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Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Study: Lactate Levels Could Guide Equine Conditioning Programs
Low-intensity exercise over long periods was an effective approach to conditioning horses as indicated by blood lactate levels measured in a new study. Blood lactate, the ionized form of lactic acid, which is a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, can provide an indication of a horse's fitness, but there was previously little information about ... Read full story
 11/17/2009
Equine Welfare Consensus Reached By AQHA, Partners
Equine industry alliance partners reached a general consensus involving humane treatment and equine welfare during a meeting October 20 and 21 at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum in Amarillo, Texas. Meeting participants discussed the merits of developing a uniform therapeutic medications program and humane treatment policies ... Read full story
 11/10/2009
USEF Medication Group Proposes Further Restriction of NSAIDs
The U.S. Equestrian Federation's Drugs and Medications Committee has reviewed a motion to further restrict the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in horses at USEF licensed competitions. The group put forth a rule change proposal that will be considered at the USEF Annual Meeting in January. Under the current USEF rules, ... Read full story
 11/10/2009
Polo Horse Drug Testing to Debut Next Year
Random drug tests will begin next year for horses in polo matches in the United States after the deaths of 21 elite horses in Florida that were injected with an incorrectly mixed supplement shortly before a championship match, the United States Polo Association said Wednesday. The decision was made last month to begin a pilot program for testing ... Read full story
 11/4/2009
Controversial Dressage Training Method Under FEI Investigation
Responding to public outcry following the Internet posting of a video showing an international-level dressage competitor warming up a horse using a method some call inhumane, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has launched an investigation. The so-called "blue tongue video" shows Swedish Olympian Patrik Kittel ... Read full story
 11/3/2009
Western Saddle Fit Study in Progress at New Mexico State University
The Agricultural Marketing group at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M., has undertaken the first scientific saddle fit study of Western performance saddles. Using a force sensor array (FSA) pressure pad, which shows exactly how the saddle applies contact to the horse, different levels of pressure are shown in different colors and in three ... Read full story
 10/26/2009
Condition Horses to Prevent Lameness  *
An athlete's body is trained to handle an amazing amount of work and stress. From runners to swimmers, all athletes train to handle the specific stress their sport requires. Unfortunately, it is still not uncommon for these athletes to injure themselves performing the very actions they trained for. This is also true of a horse's body. Many horses ... Read full story
 10/2/2009
Diagnosing & Managing Upper Respiratory Tract Disorders  *
When armed with accurate diagnoses and targeted surgical procedures, veterinarians can help horses with upper respiratory tract disorders. Abnormalities of the upper respiratory tract are second only to musculoskeletal disorders as leading causes of poor performance in athletic horses. While a small number of horses with mild upper airway issues ... Read full story
 10/1/2009
Measuring Ponies: Laser Device Might Give More Accurate Height  *
A laser device for measuring horses and ponies might give more reliable and objective measurements than a traditional stick, researchers said. Ponies currently competing in Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) events must not measure more than 151 cm with shoes or 150 cm without shoes when measured at the event. Researchers working on a recent ... Read full story
 9/29/2009
Study Sheds Doubt on Marbles' Effect on Mare Heat Cycles  *
Many people have offered solutions to overcome the problems of inconsistent performance while mares are in heat. One method popular with owners today is the implantation of marbles as glass intrauterine devices (IUDs). "The original paper that described this technique suggested that the marble might behave like an early pregnancy and delay the mare’s ... Read full story
 9/26/2009
Training Alters Stride in Racehorses  *
Training mature racehorses produces a decrease in the protraction (extension) time of the forelimb and might reduce the risk of training-induced injuries, said Marta Ferrari, DrMedVet, PhD, MRCVS, of Park Veterinary Centre in Watford, U.K, and colleagues at London's Royal Veterinary College in a new study. The researchers aimed to investigate the ... Read full story
 9/19/2009
Equine Heat Tolerance Parameters Examined in Study   *
In a step toward understanding heat tolerance in horses, Brazilian researchers recently concluded that respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and rectal temperature (RT) are the most useful parameters for distinguishing equine adaptation to elevated temperatures. As part of an ongoing project on equine heat tolerance, the study authors investigated ... Read full story
 8/26/2009
Saddle Pad Research Shows Variable Changes in Rider Pressure  *
Saddle pads might help reduce painful pressure on a horse's back caused by ill-fitting saddles, but the ideal pad will vary from horse to horse and from saddle to saddle, according to a new study by Austrian researchers. Optimum pressure relief will also depend on the discipline and even the gait, said primary study author Anja Kotschwar, DVM, research ... Read full story
 8/12/2009
Research Shows Exercised Horses Have Fewer Unwanted Behaviors  *
Providing a stabled horse with one hour of exercise daily has beneficial effects on horse welfare, as well as handler safety, according to a new study. "Providing horses with a daily exercise regime, as well as regular positive interactions with other horses and people, is likely to improve their welfare and make them safer to handle," said Raf Freire, ... Read full story
 8/6/2009
Keeping Weekend Warrior Horses Fit  *
Horses that are mainly ridden on weekends require special care and training to avoid injury. Some humans do it all the time: Pack a week's worth of activity into a weekend with pickup basketball games, long hikes, or marathon sessions at the gym. And while most people expect to pay for their exercise spurt with achy muscles, stiff joints, and risk ... Read full story
 7/1/2009
Scoliosis in Adult Equines
Q: I purchased my Thoroughbred gelding when he was 5 years old. Within the next two years we were doing really well at entry level dressage. He looked and behaved fantastically. Then the problems started. As I ride on my own and hadn't had this problem before, it took me a while to figure out that his refusing to go (forward), bucking, and general ... Read full story
 7/1/2009
Researchers Examine Oral Acetate for Equine Exercise Recovery  *
An inaugural study has found that a sodium acetate electrolyte solution given orally with a typical hay and grain meal following exercise enhanced skeletal muscle metabolism to restore depleted glycogen (energy) sources. "Glycogen stored in muscle is the primary energy source for horses undergoing either short-term, high intensity or prolonged submaximal ... Read full story
