Horse Health
The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center Doubles Their Sponsorship With Combined Driver Chester Weber
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| The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala is continuing their sponsorship of USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion Chester Weber. (Left to Right)Tom Grabe, The Sanctuary's Managing Partner and Brenda McDuffee, General Manager "horse" poolside at The Sanctuary with Chester Weber. (Photo courtesy of the Equine Chronicle) |
The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala is such a firm believer in award-winning Combined Driver Chester Weber that they have doubled their sponsorship of Team Weber. A state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the healing, conditioning and well being of all equine athletes, The Sanctuary has partnered with Weber and his winning team for over a year.
“When we started our partnership with Chester we knew Team Weber and The Sanctuary would make a fantastic team,” said Tom Grabe, The Sanctuary’s Managing Partner. “We have been able to help Chester maintain his horses throughout the year as they have gone undefeated, and we look forward to being part of Chester’s World Equestrian Games team.”
Aug 31, 2010, 11:37
Horse Health
For your horse’s sake: Salt needs more attention during hot months
Make salt a higher priority than electrolytes
Your horse sweats more during the summer, making electrolyte supplementation worth considering. But electrolytes alone will not protect against dehydration. Your horse needs to have enough sodium (salt). One ounce per day (two tablespoons) is adequate for maintenance during cool months, but hot, humid weather calls for at least two ounces per day, and more if your horse is in work of any kind.
Aug 29, 2010, 11:05
Horse Health
Anthrax is Here - Vaccinate Livestock
Late summertime in certain parts of Texas means livestock producers should be on the lookout for the resurfacing of anthrax in their animals. Among the anthrax cases confirmed this summer are one bovine in Crockett County, one whitetail deer in Kinney County and one whitetail deer in Uvalde County. Anthrax which is caused by Bacillus anthracis is a naturally occurring disease with worldwide distribution, including Texas.
Aug 29, 2010, 11:03
Horse Health
Hoof Care Clinic
On Sunday, August 29, 2010, you are invited to "learn about the natural" when Brian Hampson, PhD, from the Australian Brumby Research Unit presents their latest findings and what these mean for equine husbandry and foot care.
Brian is a PhD candidate studying the morphology of the feral and domestic hoof with Dr. Chris Pollitt. For the last 3 years, Brian and Dr Pollitt have been intensively studying the Australian brumbies.
Aug 29, 2010, 10:57
Horse Health
Mosquito-borne Illnesses
2010 has been the hottest year on record in the United States so far. The sweltering heat mixed with the wet summer days has increased mosquito activity. As mosquito season is still lurking, there are some important diseases associated with mosquitoes that can be transmitted to humans and pets that everyone needs to be aware of.
Heartworm disease most commonly affects dogs, however cats and humans are sometimes affected. Heartworm disease is caused by heartworms, which live in the blood vessel connecting the heart to the lungs. It is a life-threatening disease for dogs. Individuals are infected with the worm through the bite of a mosquito carrying the larvae of the worm. It can be prevented in dogs and cats with monthly pills or topical treatments. Once an individual is infected, treatment is very difficult and is risky.
Aug 29, 2010, 10:45
Horse Health
Deworming Education Campaign Urges More Veterinarian Involvement
Bluntly challenging more than four decades of conventional wisdom, Merial today announced a new equine educational campaign urging horse owners to stop arbitrarily utilizing year-round or rotational deworming programs.
Instead, horse owners and veterinarians should collaborate to apply the dwindling supply of effective deworming products more strategically – and more effectively.
“Multiple studies from across the country have shown entire classes of dewormers are no longer working against small strongyles,”1,2,3 said Frank Hurtig, DVM, MBA, director for Merial’s Large Animal Veterinary Services. “Most horse owners think they have been doing the right thing to fight resistance by using a daily product or rotating dewormers. But indications are strong that these practices may contribute to resistance.4,5
Aug 28, 2010, 14:36
Horse Health
Tendon Injuries
Tendon and ligament strains and sprains are very common injuries in the lower leg of performance horses. What are tendons and ligaments? A tendon is a fibrous cord by which muscle is attached to bone. A ligament is a band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilages, serving to support and strengthen joints. The most common of these injuries affects the weight bearing digital flexor at the back of the canon bone and fetlock. Many horses suffer tendon and ligament injuries that can possibly end their competitive life if not handled quickly and effectively.
