South Mountain Equine

10/29/2024

Hopefully everyone is enjoying the nice weather as much as these two! Wishing everyone a happy and safe Halloween week.

09/17/2024

Black Walnut trees are very common in this area of the country. The bark, wood, nuts, leaves, and roots are all toxic to horses (and dogs). Horses don't typically ingest them however and toxicity is usually due to the wood be present in shavings. Contact with the shavings as well as ingestion can cause clinical signs. Edema in legs, depression, reluctance to move, and acute laminitis are the most common signs in the first few hours of toxicity. Fever, colic, elevated respiration and rotation of the coffin bone can occur if exposure is prolonged. Make sure when acquiring bulk shavings there is no black walnut mixed in as it is a common source of wood for furniture.

09/09/2024

One of the plants you may come across in your hay or pastures is Carolina Horsenettle (𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑢𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒). This w**d produces round tomato like berries sometimes referred to as as the "Devil's Tomato". This plant is part of the nightshade family and can be toxic to horses, and people, if ingested in large amounts. The leaves and stems of the plant have fine prickly spines and the flowers are star shaped and pale violet to white in color. All parts are poisonous, especially the berries, and contain solanine a glycoalkaloid that irritates the mucosa in the mouth and stomach. The plant is less toxic when dried in hay and small amounts will cause no harm. Most horses will eat around the plant as it is not palatable. If they consume 1 lb. or more in a sitting they could develop gastric signs like colic and diarrhea or neurologic signs such as depression and muscle tremors. The toxin acts quickly, but the effects are not cumulative. Be on the lookout for this plant in your pastures. If you see evidence of it in your hay pick it out, but don't panic, a small amount will not be harmful and most likely your horse will not eat it.

08/28/2024

One of the 'stall side' tests our practice utilizes on a regular basis checks a horse's Serum Amyloid A level or SAA. SAA is a biomarker protein that rapidly increases with infection. Levels in healthy horses are very low, but these levels rise quickly and will remain elevated in horses with infections, even infections that are subclinical. For this reason an SAA reader can be more sensitive than a thermometer at picking up early infections. Not only can the SAA reading help detect an infection in a patient but it can be used to monitor response to treatments prescribed, screen horses who have traveled or are planning to travel, or be used during a wellness evaluation or pre-purchase exam. The test only takes 10 minutes to run and is often helpful, along with the physical exam findings, to choose a treatment protocol.

08/22/2024

Routine blood work is an important tool we have to monitor the health of your horse. This is why a CBC/Chemistry panel is included in all preventative health care plans we offer. All of our trucks are equipped with a refrigerator and centrifuge so we can properly process and store the blood during the day to get the most accurate test results. Ask us what blood work would be best to monitor your horse's health!

08/21/2024

Ever wondered how we can keep a wound covered in those hard to bandage areas? For areas on the upper part of the leg, the neck, or upper body of the horse, we either cannot bandage or the bandage will slip down. In these areas, a tie over bandage can be used instead if it is needed! A tie over bandage uses loops of suture in the surrounding skin as anchors, and then the bandage material is held in place by a string laced through those loops. It is especially helpful for some wounds that require packing!

08/14/2024

Potomac horse fever (PHF) is an acute enterocolitis syndrome producing mild colic, fever, and diarrhea in horses of all ages, as well as abortion in pregnant mares. The causative agent is Neorickettsia risticii. The infection of enterocytes of the small and large intestine results in acute colitis, which is one of the principal clinical signs of PHF. The disease occurs in spring, summer, and early fall and is associated with pastures bordering creeks or rivers.

We have had several cases in the area. If you have not vaccinated for PHF in the last 3 months, we recommend that you call to schedule a booster.
240-818-5971

Learn about the veterinary topic of Potomac Horse Fever. Find specific details on this topic and related topics from the Merck Vet Manual.

08/06/2024

The hot weather came early this year and with it an increase in insect and tick borne diseases. Several cases or Potomac Horse Fever, West Nile Virus, Lyme and Anaplasmosis have been identified in the area.
Be sure your horses are up to date on the vaccines that protect against insect borne diseases and take extra care to look over your horse for free loading ticks. Apply fly spray and use fly gear as needed and clean water troughs regularly. If you're not sure of your horse's current vaccine status feel free to call and we can check their records!

08/01/2024

Dr. Brooke was in Lexington, KY last weekend keeping up with the latest in lameness and performance horse medicine. She brought back new knowledge and skills for all of us to use on your horses! If you have any concerns about your horse’s performance, give us a call to set up an appointment. Our goal is to keep your horse as comfortable as they can be while doing their job, whether it’s competing or trail riding!