 6/15/2009
German Equestrian Teams Go Kaput in Wake of Drug and Med Scandals  *
Want to become a member of the German jumping, eventing, or dressage team? Even if you have a medal on your mantelpiece, you'll have to reapply for consideration by the German Olympic Sports Federation. That's because, as of May 28, there are no German teams for the three Olympic equestrian disciplines. The German Equestrian Federation (aka the German ... Read full story
 6/10/2009
Readers Share Equine Exercise Regimens  *
More than 1,150 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "During peak riding times in your region, how often do you ride or exercise your horses?" Results were as follows: 2-4 times a week 47.75% (552) 5-7 times a week 40.40% (467) Once a week 8.56% (99) I don't ride or exercise my horses 1.99% (23) Once a month ... Read full story
 6/5/2009
Keeping Horses Cool  *
We all long for warmer weather and the longer rides summer affords. But heat and humidity are major concerns for rider and horse since heat-related illness can be dangerous--even fatal. Horses have efficient natural thermoregulatory systems to cool themselves, but sometimes they are overwhelmed and cannot compensate for the heat. Hyperthermia or heatstroke ... Read full story
 6/1/2009
Researchers Examine Effects of Rider Stability  *
Austrian researchers have reported that the stability of a rider’s seat affects the forces acting on a horse’s back. Using an electronic pressure mat placed under a dressage saddle, scientists with the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna’s Movement Science Group measured the forces created when an experienced rider rode 10 different sound horses ... Read full story
 5/22/2009
Core Training Exercise Guidelines
Core training exercises can be done without a warm-up--for example, in horses that are recovering from injury--because the horse controls the amount of motion, and loading of the joints is less than during locomotion. Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University, says that ... Read full story
 5/18/2009
Lameness in the Sport Horse, AAEP 2008   *
Veterinarians attending the Lameness in the Sport Horse Table Topic at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., discussed the need for taking a complete history and performing a clinical examination before making any imaging recommendations. Imaging is only as good as the history and clinical ... Read full story
 5/4/2009
Estrus Suppression  *
When a mare exhibits unexpected or undesirable behavior that cannot be explained by illness or injury, the owner might suspect it is related to the mare's estrous cycle. He or she might notice the mare is more difficult to train or ride periodically, she might act aggressively toward other horses, wring her tail, urinate frequently, or exhibit pain ... Read full story
 5/1/2009
Researchers Call for Standards, Testing of Protective Boots  *
Many horses sport leg protection while working or during turnout. Some horse owners also use "support" boots, which are designed to lessen the strain on their horses' lower-limb tendons and ligaments. But David Marlin, BSc (Hons.), PhD, says some boots might be doing little to protect your horse's legs and could even be causing them harm. Marlin, ... Read full story
 4/27/2009
Stem Cell Therapy Effective for Tendonitis in Cornell Study   *
Horses faced with career-ending tendon injuries might possess the power to heal themselves. According to Alan J. Nixon, BVSc, MS, Dipl. ACVS, and colleagues from Cornell University, veterinarians might be able to effectively treat horses with injuries to their superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT) by injecting stem cells directly into the injured ... Read full story
 4/25/2009
AAEP 2008: Performance Horse Forum   *
In a year that saw increased public scrutiny of equine welfare and medication issues both on the track and in the competition field, veterinarians at the 2008 Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in San Diego, Calif., gathered in a forum to discuss these and other performance horse issues. Forum leaders Stephen ... Read full story
 4/8/2009
Patience and Long, Slow Distance Important for Conditioning Competition Horses  *
Horses on vacation since October or November, when the owner stopped riding, can't be expected to perform the way they did in the fall. It's important to get their cardiovascular systems as well as their bones, muscles and tendons back in shape before pushing them to their maximums. Vacations are great for relaxing and recharging, but in just a little ... Read full story
 3/21/2009
AAEP 2008: Emergency Veterinary Care at Horse Shows   *
Most horse show emergencies are able to be cared for on-site, but if a crisis develops, the horse should be stabilized and transported to a full-care facility, according to Rick Mitchell, DVM, of Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, Conn. He presented during the in-depth session on emergency care at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners ... Read full story
 3/4/2009
Anhidrosis: Altered Thyroid Function a Potential Contributor  *
Despite the fact that 20% of racehorses in the southern United States are affected by anhidrosis--the inability or decreased ability to sweat--the underlying causes of this medical condition remain unknown. Sweating is the primary means by which exercising horses dissipate heat. Anhidrotic horses are typically exercise intolerant, have an increased ... Read full story
 2/28/2009
AAEP 2008: Medication in Racing and Performance Horses  *
Medication issues in equine competitions might have reached their highest level of public focus in 2008 due to high-profile situations such as Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown's steroid regimen and the disqualification of several Olympic horses for prohibited medications. Despite a significant investment of time and money by various advisory and regulatory ... Read full story
 2/15/2009
AAEP 2008: Olympic Veterinary Care   *
What's it like to be an equine veterinarian behind the scenes at the Olympic Games? Horse owners got to hear about the experience at the Healthy Horses Workshop of the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention (held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif.). Sharon Spier, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, PhD, professor and chief of equine field services ... Read full story
 2/10/2009
AAEP 2008: Tart Cherry Juice Blend Might Reduce Muscle Damage  *
The potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of a tart cherry juice blend given to exercising horses were the topic of a study presented at the 2008 Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) by Norm Ducharme, DVM, MSc, Dipl. ACVS, James Law Professor of Surgery in the Section of Large Animal Surgery at Cornell ... Read full story
 2/8/2009
TheHorse.com Launches Editorial 'Fact Sheet' Series  *
Sometimes it is difficult to find that one short authoritative article that gives the basic information you're looking for on a specific equine topic. Something that gives you a foundation when you are looking for a starting point on which to build knowledge about a problem that has beset your horse. TheHorse.com has the answer: Fact Sheets. A series ... Read full story
