Cloverfield Equine

18/06/2024

We want to congratulate Dr. Jessica Childs as she goes out on her own at the end of June. We have really appreciated having Dr. Childs in our practice for the last year and wish her the best in her new endeavors.

18/06/2024

Horses produce heat in their body in two ways - through exercise and digestion.
Researchers at the University of Guelph found that horses are 3 - 10x more susceptible to the negative effects of heat stress than people.

On steamy summer days, pay attention to your horse for any of these signs and symptoms of heat stress:
* Temperature of 102° F to 105° F
* Excessive sweating or a lack of sweat
* High respiratory rate (over 10-12 breaths per minute, flaring nostrils, rapid breathing)
* Hot skin to the touch
* Signs of dehydration
* Weakness, stumbling
* Refusal to work or a reduced level of performance

Give us a call at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected] if you’re concerned about your equine partner as it’s going to get hot over the next few days 🥵

04/06/2024

Routine preventive examinations are critical to maintain the health and soundness of a performance horse. These exams are similar to regular maintenance appointments for cars—it is a check over the major systems. For your horse, a routine soundness evaluation once or twice a year is a priceless, proactive strategy to keep them feeling their best and will help minimize the chance of lameness and the accompanying downtime.

Give us a call at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected] to schedule a time for us to come out to your farm.

23/05/2024

It’s a good time of year to think about laminitis and metabolic disease in horses. Pasture is one thing to consider for horses that may be susceptible to increased sugar in their diet. Our office can do an assessment to determine your horse’s risk of metabolic disease or laminitis. Give us a call at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected]

16/05/2024

Horse show season is upon us! Here are some biosecurity tips!

12/05/2024

Happy Mother’s Day!

30/04/2024

During the spring and summer, some horses, often like some people, can and do suffer from seasonal allergies. It is estimated about 10% of all horses will suffer some type of allergy in their lifetimes, with seasonal allergies being the most common.

Signs that your horse is having an allergic reaction to seasonal allergies can be:

* Raised bumps on the neck, flanks and body, often referred to as hives.
* Patches of hair loss due to intense itching.
* Coughing due to respiratory inflammation, which can lead to heaves.
* Runny nose.
* Exercise intolerance or other behavioral changes.

Give us a call to schedule an appointment at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns

27/04/2024

Join us as we celebrate and all the incredible individuals who dedicate their lives to animal health, especially those who care for our equine companions!

From the racetrack to the show grounds, and all the way to your own backyard—equine veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and support staff ensure the well-being of our beloved horses at every stage of life. THANK YOU, horse doctors, for your passion, expertise, and tireless work!

Do you have a favorite thing about your equine veterinarian? Please share in the comments!

24/04/2024

The term “laminitis” is used to describe an inflammation of the laminae, the tissue that connects your horse’s coffin bone to the rest of the hoof. This inflammation can be extremely painful, and in severe cases it can cause the laminae to die, leaving the coffin bone unsupported in the hoof. If the bone rotates or sinks in the hoof, the horse is said to have “foundered.” Because of the potential severity, this condition always requires attention from your veterinarian and farrier.

The leading cause of laminitis is widely believed to be pasture (grass sugar) overload, which is one of the reasons it’s best to reintroduce grazing slowly in the springtime. You may also consider using a grazing muzzle to help reduce your horse’s risk of overindulging on pasture.

Give us a call at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns

15/04/2024

It's finally Spring! Here are some tips to keep your horse healthy!

1. Review your horse’s vaccination needs.

2. Schedule immunizations early in the season.

3. Identify where mud is most likely to be a problem on your property and take action.

4. Treat scratches promptly.

5. Be on alert for abscesses.

6. When it's warm, give your horse a bath.

7. Pay attention to your horse’s shedding.

8. Look out for rain rot.

9. Minimize insect exposure.

10. Increase exercise intensity incrementally.

Any questions? Give us a call at 207-797-6006 or email [email protected]

08/04/2024

Happy eclipse day! Horse owners should ensure their animals are in a secure location, such as barn or paddock, during the dark period.

05/04/2024

Happy to sponsor this wonderful show!

We welcome Cloverfield Equine as a Silver Sponsor! Check out their website at the link below:
https://cloverfieldequine.com

29/03/2024

27/03/2024

The use of sedation is important to keep the veterinarian and the horse safe during dental work. Pictured here is a horse that Dr. Childs worked on last week. A thorough dental exam includes looking at the entire oral cavity: the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth; the gums, tongue and cheeks; and the spaces between the teeth. To do this properly, a light source and a full- mouth speculum must be used, as well as tools to fix any issues and a means of flushing the mouth. Give us a call to schedule an appointment at 207-797-6006 or email [email protected]

20/03/2024

Give us a call today to schedule your vaccinations at 207-797-6006😊

Spring has sprung! Which means…vaccination season is upon us as well!

If you are wondering what vaccinations your horse should receive, the answer is — 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!

While vaccination does not prevent disease in all circumstances, a good immunization protocol minimizes the risk of infection and remains an essential component of responsible horse ownership. A vaccination appointment is also the perfect opportunity for a yearly check-up of your equine friend and a great way to catch any health concerns early.

If you have yet to contact your veterinarian about scheduling your horse's vaccinations, we encourage you to do it soon!

