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Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Researchers Track EHV-5 Incidence, Effects in Europe
Equine herpesvirus-5, which had previously been reported in horses in the United States, is also present in the European horse population, researchers recently reported. They found the virus in horses without any signs of disease (known as subclinical infection) and those with various respiratory signs or fatigue. "EHV-5 is more or less considered ... Read full story
 11/6/2009
Upper Respiratory Tract Disorders Evaluated in Detail  *
What do you get when you "scope" 1,005 horses after 230 races, each within 24 minutes of the race, with the cooperation of 97 trainers over 28 race meets? A great deal of valuable data about the equine throat and the impact disorders of the throat can have on racing. "Considering that upper respiratory tract abnormalities are widely thought to be ... Read full story
 10/18/2009
Study: Throat Anatomy Differs in DDSP Horses   *
Horses with persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), an important performance-limiting abnormality of the upper respiratory tract, have a different anatomic location of the larynx than horses with only intermittent DDSP, report Cornell University researchers. DDSP affects approximately 10% to 20% of racehorses and is diagnosed by ... Read full story
 10/10/2009
Researchers Describe New Equine Respiratory Condition  *
The bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia can be associated with chronic lower airway disease in horses, reports a group of Danish researchers. S. maltophilia is a Gram-negative bacterium that is causing disease more often in humans, particularly among the immunocompromised population, but it is only rarely reported as causing infection in animals. ... Read full story
 10/8/2009
Horse Dies in Decomposing Seaweed; Toxic Gas Blamed  *
A horse died and its owner fell unconscious within seconds of falling into decomposing green seaweed along the northern coast of Brittany, France, last week, according to several sources. Vincent Petit, DVM, PhD, said he was hand-leading his 15-year-old English Thoroughbred gelding along a beachside road after riding a long stretch of gallop when ... Read full story
 8/6/2009
Equine Respiratory Disease Diagnosis Aided by Fluid Evaluation   *
Respiratory disease in horses can be accurately assessed through laboratory evaluation of respiratory fluids, according to a new review by French and Belgian researchers. When combined with clinical examinations, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and tracheal washes reveal important information leading to the diagnosis and proper treatment of respiratory ... Read full story
 7/9/2009
Equine 'Breathalyzer' Helps Diagnose Lower Airway Inflammation   *
Based on diagnostic tests currently used in human medicine, researchers from the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom have reported preliminary findings on the use of an easy and non-invasive analysis of "exhaled breath condensate" that could lead to improved diagnosis and monitoring of lower airway disease in horses. Lower airway inflammation ... Read full story
 6/24/2009
Respiratory Health Webinar June 18  *
TheHorse.com's Webinar on Managing Noninfectious Respiratory Problems was broadcast June 18 at 8 p.m. ET. This Webinar was sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. It will be archived on TheHorse.com for future viewing. You can sign up for this FREE Webinar at TheHorse.com/Webinars. This free Webinar on "Managing Noninfectious Respiratory ... Read full story
 6/18/2009
Sign Up: Free Webinar on Managing Noninfectious Respiratory Problems   *
This is the last week to sign up before our next Webinar, Managing Noninfectious Respiratory Problems, on Thursday, June 18, at 8 p.m. ET. This Webinar is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. You can sign up for this FREE Webinar at TheHorse.com/Webinars. Your registration allows you to watch the video presentation and ask questions ... Read full story
 6/11/2009
Free Webinar on Managing Noninfectious Respiratory Problems June 18  *
Respiratory problems are a major cause of poor performance in horses, and environmental issues can cause many noninfectious respiratory problems in any horse that lives part or all of his life in a stall. Learn about management techniques to minimize these issues and prevent respiratory problems in our next Webinar, Managing Noninfectious Respiratory ... Read full story
 6/2/2009
Live on TV: Your Exercising Horse's Upper Airway   *
Upper airway problems can ruin a good horse, whether they slow him down or cause airway noise that hurts his show placings. But they haven't always been easy to sort out because the upper airway couldn't be examined under natural exercise conditions (with rider, tack, competitors, etc). Today there's the Dynamic Respiratory Endoscope (DRS, developed ... Read full story