 1/21/2009
Survey Finds Eventers Nutritionally Sound, but Oversupplemented   *
In a survey of leading three-day event riders, researchers found that the majority of riders fed their horses based on research-driven recommendations, but the number of supplements used per horse did raise some eyebrows. During the Jersey Fresh 2006 and 2007 Three-Day Events, researchers interviewed 69 riders, asking such questions as where they ... Read full story
 12/28/2008
FEI Veterinary Committee Reports on Activities   *
The Veterinary Committee of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) presented a report on its activities at the organization's general assembly, held Nov. 17-21, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Highlights of the report: The Olympic Games 2008 Hong Kong were recognized as a great success. This event has left a legacy in the body of work regarding ... Read full story
 11/24/2008
Ride Along at the FEI World Endurance Championship   *
The first-ever FEI World Endurance Championship in Malaysia was held Nov. 7-8 in Terengganu. Meg Sleeper, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, and her horse, Syrocco Reveille, competed on the team representing the United States. While the competition didn't work out as the squad had hoped, her journal entries provide an inside look at what it takes to transport and ... Read full story
 11/21/2008
FEI Forms Commission on Medication and Doping  *
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of international equestrian sport, today announced the creation of a commission on medication and doping chaired by Arne Ljungqvist, MD, PhD, chairman of the International Olympic Committee Medical Commission (IOC) and vice president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Commission ... Read full story
 11/20/2008
Shipping and Showing  *
Monitor and optimize your horse's training, diet, general health, and shipping experience in order to help him perform his best. For some, nothing compares to the excitement of a horse show. The anticipation of months of hard work finally paying off with the faultless jump, the perfect pirouette, or the impeccable sliding stop, and the chance of winning ... Read full story
 10/1/2008
Four Olympic Jumpers Suspended after Prohibited Substance Found  *
It's stormy here in Hong Kong, and not just because of impending Typhoon Nuri, which threatened to disrupt the individual jumping final, but looks as if it will hold off for most if not all of the Aug. 21 evening competition. Tony Andre Hansen and Camiro About an hour before the jumping final got under way, the Fédération Equestre Internationale ... Read full story
 8/21/2008
The Olympic Veterinary Clinic: It's All in the Details  *
Olympic veterinary services manager Christopher Riggs, BVSc, PhD, DEO, DipECVS, MRCVS, led a group of foreign media representatives through the impressive Olympic veterinary clinic and facilities at the Sha Tin Racecourse, host to all competition except for the eventing cross-country. Riggs was a few minutes late in meeting the Aug. 15 tour group, ... Read full story
 8/19/2008
Reconditioning After Layup  *
Whether your horse has downtime for an injury or just a much-needed vacation, how you bring him back can dictate his eventual competitive success. After any layup, an athletic horse needs to be brought back to peak condition gradually. If time off was simply a vacation over winter, you can start the horse back into work at a lower level and increase ... Read full story
 8/1/2008
Elective Drug Testing Offered for All Olympic Horses  *
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's racing laboratory will be offering post-arrival elective testing for all horses coming to Hong Kong for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events at the request of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Unlike the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) system used for human athletes, there is traditionally ... Read full story
 7/28/2008
Olympic Equestrian Arrangements are Years in the Making   *
The decision to hold the equestrian competitions of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Hong Kong continues to be a topic of interest and debate. The events were moved because competition organizers sought to minimize the risk of horses contracting infectious diseases possibly present in the mainland China horse population. When the decision to move was first ... Read full story
 7/27/2008
Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Facility Opens in Ocala   *
We all know how good a massage feels, and that low-impact exercise like water aerobics can help improve our health and fitness. Horses in Central Florida can now experience the same wellness benefits with a new sports therapy and rehabilitation facility just for them. The Sanctuary, located in Ocala, Fla., recently capped construction of their 40,000 ... Read full story
 7/27/2008
Understanding the USEF Equine Drugs and Medications Program  *
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. The USEF is responsible for enforcing the rules of 27 breeds and disciplines. Formerly this organization was known as the American Horse Shows Association (AHSA). The name may have changed, but the mission ... Read full story
 7/17/2008
Electrolyte Basics
Principles that will help you know when and how to supplement horses with electrolytes. One topic that horse owners repeatedly wonder about is that of electrolytes and specifically how and when they should be used. In general, horses participating in most equestrian sports don't need electrolyte supplementation. A horse that sweats during a short ... Read full story
 7/1/2008
Complementary Therapeutic Options for Horses
The upcoming summer Olympics will see some of the finest equine athletes in the world compete in various equestrian events. These horses are the very top of the performance horse elite and are attended to by team veterinarians. Many of these veterinarians will utilize veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic in their treatment regimens for these outstanding ... 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
Readers Respond: Challenging Feet   *
More than 1,000 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Do you think Big Brown's hoof issues might be a factor in his bid for the Triple Crown?" Results were as follows: No: 75.35% (761) Yes: 24.65% (249) Read about his feet in: Big Brown's Feet Not So Bad, Farriers Say. Results of weekly polls from TheHorse.com ... Read full story
 6/2/2008
10 Principles of Exercise Physiology  *
Basic principles you can apply to your everyday training to boost your horse’s performance. Elite athletes are always looking for an edge over their competitors, and many times they find that edge by applying the science of exercise physiology to their training. From energy metabolism to the kinetics of joint movement, exercise physiology is geared ... Read full story
 6/1/2008
Event Horse Dies on Cross-Country at French CCI***   *
Nullabor, an 11-year-old Irish sport horse ridden by Clayton Fredericks of Australia, died Saturday while competing at the Saumur CCI*** in France, according to a statement on the event organizers' Web site. Fredericks told Britain's Horse and Hound the accident occurred while the horse was galloping between fences on the cross-country course. "It ... Read full story
