Erica Larson, News Editor
Erica Larson, News Editor, holds a degree in Journalism with an external specialty in Equine Science from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. A Massachusetts native, she grew up in the saddle and hs dabbled in a variety of disciplines including foxhunting, saddleseat, and mounted games. Currently, Erica competes in three-day eventing with her OTTB, Dorado. Erica enjoys photography in her spare time.
Articles by Erica Larson
Psyllium for Glucose and Insulin Control
April 23, 2011
Veterinarians often recommend psyllium for use as a laxative, specifically for clearing sand out of horses' intestines to minimize the chances of sand colic. But new research indicates there might be another use for the phytogenic (plant-based) Read More
Diaphragmatic Tears in Horses Examined
April 18, 2011
Horses with diaphragmatic tears (also called rents) are given a relatively poor prognosis to make a full recovery, but the condition is not a death sentence, according to the results of a recent retrospective study. Alfredo E. Romero, DVM, of Read More
Gastric Ulcers and Weanlings: Effects of Diet Type
April 16, 2011
Gastric ulcers can affect horses of all breeds, ages, shapes, and sizes. Weanlings are among these: They are transitioning from a diet of milk to one of forages and concentrates, while also experiencing the stress of separation from their dams. Read More
Cornell University EHV-1 Quarantine Lifted
April 14, 2011
Cornell University's Equine Hospital returned to normal operating status April 12 when the quarantine put in place after two horses tested positive for the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) was lifted. Additional biosecurity protocol is Read More
Male Horses: A Role in Early-Term Abortion?
April 14, 2011
Early-term abortion in mares is a frustrating problem for breeders, as often the cause is nearly impossible to determine. But a team of researchers from the Czech Republic might have uncovered one possible reason why mares abort in certain management Read More
Possible Cause of Unusual Neurologic Signs in Australian Horses Identified
April 13, 2011
Australian authorities might have identified the cause of unusual neurologic signs in horses in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, according to a report from the New Zealand-based website Horsetalk.
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Two Horses Die at Great Britain's Grand National
April 11, 2011
Two horses are dead following the 2011 running of the Grand National, the famed British steeplechase held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The race spans four-and-a-half miles and includes 30 jumping efforts.
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Texas Horse Dies of Rabies, Human Exposure Possible
April 11, 2011
Authorities confirmed April 6 that a Texas horse that died April 4 was infected with rabies, according to a press release from the Texas Department of State Heath Services (DSHS). The 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding began showing signs of illness Read More
Diagnosing Equine Bone Fragility Syndrome (AAEP 2011)
April 08, 2011
Clearly defined diagnostic criteria could help veterinarians detect BFS earlier and more accurately. Read More
Thermographic Eye Thermometers for Horses
April 08, 2011
A horse's body temperature can indicate everything from an internal ailment (such as colic) to an infectious disease to hypothermia. Or it can simply confirm that a horse is healthy and ready for action. While most owners and veterinarians step to Read More
Yes, Your Horse Is Fat
April 07, 2011
Horse owners must be able to acknowledge that a horse is overweight and needs to drop a few pounds. Read More
Ointments Help Horses with Bug Bite Hypersensitivity
April 06, 2011
The results of a study conducted by a group of researchers from the Netherlands suggest that regular application of a topical ointment--medicated or nonmedicated--might provide some relief to horses suffering from insect bite hypersensitivity. Read More
Starry Sky Ultrasound Pattern: A Review (AAEP 2011)
April 05, 2011
The starry sky pattern is an unusual and dramatic ultrasonographic appearance of the equine liver. Read More
Cornell Equine Hospital Quarantined with Confirmed EHV-1
April 04, 2011
The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine's equine hospital is under a voluntary quarantine after confirming a case of the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus (EHV-1). The quarantine began March 20 and will continue indefinitely.
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Mustangs Teach RU Students About Nutrition, Behavior
April 02, 2011
What do wild mustangs have to teach people? If you ask the students enrolled in Rutgers University's (RU) Young Horse Teaching and Research Program (YHTRP), the answer will likely be, "plenty." For the past two years, the YHTRP, headed by Sarah L. Read More
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Applications in Horses
April 01, 2011
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an increasingly popular treatment method for equine injuries. During a presentation at the 2011 Western Veterinary Conference, held Feb. 20-24 in Las Vegas, Nev., Scott McClure, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, of Iowa Read More
Top Show Jumper Sapphire Injured
March 31, 2011
American show jumper McLain Ward's long-time partner Sapphire, a 16-year-old Belgian warmblood mare, strained her right front check ligament while training in Florida last week and will miss the remainder of the 2011 show season.
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Japan's Equine Industry Begins Rebuilding
March 30, 2011
Now more than two weeks after the devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 11, the equine industry in the country is beginning to rebuild. New details continue to surface about the extent of the damage, but the industry as a whole is Read More
African Horse Sickness: Western Cape Death Toll Rises to 24
March 28, 2011
The number of equine deaths caused by African horse sickness (AHS) in South Africa's Western Cape has risen to 24, according to a report from the South African-based news website Eye Witness News. Authorities announced March 28 that in the previous Read More
Rutgers University Young Horse Auction Scheduled for May 1
March 27, 2011
The annual Rutgers University (RU) Young Horse Teaching and Research Program (YHTRP) benefit horse auction will take place May 1 at the school's horse facility on College Farm Road on the G.H. Cook Campus in New Brunswick, N.J. This year's auction Read More
Box Fan Recall Could Affect Horse Owners
March 24, 2011
Lasko Products Inc., manufacturer of home appliances such as fans and heaters, is recalling approximately 4.8 million box fans (similar to those frequently used in barns by horse owners) after an electrical problem in the fan's motor has caused some Read More
Pain Management Options for Horses
March 23, 2011
Methods of managing pain in horses range from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and opioids to alpha-2 agonists and ketamine, among others. Over the years, experience and research have helped veterinarians determine which of these are most Read More
Merial and Intervet/Schering-Plough Merger Plans Terminated
March 22, 2011
Sanofi-aventus (the parent company of Merial) and Merck (the parent company of Intervet/Schering-Plough) announced today that their plans to merge the two animal health divisions into a new animal health venture have been terminated. Plans for the Read More
New Information on Japan's Equine Industry Surfaces
March 18, 2011
Now a week after a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, new information is slowly surfacing about the equine population in the areas heavily damaged by the natural disasters. "Currently, we still have intermittent earthquakes elsewhere in Read More
Investigation of Unexplained Neurologic Cases in Australia Halted
March 17, 2011
The investigation into a number of undiagnosed and unexplained neurologic clinical signs present in some Australian horses was halted March 15 due to a strike at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), the Read More
