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
New Surgical Tool for Treating Epiglottic Entrapments in Standing Horses
February 13, 2011
An epiglottic entrapment is an upper airway abnormality that can cause poor performance in athletic horses. A team of researchers from the University of Montreal recently developed a safer instrument for surgically correcting an entrapped epiglottis. Read More
Equine Guelph Seeks Respondents for 2011 Equine Industry Survey
February 11, 2011
Equine Guelph is seeking respondents for its 2011 Equine Industry Survey now through March 31. The survey is available online and in a printable PDF. Founded in 2003, Equine Guelph is operated in conjunction with the University of Guelph. Read More
Russian Donkey Forced to Parasail has Died
February 08, 2011
According to a report from Horse and Hound, the Russian donkey Anapka--who was once the center of an international welfare controversy after she was attached to a parasail and flown over a beach as part of an advertising stunt--has died of suspected Read More
Equine Proliferative Enteropathy: Developing a Challenge Model (AAEP 2010)
February 08, 2011
It isn't every day that a new disease or ailment is discovered, as many of the most common equine health problems have been around for several decades, if not centuries. But within the past decade a new disease has emerged that appears most Read More
Possible Rabies Outbreak Reported in Argentina
February 07, 2011
According to a report from the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID), there recently has been a rise in the number of equine rabies cases diagnosed in the Corrientes province of Argentina. Officials believe the horses were infected wit Read More
The Equitarians' Vision for 2011 and the Future (AAEP 2010)
February 05, 2011
More than 100 million horses, donkeys, and mules around the world spend their days working for a living: not necessarily working on their sliding stops, tempi changes, or jumping technique, but working to provide their human families with a means of Read More
Understanding Carbohydrates in Equine Diets
February 04, 2011
When it comes to managing the carbohydrates in a horse's diet, knowing the basics of how horses digest food is half the battle. Laurie Lawrence, PhD, an equine nutritionist from the University of Kentucky's Department of Animal and Food Science who Read More
Online Auction to Benefit Australian Flood Victims
February 04, 2011
More than 100 items, including horses and stallion seasons, have been donated to an auction benefiting equestrians that were affected by the recent flooding in Australia, according to a report from Horsetalk.co.nz.
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Implementing a Deworming Program Based on Fecal Egg Counts (AAEP 2010)
February 03, 2011
Most horse owners are diligent about deworming their horses on a regular schedule. But there might be a more efficient deworming program that both horses and their owners can benefit from. According to Claudia K. True, DVM, a practitioner with Read More
52 Thoroughbreds Find Homes Via Facebook
February 03, 2011
Some people view Facebook as little more than a communication tool for keeping in touch with friends and family. But Lynn Boggs recently turned to the social media platform to find homes for 52 Ohio Thoroughbreds in need. The message she posted on Read More
Use and Abuse of Medications at Horse Shows (AAEP 2010)
February 02, 2011
At the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md., Marjorie W. Miller, DVM, discussed medication rules from several equestrian governing bodies as well as the role of veterinarians in equestrian Read More
Vaccine for <i>Rhodococcus equi</i> to be Tested in Germany
February 02, 2011
A vaccine for Rhodococcus equi, the common bacteria that affects foals, often causing severe infections, pneumonia, and sometimes death, is in the final stages of development. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health (ISPAH) said on Jan. 27 that a Read More
Managing Barns and Buildings During the Winter
February 01, 2011
Freezing temperatures can lead to problems for the horse owner: frozen pipes, slippery conditions, etc. Read More
Increase in Abortions Noted in Kentucky Broodmares
February 01, 2011
The University of Kentucky's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) has noted an increase in the number of abortions reported in Kentucky's 2011 foal crop, especially those caused by nocardioform placentitis. The VDL, which reported 19 cases from Read More
Identifying and Managing Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
January 31, 2011
Diagnosing EMS and taking steps to manage it can allow your horse to live a healthy and productive life. Read More
Manual Reduction of Twins in Mares (AAEP 2010)
January 30, 2011
While a mare with twins by her side is rare and sometimes celebrated, twinning in horses is actually dangerous for the mare, especially during delivery. More often than not, one of the twins, generally the smaller and weaker of the two, will die Read More
Equine Welfare: One European Perspective (AAEP 2010)
January 27, 2011
The horse industry in the United States is not the only one dealing with an equine welfare problem. Some European countries are also facing challenges in assuring all horses have a good quality of life, according to Joe Collins, MVB, PhD, MRCVS, Read More
<i>R. Equi</i> Foal Pneumonia: Control and Prevention (AAEP 2010)
January 26, 2011
For years foal owners have struggled with controlling the bacterium Rhodococcus equi and the infections it causes--some farms manage cases annually, despite following strict farm management strategies to reduce risk of infection. Resulting pneumonia Read More
Fatal Injuries on Midwestern Racetracks (AAEP 2010)
January 24, 2011
In the Midwest there are several racetracks--featuring both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing--that sometimes slide under the radar of the mainstream racing community. But like all other tracks around the nation, these venues see wins, losses, Read More
Researcher: Genetic Mutation Likely the Cause of Neurologic Disorder
January 23, 2011
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have recently identified a genetic mutation associated with the disorder cerebellar abiotrophy (CA). This debilitating neurologic disorder causes the degeneration of the cerebellum, and mainly Read More
Areas of Humerus Stress in Horses Differ with Track Surface (AAEP 2010)
January 21, 2011
How much impact does a racing surface have on the horse's body and which parts are stressed most during work? According to Abigail N. Dimock, DVM, MS, of the University of California, Davis, who in collaboration with Kurt Hoffman, DVM, and other Read More
<i>R. Equi</i> Pneumonia Best Targeted with Antimicrobial Combo (AAEP 2010)
January 20, 2011
The bacterium Rhodococcus equi has been a known cause of life-threatening pneumonia in foals for many years. But the ideal treatment for R. equi infection remains debatable because of the lack of research comparing the efficacy of each possible treat Read More
Equine Welfare Council Discuss Options for Addressing Unwanted Horses
January 20, 2011
The Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Council (EHWC) met January 19 in Frankfort to discuss the future of the unwanted horse in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Rusty Ford, chairman of the council,, presided over the meeting that included members Read More
Equine Scapular Fractures: Incidence in Racehorses (AAEP 2010)
January 17, 2011
About 2% and 6% of all racetrack fatalities in Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, respectively, are the result of scapular fractures, according to Stuart A. Vallance, BVSc (Hons), who, with Susan Stover, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, and a research team at Read More
Queensland Flooding Deadly for Area Horses
January 17, 2011
Dozens of horses have been killed by the floods that continue to trouble Australia, according to the New Zealand-based website Horsetalk. About 80 Standardbred horses at the prominent Cold Mountain Stud, located near Moore in Queensland, perished in Read More
