Cave Creek Equine Hospital/Sports Medicine & Surgery

01/10/2025

Smile, it’s Friday! 😁

🐴 A horse’s teeth are not only impressive in number but also in space – taking up more room in their head than their brain! 🦷🧠

01/10/2025

01/09/2025

Do you have a plan for your horse’s unexpected medical expenses? (Read, for example: can you afford colic surgery if it comes to it?)

Whether a horse is purchased for personal or business reasons, horse ownership represents a significant investment of time, money and resources. While nothing may easy the emotional burden, wise planning can at least help reduce the economic impacts should something happen to your precious companion.

There are many types of coverage available to the horse owner and the conditions can vary widely between companies. Common types of coverage available for horses are listed (but not limited to what you see) in the graphic. Some equine insurers may require an insurance examination certificate signed by a veterinarian before a policy will be issued for a horse, however that does not mean your veterinarian can attest for the insurability of the animal — your veterinarian can only respond to questions of which he or she has direct knowledge, reporting the medical facts to the best of his or her ability.

Regardless of the circumstances, never ask or expect your veterinarian to report a claim to the insurance company or to be an expert with regards to your insurance policy. This is your responsibility as the owner and if you have questions regarding your policy be sure to ask your insurance agent!

01/08/2025

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

01/07/2025

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞? Using a soft (and clean) toothbrush to clean your saddle will help you get into the small details.

While you're cleaning, observe your saddle for signs of damage or wear. Give it a thorough clean by reaching all the hidden spots, and 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭

01/05/2025

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

01/03/2025

Dr. Martin Vidal is a dedicated polo player and is the Founder of Cave Creek Equine Polo 🐴

12/31/2024

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and joyful New Year's Eve ✨

12/30/2024

Although protein is normally listed as a nutrient, horses actually have a requirement for amino acids, the building blocks of protein, rather than for protein itself.

Protein is the least efficient energy source for your horse, so high protein does not automatically equal high energy. Carbohydrates, fats, and fiber are more readily digestible energy sources, so chances are a horse with too much energy is being fed more calories than the animal truly needs.

As always, remember that all horses have different nutritional needs based on age, stage of development, metabolism and workload. Be sure to work with your veterinarian to determine the correct protein and energy requirements for your equine friend based on your horse’s individual situation!
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

12/27/2024

It's true❣️ Horses have an incredible memory, allowing them to remember faces, voices, and even past experiences. It's part of what makes their bonds with us so special. 🥰

🐴 🤎 🩺

12/24/2024

🎄 Merry Christmas from our family to yours 🎄

As the year winds down, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our clients, partners, and community. 🫶 Your trust in us is the greatest gift of all 🎁 and we're honored to be part of your equine journey.

✨ May your holidays be filled with joy and special moments with loved ones! ✨

12/24/2024

Emerging technologies are giving veterinarians the tools they need to best address dental disease in horses.

12/24/2024

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12/23/2024

🧢🎉 Congratulations to our WINNER Sarah Smith 🎉🧢 Thank you to everyone who participated and shared your amazing heroes with us 🤎🐴🤎

12/23/2024

🎉🧢 drawing today 😍

12/22/2024

⏱️ Today is the last day to be entered in our drawing and win a custom cap 🧢🤩 Share a photo 📷 and tell us about your hero 🐴 in the comments ⬇️ Use to be entered in the drawing tomorrow 🧢⏱️

12/21/2024

😍 We're loving all the beautiful horse photos❣️ Have you entered the drawing? It's not too late! ⏰ Post your photo 📷 and tell us about your hero 🐴 Use to be entered in the cap drawing 🧢 on Monday 🗓️

12/20/2024

⏳There is still time to throw your name in the hat🧢for a chance to win a custom Cave Creek Equine cap 🎉 Share a 🐴 photo⬇️using and tell us about your hero❤️Drawing on Monday🧢 ❣️