Stafford Equine Veterinary Services

02/26/2025

This year will mark the Silver Anniversary of Stafford Equine Veterinary Services. To mark the occasion, we have a shindig planned for this year to celebrate! Keep your eyes peeled for further information!
And contrary to swirling rumors again, I’m not retiring nor will I be retiring soon. So, Stafford Equine Vetetinary Services will be around to celebrate further milestones in the future. But probably not another 25 years. But, who knows!😀

02/25/2025

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

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because you’ve been “doing it for years,” you should know that the old-school approach to deworming is quickly becoming outdated—not only a waste of money but it also builds drug resistance in the parasitic fauna of equines, which means we are running out of drugs that can effectively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.

As always, consult your equine veterinarian to learn more and for questions specific to your animals!

02/22/2025

Attention FEI horse owners, trainers and riders! FEI has recently transitioned to electronic Flu/Rhino records via the FEI HorseApp. Although this does not change the 6 month Flu/Rhino booster requirement, it does change how we record it. All future Flu Rhino vaccines must be entered into this app to maintain compliance within all FEI competitions. The passport must be available to your veterinarian at the time of the vaccine. We will be unable to stamp passports at a later date. To ensure this transition is smooth please make sure you download the FEI HorseApp and come prepared with your FEI passport during your appointment!

02/22/2025

Two common surgical techniques do relieve symptoms of kissing spines, but veterinarians still don't know exactly why they work

02/22/2025

02/19/2025

The Best of the West in the Deep South! We provide saddle and tack repair for Western and English disciplines, as well as harness, racing and other equestrian leather repair. We also build fully custom Western saddles and tack - providing safety and comfort for both rider and horse. Leaning Oak Leat...

02/19/2025

Colic can be a stressful and scary occurrence for equine owners, and it often requires the attention of an equine veterinarian to detect the cause of the episode and to provide treatment.

One way your horse doctor may try to determine the reason your equine companion is colicking is by performing a re**al examination. Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding the equine re**al exam:

• Re**al exams need to be performed by a skilled professional (your vet) or severe damage can occur to the internal structures.

• Re**al exams typically do not allow a veterinarian to alleviate the reason for colic. Your vet is feeling structures through the re**um not directly on the structures themselves, and therefore cannot pull out an impaction, etc.

• For the safety of the patient and your veterinarian, as well as the nature of the procedure, sedation is often required.

• NEVER perform a re**al exam yourself while waiting for the vet to arrive, as this could result in life threatening tears in the re**um and/or colon.

If you have questions or concerns that your equine companion may be colicking, please contact your veterinarian.

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

**alExams

02/18/2025

02/13/2025

Update: Both of our hunt seat camps (Tiger’s Choice) have been filled and we have 1 remaining spot in our Tiger’s Rein western camp!

📣REMINDER📣
Registration for all three of our 2025 summer camps opens tomorrow, Thursday 2/13 at 9 A.M. EST.

All of our camps are geared towards high schoolers aspiring to be collegiate riders!

We will be available by phone and email tomorrow during registration to answer any of your questions. Follow the link below for more information and the instructions for registration.

https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/equine-center/camp/index.html

CU this summer! 🐴

02/10/2025

You’ve sent off a sample of hay to be analyzed and now you have your report back, but the terms and abbreviations are confusing to understand. What does it all mean? The first thing you’ll notice are the values reported “As Sampled” and “Dry Matter”.
As Sampled values include moisture content of the hay which can vary between different cuttings of hay. Dry matter values are the nutrients without water which allows for direct comparisons between nutrients and balancing rations.

Moisture – this should ideally be between 10-15%. Hay that is too dry can be brittle and cause leaf shatter in legume hays which decreases its nutrition potential. Hay that has more than 15% moisture is at risk of molding. If it contains more than 25% moisture, there is a risk for heat damage and a potential fire hazard.

Equine Digestible Energy (DE) – this is the amount of energy available in the hay. It can help you balance the energy requirements of your horse’s diet. Hay is usually 0.75 – 1.1 Mcal of DE per pound. Horses in light work need 20 Mcal/day of DE. Make sure to request equine DE when submitting your form since sometimes the default DE calculation is for cattle.

Crude Protein (CP) – this is the protein content in hay. The amount in hay can vary depending on what type of hay you are feeding. Adult horses at maintenance typically need 12% protein. Horses in heavy work or lactating will need more protein in their diet.
8 – 14% in grass hays
14 – 17% in legume-grass hay mixes
15 – 20% in legume hays
Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) – this indicates the digestibility of the nutrients. ADF values of 30-35% indicate readily digested hay, while those greater than 45% are less digestible. Less digestible hay could be more appropriate for horses with lower energy needs.

Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) – measures insoluble fiber and is an indicator of palatability. 40-50% is highly palatable, while 65% or higher is less likely to be eaten by most horses.

Nonstructural Carbohydrates (NSC) – this looks at the sugars in the hay and is calculated by adding the values of starch and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC). This value helps when selecting hay for horses that need to be on low sugar diets. For horses sensitive to sugar (insulin resistance, laminitis,), NSC should be lower than 10% or will need to be soaked to lower the NSC content.

Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) – these are macrominerals horses require in their diet. Hays differ in level of minerals with legume hays typically having higher calcium levels. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus is ideally 3:1, but can safely range from 1:1 – 6:1.

Relative Feed Value (RFV) – this can be used for selecting hay but is not used to balance equine rations. A high value indicates better quality, higher intake, and greater digestibility. A value of 80-90% is good for adult horses at maintenance. 100% is good for adult horses at light work. 110% or higher is better for horses in heavy work.

02/10/2025

Are you foal-ready?

This Wednesday, join AAEP member veterinarians Drs. Chelsea Folmar & Taylor Huffman for a webinar discussion that will help you prepare for the foaling season. Learn how to create a foaling kit, the timeline of parturition (foaling), and how to recognize when veterinary intervention is needed.

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event.

Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ats8dN0E2JxrJYoBUPKU7BW_HtYcwxW988ZYvpWRruqNFu98_uws~AnoL_ZTlIx2iZDbk457AKzpEPWgwMyM1m36OoJWUUyiXJPOgKi4PHJJYdQ

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

02/09/2025

Are you passionate about horses, history, and hands-on experience? This is your chance to gain real-world skills at one of the most iconic equestrian destinations in the world! Internship Applications Are NOW OPEN at the Kentucky Horse Park!
Apply today and take your first stride toward an exciting future!
Learn more & submit your application https://kyhorsepark.com/about-us/internships/

02/07/2025

Here is some very timely and important information courtesy of the horse doctors at Pine Ridge Equine Hospital:

As we are in the midst of foaling season, let’s talk about what is normal and abnormal. The placenta is made up of two major parts: the red bag (chorioallantois) and the white bag (amnion). The red bag attaches to the uterine wall, which allows the exchange of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. In a normal delivery the amnion is visible and characterized by a white appearance. A red bag delivery is characterized by a red velvety appearance.

A red bag delivery is considered an EMERGENCY as it signifies premature separation of the placenta leading to a lack of oxygen to the fetus so **you need to intervene immediately.** The red placental membrane should be opened carefully to release fluid, the foal should be delivered/pulled with your assistance and then stimulated to breathe. Foals may develop problems associated with lack of oxygen even though they appear normal at birth.

If your mare is having or had a red bag delivery, you need to call your horse doctor ASAP!

02/06/2025

An incredibly valuable reminder when it comes to bandaging your horse’s legs, courtesy of the horse doctors at Mid-Rivers Equine Centre.

“Even the slightest wrinkle, fold, or lump in the bandage can cause discomfort for your equine companion. Imagine wearing socks and shoes and the sock has a crease in it. It will be incredibly uncomfortable to walk on.

Improperly applied bandages can not only cause discomfort but also lead to skin irritation and even injury. Be aware of the entire bandage's placement and the padding beneath, ensuring zero wrinkles or bumps. Your horse's leg injury needs the utmost wrapping care and taking the time to ensure a smooth and comfortable bandage application is vital.

APPLYING A BANDAGE
So how exactly can you achieve a flawlessly wrapped bandage? First, start by laying the padding smoothly over the area you intend to wrap. Make sure it's evenly distributed and covers the entirety of your horse's leg. Then, carefully wrap the bandage around the leg, applying gentle pressure as you go. Check frequently for lumps or folds, smoothing them out as you continue wrapping.

Another tip to remember is to avoid wrapping too tightly, which can impede circulation and cause discomfort for your horse. Instead, aim for a snug but comfortable fit, ensuring the bandage won't slip or shift during exercise. Once you've finished wrapping, visually inspect the bandage for any irregularities before securing it in place.”

Our final piece of advice: If you have any questions or concerns about bandaging your horse’s leg, be sure to talk to your veterinarian!

02/04/2025

Equine surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage says the type and length of turnout a horse gets when healing makes a crucial difference: https://bit.ly/4gpsMnT

02/04/2025

💉FEI VACCINE CHANGES
ℹ️The FEI have introduced a new requirement this year for the recording of Influenza vaccinations. After 3rd February, ALL FEI registered horses need to have their vaccinations recorded on the FEI HorseApp at the time of vaccination by your vet when they attend the horse.

To make this process as easy as it can be, please could you ensure that:

1) The Passport is present at the time of vaccination

2) If you are the Athlete, Groom, Owner or Trainer (or all of the above!), please could you enter the previous vaccinations onto the HorseApp prior to your vaccination date. This will save considerable time for when the first vaccination is given and recorded after 3/2/25.

ℹ️This is a link for how to go about entering the ‘historical’ vaccinations: https://howto.fei.org/content/5/311/en/how-to-add-a-new-vaccination-and-use-the-fei-horseapp-during-the-vaccination-process.html

3) Please also remove rugs prior to vaccination as it may be necessary to photograph both sides of the horse to confirm identification.

If you have any questions please just ask.