Integrity Equine

07/25/2024

HOW AND WHY DO HORSES GET ULCERS?

Equine gastric ulcers can affect any horse of any age. Up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of show horses, as well as non-performance horses and even foals are affected by equine gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers result from the erosion of the stomach lining due to a prolonged exposure to the normal acid present in the stomach.

Unlike ulcers in humans, bacteria do not appear to cause equine gastric ulcers. Instead, this condition is often a man-made disease. Stall confinement alone can lead to the development of ulcers. A horse’s feeding schedule and high-grain diets can also contribute to the development of ulcers.

Stress, both environmental and physical, can increase the likelihood of ulcers, as can hauling, training, and mixing groups of horses. Strenuous exercise can decrease the emptying of the stomach as well as the blood flow, thus further contributing to the problem.

The treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers is directed at removing these predisposing factors, therefore decreasing acid production within the horse’s stomach. Prevention of ulcers is the key in helping your horse, as neutralizing the production of stomach acid is nature’s best antacid.

Please note that the only way to definitively diagnose ulcers is through a gastroscopy. An equine veterinarian should always be consulted in any case of suspected gastric ulcers to determine the best course of action and treatment for the individual horse.

06/17/2024

05/19/2024

If you believe that horses need grain in their diet to meet their nutritional needs, you are not alone. However, horses should get most of their nutrients from a good quality forage source such as grass, hay, hay pellets, or a complete feed.

Horses generally eat between 1.5-2% of their body weight each day, so an average size 1,000 lbs horse should eat 15- 20 lbs of hay daily. To help fill any nutrient gaps such as essential vitamins or minerals, a ration balancer may be beneficial. Depending on breed, body condition, and exercise level, concentrates may be added in to provide additional energy but are often not needed.

When deciding on what to feed your horse, it is best to invest in high quality forages as the foundation of your feeding plan. You can even have your hay tested to see exactly what nutrients it is providing. Please consult with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist about your horse's diet before making any major changes, and remember that any changes should be made gradually over time to avoid GI upset.
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

04/06/2024

0/10, DO NOT RECOMMEND.

Several viral posts are going around regarding the use of Dectomax and other cattle dewormers in horses. There is a great deal of misinformation being spread and Crown 3 Equine feels it is important to educate the public on why using dewormers meant for other species is a BAD IDEA.

❌ Many of these products are NOT intended for use in horses.

❌ Efficacy and safety of these products in horses have not been studied or have proven to be unsafe.

❌ Intramuscular dewormers are not commonly used in horses within the US due to muscle reactivity and the higher level of Clostridial diseases found here. (EXAMPLE: the increase in cases of necrotizing fasciitis when banamine was given IM.)

❌ Using these products can lead to reactions, colic and parasite-inducted enteritis that is FATAL to your horses.

❌ Dectomax does NOT cure EPM, despite claims that it does. (That is not how that works.)

Inappropriate use of dewormers and outdated deworming protocols are ✨ATTRIBUTING✨ to parasite resistance in our herds.

We have seen this before when Quest (moxidectin) hit the market. Everyone started using it inappropriately and the “results” were actually a RESULT of a massive parasite resistance thanks to rotational dewormings! Horses had reactions and were dying because of lack of proper management.

And… guess what?

Veterinary professionals are now seeing a resistance in Quest/moxidectin!

✅ What we DO recommend is following the AAEP’s Internal Parasite Control Guidelines and work with your veterinarian (and NOT strangers on the internet) to develop a deworming protocol that utilizes f***l egg counts and a more targeted approach for your herd.

This will help combat the issue of internal parasite resistances SAFELY & hopefully prevent dewormers from becoming prescription-only in the future as antibiotics have!

04/06/2024

Hitting the road with your horse, either for pleasure or for business/competition?

Most horse owners know that a negative Coggins test is a must-have for crossing state lines or entering competitions (or even boarding at someone's barn). But let’s not forget that even homebodies need it!

A "Coggins" is a blood test that checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a serious blood-borne disease. EIA is transmitted by biting flies, particularly horseflies, so your horse is at risk even it never leaves the property or lives in a closed herd.

