Tipton Sport Lusitanos

02/19/2025

01/29/2025

🐴🐴What do I need to cross the border with you? 🐴🐴

Are you and your horse planning to cross the border soon? Pioneer Veterinary Services is here to help you prepare with our efficient Coggins testing and export documentation process!

🩺 What’s Involved?
✔️Blood is collected from the jugular vein, spun down to pull the serum.
✔️Photos are taken, and all unique markings are documented.
✔️A complete physical exam is performed to ensure your horse is healthy and free of infectious diseases.

⏱️Fast & Reliable Results
Our Coggins tests are processed online for quicker turnaround times!
● Coggins results: Valid for 6 months, available in 2–3 days.
● Health certificates: Valid for 30 days, but exports can take 7–10 business days, so plan ahead!

Let’s ensure smooth travels for you and your equine partner! Call us today to book your appointment and get started. Please pre-fill out your Coggins/export paperwork through our website! www.pioneervet.ca 🐴✈️

ᴏʟᴅꜱ - 403-556-6882⁠
ꜱᴜɴᴅʀᴇ - 403-638-3774

01/15/2025

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING (A FOAL) 🐴

If your mare has made it through 11 months of pregnancy, you're almost there. Labor and delivery, while momentous, are generally uncomplicated — however, being a prepared and informed owner will help you keep your anxiety in check so you can assist the new mother and foal get off to a great start.

Here are some things you can do to prepare for the arrival of the foal:

• Consult with your veterinarian well in advance of the birth. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours and ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available.

• Clean and disinfect the stall as thoroughly as possible. Provide adequate bedding.

• Wash the mare's udder, v***a and hindquarters with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.

• Wrap the mare's tail with a clean wrap when you observe the first stage of labor. Be sure that the wrap is not applied too tightly or left on too long, as it can cut off circulation and permanently damage the tail.

• Time each stage of labor, to help you keep accurate track of the mare's progress. Take written notes! When you're worried or anxious, your perception of time can become distorted.

As always, these are general guidelines, and you should contact your veterinarian for more information specific to your situation. Good luck!

01/14/2025

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SPOT COLIC IN HORSES?

Colic indicates a painful problem in the horse's abdomen (belly), which can be caused by a number of different conditions. Less than 10% of all colic cases are severe enough to require surgery or cause the death of the horse; nevertheless, every case of colic should be taken seriously because it can be difficult to tell the mild ones from the potentially serious ones in the early stages.

Horses show signs of abdominal pain in a wide variety of ways, and usually a horse shows only a few of the signs during an episode of colic. The rule of thumb is — the more obvious the signs of pain, the more serious the problem.

If you suspect the horse is suffering from colic, we suggest that you:

• Alert your veterinarian immediately

• Remove all hay and grain from the horse's surroundings

• Don't medicate without your veterinarian's approval, as pain medications can mask clinical signs

• Walk the horse around if it's continually rolling or in danger of hurting itself — but do not tire the horse with relentless walking and don't approach the animal if it's not safe

• Keep the horse under close observation until the signs of colic resolve or the veterinarian arrives

The key to increasing the chances of a good outcome is to identify the problem early and get your veterinarian involved from the start.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of colic signs. Horses are individuals and may display signs of pain in a variety of ways. Always consult your horse doctor for more information.

01/09/2025

Great tips for your foaling kit

🐴🍼 Foaling Kit Essentials: Be Prepared for the Big Day!

Assembling your foaling kit is one of the most important steps to preparing for a smooth and safe delivery for your mare and foal. A well-stocked kit helps you handle routine care and be ready for any emergencies.

Key Items to Include:
🔹 Emergency plan and contact numbers
🔹 Flashlight or headlamp for nighttime foalings
🔹 Thermometer & stethoscope for monitoring vitals
🔹 Baby soap (unscented), paper towels, and tail wrap for cleaning the mare
🔹 Lubricant & gloves for assisting if needed
🔹 Towels for drying the foal
🔹 Umbilical tape and naval dip for umbilical care
🔹 Scissors for emergencies (like red bag delivery)
🔹 E***a in case foal is struggling to pass meconium
🔹 Trash bags to save the placenta for vet evaluation
🔹 Twine & palpation sleeves to keep placenta from dragging on the ground until it fully passes
🔹 Milking supplies to assist foals struggling to latch & suckle

Remember, no two foalings are the same, so having these essentials on hand can make all the difference. Be sure to review your foaling kit with your veterinarian to tailor it to your mare's needs.

For a full foaling kit checklist and more preparation tips, check out our article! 🌟
🇺🇲 https://madbarn.com/signs-of-foaling-in-mares/
🇨🇦 https://madbarn.ca/signs-of-foaling-in-mares/

01/06/2025

FUN FACT FRIDAY!

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
•
Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/05/2025

Lovely message

Every time you step into the arena, remember this: you are mastering one of the most beautiful and complex forms of art and sport. Dressage is not just about perfection; it's about connection, grace, and growth.

You have chosen to communicate with a powerful, majestic animal through harmony and trust. That alone is extraordinary. Progress in dressage is not measured by a judge’s score but by the partnership you build with your horse, stride by stride.

Mistakes are not failures; they are stepping stones. Each challenge teaches you something new, sharpens your skills, and makes you stronger. Great riders weren’t born perfect—they grew through persistence, passion, and resilience, just like you are doing now.

Believe in yourself, trust your horse, and honor the journey. You belong in the saddle. You are capable of greatness. Ride boldly, with heart and confidence, because every ride is a victory in itself.

You've got this.

12/30/2024

❄️🐴 How Do Horses Stay Warm in Winter? 🌨️

Horses are naturally equipped to handle cold weather with unique adaptations that help them conserve heat and stay cozy. From their hair coat to their digestive system, they’ve got tools to help them thrive in winter conditions.🐎❄️

While they’re built for the cold, extra care—like proper forage, shelter, and monitoring—can help support them all winter long.✨

Want to learn more about how horses stay warm and how to support them during the colder months? Visit our article:

🇺🇸 https://madbarn.com/feed-horse-in-winter/
🇨🇦 https://madbarn.ca/feed-horse-in-winter/