Understanding and controlling the risk of EIA

Understanding and controlling the risk of EIA

Horse Health: Horses that test positive must be euthanized or quarantined for life

The recent increase in confirmed cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA), also known as swamp fever, in Alberta is a reminder to horse owners that this disease maintains a constant presence in equine populations. Often evidence for infection is noted only after routine surveillance testing for EIA. EIA is a blood-borne and potentially fatal viral

horse teeth

Aging horses by their teeth

Horse Health: System is more of a guideline than an absolute determination

In 1885, Sydney Galvayne published a book in Glasgow outlining a system which claimed to accurately age horses by identifying distinct features of wear on the teeth. Galvayne’s treatise became widely accepted and uncontested amongst horsemen for over a century. The Galvayne name even became memorialized when a distinct groove which travels down the side


If an injury is left to heal as an open wound, hosing the wound for 20 minutes daily encourages further healing. This process can be repeated every day for weeks after the injury depending on the wound’s progress.

Bringing the advantages of hydrotherapy to your horse

Horse Health: It is soothing as well as therapeutic when dealing with wounds or injuries

One of the most valuable allies in the “doctor’s” kit of every horseman ought to be water — simple, soothing, inexpensive, and most often readily available. The application of water, a.k.a. hydrotherapy, to encourage healing brings plenty of advantages in many equine injuries. In spite of the many advancements in veterinary medicine, hydrotherapy remains a

Horses are prone to allergic reactions

Horses are prone to allergic reactions

Horse Health: There are multiple triggers that can cause either skin or respiratory reaction

Horses, just like humans, can and do get allergies. Although allergies in horses are not fully understood, we do know that the root cause lies in the immune system. The body becomes hypersensitive and appears to “overreact” to seemingly innocuous substances called allergens. Histamine, a naturally occurring hormone in the body, reaches overly high levels,


white horse walking on grass

The art of longeing horses

Horse Health: There is more to this form of training than going in circles

At its most basic level, longeing (pronounced lunging) is a seemingly simple exercise. It asks a horse to move in circles around a handler. However, execution of this exercise can be either very beneficial or very detrimental to the horse, depending on “how” it is done. How a horse carries its body as it travels

horses in a pasture

What if my horse needs colic surgery?

Horse Health: Surgery is sometimes necessary to save a horse’s life

The chance that your horse might require surgery for colic is low, very low, yet mentally entertaining the possibility and having a game plan could make a difference for you and your horse. The reason for this is simply because a successful outcome to colic surgery is time sensitive. While deciding to do colic surgery


horse

Common genetic disorders of the quarter-horse

Horse Health: Genetic testing is the only way to know whether the horse is a carrier

The American Quarter Horse Association has recognized the presence of five genetic disorders in the quarter-horse breed. These disorders can also affect horses of quarter-horse ancestry. The effects of genetic disorders range from mild and manageable to severe and terminal. Understanding the prevalence and expression of these genetic disorders better equips quarter-horse owners to make

miniature horse

Miniature Horses: Not quite the same as a horse

Horse Health: Miniatures are attractive for their personalities and intelligence, but face some unique health problems

Whilst the exact origin of the modern Miniature Horse is unclear, selective breeding of pony stock breeds such as the Shetland pony for a smaller size is most likely. Pony breeds, typically considered an equine under 14.2 hands or 58 inches in height, have been around for hundreds of years. Most of their evolutionary selection


horse in a trailer

Vesicular stomatitis: A travel advisory

Horse Health: The rules have changed for transporting horses across Canada-U.S. border

The importance of vesicular stomatitis to horse owners in Western Canada is relatively small, that is unless your horse(s) are travelling to or from southwestern locations in the United States. If so vesicular stomatitis will demand significant attention in your travel plans. Although Canada is currently free of vesicular stomatitis and has been since it

When a horse sustains a laceration to one of its lower limbs, the functional and cosmetic outcome is greatly improved with early veterinary intervention.

Dealing with the eight top equine emergencies

When to call the vet and what to do until he or she arrives

Most horse owners will at some time encounter an emergency. Recognizing a true veterinary emergency and knowing appropriate first aid care until the veterinarian arrives can substantially improve the equine patient’s outcome. Colic is the most common cause for emergency calls. Colic is a broad term which describes abdominal pain or “pain in the belly.”