Brown Equine Hospital

08/21/2024

Red Maple Toxicity in our equines is a concern each year at this time when the leaves are dry and falling. Know the signs and check your pasture areas. 🍁

07/26/2024

Cheering on the USA 🇺🇸Equestrian team!

https://www.facebook.com/share/e9N18HsmpAZ6fqXD/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Official Paris 2024 Olympics schedule for Equestrian. View the competition schedule for the summer Olympics in Paris.

07/04/2024

05/04/2024

It’s Derby Day! Will you be watching the 150th Run for the Roses?🐎

04/14/2024

Welcome, lil’ fella!🥰

04/12/2024

: Unlike humans, horses don’t have collarbones. Their shoulders are held to the rest of their skeleton via a sling of muscles and ligaments instead, often referred to as the “thoracic sling.”

Why is this important? We often ask our equine athletes to perform complex movements that require tremendous strength and coordination, and horses carry the majority of their weight in their front end. Therefore, it is imperative that the bulk of the muscles that support the front end are kept healthy and conditioned, and the horse is trained to use their “motor” — that is, engaging the large hind end muscles as much as possible to avoid excessive weight bearing on the front end.

If the front end of the horse is consistently overweighted or not at an appropriate level of fitness, repetitive biomechanical stresses get transferred down the leg to the smaller ligaments and tendons that were not designed to bear this weight, which can then lead to injury.
•
Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

03/13/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/eCwarqKAx54VEvzx/?mibextid=WC7FNe

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to face a medical emergency.

On March 20, join AAEP members Drs. Allie Catalino, Racquel Lindroth, and Nikki Scherrer for a one-hour webinar discussing how horse owners can prepare themselves for equine veterinary emergencies. Learn to identify problems requiring immediate attention and take appropriate action while awaiting veterinary care!

Attendance is FREE but registration is required; attendees are also encouraged to submit their questions in advance through the registration form. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event.

Register now at https://aaep-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7L6QaXs_RI6UymQgAWBuvg #/registration

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

03/09/2024

Don’t forget to your clocks ahead tonight.🕑

02/21/2024

As we approach our busy spring season, we are hiring. (See full position description in comment.)

01/20/2024

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=933541898168626&id=100045384742980

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

01/15/2024

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!

10/11/2023

08/23/2023

A little for you: 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.

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, our favorite piece of advice is to consult your horse doctor directly for more information!

08/14/2023

The correct answer is b., sodium and chloride. They are two components of table salt but neither mineral is naturally abundant in your horse’s usual food sources.

Why should you care? Having a basic understanding of equine nutrition and being able to identify sources of essential vitamins and minerals in a horse’s diet is in the best interest of every horse owner. Dietary deficiencies and excesses can both cause health issues and affect performance, and this becomes even more important for the care and management of horses with disorders such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM).

Want to put your knowledge of vitamins and minerals further to the test? Take the rest of the quiz developed by our friendsEquus Magazine —>https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/cs_srgb/MTcxODUxMTk3MDA5ODk2Nzcw/equus-extra-nutrition-.pdf

04/19/2023

Here is an interesting read from The Horse, sharing some new information on EPM.

Performing a serum:cerebrospinal fluid titer ratio to confirm/rule out EPM in horses substantially decreased cost for the owner.

04/12/2023

This time of the year sees a lot of traveling horses, either for pleasure or for business/competition. Most horse owners know that a negative Coggins test is a document required to be able to transport their animals across state lines and enter them in a competitive event (or even board at someone's barn); if, however, you’re thinking that your horse does not need an annual Coggins test because it doesn’t travel, you might want to reconsider.

A "Coggins" is a blood test that can only be performed by USDA-approved laboratories and checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) antibodies in the horse's blood. EIA is a potentially fatal blood-borne infectious viral disease that produces a persistent infection—which means that infected horses become a lifelong source of disease transmission, as there is no vaccine and no treatment.

