Stafford Equine Veterinary Services

09/05/2025

09/04/2025

After an emergency, animals may not have access to food for days at a time. Their bodies respond to this starvation by mobilizing energy stores to meet their needs, but this can cause major fluid and electrolyte abnormalities.

Upon rescuing an animal after a disaster, it may be your immediate instinct to offer them food as soon as possible. However, if these animals are offered free choice feed after being rescued, these imbalances can drastically worsen and result in respiratory, cardiac, and neurologic complications. This group of clinical signs in response to introducing feed after starvation is termed “refeeding syndrome”.

To prevent refeeding syndrome, follow the guidelines outlined in the graphic and be sure to work with a veterinarian to address any concerns specific to your situation.

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

09/03/2025

Here's an interesting comparison between human and equine anatomy from our friends at Barrow Veterinary Service:

"Did you know that horses are actually walking on the tips of their fingers and toes? 🐎👣

This diagram shows how the horse’s leg bones compare to ours. What looks like a single strong hoof is really the distal phalanx (or coffin bone) – the same bone that makes up the tip of your finger! The long and short pastern bones above it help absorb concussion, while the cannon bone provides strength and support.

Over time, horses evolved to lose most of their “extra toes” (shown in gray on the left). What remains is a highly efficient structure designed for speed, weight-bearing, and shock absorption.

Understanding this anatomy is one reason hoof care and regular farrier/veterinary visits are so important. Any imbalance or injury in these bones can affect the entire limb and your horse’s comfort.

So next time you watch your horse gallop, remember – they’re essentially running on a single finger, protected by a hoof! 💨🐴"

08/29/2025

Fall is just around the corner, which means it's time for a FALL-CHECKLIST! 🍂🍁

As the cooler weather moves in, now is the time to crack down on housing, nutrition, and preventative health strategies suitable for the arrival of winter.

Check out this list of essential items on the horse owner's fall to-do list, but there is much more that needs to be done—like having your horse's blankets repaired and waterproofed, securing and storing hay properly, assessing your shelters for safety and soundness, etc.

Note that your equine veterinarian is one of your greatest allies this season, so be sure to consult them and discuss vaccination and deworming protocols appropriate for your horse’s situation. This is also a great opportunity to chat about recommended changes in nutrition and exercise programs as well!

08/28/2025

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF PROUD FLESH? 🔎

Wounds on the bodies and limbs of our equine companions are exceptionally common. In particular, wounds on lower limbs can be especially difficult to manage. There is little extra skin in these areas, making large wounds difficult to close via suturing.

In addition, wounds on the lower legs are contaminated easily with bacteria since they are closer to the ground, bedding, and manure. The constant movement of an animal's legs as it walks, turns, and bears weight can also greatly impair healing, especially if the wound occurs over a joint. All of these factors can often halt the normal progression of the healing process and result in a chronic wound.

Persistent inflammation, along with infection, is a major contributor to exuberant granulation tissue (or proud flesh) formation in a wound. Proud flesh is not conducive to wound healing as it prevents the wound from epithelializing (the process of the skin cells covering the wound), and sometimes it can become so large that it appears to be a tumor, usually obliterating the original wound.

Prevention of proud flesh involves good wound management. For the best healing, wounds should be identified and treated quickly and properly — especially on the lower limbs. Consult your veterinarian about any wounds that appear deep or extensive, that lie over important structures (like joints and tendons), or that already show signs of proud flesh development. Rather than waste time and money in trials and errors that could delay your equid's healing, ask your veterinarian what products are best for your situation.

08/27/2025

Have you ever been told that alfalfa makes horses "hot"?

Well, when we take a closer look at this statement, the truth is much more nuanced, and it depends on several factors.

First, it's important to discuss which definition of "hot" you are referring to. The horse's core body temperature? Or, "hot" as in the horse's behavior?

Taking a look at the nutrient content of alfalfa hay vs. grass hay, alfalfa hay has higher digestible energy; meaning it will have more energy per pound, but less fiber. In addition, it also has lower hydrolysable carbohydrates than grass hay, thus lessening its effects on insulin levels.

Alfalfa hay is also higher in protein. This is where an increase in core body temperature comes into play, because protein increases metabolic heat generation when used for energy compared to fats and carbohydrates.

However, protein conversion to energy is less efficient, therefore horses typically aren't utilizing protein in large amounts as their energy source. Excess protein will be excreted through the urine instead of being stored in the body.

In terms of making a horse "hot" in behavior, as mentioned earlier, alfalfa does have more energy per pound than grass hays. So, if alfalfa is introduced to a horse's diet WITHOUT properly balancing for energy (calories), there is a potential for increased reactivity.

In addition, feeding alfalfa alters the gut microbiome compared to grass hay. Alterations in the gut microbiome can be linked to changes in behavior. Therefore, owners may observe behavioral changes that are reactions to the change in the gut microbiome and not the alfalfa itself.

All this considered, IF the diet is balanced properly for energy and protein, there is no evidence that supports that there will be alterations in terms of horses becoming super reactive and "hot" behaviorally when they are on alfalfa hay. However, it can slightly increase their core body temperature due to its high protein content.

If you have questions regarding your horse's diet and feeding alfalfa, contact your veterinarian.

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

08/26/2025

The State Veterinarian’s office received notification from NVSL on 8/21/25 of the 7th and 8th cases of EEE in horses in 2025. A 5 yr old miniature mare, unknown vaccination status, from Horry County was euthanized, and a 4 yr old unvaccinated Belgian gelding from Orangeburg County unfortunately died.

Just a gentle reminder to vaccinate for the mosquito-borne diseases twice a year.


Current 2025 Totals
EEE: 8
Jasper County: 1
Aiken County: 2
Colleton County: 2
Sumter County: 1
Horry County: 1
Orangeburg County: 1

WNV: 0

08/23/2025

08/20/2025