 5/20/2008
Book Excerpt from Olympic Equestrian: Getting There  *
Transport, regardless of method, is stressful to horses. From the days before air travel, when horses traveled by boat to reach competitions on faraway shores, to modern times, when horses and riders alike rack up their share of frequent-flyer miles, Olympic Games-bound mounts have endured their share of travel delays, cramped conditions, stale air, ... Read full story
 5/19/2008
Neck Problems in Sport Horses  *
Remember the last time you rolled out of bed in the morning feeling like you must have slept with your neck contorted like a noodle? The lingering stiffness lasts all day, making simple things like dressing and driving a pain. Now, imagine you're a horse with neck pain--consider how uncomfortable it would be to move in a frame, on the bit, to flex ... Read full story
 5/11/2008
Hanging At Home with Rags to Riches  *
One year ago, Rags to Riches was a superstar on the racetrack and the favorite to win the Kentucky Oaks. Today, she is an expectant mother spending her retirement days at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky. Rags to Riches, owned by Michael Tabor, an associate of Coolmore Stud principal John Magnier, and trained by Todd Pletcher, was retired from racing ... Read full story
 4/24/2008
Water and Dehydration Study Clarification  *
A 2008 Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) publication examining dehydration in working horses was summarized and printed onTheHorse.com on April 24, 2008, prior to its actual publication in EVJ. It was reviewed and approved by the researcher. The complete publication (in which Dr. Joy Pritchard was first author) was titled "Validity of indicators of dehydration ... Read full story
 4/24/2008
Sacroiliac Injection Technique  *
The sacroiliac joint, which forms the articulation between the pelvis and the spine, is often considered as a location of elusive pain in horses. However, its deep location and, thereby, limited accessibility make diagnosis (via nerve blocks) and injection-based treatment difficult. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, ... Read full story
 4/15/2008
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
Book Excerpt from Olympic Equestrian: Too Hot to Handle?   *
With the exception of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, which began in September to allow for the southern hemisphere's "reversed" order of seasons--winter in Australia is summer in North America--the summer Olympic Games generally are held in just that: the good old summertime. Add to the usual July-August time frame the fact that most cities that host ... Read full story
 4/1/2008
Reducing Back Sensitivity  *
Back pain is often suspected in horses, but most treatments haven't been researched much or at all. Results of a study designed to measure the effects of massage, chiropractic, and phenylbutazone (Bute) on back sensitivity were presented at the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla. Kevin Haussler, ... Read full story
 3/30/2008
TheHorse.com Videos: News/Interviews
Interview with Dr. Duncan Peters on event horse safety (3:51 min) 4/24/08 Interview with Dr. Scott Morrison on identifying and treating thrush (4:19 min) 1/24/08 Read article French butcher's perspective on horsemeat (1:07 min) 1/14/08 Read article Interview on dentistry with Dr. Jack Easley (2:43 min) 1/10/08 Interview on the ... Read full story
 2/4/2008
Olympic Organizers Confident Hong Kong Weather will not Endanger Horses  *
Olympic organizers do not expect other equestrian teams to follow the lead of Switzerland by pulling out of events at this year's Games due to Hong Kong's heat and humidity. The Swiss team said Wednesday that it would not take part in the dressage event in Hong Kong because top rider Silvia Ikle was concerned about the stress of the weather and travel ... Read full story
 1/10/2008
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
Pain in The Neck
Q: I am an equine sports massage therapist and have been treating a 10-year-old Icelandic gelding that has a tendency to hold his head to the right while at a walk. He doesn't do this at any other gait, and he will do it both under saddle and while being led. He has been examined several times by a veterinarian (although no X rays have been taken) ... Read full story
 12/1/2007
FEI Initiating Thermographic Exams to Prevent Show Jumper Abuse Technique  *
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) recently approved new measures to ensure the legs of high-level jumping horses are not being intentionally sensitized to pain in order to provide a competitive advantage. Beginning in 2008, official veterinarians will be employing heat-sensing equipment and examining legs for evidence of this abuse. The ... Read full story
 11/30/2007
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
Strength and Flexibility  *
There are a variety of ways to help your horse be stronger and less stiff. For an avid horse person, little takes the breath away like watching an athletic horse performing his job in the best of style: The dressage horse suspended in perfect piaffe, the cutting horse hunkered low as he turns a calf, the reining horse spinning and sprinting with ... Read full story
 10/1/2007
Winding Down  *
Giving your horse a break from training can result in a healthier, happier horse--if you do it correctly. "It's important to periodically back off from training, whether the athlete is a human or horse," says Trisha Dowling, DVM, MSc, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVCP, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. A marathon runner, Dowling competes in three full ... Read full story
 10/1/2007
A New Breed of Bridle (Bitless)  *
Going "bitless" has its pros and cons; is it right for you and your horse? You've seen the ads and followed the debates on Internet equine lists, but you're still a little confused: What is the difference between The Bitless Bridle and other cross-under bitless bridles (CBBs) versus the traditional type of bit-free bridles such as the hackamore? ... Read full story
 8/1/2007
Coping With the Heat  *
During hot weather, heat dissipation is primarily dependent on evaporation of sweat on the skin surface. Horses are capable of producing large quantities of sweat--sweating rates of 10-15 liters/hour1,2 have been reported during exercise in hot conditions. Sweat evaporates efficiently in hot, dry conditions, but not in hot, humid climates that are ... Read full story
 8/1/2007
Genome Study Confirms Effect of Excess Exercise on Immune System  *
While moderate exercise has been shown to enhance the immune system, a recent study analyzing gene expression in the lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in the immune system) of endurance horses has demonstrated that strenuous exercise can have a deleterious effect on the expression of genes affecting immunity. Researchers ... Read full story
 7/3/2007
Recuperating Back Muscles
Q: I have a 17-year-old Half-Arabian gelding that underwent colic surgery in August 2005. He had a totally uneventful recovery, and within six months he was back to his usual job of pleasure and trail riding. My only remaining concern is that he lost tone in his belly muscle and his back dropped somewhat, and I haven't been able to get it to return ... Read full story
