Blauner, Buchholz and Associates

02/17/2025

Hoof care doesn't have to be complicated, but it can be easy to overlook!

Here are some simple ways to take a step in the right direction for your horse's hoof health on a daily basis:

1. Pick Out Hooves Daily - remove dirt, debris, stones, snow, etc. This is also a great opportunity to check for loose or missing shoes, hoof cracks, and thrush.
2. Schedule Regular Farrier Visits - hooves should be trimmed/re-shod every 4-8 weeks, depending on rate of growth and the horse's individual needs.
3. Feed a Balanced Diet - Diets that contain nutrients like biotin, zinc, and omega-3s support strong and healthy hooves.
4. Provide Proper Footing – Avoid horses standing in excessive moisture (mud, wet stalls) for long periods of time. This can weaken the integrity of the hoof, and lead to infection.

With a little daily consideration, you can help your horse build and maintain strong, healthy hooves!

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at BBA! Give those ponies an extra smooch today!

02/10/2025

Did you know your horse's hooves are like a sponge and respond to changes in environmental moisture?

In the summer, dry conditions can cause hooves to dry out, become brittle, and crack. Dry, hard ground can also lead to stone bruises. It can be challenging to keep shoes on shod horses during the dry summer months, especially when they are also stomping at flies!

During the wetter months, hooves tend to soak up moisture and become softer, which can lead to more frequent hoof abscesses as well as fungal and bacterial conditions like thrush.

As your horse's hooves weather seasonal changes, it's important to keep up with daily hoof picking, as well as regular trims and shoeing to keep your horse feeling light on their feet!

02/07/2025

February is International Hoof Care Month!

Hoof care is so essential to horses' well-being, and it takes a team effort between clients, veterinarians, and farriers to keep hooves healthy. Working together, they help your horse put their best foot forward.

Tune in throughout the rest of the month to learn more about hoof care and common problems associated with horse hooves!

02/06/2025

Our Horse Owner Lecture Night is coming up soon! Join us at Valley University on February 24th from 6-8pm for a fun and educational evening and the chance to go home with some great prizes like these BBA tumblers! We can't wait to see you there!

02/06/2025

Can you name an active Philadelphia Eagles player who shares a name with one of our patients?

02/05/2025

Our office will be running on a delayed schedule 02/06/25 due to the snow and ice.

Please email us at [email protected] with any non-urgent request or call 610-584-6000 should you have an emergency.

02/05/2025

There are still spots available for our 2025 Spring Vaccine Days! Take advantage of a discounted farm call fee by scheduling your horses for their spring vaccines when our vets are in your area. Call the office to reserve your appointment!

02/04/2025

Favorite part about the Super Bowl?

👍 The Game
❤ The Food and Drinks
🤣 The Budweiser Commercial
😮 The Half Time Show

02/03/2025

Team BBA is getting ready for the Super Bowl this weekend! We are all decked out in our Eagles gear and Dr. Buchholz was the winner of our inaugural Chili Cook-Off with her signature Turkey Chili! 🦅

01/30/2025

🐴✨ Exciting Update! ✨🐴

Dr. Alex Cabra attended VMX 2025 in Orlando, Florida! 🌴📚 This premier veterinary conference provided top-tier continuing education, and Dr. Cabra gained valuable insights into the latest advancements in equine medicine.

We're excited to apply this knowledge to continue providing the best care for our patients! 🩺🐎

01/24/2025

2025 Spring Vaccine Days are coming up soon! If you are a horse owner who doesn't usually get to take advantage of the discounted farm call fee of a large boarding or training barn, this program is for you! Designed especially for owners with just a few horses stabled at a private farm or at home, participants in these appointments will be able to benefit from a discounted farm call fee when they schedule an appointment for one of the dates listed below. Call to reserve your appointment soon as spots are limited!

01/23/2025

Did you know that testing for Equine Cushing's (PPID) entails specific preparation for the most accurate results and effective treatment plan?
If your horse has a PPID test scheduled, be sure to follow these guidelines below. As always, our office is here to answer any questions you may have!

**Timing**: Blood samples can be taken any time of day.
**Fasting**: Horses can have hay, but do not feed grain 12 hours before testing.
**Calm Environment**: Keep your horse relaxed and avoid stress (e.g., excitement from trailering or other activities).
**Seasonal Impact**: ACTH levels can vary by season. Consult your veterinarian for the best timing for testing your particular horse.
**Post-Sedation**: If sedation is used, testing should only occur within 5-10 minutes or after 24 hours.
**Pain or Stress**: Avoid testing during acute stress or severe pain, as these can affect results.
**Post Steroid Administration**: Use of steroids in the form of joint injections or oral steroids such as dexamethasone or prednisolone can impact the accuracy of the testing. Be sure to check with your veterinarian to discuss timing of the blood work after steroid administration.

Keep these guidelines in mind as you prepare for your horses' bloodwork appointments! If you have questions or need further guidance, consult your veterinarian or visit the Equine Endocrinology Group website: https://equineendocrinologygroup.org/

01/22/2025

We love our golden oldies! Our very own Dr. Kelli Powers will be giving a lecture on how to best care for our elderly equines at the February 24th Horse Owner Lecture Night, hosted by Delaware Valley University. Join us (or tune in online!) for loads of great information on how to keep senior horses happy and healthy.

It’s not uncommon to find horses and ponies living well into their 20s and 30s, thanks to continuous advances in nutrition and health care.

Horse owners have a big impact as well and can help their horses thrive in their golden years through proper management practices like those illustrated in the graphic. But remember, although there is much you can do on your own to keep your older horse happy and spry, some conditions associated with aging require medical intervention.

Scheduling regular visits and keeping a good line of communication with your veterinarian will allow you to respond quickly to any ailments or injuries that could cause your horse a serious or prolonged set back. That means less worry for you, and a better quality of life for your old friend!

01/21/2025

THE COLD NEVER BOTHERS ME ANYWAY - if we have enough layers, that is!

Today Dr. Diana reports 5 layers and Hannah has 6.

Welcome back to Dr. Diana Cnudde!!! We are so happy to have you back with us, although the weather has not been quite as welcoming!

01/20/2025

The office will open at 9am today to give our staff time to dig out from yesterday’s snow!! Stay safe everyone!

01/17/2025

With next week's upcoming extreme temperatures, don't be tempted to take extreme actions to keep your horse warm! Make sure they have free choice hay of a type that they are used to eating, are able to move around as is normal for them, have access to plenty of clean, warm water, and that clipped, elderly, or thin horses are blanketed appropriately. Warm, soupy feed is a great way to make sure they are staying hydrated with full bellies!

As the cold winter weather trudges on, Dr. Sarah Reuss, AAEP Vice President and a horse owner herself, shares the following advice to keep your horse safe during extreme weather.

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source, just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being in a stall, now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure they have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well-fitting blankets are great but be sure that horses do not get sweaty under them, or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold and covered is worse that dry, cold and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!!!) to double check.

7. Entice your horses to consume extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. The tips of your horses' ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting on a waterproof, jumper-style ear bonnet or other waterproof ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

If you have any questions or concerns about keeping your horses safe this winter, contact your veterinarian for advice.