José A. Ramos, DVM

04/26/2024

Hot weather puts horses at risk not only for dehydration and heat stress but, just like humans, the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn. Horse prone to sunburn are also at a higher risk for a cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) which is associated with UV light exposure.

If your horse has reduced pigmentation (pink eyelids or pink tissue) around the eye, be sure to use a fly mask with greater than 90% UV light protection. Many of these masks are not sold at your local tack store but can be purchased online (examples include Equine Sun Visor, Kensington Uviator, Equivizor, Nag). If a mask advertises UV light protection but does not specify the amount, contact the company that makes the mask to get a definitive answer.
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

04/26/2024

Your courtesy of the horse doctors at -Rivers Equine Centre:

One of the most common mistakes horse owners make when their horse presents with colic symptoms is administering Banamine as the initial treatment. Although this may seem like a quick and easy solution to relieve the horse's pain, it is essential first to perform vital checks of the horse's temperature, heart rate, and respiration and to note the reading. This step is crucial because it allows you to share these important readings with your primary care veterinarian before Banamine alters them.

01/11/2024

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Is your horse’s nighttime vision better than your daytime vision?

When comparing equine vision to human vision, the horse has a smaller visible spectrum (see image) which means they see a smaller range of colors than we do. However, horses have a structure in the back of their eye—called the tapetum lucidum—that humans do not have. This enhances vision in low light conditions and allows a horse to see better in the dark than a human does. However, reflections from the tapetum lucidum can also blur images and lead to poor depth perception at night.

Dilation of the pupil allows all species to see better in the dark. This process takes longer in a horse (45 minutes) than it does in humans (25 minutes). So when a horse is asked to do something in a dark environment, it’s important to allow their vision proper time to fully accommodate.

Overall, the nighttime vision of a horse is better than the nighttime vision of a human. However, the horse’s nighttime vision is NOT better than the daytime vision of a human. Anytime you are asking your horse to function in a dim light situation, give them time to adjust. And if they are fearful, be patient and try to understand how things look from their perspective!
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

12/10/2023

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11/03/2023

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Great practical information courtesy of the horse doctors at Barrow Veterinary Service:

NORMAL: NOT JUST A SETTING ON THE DRYER!
If your horse seems a little "off," do you know what his "normal" is? One of the best ways you can determine if your horse is ill is to know his normal vitals—temperature, breaths per minute, heart rate, and capillary refill time. If they are outside the normal range, a call to your equine veterinarian is definitely warranted! Any refusal to eat a meal or to get up from a recumbent position is also a clue that you and your equine friend need assistance.

10/20/2023

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Fall is officially in full swing! Now is the time to crack down on housing, nutrition, and preventative health strategies suitable for the arrival of winter.

The graphic below lists some essential items on the horse owner's fall to-do checklist, but there is much more that needs to be done—like having your horse rugs repaired and waterproofed; securing and storing hay properly; assessing your shelters for safety and soundness; etc.)

Your equine veterinarian is one of your greatest allies this season: be sure to give them a call soon to discuss vaccination and deworming protocols appropriate for your horse’s situation; use this opportunity to chat about recommended changes in nutrition and exercise program as well!

10/04/2023

THIS CHICS SURPRISED makes the Western Working Rail Class FINALS finishing 9th Place and earning her biggest paycheck ever!!! Congratulations Taylen Marler for doing such an incredible job! Congratulations owner Karen Stafford! What an incredible All American Quarter Horse Congress this has turned out to be with Taylen making his 6th FINAL this show & his 4th TOP TEN!!! Congratulations everyone!

Bentley Show Pads
Woods' Western
SPH Performance Gear
Equithrive
Continental Saddlery
Pivotal Feeds
Iconoclast Equine Support Boots
Marler Equine Transportation
Bill Rose Cjf
José A. Ramos, DVM
Becky Dastyck
Mayra Villalobos

10/04/2023

10/04/2023

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While it’s a common equine emergency, espophageal obstruction (“choke”) can look alarming, especially if you've never seen it before. Unlike in human medicine, where choking refers to a tracheal (or windpipe) obstruction, choke in horses refers to an obstruction of the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

Most commonly, choking occur when horses eat concentrated feed too quickly without chewing it appropriately, which results in a firm bolus lodged in the animal's esophagus. However, esophageal obstruction can also occur with hay or straw, hard treats, carrots, or nonfood objects. Poor dentition, which leads to inadequate chewing, is also a frequent cause of choke.

