Michael Ball, DVM
Michael A. Ball, DVM, completed an internship in medicine and surgery and an internship in anesthesia at the University of Georgia in 1994, a residency in internal medicine, and graduate work in pharmacology at Cornell University in 1997, and was on staff at Cornell before starting Early Winter Equine Medicine & Surgery located in Ithaca, N.Y. He is also an FEI veterinarian and works internationally with the United States Equestrian Team.
Ball authored Understanding The Equine Eye, Understanding Basic Horse Care, and Understanding Equine First Aid, published by Eclipse Press and available at www.exclusivelyequine.com or by calling 800/582-5604.
Articles by Michael Ball
Equine First Aid: Knowing Normal from Abnormal (Book Excerpt)
April 07, 2010
For horse owners and others who care for horses, recognizing the differences between what is normal and what is abnormal about them forms the basic foundation for good animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. Using your powers of observation c Read More
Equine First Aid: Being Prepared for Emergencies
March 28, 2010
The best way to prepare for emergencies is to try to prevent them. Perhaps the best approach to first aid is to minimize the risk of accidents, injuries, and disease. Sometimes we do foolish things with, and to, our horses. Read More
Book Excerpt: Emergency Transportation
December 06, 2006
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from Understanding Equine First Aid by Michael A. Ball, DVM. This book is available from Read More
Locomotion (Book Excerpt)
October 11, 2006
Locomotion is at the very heart of what most domesticated horses do for a living. The way a horse moves (specifically) often is taken for granted. Locomotion is directly linked to conformation as it dictates "the way a horse moves." Read More
Vital Signs (Book Excerpt)
September 13, 2006
The physical examination should assess any changes in the horse's demeanor, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, body temperature, evidence of shock, and hydration status. Read More
Restraining a Horse (Book Excerpt)
August 23, 2006
The horse might appear to be well restrained while nothing is being done, then react with great speed when the procedure is attempted. If a restraint device is only partially applied, there is a much greater chance of the device coming off Read More
Shipping a Horse with Colic (Book Excerpt)
August 09, 2006
In my experience, shipping a horse with a severe case of colic can be a dangerous and harrowing experience. If at all possible the horse should be seen by a veterinarian and stabilized prior to transport. Read More
Emergency Transportation for Horses
July 05, 2006
Driving with a trailer full of horses is an ordinary, everyday task for most horse people. The task can become more difficult, stressful, and sometimes dangerous in an emergency situation. You should be prepared to ship a horse if it is in need of em Read More
Wounds and Lacerations (Book Excerpt)
June 20, 2006
One of the most important facts regarding severe wounds is that the sooner they are noticed and repaired the better the patient's prognosis, both functionally and cosmetically. Another aspect of wounds is that they bleed, some significantly more than Read More
Severe Dehydration (Book Excerpt)
May 31, 2006
Dehydration can be a significant problem for the performance horse as well as for horses suffering from other disease processes. If you suspect dehydration, you can check easily your horse's hydration status if you have used one or more of the follow Read More
Stable Vices (Book Excerpt)
May 24, 2006
A stable vice is an undesirable behavior shown by horses that are stall bound but also in pastures or small paddocks. The most common stable vice is probably "wind sucking," commonly known as "cribbing," followed by wood chewing, stall weaving Read More
Exercise Exhaustion (Book Excerpt)
April 19, 2006
Many exercise-induced problems could be avoided by applying common sense limits to performance stresses. If you plan to compete at eventing and endurance riding, make sure both you and your horse are appropriately prepared. Read More
Basic Horse Handling (Book Excerpt)
April 05, 2006
Always think in terms of safety first when handling horses -- safety for you, the horse, and anyone else in the general area. Like it or not, horses are fight or flight creatures and can be unpredictable when faced with new people or surroundings. Read More
Out of Control
April 01, 2006
One night you hear kicking and crashing coming from the barn and think you have a cast horse. You run to see if you can help, and what you find is a horse down on his side paddling as if galloping on the ground. His head and neck are extended an Read More
Premature Foals (Book Excerpt)
March 27, 2006
Foals can be born prematurely for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for a premature delivery are infection of the placenta (placentitis) or long-standing placental insufficiency. Read More
The Equine Eye: Ocular Emergencies (Book Excerpt)
March 01, 2006
Well before an ocular emergency occurs, you should familiarize yourself with the easily visible outer structures of a horse's eye. Observe the eye with the aid of a penlight or other light source. Evidence of pain is a clear symptom of most ocular Read More
Locomotion: The Way a Horse Moves (Book Excerpt)
February 23, 2006
Locomotion is at the very heart of what most domesticated horses do for a living. The way a horse moves (specifically) often is taken for granted. Locomotion is directly linked to conformation as it dictates "the way a horse moves." Read More
First Aid for Horses: Knowing Normal from Abnormal
February 15, 2006
For horse owners and others who care for horses, recognizing the differences between what is normal and what is abnormal about them forms the basic foundation for good animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. Using your powers of observation can be Read More
The Respiratory System (Book Excerpt)
February 08, 2006
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 tissues. In addition, carbon dioxide, a waste produc Read More
Being Prepared for Emergencies (Book Excerpt)
January 18, 2006
The best way to prepare for emergencies is to try to prevent them. Perhaps the best approach to first aid is to minimize the risk of accidents, injuries, and disease. Sometimes we do foolish things with, and to, our horses. Read More
Dealing with a Trailer Accident
May 11, 2005
Having an accident with a van or trailer carrying a horse is a nightmare. Always do everything in your power to prevent a vehicle accident with horses on board (or anytime for that matter). If you are uncomfortable with the trailer rig or the Read More
Foaling a Premature Foal
April 28, 2005
Normal gestation in a mare lasts anywhere from 320 to 360 days. The average is about 341 days. A foal born at less than 320 days will display immature characteristics such as silky hair coat, overly pliable ears, weak or lax flexor tendons, and Read More
Bleeding of the Uterine Artery
April 20, 2005
There are two large arteries that supply the uterus with blood. One crisis that can occur is severe hemorrhage of one of these arteries into the surrounding tissue or abdominal cavity. This problem, "rupture of the uterine artery," is well-documented Read More
Bleeding from the Ears, Nose, or Mouth
April 07, 2005
It is because of this disease that hemorrhage from the nose should be taken very seriously, even though it is possible for a laceration, foreign body, tumor, or other cause to be responsible for the bleeding. Read More
Exercise Exhaustion
March 29, 2005
Editor's Note: This excerpt is from Understanding Equine First Aid by Michael Ball, DVM. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com.
The ability Read More
