Latest Articles

Keratomas in Horses
Keratomas in Horses: Lameness Causing Foot Tumours Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 27, 2024 | Conditions, Hoof Health, Horse Health

Keratomas in horses are abnormal growths or benign tumors that develop within the hoof capsule, potentially resulting in lameness and discomfort. These non-cancerous masses comprise overgrowths of ker...

Synovial Joint Infections in Horses
Synovial Joint Infections in Horses: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 10, 2024 | Conditions, Horse Health, Joint Health

Synovial infections in horses refer to infections in the synovial structures, which include joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths. These infections can be severe and potentially career-ending for equine ...

Ionophore Toxicosis in Horses
Ionophore Toxicosis in Horses: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 26, 2024 | Horse Health, Nutrition

Ionophore toxicosis, a severe and often fatal condition in horses, arises from the ingestion of ionophores, antibiotic compounds that are common in livestock feeds. Common ionophores in livestock feed...

Atrial Fibrillation in Horses
Atrial Fibrillation in Horses: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 28, 2024 | Conditions

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in horses is a cardiac rhythm disorder, characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. This condition can affect horses of any bre...

Mastitis in Mares
Mastitis in Mares: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | January 10, 2024 | Breeding, Conditions

Mastitis in mares is condition characterized by the inflammation of the mammary gland, usually due to a bacterial infection. Mastitis typically affects lactating mares, often in the period immediately...

Scratches in Horses
Scratches in Horses: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments Casie Bazay, BS, NBCAAM | March 26, 2024 | Conditions

Scratches in horses, also known as pastern dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin conditions that affects the lower limbs of horses. It is characterized by irritation and sometimes infection of the skin,...

Heart Murmurs in Horses
Heart Murmurs in Horses: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 28, 2024 | Conditions, Horse Health

Heart murmurs in horses are distinct sounds between the normal beats of the heart that can be heard with a stethoscope. They arise from the abnormal flow of blood through the heart, often due to condi...

Anaplasmosis in Horses
Anaplasmosis in Horses (Equine Granulocytic Ehrlichosis): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Dr. Jenna Thebeau, DVM, MSc | January 11, 2024 | Conditions

Anaplasmosis in horses, also known as Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (EGA), is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This condition typically affects horses in area...

Umbilical Disorders in Foals
Umbilical Disorders in Foals: Infections, Patent Urachus and Hernias Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | December 22, 2023 | Conditions, Foals

Umbilical disorders in newborn foals can arise due to bacterial infection or improper closure of the umbilicus after birth. The three most common umbilical disorders in horses are omphalitis, patent u...

Heart Murmurs in Foals
Heart Murmurs in Foals: Diagnosing Congenital Cardiac Defects Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 28, 2024 | Conditions, Foals

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during the heartbeat, caused by blood flowing in an unusual pattern or location within the heart. It’s not uncommon for newborn foals to have heart murmurs ...

Genetic Testing for Horses
Genetic Health Testing in Horses: A Comprehensive Guide to DNA Panels Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 28, 2024 | Horse Health

Genetic testing in horses involves analyzing a horse’s DNA to gain information about their genetic makeup. This process can identify specific genetic variations responsible for various traits, as we...

Banamine for Horses
Banamine® (flunixin meglumine) for Horses: Uses, Dosages & Side Effects Casie Bazay, BS, NBCAAM | December 22, 2023 | Horse Health

Flunixin meglumine, often sold under the brand names Banamine®, Flunazine®, Vetameg™, and Prevail®, is a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in horses. Banamine® is prescrib...

Dysmastication in Horses
Dysmastication in Horses: Treatment of Chewing Problems and Dental Disorders Jaime Thomas, B.Sc. | December 21, 2023 | Conditions, Horse Health, Nutrition

The ability to properly chew and grind food is essential for nutrient digestion and absorption. Dysmastication is a condition involving impaired chewing- also known as mastication. Horses that are una...

Pigeon Fever in Horses
Pigeon Fever in Horses: Signs, Treatment, and Prognosis Dr. Jenna Thebeau, DVM, MSc | March 12, 2024 | Conditions

Pigeon fever is a bacterial infection in horses caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Symptoms vary from lumps on the skin with redness and oozing to systemic signs, such as leth...

Feeding your Hard Keeper Horse [8-Step Guide] Haley Scofield, B.Sc., M.Sc. | March 12, 2024 | Care & Management, Horse Health, Nutrition

Have you ever struggled with a horse that has a difficult time maintaining their body condition? For horse owners, the term "hard keeper" is more than just a casual phrase, it's a familiar and often p...

Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome
Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS): Genetic Testing & Effects on Horses Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 28, 2024 | Conditions, Foals

Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS) is an inherited disease primarily affecting Warmblood horses and their related breeds. This condition is also referred to as Fragile Foal Syndrome Type 1 (FFS). ...