Aug 25, 2010, 15:23
Horse Health
How to Cool Off a Pet
How to Cool Off
Cool a pet with heat exhaustion by pouring cool, not cold, water on the coat and working it into the hair. It is important to cool the pet down slowly (Cold water or ice water can cause other problems that would complicate your pet’s recovery).
Animals require shade and cool water to help maintain body temperature. They rely on two cooling mechanisms, panting and sweating through the foot pads.
Signs of heat stroke in dogs:
· Panting Hyperventilation (deep breathing)
· Salivation /dry gums · Anxious expression
· Warm, dry skin · High fever
· Rapid heartbeat · Vomiting
· Diarrhea (and sometimes bleeding)
· Collapse
Help Your Horse Beat the Heat
· Make sure your horse has fresh water at all times
· During the heat of the summer, change your riding schedule to a cooler time of day.
· Horses kept outside:
- Provide shade and shade for fresh water
- Be aware of signs of heat exhaustion, i.e., lethargy, signs of weakness, and increased respiratory effort.
Aug 23, 2010, 11:34
Horse Health
Alltech’s Bioplex Zinc now OMRI listed
Alltech’s Bioplex Zn 15% OA is OMRI listed. This comes shortly after Alltech’s Sel-Plex 2000 was OMRI listed as well. OMRI, which is specific to the USA, is a national nonprofit organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing.
“With the OMRI certification, organic farms can now incorporate both of these products into their operations with much more ease than submitting paperwork with multiple organic certifying organizations,” said Steve Elliott, global manager of Alltech’s Sel-Plex and Bioplex products
Aug 18, 2010, 15:50
Horse Health
Dealing with the Loss of a Pet
People have a special bond with animals because animals provide unconditional love throughout their lifetime. Therefore it can be very hard to cope after the loss of a pet. It is very common for people to experience grief as a response, and everyone grieves in different ways.
"Grief is as individual as those who experience it," explains Lucy Wendt, registered veterinary technician in the small animal clinic at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University (CVM). "Grief describes the reaction to a loss, including the emotional and physical process of fully understanding what has happened and coming to terms with it."
Aug 13, 2010, 09:36
Horse Health
Venomous Snakes of Texas
Texans are no strangers to snakes, especially during the summertime when many of them are out and about. Copperhead, Coral, Cottonmouth, and Rattler: these are the names given to the four species of venomous snakes in Texas. It is a good idea to educate others as well as yourself about these snakes, and how to avoid them as best as possible.
"Snakes tend to follow their food source," said Teresa Shisk-Saling RVT, Veterinary Technician at the Texas A &M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. "If you have problems with snakes in your home area make sure to clean up any trash, debris, wood piles, rock piles, or building material laying on the ground."
Aug 12, 2010, 16:47
Horse Health
Please Help Us Save Little Willie
Dear Family & Friends,
We were contacted by the Sheriff's Department late last evening to help a little mini horse who was found on the side of the rode just minutes from our Rescue Facility. When we arrived what we found was truly heartbreaking. This little angel was struggling to walk down a busy Hwy. His hooves are some of the worst we have ever seen.
Although he could not walk without a struggle and he was very afraid he gave us no struggle when we put a halter on him and loaded him into our horse trailer to take him to safety.
Jul 29, 2010, 14:58
Horse Health
Tips to Make Traveling with Pets Easier This Summer
Vacation season is here! For most people this usually involves long car rides or transportation via airplane. However, not everyone can part with their beloved pets and would rather bring them along.
If you are planning on taking your pet on an airplane the best thing to do is to first check with your airline about their policies.
"Most airlines require a rabies certificate so you will want to make sure that your pet is up to date with all of their vaccines," explains Dr. Mark Stickney clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
Jul 29, 2010, 12:33
Horse Health
MUSCATINE FOODS CORPORATION FORMS KENT NUTRITION GROUP, INC,
Since 1927, the core competency of the Muscatine Foods Corporation has been their history of know-how in businesses related to nutrition products for humans and animals. Today, Muscatine Foods is announcing that they are capitalizing further on this key attribute by strategically uniting their livestock and pet nutrition subsidiary companies into the Kent Nutrition Group, Inc.