 7/1/2007
On Call Vets  *
When Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro experienced a life-threatening injury at the start of the 2006 Preakness Stakes, the story immediately switched from his quest for the Triple Crown to the efforts to save his life. Playing a crucial role in sharing timely and accurate information about the horse's injury to viewers around the world was Larry Bramlage, ... Read full story
 6/1/2007
Bandaging Horses  *
Bandaging has been done in one way or another throughout the ages. In fact, the basics of the concept have really not changed much through the centuries. Sounds simple, right? Well, if you get on the Internet to research bandaging, you will find lots of "how-to" articles that give a great description of exactly how to apply various types of bandages. ... Read full story
 6/1/2007
Equine Metabolic Syndrome and the Easy Keeper   *
If your horse gains weight eating air, founders on grass every spring, and has a cresty neck, he could be insulin resistant. Insulin resistance is part of an equine health issue called Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Equine Metabolic Syndrome is defined as a condition of: 1) obesity and/or patchy fat accumulation, 2) insulin resistance, and 3) chronic ... Read full story
 5/5/2007
Massage Gets Derby Contender Hard Spun Ready to Run  *
Hard Spun's final preparations for the Kentucky Derby have included a sizzling five-furlong work and the usual early morning gallops. You've probably read about all those moves online and in the newspapers. But there's one step in the process you might not know about. Thursday, the colt got a massage at Barn 41 following morning training hours at Churchill ... Read full story
 5/3/2007
Performance Evaluation of Western Saddle Pads   *
The local tack shop has them in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and they are an essential part of every horse's tack--the saddle pad. Lately, interest in the equine industry has lead to an increase in the manufacturing of technologically advanced saddle pads, often at a higher price. But what makes a good saddle pad? Although there has been little research ... Read full story
 4/8/2007
What's Wrong? (Understanding Horses)  *
How do you tell if a horse has a physical, behavioral, or a training problem? Once you rule out a physical condition, are the other two options that different from one another? Andy Anderson, DVM, grew up training, riding, and showing horses on his father's ranch in Broken Arrow, Okla. He says he has learned much through the years from many people ... Read full story
 1/1/2007
The Golden Boy: Reflections on Champion Precisionist   *
California lost the golden boy of its golden age of horse racing Sept. 26 with the death of Precisionist at the age of 25 (click here for the story on his death). The champion was laid to rest at Old Friends retirement home near Georgetown, Ky., where he had spent his final months. Voted into racing's Hall of Fame in 2003, Precisionist had undeniable ... Read full story
 10/11/2006
Equine Sports Massage 101  *
Your horse is yawning profusely, licking, chewing, and gradually lowering her head. Her eyes slowly glaze over, as her lower lip becomes slack. Is this the effect of drugs? No, this apparent sedation is the effect of skilled bodywork. It's a result of the relaxation response induced by nothing more invasive than the human hand. How can something ... Read full story
 10/1/2006
Badminton Veterinarian Weighs in on Eventing's New Short Course  *
At the May 4-7 Badminton Horse Trials in England, veterinarians conducted an informal study to assess weight loss of elite eventing horses during the sport's new shortened endurance phase. Preliminary results suggest weights of well-conditioned horses change the least during the cross country phase. The study could help establish a baseline for examining ... Read full story
 7/1/2006
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
Rolex Veterinarian Gives Feedback on Horse Condition  *
The XML page cannot be displayed Cannot view XML input using XSL style sheet. Please correct the error and then click the Refresh button, or try again later. A string literal was expected, but no opening quote character was found. Error processing resource 'http://www.thehorse.com...<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Catherine ... Read full story
 5/3/2006
Brass Hat Disqualified From Second in Dubai World Cup  *
Brass Hat, who ran second in the March 25 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), has been disqualified because a post-race test revealed trace amounts of the drug methyl prednisolone acetate. After a two-day hearing via teleconference May 2 and 3, the stewards ordered the disqualification. Owner Fred Bradley will lose $1.2 million in purse money while his son, ... Read full story
 5/3/2006
Rolex Talk Highlights Performance Horse Issues  *
The 2006 Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event drew more than 90,000 equine enthusiasts to the Kentucky Horse Park, and Lexington's Hagyard Equine Medical Institute (HEMI) used the opportunity to educate horse owners on common health issues affecting the sport horse. Duncan Peters, DVM, MS, recently onboard as a member of HEMI's Sporthorse Division, presented ... Read full story
 5/3/2006
Live Chat on Conditioning Horses in the Summer--April 18  *
The developers of HorseQuest.info invite you to participate in a live chat on April 18 with three of the site's equine experts. Here is your chance to discuss or ask questions with these experts about: "Conditioning Your Horse in the Summer"April 183:00 p.m. EDT2:00 p.m. CDT1:00 p.m. MDT12:00 p.m. PDT Join this HorseQuest live chat by going to http://horsequest.info ... Read full story
 4/17/2006
Biomechanical Efficiency   *
The horse is an amazing athlete, with great speed and endurance considering his body size and weight. For the past 20 years, researchers have evaluated what makes the equine locomotive system so efficient for racing and other strenuous performance activities. But why are some horses better, more efficient movers than others? Hilary Clayton, BVMS, ... Read full story
 10/1/2005
Science and Horsemanship  *
Over the past two decades, the work of Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, has elevated equine sports medicine to a whole new level. As the first incumbent of the Mary Anne McPhail Chair at Michigan State University, Clayton brings an element of modern science to the ancient art of horsemanship. Her revolutionary research is generating valuable information ... Read full story
 9/1/2005
Firmness and Kindness  *
Editor's Note: This is Chapter 16 of Happy Trails: Your Complete Guide to Fun and Safe Trail Riding by veteran author and horseman Les Sellnow. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. Remember that abuse is never the answer. The proper approach is firm, unrelenting but gentle pressure until the horse decides he at least has to try crossing ... Read full story
 6/8/2005
Untimely End   *