 5/12/2009
Telemetric Endoscopy Could Cure Upper Airway Diagnostic Woes  *
Upper airway disorders, such as dorsal displacement of the soft palate or dynamic collapse of the upper respiratory tract, can be challenging to diagnose in performance horses. Nonetheless, these are important causes of poor performance and can, in some cases, be career-limiting. Resting endoscopy remains an inferior diagnostic tool and even endoscopic ... Read full story
 4/2/2009
Virginia Vets Investigate Treatment for Heaves, Asthma  *
Much like asthma in humans, equine heaves is a chronic, often debilitating disease in horses. The clinical signs can range from coughing and work intolerance to labored breathing, even at rest. Virginia Buechner-Maxwell, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, a professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College ... Read full story
 3/27/2009
AAEP 2008: Endoscopy During Exercise Without a Treadmill   *
Dynamic obstructions of the equine respiratory tract are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed with resting endoscopy. So veterinarians usually perform endoscopy on exercising horses using treadmills, in order to try to reproduce the exercise conditions. However, treadmills are only available in limited places and facilities. At the 2008 American Association ... Read full story
 3/20/2009
AAEP 2008: Equine Bone Fragility Syndrome   *
Women aren't the only ones suffering from decreased bone density and bone mass loss--horses in Central California have experienced a systemic osteoporotic disorder At the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., Amanda Murray, DVM, MPVM, of the University of California, Davis, presented a paper ... Read full story
 3/13/2009
AAEP 2008: Horse Environment Interaction   *
There's a lot floating around in the air in a horse's environment, and it probably isn't surprising that it can have a negative effect on his health. At the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., Melissa Millerick-May, MS, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Occupational and Environmental ... Read full story
 3/9/2009
New Equine Fact Sheets Available on TheHorse.com   *
TheHorse.com now offers additional Fact Sheets on topics our readers have indicated are important to them based on searched terms, reader views on that topic, surveys/polls, and personal communications. Following are the newest Fact Sheets now available on TheHorse.com: Botulism sponsored by Neogen Corporation Respiratory System sponsored by ... Read full story
 3/6/2009
Laryngeal Model Provides Framework For Surgical Advances   *
To test novel techniques for managing laryngeal hemiplegia, more commonly referred to as "roaring," a research team from Cornell University has created a working model of the equine larynx. Dysfunction of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve resulting in paralysis, either partial or complete, of the left arytenoid cartilage is a common cause of poor ... Read full story
 2/11/2009
Head Position Can Impact 'Tie-Forward' Assessment   *
How the horse's head is positioned for radiographs (X rays) evaluating the efficacy of a tie-forward surgery can have a dramatic impact on the results, researchers from the United Kingdom report. The laryngeal tie-forward surgical technique might be indicated in horses diagnosed with dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), the abnormal movement ... Read full story
 2/9/2009
Stable Air Quality a Breath of Fresh ... Endotoxin?   *
If you think you are pampering and protecting your horse in his cushy, comfortable stall instead of turning him out on pasture, think again. Michigan State University researchers have found that stabled horses are exposed to eight times as much endotoxin in the air than their pastured counterparts. The result? These high endotoxin concentrations can ... Read full story
 12/6/2008
Wounds, Leg Trauma, and Respiratory Problems--Health Care Inside and Out  *
Discussions of products to treat wounds, leg trauma, and respiratory problems. If you've been a horse owner for any length of time, there's a pretty good chance you've amassed an arsenal of products that claim some pretty spectacular results. While many might have delivered the goods, unless the fundamentals of a problem have been addressed, you very ... Read full story
 8/1/2008
New EHV-4, Neurologic Disease Tests Introduced  *
IDEXX Reference Laboratories has introduced two new diagnostic products to help equine veterinarians diagnose equine respiratory disease and neurologic disease. The new tests include an equine herpesvirus type-4 (EHV-4) RealPCR Test and the Equine Neurologic Disease Panel. The IDEXX EHV-4 RealPCR Test is a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ... Read full story
 7/24/2008
California Wildfires: Keep Horses Healthy in Smoky Conditions  *
