Taxonomy term

To Rug or Not to Rug?

Updated:

January 2, 2019

horse rug causes overheating, overheating horses, equine thermoneutral zone, sweet itch rug covers, equine thermoregulation

Horse owners are routinely putting rugs (blankets) on their horses all year round. However new research suggests that certain types of rug could be causing them to overheat. It has become routine (and even fashionable) for many domestic horses to be rugged all year round – in fly-sheets, all-weather turnouts, stable rugs, fleeces or perhaps even a onesie. Rugs can be useful in protecting horses from biting insects and in adverse weather conditions; however, until now there have been very few studies on rugging at all and none on the effect of different types of rugs on a horse’s body temperature.

Factors Affecting Tapeworm Infection

Updated:

June 8, 2018

horse deworming, equine deworming, tapeworms in horses, equine tapeworms, Mark Andrews Equine Science Update

Where you keep your horse can influence the risk of tapeworm infections, according to research from Poland. Recommendations for deworming horses have changed over the years to take account of widespread anthelmintic resistance and changing patterns of infection.

A Milestone Reached in Equine Eye Cancer Research

Updated:

December 10, 2017

equine eye cancer research milestone, equine eye loss, horse eye loss, squamous cell carcinoma, equine eye, Dr. Rebecca Bellone, University of California Davis equine eye cancer research , Haflingers, DDB2 binds DNA damaged by ultraviolet light, equine DNA, equine eye tumour, horse eye tumour, methionine, threonine

For a prey animal that instinctively depends on sight for survival, a horse’s loss of vision or even the loss of an eye is devastating. Yet, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common cancer found in equine eyes and the second most common tumour in horses.

Self-Mutilation in Horses

Updated:

November 22, 2017

horse self-mutilation syndrome, Lynne Gunville, Dr. Claire Card, horse skin, unusual horse noises, flank biting, equine self-mutilation syndrome, horse care

At first, you might notice something wrong with your horse’s skin. He may start making unusual noises or being hypersensitive to your touch in the flank area – signs that would normally point to a medical issue such as a dermatological condition.

Tequila’s Hoof Makeover

Updated:

November 7, 2017

Hans Wiza, horse Hoof makeover, splay-footed horse, cracked horse feet, chipped horse feet, flared horse feet, flaking horse feet, bent horse feet, broken horse feet, hyper-expanded horse feet, peeling horse feet, equine scapular hinge vertical alignment, H.A.N.S. TRIM protocol, horse shoes

Tequila is a Thoroughbred mare that I was asked to shoe a couple of months back. She stands splay-footed, is badly over at the knees, and her hind legs were quite sickle-hocked. Her feet were smashed, flared, chipped, and cracked. She was just the kind of project that I wanted to do a “hoof makeover” on – I do love a challenge.

Understanding the Threat of EIA

Updated:

October 18, 2017

equine immune system, Equine infectious anemia, equine organ-damaging inflammation, blood-borne equine disease, equine eia, testing horse blood, Equine infectious anemia-infected horse, horse care, horse health

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), also known as Swamp Fever, is an infectious disease of horses, donkeys, and mules caused by a virus. Horses infected with the EIA virus carry it for life. Most infected horses show no symptoms, but they remain infectious, endangering the health of other horses.

Changes in Gut Microflora Could Provide Early Warning of EMS

Updated:

September 29, 2017

Jackie Bellamy-Zions, equine gut microflora EMS warning, horse care, laminitis, fecal microbial, equine metabolic syndromes, Dr. Scott Weese

Early diagnosis of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is an important area of study, especially considering one of the first signs can be laminitis, a serious and sometimes life-ending condition. Catching EMS in its initial stages can facilitate early intervention with an appropriate exercise and diet plan to reduce the chances of laminitis developing.