Ask the Vet: Wound Care and What to Expect When the Vet Arrives

Answered by Gary Hanes, DVM, Woodside, CA

Question: I recently had an 18-year-old gelding wrap a 2-3″ diameter grape vine around his back hips and then on around the left leg at the knee joint. The more he pulled the tighter it got until he had broken the tissue and to the bone. Based on our best educated guess, we believe him to have endured this between 2-3 days total.

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Curb Eating on the Trail

Courtesy of Downunder Horsemanship
 
If you have a horse that’s too busy eyeing up his next meal on the trail rather than paying attention to you, use these steps to regain control. A horse can only think about one thing at a time. He’s either got his attention on you or on his next snack. As soon as he snatches grass, bend him around in a circle and kick his side with your inside leg. You’re saying to the horse, “You don’t have time to be eating grass because you’re too busy listening to me and hustling your feet!”

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Dealing with Wounds: When and Why to Call the Vet

By Cynthia McFarland
Courtesy of Farnam’s Stable Talk

Whether your horse is at home, in the trailer, on a trail ride or at a competition, there’s never a “good” time for an injury. But because accidents can and do happen, you should know ahead of time what to do when your horse gets hurt.

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Junior World Finals Inside the Wrangler Rodeo Arena at Cowboy Christmas Set to Run for Ten Straight Days of Competition

Courtesy of NFR Experience

Wrangler Rodeo Arena, one of the seven main interactive features of Cowboy Christmas, will host more than 850 youth contestants in the Junior World Finals presented by YETI vying for championships in nine events. The Junior World Finals will run concurrently with Cowboy Christmas and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 5 – 14.

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Marty Melvin, 9-Time Nfr Qualifier, Passes Away

Courtesy of PRCA

Marty Michael (Chip) Melvin, a nine-time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo, passed away Oct. 18 in Paradise, Texas, after battling cancer. He was 59.  Melvin, who qualified for the NFR in 1983-89, 1991 and 1996, finished a career-best second in the PRCA world standings in 1985 and was third in 1988. In 1989, he won the average at the National Finals Rodeo with a time of 57.7 seconds on 10 head and placed fifth in the world standings.

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Putting Weight on a Skinny Horse

Courtesy of Kentucky Equine Research 

The horses in the barn get the same amount of feed every day; it makes feeding time much simpler. The warmbloods look super. Their weight is good, and their coats are gleaming. However, the one Thoroughbred in the barn who arrived a little thin six months ago has not put on any weight. In fact, he has lost body condition.

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Rodeo Fans to Enjoy a Variety of On-Site Entertainment Prior to and Following the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Courtesy of NFR Experience

When rodeo fans arrive at the Thomas & Mack Center for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, they will have multiple entertainment options to enjoy prior to and following each rodeo performance. Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR runs from Thursday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 14.

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What Do Both Republicans and Democrats Really Care About? Housing Affordability

Courtesy of Realtor.com
Lately, it seems like America couldn’t be any more polarized. About half of the country is gunning for President Donald Trump’s impeachment, while the other half remains staunch in its support for the commander in chief (or simply doesn’t care about politics). Throw in fears of a recession, and the picture seems even more dire.

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When is your cat hiding illness or injury?

We do our best to take care of our feline friends, but sometimes signs of pain and sickness go unnoticed. Dr. Stacy Eckman, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, described feline behavior that could mean an underlying health issue.

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Winners Talk Pendleton Whisky “Let ’Er Buck” Stock Of The Year

Courtesy of PRCA

Standing out among a crowd of exceptional roughstock requires a perfect balance of animal athleticism and the cowboys capable of showcasing that talent.

The 2019 Pendleton Whisky “Let ’er Buck” Stock of the Year recognized Beutler & Son Rodeo Co.’s Killer Bee for Bareback Horse of the Year, Northcott Macza’s Get Smart for Saddle Bronc of the Year and Harper & Morgan Rodeo’s Hot & Ready for Bull of the Year.

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November's Issue Is Live Now!

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Understanding Equine Insurance: Guidelines You Should Consider

Courtesy of AAEP

Whether a horse is purchased for personal or business reasons, ownership represents a significant investment of time, money and resources. While no one likes to think about the potential for tragedy, horses seem to be prone to illness, accidents and injury. Should some peril befall your horse, nothing may ease the emotional burden, but wise planning can help reduce the economic impacts.

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Winter Water Consumption

By Tom R. Lenz, DVM, MS, DACT

We all know that colic is the number one non-infectious health risk for horses. There are a number of types of colic but the one we see the most in winter is impaction colic.