Wildfires continue to burn in California, renewing concerns about the effects of smoke-filled air on equine health. "Exercise (in a smoky environment) or excessive exposure to smoke may compromise a horse for weeks or months to come," said David Wilson, BVMS, MS, of the University of California, Davis, Center for Equine Health. Tevis officials ... Read full story
 7/16/2008
Stall-Side Airway Test will be Available Soon  *
English researchers are working to move airway disease screening and diagnostics from the lab into the barn. Equine HealthCare, a company based in the U.K., is developing a new respiratory diagnostic test based on measuring the amount of hydrogen peroxide--which can indicate airway inflammation--in exhaled breath condensate. Horse owners would be ... Read full story
 7/10/2008
Permanent Tracheostomy Safe and Effective in Select Horses  *
Creating a permanent hole in the windpipe of horses through a procedure known as a tracheostomy might be the treatment of choice for horses afflicted with specific diseases of the upper respiratory tract that could not be successfully treated by alternate strategies. "While the procedure itself is not novel, information regarding post-operative complications, ... Read full story
 5/8/2008
How Important Is That Airway Exam Grade?  *
The airways of many breeds of horses, particularly Thoroughbreds, are evaluated via an endoscope and graded before sale. The intent is to identify horses whose airways might have problems that could limit the horses' performance at maximal exercise, so buyers can consider this in their purchasing decisions. At the 2007 American Association of Equine ... Read full story
 4/17/2008
Emerging Disease: Equine Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis Update  *
According to an inaugural, multi-center report, equine herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5) is associated with a newly recognized, potentially fatal lung disease in horses called equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis, or EMPF. "EMPF is an important emerging disease in horses that was first recognized in 2002", said lead author Kurt Williams, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP, ... Read full story
 3/10/2008
Virginia Tech Vets Tackle Upper Respiratory Disorders  *
At Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, a variety of treatments are available for correcting disorders of the upper respiratory system and improving the odds of performance success. Equine upper respiratory disorders often have clinical signs such as labored breathing, flared nostrils, and strange noises during exercise. These ... Read full story
 3/7/2008
Heating Barns in Winter: Use Caution to Avoid Respiratory Problems  *
Horse owners who heat their barns to keep water from freezing and to protect horses from cold temperatures during late fall and winter should remember supplemental heat can cause problems if used incorrectly. Ventilation is important when horses are kept inside a barn, said Dave Freeman, PhD, PAS, Dipl. ACAN, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service ... Read full story
 11/14/2007
Wildfire Smoke and Horses: Recovering from Exposure   *
The severe fires in southern California have exposed humans and animals to unhealthy air containing wildfire smoke and particulates. These particulates can build up in the respiratory system, causing a number of health problems including burning eyes, runny noses, and illnesses such as bronchitis. They can also aggravate heart and lung diseases such ... Read full story
 11/8/2007
The Airways and Lungs  *
The forgotten organs. By the time a horse crosses the finish line in a five-furlong race, has completed a Grand Prix show jumping round, or gone one-sixth of the way round a 3-star cross-country course, he will have moved somewhere around 1,800 liters of air in and out of the lungs. If you find 1,800 liters hard to visualize, then think of six ... Read full story
 11/1/2007
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
Anatomy and Physiology Part 11: Of Blood and Breath  *
There are few similarities between horses and automobiles, but in a manner of speaking, the horse's circulatory and respiratory systems constitute its engine. The food a horse consumes is its fuel. The fuel is converted into nutritional energy that powers the muscles. The respiratory system provides oxygen to facilitate metabolism, and the cardiovascular ... Read full story
 11/1/2006
Corticosteroids: Short- and Long-Term Effects  *
Of the medications available in the arsenal of anti-inflammatory therapies, there is one type that has caused considerable debate. This is the class of drugs known as corticosteroids. Present naturally to some degree in all animals, corticosteroids are normally produced by the adrenal glands. Their natural actions protect the body against a variety ... Read full story
 10/1/2006
Critical Care In the Field   *
