Westhills Equine Veterinary Services

11/25/2025

Another helpful post, this one from Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals - Navasota. Please note that they are located in Texas and Arizona where outbreak is heavier at the moment! But still super helpful information to know and be prepared with as a horse owner with the onset of a second wave.

Early detection and strict biosecurity is what is helping control the spread and takes everyone's help. Keep going!

11/25/2025

Join a collaborative team where compassion, innovation, and teamwork shape the future of equine reproduction. 🐴

Westhills EVS is HIRING for our 2026 reproduction season!

We are currently seeking individuals passionate in equine care to join one of the most dynamic departments in our practice.

Roles include:
➡ Reproduction Coordinator*
➡ Reproduction Veterinary Assistant**
➡ Mare Handler**

*potential to be year round for the right candidate.
**great for students!

Please follow the link to apply: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=14f55c28-d846-4aeb-803e-d664547f529a&ccId=9200951958883_2&type=JS&lang=en_CA

*Please note that applications received through FB will not be considered. Apply through link only to ensure we receive your application.*

11/24/2025

As we continue to monitor the current outbreak of the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus (EHM) infection, let's take this opportunity to discuss once more the importance of biosecurity measures to stop disease spread. We recommend the following biosecurity precautions for horse owners, particularly if their horses have recently traveled to horse shows or were exposed to horses that have traveled:

1) Monitor horses for clinical signs (including fever, discharge from the nostrils, toe-dragging or a lack of balance) and take the temperature twice daily. Temperature greater than 101.5 F is considered a fever.

2) Immediately isolate any horse(s) showing clinical signs. Equine herpesvirus is an aerosolized virus and is spread through shared airspace, direct contact, and contaminated caretakers or equipment. A good isolation area is a separate barn or shelter that does not share airspace with healthy horses.

3) Implement movement restrictions until the situation is evaluated.

4) Contact your veterinarian to evaluate your horse and to propose a comprehensive biosecurity protocol.

5) Increase biosecurity measures that include extensive cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment that come in contact with affected horses: wash or sanitize your hands between interacting with horses; take time while filling water buckets and feed tubs, do not cross contaminate; minimize the use of shared equipment and tack.

6) Make sure your horse is up to date on vaccinations.

7) Establish communication with all parties involved (owners, boarders, trainers, etc.).

More resources and information regarding biosecurity are available on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website at https://equinediseasecc.org/biosecurity

To learn more Equine Herpesvirus (EHV), visit: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-herpesvirus

11/22/2025

A free webinar if you're interested for more information ➡️ would be especially helpful for barn or facility owners!

In light of the current EHV-1 outbreak, the AAEP and the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) have organized a horse owner education webinar to bring you the most up to date information on this issue.

Next Tuesday, join specialists Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges (Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director and Texas State Veterinarian), Dr. Krista Estell (AAEP/EDCC) and Dr. Katie Flynn (USEF) for an informative discussion about what EHV-1 is, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to prevent its spread.

This webinar is FREE, but registration is required. Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AnIoJrASj0vuX7Q_K87mKEjg5bxeMAkqp7fpSoOgVtVm_Zgo1g5m~AiiV7ZQ3bbmlEW2iSkeRTSAfMCYf2QhFMoprr7WRbM_MsiJRcBGT1oLj0Q

*PLEASE NOTE: the attendee limit for this session is capped at 1,000. However, all who register will be emailed a link to an on-demand recording that will become available 24 hours after the live session ends.

11/20/2025

📣 EHV Outbreak Information

As you may have already seen, there has been a recent increase of Equine Herpesvirus with neurological cases (EHM) in Texas, Oklahoma and a recent case confirmed in Red Deer, Alberta. While this can understandably cause concern, staying informed is the best way to keep your horses safe.

🦠 What is EHV?
Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1 & EHV-4) causes the disease known as rhinopneumonitis, a contagious virus that can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, coughing, and nasal discharge, but in some cases, it can also lead to more severe conditions like abortions in mares or a fatal neurological disease called equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

EHV is commonly spread through respiratory droplets from coughing or snorting horses, or through contaminated surfaces such as tack, buckets, or hands. The virus can survive on surfaces for several weeks without proper disinfection. Once a young horse is exposed, the virus can hide in the horse's system and can intermittently shed the virus without showing clinical signs.

🔎 Clinical Signs to Watch For:
Respiratory form:
• Mild fever
• Cough
• Clear or yellow nasal discharge

Neurologic form:
• Hind-end weakness
• Incoordination
• Toe dragging
• Dog-sitting posture
• Urinary or f***l incontinence

Some horses may show fever 24–48 hours before neurologic signs begin. Pregnant mares may abort suddenly in the last 4 months of gestation, often with no warning signs.

🚫 Prevention & Protection:
Vaccination is key for EHV and may not completely prevent the disease, but it will decrease the frequency and severity of clinical signs and, more importantly, some EHV vaccines have demonstrated that they decrease shedding of the virus to other horses. Vaccination can only be completed on healthy horses. Please contact us for a schedule appropriate for your horses lifestyle.

