Farm Call: Your Questions Answered
Lethargic Horse, Trouble Urinating, What Is It?
November 01, 2010
Q. My 13-year-old Quarter Horse gelding is lethargic and has trouble urinating. He stretches a lot and lies down; he's just not his jovial self. He has been eating, but he doesn't show enthusiasm about his food. What could be affecting my horse?
Vasculitis Concerns
November 01, 2010
Q. My vet said my filly had vasculitis and started her on steroids and other drugs, in conjunction with hosing and wrapping her swollen legs. If we get through this episode, can this disease recur for the rest of her life, or is it now cured?
High-Protein Diet Okay for HYPP Horse?
November 01, 2010
Q. My 13-year-old Quarter Horse is HYPP +/-. He's worked moderately twice a week and is on turnout with access to grass and hay. I've switched his feed, but it contains 14% protein. I've heard high levels of protein make sa horse "hot." Is this true?
My Horse Might Have Rabies ... What Now?
October 18, 2010
Q. What should you do if you suspect that your horse has rabies? How should you handle him to keep from getting it yourself?
Wetting/Soaking Hay for Horses with Respiratory Problems
October 12, 2010
Q. My vet recommended I soak my mare's hay for an hour, but I see some indications to just wet it down. Is it just unnecessary to soak or actually harmful in some way?
Laminitis Survivors: Getting Back on Grass?
September 27, 2010
Q. After a horse has had a bout with laminitis, can she be brought up slowly on grass again, for say, 20 minutes daily? If so, how soon can this be done?
Behavior Changes in West Nile Virus Survivors
September 20, 2010
Q. My horse contracted West Nile virus (WNV) before there was a vaccination for it. I've heard some horses have been reported to have very different personalities after having WNV and would like to know if any were able to be safely used afterwards.
Gastric Ulcers in Horses: Frugal Management
September 06, 2010
Q. I have just had two sale horses diagnosed with Grade 2 ulcers. Considering the frequency of serious ulcers in performance horses and the cost of treatment, has anyone come up with any more affordable alternatives?
Vaccinating Horses With EPM
August 24, 2010
Q. What is your opinion on giving half-doses of routine vaccinations to horses with EPM? I've read that a half-dose of vaccine in an adult horse is worthless. My horse has already received half-doses of everything. What can I do to protect him?
Rabies Vaccination in Pregnant Mares
August 17, 2010
Q. Q: Can you address off-label use of the rabies vaccine in late-term broodmares? My therio vet won't give it because it's off-label usage. So I arrange for another vet in her practice to vaccinate my late-term mares. I cannot imagine my foals not having that protection from his or her first moments.
A: Rabies vaccination can be administered in the last trimester of pregnancy prior to delivery
A Sticky Situation: Getting Tar Off Your Horse
August 01, 2010
Q. I painted some boards with tar rather than black paint. Of course my bay and white Pinto mare got some in her mane and on the white part of her neck. She has very sensitive skin. How can I remove the tar from her hair coat and skin safely?
Disinfecting a Rented Stall
July 27, 2010
Q. I show during the spring and summer season and wanted to know how I can safeguard my horse before putting him in a wooden, concrete or metal stall that could have contained a sick horse the weekend before--without burning his lungs from bleach.
Vaccinating for West Nile Virus at High Altitudes
July 18, 2010
Q. I live at almost 8,000 feet in the mountains of Colorado. As far as I know we have yet to have a case of West Nile virus above 6,000 feet, and only have mosquitoes for a few months anywhere in the state. Do I really need to vaccinate twice a year?
Deworming and Boarding
June 22, 2010
Q. Q: In a boarding situation, does it make sense to test your horse's manure for worms or should they all be tested? A: If the horses at a boarding stable all share common pasture, your worm control program is only as good as the worst one there. It's essential that all horses at a boarding stable be on a uniform program, but I'm always amazed at how few establishments seem to be able to...
Is She Ready to Foal Yet?
June 22, 2010
Q. How do I know if my mare is getting close to her delivery date?
Vaccinating Older Horses
May 01, 2010
Q. Reader questions whether older horses need to be vaccinated against equine influenze ("flu"); Dr. Justin McCormick's answer discusses vaccination, vaccine efficacy, antibody titers, and increased risk of influenza infection in horses that travel.
Does Hand-Feeding Treats Promote Biting?
May 01, 2010
Q. I've been told that hand-feeding treats to horses promotes biting. What is the "industry" stance on this issue? In my limited experience they seem to enjoy it and almost all horses I've hand-fed take it gently with their lips.
Equine Cushing's in an Old Mare
March 01, 2010
Q. I have an Arabian mare who gave birth to a healthy colt at age 15 before returning to the show ring. She was diagnosed with Cushing's disease last year at 18, but we'd like to breed her again. Can she carry a foal to full term?
Hard Keeper Help?
March 01, 2010
Q. Reader's question about why her Thoroughbred horse (stallion) won't put on weight despite excellent care, and a veterinarian's response discussing nutritional management, veterinary examinations, and genetics.
Pinworm Suspicion
February 01, 2010
Q. Is it possible to detect pinworms in a fecal egg count test? One of my horses rubs his rump on the stall wall at every opportunity, and he begs me to scratch him under his tail whenever I am close. I know these worms are difficult to eliminate.
Foal with Hoof Problems (Club Foot)
January 01, 2010
Q. The owner of a Quarter Horse foal with an early club foot asks for information on farrier/hoof trimming strategies and the possibility of surgery.
Deworm on a Dry Lot?
December 01, 2009
Q. All of the articles I've read talk about managing parasites in horses with turnout time. Like many other owners in dry locations, here in New Mexico I don't have pasture. Both stalls and turnout areas consist of sand. I purchase bales of alfalfa and grass hay to feed my horses. What are the chances of parasite infection when horses do not graze?
Grazing Oat Pastures (Q & A)
December 01, 2009
Q. Can horses be turned out on an oat pasture if it is dried up and not green? The oats have already been harvested, and we turn cattle out to graze the leavings, but is it okay for horses?
Sunburn Solutions
November 01, 2009
Q. My neighbor has a major problem with sunburn on her Appaloosa mare. She is a black mare with spots on her rump that sunburns easily. We have not been able to find anything that has helped it. What do you recommend to help it heal?