The Kent Nutrition Group will be comprised of two divisions. The new Feed Division will focus on the specific products and services important to commercial producers, horse owners, and “lifestyle” farmers. The new Pet Division will focus on developing innovative products for dog and cat owners, small animal enthusiasts and birders. “We believe having a customer-focused structure is a powerful strategy that will benefit the dealers and retailers we do business with, and spur growth,” says Gage A. Kent, Chairman and CEO of Muscatine Foods Corp. “Aligning our business to focus on the needs of specific customer groups will position us for future success,” added Kent.
Jul 29, 2010, 12:30
Horse Health
Dr. Juliet Getty warns that piles of grass clippings are not safe
Are you tempted to cut your grass, then rake it into soft, fragrant, tasty piles of clippings for your horse to nibble? According to equine nutrition expert, Dr. Juliet Getty, this should be the last thing you encourage your horse to eat. It has to do with that extra step: raking. Grass clippings that stay on the pasture after mowing, where they can dry in small amounts, are generally not a problem. But never gather them into piles to feed them to your horse.
Jul 29, 2010, 12:29
Horse Health
Penn Vet Participants at Upcoming ISER
When the 2010 International Symposium on Equine Reproduction (ISER) opens in Lexington, Kentucky on July 26th, the Section of Reproduction at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center will be well represented. Penn Vet specialists will be presenting a total of five invited papers at the ISER. This premier event is held only every four years and is attended by invitation only by the world’s most prominent and active scientists in the area of equine reproduction.
Jul 29, 2010, 12:27
Horse Health
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Invites All Horse Owners to Free Gastric Ulcer Scope Clinic
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute would like to invite all horse owners to a special gastric ulcer scoping event. This educational seminar takes place on August 3, 2010 at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute's Sport Horse Facility in Lexington, KY. The clinic will begin at 8:00a.m., and it will serve to educate and enlighten horse owners about Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS).
Horses that travel regularly, compete, train, are confined at times, or have experienced other stressful situations may have developed stomach ulcers. Scoping the horse's stomach is the only definite way to determine if a horse has stomach ulcers. Many horses develop stomach ulcers without the rider, trainer, or owner knowing that is what causing the horse's discomfort.
Jul 29, 2010, 12:18
Horse Health
The Sanctuary Hosts Equine Osteopathy Two-Day Workshop
The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center recently hosted a two-day workshop with Dr. Stephen Schwartz, D. O., a specialist in Equine Osteopathy. A lecturer of Animal Osteopathy at Wingate Institute in Israel, Schwartz has practiced in London, New Zealand, Australia and now in Israel, where he has been living since 2000.
“It was a fantastic workshop and everyone really learned a great deal from Dr. Schwartz,” said Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of The Sanctuary. “As an Equine Osteopath, Dr. Schwartz is trained to recognize and treat many causes of pain in horses. His treatments include stretching techniques, rhythmic passive joint movements, mobilization to improve joint mobility and high velocity thrust techniques. Schwartz explained that ‘Equine Osteopathy is a gentle non-aggressive therapy. Is it about technique, rhythm and grace of movement. A relaxed rider results in the horse being relaxed, as well’.”
Jul 17, 2010, 10:14
Horse Health
SeaBuck CompleteTM Recognized as Beneficial for Treating Ulcers in Horses
Dr. Frank Andrews, Director of Equine Health Studies at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, and his team of researchers announced initial findings of the possible benefits the sea buckthorn berry as a less-expensive, yet highly-effective means of managing Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) in horses.
EGUS is a common problem in horses, and all ages and breeds are susceptible to the condition. The prevalent group seems to be thoroughbred race horses, possibly due to the intense exercise they undergo during training and racing. An estimated 60% to 90% of performances horses, which translates to up to 700,000 horses, in the U.S. alone, are affected by EGUS. The syndrome is potentially brought on by risk factors including stress, travel, diet, stall confinement, intermittent feeding, intense exercise, racing and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Symptoms may include abdominal pain/colic, diarrhea, poor appetite, rough hair coat and decreased performance. All of these factors can contribute to a loss in revenue and increased distress for the animal, specifically in the racehorse industry.
Jul 16, 2010, 15:04
Horse Health
Emergency Preparedness with Pets
If an area is not safe for you, it is not safe for your pet. As hurricane season is upon us, remember those words when preparing for any emergency evacuation with your pet.
