Irongate Equine Clinic

12/12/2024

Today's weather is frigid. With temperatures this cold, your horses must have:
🔷Shelter from the wind through an enclosed stall, windbreak, or even a line of trees.
🔷Access to water, the water bucket is accessible, and the water doesn't have an electrical short, scaring away the horses.
🔷Extra roughage to keep your horse warm. A good rule of thumb is to increase hay by 1% for each degree below 18 degrees F.
Here's more to read. Don't forget to keep yourself warm and out of the elements!❄️
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Horses in good health and good body condition (body condition score of 5-6 or higher) with a fully grown winter hair coat can withstand significant drops in temperature provided they have protection from the wind and wet conditions, and plenty of water and food.

12/11/2024

Are you seeking advice on whether it's too cold to ride?

Research has shown that airway samples from horses exercising strenuously in cold conditions (cantering and galloping on a treadmill at 4-5 degrees Celsius, or about 39-41 degrees Fahrenheit) showed signs of airway inflammation 48 hours after exercise.

12/10/2024

Mark your calendars

January 28th @ 6:00 pm 🗓📅📆

Join us at our upcoming client educational seminar where Drs Ketover, Nesson, and Alderman speak about Equine Lameness and Rehabilitation. Snacks will be provided.

Please RSVP to [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there. 🐴

Mark your calendars

January 28th @ 6:00 pm 🗓📅📆

Join us at our upcoming client educational seminar where Drs Ketover, Nesson, and Alderman speak about Equine Lameness and Rehabilitation. Snacks will be provided.

Please RSVP to [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there. 🐴

12/06/2024

The scary 'S" word 😵‍💫

DID YOU KNOW?

Strangles was one of the first equine diseases to be described by the early writers of veterinary science (was first reported in 1215) and is one of the most commonly diagnosed contagious diseases of the horse, worldwide. Though strangles is highly contagious and can affect many horses on a farm, particularly young animals, most horses with infection recover without complication.

It is not uncommon for strangles infections to recur on a farm with previous outbreaks of the disease. The bacteria can survive in water sources for over a month, but the primary source of recurrent infections is most likely asymptomatic carrier horses. Anywhere from 4-50% of the horses on farms with recurring strangles are asymptomatic carriers of the infection, and they may continue to shed the bacteria for months to even years, serving as a continual source of new infections.

If you suspect a strangles outbreak, be sure to involve your veterinarian right away to determine the diagnosis and the best control practices for your particular farm. Strangles is a reportable disease in some states. Movement of any horses on or off the farm should be stopped, and new horses should not be introduced. Monitoring the temperature of all horses daily and isolating horses at the first sign of fever is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of infection. Infected horses can transmit the bacteria to healthy horses one to two days after they develop a fever.

To learn more about strangles, visit our website at https://aaep.org/resource/client-education-presentation-understanding-equine-strangles/

As always, your veterinarian remains your best source of information and advice!

12/05/2024

🥶Winter Weather Reminder🥶
Energy needs for a horse at maintenance increase about 1% for each degree below 18°F. For example, if the temperature is -18°F, a 1,000 pound idle, adult horse would need approximately 4 additional pounds of forage (e.g., hay) daily. It is best to provide the extra energy as forage since heat is produced from the microbial fermentation of forage.

12/03/2024

An open love letter to our community:

Words can never fully express the depth of our gratitude. You are so much more than a supporter—you are the reason we exist. You give not only your resources, but your time, passion, and privilege—because you understand that at the root of the human experience, working animals are an essential part of our shared journey. More than companions or tools, they are the bridges between us and the progress we strive for. From carrying ribbons to carrying clean water, these animals unite us in ways that transcend borders, cultures, and language. They carry the weight of our burdens, share in our work, and elevate our collective spirit.

Through their service we are reminded that true progress is not just technological or economic—it is ethical, compassionate, and interconnected.

