Topline Equine Veterinary Inc.

01/23/2025

Older horses can sometimes struggle through the winter months. Here's a few good tips provided by AAEP for caring for our older equine friends.

It’s not uncommon to find horses and ponies living well into their 20s and 30s, thanks to continuous advances in nutrition and health care.

Horse owners have a big impact as well and can help their horses thrive in their golden years through proper management practices like those illustrated in the graphic. But remember, although there is much you can do on your own to keep your older horse happy and spry, some conditions associated with aging require medical intervention.

Scheduling regular visits and keeping a good line of communication with your veterinarian will allow you to respond quickly to any ailments or injuries that could cause your horse a serious or prolonged set back. That means less worry for you, and a better quality of life for your old friend!

01/14/2025

For those expecting new foals this year, are you prepared? If not, please read through this helpful guide provided by the AAEP and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us!

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!

01/09/2025

We have been doing all we can in the current conditions both with the wind and fires. Take a look at these images and make sure you are aware of what to do in an emergency. Please do not hesitate to call our office and we will do our best to assist and be there promptly! Everyone please stay safe during these tough times.
UPDATE (this will change as we get more information): LAEC is continuing to erect temporary stalls. Hansen Dam was full bt they too have erected temporary stalls and are accepting more. Pierce College is full. Pomona and Industry Hills still have stalls.

01/02/2025

Did you see Gina this morning on Dilatado? They looked incredible! Everyone made it home safe and sound after the parade. Happy New Year to everyone and we can't wait to hear about all your horsey adventures in 2025!
EA Lusitanos

01/01/2025

Keep an eye out tomorrow morning for our technician Gina and her husband Jose on their stunning stallions in the Rose Parade! They are group 43!!!
EA Lusitanos

12/30/2024

Being in California we don't have to worry as much about water feezing over, but some of our clients do provide some warm water to their equine friends to make sure they are drinking enough. Make sure your horses always have clean, fresh water so they can be at their best!

Water is a vital resource for horses year-round, but its importance becomes even greater during the winter months. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for horses to support digestion, overall health, and especially for preventing colic, a potentially life-threatening condition.

In winter, horses may drink less water due to cold temperatures, or water sources might freeze, limiting access. Reduced water intake increases the risk of impaction colic, a condition that occurs when food material becomes lodged in the horse’s digestive tract. This is exacerbated by the dry, fibrous nature of winter forage like hay, which contains less moisture compared to fresh pasture grass. Without sufficient water, the digestive system slows and cannot properly break down this material, potentially leading to blockages.

Encouraging adequate water consumption is critical. Horses should normally drink 5-12 gallons of water daily, and ensuring the water is warm enough—between 45-65°F—can help encourage drinking. Studies show that horses are more likely to consume warm water during cold weather. Using heated water buckets or tank deicers can prevent freezing and make water more appealing.

Fun Fact: Research shows that horses drink almost 40% more water per day if given warm water (45-65 °F) instead of near-freezing water. (Kristula and McDonnell, 1994)

Electrolytes or salt supplements can also stimulate thirst, prompting horses to drink more. Offering soaked hay or adding water to feed can provide additional hydration. However, soaking hay or feed isn’t recommended in environments where these items would freeze solid before being consumed by the horse.

Preventing dehydration in winter is a proactive measure to safeguard against colic. Regularly monitoring water intake and ensuring clean, accessible, and palatable water is essential. By addressing these needs, horse owners can help maintain their horses’ health and comfort throughout the colder months.

If you have questions or concerns about your horses' winter water intake, contact your veterinarian.

12/21/2024

We want to wish all our clients a very Merry Christmas! Our office will be closed on Christmas Day but as always we will have a veterinarian on call. If you have any emergency please call the office as normal and leave a message. Please try to not text or email as we don't check that as often when no one is in the office. As an additional reminder, if your horse has noise sensitivities and you've used sedatives on New Years Eve in the past, please call us the week of Christmas so we can make sure you are prepared. A final tip would he to check stock of your emergency medications and supplies now to be sure you aren't low or missing anything. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

12/14/2024

It's National Day of the Horse!!! Share with us your favorite photos of your horse and a memory you share!

12/06/2024

Following up with the last post regarding cool down time, make sure to always offer fresh water. Changing out buckets daily if possible is the best so you can ensure the water is clean. Also monitoring how much your horse drinks to make sure they aren't becoming dehydrated in cooler weather. Some horses may also enjoy some warmer water if the days are particularly cold.

Water remains as important for your horse in cold weather as it is in the summer. As a matter of fact, decreased water consumption in the winter is thought to be the primary inducing factor for impaction colic — although there are other predisposing factors such as poor hay quality, lack of exercise, internal parasites and dental problems.

Impaction colic is essentially constipation and most often includes the accumulation of hard, dry f***l material in the colon. The usual signs of impending impaction colic are depression, a decreased appetite, and decreased production and dryness of manure.

Studies demonstrate that you can increase your horse's winter water consumption if you provide access to heated water, but ONLY if that is the only source of water available. As always, if you have any questions about preventing colic in your horse, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!

12/06/2024

While here in California we don't get as cold as some other places, it's important to consider cool down time during winter rides. Especially horses with heavier coats or that have metabolic issues such as Cushings Disease.

As the weather cools down, allowing yourself an ample amount of time to cool out your horse after a cold ride is essential to ensure that you don’t jeopardize your horses' health by allowing them to catch a chill.

