Pine Meadow Equine Service, PC

05/01/2025

Most oral products are "nutraceuticals" and are completely unregulated by the FDA. Be careful what you spend your money on.

Here's another great question that was posed on our recent "Ask the AAEP Horse Doctors" post:

Are oral supplements better than joint injections?

Anything you give to your horse needs to be carefully evaluated for if it lives up to the claims it is making.

Oral supplements are not required to have studies that prove their marketing claims. That being said, some companies have invested in outside research and can provide you with peer-reviewed published research.

Products approved by the FDA (including some injectable joint medications) have to prove safety and effectiveness and can only market based on proven claims. There are many injectable products that are not FDA approved, however, so they should also be questioned for research on safety and effectiveness.

Make sure you are spending your money on a product that is backed by research as there are a lot of unproven options out there.

Before starting any supplement or medication, it is important to know what change you expect to see. It's recommended to evaluate your horse before you start and then again after 30 days. Do you see the change that the product said you would? If yes, continue on. If no, it's time to work with your veterinarian and decide on a potential new plan.

04/19/2025

Facts

If you believe that horses need grain in their diet to meet their nutritional needs, you are not alone. However, horses should get most of their nutrients from a good quality forage source such as grass, hay, hay pellets, or a complete feed.

Horses generally eat between 1.5-2% of their body weight each day, so an average size 1,000 lbs horse should eat 15- 20 lbs of hay daily. To help fill any nutrient gaps such as essential vitamins or minerals, a ration balancer may be beneficial. Depending on breed, body condition, and exercise level, concentrates may be added in to provide additional energy but are often not needed.

When deciding on what to feed your horse, it is best to invest in high quality forages as the foundation of your feeding plan. You can even have your hay tested to see exactly what nutrients it is providing.

Please consult with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist about your horse's diet before making any major changes, and remember that any changes should be made gradually over time to avoid GI upset.

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

02/18/2025

Well, the snow models have settled on 2-20 inches over the next 2 days. We will run emergencies only Wed and Thurs. Barb will work remotely for office duties.
Stay safe!!

01/07/2025

For all those who are wondering..... no shorts today!

01/01/2025

Wishing everyone a great and prosperous New Year!!

12/18/2024

A client found this in her horses manure. It is an enterolith, a calcium based "rock" which forms in the intestine. Rarely, these can become large and form blockages in the intestine. Of note on this one, when they have a triangular appearance, there are likely more of them. Radiographs might be helpful to look for more.

If you see one, a simple hammer will let you know because they break fairly easily.

Just in case you were looking for another thing to worry about in your horse.... here it is.

12/15/2024

Happy to be cooking up some pork for P.O.R.T. (People organizing resources together) a homeless shelter run by local churches. This long smoke will give me time to prep the rest of the meal for tomorrow.
Another example of how local does it better than big brother!

11/26/2024

Worth reading

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!

11/05/2024

If we ever have rain here in southeast Virginia, this will be a problem so be prepared.

IS RAIN ROT A FUNGAL OR A BACTERIAL DISEASE?

Rain rot (or rain scald) is the common name for a contagious BACTERIAL skin disease called dermatophilosis. It's caused by the bacterium "Dermatophilus congolensis," which thrives during wet seasons and in geographical locations with high precipitation and humidity. It can also develop after horses have sweat under blankets or tack, and equines with compromised immune systems are more susceptible.

Why should you not mistake rain rot for a fungal disease?
Antifungal medications and topicals have no effect on the bacteria responsible for rain rot, therefore diagnosing the condition correctly is very important!

How does rain rot happen?
The bacteria infects the hair follicles and damages the hair follicle and shaft; the hair will then pull out in small clumps leaving pink skin or purulent scabs behind (pro tip: your horse will NOT thank you for picking at them!) If you do not address the factors that promote the right bacterial environment (for example, you always leave your horse to stand outside in the rain without shelter or the protection of a waterproof rug), rain rot can keep recurring. If left untreated, the condition can even progress to a point where it opens the door for more serious, secondary skin infections.

If you suspect your horse has rain rot, be sure to consult your veterinarian on the best treatment plan based on the severity of your horse's case. While there are a million products that can be found in your local tack store, your horse doctor may have cause to prescribe a specific course of action.

09/11/2024

Well that's not what we planned on. Since a horse decided to bend my 1 year old terrafloat, I'll be out of the floating business for a bit.

08/05/2024

Most important is to have a plan. Chance favors the prepared mind.

On Aug. 8, join AAEP member veterinarians Dr. Elizabeth Gorrell and Dr. Chelsea Folmar for a one-hour webinar discussing the essentials of disaster preparation. Whether it's tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, or wildfires, learn to plan with confidence and ensure you and your animals are ready for any emergency.

Registration is FREE but required; AAEP members will receive an email with a Zoom registration link on 8/1, so be sure to check your inbox if you missed it.

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.

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

Register here: https://aaep-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OjyrhJK7RrOsV5LFljMxxg #/registration

07/17/2024

Keep on hosing and plenty of fan time.

07/09/2024

Give your people a big thank you and a cold beverage. Cheers to those who work so hard to keep our kids sound!

It's National Farriers Week! Let's celebrate the hard work that our farriers put in daily to partner with equine veterinarians and ensure the health and well-being of our horses. Proper hoof care is essential for a sound and happy horse, so it goes without saying that a skilled farrier is both a necessity and a tremendous asset.

Don't forget to give a shoutout to your farriers this week and show them your appreciation for their dedication to their craft!

07/01/2024

30 years ago, I drove with Dr. Dale Cupp, DVM to the lawyers office and Pine Meadow Equine Service was born.

I thought he was so old when he used phrases like "20 years ago..." but now I find myself saying the same thing. Where did the time go?

Pine Meadow Equine Service isn't, and probably never will be, the biggest practice in the area, but this is somewhat by design. Dr. Cupp taught me that traveling 2 hours in one direction may put you 3 hours away from a horse that needs you for an emergency. Keeping the practice radius small has allowed me to raise three great kids and to remain married to my high school sweetheart. Dr. Cupp said to keep the horse's health first and foremost in your mind, to treat people fairly and that the business end would take care of itself. And it has.

I would like to sincerely thank you for your support over the years. It has been an amazing ride and I look forward the the years ahead.