Aubrey Equine Clinic - Bruce E Lyle, DVM

02/12/2022

This weekend's Super Bowl will be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on the site where the famous Hollywood Park racetrack once stood. Thoroughbred legends like Seabiscuit, Citation, Dr. Fager and Round Table all ran there, and so did some American Quarter Horse legends, including one with a great football name.

First Down Dash (pictured, #9) ran arguably one of his best races in the Hollywood Park Invitational on September 12, 1987, which was the first time he faced older horses. Coming into the race off a two-month refresher, jockey James Lackey was having trouble controlling the strong c**t as they approached the gate. Once they were in, First Down Dash refused to settle, throwing his head, rearing and getting crooked. When the gates popped, he veered in at the start. Lackey struggled to get him straightened out and, when he did, top older horses Kipscash and El Banko had him in their dust.

Lackey went to riding, and the horse responded. Stride by stride, he closed in on Kipscash, who had taken the lead as El Banko faded. On the final stride as their noses approached the wire, First Down Dash pushed his head down to capture the win against all odds.

It was a display of raw speed that left many who watched stunned.

“I’ve never seen a horse do that,” said trainer Blane Schvaneveldt, a man who had seen a lot of horses do a lot of things. “He’s a helluva racehorse.”

03/23/2020

The Pie of Knowledge

Back in the early 2000's, I was invited to participate in a group of veterinary thermographers at Dr Kent Allen's clinic in Virginia. Dr Jim Waldsmith was another one of the participants and he introduced us to the three slices of the Pie of Knowledge. Piece 1 is the piece that we know and we know that we know. Piece 2 is the piece that we know that we DON'T know. Piece 3 is the piece that we DON't know that we DON'T know. We don't have a blueprint for any biological system, though we probably know more today than at any time in history. This allows us to focus on what we know and what we know we don't know and make pragmatic decisions for the betterment of all biological entities while we continue to shrink the third piece of the pie. Be safe, be patient and be kind as those in the kitchen work to make a better pie from ingredients that may be somewhat unknown.

03/20/2020

Veterinary Clinics are being deemed as essential businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic and I do intend to continue seeing patients until notified to do otherwise. Please, please, please heed and observe the warnings and recommendations from the authorities. WE can take care of your animals AND practice social distancing and good hygiene. I don't see that there is anything to gain by challenging the capabilities of the virus so please don't take offense if we don't shake hands or I stay 6 feet from you. Know I did the same with the previous appointment, in order to protect you! What I can help you with via email or telemedicine, I will. What needs to be seen, will be seen. I believe with a vigilance and a little "horse sense", we can do our part to get our GREAT country around the curve and return to normal and productive activities in a short time. I will post updates and some additional food for thought in the coming days. Be blessed, stay safe and stay healthy!!
Dr Bruce

02/14/2017

"Doc, Can we give her a shot to bring her in heat?" Breeding season is upon us, and this is a very frequent question I believe I can address to clarify "The Shot". Once a mare ovulates a follicle (determined by palpation / sonogram) the ovulated follicle usually (there are exceptions) becomes a corpus luteum (CL). This is the structure on the o***y responsible for the large majority of progesterone production during early pregnancy. Normally, the CL forms and is functional in 4-7 days. "The Shot" is a prostaglandin which lysis (resolves) the CL and returns the mare to heat, much like what normally happens 14-18 days post ovulation if a pregnancy is not established and detected in the uterus. Hence, "The Shot" is only beneficial once the mare is having heat cycles. "The Shot" simply shortens the time from one heat cycle to the next. Hopefully this helps with that question, if you have a question, submit it and we will answer as soon as possible!

02/07/2017

USA Rugby Developmental camp attendee (aka my daughter) Shelby Lyle and the rest of the University of North Texas Women's Rugby Club invite you to join them for dinner tonight, Feb 7, 2017 at the Chili's in Denton on University across from Sam's. Mention Women's Rugby and 50% of your ticket will be donated to these ladies as they represent on the pitch in Spring 2017. Thanks and stay tuned for more info to be posted soooooon!!! Yea sunshine!!!

09/10/2015

"Coggins" is a test for antibodies to the virus that causes Equine Infectious Anemia. Also known as "Swamp Fever", EIA can cause symptoms ranging from fatal anemia to simply high fever and inappetance, and affected equine may become in-apparent carriers of the virus. These in-apparent carriers are a large reason it is TEXAS STATE LAW that any equine ( except zebras) over 8 months of age must have a negative Coggins in the 12 months prior to change of ownership, or if stabled within 200 yards of another equine owned by someone else. Coggins regulations are determined by each state and international entity, and can be set more rigorously by any event or facility. We often hear, " oh they never check Coggins, or I don't need a Coggins at this barn, etc". Who has you and your horses' best interest in mind? Test results can be obtained in a couple of hours on a rush, but normally a couple of days and about $35 are all that's needed to know your horse is not endangering others , nor are others endangering your horse. PS...An office/warehouse space is being built on the lot south of the clinic. Yes, I miss the trees!

09/04/2015

COLIC...simply means pain in the abdomen. This pain can originate from an ovulating o***y, a gassy colon, liver disease or about 75-80 other causes. The degree of pain, vital signs, history, re**al exam, ultrasound, lab work, f***l exam all can play apart in determining the problem and how to fix it. Most are thankfully resolved with pain relieving medication, laxatives such as mineral oil, and hydration. Remember, colic is just pain in the abdomen, yes, just like a little baby, but don't try to put your horse on your shoulder and bounce around, that's what trailers are for!!!

08/26/2015

Each week I will be posting a little information covering common questions and curiosities brought to me regularly. Some may seem very simplistic to you, but maybe of benefit to another, and I am happy to expound if you have follow-up questions. To begin, one common confusion is in administering medications, both oral and injectable, is cc vs milliliter. They are the same. One cubic centimeter (cc) is the same volume as a milliliter (mL). Centimeters measure length, milligrams measure mass (weight). And yes, millennials, some day the USA will totally convert to the metric system, or so I have heard since 5th grade almost 40 years ago!

03/06/2015

This is some of the most fascinating work I've seen in over twenty years of practice. Not only for foals, but will have influence across all species. The power of observation...and a hug!

Another success for the "Madigan Foal Squeeze" technique at Oklahoma Equine Hospital. Congrats for Dr Jessi Arnold and her team for implementing the use of this procedure on maladjusted or "dummy" foals.

It was long thought "dummy" foals were oxygen deprived at birth. Dr Madigan and his team at UC Davis discovered this syndrome is due to a lack of neurotransmitters normally produced during the birthing process. Reenactment of the birthing process stimulates the release of neurotransmitters.

We are 2 for 2 using this technique at Oklahoma Equine Hospital so far this foaling season.

This foal 2 hours prior to this picture had severe neurologic signs. It could not stand or nurse.

It had an uncontrollable head tilt, it's tongue hung out of its mouth and it would not retract it inside of its mouth.

Now it's back home with its mother bucking & playing. The chance of this foal surviving prior to the use of this technique was very low.

Here is a link to this procedure:
http://ucdavis.edu/ucdavis-today/2015/february/03-foals.html #.VPXwalCLM0E.mailto

For more information contact the clinic at 405-288-6460.

02/28/2015

Hwy 377 is about a sheet of ice around the clinic. Not much for traffic out and about and probably best that way! Be safe and stay warm!

01/30/2015

12/14/2014

The new Veterinary Equine Podiatry Group announced plans to pursue a veterinary medicine board specialty in the equine foot at this week's AAEP Convention. Just the facts: http://bit.ly/1zfOoKm