Northwest Equine Services

07/23/2024

Movement Asymmetry: Biological variation or lameness?

Veterinarian’s often use movement asymmetry to assess lameness. However, after years of research into equine biomechanics, we have realized that perfect movement symmetry is uncommon. This raises a crucial question: Does asymmetry always equal pain?

The way forward is to monitor your horse’s gait pattern over time to establish what is normal. This is possible with Sleip gait analysis, which allows the veterinarian to capture asymmetry data using a smartphone. By tracking gait changes, you can gain valuable insights:

Establish a baseline: Observe your horse's gait and establish a baseline when they're in full training and supposed to be sound. This becomes a reference point for future comparisons.

Identify subtle changes: If asymmetries appear or existing ones worsen with increased training, it might warrant further investigation for lameness.

Peace of mind: Consistent subtle asymmetries that don't change might be a normal variation for your horse.

Call today to schedule gait assessment of your horse!!

12/27/2023

It’s that time of year!

09/01/2022

* WARNING * On a farm call today we went and looked at an eye that was concerning to the owner. Doctor Turchi confirmed it is a tumor, he suggested the horse come to the clinic sometime next week for third eyelid removal.

07/07/2022

This little fella was born on the Fourth of July! His IGG was low, but after some plasma and lots of mommas milk he is perking up and has an adorable personality.

06/13/2022

Removing casts can be difficult sometimes 😂 Tech Sydney and Doctor Turchi are attempting to remove this cast from a couple of weeks ago, it finally came off after some leg work!

12/14/2021

01/27/2021

Farm call at the University of Arkansas yesterday to float teeth. And yes, we are able to float the little ones, too!

01/13/2021

Baby Doll came to us today with a swollen area in her hind fetlock and a limp. After a lameness exam and an ultrasound, Dr. Turchi found that her superficial digital flexor tendon had been torn. She’s got about 6-8 months of recovery ahead of her.
Lameness can be caused by trauma, infection, metabolic disorders, nervous or circulatory system disease, congenital or acquired disorders. We are able to ultrasound or X-Ray in the clinic. If you have questions about a lameness, call our clinic at (479)521-5558.

01/06/2021

Today we had newly rescued, Chip, come in with a smelly, swollen mouth and suspected an abscessed tooth. A tooth located on the top left had cracked and partially fell out. Dr. Turchi extracted the rest of the splintered tooth fragments (as shown in picture 3). Horses teeth continue to erupt which has caused the bottom tooth to grow significantly longer. Because of this, Dr. Turchi floated (or filed down) Chip’s teeth. It is important that any horse with a missing tooth/ teeth have yearly dental exams to make sure the opposite tooth is not over grown and possibly packing feed in gums.

12/22/2020

💈A N N O U N C E M E N T 💈
Don’t forget to schedule between January 1st - March 31st to receive our Early Bird Special 🩺🔬🐴

12/22/2020

REMINDER ⚠️
Dr. Turchi and staff will be out of office for Christmas and New Years. We will be closed from Thursday, December 24th through Tuesday, January 5th. We will return Wednesday, January 6th!

12/21/2020

One of our technicians, Madelyne, with Rosie. Show us your precious ponies!

12/21/2020

This is Molly! Molly is 5 months old and came to us with a laceration on her carpus (knee) that had infection. X-rays determined there was nothing broken but there was infection in the joint. Under general anesthesia, we flushed the joint and performed a distal limb perfusion. This sweet filly has made a full recovery and the owner said she’s been romping and running around!

08/10/2020

07/29/2020

Because of the Vesicular Stomatitis cases in Oklahoma,Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas, stricter health paper requirements have been implemented for intrastate and interstate movement of horses. The current requirements dictate a veterinary exam with health papers within 5 days of transport. Stay tuned as requirements may continue to change.

07/29/2020

Researchers investigated how you can best protect your horses from contracting the vesicular stomatitis virus. Here’s what they found.

01/23/2020

ALERT:
We have been seeing an increased number of low grade colic cases over the last month. The horses present depressed, no appetite, fever and laying down in the stall or pasture. They are not violently painful but appear mildly uncomfortable. They typically develop a low white blood cell count initially. Most of these cases resolve in 3-5 days with medical treatment. Several cases have advanced to severe enteritis or colitis. We suspect a viral infection as the cause of these cases. If your horse exhibits these symptoms, contact your veterinarian for an examine and bloodwork. All colic symptoms are serious and need proper diagnostics and treatment.

01/22/2020

We are offering our “Spring Wellness Special” through March 31, 2020.

#1. Coggins test, core vaccine(EWT,WNV,Rabies), Flu/Rhine vaccine, brief dental exam,
and f***l egg count
Regular price: $150
Special price: $125 ($25 savings)

#2. Coggins test, core vaccine(EWT,WNV,Rabies), brief dental exam, and f***l egg count
Regular price: $111
Special price: $96 ($14 savings)

Call for an appointment at 479-521-5558. Farm calls limited to 5 or more horses.
Payment due at time of services.