EIA is transmitted by biting flies, particularly horseflies, so your horse is at risk even it never travels or lives in a closed herd. If a horse becomes infected, the clinical signs of disease can vary dramatically, from an acute infection to an inapparent form that presents mild to no symptoms. And once a horse tests positive for EIA, the owner can only choose between quarantine and isolation for the rest of the horse's life or humane euthanasia, to ensure that large outbreaks of the disease don’t take place.

So while a Coggins test is a necessary travel document, don’t forget that it's also first and foremost a way to identify and remove EIA carriers to keep the disease under control.

To learn more about EIA, visit our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/equine-infectious-anemia

04/03/2023

: 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!

03/10/2023

As we approach the middle of foaling season, here are some great points from the AAEP regarding some normal expectations you should have regarding the foaling process. If you suspect your mare/foal might have a problem, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible so that we can determine if intervention is needed and prevent potentially more serious illnesses from occurring.

03/05/2023

We are excited to announce that Dr. Haley Rose Sutton will begin taking lameness examination appointments at Brown Equine Hospital. Dr. Sutton has been under the tutelage of Dr. Brown since gradating from the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. Dr. Sutton has a special interest in Quarter Horse lameness, but enjoys working with all breeds and disciplines. Please call the office during business hours to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sutton.

02/28/2023

Brown Equine Hospital is seeking an inpatient/barn technician for second shift. Hours would be from 3 - 11 PM, Monday - Friday. We are willing to provide on-the-job training. Horse experience preferred. The successful candidate will be ambitious, organized, & reliable. This position is open for immediate hire. Please email us if interested: [email protected]

Edited: The previously described lameness assistant position has been filled.

02/10/2023

Check out the AAEP's latest post which shares some information on newer approaches to deworming your horses!

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!

02/08/2023

What should you do (or not do) if your horse shows signs of colic? And how do you prevent colic in the first place? Find out from our veterinary experts.

01/26/2023

We still have some opens spots if anyone is still interested in being a Foal Watcher!

Hello everyone! The holidays are quickly approaching and with it comes one of our favorite times of the year... foaling season!
Like last year, we will offer 24-hour service to most foal issues (e.g. weakness, failure of transfer of passive immunity, inability to nurse, etc.). We will do our best, but there will still be a few foals that we cannot admit due to biosecurity risks or staffing issues, and for that we apologize. To determine if we are able to assist your foal, please contact our office (814-443-3560).
That being said, we will once again be in need of “Foal Watchers” to assist with foal admittance and care. We had some excellent help last year and are seeking people to sign up for whenever they are available to be ON-CALL to help with these sick foals. No foal experience is necessary, but horse handling is highly recommended. We offer 12-hour shifts, both night shift and day shift. Sitters who are called in to work will be compensated with a call-in fee and then $10/hr.
More information and shift sign-ups will be sent out in January for everyone interested. If you would like to be contacted for further details or to sign-up, please send a private message to this Facebook account that includes your name, hometown, and phone number (i.e. Jane Doe, Anytown, PA (814) 555-1212).
Thank you so much for your interest and support!

01/20/2023

Here's some great info from the AAEP!

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SPOT COLIC IN HORSES?

Colic is not a disease; it is merely a symptom of disease. Specifically, colic indicates a painful problem in the horse's abdomen (belly), which can be caused by a number of different conditions. Less than 10% of all colic cases are severe enough to require surgery or cause the death of the horse; nevertheless, every case of colic should be taken seriously because it can be difficult to tell the mild ones from the potentially serious ones in the early stages.

Horses show signs of abdominal pain in a wide variety of ways, and usually a horse shows only a few of the signs during an episode of colic. The rule of thumb is—the more obvious the signs of pain, the more serious the problem.