Our friends at Equus Magazine have some useful tips to share for cooling out your horses this winter. You can read the full article on their website at https://equusmagazine.com/riding/coolingout-10486/

11/22/2024

Day 7 and the final post for this series!
The most common reason for performing a pre-purchase exam (PPE) is to evaluate the horse's soundness. Lameness is the number one cause for loss of use in horses, so this is often the potential buyer's biggest concern and reason for having the horse evaluated.

Here's what you can expect during the lameness portion of the exam:

1. Initial check - The veterinarian will examine the legs for heat, swelling, or pain.
2. Movement - The horse will be observed in straight lines and circles at a walk and trot.
3. Flexion Test- Specific joints are flexed, and after, the horse is jogged for the veterinarian to spot any lameness.
4. Ridden Exam- Many vets like to observe the horse under saddle to spot subtle issues.

If no significant problems are discovered when evaluating the horse's gaits, the next step in the exam is often diagnostic imaging of the horse's legs. The most common imaging includes taking radiographs (X-rays) to evaluate the bones and joints and ultrasound to evaluate the soft tissues (tendons and ligaments). Whether you want to have X-rays and/or ultrasound performed as part of the PPE should be discussed with your veterinarian when you schedule the exam.

If you are looking to bring a new horse in to your program or in to your home and heart make sure to give us a call or shoot us an email so we can make sure you get the best!

11/21/2024

Day 6 of 7 ! Tomorrow is the final day in our Pre-purchase series brought to everyone by Dechra!

There are not as many horses being evaluated for purchase as breeding animals as horses for athletic purposes. The pre-purchase examination (PPE) for breeding is often much more specialized, concentrating on the horse, whether a mare or a stallion, having the normal anatomy and function of the reproductive tract.

Examining mares includes visually inspecting the external portions of the reproductive tract, including the mammary gland, and palpating and/or using ultrasound to view the internal reproductive organs. Samples may be obtained from the uterus to culture for any bacterial infections or to examine the uterus's lining to see if it can maintain a pregnancy.

For stallions, a similar type of examination may be done to evaluate the external reproductive organs, and a semen sample may be taken to assess the number, shape, and motility of the s***m cells. These exams determine the likelihood that the horse, whether a mare or stallion, can produce foals.

11/19/2024

Day 5 of 7!!
Horses have big hearts in both a literal and a figurative sense. Horses typically don't have heart problems as often as people or dogs, but evaluating the heart during a pre-purchase examination (PPE) is still important. During a PPE, your vet will listen to the horse's heart to determine if the heart is beating at a normal rate with a normal rhythm and to listen for any abnormal sounds like a heart murmur. It's also common to inspect the horse's jugular veins because, in rare instances, repeated intravenous injections can cause problems with clots or infections of these veins. Veterinarians have additional, more elaborate ways to evaluate the heart, including diagnostic ultrasound and electrocardiograms (ECG). Still, just as with the respiratory tract, these tools are not routinely used when doing a PPE.

11/18/2024

It's a very exciting Monday, we also want to wish Encore and Amy Miller of Will Mar Equestrian Center congratulations at their show over the weekend!!!

11/18/2024

Topline Equine turns 5 today!!! So many things have changed for the better since those early days!

11/18/2024

Day 4 of 7!
A healthy respiratory tract is essential for a horse's performance and well-being. During a pre-purchase exam (PPE), the upper and lower respiratory tracts are thoroughly checked using the following methods.

Upper Respiratory Tract:

Scoping - An endoscope examines the nostrils and throat to detect structural issues and breathing problems. The procedure is typically done while the horse is at rest, but newer dynamic endoscopes can be used while the horse exercises. *This is not something we do routinely unless the buyer is concerned with the horses airway prior to purchase.*

Lower Respiratory Tract:

Stethoscope - Your veterinarian will listen to the lungs for normal airflow and abnormal sounds.
Rebreathing bag - A large plastic bag is placed over the horse's nostrils to make them take deeper breaths, which can be used to detect abnormal sounds like coughing.

Stay tuned for our next post in the series, which will cover what to expect for the cardiovascular portion of the PPE.

11/17/2024

Day 3 of 7!
The pre-purchase exam (PPE) often begins with your veterinarian asking questions about the horse's use and medical history. The horse's history provides valuable information that your vet will use to focus the exam and help answer questions about the horse's overall health and soundness. The PPE aims to identify any health problems the horse has on the day of the examination, including problems that the horse was born with (e.g., some heart murmurs) and issues that have developed since birth (e.g., scarring on the cornea on the eye because of an ulcer).

Some things that your vet may cover during the general exam include using an ophthalmoscope to evaluate the horse's eyes, a stethoscope to listen to the heart and lungs, and thoroughly reviewing the horse to feel and look for anything considered abnormal.

11/16/2024

Day 2 of 7! The scope of a pre-purchase examination should be decided in a conversation with your veterinarian before the exam. Communicating your needs and intentions as a buyer is one of the most important parts of the exam and increases the chances of you getting the information that will help you decide on the purchase. Often, the exam scope depends on the current and/or intended use of the horse being considered for purchase. For example, the exam on a filly or mare intended for use as a broodmare would involve procedures quite different than for a horse intended to be used as a western performance or English sport horse. Once you and your veterinarian have agreed on the specifics of your wants and needs from the PPE, arrangements can be made with the seller to schedule the exam.
Some of the things we will ask when it comes to a pre purchase is your budget, the price of the horse and the purpose. Unless it's a foal, all horses will receive a flexions exam to test the lower limbs and make sure they are sound. If the buyer is not able to be present, we request they be by their phone through the entirety of the exam in case we need to do xrays or stop the exam for any reason. Stay tuned for day 3 tomorrow!