Alliance Equine Health Care

01/16/2025

01/03/2025

Water is a vital resource for horses year-round, but its importance becomes even greater during the winter months. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for horses to support digestion, overall health, and especially for preventing colic, a potentially life-threatening condition.

In winter, horses may drink less water due to cold temperatures, or water sources might freeze, limiting access. Reduced water intake increases the risk of impaction colic, a condition that occurs when food material becomes lodged in the horse’s digestive tract. This is exacerbated by the dry, fibrous nature of winter forage like hay, which contains less moisture compared to fresh pasture grass. Without sufficient water, the digestive system slows and cannot properly break down this material, potentially leading to blockages.

Encouraging adequate water consumption is critical. Horses should normally drink 5-12 gallons of water daily, and ensuring the water is warm enough—between 45-65°F—can help encourage drinking. Studies show that horses are more likely to consume warm water during cold weather. Using heated water buckets or tank deicers can prevent freezing and make water more appealing.

Fun Fact: Research shows that horses drink almost 40% more water per day if given warm water (45-65 °F) instead of near-freezing water. (Kristula and McDonnell, 1994)

Electrolytes or salt supplements can also stimulate thirst, prompting horses to drink more. Offering soaked hay or adding water to feed can provide additional hydration. However, soaking hay or feed isn’t recommended in environments where these items would freeze solid before being consumed by the horse.

Preventing dehydration in winter is a proactive measure to safeguard against colic. Regularly monitoring water intake and ensuring clean, accessible, and palatable water is essential. By addressing these needs, horse owners can help maintain their horses’ health and comfort throughout the colder months.

If you have questions or concerns about your horses' winter water intake, contact your veterinarian.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year!
Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy 2025!

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas to our friends and our patients!

The holiday season is a time for reflection as much as it is a time for celebration. In equine veterinary practice, we rarely have a minute to spare to even take a deep breath, let alone to allow our thoughts to wander back in time. Our animal patients don't always recognize our need for a break and decide to hold off on injury or illness just because it is a holiday! Still, when a bit of down time presents itself, we find ourselves reminiscing about the friends and patients we have cared about through the years. Wishing them well, wherever they are.

In that spirit, please enjoy the reposting of this wonderful poem that was written and shared by the late Jim Balentine ("Farmer Jim"). Jim, we miss you and hope you are spending your Christmas morning caring for those animals who have passed on and are now living in the Great Barn in the sky.

THE COWS DON'T KNOW ITS CHRISTMAS

TODAY'S THE DAY WE CELEBRATE OUR SAVIOR'S BIRTH;
A SPECIAL DATE.
WE'LL GO TO CHURCH, BUT WE'LL BE LATE,
"CAUSE THE COWS DON'T KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS"

IT'S COLD OUTSIDE AND FROSTY, TOO
I'VE GOT SOME CHRISTMAS THINGS TO DO,
BUT I CAN'T STOP; I HEAR 'EM MOO
"THE COWS DON'T KNOW ITS CHRISTMAS"

THE KIDS ARE ANXIOUS, DANCIN' ROUND,
THEY WANT THEIR STOCKINGS DOWN.
I'D LIKE TO HELP; I SEE THEM FROWN.
"BUT THE COWS DON'T KNOW ITS CHRISTMAS"

THE BABY LAMBS, THEY'RE LAYING DOWN, TOO COLD FOR US, THEY SEEM TO FROWN.
MY BABY GIRL STILL IN HER GOWN.
"BUT THE COWS DON'T KNOW ITS CHRISTMAS"

I'VE GOT TO GO DOWN TO THE BARN.
TO ALL THE WORLD, IT'S A SPECIAL MORNING.
BUT EACH DAY'S THE SAME HERE, DOWN ON THE FARM
"CAUSE THE COWS DON'T KNOW ITS CHRISTMAS"

I'LL BUST THE BALES AND DROP THEM DOWN,
FOR SHEEP AND GOATS, HORSES ROUND
MILK ALL THE COWS, BOTTLE FEED THE CALVES
AND SOON ENOUGH, WE'LL GO TO TOWN,
"BUT THE COWS DON'T KNOW ITS CHRISTMAS"

YOU GOTTA WONDER 'BOUT IT ALL;
SO LONG AGO, IN THAT MANGER STALL,
WHEN THEY HEARD THE BABY JESUS BAWL,
"AND THE COWS DID KNOW... IT'S CHRISTMAS"

12/23/2024

Just a reminder….

Our office will be closed for the holiday on 12/24, 12/25, 12/31 and 1/1.

We wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!!

*Please make sure to check that you have enough medications to get you through the holidays*

12/19/2024

Our office will be closed for the holiday on Tuesday December 24th, December 25th, December 31st and January 1st.

We wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!!

*Please make sure to check that you have enough medications to get you through the holidays*

12/18/2024

Exciting news!! As many of you may already know you can now send texts and pictures to our main office number!! 601-942-9866

12/17/2024

PSA
If you have not given your horse their fall dose of dewormer…. Please give it now!

12/13/2024

Happy National Horse Day 2024!!!

12/04/2024

We are excited to introduce our newest veterinary assistant Meah Lanciano! Meah is a native south Philadelphian who began riding when she was 8 years old. Her passion for horses only grew stronger over the years, so when she decided to go to college, she chose Delaware Valley University. Meah graduated in 2024 with her degree in Equine Management, having specialized in instruction and training, and also achieved her stage 2 certification from the British Horse Society! Throughout college, Meah stayed heavily involved with the horses on campus. She worked at the Equestrian Center from day one, through summer and winter breaks, right up until the class of 2028 arrived. Between work and study, Meah even found time to partner running the Del Val Equine social media platforms for her junior and senior years! When she's not working, Meah loves riding dressage and spending quality time with her friends and family.

11/28/2024

🦃Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
May your grazing with friends and family be plentiful!

11/11/2024

🇺🇸 Happy Veterans Day🇺🇸
Thank you to all who have served!

11/05/2024

🇺🇸Be sure to do civic duty today! 🇺🇸
🇺🇸YOUR VOTE COUNTS!🇺🇸

10/31/2024

💀👻🎃Happy Halloween!!🎃👻💀

10/30/2024