Gastric Ulceration in Horses---The Root of All Equine Evil?

Stomach (gastric) ulcers in horses has been a hot topic for the last few years, and for good reason. Recent research has indicated that many more horses are suffering from this condition than previously thought. Also, the finding that even backyard, non-performance horses have ulcers is surprising to most people, since the misconception in the past was that only high-stress horses such as racehorses and those showing often had problems with gastric ulcers. It is estimated that between 50 and 90% of horses have ulcers, depending on the class of horse, and even foals can suffer from them.

Anterior Enteritis---"But I've Never Heard of That Kind of Colic!"

Anterior enteritis (AE), also known as gastroduodenojejunitis or proximal duodenitis-jejunitis, is a confusing diagnosis for horse owners to understand. It is also difficult for veterinarians to explain, because we don't have all the answers as to why this condition occurs! Anterior enteritis is an inflammation of the small intestine

Colic in Horses: What Does it Actually Mean?

Healing a Horse Suffering from Colic with Old Wine and Olive Oil (1271 C.E.)

The word “colic” is one that strikes fear in the minds of many horsepeople. Most owners will have dealt with it at some point, either with their own horse or with that of an acquaintance at the barn, but their experiences will vary depending on the exact diagnosis. What does “colic” actually mean, though? It probably means different things in the minds of different people.

Transporting Your Horse By The Rules

What requirements have to be met and what documentation do you need to move your horse this year?

Equine Fact or Fiction?

Things You Never Knew and Things You Thought You Knew!

I thought this week I would blog about some common misconceptions and interesting facts about veterinary care of horses and horse-keeping in general. There is a lot of information available on the internet and from other horse-people, but not all of it is true. It never hurts to ask your veterinarian if you are not sure about a topic; no question is too silly to ask us!

A Typical Day in the Life

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a vet’s life? Maybe this blog entry will shed some light on the ultra-glamorous goings-on of a horse veterinarian!

A Few Common Equine Eye Conditions

Injuries to the eye are one of the most common things we treat as equine veterinarians. I always tell clients to treat eye conditions as emergencies and have them examined as soon as possible, because although eyes having amazing healing ability, they can also be permanently damaged in a very short period of time. Living outdoors, horses are exposed to all sorts of foreign bodies that can damage the eyes. Something as small as dust or sleet can cause irritation, as can pieces of hay, horses rubbing their faces on their legs, and sneaky things like the upturned edges of the handles on a water bucket. Other eye conditions can be brought on by viral or bacterial infections, auto-immune disorders, or for no obvious reason at all (we call this "iatrogenic"). In the absence of a veterinary exam, it is best to apply no medication to the eye, unless your veterinarian advises otherwise. Using the wrong medication (for example steroid ointment on an eye with a corneal ulcer) can lead to severe consequences such as permanent blindness.