How does your veterinarian keep up with what is best for your horses? By attending continuing education that covers areas of interest and provides him with lectures and one-on-one time with experts in various fields. Each year, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute holds such a continuing education symposium in Lexington, Ky., and The Horse is taking you ... Read full story
 4/1/2006
Book Excerpt: The Respiratory System  *
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from Understanding Basic Horse Care by Michael A. Ball, DVM. This book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. The respiratory system's main goal is to transfer oxygen from the air we breathe to the red blood cells where the oxygen will be transported throughout the body and be available for all organs and ... Read full story
 2/8/2006
Nasal Septum Resection   *
If the nasal septum—the bony structure that divides the left and right halves of the nasal cavity—becomes deviated or thickened, the nasal passages become narrowed and breathing is impaired. Left untreated, it can lead to exercise intolerance and respiratory distress. In severe cases, resection or surgical removal of the nasal septum is required to ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
Cicatrix in Older Horse
I have an 18-year-old gelding that has to slow down and catch his breath periodically while on trail rides. He seems comfortable and fit otherwise and always wants to keep up with the other horses. My veterinarian has estimated that his pharynx is 30% constricted and has diagnosed cicatrix. Can you tell me more about this condition? Will it progress ... Read full story
 6/1/2005
DDSP Diagnosis: Study Boosts Confidence in Sound Analysis  *
Vibrations of the soft palate are the probable source of expiratory sounds recorded in horses with dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), says Jeremy Burn, BEng, PhD, lecturer in equine science in the department of anatomy at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. He says that this new DDSP research strengthens the case for the application ... Read full story
 3/10/2005
AAEP Convention 2004: Sports Medicine II--Mucus  *
Susan Holmcombe, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, ACVECC, associate professor in the department of large animal clinical sciences at Michigan State University, told the group at the 50th annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention in Denver, Colo., Dec. 4-8, 2004, that mucus in the trachea of a racehorse can compromise his ability to ... Read full story
 2/13/2005
Winter Respiratory Health  *
Editor's Note: This excerpt is from Chapter 7 of Care & Management of Horses by Heather Smith Thomas. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com . If a horse is confined in a barn during winter, he is at risk for respiratory problems. Heaves is the most common respiratory ailment in horses that are confined indoors or fed dusty hay. ... Read full story
 12/1/2004
Perfect Drift Recovering From Throat Surgery  *
Edited from Churchill Downs reports Stonecrest Farm's Perfect Drift, winner of the 2003 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) and third to Colonial Colony in this year's renewal, is recovering from throat surgery to correct an entrapped epiglottis. The 5-year-old Dynaformer gelding underwent the procedure on Tuesday at Lexington's Hagyard-Davidson-McGee ... Read full story
 6/18/2004
Diseases of Dietary Origin  *
The axiom, "You are what you eat" does have relevance to horses with regard to health and well-being. Although horses have evolved to eat plant material, not all plants are safe to eat. Some food substances directly exert toxic effects, while others grow fungi that do so. Availability and type of food are important issues to intestinal health and nutritional ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
AAEP 2003: When a Foal Needs Surgery  *
If your new foal develops a disease or medical problem that requires surgery, then time is of the essence. In his AAEP Convention presentation "Surgical Disease of the Neonate," Rolf Embertson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., discussed a few abdominal and upper respiratory problems that might require surgery and ... Read full story
 1/31/2004
Improved Diagnostics for the Upper Airway  *
"Endoscopy is the primary diagnostic tool for evaluation of the upper airway of the horse," said Brett Woodie, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, at the clinic's annual client education seminar held Jan. 5 in Lexington, Ky. He reviewed the history of endoscopy and its current use at rest, and the advantages of dynamic examination ... Read full story
 1/14/2004
Problems for Horse Owners Caused by This Summer's Wet Weather  *
From Penn State University's Dairy & Animal Science News The wet weather this summer has not only increased the price of quality hay, but creates the right conditions for increased mold, fungi and mycotoxins in hay and grains. The cool, wet growing season has delayed the harvest of hay and grains and has also set up the right conditions for mold ... Read full story