As we enter this season of giving, we celebrate YOU, our Equitarian Community. Thank you for teaching us to give without expectation, and to love without borders.

www.EquitarianInitiative.org/donate

12/03/2024

Did you know our mounted unit has had horses barefoot for almost the entirety of its life? With a few exceptions over the years we have been able to do this for our horses because we regularly utilize hoof boots for our team.

The environment our horses walk on day to day is often concrete, over time that can cause soreness. We recognize this and often give our horses hoof boots to wear to help support them when it’s needed. These boots have shock absorbing features that benefits our team long term. If you’re a runner you know the important of wearing great running shoes for long distances. The same thought applies to hoof boots!

With all that being said, this is what our team feels is best for our unit. We have found that this is what works for us but it may not work for everyone, and that is okay! We support everyone’s decisions and opinions on how best to protect their horses feet.

As you can imagine though any type of horse shoe, metal or otherwise, comes at a cost! This year for Giving Tuesday we ask that you donate to our non profit so we can outfit our team with all new hoof boots!

Our goal is to raise $2,000 to fund this equipment for our team.

Donate Today:
https://madisonmounted.square.site/product/donate/71?cs=true&cst=custom

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12/02/2024

Water, Water, Water 💦💧

ow An average sized horse (1000 #) requires a minimum 10-12 gallons of water each day?

💦Water temperatures should stay between 45-65 degrees to maximize consumption.

🧂Salt can be given to increase the horse to drink; an adult horse can have 1-2 ounces of salt per day.

💦Make sure to check all automatic waters for any shocking that may happen and to make sure they are still working properly.

11/26/2024

Dr Ketover spent last week Wednesday at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine teaching their staff rescue training.

Last week, SVM large animal faculty and staff received hands-on rescue training from Wisconsin Large Animal Emergency Response. Using life-like equine models, faculty and staff learned how to properly manipulate and stabilize large animals who are in need of rescue.

11/26/2024

Water remains as important for your horse in cold weather as it is in the summer. As a matter of fact, decreased water consumption in the winter is thought to be the primary inducing factor for impaction colic — although there are other predisposing factors such as poor hay quality, lack of exercise, internal parasites and dental problems.

Impaction colic is essentially constipation and most often includes the accumulation of hard, dry f***l material in the colon. The usual signs of impending impaction colic are depression, a decreased appetite, and decreased production and dryness of manure.

Studies demonstrate that you can increase your horse's winter water consumption if you provide access to heated water, but ONLY if that is the only source of water available. As always, if you have any questions about preventing colic in your horse, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!

11/25/2024

📢 Holiday Notice! 🦃

Our office will be closed on Thursday, November 28th for Thanksgiving Day and remain closed on Friday, November 29th.

Wishing you a joyful holiday!

11/22/2024

Great reminder for opening weekend👇

Send a message to learn more

11/21/2024

Mark your calendars

January 28th @ 6:00 pm 🗓📅📆

Join us at our upcoming client educational seminar where Drs Ketover, Nesson, and Alderman speak about Equine Lameness and Rehabilitation. Snacks will be provided.

Please RSVP to [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there. 🐴

11/21/2024

🗓Attention Pregnant Mare Owners🗓

11/20/2024

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a neurologic disease in horses caused by infection with the protozoan Sarcocystis neurona (SN).

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.

11/18/2024

Yellowstone Fans - did anyone catch how they gave the Banamine in the last episode?

💉Reminder to never give Banamine intramuscularly. ❌

It's important to know how to properly give your horse medication. If you are ever unsure please don't hesitate to contact us.

11/11/2024

We have so much to be grateful for when it comes to our veterans, and we would like to thank you for your service.

We wish you and your family a Happy Veterans Day!

11/07/2024

We offer Shock Wave Therapy?

Shock Wave Therapy (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Technology or EWST) is a non-invasive, high-intensity pressure wave treatment that has been shown to be effective in treating and alleviating the symptoms associated with many bone, tendon, ligament and joint conditions.