http://www.avonridgeequine.com.au/

Avon Ridge Equine Veterinary Services, Brigadoon, Perth (2025)

31/08/2025

🌟 Electroacupuncture for Headshaking: A Comprehensive Treatment Approach

Headshaking is a complex condition that can significantly impact a horse’s quality of life. Promising results have been recently reported in studies documenting the use of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) or electroacupuncture (EAP).

Before we start EAP, a comprehensive, specialist assessment is conducted to rule out common underlying causes, ensuring we address the right issue.

‼️Early intervention is critical, as I find that treating horses at the onset of symptoms offers the best chance for remission. Sadly many owners often don’t recognise the signs of headshaking or when they do, might pursue other therapies which are often frustratingly ineffective. In my experience, this not only delays appropriate intervention, but can also reduce the chance of a full recovery.

🙌 In this before-and-after video, we showcase a horse that had been struggling with severe headshaking, showing remarkable improvement after his third EAP treatment. His owner contacted us shortly after he started showing symptoms which allowed us to start treatment early.

It’s important to note that a minimum of three treatments spaced 7-10 days apart is typically required to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy. Persistence through all three treatments is essential to determine whether EAP is making a difference.

For some horses, these EAP sessions can result in remission lasting up to 6 months, significantly improving their comfort and quality of life. The treatment should be repeated if or when signs recur.

If your horse is exhibiting signs of headshaking, please contact us on 0427 072 095 or book an appointment online: https://avonridgeequine.com.au/book-an-appointment/

25/08/2025

📣 How Much Sand is Too Much? Local Research Sheds Some Light

We all know horses in sandy areas can pick up sand while grazing – but here’s the thing:

✅ A little sand doesn’t always cause illness

⚠️ Too much can cause serious gut problems like colic, diarrhoea and weight loss

Our colleagues at Murdoch University (Entwisle et al., 2025) have just completed fantastic local research that finally helps answer this important question.

🔍 The key finding: There’s now a scientifically determined cut-off point for when sand levels seen on X-rays are likely to be causing disease – and when small amounts are probably harmless.

Importantly, this method doesn’t just look at the amount of sand – it calculates the area of sand in relation to the horse’s body weight for a more accurate assessment.

• This threshold correctly identified sick horses 98% of the time.
• Below that, small amounts are often just “incidental” – not necessarily the cause of illness.

💡 Why it matters:
• We can now make better decisions about when to treat
• Preventive checks in sandy areas can catch problems early
• Treatment (like psyllium husk/magnesium sulphate) can be targeted to horses who really need it

✅ We’re already implementing this weight-based measurement for our proactive clients who want to stay ahead of any problems. Regular screening means we can detect risky sand levels before they cause illness.

📸 If you’d like your horse checked for sand burden, we can arrange screening X-rays to see if they’re in the safe zone – or if they’re at risk.

🩺 Contact us on 0427 072 095 or book an appointment online: https://avonridgeequine.com.au/book-an-appointment/

📫 Full details of this study and more treatment tips have been sent to our clients - check your inbox!

Reference: Entwisle, I. G., et al. "Radiographic area of large intestinal sand accumulation in horses may determine clinical significance." Australian Veterinary Journal.

17/08/2025

⚠️ We do not start pergolide (or cabergoline) and ertugliflozin at the same time. Here’s why:

While these two medications can be used together, and in many horses with EMS and PPID it’s often necessary—starting them both at once can be dangerous.

If started together it can sometimes trigger dehydration, colic, or even life-threatening conditions like hyperlipemia.

The result? A sick horse or pony and an emergency that could have been avoided.

The key is getting the timing, starting dose, and order right—and that only comes with the correct veterinary advice.

✅ The full safety update and our recommendations can be found here 👇

📩 Signup to read:
https://avonridgeequine.aweb.page/p/e03f7722-8446-4251-ae0a-dc244e6311d3

14/08/2025

🌟 Mr MP struck a pose and was the model patient for his TRH Stim test this morning 🙌

13/08/2025

🧠 Neurological Assessments in Horses: Why Early, Expert Evaluation Matters

‼️ Neurological disorders in horses can be subtle in onset but devastating if missed.

🐴 Neurological assessments are especially important in ridden horses, where even subtle incoordination can lead to dangerous falls or accidents under saddle.

⚠️ They’re also essential for horses recovering from ARGT toxicity before resuming any ridden work. While some horses make a full recovery from rye grass toxicity, others may have persistent deficits in coordination, proprioception, or strength which can pose a significant risk to both horse and rider.

🐴 Ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, cranial nerve abnormalities, and abnormal mentation are all clinical signs that warrant a comprehensive neurological examination.

🩺 We always recommend these assessments are performed by an equine internal medicine specialist like Prof Guy Lester of Equiimed. Internal medicine specialists are highly trained in equine neurological evaluations, and we can arrange for this exam to be performed on your property.