 10/14/2003
AAEP Convention: Respiratory Problems  *
INFLUENZA "Diseases like flu and herpesvirus are always going to be problems for horse owners, and they are not going away," said Tom Chambers, PhD, of the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center. "The secret to effective vaccines for flu is effective surveillance," which allows researchers and vaccine manufactures to stay abreast ... Read full story
 3/1/2003
AAEP 2002: Kester News Hour  *
Probably the best-attended session of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) annual convention, the Kester News Hour provides brief reports of studies that were too new or too brief to be included in the longer scientific sessions. Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, the president-elect of the AAEP and a surgeon at the Rood and Riddle ... Read full story
 2/3/2003
Is Your Horse at Risk?   *
Like colds and the flu in humans, horses are at risk for contracting a number of common diseases such as mild respiratory ailments (colds) and flu, along with others that can have mild to devastating consequences. Fortunately, most of these diseases can be prevented or the symptoms reduced through preventive management. Here are the diseases you should ... Read full story
 12/1/2002
Flair Strips Acquired By Merial   *
Merial, the company which makes GastroGard (omeprazole), Eqvalan (ivermectin) and Zimectrin (ivermectin) recently acquired Flair Equine Nasal Strips. The strips were invented by two equine veterinarians and developed in 1999 by CNS, Inc., which also developed Breathe Right Nasal Strips for humans in 1993. The strips are currently available in the United ... Read full story
 11/1/2002
Airway Health  *
Many trainers judge the health of their horses’ airways by listening to the sounds the animals make while they are exercising. Airway Dynamics of Midway, Ky., is doing the same thing more scientifically by using high-tech equipment. Veterinarian David Lambert and Robert West Jr., who operates Millford Farm, own the company. Airway Dynamics demonstrated ... Read full story
 10/3/2002
New Flair Nasal Strip Study  *
A recent study completed by researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) suggests that Flair nasal strips decrease the amount of work required for respiratory muscles in equine athletes during intense exercise, and might reduce the amount of energy required for breathing in these horses. A Flair nasal strip is a disposable, adhesive device that ... Read full story
 10/3/2002
Diagnosing Breathing Problems   *
Many of you are familiar with the respiratory condition known as "heaves," also termed recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). Primarily caused by chronic exposure to dusts and molds in hay and bedding, heaves can cripple the function of a horse's lungs, making it difficult for him to breathe at rest, let alone during physical exertion. In horses with ... Read full story
 10/1/2002
Merial Acquires Flair Nasal Strips  *
Merial, the company which makes Gastrogard (omeprazole), Eqvalan (ivermectin) and Zimectrin (ivermectin) has expanded its equine product portfolio to include Flair Equine Nasal Strips, which were formerly developed and manufactured by CNS, Inc. A Flair nasal strip is a disposable, adhesive device that is placed above the horse’s nostrils, and promotes ... Read full story
 9/24/2002
AAEP Convention 2001: Pediatric Medicine  *
Investigating Respiratory Disease Debra Sellon, DVM, PhD, of Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, presented guidelines for systematically investigating and treating foal respiratory disease outbreaks. "While many outbreaks of respiratory disease in foals are infectious in nature, this is not always the case," she began. "Environmental ... Read full story
 2/1/2002
Investigating Respiratory Disease  *
At the American Association of Equine Practitioners convention in Dec. 2001, Debra Sellon, DVM, PhD, of Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, presented guidelines for systematically investigating and treating foal respiratory disease outbreaks. "While many outbreaks of respiratory disease in foals are infectious in nature, this ... Read full story
 1/9/2002
Airway Reactivity in Rural vs. Urban Horses  *
As cities continue to grow, so does pollution. It is only natural to think that horses might be affected by this pollution, since studies have found that exposure to air pollution particulate matter contributes to respiratory problems in humans. During the General Medicine Session, a joint study between researchers at the Environmental Protection Agency ... Read full story
 11/28/2001
Airing Out Your Barn  *