The clinical signs of the disease can vary dramatically, from an acute infection to an inapparent form that presents mild to no symptoms. No treatment or vaccine exist for EIA at the moment, and infected horses become lifelong carriers. Therefore, to ensure that large outbreaks of the disease don’t take place, horses that test positive for EIA must be quarantined and isolated for the rest of their life or humanely euthanized.

Get your horse tested annually, regardless of travel plans. To learn more about EIA, consult your veterinarian or visit our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/equine-infectious-anemia

04/06/2024

Remember when your parents used to tell you to wait 30 minutes after eating before going for a swim? Unlike us, horses can actually benefit from eating forage before they exercise, as it may help reduce the risk of gastric ulcers.

While a variety of things can contribute to the development of stomach ulcers (medications, diet, stress, etc.), one train of thought is that these areas of irritation result as a consequence of the acid of the stomach splashing against unprotected parts of the stomach lining. When a horse eats forage, the hay can help absorb some of that acid and thus reduce the risk of ulcer formation.

It is important to note that a forage meal (one comprised of hay or grass) provides the most benefit, while eating large volumes of concentrate feeds (such as oats, corn, or other cereal grains) can actually increase the amount of acid within the stomach.

As always, please be sure to consult with your vet regarding further diagnostics and treatments if you have concerns that your horse may have gastric ulcers.
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

03/28/2024

Spring has sprung! Which means…vaccination season is upon us as well!

If you are wondering what vaccinations your horse should receive, the answer is — There are no “one size fits all” vaccine recommendations. A veterinarian who knows your horse and your management system is your best resource to recommend what vaccines your equine friend should receive and with what frequency!

While vaccination does not prevent disease in all circumstances, a good immunization protocol minimizes the risk of infection and remains an essential component of responsible horse ownership. A vaccination appointment is also the perfect opportunity for a yearly check-up of your equine friend and a great way to catch any health concerns early.

If you have yet to contact your veterinarian about scheduling your horse's vaccinations, we encourage you to do it soon!

03/28/2024

Did you know?

The most common parasites of adult horses cause very little stress on the nutritional status of a horse. Just because a horse looks good from the outside, it does not mean it should not to be checked for internal parasites—as a matter of fact, it is not uncommon for the horse with the best coat and highest body condition score in the herd to also have the highest F***l Egg Count (FEC)!

If your horse has access to pasture, you should assume the animal is exposed to parasites. This spring, talk with your veterinarian to establish a dewormer plan tailored to your horse’s situation that includes at least 1-2 dewormer treatments per year and FEC examinations to monitor treatment efficacy and parasite egg shedding status of individual horses.
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

02/05/2024

Click to read on equusmagazine.com

01/20/2024

FUN FACT FRIDAY! Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice, good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/17/2024

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING (A FOAL) 🐴

If your mare has made it through 11 months of pregnancy, you're almost there. Labor and delivery, while momentous, are generally uncomplicated — however, being a prepared and informed owner will help you keep your anxiety in check so you can assist the new mother and foal get off to a great start.

Here are some things you can do to prepare for the arrival of the foal:

• Consult with your veterinarian well in advance of the birth. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours and ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available.

• Clean and disinfect the stall as thoroughly as possible. Provide adequate bedding.

• Wash the mare's udder, v***a and hindquarters with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.

• Wrap the mare's tail with a clean wrap when you observe the first stage of labor. Be sure that the wrap is not applied too tightly or left on too long, as it can cut off circulation and permanently damage the tail.

• Time each stage of labor, to help you keep accurate track of the mare's progress. Take written notes! When you're worried or anxious, your perception of time can become distorted.

As always, these are general guidelines and you should contact your veterinarian for more information specific to your situation. Good luck!

01/12/2024

As a storm threat of freezing rain and snow marches across the U.S. and Canada ❄️🌨🫧🌬, below are some tips for keeping your horses safe during extreme winter weather events:

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 locked up 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 your animals 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 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. “Trick” your horses into consuming 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. Tips of ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting a jumper-style ear bonnet or other ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

Stay safe, friends!

01/11/2024

Is your horse’s nighttime vision better than your daytime vision?

