Les Sellnow

Feel the Beat

March 01, 2006

It's a thrilling moment for spectator and exhibitor alike on a steamy August night in Freedom Hall, Louisville, Ky. The place is filled wall-to-wall with spectators. Some are in elevated private suites surrounding the arena floor. Many are Read More

Horses and Wild Animals

March 01, 2006

Throughout their existence, horses have been prey animals. Predators have been pursuing and feasting on them for eons, and they continue doing so today, despite the fact that domestication of the horse and the spread of civilization in general Read More

Synovial Joints and How They Work

February 01, 2006

First we'll look at how the horse's synovial joints are constructed, then we'll outline where they are located, the functions they serve, and some of the problems that can develop. Read More

Bedding Shopping

February 01, 2006

There was a time when bedding for horse stalls received little attention or discussion, especially in the agricultural Midwest. When horses provided the power for planting and harvesting crops, almost every farm had a field of oats. The oat Read More

Book Excerpt: Planning and Preparing for the Big Adventure

February 01, 2006

Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from Happy Trails by Les Sellnow. This book is available from Read More

The Cost of Putting a Foal on the Ground

January 01, 2006

If you are new to the breeding business, you will soon realize that putting a foal on the ground can be an expensive proposition. Breeding can be as simple as turning a stallion in with a group of mares, or it can be as sophisticated as importin Read More

Veterinary Equipment

January 01, 2006

As research involving veterinary equipment results in more and more sophistication, both veterinarians and horse owners face something of a dilemma. For the veterinarian, the question involves how much a practice can afford to invest in the latest Read More

AAEP For Education

November 01, 2005

This year's annual meeting of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in Seattle, Wash., offers a myriad of educational opportunities for veterinarians and horse owners, and has a trade show that features new products and service Read More

Tweaking Tails

October 01, 2005

There is bucolic tranquility in the sight of two horses dozing in the sun, side by side, nose to tail, with their tails rhythmically swishing as they leisurely work at keeping flies off their bodies. That is the basic purpose of the equine tail Read More

Improving Travel Conditions

October 01, 2005

While there have been many changes in the equine world in the past several decades, no change has been more dramatic than that experienced by horse transportation. The change, literally, has been from hooves and rails to wheels and wings. While Read More

At What Age to Shoe?

September 01, 2005

Questions involving the ifs and whens to shoe horses have been debated for years. There are those who will argue that a horse's foot should not have metal attached via nails under any circumstances, while others will opt for shoeing certain horses Read More

Conditioning the Competitive Trail Horse

August 01, 2005

Those of us who have trail ridden and packed into the mountains are very apt to proffer this advice to the beginner or novice who wants to do likewise: Don't take the mountains lightly, because they can be unforgiving. Know what you are doing an Read More

Therapeutic Options

August 01, 2005

Not long ago, veterinarians generally considered most forms of alternative medicine to be a "smoke and mirrors" approach to treating horses. Today, many veterinarians are embracing at least two forms of alternative medicine--acupuncture and Read More

Spiders: Insect Invaders

July 01, 2005

From the outset, we must understand that spiders, basically speaking, do not possess venom to inflict injury on humans and horses. Venom's prime function is to paralyze insect prey so the spider can dine on them. Read More

Stone Bruises

July 01, 2005

A bruise can result from a variety of factors--ranging from a step on a stone causing an external bruise to landing with such concussive force when going over a jump or racing across a hard surface that the bones of the inner foot bruise the inside Read More

Treadmills for Diagnosing Lameness

July 01, 2005

Through the years, the treadmill has been a valuable asset in diagnosing various respiratory problems and complications in athletic horses, especially those involving the larynx and upper airways. Now another dimension has been added--the evaluation Read More

Trail Riding: Teaching Water Crossing

June 08, 2005

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 the troublesome obstacle to regain a comfort zone. Read More

Horses and Fire

June 01, 2005

Fire can be both friend and foe in nature. While fire can do extensive damage to the environment, the damage is often short-lived and the long-term benefits outweigh short-term problems as new vegetation springs forth to populate the landscape. Read More

Sudden Death: Untimely End

June 01, 2005

Sometimes horses die suddenly when they aren't involved in athletic competition. You walk out to stall or paddock one morning and your good trail horse or companion animal is lying dead, even though it had appeared normal and healthy when you fed the Read More

Crossing Water

May 25, 2005

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 throug Read More

Trail Riding: Position in a Group

May 18, 2005

Does your horse walk along quietly with at least a horse length between him and the horse in front, or does he want to tailgate the lead horse without watching where he places his feet? You want a horse that is comfortable anywhere in a group Read More

The Perfect Hoof

May 01, 2005

An interesting dichotomy exists when we turn our attention to the horse's foot. On the one hand, without a healthy foot, a modern-day horse really has no value. On the other hand, the foot often is the most neglected part of the horse's anatomy. Read More

Buckets of Muck

May 01, 2005

When food is ingested at one end of the horse, waste material will exit at the other end. That process will continue as long as the horse lives and will cause varying problems to the horse owner, depending on where he or she lives.

As urban Read More

U.S. Outreach Needed

April 01, 2005

There is a growing awareness in the equine community of unwanted, neglected, and mistreated horses. At the 2004 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) meeting, an entire session was devoted to a discussion of the "Unwanted Horse." Read More

Welfare in Mexico

April 01, 2005

Mexico is truly a land of enchantment. Pristine beaches in places with names like Acapulco and Cancun entice visitors, many of them very wealthy, from around the world. Scenic mountains tower over part of the land. Blue skies and balmy Read More