While common, chokes can have serious consequences so be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of choke. A bad choke is fairly obvious to both veterinarians and horse owners, but a mild choke could be confused with an upper respiratory tract infection or colic.

Read more about this condition on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/understanding-choke-horses

09/23/2023

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Welcome !🍂

As the the colder temperatures draw near, many horse owners are busy securing their winter hay supply. If you are considering purchasing round bales for your horses this winter—due to their cost-effectiveness and greater convenience for feeding pastured animals— remember that there are a few things to think about when choosing between square or round bales.

• Are you equipped/prepared to store your hay correctly?
Improperly stored round bales can lose much of their nutritional value and are also more susceptible to mold, dust, and bacteria growth, which can cause respiratory issues and even colic.

• Are your horses protected from botulism?
Round bales provide an optimum environment for the development of the botulism neurotoxins, which equines are particularly sensitive to.
Prevention of this disease through vaccination is critical, especially in areas where the condition is prevalent (such as Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, and Tennessee).

• Are round bales a good choice for your horse?
Horses prone to respiratory conditions usually have increased problems with round bales due to their higher dust content.

• Can you secure high-quality round bales?
Not all hay is created equal. Be sure to choose high-quality hay to meet your horse's nutritional needs and minimize the risk of impaction colic, which increases with lower-quality, less digestible forage.

As always, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information and advice—consult your horse doctor on best practices when feeding hay this winter!

08/23/2023

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CAN YOU RECOGNIZE HEAT STRESS IN HORSES? ☀️🐴

Signs of heat stroke may range from mild to severe and life-threatening; they may include the following:
1) Temperature as high as 105 to 107 F
2) Rapid breathing, rapid pulse
3) Stumbling, weakness, depression
4) Refusal to eat or work
5) Dry skin and dehydration
6) In severe cases, a horse may collapse or go into convulsions or a coma

Exercise is a major source of body heat, and horses with a compromised ability to sweat are especially at risk of overheating, even in cooler weather with a small amount of exercise. Horses with heavy muscling or excess fat or in poor condition will also have more problems. (Keep in mind that strenuous exercise on a hot, humid day can lead to problems in a short period of time for even the best-conditioned horse.)
Foals are at risk in hot weather as well—The mare may be fine, but her foal may be getting sick from being out on a hot day as foals usually cannot take as much heat as adult horses.

Does this mean you should not work your horse on a hot day? Not necessarily. It just means you should take precautions and use your common sense. Remain vigilant for dehydration and signs of heat exhaustion, as heat exhaustion can advance to heat stroke quickly. Above all, be kind and attentive to your horse’s need. If you feel hot, your equine friend feels even hotter. So if they look tired, it’s time for a drink, a cold bath, and a break in the shade.�
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�Source: Heat Stroke | https://aaep.org/horsehealth/heat-stroke

08/17/2023

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A little for you: Puncture wounds in the foot qualify as medical **emergencies,** due to the amount of vital structures just beneath the sole that can be physically damaged and/or contaminated with bacteria when they are penetrated by a sharp object.

If your horse steps on a nail or other sharp object and it remains embedded in the hoof, resist the temptation to pull the nail out and consult with your veterinarian first. Leaving the nail in place will allow the vet to take x-rays of the foot before removal, which helps to identify exactly what structures have been penetrated, and to plan the most appropriate strategy for dealing with the situation.

Penetrating hoof wounds can be extremely serious and shouldn’t be underestimated. The prognosis for successful recovery depends on quick action to identify the path of the nail, treatment of potential infection and mechanical damage to the foot, and proper aftercare.

As always, our favorite piece of advice is to consult your horse doctor directly for more information!

08/14/2023

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07/29/2023

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07/22/2023

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WHY DO HORSES GET ULCERS?

Equine gastric ulcers can affect any horse at any age. Up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of show horses, as well as non-performance horses and even foals are affected by equine gastric ulcers, which are the result of the erosion of the lining of the stomach due to a prolonged exposure to the normal acid in the stomach. Unlike ulcers in humans, bacteria do not appear to cause equine gastric ulcers and this condition is often a man-made disease.

