Burwash Equine Services

11/20/2025

As many of you may have recently seen on social media, there have been some confirmed cases of neurologic disease caused by equine herpes virus (EHM) diagnosed in the southern USA and a single isolated case in central Alberta. While we don't know of any evidence that these cases are linked, it is a good reminder for all of our clients to re-evaluate their protocols around infectious disease control and biosecurity. See below for tips on disease prevention and don't hesitate to reach out to our veterinary team if you have any questions or concerns!

1. Vaccination:
While vaccination against equine herpes virus does not prevent the neurologic form, regular booster administration helps to reduce viral shedding and shorten the course and severity of disease limiting spread. It is recommended that showing or travelling horses receive booster flu/rhino vaccination every 6 months for peak immunity.

2. Biosecurity:
-Avoid unnecessary travel to areas of known outbreaks.
-Keep horses separated based on their risk (i.e. horses that travel versus those that don't).
-Do not share equipment between horses including tack, buckets, water hoses, grooming tools, and mucking out equipment.
-Regularly disinfect any shared equipment (e.g. thermometers) and spaces (stalls, trailers, etc).
-Wash hands or hand sanitize between horses.
-Change clothes between sick horses or barns.
-Immediately isolate any horses with fever or other signs of infectious disease.

3. Monitor Re**al Temperatures:
Fever is typically the first sign of infection. If you are concerned about possible exposure, monitor your horse's temperature and seek veterinary care if a fever is noted (> 38.5C or 101.5F)

4. Monitor Horses:
Early signs of disease include fever, weakness in hind end, decreased tail tone, difficulty urinating, wide-based stance, incoordination or ataxia, lethargy, or decreased appetite. Contact your veterinarian immediately if any concerns are noted.

More information on EHV-1 can be found here:

https://equinediseasecc.org/handler/managedfilehandler.ashx?id=72&ext=pdf

11/20/2025

As the situation develops with the series of cases of what appears to be a highly infectious version of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy right now in the US tracing back to an event in Texas, accurate information on EHM (the neurologic form of EHV-1) can be found at:

11/07/2025

Happy First Aid Friday! Our equine friends are often getting themselves into pretty interesting situations so it is always a good idea to have some first aid supplies easily on hand that you can use alongside the advice of your veterinarian!

List of Recommended Items in a Complete First Aid Kit:

- Phone Number of Veterinarian
- List of Normal Temperature, Pulse and Respiration
- Thermometer
- Stethoscope
- Hoof Pick
- Electrolytes
- Latex Gloves
- Antiseptic Scrub and Solutions (Betadine or chlorhexidine)
- Antibiotic/antimicrobial Ointment (Silvadene or Manuka honey)
- 4 x 4 Gauze Sponges
- Non-adhesive Dressing (Telfa)
- Conform bandage
- Gamgee, Sheet Cotton or Quilted Stable Wraps
- Bandage Scissors
- Vetrap
- Lightplast
- Duct Tape
- Disposable Diapers (for foot bandage)
- Syringes (12cc, 60cc)

You may also want to have to hand:
- Flashlight
- Microfiber cloth
- Clean bucket
- Lip twitch
- Hand sanitizer
- Paper towels
- Bute or Banamine (Prescription medications from veterinarian)
- PVC Pipe for Splints

The “Golden Rule” of First Aid Kits: The Contents are for emergency use only!
When used, they should be immediately replaced!

Burwash Equine Services is available 24/7 and 365 days a year for all your daytime and after-hours emergencies and questions!

11/01/2025

Happy November! Did you know that mares that are kept in natural light conditions will not start proper reproductive cycling until mid April/May? They are what are called "seasonal breeders", which means that they enter a non-fertile, non-cycling state in the winter called anestrus. However, did you know that if you wanted to start breeding your mare earlier than April, you can use artificial lighting to accomplish this? This can be implemented by using a specialized light mask or by housing your mare under strong enough artificial lighting. The light intensity needs to be a minimum of 10 foot candles (100lux), which can also be achieved by using a 100-200 W incandescent or fluorescent light bulb in a 12ft by 12ft stall. The mare needs to be under daylight/artificial lighting for 16 hours a day (with an essential 8 hour period of darkness) for a minimum of 80 days prior to when you want her to start cycling. This is typically done by having the mare outside under normal lighting and then applying the artificial light source just prior to dusk until 11pm (using timers). We recommend starting the mare under this artificial light program around mid November-early December in the Northern Hemisphere if you would like to breed your mare earlier in the season!

