Maple Ridge Mobile Veterinary Services

12/20/2024

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.

12/16/2024

We carry Librela! Ask us if it’s right for your dog 🐾

12/06/2024

We’ve had a few good heavy frosts now. If you haven’t given your horse(s) fall dewormer yet, it’s time! All horses need spring and fall deworming with a dewormer containing ivermectin, such as Zimecterin Gold.

If you need help making a deworming plan for your horse(s), the best step is an annual f***l egg count. This needs to be done at least 2 months post deworming. Message us to drop off a sample.

Horses on our monthly wellness plans receive annual f***ls and routine deworming.

12/02/2024

Cyber Monday special ➡️ 20-50% off MagnaWave packages! 〽️〰️

10 targeted (mini) sessions $400 (regular price $500)
10 full body (extended) sessions $720 (regular price $900)
Add 10 owner sessions to either package for just $250 (50% off!)

Must use packages within the next year (before December 31, 2025) to avoid forfeiting. Can come to us at Maple Ridge Farm or we can come to you (farm or house call applies). Owner sessions must be used at same time as mini or extended sessions.

MagnaWave Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) therapy is a massage at the cellular level. Every organ in our body produces its own bio-electromagnetic field. Using PEMF is a way to enhance those energy fields to stimulate cell metabolism, increase oxygenation, and reduce inflammation, thereby reducing pain and promoting healing.

MagnaWave can be used for any species (equines, canines, felines, and livestock). It is most commonly used for tight muscles and sore backs in horses and acute injury, swelling, or colic. We have witnessed immediate improvement in senior dogs with arthritis and decreased mobility. Livestock can also benefit with improved muscling, metabolism, and production.

12/01/2024

Cold weather tips for your ponies! 🥶

11/27/2024

11/27/2024

Attention horse owners! Clients, make sure to check your emails Friday morning for our Black Friday special! 🖤 Don’t miss out!

11/22/2024

Did you know your horse can catch the flu, too?

While there isn’t a specific time of the year for “flu season” in the equine world, any time is good to learn more about this highly contagious respiratory condition—particularly because it’s one of the most common infectious diseases of the respiratory tract of horses, and recent years have been unusually active for Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) on a global scale.

EIV spreads rapidly through groups of horses in aerosolized droplets dispersed by coughing, and the severity of clinical signs depends on the degree of existing immunity within the affected individual, among other factors (i.e., correctly vaccinated horses are less affected than unvaccinated horses).
Any horse showing signs of respiratory disease (cough, nasal discharge, persistent fever) should be isolated immediately until your veterinarian can determine the exact cause.

To learn more about Equine Influenza Virus (EIV), visit these resources:
https://aaep.org/resource/aaep-infectious-disease-guidelines-equine-influenza-eiv/
&
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-influenza

As always, your horse doctor remains your best source of information. Contact them to learn more about how to prevent this disease through an appropriate vaccination protocol and biosecurity practices.

11/22/2024

Fall office views 🌅

11/22/2024

Attention Pink Hill, Trenton, Richlands clients 🗓️

11/20/2024

EPM is widely considered the most important infectious neurologic disease of horses in North America and is caused by protozoal infection of the central nervous system. Horses are infected by consuming food or water contaminated with opossum s**t containing sporocysts.

Horses with EPM do not present a biosecurity risk to other animals because the disease is not transmissible between horses. An effective vaccine has yet to be developed, so the best preventative approach includes eliminating access of opossums to feed and water in order to minimize contact with opossum s**t and improving your horse's immune defenses by decreasing stress and optimizing health.

To learn more about EPM, visit the following resources:
https://aaep.org/resource/equine-protozoal-myeloencephalitis-epm/
&
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/EPM

As always, consult your veterinarian for more information and for advice tailored to your horse's specific circumstances.

11/20/2024

All the cuteness 🐾 We love helping with puppy exams 🐶 These babies were great for their exams and first vaccines 💉

11/20/2024

Hay is key for warmth! 🌾 The next few nights will be chilly here in eastern NC. Make sure your horses have access to ~20 pounds of hay per 24 hours for the average 1,000 pound horse. This is key for colic prevention 🙌🏼 If horses eat well, they usually drink well, too.

11/20/2024

Please be advised our office will be closed November 27th-30th. If you need any medication refills, please reach out now to schedule any pick ups or shipments, to ensure these will be available for you.

Clients, please check your emails for further info and details regarding equine first aid and clinic 📧

10/23/2024

Attention Pink Hill clients 🗓️

10/23/2024

Fall laminitis refers to cases of laminitis or founder that occur in the autumnal months. Although laminitis can happen in any season, anecdotally there seems to be an uptick in the number of cases in the fall.

Why could this be?

• As the days get shorter and colder, grasses have been shown to respond to this stress with higher sugar concentrations. Diets with higher simple sugar concentrations may increase the risk of laminitis.

• Decreases in exercise may cause increases in body condition. Fat or obese horses are at risk of developing laminitis.

• Horses naturally have increased levels of certain hormones in the fall. If you have a horse with PPID (previously referred to as equine Cushing’s), the increase in their cortisol levels could put them at risk for laminitis.

If you have questions concerning fall laminitis or are concerned that your horse may be at an increased risk, contact your equine veterinarian so that they can properly evaluate your horse's unique situation.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

10/23/2024

Though most people usually think of donkeys as very hardy, sturdy animals, this doesn't mean that their feet don't require the same careful attention that we give to their other equine cousins.

Donkeys should have their feet picked out daily and see a farrier to be trimmed every 6-10 weeks. Failure to trim donkeys' feet on a regular schedule can result in serious pain and health issues in their hooves.

Signs of foot pain in donkeys can manifest as very stoic weight shifting, especially on hard surfaces, and increased periods of laying down.

Additionally, it is important for farriers to take into account some of the differences between donkeys and horses when trimming their feet.

• The foot should be more upright
• The shape should more cylindrical rather than conical shaped
• When looking at the bottom of the foot, it should be U-shaped rather than an oval
• The sole doesn’t flake off and will need to be trimmed to create a concave sole
• Thier feet appear to grow more from the heel than from the other parts of the foot
• The point of the front does not go as far forward

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.