01/12/2020

First miracle foal of the year!! 30 days premature due to placental infection. Mare and foal doing great!!

08/24/2019

Here are the results of a recent parasite/deworming study performed in the Northwest Arkansas region by Dr. Yazwinski at U Of A with NWES. The results confirm a trend in adult horses for the southeast US: *fenbendazole(Panacur) at double dose is not consistently effective
*moxidectin(Quest) and Pyrantel(Strongid) are consistently effective

I do not recommend fenbendazole(Panacur) in adult horses for a routine deworming rotation. It is best to use moxidectin(Quest), pyrantel(Strongid) or ivermectin based on f***l egg counts. Without f***l egg counts, I recommend deworming twice annually: late fall(Nov) and spring(April). For f***l egg counts and recommendations on your deworming program, contact our office.

01/03/2019

For those of you who raise foals, this article is a must read!

Researchers say fenbendazole should be the first choice for treatment of Parascaris infection, with treatment suggested at two and five months of age.

10/11/2018

The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reports 152 cases of WNV thus far in 2018, with almost all diagnosed during the months of August and September. Most confirmed cases occurred in horses which were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination history. Just another reminder to keep your horse current on vaccination schedule.

10/10/2018

An oral exam should be an essential part of an annual examination by a veterinarian. Every dental exam provides the opportunity to perform routine preventative dental care as well. The end result is a healthier, more comfortable horse. Beyond the comfort and good health of your horse, there are other benefits to proper dental care. Your horse will consume feed more efficiently with less spillage or waste and may perform better and live longer.

03/02/2018

You are only as old as you feel!

Horses became famous for winning. Seabiscuit had 33, Secretariat had 16 and American Pharoah had just nine career wins. That makes 100 wins exceptional.

01/23/2018

FYI: Transportation Regulations for Hauling Horses

The purpose of an ELD is to log the hours of driving time performed by a driver: legally, a driver can only be on the road for 11 hours in a 14-hour stretch before they are required to take a mandatory 10-hour rest period. The ELD records drive time and alerts the driver when he or she is over their hours; any infractions are recorded by the ELD and can be viewed during inspection. Drivers found to be in violation during inspection or traffic stop can be fined.

Currently, we’re in the “awareness and transition phase” as described by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — commercial drivers are not currently required to have an ELD but are encouraged to start the transition now from paper log books, logging software and automatic on-board recording devices. The next stage, phasing in the ELD, begins on December 18, 2017.

While we typically picture tractor-trailers when we mentally envision a commercial driver or commercial motor vehicle (CMV), the reality is that CMVs can come in many shapes and sizes, and these rules and requirements apply to all of them.

What is considered a commercial motor vehicle?

The full legal description of commercial motor vehicles can be found here. The commercial motor vehicle definition as would apply to horse owners can include a truck and trailer with a total gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,000 pounds, as well as a truck and trailer that have been written off as business expenses or are used for business — if you’re a professional trainer and your rig is part of your business, it’s considered a commercial vehicle. Even if your vehicle does not actually require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) but is part of your business, it can be considered a commercial vehicle. If you haul horses for compensation, your truck and trailer are considered commercial vehicles.

If you’re a sponsored rider, you are considered a professional and your truck and trailer are also considered commercial.

Essentially, if your truck and trailer is used for profit or for business purposes, it’s considered a CMV and all of the CMV rules apply, as they always have. You need a Department of Transportation (DOT) number, and some states may require a state number as well.

Exemptions

A full list of exemptions can be found here. The most key exemption for horse owners reads: “Unless otherwise specifically provided, the rules in [Subchapter B, including the definition of a CMV] do not apply to the occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation and not in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.”

In explanation, amateur owners/non-pros are exempt from the commercial vehicle status if they’re hauling for recreational purposes: you can still load up your horses and go trail riding, and you can still haul your horse to go show for fun as long as you are not deducting your expenses for tax purposes for a business and counting any prize monies as ordinary income (not business income). Essentially, for the recreational horse owner, there’s no need to worry about installing an ELD as hauling is not considered commercial.

Agricultural exemptions also apply to CMVs: the full list of agricultural exemptions can be found here. For transporting horses under the agricultural exemption, you may travel within a 150-mile radius from the source of your commodity without requiring an ELD — in this case, let’s assume your load of horses from your home barn. You may also travel outside of that 150-mile radius no more than eight days every 30 days with the use of a paper log (no need to use an ELD).

Clear as mud, right?

The upcoming ELD requirement starting on December 18, 2017 will definitely impact professional horsemen and horsewomen who spend a lot of time and miles on the road; individuals who are already following rules and regulations for CMVs will likely not have to modify their individual practices. The changes coming in December are increasing the potential for these rules to be enforced more strongly.

More information can be found at the FMCSA website.