If you would like to read more about this process, Colorado State also has a helpful information article at the below link:

https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/erl/2022/12/13/putting-a-mare-under-lights/

10/31/2025

DON'T MISS OUR LAST HORSE OWNER EDUCATION WEBINAR OF 2025! 📢

Join us next Wednesday, Nov. 5, for "Care and Management of the Elderly Equine".

Just like people, the needs of horses change as they continue to age. Members of the AAEP Horse Owner Education committee will present on a wide range of topics to help you properly care for the elderly equine in your life. Discussion points will include diet, dentistry, common diseases and illnesses, preventative care, and more. Do not miss this informative session on how to help your older horse live its best life!

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event.

Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ah5yOsCebSifxMhDsKU4IL28l58V2uXLCCZy2BJfr1cVGkPrhte-~AkTrbyktZL-X6LN0LpntEqMChUPte_sAlD_Vc22m-q6fZUf_K_Bby90XhQ

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

10/31/2025

We know there's a few of you out there managing some golden oldies - this would be a fantastic opportunity to make sure you are up to speed with how you can look after them best! Be sure to get registered for this webinar coming November 5!

DON'T MISS OUR LAST HORSE OWNER EDUCATION WEBINAR OF 2025! 📢

Join us next Wednesday, Nov. 5, for "Care and Management of the Elderly Equine".

Just like people, the needs of horses change as they continue to age. Members of the AAEP Horse Owner Education committee will present on a wide range of topics to help you properly care for the elderly equine in your life. Discussion points will include diet, dentistry, common diseases and illnesses, preventative care, and more. Do not miss this informative session on how to help your older horse live its best life!

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event.

Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ah5yOsCebSifxMhDsKU4IL28l58V2uXLCCZy2BJfr1cVGkPrhte-~AkTrbyktZL-X6LN0LpntEqMChUPte_sAlD_Vc22m-q6fZUf_K_Bby90XhQ

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

10/27/2025

Just a reminder about our Annual Client Fall seminar at Burwash Equine Services on Monday November 3rd!

Everyone is welcome to attend as we take you on a behind the scenes clinic of the tour where we'll highlight Advanced Dentistry, Arthroscopy, and Regenerative Laser Therapies. Our very own Drs White, Yaremchuk, and Haner will present on Complementary Therapies to Veterinary Medicine, All Things Asthma, and Emergencies 101.

We sincerely hope you can join us for this night of learning and community. Please send questions and your RSVP to [email protected]

10/27/2025

Dr. Lee spent the last few days in Seattle attending the Surgery Summit of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, participating in a lab on cutting edge techniques in joint fusion, lectures on the newest research in surgery, and a working group discussing strategies in the provision of equine emergency care.

10/26/2025

Congratulations to Janice Hepburn for winning our contest from Friday! Please pop by the office sometime in the next few weeks to collect your prize! Thank you so much everyone for all of your responses 😁

10/25/2025

If you guessed “embryo” or “baby foal”, you are correct!!

This embryo is approximately a month old and you can see a happy little heartbeat! Did you know that we also recommend doing an ultrasound at ~5 months post breeding? Unfortunately, the first 120 days of a mare’s pregnancy is the time that they are most likely to lose the foal. This 5-month check allows your veterinarian to confirm that your mare is still in foal before you start her vaccination series, as well as check in on everything to ensure that the pregnancy still looks good and healthy! It is also recommended that mares receive vaccinations against equine influenza and rhinopneumonitis at 5, 7 and 9 months of pregnancy to help prevent abortion.

10/24/2025

Happy Fun Friday! Do you know what this video is showing? Like this post and comment your guess below by tomorrow at noon to be entered to win a prize! (can be picked up in clinic at Burwash Equine during clinic hours any time over the next few weeks) The answer will be posted tomorrow afternoon!

10/20/2025

Happy Marrow Monday! Did you know that we can collect bone marrow from your horse's sternum and following a 15 minute centrifugation time the resulting solution contains two different types of stem cells, as well as high concentrations of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra or IRAP) and tissue-healing growth factors! This combination of isolated cells can be administered back to your horse to help treat conditions like moderate to severe chronic osteoarthritis, soft tissue injuries, and bone defects like osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), as well as facilitate fracture repair. As it comes from your own horse, it is also autologus, so no unhealthy immune response is triggered following administration.