The young man's name was Hank Gathers, and he was 23 years of age. He was a basketball star at Loyola Marymount University in California. The year was 1990, and Gathers the year before had become only the second player in Division 1 history to lead the nation in both scoring and rebounding in the same season. He was on his way to another landmark season. ... Read full story
 6/1/2005
Crossing Water  *
After a few uneventful rides, seek more challenging trips, such as crossing mud puddles or shallow streams. Because horses will always go around rather than through water, pick the spot for this lesson with care. Don't ask the horse to go through a mud puddle, for instance, when dry ground is on both sides. Instead, find a place where there’s no alternative ... Read full story
 5/25/2005
Pleasure Horses Have Ulcers, Too  *
Research has shown that 90% or more of high-level performance horses have gastric ulcers, and that lower-level show horses also can get ulcers, but at a lower rate. The Horse and Merial (manufacturers of GastroGard and UlcerGard, ulcer treatment and preventive) joined forces with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., to have some pleasure ... Read full story
 5/10/2005
Fitting the Saddle to the Withers  *
Were we to select the perfect withers for our mounts with the idea of arranging the best possible fit for the saddle, we would probably settle on well-placed, prominent withers that blended nicely into the slope of the shoulder and the back. However, the shape of a horse's withers with regard to saddle fit is complex. "Your average horse's withers ... Read full story
 5/1/2005
Athletic Taping of the Lower Limb  *
Athletic taping is commonly used in human sports medicine to begin a physical therapy program; it stabilizes injured soft tissues and helps prevent further injury. Years of experience in the use of athletic taping as well as scientific research supports its use in humans. Unfortunately, there is little research available to support athletic taping ... Read full story
 5/1/2005
Happy Trails Selected as 2004 Book of the Year Finalist   *
Happy Trails: Your Complete Guide to Fun and Safe Trail Riding has been selected as a ForeWord Magazine 2004 Book of the Year Award finalist in the Adventure & Recreation category. Written by longtime journalist and horseman Les Sellnow and published by Eclipse Press, a division of Blood-Horse Publications, Happy Trails: Your Complete Guide to ... Read full story
 4/13/2005
Cold Air and Lung Health  *
Researchers at Oklahoma State University (OSU) recently completed a study on airway cooling and mucosal injury during cold weather exercise. Using the Thoroughbred racehorse as a model, scientists found that even cantering in sub-freezing temperatures can induce airway obstruction (bronchoconstriction, or airway contraction). The research appeared ... Read full story
 4/8/2005
AAEP Convention 2004 Wrap-Up: Horseman's Day   *
Horseman's Day, as part of the annual American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, just keeps getting better and better. And attendance is strong no matter where the convention is held. Most recently, the locale was Denver, Colo., on Dec. 8, and nearly 275 horse enthusiasts showed up for the day-long session. In addition to presentations ... Read full story
 3/3/2005
AAEP Convention Wrap-Up 2004: Sports Medicine  *
Shock Wave Therapy Several studies have been conducted on extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) at various institutions this past year. One presented by C. Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, DSc, FRCVS, DrMedVet (hc), Dipl. ACVS, director of Colorado State University's Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, involved ESWT's effects on osteoarthritis. ... Read full story
 3/3/2005
AAEP Convention 2004: Performance Horse Forum  *
Performance horse veterinarians treat everything from the cutting horse to the dressage mount, but when it comes to issues pertinent to their practice, they are much alike. The problems of online and traveling pharmacies, clients' administering medications, drug testing at shows, and compounding were discussed at the performance forum at the 2004 convention ... Read full story
 2/14/2005
AAEP Convention 2004: Horseman's Day--Performance Horse  *
At Horseman's Day at the 50th annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention in Denver, Colo., Dec. 4-8, 2004, Sally Vivrette, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, of Triangle Equine Veterinary Services in Cary, N.C., discussed strategies for keeping the performance horse healthy and fit. "Maintaining a performance or pleasure horse represents ... Read full story
 2/14/2005
AAEP Convention 2004: Medicine II--EPO  *
One of the key factors in enabling horses to perform at their maximum is the ability to get oxygen to tissues via red blood cells. Trainers and horse owners have used a number of approaches to accomplish this, but one of those procedures can have fatal consequences, according to a report by C. Schwarzwald, DVM, Dipl., ACVIM, graduate student in the ... Read full story
 2/13/2005
Pain in the Mouth   *
The bit is a tool of communication, not of punishment. That, says Dwight Bennett, DVM, PhD, professor emeritus at Colorado State University, is the most important thing any horse owner can understand about bits. If a bit is causing pain or discomfort, communication breaks down and your horse's performance, as well as his mouth, suffers. "Fifty ... Read full story
 2/1/2005
Jumping Evaluation of Foals  *
Researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands have documented a method to evaluate the jumping ability of horses as young as six months of age to see if their athleticism continues with them as they grow older. While breeding plays an important role in the athletic abilities of a horse, determining the jumping ability of a foal before large ... Read full story
 12/6/2004
With Every Fiber of Their Being   *
With the recent Athens Olympics as our inspiration, we might all be pondering what it takes to go "faster, higher, and stronger." Whether you're a human, a hamster, or a horse, the answer, at least in part, is muscle fibers--each of which holds within it a certain potential for athletic performance. When muscle fibers work together, they can provide ... Read full story
 12/1/2004
Gold-Medal Vet Care   *
BY LEO JEFFCOTT, BVETMED, PHD, FRCVS, DVSC, MA, VETDR; JACK SNYDER, DVM, PHD, DIPL. ACVS; AND SHARON SPIER, DVM, PHD, DIPL. ACVIM, AS TOLD TO STEPHANIE STEPHENS All eyes on the podium, and the Gold Medal goes to...the equine veterinary team of the XXVIII Olympiad. These veterinarians worked far beyond the competition dates in Athens of Aug. 13-29. ... Read full story
 11/1/2004
The Right Stuff   *
David O'Connor and Leon Harrel come from two totally separate equine worlds and compete in disciplines that have very little in common. They also are far removed from each other geographically. O'Connor, winner of the individual Olympic gold medal in three-day eventing and also a member of the contingent that won the team bronze at the 2000 Olympics ... Read full story
 11/1/2004
Why Horses Stumble   *
Some horses stumble or stub their front toes frequently, with the toe hitting the ground while the knee is still bent and the leg collapses instead of taking weight. The horse's head and neck drop down, but he usually catches himself by rapidly extending the other leg. Most of these horses are not lame, yet might occasionally fall to their knees or ... Read full story