Gait Abnormalities in Horses
Gait Abnormalities and Disorders in Horses: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment Caroline Cochran, BSc. | March 26, 2024 | Conditions, Performance, Training

Gait abnormalities in horses can lead to compromised performance, increased risk of injury, and in some cases, may necessitate early retirement from work. These disorders often present similarly to la...

Breeding Soundness Exams for Mares: Assessing Reproductive Health [8-Step Guide] Jessica Artman, B.Sc., M.Sc. | March 28, 2024 | Breeding, Fertility, Horse Health

Despite ongoing advances in equine husbandry and veterinary care, achieving a full-term pregnancy in mares can be challenging. The foaling success rate is often measured below 60%, underscoring the co...

Contagious Equine Metritis
Contagious Equine Metritis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | November 22, 2023 | Breeding, Conditions, Fertility

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a bacterial infection in horses caused by Taylorella equigenitalis. CEM is highly contagious and primarily spreads through venereal transmission and contact with co...

Equine Proliferative Enteropathy - Lawsonia Infection in Horses
Equine Proliferative Enteropathy: Lawsonia Intracellularis Infection in Horses Dr. Jenna Thebeau, DVM, MSc | November 15, 2023 | Conditions

Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis. EPE mainly affects young horses during the fall and winter months. EPE is characterize...

Rattles in Foals
Rattles in Foals: Rhodococcus equi Pneumonia Signs & Treatment Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 26, 2024 | Conditions, Foals, Horse Health

Rattles, clinically known as Rhodococcus equi pneumonia, is a serious respiratory condition that affects growing foals. This disease is a leading cause of severe illness in young foals, and is charact...

Reproductive Emergencies in Mares
Reproductive Emergencies in Mares: Prepartum and Postpartum Complications Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 27, 2024 | Breeding, Conditions

The time around foaling (periparturient period) is a high-risk period for mares, as their bodies undergo many changes associated with delivery of the foal. Breeders must closely monitor their mares fo...

Colic in Foals
Colic in Foals: Causes, Symptoms Diagnosis & Treatment Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 27, 2024 | Conditions, Foals, Gut Health, Horse Health

Colic, defined as abdominal pain in horses, is a condition that ranges from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening situations. In foals, colic presents unique challenges and concerns, due to thei...

Enlarged Ovaries in Mares
Enlarged Ovaries in Mares: Granulosa Theca Cell Tumours & Other Causes Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | November 15, 2023 | Breeding, Conditions, Fertility, Horse Health

Enlarged ovaries are frequently observed in mares, especially those used for breeding. This enlargement often stems from an ovarian cyst. In most instances, these cysts are benign and resolve spontane...

How to Feed an Off the Track Thoroughbred (OTTB): [7-Step Guide] Dr. Christine Latham, Ph.D. | December 6, 2023 | Breeds, Horse Health, Nutrition

Off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTB) can be wonderful companions and athletes, but they do come with their share of breed-specific challenges. After retiring from the racing industry, these horses often...

Bladder Stones in Horses
Urolithiasis (Bladder Stones ) in Horses: Causes, Signs & Treatment Dr. Jenna Thebeau, DVM, MSc | November 13, 2023 | Conditions

Urolithiasis is a rare condition in horses that involves the formation of bladder stones within the horse’s urinary tract. These urinary stones or uroliths are hard collections of crystals or minera...

Infectious Diarrhea in Foals
Infectious Diarrhea in Foals: Symptoms, Management & Prevention Dr. Madison Ricard, DVM, DACVP | March 26, 2024 | Conditions, Foals, Horse Health

Infectious diarrhea in foals is a significant health concern that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and systemic illness. Without timely intervention, it can lead to severe complications and even ...

Lymphoma in Horses
Lymphoma in Horses: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Dr. Jenna Thebeau, DVM, MSc | November 1, 2023 | Conditions

Lymphoma, also known as lymphosarcoma, is the most common malignant cancer in horses. Lymphoma is a cancer that forms when lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells, become malignant and grow uncontrol...

Rabies Vaccine for Horses
Rabies in Horses: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Vaccination Dr. Jenna Thebeau, DVM, MSc | October 24, 2023 | Conditions, Horse Health

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can affect horses and is present in wildlife mammals all over the world. Rabies is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted from animal to humans, and...

Equine Viral Arteritis in Horses
Equine Viral Arteritis in Horses: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Prevention Dr. Jenna Thebeau, DVM, MSc | March 27, 2024 | Breeding, Conditions, Horse Health

Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a serious infectious disease that affects all equine species. EVA is particularly significant within breeding herds, as the disease causes abortion in up to 60% of affe...