When comparing equine vision to human vision, the horse has a smaller visible spectrum (see image) which means they see a smaller range of colors than we do. However, horses have a structure in the back of their eye—called the tapetum lucidum—that humans do not have. This enhances vision in low light conditions and allows a horse to see better in the dark than a human does. However, reflections from the tapetum lucidum can also blur images and lead to poor depth perception at night.

Dilation of the pupil allows all species to see better in the dark. This process takes longer in a horse (45 minutes) than it does in humans (25 minutes). So when a horse is asked to do something in a dark environment, it’s important to allow their vision proper time to fully accommodate.

Overall, the nighttime vision of a horse is better than the nighttime vision of a human. However, the horse’s nighttime vision is NOT better than the daytime vision of a human. Anytime you are asking your horse to function in a dim light situation, give them time to adjust. And if they are fearful, be patient and try to understand how things look from their perspective!
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

10/05/2023

While it’s a common equine emergency, espophageal obstruction (“choke”) can look alarming, especially if you've never seen it before. Unlike in human medicine, where choking refers to a tracheal (or windpipe) obstruction, choke in horses refers to an obstruction of the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

Most commonly, choking occur when horses eat concentrated feed too quickly without chewing it appropriately, which results in a firm bolus lodged in the animal's esophagus. However, esophageal obstruction can also occur with hay or straw, hard treats, carrots, or nonfood objects. Poor dentition, which leads to inadequate chewing, is also a frequent cause of choke.

While common, chokes can have serious consequences so be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of choke. A bad choke is fairly obvious to both veterinarians and horse owners, but a mild choke could be confused with an upper respiratory tract infection or colic.

Read more about this condition on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/understanding-choke-horses

10/04/2023

10/04/2023

The beermaker says it will end the practice known as tail docking after it came under pressure by animal rights group PETA.

09/23/2023

Welcome !🍂

As the the colder temperatures draw near, many horse owners are busy securing their winter hay supply. If you are considering purchasing round bales for your horses this winter—due to their cost-effectiveness and greater convenience for feeding pastured animals— remember that there are a few things to think about when choosing between square or round bales.

• Are you equipped/prepared to store your hay correctly?
Improperly stored round bales can lose much of their nutritional value and are also more susceptible to mold, dust, and bacteria growth, which can cause respiratory issues and even colic.

• Are your horses protected from botulism?
Round bales provide an optimum environment for the development of the botulism neurotoxins, which equines are particularly sensitive to.
Prevention of this disease through vaccination is critical, especially in areas where the condition is prevalent (such as Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, and Tennessee).

• Are round bales a good choice for your horse?
Horses prone to respiratory conditions usually have increased problems with round bales due to their higher dust content.

• Can you secure high-quality round bales?
Not all hay is created equal. Be sure to choose high-quality hay to meet your horse's nutritional needs and minimize the risk of impaction colic, which increases with lower-quality, less digestible forage.

As always, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information and advice—consult your horse doctor on best practices when feeding hay this winter!

07/13/2023

COOL SCIENCE (pun intended)!

An old myth wants us to believe that horses should be walked until they cool completely after exercise, even in the summer. However, a study from 2020 looked at five different ways to cool a horse after exercise: walking, walking with fans, walking with intermittent cold water application, walking with intermittent cold water application and scraping, and stationary with continuous tap water application. As it turns out, the method that resulted in the quickest return to normal body temperature was stationary with continuous tap water application (2 minutes), while walking alone took the longest time for recovery (25 minutes).

Bottom line: enjoy your rides in the sun this summer but remain vigilant for signs of heat stress in your horse. If they look tired, it’s time for a drink, a cool bath, and a break in the shade.
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Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

06/27/2023

Always a good reminder for this time of the year: The notion that a hot, recently exercised horse needs to cool down before drinking water is a myth, so be advised that it is best to rehydrate sweaty, hardworking horses without delay.

The key, however, is to know how much water to allow at one time. Because of the equine stomach’s relatively small capacity, offer small amounts of water every 20 minutes until the horse drinks his fill rather than letting the animal drink it all at once. A slower reintroduction of water is good common sense, while it makes no sense to hold horses off it.

Remember that water is the most vital nutrient for a horse. The average idle 1,100-pound horse in a cool environment will drink 6 to 10 gallons of water per day, but that amount may easily double or triple in a hot environment! Therefore, it goes without saying that providing cool, clean water to your horses at ALL times is of paramount importance.