 6/1/2004
Beasts of Burden   *
Any horse owner who tours the medieval gallery at a museum must stop at the displays of suits of armor and marvel. Imagine the sheer weight of such an outfit--then imagine trying to maneuver oneself into the saddle wearing it! Visions of metal-sheathed knights being lowered by crude cranes and slings onto their groaning draft horses might in fact be ... Read full story
 6/1/2004
Round Pen Injuries
Has there has been an increase in hind limb lameness since the round pen has become more popular? I feel like I ruined my dream horse with round pen work starting when he was about six months old. He is nine now and mostly unridable due to a degenerative condition in his hips. I had written this off as bad luck until my friend's mare began to exhibit ... Read full story
 2/1/2004
FEI and Welfare   *
What does international equestrian sport do to ensure healthy, fair, and clean competition? As a sport where the horse is used for its athletic abilities and man is at the helm, it is crucial that the horse be properly safeguarded. Ethics and Horse Welfare--The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) considers the welfare of the horse its most important ... Read full story
 1/1/2004
A Win at Any Cost?  *
The horse show scene often is one of pageantry, color, and excitement. There are handsome horses groomed until they shine, riders dressed in colorful or formal garments who ride with skill and aplomb, and judges who observe every movement and mark their scorecards with placings that can increase a horse's worth and elevate the rider's standing in the ... Read full story
 1/1/2004
Late-Year Competition Horse Care   *
For many of us who compete with our horses, regardless of which discipline we compete in, fall is the time of year to seek the advice of our equine practitioners regarding any maintenance that will have our horses ready for competition next season. While many of us compete throughout the year, some of us are less active during the winter months. If ... Read full story
 9/1/2003
The Art of R&R   *
It has taken months of preparation for this moment. You've done the roadwork, marched your horse up and down hills, put in miles on the training track, added the speed and agility sessions, plugged in that heart rate monitor, and assessed your horse's growing fitness by the numbers and by feel. And the hard work and dedication you've put into it have ... Read full story
 8/1/2003
It's Enough to Give Him an Ulcer!   *
If your horse does more than walk around his pasture eating grass, he is at risk for ulcers. The equine life of leisure--grazing in the sun on lush grass, no worries about when that ambitious owner will appear to ride or train--isn't reality for most horses. The demands of training can precipitate a pain in the gut--also known as equine gastric ulcer ... Read full story
 5/1/2003
Equine Exercise Physiology Research  *
While the term sports medicine is of modern extraction, exercise physiology in humans and horses has been around for more than 100 years. During the decline of the use of work horses in the early to mid-20th Century, not much research was done. With the emergence and gaining popularity of horses as sport, recreation, and companion animals has come ... Read full story
 1/1/2003
Carbohydrates for Energy  *
In human nutrition, carbohydrates or "carbs" have a bit of a bad name these days. A quick trip through the local book store or over the Internet leads us to believe that dietary carbohydrates are the source of all evil. When weight loss is the goal, the basis for current fad diets such as "Sugarbusters" and the "Carbohydrate Addict's Diet" is a severe ... Read full story
 8/1/2002
Recharge Your Horse's Batteries   *
For horses engaged in regular conditioning and competition, an important consideration for overall health and fitness is the speed of recovery following hard workouts and competition exercise. A bout of exercise burns body fuel, results in loss of water and electrolytes, and strains supporting structures such as bones, tendons, and ligaments. It stands ... Read full story
 6/1/2002
Matching Diet to Activity Level  *
When it comes to extracting the maximum effort out of your performance horse, there is no doubting the importance of a sound feeding program. He needs a balanced diet to replenish fuel reserves, repair tissue, and provide a foundation for training and competing successfully. All too often there is a tendency for us to focus on the latest and greatest ... Read full story
 12/1/2001
How Does Your Horse Score?  *
Keeping a close eye on your horse's body condition and weight is perhaps the best way to gauge the effectiveness of a feeding program. We all want our horses to be in tip-top shape, well-muscled, and neither too fat nor too thin. The problem? Just what is the ideal body condition (and weight) for a horse, and how can body condition be reliably assessed? ... Read full story
 11/1/2001
AAEP 1996 Convention Wrapup  *
A variety of topics, ranging from the sophisticated to the mundane, were discussed by presenters who offered their findings under the umbrella subject--The Foot. Opening the session was Tracy A. Turner, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS, of the University of Minnesota. He discussed the "Predictive Value of Diagnostic Tests for Navicular Pain." A study at ... Read full story
 10/18/2001
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
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis  *
Tying-up is a problem that has troubled horses and their owners for many years, and it has been known by many names. The old-timers who battled the syndrome in their draft horses following a Sunday away from the fields called it Monday morning disease, or azoturia. Others have used the terms "set fast" and paralytic myoglobinuria. The term used most ... Read full story
 10/10/2001
AESM Convention  *
Researchers, veterinarians, and horse people from around the world gathered in San Antonio in April for the 16th meeting of the Association for Equine Sports Medicine (AESM). The program included three full days of presentations concerning the overall welfare and treatment of sport horses. The presentations, most of which were 20 minutes in length, ... Read full story
 10/10/2001
On Equal Footing  *
"It's too hard." "It’s too deep." "It’s too slick." "Watch out for that low spot!" At horse shows, exhibitors often find fault with the footing in the competition arenas. They complain about the ground, blaming show management for how the surface inhibits horses’ performances or even endangers animals’ well-being. CHARLES MANN PHOTO Different ... Read full story
 10/2/2001
Tying-Up Syndrome
I just bought a Thoroughbred filly which was in race training, but retired without running because of recurrent bouts of ‘tying-up.’ She had been turned out for six months before I got her, and never showed any problems while on the farm. What can you tell me about this disease? Tying-up is a syndrome or description of a horse with muscle damage that ... Read full story
 9/13/2001
Cross-Training For Horses  *
To add variety to conditioning programs, human athletes often undertake exercise sessions that are not specific to their athletic disciplines. For example, long-distance runners might cycle on a stationary bike once or twice a week, swim, or "run" in a swimming pool. This practice, termed "cross-training," has two main goals. First, it provides conditioning ... Read full story
