Grossenbacher Equine Services

19/11/2025

A valuable video from Dr. Buchanan at Brazos Valley Equine Hospital for anyone seeking further information on EHV-1 and EHM.

19/11/2025

⚠️ Equine Health Alert: EHV-1 / EHM Outbreak in Barrel Horses in Waco, Texas

We are closely monitoring a serious outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) — including cases of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — that have been traced to the recent WPRA and Elite Barrel Race event in Waco, Texas.
Here’s what you need to know:

🧬 What Is EHV-1 / EHM?
- EHV-1 is a highly contagious virus that can cause respiratory disease, abortion in mares, and in its most severe form, neurologic damage (EHM).
- EHM (Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy) happens when the virus affects the brain or spinal cord, leading to ataxia (incoordination), loss of tail tone, recumbency, and other neurologic signs.

🔍 Why This Outbreak Is Concerning
- Veterinary clinics in Texas are calling this strain “highly aggressive”, with some fatal outcomes.
- Many of the confirmed cases are tied to horses that attended the Waco event in early November.
- The virus spreads easily through direct contact (nose-to-nose),
aerosolized droplets (coughing/sneezing), fomites (shared tack, buckets, grooming tools, trailers) and people (on clothing, hands, boots)

💪 Why This Matters for Ontario
- This outbreak is a reminder that serious equine health threats can emerge quickly, especially after large events. Being proactive and vigilant doesn’t just protect individual horses — it helps contain the virus and protects the broader equine community.
- Being proactive in Ontario can help prevent serious illness or even death among our horses. (There have been fatal cases in the province)
- Responsible barn management + biosecurity + early detection = our best defence.

📢 Alert for Ontario Horse Owners
- With recent EHV-1/EHM cases appearing across North America, staying informed is one of the most important steps we can take to protect our horses.
- The Ontario Animal Health Network is actively tracking these as “Equine Herpesvirus – Neurologic” alerts at oahn.ca/resources/ontario-equine-disease-alerts
- For verified, up-to-date outbreak alerts, case reports, and nationwide tracking, visit the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) website at equinediseasecc.org

📌 Stay alert. Stay prepared. Stay proactive

Share this post with fellow horse owners, barns, and event organizers. Let’s all stay on high alert and act fast to keep our horses safe.

Up-to-date list with details and resources for equine diseases in Ontario.

14/11/2025

⭐ Why Vitamin E Matters for Performance Horses ⭐
Did you know that Vitamin E is one of the most important nutrients for keeping performance horses feeling and performing their best?

🌱 What Vitamin E Does:
• Supports strong, healthy muscles
• Helps protect muscle cells from oxidative stress during training and competition
• Aids in quicker recovery after intense work
• Supports a healthy immune system
• Plays a key role in nerve and neuromuscular function

🏇 Why Performance Horses Need More:
Exercise increases the production of free radicals in the body. Performance horses—whether they’re eventers, jumpers, reiners, racehorses, or endurance athletes—naturally have higher oxidative stress. Vitamin E helps neutralize those free radicals, keeping muscles functioning smoothly and reducing the risk of stiffness or poor recovery.

🌿 Forage Isn’t Always Enough:
Fresh pasture is the richest natural source of Vitamin E—but many horses don’t have access year-round. Hay and stored forage lose Vitamin E quickly, making supplementation important for many equine athletes.

💬 If you’re noticing muscle soreness, slow recovery, or changes in performance, ask your veterinarian whether Vitamin E supplementation might benefit your horse.

Healthy muscles = better performance, happier horses. 💚🐴

10/11/2025

📣 New on our website!

We’ve added a page all about Dynamic Respiratory Endoscopy — the gold standard for diagnosing upper airway issues in horses during exercise.

Learn how this advanced tool helps identify breathing problems that can’t be seen at rest, and how it can make all the difference in your horse’s performance.

🔗 Visit: grossenbacherequine.ca/dynamicendoscopy

During a dynamic respiratory endoscopy exam, a small diameter endoscope is placed in the horse’s nostril and secured with a specialized noseband over the bridle. Transmitting and recording equipment are mounted on a custom saddle pad. As the horse exercises, we capture clear, continuous video of i...

06/11/2025

A brisk but beautiful morning

01/10/2025

🌟A healthy liver = a healthy horse.🐴

What do you really know about equine hepatitis viruses?

Don't miss this must-read article ⬇️

Equine hepatitis viruses EqHV and EqPV-H can cause chronic or acute liver disease in horses. Early diagnosis, biosecurity, and prevention are key.

29/09/2025

🐴 Understanding EIPH in Performance Horses 🐴

Did you know that Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) can affect your horse’s breathing and performance?

EIPH happens when small blood vessels in the lungs rupture during intense exercise, causing bleeding. It’s a common condition in racehorses and high-performance equine athletes.

💨 Signs to watch for:
* Poor performance or fatigue
* Coughing after work
* Nosebleeds (though not always present)

Key causes:�
🏃‍♂️ High-intensity or prolonged exercise�
❤️ Cardiac arrhythmias�
🫁 Upper airway collapse
�🌬️ Lower airway inflammation

Managing EIPH:
* Provide rest and recovery time after intense training
* Improve stable air quality and treat airway inflammation
* Work with your vet to create a tailored prevention plan

A proactive approach can help your horse breathe easier and perform their best! 🌟

13/06/2025

We did do some actual vet work today, I swear!

02/05/2025

30/04/2025

04/04/2025

Happy Friday!