07/22/2024

Congratulations to Dr. Caity Cosentino on her recent graduation from the Chi University program for Veterinary Medical Manipulation. Call us for an appointment with Dr. Caity! 240-818-5971

From the Chi Website: Chiropractic, as defined by law, applies specifically and only to humans. A chiropractor has completed human chiropractic training and obtained a Doctor of Chiropractic degree (DC). When similar techniques are applied to animals, it is correctly called spinal manipulation or medical manipulation.

07/16/2024

Last week was national farrier week!! Thank you to the farriers that we work with and everyone who helps out the horses and owners in our area!!

07/04/2024

Wishing everyone a fun and safe 4th of July! Remember our 4 legged friends are often afraid of fireworks so keeping the festivities a safe distance away will limit their stress and ours!!

06/12/2024

Updated F***l Egg Count Guidelines from AAEP -
Focus points:
1. Stop using rotational dewormer or deworming on a fixed schedule.
2. Perform f***l egg count reduction tests (FECRT) annually to ensure that you are using effective dewormers in every herd or barn.
3. Continue using f***l egg counts (FEC) once or twice a year to stratify horses into low, medium, and high shedders to reduce pasture contamination.

We do f***l egg counts year round and can collect at your appointment or you can drop off at our office or Southern States in Frederick.

These Internal Parasite Control Guidelines were revised by the AAEP in May 2024. You can access the entire guidelines document by clicking the Download Resource button. Parasite groups discussed in these guidelines include: Cyathostomins (Small Strongyles), Large strongyles, Anoplocephala perfoliata...

03/28/2024

Spring is in the air! It's time to count those eggs again and not just the pretty Easter Eggs that are going to appear this weekend. F***l egg counts help us figure out the best deworming protocol for your horse for the year. Have us pick one up next time we are at your barn or feel free to drop one off at the office.

02/14/2024

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

01/30/2024

Get ahead on your horse's health for this year with our 2024 preventative health care programs!

The option 1 plan provides basic care combined into 1 visit such as a dental exam and vaccines. The option 2 plans includes a nutritional consult, a dental exam, vaccines, and more split into 2 visits. We also have a geriatric add on that is recommended for horses over 15 which included additional blood work, and a sport horse add on that includes 6 acupuncture and chiropractic visits. When you sign up for either of the health plans there are additional discounts included on several other services!

To learn more please email, call ,or visit our website at https://southmountainequine.com/veterinary-services/preventative-health-care-programs/

01/29/2024

Farm chores are always more fun with help! The crew making sure we don't miss a spot when cleaning out their run-in shed.

01/11/2024

With all the rain everyone's fields are becoming mud! It's important to not only pick out your horse's feet regularly to avoid them from getting thrush, but also to check their lower legs for pastern dermatitis/scratches. The sooner you find it the easier it is to treat. Hope everyone stays warm and dry out there :)

12/19/2023

Busy day for the team working in the clinic! Just a reminder that we do welcome clients to bring their horses to our clinic for appointments 🙂

12/13/2023

As a living work of art, it's only fitting that the horse has their very own holiday. Today, on National Day of the Horse, we're celebrating our horses by crafting the highest level of care from muzzle to hoof to tail.

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving! Today we're giving thanks to the entirety of our horse's health care team, including our technicians, veterinarians and farriers.

11/11/2023

Today, on Veterans Day, we thank, celebrate and honor those who have served our country.

10/31/2023

Happy Halloween! We hope your holiday is full of treats for both you and your horse.

10/16/2023

South Mountain Equine is extremely proud to announce that Dr. Brooke Alnwick is joining our team! Dr. Brooke Alnwick grew up in Groton, Massachusetts. She grew up in a barn, as an event rider, which is what sparked her interest in veterinary medicine. She obtained a bachelors in pre-veterinary sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2016. She then moved to Auburn, Alabama for veterinary school and earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Auburn University in 2020.
After veterinary school, Dr. Brooke completed an internship in the large animal hospital at the University of Georgia. Dr. Brooke’s interests include lameness, diagnostic imaging, emergencies, and ophthalmology. She spends her free time with her dogs, Rhett and Huck, fishing, exploring new restaurants, and being active with her local church.
Dr. Brooke is going to be an excellent addition to our team and we cannot wait for you all to meet her!

09/23/2023

Happy First Day of Fall! Here's to a season full of fresh apples for our horses and fall colors.