Equine Lyme Disease

Written by Dr. Kathleen Giguere and Dr. Katy Raynor Borrelia is a subdivision of bacteria, that causes disease which is transmitted by ticks and lice. It is common in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States within the equine population. What’s more, in New England, 45% of horses have Borrelia antibodies (antibiodies indicate infection or exposure). To determine …

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How to Build an Equine First Aid Kit

Equine injuries can be just as common for horses that are stabled and those that are turned out to pasture. The best way to treat any injury is to be prepared with a well-stocked, easily accessible first aid kit. In fact, keeping even a few of the following first aid essentials could help save a …

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Understanding Probiotics

Under normal conditions, beneficial bacteria (think of them as “good bugs”) live in the horse’s intestinal tract. They help break down fibrous material and produce fatty acids that provide energy. If nothing interferes with these beneficial bacteria, they do their job and digestion proceeds normally. Unfortunately, many things in life can upset the status quo …

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When are Electrolytes Necessary for Your Horse?

It’s important to understand what you are supplementing your horse with and why you are doing it. There are so many ways to supplement, and determining what to use and when can be a challenge for horse owners. One type of supplement that many veterinarians recommend are classified as electrolytes. There are many different forms …

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Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS)

No matter how long you have been a part of the equine world, at one time or another you have probably feared ulcers causing your horse’s subtle changes in behavior, difference in athleticism, or even signs of colic. With a thorough understanding of the syndrome, preventative measures can be taken. What is EGUS? The horse’s …

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Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

What is Equine Metabolic Syndrome? Equine metabolic syndrome is a health problem that affects many horses that are considered easy keepers. Symptoms include large regional fat deposits, obesity, insulin resistance, and recurrent episodes of laminitis. Unfortunately in this day and age, obese horses are more the rule than the exception. Despite education by veterinarians and …

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Common Equine Emergencies

Colic What is colic, and what does it look like? Colic is a general term used to describe abdominal discomfort in horses. Medical colic can be caused by a number of different things including but not limited to mild intestinal spasms, gas distension, an impaction, enteritis, or colitis. A more severe surgical colic can be …

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Understanding Deworming

Rotating and Resistance Recommendations for deworming horses have changed over time due to the development of parasitic resistance. Rotating dewormers still is required at many boarding facilities, although this approach is just one of the reasons why resistance has developed in some horses to the common dewormers. Fecal Egg Counts (FECs) Rotational deworming programs have started to …

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