incident of horses being stabbed in the area. Previously, two horses were stabbed in nearby Fort Smith, ... Read full story
 12/11/1998
Therapeutic Ultrasound  *
The use of ultrasonic sound for diagnosis and treatment in human and equine medicine is not new, and in fact is becoming commonplace. Most horse breeders, for example, are familiar with the use of diagnostic ultrasound to detect and monitor reproductive problems and pregnancy. Sport horse owners in large numbers have seen ultrasound employed in diagnosing ... Read full story
 11/1/1998
Life as a Layup  *
If you think that "layup farm" is a summer basketball camp run by Rick Pitino, think again. Some lucky horse owners among us might never have to know what a layup farm is, nor need one for their horses. A layup farm is a rehabilitation facility for horses, primarily those recovering from lameness or some sort of surgery that requires professional ... Read full story
 10/1/1998
Dropped Hip/Hunter's Bump
My horse has an "uneven" hip that has been called a "hunter's bump" or a "dropped hip" by various people. Can you please tell me what these are, and how they are different? There is not another group on the planet that has the specialized vocabulary of horsemen; but a "dropped hip" in reference to a horse is a new one on me. It is not recognized ... Read full story
 8/1/1997
For Life and Limb: Amputation  *
It is a sight that sickens the toughest of horsemen. A magnificent Thoroughbred is reaching to the bottom of the well to summon up one last burst of speed as the wire approaches. Suddenly, the horse falters, then goes down, a portion of one leg dangling uselessly. Most think of only one solution--quick, humane euthanasia. Unfortunately, it isn't ... Read full story
 6/1/1996
Traction or Trauma?  *
Some astute horsemen have long alleged that certain styles of horseshoes might predispose a racehorse to catastrophic injury, often resulting in euthanasia of the athlete. A recently completed study at the University of California, Davis, supports the hypothesis that some shoe types might predispose a horse to musculoskeletal injury. "We are very ... Read full story
 6/1/1996




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