Taxonomy term

Diseases resulting in Hind Limb Gait Deficits in Horses, stringhalt in horses, Fibrotic Myopathy in horses, Shivers in Horses, Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy PSSM

By Dr. Colin Scruton - Hind limb problems can be confusing to identify and even harder to diagnose in horses. Some conditions can lead to mechanical deficits or difficulty in certain movements without causing the classic pain-associated lameness. Stringhalt, fibrotic myopathy, shivers, and equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) are four distinct diseases in horses that result in gait deficits. Accurate differentiation of these conditions allows for the most effective management to be used.

Equine Neurological Dysfunction, Equine Neurological diagnosis, equine Neurological treatment, equine lameness, equine spinal nerves, equine acupuncture

The detection of subtle lamenesses can prove challenging to even the most experienced horsemen. Matters are further complicated when the gait abnormality is inconsistent or intermittent.

horse Carrot Stretches, horse stretches, horse flexibility, equine stretches

Dynamic mobilization stretches, or "carrot stretches," should be performed on level, non-slip footing in an enclosed area, with the horse standing square and balanced. Encourage the horse to hold each position for several seconds, followed by a moment to allow them to relax their muscles and return to neutral before the next attempt.

equine fetlock, fetlock injuries, equine lameness, electroarthrography, eag, mark hurtig, ontario veterinary college, equine guelph, university of guelph, Jackie Bellamy

Findings Could Prove Helpful in Diagnosing Fetlock Injuries
One cannot help but get excited about the possibilities for electroarthrography (EAG) as a diagnostic tool after speaking with Ontario Veterinary College researcher, Dr. Mark Hurtig. He is developing a non-invasive way to assess joint cartilage health in fetlocks (the most commonly injured joint in horses). Current technologies to assess fetlock health have their limitations.

should i give bute to my horse? should i give my horse msm? how to help my horse's arthritis?

Freezing temperatures and deep snow can be extremely problematic for horses with arthritic and mobility issues. If a horse is mildly arthritic during the summer it could become unsound during the winter - especially with equine seniors. Combine cold temperatures, dampness, and deep snow or mud and a horse's joints can quickly become sore and less flexible.

Steeplechaser senior Senator, Hunt Cup, Vicki Crawford, Penn Vet New Bolton Center, tomography system, equine science breakthrough

April 29, 2017, was a clear, sunny day in Worthington Valley, Maryland, United States. Crowds were gathering as restless Thoroughbreds full of anticipation were being saddled and warmed up for the 121st running of the Maryland Hunt Cup, a steeplechase over solid fences. On the board, 13 horses were listed as entered, but after three scratches, 10 horses lined up.

Equine neck; equine cervical vertebrae, intervertebral joints, equine Nuchal Ligament

There is something uniquely beautiful about the neck of a horse. That curve, the arch of the poll, the dip towards the shoulder. In function, those elegant lines came to be out of necessity, with such length required to balance out long limbs, allowing them to reach to the ground to graze for up to 20 hours a day. With the head and neck making up about 10 percent of their total body mass, horses use their neck to maintain balance, stability, and their spatial awareness when they are in motion. Over time, the equine neck has shifted in function and importance, and in the factors that impact and promote its well-being, but the fundamentals have stood the test of domestication.

Shellfish Poison pain relief, Shellfish Poison, Bucked shins, dorsal metatarsal disease, phytoplankton, cyanobacteria, neosaxitoxin

A toxin extracted from shellfish shows promise as a safe and effective long-lasting treatment for horses with bucked shins.

Laminitis horse disease, lamintis ndocrine system, prolonged subclinical phase, lamellae, University of Liverpool laminitis study

A new review published in The Veterinary Journal demonstrates how research led by the University of Liverpool has changed the way we think about a crippling disease of horses.

A new gene therapy shows promise for treating tendon injuries according to a report published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. The authors claim the technique gives much faster healing than current methods and could significantly reduce relapse rates.

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