In recent years there has been a shift in the U.S. horse population, with aged horses (≥15 years) an increasing percentage (20-30%). Many of these older horses remain actively involved in equestrian sport competitions, are still being bred, or serve as companion animals.
With the heat and humidity of summer come an abundance of bugs, including several types of flies, ticks and stinging pests.
The following information on preparing your stallion for the breeding season is provided from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture's Gluck Equine Research Center. With breeding season...
In this article by Roberta Dwyer, DVM, MS, DACVPM, you will get some tips on helping keep yourself, your horses and your farm safe during winter weather disasters.
Over the past century, improvements in health care and advancements in biology, chemistry and medicine have extended the average lifespan of humans and companion animals, including horses. However, we...
Equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (EME) is also known as Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) and equine ehrlichial colitis. The disease has since been reported in most states in the US, at least three Canadian...
In this commentary from the University of Kentucky's Equine Disease Digest, Edward L. Bowen, president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, talks about what equine research means to us...
Horse owners recognize that fire prevention is critical on the farm, but may overlook threats from insect infestation on surrounding trees. The emerald ash borer...
For those who run breeding farms and stables the loss of a pregnancy or foal is not only heart-breaking, but can put a dent in the pocket of the owner. The loss isn't only financial, however; some...
Researchers recently investigated two issues related to the adoption of off-the-track Thoroughbreds: identifying individual horse characteristics that influence the length of stay at an adoption...
Fertility issues in the horse can stem from multiple causes. One cause in mares is due to a disorder of sexual development (DSD) whereby the sex chromosome complement (genotype, or genetic code) is...
In this article from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture's equine nutrition expert Laurie Lawrence, PhD, you will find information about the nutritional care of broodmares in the...
Researchers at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center recently linked a foal's environment with its ability to produce interferon gamma, a key protein in immune...
Researchers from the University of Kentucky discussed some alternatives to getting mares to cycle early that are being researched, and which could save you time and money during the breeding season today or in the future.
The University of Kentucky's Blood Typing Research Laboratory, headed by Gus Cothran, PhD, uses blood testing genetics in parentage verification. However, Cothran said there are other uses for this science. Here we find out some of those uses.
The variable weather and the price of straw and shavings has led some horse and farm owners to look for alternative beddings. In some areas of the country, mature grass hay that sells fairly cheaply seems like a safe, inexpensive alternative...
Compounding is an important topic to horse owners because there are "unethical" and illegal compounding products available on the market today. It is imperative that horse owners (and veterinarians) avoid the use of these illegal products...
Those in the breeding industry today have a great investment in the young horses they are raising. Understanding how the young equine immune system matures and functions can help you better manage those youngsters to become strong adults.
Although domesticated by man, the horse has retained a seasonal pattern of reproductive activity confined to the spring and summer months. Understanding melatonin might give breeders another method of controlling the estrous cycle in mares.
Since it was first identified in 1915 in California, pigeon fever has spread throughout the country. Here is more information about pigeon fever from Dr. Sharon Spier.
Tapeworms in horses usually are not thought of as causing many, if any, problems. But as we learn more about how these internal parasites live and reproduce, we are finding that there are some problems that could be caused by these worms.
Different types of hays--and hays harvested at different times of year--have different feed values. In this article, Laurie Lawrence, PhD, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, discusses using relative feed value for choosing the right hay.
A University of Kentucky study looked at feeding endophyte-infected fescue and its affect on exercising horses, particularly their ability to recover from exercise in the heat.
The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture announces the development of a new test to detect bloodworms. Learn more from researcher Martin Nielsen, DVM, PhD, DEVPC, an assistant professor at UK's Gluck Equine Research Center.
In this article by Laurie Lawrence, PhD, of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, we can learn more about not only how much weight mares should gain, but when it is healthiest for them to gain weight.
Many of your boarders and farm clients will walk into your barn and take one whiff to determine how good of a horse manager you are. The smell of ammonia in a barn is normal, but when that smell becomes overpowering, it can mean problems.
Our horse's forages, weeds, fields and water can be sources of nitrate/nitrite poisoning. Cynthia Gaskill, DVM, PhD, of the University of Kentucky's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, discusses this rare, but serious, problem.
Anyone who breeds horses knows that endophyte-infested tall fescue can cause problems in pregnant mares. In this article from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture you will learn more about tall fescue toxicity and how to manage it.
In this article from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Linda Mittel, DVM, MSPH, of Cornell University, discusses Lyme disease in horses and humans.
If you are involved with breeding horses, there is terminology used by veterinarians that can sometimes seem confusing. Here is a quick guide to terms used to describe the phases of equine pregnancy, delivery and newborn foals.
Ingestion of wilted or dried maples leaves can cause damage to red blood cells and potentially death in horses. Farm and stable owners should take precautions to remove red maple trees and avoid the leaves in hay and pastures.
We know it by many names, including dew poisoning, scratches and greasy heel. But whatever you call it, pastern dermatitis is a problem to horses in some parts of the country.
All mammals possess a “master” circadian clock that resides in a specific area of the brain. Here diverse physiological processes, such as blood pressure, heart rate, wakefulness, hormone secretion, metabolism, and body temperature, are regulated.
The skin is one of the largest organs of the body; however, it rarely receives the attention given to many of the other organ systems.
One of the most often used, and least understood, immunological terms is antibody titer. But what does titer mean, and how can this information be used in assessing the immune status of a horse?
Horse muck is a constant problem to anyone who owns or manages a farm or stable. Here are a few tips from the University of Kentucky that might make your muck seem less of a four-letter word.
Many of us who make our living in the horse industry also "give back" through equine industry organizations and non-profits. Here are some tips from an expert in the field to help us better work with those organizations to make the successful.
Antemortem (before death) diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) has been a long-standing source of frustration for equine veterinarians and horse owners. It is now possible to view EPM diagnosis with much greater confidence.
Many diseases can be avoided simply by using good biosecurity measures around the farm and stable. If a disease outbreak starts, you can reduce the spread by smart management and proper biosecurity.
This article provides horse owners with a few best management practices available that can benefit owners, horses and the environment.
Researchers in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture recently completed one of the first studies to explore how working with horses can develop emotional intelligence in humans.