Source: Equus Magazine and AAEP member Dr. Anthony Blikslager. More information about offering a horse water can be found at https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/offering-a-horse-water-after-exercise-8622/

05/26/2023

VECTOR CONTROL AROUND HORSES: WHY IT MATTERS

’Tis bug season! Besides being very irritating, it's important to remember that some of these insects can spread infection and disease to your horse (and, in some cases, to you as well). Therefore, a smart strategy is to control the problem before it gets out of hand and minimize populations from the beginning.

The attached infographic contains some suggestions to get you started. Please keep in mind that there are many variations of these suggested programs that will still meet the same goals and follow the same principles.

If you’re interested in reading more about external parasites and vector control, comprehensive guidelines are available on our website at https://aaep.org/guidelines/external-parasite-and-vector-control-guidelines. As always, reach out to your veterinarian for recommendations suitable for your horse’s specific situation!

05/01/2023

Did you know? Zero F***l Egg Count (FEC) does NOT mean you don’t need to deworm your horse!

F***l Egg Counts can give a good indication of parasite egg shedding status, but a FEC cannot determine if a horse is free from parasites as there are several parasite eggs that do not consistently appear with routine FECs. Additionally, the most dangerous stage of a parasite lifecycle is the immature, larval stage which does not lay eggs, and therefore cannot be identified in a FEC.

Talk to your vet about the best course of action when it comes to developing a deworming treatment for your equine friend. All adult horses need to have 1-2 dewormer treatments per year and FEC can help identify horses that might need additional treatments.

Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.
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03/01/2023

"This horse is 3 out of 5 lame."
You've probably heard a similar statement many times when it comes to describing lameness in horses. But do you ACTUALLY know what a person is talking about if they use this expression?

Because each horse has unique performance characteristics, evaluating lameness can be challenging; lameness may appear as a barely noticeable shortening of the stride, or the condition may be so severe that the horse will not bear weight on the affected limb. With such extremes possible, the AAEP developed a lameness grading system that is used by most veterinarians in the U.S. The AAEP lameness scales aids both communication and record-keeping and ranges from zero to five, with zero being no perceptible lameness and five being most extreme.

When lameness occurs or is suspected, you should contact your veterinarian promptly. An early examination can save you time, money and frustration by diagnosing and treating the problem immediately, possibly even preventing further damage.

Read more about lameness in horses on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/lameness-exams-evaluating-lame-horse and consult your veterinarian to learn how you can become a better observer and steward for your equine friend!

02/09/2023

DID YOU KNOW?

Puncture wounds in the foot qualify as medical emergencies, due to the amount of vital structures just beneath the sole that can be physically damaged and/or contaminated with bacteria when they are penetrated by a sharp object.

If your horse steps on a nail or other sharp object and it remains embedded in the hoof, resist the temptation to pull the nail out and consult with your veterinarian first. Leaving the nail in place will allow the vet to take x-rays of the foot before removal, which helps to identify exactly what structures have been penetrated, and to plan the most appropriate strategy for dealing with the situation.

If your veterinarian advises, carefully remove the nail to prevent the horse from stepping on it and driving it deeper into the hoof cavity. As you remove it, be sure to mark the exact point and depth of entry with tape and/or a marker so the veterinarian can assess the extent of damage. Apply antiseptic to the wound, and wrap to prevent additional contamination while you wait for your appointment.

Penetrating hoof wounds can be extremely serious and shouldn’t be underestimated. The prognosis for successful recovery depends on quick action to identify the path of the nail, treatment of potential infection and mechanical damage to the foot, and proper aftercare. As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

02/09/2023

With spring only a few weeks away (🙌), it’s not too early to start thinking about a deworming plan for your horses.

If deworming is something you’ve been doing the same way for as long as you can remember, this year we encourage you to break tradition and work with your veterinarian instead. Thanks to tools like the f***l egg count, your horse doctor can help you devise a treatment tailored to the needs of your equine friend plus monitor the efficacy of the dewormer used last. And before you dismiss this notion because you’ve been “doing it for years,” you should know that the old-school approach to deworming is quickly becoming outdated—not only a waste of money but it also builds drug resistance in the parasitic fauna of equines, which means we are running out of drugs that can effectively help us control parasite infections.

