New treatment increases chances of success following tendon injuries.

In a standing sedation, they will remove bone marrow from the horse’s sternum and then withdraw bone marrow from the horse.

By Carolyn Heinze in The American Quarter Horse Journal

It’ a common-enough occurrence: A horse bows a tendon, is put out to pasture for six to 12 months and returns to work, only to injure himself. As is the case with so many other leg-related problems, with bowed tendons, a lot of it has to do with luck: If you’re lucky, your horse never sustains such an injury; or if he does, it only happens once.

“Most bowed tendons are due to repetitive stress injury and not a one-time traumative episode,” says Dr. Lisa Fortier, an assistant professor of equine surgery at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary medicine in Ithaca, New York. “Tendon and suspensory ligaments are difficult to heal, and even if they heal, a very large majority of them re-bow, either in the injured leg or in the other leg as a result of the stress that has been placed on the injured leg.”

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Learn more about this disease and the methods of prevention.

Due to the seasonal incidence of disease, vaccination should be timed to precede the anticipated peak challenge during the summer months or fall.

By The American Association of Equine Practitioners

Equine monocytic ehrlichiosis is caused by Neorickettsia risticii (formerly Ehrlichia risticii). Originally described in 1979 as a sporadic disease affecting horses residing in the eastern United States near the Potomac River, the disease has since been identified in other geographic locations in the United States and Canada. The disease is seasonal, occurring between late spring and early fall in temperate areas, with most cases in July, August and September at the onset of hot weather.

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Could feeding alfalfa hay help cure high-performance horses of stomach ulcers?

It’s commonly thought that horses turned out on pasture are better off than those that are confined, but if grass hay is the only hay they are fed, horses can still get gastric ulcers.

From Dr. Pete Gibbs, AgriLife Research

A change in diet can be good for what ails you – even if you are a horse.

Research from Texas A&M University shows that feeding alfalfa to horses that have the potential to be high performers either prevented or was therapeutic in treating stomach ulcers.

“Something in alfalfa hay tends to buffer acid production,” says Dr. Pete Gibbs, Texas A&M Extension horse specialist.

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Each time a horse is stalled to give him time to recover from an illness or injury, the stress stemming from constant stall confinement can easily lead to equine stomach ulcers -- an added complication for any injured horse.

One equine injury may lead to another, so discover how you can prevent your horse from getting ulcers.

For riders, stress levels rise each time their horse is injured or hospitalized. However, the stress of equine injuries can take their toll on the patient, too.

Cara Barry-Brewer understands the stresses of competition. She’s a cutting horse trainer, competitor and winner of the National Cutting Horse Association 2004 Open Super Stakes and $599,490 to date, and is listed as one of the top overall riders in 2008. However, after more than 20 years in the saddle and show ring, she also understands the stresses of equine injuries.

“I’ve had horses stalled with suspensory problems,” Cara says. “When that happens, they have to be in a stall for the entire time, and that’s definitely stressful for them. They don’t get to move around — they don’t get to just be a horse.”

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EPM is one of the most devastating diseases a horse can acquire.

In a neurological test, a normal horse can resist a pull on the tail. A horse affected by EPM might have trouble and be pulled off balance.

By Andrea Caudill in The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal

It is the most common neurological disease in horses today. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis attacks the horse’s central nervous system, which left untreated can cause seizures and death.

The disease’s symptoms were first reported about 40 years ago, but it wasn’t until the past decade that the cause was found and treatments created.

EPM is caused by the protozoa Sarcocystis neurona, a single-celled parasitic organism. The protozoa is not transferred from horse to horse, but rather spread by a definitive host, the opossum. Intermediate hosts such as cats, raccoons, skunks and armadillos carry the protozoa, and the opossum picks it up by feeding on carcasses. The organism is passed through the host’s body or waste products as a sporocyst, and horses pick it up through eating contaminated feed, grazing or drinking contaminated water. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you and your horse prepared for the cold months ahead?