A complete assessment evaluates:
👀 Cranial nerve function – assessing responses like menace, pupillary light reflex, and facial symmetry for lesions affecting the cranial nerves
🥾 Gait and posture – including dynamic tail pull, tight circling, and incline walking to detect incoordination, weakness, or dysmetria
⚡️ Tests to differentiate upper vs. lower motor neuron lesions
🧬 Neuroanatomical localisation – determining whether signs originate in the brain, cervical spine, thoracolumbar cord, or peripheral nerves

🩺 Contact us on 0427 072 095 or book an appointment online: https://avonridgeequine.com.au/book-an-appointment/

09/08/2025

Salt in the Equine Diet: How Much is Too Much?

Cold weather often prompts horse owners to increase salt in the feed—either to encourage drinking or “just in case” their horse isn’t getting enough. But without considering actual needs or dietary sources, this well-intentioned habit can sometimes do more harm than good.

Salt (sodium chloride) is a vital part of your horse’s diet—but excess intake can quietly disrupt their health. While a deficiency can lead to dehydration and poor performance, overfeeding salt may contribute to gut, metabolic, and behavioural issues, especially when combined with limited water intake or multiple salt sources.

⸻

How Much Salt Does a Horse Need?

According to the Nutrient Requirements of Horses (NRC):
• Horses at rest need about 25 g/day of sodium chloride (~1.5 tablespoons)

⸻

🚫 Risks of Excessive Salt Intake

While most horses can self-regulate salt intake when water is freely available, excess salt—especially added to feeds or consumed out of boredom—can lead to significant problems.

1. Gut Microbiome Disruption
High salt levels can harm beneficial gut bacteria. A study published in Nature (Wilck et al., 2017) found that excessive dietary salt altered gut bacterial populations in both mice and humans, particularly reducing beneficial Lactobacillus species. This disruption was associated with increased inflammatory responses and contributed to the development of hypertension.

While direct studies in horses are limited, the equine hindgut microbiome plays a central role in digestion, immunity, and metabolic regulation—so similar effects are plausible and concerning.

2. Salt Toxicosis
Excess salt without adequate water access can cause:
• Colic
• Diarrhea
• Frequent urination
• Weakness or collapse
• Death in extreme cases
This can occur when salt is given freely after a period of restriction, or when horses consume large amounts without access to water.

3. Reduced Feed Intake
Over-salted feeds can become unpalatable, leading to:
• Decreased voluntary feed intake
• Inadequate energy or protein consumption
• Weight loss or poor coat condition

⸻

Practical Recommendations
• Match intake to need: Base supplementation on work level and climate
• Account for total salt sources: Feed, blocks, electrolyte pastes, and supplements
• Avoid routine high-dose salt “just in case” unless specifically needed
• Ensure constant access to fresh, clean water
• Observe for signs of salt overconsumption or palatability issues

⸻

Final thought:
Salt is simple—but overdoing it can create more problems than it solves. A careful, evidence-based approach helps protect your horse’s gut health, hydration, and overall well-being.

04/08/2025

🐎 From crippled to carefree 🌿
This little pony was once depressed and barely able to walk due to laminitis. Fast forward to today — she’s pain-free, full of cheek, and even allowed limited access to grass with her paddock buddies — something that once seemed impossible.

Managing Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is complex, but our goal is always the same: to return these ponies to a normal life wherever possible. And yes, while it may be controversial, that includes the 3 F’s — friends, forage, and freedom.

With careful early management — including tailored diet plans, expert farriery, appropriate medications, and appropriate blood testing — we can often create a path back to a life that supports both physical and psychological wellbeing.

✅ Good welfare means more than laminitis prevention — it means restoring quality of life.

🩺 Contact us on 0427 072 095 or book an appointment online: https://avonridgeequine.com.au/book-an-appointment/

📬 Download our FREE LAMINITIS GUIDE: https://avonridgeequine.aweb.page/p/f601bfc8-8447-4101-bc10-07d1ae83c550

31/07/2025

“Can my EMS horse have access to grass?” 🌱🐴

This is one of the most common—and complex—questions we get asked. And the answer? It depends.

More specifically, it depends on insulin levels. In horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), access to pasture can pose a significant laminitis risk if their insulin response to dietary sugars isn’t well understood or managed.

Pasture sugar levels are not static—they vary dramatically depending on the type of grass, season, time of day, and even weather conditions. For example, sugars tend to spike in the late afternoon on sunny days, especially in stressed or overgrazed pastures. After a frost, sugar levels can remain high for days. And yes, even “safe” pastures can become risky under the wrong conditions.

This is why we always recommend planning any grazing “trials” carefully, with insulin testing done in advance and repeated at appropriate intervals. These tests need to be timed with a solid understanding of pasture composition, local climate, and the individual horse’s risk factors.

What’s safe for one horse may be a disaster for another—even if they’re on the same paddock. EMS management is highly individualised, and so is our interpretation of results.

👉 Do what many of our well-informed clients have been doing for years. Rather than guessing, they test to find out what works for their horse.

⚠️ If you’re unsure about when—or if—your EMS horse can return to pasture, get in touch. We’ll work with you to create a safe, evidence-based plan that balances both metabolic health and quality of life.

