Illness & Injury

New Research Reins in Deadly Equine Disease

Updated:

March 18, 2016

netf, equine disease, horse disease, aginnovation ontario, university of guelph, newborn foal disease, equine eneritis disease, foal eneritis

Researchers at the University of Guelph have made an equine breakthrough that can change the health of newborn foals. Led by John Prescott, pathobiology researcher and former professor, the research team identified an uncommon, but deadly bacterium that causes necrotizing enteritis disease in very young foals, and has already created a vaccine for further research. For years, an unknown strain of this intestinal bacterium has been killing foals within the first week of life. Prescott and his team have worked for several years to understand the cause of necrotizing enteritis in foals and recently identified the bacterial agent and its deadly toxin, which they have called NetF.

The Pre-Purchase Exam

Updated:

February 24, 2016

western college of veterinary medicine, wcvm, dr sue ashburner, equine pre-purchase exam, horse pre-purchase exam, dr. sue ashburner, sarah figley

Dr. Sue Ashburner of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) has examined hundreds of potential new horses for her clients during her 35-year career as a veterinarian. “We don’t do a ‘pass-fail’ when we do a pre-purchase exam on a horse. We just try to allow the buyer to make an informed decision on that horse,” says Ashburner, a clinical associate in equine field service at the WCVM’s Veterinary Medical Centre.

Managing the Laminitic and Foundered Horse with Sole Support

Updated:

February 14, 2016

equine laminitis, horse laminitis, foundered horse, horse founder, horse sole support, hoof care, hoof support, coffin bone, horse metabolic, horse obesity, equine obesity

When an equine athlete experiences an episode of laminitis or founder it can be a painful experience. While there are numerous studies and articles on the causes of these two maladies, there is also a general consensus on what the hoof capsule experiences after the episodes occur. When a horse experiences a bout of laminitis, whether through injury, overfeeding, or metabolic issues, inflammation of the laminae occurs. The anatomy of the hoof is such that the insensitive laminae are attached to the hoof wall and the sensitive laminae are attached to the coffin bone.

Therapies for Equine Lameness

Updated:

January 21, 2016

Equine Lameness, western college of veterinary medicine, wcvm, horse lameness, game ready, equine ultrasound, equine heel pain

Accurate diagnosis is critical - A lame horse often means a sudden change in plans, and a lameness diagnosis during the summer is an especially disappointing way to end the show season for a horse and its rider. In addition to conventional lameness therapies, newer treatments such as shock wave therapy, cold compression therapy, and regenerative therapies that use the body’s natural ability to heal may help to return horses to the show ring more quickly.

Progress in Equine Pain Recognition

Updated:

December 29, 2015

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Hiding pain is one of the top survival skills of the horse. An important part of horse ownership is learning to recognize the signs a horse may be in discomfort rather than dismissing certain subtle cues as just bad behaviour. Earlier this year, Dr. Brianne Henderson gave a well-received lecture to a room full of horse owners in Hillsburgh, ON. The attendees were interested in ensuring the welfare of their equine companions by honing their skills for detecting pain.

Senior Horse Challenge Sharpens Skills

Updated:

December 23, 2015

equine guelph, Senior Horse Challenge, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, EMS, Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction, PPID, Cushing’s Disease, Laminitis

What differentiates Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) from Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) or “Cushing’s Disease”? A) Laminitis, B) Obesity or regional adiposity ("fat pads"), C) Delayed shedding

Drugs and Your Horse

Updated:

October 23, 2015

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The Dangers of Medicating Your Horse - In the management of horse health, injuries and disease, conscientious horse owners would never put their horse at risk; however, improper use of some commonly administered equine drugs can impact the health and safety of our horses more than we realize. Seldom does a month go by when media attention doesn’t focus on a positive drug test in the horseracing world. The news leaves many in the horse industry shaking their heads and wondering how trainers or owners could do such a thing to their animals.

New Treatment for Headshaking in Horses

Updated:

October 23, 2015

headshaking horse, equine headshaking, horse shaking head, headshaking syndrome, percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, pens neuromodulation

All horses will shake their heads to rid themselves of flies, dust, or a minor discomfort. It is a simple reflex action. But when it is persistent, intense, almost dangerous, and the horse is jerking his head up, rubbing, blowing, or constantly shaking as though a fly flew up his nose, it’s time to take a much closer look.

A Primer on Navicular Syndrome for Horse Owners

Updated:

October 16, 2015

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If you have ever experienced the relief that comes after exchanging ill-fitting shoes for a more comfortable pair, you can understand what a horse suffering from navicular disease feels like when it gets a set of corrective shoes.

The Impact of Impact on Equine Bone Health

Updated:

August 14, 2015

equine bone health, Equine Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, equine injuries, horse injuries, equine arthritis, horse arthritis

Ontario Veterinary College, graduate student, Cristin McCarty is no stranger to joint health issues after having to work through her own athletic injuries from rowing. As an avid rider since age five, McCarty bought an ex-racehorse in her early teens for repurposing as a hunter/jumper and immediately began an education in joint problems and maintenance options aimed at keeping her newly purchased horse sound.