This is the question of the century for many horse owners. Determining what to feed your horse may seem like a complicated topic, but really it isn’t. Modern processed horse feeds, heavy marketing, and the internet have made matters more complex than they really are. We’ve […]
What Do I Feed My Horse? Read More »
Grain. They are a staple in the horse community. Processed or commercially available grain products are the most popular and there seems to be a grain blend for almost any health or performance issue. Considering the popularity of these commercial grains and the concurrent rise in
Is My Horse’s Grain Creating Health Problems? Read More »
Turmeric and curcumin are two popular terms when it comes to herbs and health in the horse, which are really almost one in the same. We may know about the health benefits noted in research, focusing on inflammation reduction, and have heard on the news or
Understanding Curcumin and Impact for Your Horse Read More »
A tendon and ligament injury is common in the equine industry, impacting upwards of 30% of horses. Despite the injuries being common, most often result in loss of use or reduced use, especially in highly competitive industries including racing. These injuries are often frustrating to both
Considerations in Equine Tendon Injuries Read More »
Equine health and soundness is critical for the competition athlete. It is something that many struggle with during the competitive season, which then often translates into the off season with hopes of full recovery. In many cases, the time off does allow for repair, just due
Equine Health and the Importance of the Off Season Read More »
Sports related injuries are common in equine competitions and training. They are expected to occur and are likely, due to the extreme stress placed upon joints and other supporting structures, often exceeding normal limitations. The injuries can be a short term nuisance or many prove to be long term, career ending problems that drag on for years. How we approach these injuries from both a preventative and therapeutic perspective can dictate the outcome and often improve our odds of success. In order to understand the options before us, we have to understand what is taking place within that animal.
Equine Sports Injury Management For Optimal Outcomes Read More »
Joint injections are all too common in today’s equine world and one of the main reasons why I opted to go to the opposite side and seek alternative options, as a veterinarian. The most common reason for their use is joint disease, mainly arthritis, with the intent or purpose to alleviate pain and prolong or improve performance. In many, their use is warranted while in others, not so much. In either case, if we do decide to go that route, with an injection, we need to understand the pros, the cons and what options are before us to help extend the effects of those injections. After all, they are not cheap and do not come without harm.
Getting the most out of your horse’s joint injections Read More »
The performance of an equine athlete is vitally important whether if we are talking Dressage, Jumping, Western Pleasure, Barrel Racing or on track TB or QH racing. One of the biggest determinants of performance is stamina. Without stamina, almost always, performance is reduced on various levels. So, what determines one or the other? What dictates performance in that equine athlete and considering that stamina is involved, what options do we have to improve the outcome?
Equine Performance & Stamina; Achieving Optimal Results Read More »
Itching, scratching, coughing, red eyes, hair loss and oozing skin bumps….all related to allergic conditions in the horse and a common occurrence. Current approaches to therapy are often complex and unrewarding, leading to the allergic condition often becoming worse with every passing year, fluctuating from season to season. All of these clinical signs are evidence of a deeper seated problem in the patient, and through a better understanding, we can take a different approach which often yields better management. As with most issues though, in regards to chronic disease, we have to see the root, the cause, and not so much focus on the clinical signs that are present.
Equine Allergies – Understanding & Providing Solutions Read More »
A pain in the back; SI problems, neck stiffness and generalized back pain. Back issues and complaints in the horse are quite common, leading to lost work, poor attitudes and overall moderate difficulty in management. Current therapies are often unrewarding, especially long term, as the main cause or root is often overlooked. Through a better understanding of both anatomy, physiology and contributors, management becomes easier and the horse more responsive without the long term need for medications or injections.
Equine Back Issues; Understanding & Better Management Read More »