 8/1/2001
Muscle Toning and Development
A number of horses I've seen appear to have asymmetrical muscle development, particularly over the shoulder area, which can make saddle fitting difficult. Many publications seem to say that the larger shoulder indicates that the horse is having to work harder with this leg and that muscle mass has therefore increased--just like with a weight lifter. ... Read full story
 6/1/2001
Sales Prepping Yearlings  *
As spring moves into summer, the primary focus of activity on many breeding farms is preparation of yearlings for sale. There isn't much scientific research on exercising horses at that young age, yet many farms are using forced exercise to make these youngsters look like little athletes rather than the gangly teenagers they are. While it is good that ... Read full story
 5/1/2001
Conditioning the Older Horse  *
What are the effects of advancing years on athletic performance? Are there special considerations in the conditioning and general care of older horses? Is regular exercise beneficial for older horses or, conversely, does the extra wear and tear on joints, tendons, and ligaments only hasten development of crippling lameness problems? Nowadays, these ... Read full story
 3/1/2001
Can You Breed for Speed or Stamina?  *
For centuries, horsemen have tried to breed for speed and endurance and found that the greatest genetic potential can yield disappointment as easily as reward. Consider the indomitable Secretariat, who sired a string of mostly unremarkable racers, or the supremely talented John Henry, who sprang from an unheralded sire and dam. These are not isolated ... Read full story
 3/1/2001
Back To Work--The Equine Spine  *
Think of your fondest memory of a time spent with a horse. Chances are you were going for a ride, enjoying the scenery and the companionship that exists between horse and human. It is no wonder that with the time we endeavor to spend on our horses' backs, we spend thousands of dollars each year to pamper them--gel pads, foam pads, air pads, saddles ... Read full story
 3/1/2001
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
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
Conformation in Horses  *
Conformation...what does it mean? If you've spent any time around horses or horse people, you've heard this word or related words used again and again. "Wow, that horse has great conformation!" or "My trainer said not to buy that horse because he has such horrible conformation--he won't hold up." Conformation is discussed ... Read full story
 10/1/2000
Performance Boosters  *
They purport to "Increase power." "Delay fatigue." "Increase stamina." "Build muscle." "Reduce recovery time." "Extensive research has proven..." Doubtless, most of you have seen and read advertisements for nutritional supplements in which the manufacturers make these and other similar claims. In the past decade or so, there has been a tremendous increase ... Read full story
 8/1/2000
Pre-Exercise Feeding  *
When and what should I feed my horse before exercise? This question is very familiar to equine nutritionists, and generally sparks considerable debate about feeding management of horses prior to competition. While it generally is agreed that feeding practices before competition exercise have an important bearing on performance, there is little consensus ... Read full story
 5/1/2000
Blood Tests Might Provide Early Indicators Of Catastrophic Injury   *
Bone fractures, joint injury and other musculoskeletal trauma are major problems in the equine industry. In response, a grant of $59,700 will help two Colorado State University equine researchers continue their studies into diagnosing, monitoring and potentially preventing these problems. Dr. David Frisbie and Dr. Clark Billinghurst of the Equine ... Read full story
 5/1/2000
Reconditioning After Lay-Up  *
A small-animal orthopedic veterinarian once told me, "The athlete that heals slowly heals best." In other words, although some physical therapy might be recommended as the body heals, the body’s soft and hard tissues need to recover wholly from the damage they suffered before undergoing the extra stress of training and the physical demands of building ... Read full story
 9/1/1999
Gait Analysis  *
Ever since the 1880s, when Edweard Muybridge set up a series of cameras to capture the character of footfalls of a racehorse, we’ve been fascinated by how horses move. No doubt you’ve seen that early sequence of photos, which demonstrated that the artists who produced hunting prints and racing scenes were wrong: horses didn’t trot or gallop in great ... Read full story
 9/1/1999
Rehabilitating the EPM Horse  *
Your horse was diagnosed with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, but with quick intervention by your veterinarian, careful administration of medications, and lots of nursing, he is on his way to recovery and being "cured" of the parasite. At that point, almost everyone has lots of well-intended advice on how to get your horse back to 100% fitness. ... Read full story
 5/1/1999
Injuries Put Del Mar Surface Under Microscope   *
The unusual concentration of catastrophic and career-ending injuries during the opening weeks of the current Del Mar meet hit home in dramatic fashion Aug. 13 when Prosperous Bid, a 3-year-old son of Mr. Prospector owned by John and Betty Mabee and trained by Bob Baffert, fractured both sesamoids of his left foreleg when he was pulled up after a morning ... Read full story
 8/21/1998
Sports Medicine Meeting  *
The 17th annual meeting of the Association for Equine Sports Medicine was held in Leesburg, Va., from March 5-8. The meeting was attended by 400 veterinarians, sports physiology researchers, as well as others interested in equine health. The meeting offered topics ranging from how stall housing can impair bone development in young horses, to diagnostic ... Read full story
 6/1/1998
Lil's Lad Undergoes Successful Operation   *
Blue Grass Stakes (gr. II) runner-up Lil's Lad underwent successful arthroscopic surgery April 14 to remove a non-displaced bone chip in his left front ankle. The routine operation on the colt was performed by Dr. Larry Bramlage at the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington. Trainer Neil Howard said the injury would not threaten Lil's Lad's ... Read full story
 4/24/1998
Bandaging Basics  *
A common question among horse owners and veterinary students is: When is it appropriate to bandage a leg or wound and, if it is, what is the best material with which to bandage it? There is an ever-growing variety of commercial bandaging material available to the horse owner and veterinarian. In one of the 1997 editions of a major tack store's catalogue, ... Read full story
 6/1/1997
Preventing Estrus In Performance Mares  *
It has happened to many horse owners. The day of the major event or stakes arrives and the prize mare is ready to compete. The night before her coat glistened, her muscles rippled, and her eyes were aglow with competitive spirit. This morning, when everything is on the line, there is a profound difference. Instead of bouncing on her toes when led ... Read full story
 5/1/1996




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