Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain or spinal cord (myelitis) due to viral or bacterial infection, skull fracture, wounds, parasites or fungi. It may be idiopathic (unknown)and can be immune-mediated where the immune system attacks the brain or spinal cord. Symptoms depend on the area of the brain affected and can appear suddenly and […]
Horse Health
Owning a horse is a commitment to take care of all needs. It’s up to every horse owner and horse lover to ensure their health and well-being. We hope these articles help you keep your horse in the pink. Please remember that these articles are not meant as substitutes for your veterinarian. If your horse is ill, please see your vet asap.
Here’s the list!
Selenium Deficiency in Horses
Until the 1950s, selenium was considered toxic to horses in any amount. Further research proved that selenium in the correct quantities is an essential nutrient for horses. Selenium plays an important role in the body, especially acting as an antioxidant. Its deficiency can cause among other things, muscle degeneration. The oxidation process converts fats, carbohydrates […]
White Line Disease in Horses
White Line Disease (WLD), is caused by a fungus. The fungi attack the outermost layer (stratum corneum) of the epidermis’s intermediate layer. They eat away the membrane which secures the hoof wall to sensitive areas deep in the hoof’s center. This results in debris and air lining the tissues and separating them. WLD is sometimes […]
Horse Care in Summer Heat
Summer can bring high temperatures and extreme heat. Our horses feel the rise in temperatures just as much as we do so it’s up to us to see to their comfort. Here are some tips to help you care for your horse in extreme summer heat and keep him/her healthy and happy. The most important […]
Do Boots Affect a Horse’s Walk
In a study conducted by Santiago D. Gutierrez-Nibeyro, DVM, MS, Dept. ACVS, ACVSMR at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, that while they impact a horse’s gait, hoof boots can be beneficial. Many trail riders often provide hoof boots for their barefoot horses, giving the horse protection and traction. Hoof boots also cushion […]
Johnsongrass Poisoning in Horses
Johnsongrass is a drought resistant weed that can invade pastures, especially those not well cared for. In the United States, the Department of Agriculture has classified it as an invasive species. Drought conditions can kill many other grasses, allowing Johnsongrass to flourish. Johnsongrass is one of about 25 different species in the grass family known […]
Horse Nutrition When Traveling
Changes in routine can be particularly stressful to horses. They don’t fully understand what’s happening and being away from familiar places can be upsetting. The stress can take its toll on your horse’s gastrointestinal tract and increase the risk of colic and ulcers. You can lower the risk of problems by following a simple regimen […]
Protect Your Horse From Sunburn
Some horses, especially those with pink skin, can suffer painful sunburns which produce blisters around the eyes, muzzle, lips, flanks and sheath. Appaloosas, Paints, Pintos, horses with white or pale markings are more prone to sunburn distress. Melanin, the pigment that protects skin from sunburn, is absent in pink-skinned horses. Sunburn can also lead to […]
A “New” Old Medical Treatment
Do you remember hearing about those creatures called Leeches? Well, they’re making a comeback in the world of medicine. And they’ve been proven more effective and safer than some modern therapies for vascular problems, wound care, arthritis and inflammation. Medicinal leeching was used in ancient times and even up to the 19th century to treat […]