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Octobers Issue is Live Now!

 

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Collection is Not About a Look

Courtesy of Downunder Horsemanship

Collection should feel light in your hands, not heavy. In other words, don’t worry about where your horse’s head is at; you’re only concerned with how he feels in your hands. I tell people that it’s called a soft feel, not a soft look. That’s the difference between my method and some of the others out there.

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Is your pet obese?

Like humans, pets can develop excess body fat that can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes or degenerative joint disease. But how can you tell if your pet is obese? In recognition of National Pet Obesity Awareness Day on Oct. 11, Dr. Audrey Cook, associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, offers some insight.

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Potential Horse Hock Problems

Courtesy of Classic Equine Equipment

Your horse’s hock is anatomically similar to a human ankle. It consists of four joints and six bones. Two common hock problems are bog spavin and bone spavin. They sound similar, but are different because some of the hock joints are high motion (they rotate through a wide angle during locomotion) and some are low motion.

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Preventing Shipping Fever

Courtesy of AAEP
By: Joan Norton VMD, DACVIM

Shipping fever is a well-described pulmonary disorder appearing in animals shipped long distances. If left untreated, cases of this pneumonia type can become severe enough to require hospitalization and even endanger a horse’s life.

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Tips For Choosing A Farrier

Courtesy of Barn Chats by Vetoquinol

Choosing a farrier is one of the most important decisions you can make that will impact the well-being and serviceability of your horse. The right farrier will be a trusted and valued partner in the care of your horse. Here are a few tips to help you in your search:

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Traveling with Your Horse? Reduce the Red Tape

By Lydia F. Gray, DVM, MA, Medical Director/Staff Veterinarian, SmartPak 
Courtesy of AAEP

Whether it’s a short distance or a long trip, you’ve got a lot to think about any time you haul your horse. Getting all the right tests done and paperwork filled out may seem like a lot of extra time and money. However, there are some very good reasons why these examinations and documents are required. In this article, you’ll find out what you need to travel and why.

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What’s Behind that Tough-to-Load Horse and How to Remedy the Situation

Courtesy of Farnam’s Stable Talk

If you’ve been to any horse event, you’ve seen it: a horse steadfastly refusing to load into a trailer and a group of frustrated humans determined to change his mind. It’s the perfect recipe for someone to get hurt. At the very least, it’s going to leave a lasting negative impression on the horse.

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When Are You Committed to a Real Estate Agent?

The Exclusivity Question Explained
Courtesy of Realtor.com

When are you committed to a real estate agent? That’s a good question to ponder if you’re shopping for a home, since you can’t just hopscotch from one agent to the next indefinitely. Still, if you’re in the very early stages of the home-buying process, it’s often unclear when you and your real estate agent are “going steady.” So when does exclusivity kick in?

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SEPTEMBER'S ISSUE IS LIVE NOW!

 

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JUNE'S ISSUE IS LIVE NOW!

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TROUBLESHOOTING A SPOOK

Courtesy of Downunder Horsemanship

If your horse does spook at something, put his energy to good use. If it’s an object you can ride around, circle your horse as close as you can to it, and every one and half circles, turn him into the object and head off in the new direction. Horses can only think about one thing at a time. 

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SENIOR HORSE CARE: YOUR OLDER HORSE’S CHANGING DIET

By Cynthia McFarland
Courtesy of Farnam’s Stable Talk

Life for senior horses — and their owners — has greatly improved from what it was in years past, thanks to advances in veterinary technology and equine nutrition. Just like people, horses are individuals; they don’t all age at the same pace and in the same exact way. You’ll find some horses competing into their early twenties, while others are already retired in their teens. Certain horses maintain condition and muscle mass better than others.

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ROUND OUT THE MVPS: THAT’D BE MINERALS, VITAMINS, AND PROTEINS!

Courtesy of SmartPak

Vitamins, minerals, and proteins are all critical components of your horse’s diet, but depending on how much and what type of forage and grain your horse is receiving, his diet may well be coming up short on these key nutrients. 

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PROTECT YOUR PETS FROM COYOTES AND OTHER WILD ANIMALS

Although most wild animals mind their business and don’t bother humans, some wild animals, such as coyotes, can wander into human environments and cause harm to pets.