Many agree that older barns are gorgeous, but are they good for horses? There are many issues to consider, such as construction, footing, layout, and safety. One of the biggest issues is ventilation--is your horse getting enough air? Ventilation--What Is It? Back in 1908, the Royal Army in the United Kingdom determined a rule of thumb that buildings ... Read full story
 10/18/2001
LSU Equine Veterinary Research: Young and Growing  *
The Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries in Louisiana were influential in funding and building the veterinary school at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, but the school serves all the state's horses and their owners. Although one of the newest schools in terms of number of classes graduated, LSU's School of Veterinary Medicine gets ... Read full story
 10/16/2001
Give 'em Some Air!  *
Before I go into this column on my opinion about the legalization of clenbuterol (trade name Ventipulmin), I want everyone to know I am personally prejudiced in this area of discussion. Clenbuterol is a legal drug for horses with airway constriction. The smooth muscles surrounding the small airways constrict in some horses--ranging from very mild to ... Read full story
 10/5/2001
New Pulmonary Test Improves Health and Performance of Horses   *
The North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine recently began offering a new non-invasive test to detect pulmonary problems in horses. NC State is one of only two sites in the United States able to perform this test. Tufts University in Boston is the other location. Veterinarians use the procedure to detect recurrent airway obstruction. ... Read full story
 9/28/2001
Lasix Has A New Name  *
The name has changed, but the drug has not. Lasix is now SALIX in the veterinary industry. When Intervet acquired Hoechst Roussel Vet in November 1999, Intervet agreed that Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Hoechst AG) would retain Lasix as the registered trademark for the human drug. This is why the veterinary furosemide product has now become SALIX. Lasix, ... Read full story
 6/8/2001
Choke (Esophageal Obstruction)  *
The word choke for me conjures up images of someone hovering over a table, unable to talk or breathe because a piece of food has lodged in their trachea or windpipe--fortunately, the Heimlich maneuver usually rectifies the situation. Choke is also used to describe a condition in horses, although it's a bit of a misnomer. The term choke in the horse ... Read full story
 4/1/2001
AAEP Convention Topics Preview: Predicting Performance  *
If only we could accurately predict a horse's future athletic performance, we'd know which horses on which to spend our fortunes. Many early factors in estimating a yearling's potential have been proven correct, others false, and there's many for which we just don't have all the facts. To help us gain more information on this subject, Scott Pierce, ... Read full story
 1/1/2001
Endoscopic Exams Indicate Racing Potential  *
Recent research indicates that endoscopic examination of yearlings can help determine their eventual racing success. However, researchers also showed that certain abnormalities previously considered to be indicators of poor performance were not predictive of actual athletic performance in the adult horse. Veterinarians "scope" a horse’s upper respiratory ... Read full story
 1/1/2001
Stress Testing  *
For a horse to perform well as an athlete, all body systems must be in good working order. When one or more system "breaks down," the horse is no longer able to perform to its potential, and the owner, rider, and trainer will notice a decline in performance during training and competition. In some cases, the reason for the loss of performance is quite ... Read full story
 10/1/2000
Wind Soundness Exam Studies  *
Thoroughbred yearlings sold at public auction here and abroad often are subject to endoscopic examination of their upper respiratory tracts. Veterinarians and potential buyers are looking for evidence of deformities that could affect the ability of that young horse to breathe normally when it reaches adulthood as a trained athlete. Since some people ... Read full story
 10/1/2000
What Causes Poor Exercise Performance?  *
A huge amount of time, effort, and money often are invested in the preparation of horses for various athletic events, including Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing, three-day eventing, steeplechasing, dressage, hunter-jumper events, reining, cutting, and endurance racing, to mention but a few. Regardless of discipline, we expect that a well-trained ... Read full story
 9/1/2000
Respiratory Allergies  *
Respiratory disease is second only to musculoskeletal problems as a cause of loss of performance in competition horses, according to some of the leading researchers around the world. In fact, N. Edward Robinson, BVet Med, PhD, MRCVS, of Michigan State University, who was recognized for his lifetime achievements in studying the equine respiratory system ... Read full story