🧼 Biosecurity is key:
• Do not share buckets, tack, or grooming tools
• Take temperatures twice daily during heightened risk
• Isolate any horse showing respiratory signs
• Limit travel and commingling until risk decreases
• Keep mares that abort in isolated areas away from the rest of the broodmares.

Clinical and exposed horses should not be moved.

⚠️ If your horse shows signs of illness, isolate your animal and contact your veterinarian immediately.

Our clinic continues to adhere to strict biosecurity protocols for the safety of our patients. Appointments will continue as normal but we may ask to examine your horse on the trailer or take a temperature before removal.

You can currently keep your horse safest by staying home, practicing safe biosecurity protocols, and isolating any animal with signs of illness. Please reach out to our office with any further questions.

☎️ 780-898-9267
✉️ [email protected]

Further reading ⬇️

FAQ: Regarding Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)

11/18/2025

🖤⬇️

2026 breeding books are open! Honorees Shadow is enrolled into Royal Crown Canada Roping (Charter Stallion), The Breeders Elite Incentive and The Breeders Elite Roping Incentive. Your foals are eligible to compete at these great events and added money. Contact us today to get one the list! Frozen available, with shipping options available through Westhills Equine Veterinary Services

11/18/2025

Breeding early in 2026? It's almost time to get those mares under lights! 🌟

Are you putting mares under lights this year? Friendly reminder to get those pens ready because come December (less than two weeks away 😳), it’s officially time to start light therapy for an early breeding!

✨ Why lights?
Horses are seasonally polyestrous, meaning their reproductive cycle naturally aligns with the long, bright days of mid-spring to late summer. Longer daylight = cycling mares! So during winter, we can encourage mares to cycle earlier by using light therapy.

🗓️ When to start?
Light programs should begin around December 1st to prepare for late winter/early spring breedings.

Mares need 16 hours of light and 8 hours of dark to effectively jump-start their cycles. This usually means running your lights from just before sunset → 10–11pm.

💡 Lighting setup tips:
• Use 100–200 watt bulbs over stalls or small paddocks
• Ensure you can read a newspaper anywhere inside the space (that’s the brightness test!) 📰
• No stall or small paddock available? Check out products like Equilume — blue-light masks your mare can wear to get the extra “daylight” needed.

Planning an early embryo transfer in 2026?
If you’re hoping to use one of our recipient mares, please reach out ASAP so we can make sure she's in our light pen!

Have questions about light therapy, setup, timing, or whether your mare is a good candidate?

Drop them below or send us a message!👇🏻💬

11/12/2025

⬇️⬇️⬇️

UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF THE MARE'S REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE:

Did you know mares have a unique breeding season? They are “seasonally polyestrous,” meaning they have multiple cycles but are able to get pregnant only during certain months—usually spring and summer, when days are longer. Their reproductive cycle is about 21 days long, with a few days of “heat” (estrus) when they are receptive to a stallion. Signs of heat include tail raising, urinating, and “winking” of the v***a.

During this time, an egg is released from the o***y and can be fertilized by a stallion’s s***m, leading to pregnancy. Good planning, working with your veterinarian, and understanding your mare’s cycle are key to a successful breeding season!

For more details about your mare’s reproductive system and health, always consult your veterinarian.

11/10/2025

😍🔥🔥🔥

Early booking discounts available! - www.NothingButBlu.com

11/10/2025

Please be advised the office is closed today in lieu of Remembrance Day.

Reach us 24/7 for equine emergencies at 780-898-9267 ☎️

🌹

11/03/2025

We always get lots of questions about skin conditions in the fall - one big culprit is rain rot!

IS RAIN ROT A FUNGAL OR A BACTERIAL DISEASE?

Rain rot (or rain scald) is the common name for a contagious BACTERIAL skin disease called dermatophilosis. It's caused by the bacterium "Dermatophilus congolensis," which thrives during wet seasons and in geographical locations with high precipitation and humidity. It can also develop after horses have sweat under blankets or tack, and equines with compromised immune systems are more susceptible.

Why should you not mistake rain rot for a fungal disease?
Antifungal medications and topicals have no effect on the bacteria responsible for rain rot, therefore diagnosing the condition correctly is very important!

How does rain rot happen?
The bacteria infects the hair follicles and damages the hair follicle and shaft; the hair will then pull out in small clumps leaving pink skin or purulent scabs behind (pro tip: your horse will NOT thank you for picking at them!) If you do not address the factors that promote the right bacterial environment (for example, you always leave your horse to stand outside in the rain without shelter or the protection of a waterproof rug), rain rot can keep recurring. If left untreated, the condition can even progress to a point where it opens the door for more serious, secondary skin infections.

If you suspect your horse has rain rot, be sure to consult your veterinarian on the best treatment plan based on the severity of your horse's case. While there are a million products that can be found in your local tack store, your horse doctor may have cause to prescribe a specific course of action.