By Kentucky Equine Research Staff Mechanical loading strengthens bone during growth, so exercise during childhood and adolescence has been shown to have lifelong benefits on skeletal health in humans. Similarly, exercised foals show greater bone size and strength, and resistance to bending and torsional distortion, compared to pasture-exercised control foals.1 Because the fetlock joint must […]
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By Melissa Johnson, DVM, Weitz Equine Veterinary Services We have been seeing a higher than average volume of choke cases recently. The good news is that choke is probably the most preventable horse emergency we treat. So, let’s get into what choke is and how you can help prevent it! What Is Choke? Choke is when […]
Continue reading …Does Exercising Foals Reduce Risk of Later Fracture?
October 3, 2022 Comments Off on Does Exercising Foals Reduce Risk of Later Fracture?
Equine Science Update Can putting foals on a controlled exercise program reduce the risk of fractures later in life? Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) are investigating. Limb fractures risk ending not only a horse’s career but its life as well. Led by Dr. Annette McCoy and Dr. Mariana Kersh, the research […]
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By Kentucky Equine Research Staff In the past few years, extreme environmental conditions such as excess rain, drought, and natural disasters have affected pasture and hay availability in many areas of the country. In these situations, horse owners are faced with the challenge of finding good-quality forage sources, which may be scarce or cost-prohibitive. A […]
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Equine Science Update It used to be thought that using tools was one of the things that set us apart from the animal kingdom. However, it is now known that some species use tools. Reports include chimps using sticks to reach food, sea otters using stones to break open shellfish and even elephants deactivating an […]
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AAEP Being able to assess your equine friend’s weight and body condition is a valuable skill, especially as we head into the colder months. A horse with good body weight will fare better in winter weather than a horse on the skinny side, particularly if it’s an older horse. The Henneke Body Condition Scoring Chart […]
Continue reading …How Well Do Horses Hear Electric Cars?
September 8, 2022 Comments Off on How Well Do Horses Hear Electric Cars?
Equine Science Update Electric cars are becoming more common. They make less noise than vehicles with petrol or diesel engines, raising a concern that people may not hear them coming. What about horses? Can they hear electric cars in time? A new study instigated by the British Horse Society (BHS) in conjunction with the Electric […]
Continue reading …Equine Guelph’s Latest Online Course is Golden!
August 26, 2022 Comments Off on Equine Guelph’s Latest Online Course is Golden!
By Jackie Zions, Equine Gelph If you fail to plan, you can plan to fail the adage says. It is certainly true when it comes to keeping your horse comfortable in its golden years. Picking up on subtle cues and knowing when to make management changes can make all the difference in the world to […]
Continue reading …10 Facts: Steaming and Soaking Your Horse’s Hay
August 25, 2022 Comments Off on 10 Facts: Steaming and Soaking Your Horse’s Hay
Kentucky Equine Research Some horses require steamed or soaked hay for their well-being. Choosing which way to prepare hay depends on several factors, including expense, ease of operation and, most importantly, the horse’s health needs. Check out this list of considerations when deciding what’s best for your horse. Soaking and steaming reduce respirable dust particles significantly, sometimes […]
Continue reading …Don’t Forget Momma: Post-Weaning Tips for Mares
August 23, 2022 Comments Off on Don’t Forget Momma: Post-Weaning Tips for Mares
Kentucky Equine Research Foals frequently pull the focus of farm managers during the weaning process, as they are far more susceptible to post-separation problems than their dams. Plus, they’re usually noisier during the process! Most mares, especially older ones, accept weaning with aplomb, but careful attention should be paid to them in case other concerns […]
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