If you suspect the horse is suffering from colic, we suggest that you:
• Alert your veterinarian immediately.
• Remove all hay and grain from the horse's surroundings.
• Don't medicate without your veterinarian's approval, as pain medications can mask clinical signs;
• Walk the horse around if it's continually rolling or in danger of hurting itself—but do not tire the horse with relentless walking and don't approach the animal if it's not safe.
• Keep the horse under close observation until the signs of colic resolve or the veterinarian arrives.

The key to increasing the chances of a good outcome is to identify the problem early and get your veterinarian involved from the start. Consult your horse doctor for more information and be sure to ask them how they can be reached if your horse colics after hours!

01/06/2023

Foaling season is upon us! Is your foaling kit stocked and ready to go?

If this is your first foaling or you don’t know where to start, the graphic below lists a few essentials for you to include. Having these items ready several weeks before your mare’s due date will mean less stress and scrambling at the last minute trying to acquire what you need.

As always, your veterinarian is your best source of information. Consult your horse doctor for additional recommendations and for training on how to properly use these tools to assist your mare during and after delivery!

01/04/2023

Just a reminder to send us a message if you are interested in being a Foal Watcher this season!

Hello everyone! The holidays are quickly approaching and with it comes one of our favorite times of the year... foaling season!
Like last year, we will offer 24-hour service to most foal issues (e.g. weakness, failure of transfer of passive immunity, inability to nurse, etc.). We will do our best, but there will still be a few foals that we cannot admit due to biosecurity risks or staffing issues, and for that we apologize. To determine if we are able to assist your foal, please contact our office (814-443-3560).
That being said, we will once again be in need of “Foal Watchers” to assist with foal admittance and care. We had some excellent help last year and are seeking people to sign up for whenever they are available to be ON-CALL to help with these sick foals. No foal experience is necessary, but horse handling is highly recommended. We offer 12-hour shifts, both night shift and day shift. Sitters who are called in to work will be compensated with a call-in fee and then $10/hr.
More information and shift sign-ups will be sent out in January for everyone interested. If you would like to be contacted for further details or to sign-up, please send a private message to this Facebook account that includes your name, hometown, and phone number (i.e. Jane Doe, Anytown, PA (814) 555-1212).
Thank you so much for your interest and support!

12/20/2022

Hello everyone! The holidays are quickly approaching and with it comes one of our favorite times of the year... foaling season!
Like last year, we will offer 24-hour service to most foal issues (e.g. weakness, failure of transfer of passive immunity, inability to nurse, etc.). We will do our best, but there will still be a few foals that we cannot admit due to biosecurity risks or staffing issues, and for that we apologize. To determine if we are able to assist your foal, please contact our office (814-443-3560).
That being said, we will once again be in need of “Foal Watchers” to assist with foal admittance and care. We had some excellent help last year and are seeking people to sign up for whenever they are available to be ON-CALL to help with these sick foals. No foal experience is necessary, but horse handling is highly recommended. We offer 12-hour shifts, both night shift and day shift. Sitters who are called in to work will be compensated with a call-in fee and then $10/hr.
More information and shift sign-ups will be sent out in January for everyone interested. If you would like to be contacted for further details or to sign-up, please send a private message to this Facebook account that includes your name, hometown, and phone number (i.e. Jane Doe, Anytown, PA (814) 555-1212).
Thank you so much for your interest and support!

12/15/2022

INFECTIOUS DISEASE ALERT!

Horse owners and equine veterinarians should be warned about a *suspected* botulism outbreak in Louisiana. Since Dec. 3, 15 horses have become acutely ill at a Quarter Horse breeding farm in Vermilion Parish County, Louisiana; 12 of them died or were euthanized due to rapid decline. A preliminary investigation into the incident suggests that alfalfa cubes contaminated with dead animal carcasses and produced in Colorado are the suspected culprit.

Botulism guidelines are available on the AAEP website athttps://aaep.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/BOTULISM_Final.pdf

If your horse is exhibiting any neurologic symptoms without any signs of precipitating conditions, contact your veterinarian immediately!