Two out of three competitive horses have them.1 Anywhere there is stress, stomach ulcers may be a risk. Stress comes from many sources, such as frequent trailering, intense training and loud, unfamiliar noises at the showgrounds. And it’s not just those that show. Non-competitive horses are also susceptible as 30 percent of pleasure horses have ulcers.3

Specifically, there is lengthening and thinning of the dermal lamellae that leads to weakening and predisposes to separation, with resultant white line widening, rotation, and sinking.  This occurs without the basement membrane damage and white blood cell infiltration characteristic of other types of laminitis.

“Foal diarrhea remains a disease of enormous significance to the horse industry,” said Dr. Dwyer. “Rotavirus is one of the most common pathogens in major breeding areas worldwide. Early recognition, diagnosis, treatment and biosecurity in cases of foal diarrhea are key to minimizing disease impacts to breeding farms.”

“It is frustrating as an owner to see abusers win races, then continue to be allowed to race,” she says. “I’m in favor of stiffer fines and penalties to discourage trainers from using both clenbuterol and albuterol.”

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals usually are man-made substances, found in products such as pesticides, plastics and personal care products. They are heavily prevalent in the environment and can mimic a body’s hormones, blocking real ones from doing their jobs. Because of this, they are known to produce harmful effects in humans and wildlife. Horses likely come into contact with EDCs through their food.

Traditional wood versus metal or modern products made from plastic or cement-board can require re-staining and repainting every 3 to 4 years. The recent advent of specialist urethane stains can provide a sincere benefit to minimizing the expense and labor required for this maintenance, so be sure to ask your barn builder about this option.

“While we share their heart break over the high incidence of fatalities at Santa Anita, we feel it is imperative to protect our right to give certain therapeutic medications, most notably, furosemide,” said AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber. “We are here to serve our membership in protecting the horse’s welfare. I work to maintain open communication with regulators, sharing my years of experience as a horseman.”

Fly Stoppers are beneficial insects that stop pest flies from developing, helping to control the fly population at your farm. They can be spread around manure piles, under water troughs, below bedding, the corners of pens and paddocks, and feeding sites.

Injury (trauma/wounds), lameness, and colic were the most common problems occurring at horse operations, totaling 51.6% and 53.4% for problems reported in 2005 and 2015, respectively.

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and contains a 15-digit numerical code unique to that horse which can never be altered. The ID numbers are very much like an automobile’s VIN number and provide a reliable way to verify a horse’s identity. In horses, the microchip is implanted into the nuchal ligament in the neck, using a syringe-like device.