 9/1/2000
Workshop On Airway Disease  *
The first International Workshop on Equine Chronic Airway Disease was held June 16-18 at Michigan State University. Thirty of the world's leading investigators of equine airway disease met, along with representatives of pharmaceutical companies. The meeting was sponsored by the Matilda R. Wilson Fund and Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health USA. The ... Read full story
 9/1/2000
Olympic Transport  *
How would you like to have a dozen or so concise, easy-to-understand pages put together as a how-to of keeping your horse healthier and what to do before, during, and after you load your horse in a trailer and ship him? Include some fill-in-the-blank charts telling you exactly what you should monitor on what day to make sure you don't miss any signs ... Read full story
 7/1/2000
Common Problems and Their Signs  *
The ability to recognize abnormalities depends greatly on a person's knowledge of what is normal. The greater someone's knowledge of normal anatomy, physiology, behavior, and environment of a given animal, the more likely that person is to recognize subtle differences that might be the beginning of a disease process. There can be great differences ... Read full story
 4/1/2000
Better Breathing  *
When you walk down the center aisle of your barn, does the ceiling drip condensation on your head? Does the smell of ammonia make your nostrils twitch and your eyes water--even when the stalls are freshly cleaned? Worst of all, was that a hollow, chronic cough you heard? From more than one of your barn's equine residents? All of these are signs that ... Read full story
 1/1/2000
Stall Design  *
As living spaces go, a box stall is a pretty basic thing. A square enclosure with a door, a couple of bits of hardware from which to hang buckets, and maybe a window…that’s it, right? Well, yes, it is, on the surface. But there’s a little more to it than that. Bonnie Nance photoThat stall is very likely the place where your horse is ... Read full story
 11/1/1999
Canadian Equine Research  *
The University of Guelph, located in Ontario, Canada, is home of the world renowned Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). The university is a research-intensive and student-oriented facility. Its written mission is to serve society and to enhance the quality of life through education with a global perspective. The university offers a wide range of programs, ... Read full story
 4/1/1999
The Basic Physical Examination  *
You have owned your horse for one year now, and it has been smooth sailing up until today. No episodes of colic, no mornings of being off feed, only some minor scrapes from romps in the paddock. Today, however, is a different story, and your horse obviously is not well. You call your veterinarian, but you can give him no clues as to the severity of ... Read full story
 1/1/1999
New System For Testing Lung Disease In Horses Developed  *
Dr. Andrew Hoffman, the director of the Issam M. Fares Equine Sports Medicine Program and an Assistant Professor of Large Animal Medicine at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Mass., has long been involved in the study of Small Airway Disease (SAD). In part due to his research, Tufts has become a leader in diagnosing and ... Read full story
 10/23/1998
CNS Expands Nasal Strip Technology to Include Horses  *
CNS, Inc., is developing a nasal strip that eases the breathing of horses during racing and other high-performance events, the company announced today. The strip performed as expected in an initial clinical trial at Kansas State University, and CNS plans to begin selling it during the fourth quarter of 1999. According to the KSU test, the FLAIR(TM) ... Read full story
 9/1/1998
Common Respiratory Problems  *
The main goal of the respiratory system is to transfer oxygen from the air we breathe to the red blood cells, where the oxygen will be transported throughout the body and be available for all organs and tissues. In addition, carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, is eliminated from the body via the lungs. While this seems a simple task, it ... Read full story
 7/1/1998
Infectious Diseases in Horses  *
Viral infections of the equine respiratory tract are a veterinary challenge. They occur frequently and result in major economic loss to the horse industry. Currently available vaccines are not completely effective in controlling respiratory diseases, and the growth in international travel contributes to their spread. The most common and important ... Read full story
 6/1/1998
The Air In There  *
Brrrrr! It's been another cold and nasty winter for many of us, and it just can't end too quickly. Close those barn doors tight again tonight, folks--there's a bitter wind blowing, and we don't need any drafts getting in through the cracks. Or do we? Courtesy of Blackburn Architects/Morven Stud/Michael Dersin The size of the building, ... Read full story