Please note that the only way to definitively diagnose ulcers is through gastroscopy, and that a qualified equine veterinarian should be consulted in any case of suspected gastric ulcers to determine the best course of action and treatment for the individual horse. Prevention of ulcers is the key in helping your horse, as neutralizing the production of stomach acid is nature’s best antacid.

Contact your veterinarian for more information, or read more on equine gastric ulcers on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/equine-gastric-ulcers-special-care-and-nutrition

07/13/2023

Horses travel every day for a number of reasons—to be bought and sold, for competition, for breeding purposes, etc. Whatever the reason, horse owners should be aware of the complications that may occur due to transportation, including traumatic injuries, diarrhea, muscular problems, respiratory problems, overheating, colic, and even laminitis (in the case of overweight horses).

Following are a few tips to help your equine friend maintain good health and welfare during transport. This list is by no means complete and we encourage you to reach out to your veterinarian for additional advice when it comes to traveling with your horse!

• Be aware that inadequate management of feed and water intake during travel could cause colic, gastric ulceration and heat stress. Food and water should be provided prior to transport, during regular rest breaks and upon arrival at destination.

• Ensure your horse’s immunizations are up to date against respiratory pathogens to protect your animal from these diseases.

• The horse should be rested before the journey, given rest stops during travel, and have time to recover on arrival at the destination.

• The vehicle should be well-ventilated to help prevent respiratory problems or overheating.

• Drive slowly and carefully (NO TEXTING, avoid driving when fatigued or eating while driving, etc.) to provide a comfortable journey for the animal and reduce the risk of injury and fatigue.

Happy trails!

07/06/2023

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: Did you know that honey is one of the oldest medicines known to man due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties? Manuka honey in particular inhibits the growth of bacteria on a wound’s surface, and it can help draw pus, waste products and other fluids out of the wound while keeping the exposed surfaces moist.

Something else you may not know is that food-grade Manuka honey, like the kind you buy from a grocery store, is not recommended for use on wounds due to the risk of contamination. In addition, what is inside the jar doesn’t always match what’s on the label and there is no guaranteed level of therapeutic substances.

To read more about the science of medicinal honey, visit https://equusmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/REV-5-EQ-Key-12-Medicinal-Honey.cx2_pc.lp_COMPRESS.FNL_-20230628-192741.pdf?lid=bs2fa31gxn2z

Source: AAEP Educational Partner Equus Magazine

05/27/2023

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05/25/2023

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04/04/2023

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NOW AVAILABLE!

Comprehensive guidelines are now available to assist practitioners with prevention, clinical signs, diagnostic sampling and other considerations of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). EEE has particular prevalence in the southeastern United States, although recent cases have been reported as far west as Texas and north into eastern Canada. Indirect transmission to horses occurs through bites from infected mosquitos. EEE is considered a core vaccine, and the mortality rate can exceed 90% in horses with no previous vaccination or partial protection.

The updated guidelines ensure practitioners have the latest information on incubation period and currently recommended diagnostic tests.

Read more and access the guidelines at https://aaep.org/news/eastern-equine-encephalitis-guidelines-now-available-aaep

03/29/2023

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02/09/2023

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: Yes, they do! Did you know that several studies have shown that horses prefer country music over rock or jazz? The slower tempo and major key seem to result in more restful behaviors in horses and more time spent eating.

So if you’re looking to relax your equine friends with music, pay attention to what you are playing in your barn!

02/09/2023

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With spring only a few weeks away (🙌), it’s not too early to start thinking about a deworming plan for your horses.

If deworming is something you’ve been doing the same way for as long as you can remember, this year we encourage you to break tradition and work with your veterinarian instead. Thanks to tools like the f***l egg count, your horse doctor can help you devise a treatment tailored to the needs of your equine friend plus monitor the efficacy of the dewormer used last. And before you dismiss this notion because you’ve been “doing it for years,” you should know that the old-school approach to deworming is quickly becoming outdated—not only a waste of money but it also builds drug resistance in the parasitic fauna of equines, which means we are running out of drugs that can effectively help us control parasite infections.

For more information, the AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines can be found on our website at https://aaep.org/document/internal-parasite-control-guidelines
As always, consult your equine veterinarian to learn more and for questions specific to your horses!