15/03/2024

UNDERSTANDING HOOF ABSCESSES
Sooner or later (and especially at this time of year), nearly all horse owners will deal with a hoof abscess. But what does "hoof abscess" actually mean? The diagram below shows a simplified view of the equine hoof to help you visualize the structures involved in this process.

Although most commonly seen during the wet winter and spring months, hoof abscesses can plague horses year-round and usually occur when debris and bacteria enter the foot through hoof cracks and wounds, even horseshoeing holes. The bacteria then get trapped between the sensitive laminae (the tissue layer that bonds the hoof capsule to the coffin bone) and the hoof wall or sole and create pus; the pus builds up over the course of time and puts pressure behind the hoof wall or sole, until it causes the sudden onset of acute lameness when the pain finally becomes too great.

Hoof abscesses can mimic other more serious diseases or injuries, so involving your veterinarian early on in the diagnosis and prompt treatment of this condition is always a good idea. Some abscesses will be uncomplicated and rupture on their own like a large pimple at the coronary band or heel bulbs; other abscesses, however, could require radiographs and will need to be surgically drained.

As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

07/03/2024

03/03/2024

Let us know if you need us to come by for a Coggins test—a blood test to identify if a horse is a carrier of Equine Infectious Anemia, a viral disease found in horses. A negative Coggins test is required for all travel between states, clinics and shows, and trailering in to most equine facilities
Give us a call to schedule an appointment at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected].

28/02/2024

With the warmer temperatures, many of us are thinking about spring and summer riding season. Now is a great time to have us over to do a performance exam. Subtle musculoskeletal pain can certainly cause trouble in training but may not appear as overt lameness. Because of this, it is best to set your horse (and yourself) up for success and make sure their body is comfortable and able to do what you are asking. Give us a call to schedule an appointment at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected].

22/02/2024

Take good care of your horse’s feet and don’t forget how important a good farrier is to your horses overall health. Great article by Zoetis🧲

The seasons have an influence on your horse’s hooves in many ways. Here we’ll explore what you need to know to provide your horse with excellent hoof care during the winter months.

13/02/2024

Anyone else notice that their horse is shedding? That means the days are getting longer and spring will be upon us before we know it! It’s a great time to think about your annual wellness exam, spring shots, and dental care. A pre-season exam can give you a broad view of your horse’s health and is a good time to discuss medical history and plans for training and activities. Give us a call to schedule an appointment at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected].

06/02/2024

Please remember during these colder months that a horse cannot meet daily water requirements by eating snow. Not only does snow not provide enough water, it requires more energy to consume, and can chill old or debilitating horses. Although a horse’s water consumption varies depending on temperature, diet and exercise, an average 1000-pound horse requires at least 10 gallons of water each day for maintenance. If you have any concerns about your horse, please give us a call at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected]

27/01/2024

During these cold winter months, heavy hair coats can often hide changes in weight in our equine partners. We recommend regular body condition scoring to assess weight in your horses. If your horse starts to lose body condition, it’s time to increase the feed-especially roughage. If a horse starts gaining excessive body condition, reduce feed. If you have any concerns about your horse, please give us a call at 206-797-6006 or email [email protected]

27/01/2024

Great information

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 on your own do 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!

19/01/2024

Intake of water is a concern in the winter. With our current cold snap, adequate consumption of water can ensure horses consume appropriate amounts of forage without increased risk of impaction. Water needs to be a minimum of 40 degrees for horses to drink sufficiently. To keep water troughs and buckets free of ice, bucket heaters can be very useful. You can also buy water bucket insulators if you have issues with water freezing overnight-especially in the barn. If you have concerns about your horse, please give us a call at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected].

09/01/2024

This winter we have been experiencing extreme weather and have two more storms on their way to us this week. As a result, we know that many horses need to be confined during those storms. Confinement and limited exercise can lead to lower leg swelling (stocking up). When possible, provide your horse with turnout or exercise as often as possible. Be careful when riding in deep, heavy, or wet snow to prevent tendon injuries. These conditions are especially hard work for unfit horses. Please be sure to also avoid icy areas for both you and your horse’s safety. If you have any concerns about your horse please give us a call at 207-797-6006 or email at [email protected]

05/01/2024

Good information ✅

During these cold winter days you may be thinking about offering bran mashes to your horse as a warm, comforting treat and also as a way to help prevent colic due to the higher fiber content of bran. This, however, is an outdated concept and nutritionists point out several potential problems associated with feeding bran mash too often—namely, an imbalance of the dietary calcium-phosphorus ratio that could lead to bone disorders, and a disruption of the healthy fermentation patterns in the horse’s intestinal tract.

The best way to help your horse stay warm this winter is by increasing forage 🌾 and providing shelter 🏠 during a cold snap. And as far as the risk of colic, your first line of defense is to provide plenty of water to keep your horse hydrated. 💦

As always, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information; contact them to learn more about feeding mashes (they are typically not an issue if fed as the occasional treat) and colic prevention this winter.
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Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

28/12/2023

Winter is a good time to be sure your horse is free of intestinal parasites. Your horse is going to need more energy to maintain body temperature, which for some can be depleted by intestinal parasites. If you would like to discuss parasite testing and treatment, give us a call at 207-797-6006 or email [email protected]

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas from all of us at Cloverfield Equine!