For more information, the AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines can be found on our website at https://aaep.org/document/internal-parasite-control-guidelines
As always, consult your equine veterinarian to learn more and for questions specific to your horses!

09/28/2022

September 28 is . While the number of confirmed equine cases every year is low, talking about this disease remains important because of the potential for human exposure—which does NOT have to involve a bite from an infected horses, as contact of skin or mucosa with the horse’s saliva could be enough to transmit the disease.

Rabies has many faces but they are all deadly—once a horse shows clinical signs, the animal invariably dies within a few days as there is no treatment.
The good news is that modern vaccines are highly effective and current AAEP recommendations list rabies as one of the “core vaccines” that should be given to all horses annually to maintain immunity (read the full AAEP vaccination guidelines here: https://aaep.org/guidelines/vaccination-guidelines)

Equine rabies is a real risk for all horses, and a public health concern as well. Be sure to set up a regular vaccination schedule with your veterinarian if you haven’t already done so, and remember that strange behavior on behalf of your equine friend is always a valid reason to check in with your horse doctor!

Read more about rabies on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/rabies-has-many-faces

07/30/2022

HOOF ABSCESSES EXPLAINED

Sooner or later, nearly all horse owners will deal with a hoof abscess. But what does "hoof abscess" actually mean?

Although most commonly seen during the wet winter and spring months, hoof abscesses can plague horses year-round and usually occur when debris and bacteria enter the foot through hoof cracks and wounds, even horseshoeing holes. The bacteria then get trapped between the sensitive laminae (the tissue layer that bonds the hoof capsule to the coffin bone) and the hoof wall or sole and create pus; the pus builds up over the course of time and puts pressure behind the hoof wall or sole, until it causes the sudden onset of acute lameness when the pain finally becomes too great.
(The diagram below shows a simplified view of the equine hoof to help you visualize the structures involved in this process.)

Hoof abscesses can mimic other more serious diseases or injuries, so involving your veterinarian early on in the diagnosis and prompt treatment of this condition is always a good idea. Some abscesses will be uncomplicated and rupture on their own like a large pimple at the coronary band or heel bulbs; other abscesses, however, could require radiographs and will need to be surgically drained.

Read more about hoof abscesses on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/hoof-abscesses

07/07/2022

Strangles is one of the most commonly contagious diseases of the horse (worldwide) and in 2017 it became a nationally monitored disease. This condition is caused by bacterial infection with "Streptococcus equi subspecies equi" (referred to as "S. equi”), which typically infects the upper airway and lymph nodes of the head and neck, and is highly contagious in horse populations—particularly affecting young horses. Classic signs of the disease include sudden onset of fever as high as 106 degrees F, thick yellow nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes under the jaw.

Transfer from horse to horse usually involves direct face-to-face contact, or exposure to things such as contaminated feed, water, hands, veterinary instruments or grooming tools. A stall or van recently used to house or transport a horse that is shedding the organism may also be a source of infection.

WATCH OUT FOR ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS! (Sounds familiar, right?)

It is not uncommon for strangles infections to recur on a farm with previous outbreaks of the disease, and the primary source of recurrent infections are most likely asymptomatic carrier horses—animals who display no clinical signs but 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. Without control and biosecurity measures, a strangles outbreak will ultimately affect all susceptible horses, last longer, and have a greater chance of leading to complications.
**Please note that strangles is a reportable disease in some states.**

To learn more about strangles, visit our website at https://aaep.org/issue/understanding-equine-strangles


And as always, contact your veterinarian for more information as they remain the best source of advice!

06/25/2022

Fun fact Friday: Did you know that horses have dichromatic vision and therefore can only discern blue and yellow? Humans, on the other hand, have trichromatic vision and this allows us to see the full spectrum of red, green and blue.

Do horses have color preferences? The science says they do! Researchers recently explored color preferences in horses based on how much water was consumed from buckets painted one of six colors: red, yellow, green, light green, light blue, and turquoise. The results? It appears that horses are more likely to drink out of turquoise or light blue buckets!

Read more at https://ker.com/equinews/color-preferences-among-horses/