 5/1/1998
Sponge Case Could See Federal Indictment   *
An indictment by a federal grand jury could be returned as soon as Monday in the Churchill Downs sponging case, according to a report by ESPN cited by the Associated Press. ESPN reported that law enforcement officials stated that the alleged perpetrator is "an industry insider with daily access to the horses and grounds." An indictment in the case, ... Read full story
 5/1/1998
Avoiding Travel Fatigue  *
The competitive season is in full swing and a lot of horses are on the move. Travel can be like any other experience we have one that is positive and beneficial or one that produces health-threatening stressors and fatigue depending on the choices we make. ANNE EBERHARDT It is vitally important to the safety and well-being of the horse ... Read full story
 4/1/1998
Transporting Horses  *
Moving horses from place to place is recorded to occur as far back in history as 3,500 years. At that time, horses were transported by sea and either were confined in boxes to the bowels of the boat or placed in slings on the deck of the boat. Even then, it was noted that transport was a stressful event that came with inherent health risks, and with ... Read full story
 4/1/1998
Room To Breathe  *
As show and rodeo season starts in full swing, many horse owners dutifully prepare their horses for traveling by wrapping legs with protective covering, checking that the trailer flooring is sound, and making sure their horses are securely tied--all with thoughts of protecting the health and welfare of their valuable cargo. However, few give much thought ... Read full story
 4/1/1998
Baby Boosters  *
Foals, just as infants, are vulnerable to disease and infection because their young bodies are naive to the world of germs and bacteria. The inclination, particularly for horse owners who choose to vaccinate their own horses, is to administer vaccines as early as possible or as recommended by over-the-counter products. New research, however, seems ... Read full story
 1/1/1998
Can You Ride Your Horse Through a Flu?  *
You wake up after having a fitful night, coughing, wheezing and constantly grabbing for that next tissue. Your chest feels it's in a vice, you can't eat and you've got the blues. What you really have is the flu, and when your horse has it, he doesn't feel any better. With many major horse shows and competitions taking place during the next two months, ... Read full story
 11/1/1997
Equine Herpes Virus  *
The first thought that comes to most people when the word "herpes" is mentioned is one of those nagging pain-in-the-neck cold sores, one type of which is caused by a herpes virus, and the venereal disease "herpes simplex." The word "herpes" refers to a family of viruses that actually cause a variety of diseases in people and animals. Chickenpox in ... Read full story
 9/1/1997
A View From Within  *
Trans-tracheal "wash," or aspiration, is a valuable diagnostic procedure that is often performed in order to better guide the treatment of difficult or chronic lung disorders. It can be used to aid in the diagnosis of pneumonia, and potentially allow for identification of the causative organism, thus allowing for testing that can help determine the ... Read full story
 3/1/1997
Contagious Diseases  *
"A serious epidemic of a nature still unknown is going on in the region of two of our plantations. Area of Yambuku is declared highly dangerous. All movement in and out of Yambuku is forbidden. Burn all linen in contact with the sick. Do not cross this barrier or you will die." "The mission of Yambuku, with its schools, farms, and hospital, was still ... Read full story
 10/1/1996
Bedding for Horses  *
Like humans, horses prefer to dwell in comfort. When at rest, the horse seeks a soothing environment--protected from the elements and predators, easy on his feet, and soft against his body. The domesticated horse must live in the enclosure that you provide. If you choose to house your horse in a building, you face the challenge of furnishing him with ... Read full story
 10/1/1996
Laser Surgery Primer  *
Understanding lasers requires knowledge of how stimulated emission multiplies light and produces the unique differences between coherent (laser) and noncoherent (regular) light. Regular light contains a mixture of wavelengths and radiates in a random direction from the source. Coherent (laser) light is not present under natural circumstances, and it ... Read full story
 10/1/1996
Respiratory Disease In Foals
What is the first thing I look for to tell if my foal has a respiratory problem, and what are the best things to do to prevent pneumonia and other problems from happening in the first place? The most important signs of respiratory disease in neonatal foals are an increased respiratory rate (breathing hard), occasionally a cough, sometimes discharge ... Read full story
 4/1/1996




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