🩺 Contact us on 0427 072 095 or book an appointment online: https://avonridgeequine.com.au/book-an-appointment/

25/07/2025

A Wheatbelt Road Trip for Some Very Special Ponies

Every now and then, a client and their horses remind me just how much can be achieved when everyone works together – and today that meant a road trip into the Wheatbelt (much further than we usually travel!) for some long-term patients and their lovely owner, Dale.

With the help of farrier Martin Butler, who brought his usual expertise and calm professionalism, and Dale’s unwavering dedication, these ponies are receiving the very best care possible. Dale has followed veterinary advice to the letter, which has allowed us to rehabilitate these laminitic ponies safely and effectively – managing their metabolic syndrome while still ensuring their quality of life is never compromised.

She even made the selfless decision a couple of years ago to travel to Perth to rehome one of our other laminitic patients when his previous owner could no longer care for him. It’s this kind of commitment that makes all the difference to the animals who depend on us.

It’s always a pleasure working with clients like Dale – and to be fair, 90% of my clients fall into this category. When you have a vet you trust, a great farrier, and an owner who’s completely committed to doing the best for their animals, the teamwork really shows – and the ponies are the ones who benefit most.

A big thank you to Dale for always going above and beyond for her animals and for trusting me to do me job. Trips like this remind me why I do what I do. ❤️🐴

23/07/2025

What do you get when you combine a specialist, a vet and a vet student?

Countless stethoscopes, very serious faces… and one interesting heart!

I picked up a significant murmur before sedating this horse for a routine gastroscopy a couple of weeks ago – a great reminder of why thorough veterinary exams matter (and proof, yet again, that horses never read the textbook).

Big thanks to medicine specialist Guy Lester (Equiimed) for offering at-home cardiac assessments and a brilliant teaching session for our student (and me!).

20/07/2025

Incredibly dedicated, or a glutton for punishment? 🤣

With the finish line of vet school in sight, Alex is back with us for a second round of clinical placement – because nothing says “almost a real vet” like early mornings, muddy boots, and ponies determined to test your reflexes.

If you see us out and about this week, give him a wave (or better yet, a coffee) – he’s going to need it after a week in the car with me! ☕️

20/07/2025

The (not-so) Hidden Risk: Mare Obesity and Its Impact on Foals

⚠️ Choose your breeder wisely - especially if you’re purchasing a breed with a predisposition to equine metabolic syndrome. These include ponies, arabs, andalusians, warmbloods, quarter horses, paints, stockhorses and their related crosses.

✅ Ethical breeders are now prioritising the long-term health and longevity of their foals—and the breed as a whole—over short-term success in the show ring. Across the industry, responsible breeding programs are shifting away from obese brood mares, recognising that producing sound and metabolically healthy animals is far more valuable than breeding purely for what wins ribbons today.

This change is happening because the science is clear: over-conditioning mares doesn’t just add extra weight—it programs foals for metabolic disease, orthopedic problems, and reduced welfare from birth.

⚠️ The Consequences of Maternal Obesity

The evidence is compelling—and the consequences for foals are serious:
• Orthopedic disease (OCD) – One study reported that 53% of foals from obese mares developed osteochondrosis lesions by 12 months of age, compared to much lower rates in foals from mares in ideal condition. OCD can compromise long-term athletic soundness and affect long-term mobility.
• Metabolic dysfunction – Foals born to obese mares are often insulin resistant, and this metabolic dysregulation persists into adolescence. Insulin resistance increases the risk of later-life conditions such as laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome.
• Chronic low-grade inflammation – Both mares and foals from obese pregnancies show elevated inflammatory markers. Persistent inflammation early in life can affect joint health, immune function, and even heat tolerance as the foal matures.
• Colostrum & milk quality changes – Obese mares produce less energy-rich colostrum and milk with a higher pro-inflammatory profile and altered omega‑3 to omega‑6 ratios. This affects foal immunity, gut health, and early musculoskeletal development.
• Epigenetic programming before birth – Even embryos from obese mares show altered gene expression related to lipid metabolism, inflammation, and mitochondrial function, meaning the foal’s health is “programmed” long before it is born.

‼️ These aren’t cosmetic issues—they are welfare and performance concerns that can affect a foal for life.

✅ If you’re looking to buy a foal or youngster, the best breeders—those shaping the future of the industry, are aiming to maintain mares at healthy body condition scores, avoid overfeeding, and ensuring they are producing foals that will remain sound and athletic for years, not just for a few fleeting show seasons.

In many ways, the industry is beginning to reward this shift. Buyers and owners are increasingly valuing horses that are metabolically healthy, trainable, and sound into adulthood—a trend that ethical breeders are leading. As more breeders adopt this approach, it becomes the standard that others feel compelled to follow.

References:
Robles, Morgane, et al. "Obesity during Pregnancy in the Horse: Effect on Term Placental Structure and Gene Expression, as Well as Colostrum and Milk Fatty Acid Concentration." Veterinary Sciences 10.12 (2023): 691.

Robles, Morgane, et al. "Maternal obesity increases insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and osteochondrosis lesions in foals and yearlings until 18 months of age." PLoS One 13.1 (2018): e0190309.

Avon Ridge Equine Veterinary Services

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