“It’s pretty amazing how much damage coyotes can do to pets, especially when you consider that coyotes are roughly the size of a domestic dog,” said Christine Rutter, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

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HELP HORSES RECOVERING FROM DIARRHEA

Courtesy of Kentucky Equine Research

Potential causes of diarrhea, often referred to as colitis, runs long. If your horse suffers a bout of colitis, what feeding strategies can you use to help repair the gastrointestinal tract?

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FACTS ABOUT EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANEMIA TESTING

Courtesy of Penn State Extension

Obtaining an EIA testing result on an equine does not prevent the horse from contacting the Equine infectious anemia disease, but identifies equine that have the potential to be “carriers” of the disease. Most horse owners accept that obtaining the testing result is just an added expense on their veterinarian bill. They pay for the testing so that they can participate in horse events or travel across interstate lines.

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COLIC IN HORSES

Although horses have historically been known as working livestock, today they are often referred to as companion animals. More and more people are seeking to own pet horses, making large animal veterinary medicine even more important. With a growing horse industry, first-time horse owners should be aware and educated about one of the most common illnesses horses are susceptible to: colic.

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AQHA MICROCHIP PILOT PROJECT

Courtesy of American Quarter Horse Association

AQHA launches pilot project, beginning with education about the benefits of microchipping.

Regardless of where you live or what you do with your American Quarter Horse, the advantages to implanting a microchip in your horse are readily seen. Now you have the opportunity to learn more about microchipping, get your horse microchipped and have that ID number added to his permanent record in AQHA’s database.

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6 THINGS YOU’LL LOVE—AND HATE—ABOUT BUYING A HOME THIS SPRING

Courtesy of Realtor.com

Welcome to the best—and worst—time to buy a home: Spring! Yes, it’s peak home-buying season. However, it’s no bed of roses.

Knowing what to expect is half the battle, and can help you use these highs and lows to your advantage!

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April's Issue Live Now!

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ASK THE VET: EQUINE REPRODUCTION

Answered by, Terri Van Wambeke, DVM, Oregon City, Oregon
Courtesy of AAEP

Question: My 6-year-old mare has significant discomfort with ovarian follicles and has responded well to Regumate, which she has been off for 18 months. She is VERY “mareish” but when not in season, solid minded and athletic. I’d like to breed her with a stallion known for his calm and consistent demeanor, outstanding genetics, and overall sound health/mind. Given my mare’s ovarian issues, is there anything I need to be aware of? Is breeding her possibly unsafe and/or unwise?

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WRCA ANNOUNCES ENHANCEMENTS TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RANCH RODEO

The Working Ranch Cowboy’s Association will host its 24th Annual WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo November 7-10, 2019 in Amarillo, Texas. 

The WRCA Board of Directors recently approved three enhancements in support of producing the greatest ranch rodeo event in the world.

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TRAIN YOUR HORSE ON THE TRAIL

Courtesy of Downunder Horsemanship

One of the best places to train your horse is outside on the trail. While it may be a little more challenging to you to train with the added distractions of being in an uncontrolled environment, there is no denying that horses enjoy working outdoors.

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SECRETS TO AN EFFECTIVE HORSE GROOMING ROUTINE

Courtesy of SmartPak

Stop and think about your grooming routine for a minute. Are you getting the results you want—a clean, healthy-looking horse—without spending hours every day? If not, we’ll help you understand the fundamentals of grooming, choose the right tools for the job, and establish a step-by-step routine to banish a dull coat and get your horse looking great in less time.

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RIDING HELMETS

Courtesy of America’s Horse Daily

The facts and myths surrounding horseback riding helmets can help you to make safer riding decisions.

Question: Are bicycle helmets as safe as riding helmets? I saw a news program that said they are safer than riding helmets. Is that true?

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PREPARING FOR SHEDDING SEASON

Courtesy of Uckele Health & Nutrition

If dealing with shedding was the worst problem we had to face with horses, we would be blessed indeed – but it’s still a pain. Getting to that glorious new coat underneath will always be predominantly a matter of time, patience and elbow grease, but there are a few things you can do to hasten things along.

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MARCH'S ISSUE IS LIVE NOW!

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JANUARY'S ISSUE IS LIVE NOW!

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FELINE INAPPROPRIATE ELIMINATION–THINKING OUTSIDE THE LITTER BOX

Inappropriate elimination, or urinating outside of the litter box, is one of the most common problems noted by indoor cat owners. Currently, it is a dominant reason for owners to surrender their cats at a shelter.

While it is a frustrating issue, inappropriate urination can stem from a number of underlying causes, including behavioral or medical problems.

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