It's important to make sure your horses get plenty of roughage throughout the winter. (Photo by Christine Hamilton)

From AQHA corporate partner Tractor Supply Co.

The nutritional needs of most horses will change during the winter months due to the changes in the weather and environment. There are a few key categories that you should take into consideration for your horses’ nutritional needs this winter.

Water – horses will decrease their water intake as the temperature falls

• To help increase their intake during the winter, maintain the water temperature between 45 degrees and 65 degrees F. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s important to keep your horse’s AQHA record as current as possible.

Mr San Olen is a 20-year-old son of Peppy San Badger who showed at the 2009 Bayer Select World Show. He is pictured above with owner Carol Williamson. (Photo by Christine Hamilton)

By Julie Preble, AQHA publications intern

On January 1, all horses turning 25 will be listed as deceased in AQHA’s database unless AQHA is notified that the horse is still alive. It is important to keep your records up to date and to notify AQHA of your elderly horse’s status.

Because the average life span of a horse is 25 years, horses over the age of 25 are listed as deceased to help AQHA keep a current and accurate count of the population of horses. Read the rest of this entry »

A simple procedure could be the answer to your horse’s hock pain.

Cutting is one event that can be tough on a horse's hocks.

By AQHA Professional Horsewoman Gerrie Barnes

I was having a pre-purchase examination done on “Badger,” a cutting horse that my husband and I were interested in buying. The veterinarian said that the horse was experiencing hock pain, not uncommon in horses that use their hocks in competitive situations that require quick turns or jumping. That description applies to many English and western events. Read the rest of this entry »

Special care and nutrition are important for chubby horses.

From the American Association of Equine Practitioners, an AQHA educational marketing alliance partner

Feeding is one of the most rewarding chores of horse ownership. But many horses, given the opportunity, will eat far more than they need, tipping the scale to an unhealthy balance. No matter how much your horse enjoys eating, you do him a disservice by overfeeding. Excess pounds put a strain on virtually every body system. A far kinder strategy is to supply food and exercise in proper amounts to keep your horse fit and healthy.

Maintaining the ideal weight is not always easy, however. Some horses are what we call “easy keepers.” They require minimal calories to maintain optimal body condition. Many adult horses – especially those in their middle years – begin to retain unneeded body weight due to reduced activity and a slowdown in metabolism. When weight gain becomes extreme, we classify the horse as obese. Read the rest of this entry »

Protect your horse against infectious diseases.

From the American Association of Equine Practitioners, an AQHA educational marketing alliance partner

Few things will protect your horse from the ravages of disease as easily and effectively as immunizations. The vaccines administered by your veterinarian to your horse place a protective barrier between the animal and a whole list of problems: tetanus, encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness), influenza, rhinopneumonitis, rabies, strangles, West Nile virus and Potomac horse fever, to name the most common.

Vaccinations are a vital part of proper equine management. If incorporated into a program that includes regular deworming, an ample supply of clean water, a good nutrition program and a safe environment, you and your horse will be all set to enjoy many happy, healthy, productive years together. Read the rest of this entry »

Make sure you and your horse are ready for the cold months ahead.

From America’s Horse

Winter can be a tough time for horses and horse owners alike. Make sure you’re ready for the coming cold months. Here are a few helpful tips to help keep you and your equine friend safe and happy this winter:

• Horses drink an average of 10-12 gallons of water per day. Fresh water should be available at all times. In the winter, if heated tanks are unavailable, ice should be broken several times a day. If a horse goes off feed, check his water. Horses will not eat if they are thirsty. Read the rest of this entry »

What you need to know about this common horse disease.

Swollen lymph nodes are a symptom of strangles, a disease that often affects young horses.

From the American Association of Equine Practitioners, an AQHA educational marketing alliance partner

Strangles is caused by bacterial infection with Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (referred to as S. equi). The bacteria typically infect the upper airway and lymph nodes of the head and neck. The disease was first reported in 1251. The infection is highly contagious in horse populations, particularly affecting young horses, and can recur on farms with previous outbreaks of the disease.

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