“I never advise that you or your companion animal stay at home if an evacuation is ordered,” explains Dr. Wesley Bissett, assistant professor at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and lead faculty member for the newly formed Veterinary Emergency Team (V.E.T.). “If you are disabled or can-not afford to leave, there is always help provided during these situations so you can get out of harm’s way. If you stay, you put your life and the life of your pet at risk.”
Jul 16, 2010, 13:29
Horse Health
Pro-Biotics; Bugs you do want in your horse’s life
(Excerpts of this article have been published prior in Hawaii Horse Journal, Natural Horse Magazine, and Equine Wellness)
Although many people in the horse world are beginning use the term “pro-biotic” in regards to their horses gut health, and more are becoming familiar with the benefits of “probiotics” for themselves due to the Activia commercials in regards to regularity, there are many varieties, not all human probiotics are horse friendly. However, what many may not realize is the major role these live beneficial organisms play in their horse’s health, besides keeping their horses guts healthy and moving, including the addition of pro-biotics and pre-biotics, along with live beneficial bacteria from yeast cultures (which are the most common) to their bucket feed.
Pro-biotics boost our horse’s immune health, prevent some forms of colic, and may help our horses steer clear of equine ulcers by keeping the bacteria in balance as well as help to prevent some laminitic episodes. Pre-biotics help in the beginning process of digestion to break down the hay as it passes through the stomach forward, while probiotics also help boost the immune system.
Jul 16, 2010, 13:12
Horse Health
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Ready to Respond
The first hurricane of the 2010 hurricane season, Hurricane Alex, put many Texas agencies on alert. Texas Task Force-1 was activated and deployed to respond to anticipated flooding condition in South Texas. Ready and waiting should they be needed was the Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
Knowing that Brazos County was going to be a designated evacuation hub for hurricane threats and eager to find a solution where experts in animal welfare could respond in the event of a disaster, talks were initiated shortly after Hurricane Rita between the college and the Emergency Response staff of Brazos County.
Jul 14, 2010, 16:45
Horse Health
UHVRC PROVIDES SPRING VACCINES TO 1,600 UNWANTED HORSES; Deadline for fall applications approaching
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| More than 4,000 horses, like this retired horse from Angel Horse Rescue, Inola, Okla., have received vaccines through the UHVRC |
The Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC) this spring protected 1,600 unwanted horses against critical equine diseases. Established in December 2008, UHVRC provides qualifying equine rescue and retirement facilities with complimentary equine vaccines for horses in their care. To date, more than 4,000 horses across the United States have received vaccines through the program.
UHVRC is co-sponsored by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. Through the
program, qualifying equine-rescue and retirement facilities are provided
with vaccines to protect against eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE), rabies and tetanus, as well
as equine influenza and equine herpesvirus. To qualify for donated
vaccines, facilities must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, follow the
AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities,
and work with an AAEP-member veterinarian to submit an application.
Jul 13, 2010, 12:10
Horse Health
Purina Introduces Ultium Growth Horse Formula
Purina recognizes just how critical certain nutritional advantages can be in supporting the healthy structural growth and development of horses. That's why after extensive research and field testing, Purina introduces Ultium® Growth horse formula, a premium nutritional feed specially formulated for broodmares and growing horses. Horse owners can learn more about Ultium® Growth and sign up for an exclusive buy four get one free trial through June 30, 2010, online at http://www.purinadifference.com/Ultium/.
Jul 1, 2010, 10:39
Horse Health
Texas A&M Veterinary Researchers Achieve Cloning First
Researchers at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences have achieved another cloning first with the successful delivery of a foal using oocytes from a live mare, the first such clone in the world.. The delivery of the foal highlights Texas A&M’s long tradition of leading science in equine reproduction, and has been a great experience for the owner of the new foal.
“I’ve always liked having three horses to ride,” said Kit Knotts, proud owner of Mouse, the foal that represents the successful cloning efforts and the latest in equine reproduction science at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “I called and emailed breeders to spread the word that I was looking. Everything I could turn up was either too small, too young, too old, not quite sound, etc. I realized I didn’t want just another horse to have another body in the barn, I wanted another Marc.”
Jul 1, 2010, 10:38
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