Taxonomy term

Equine Skin Allergies

Updated:

September 14, 2023

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A Scratch for Every Itch - Horses scratch for many reasons. They scratch themselves on fences, rub up against posts (and sometimes people), roll on the ground, and groom each other. A natural behaviour usually linked to social bonding, comfort, and relaxation, it can be heightened seasonally by shedding, sweating, or the presence of insects. However, when scratching becomes frequent enough to result in hair loss, broken skin, scabs, or if it disrupts eating or sleeping, it is time to talk to a veterinarian to determine if a skin allergy is to blame so appropriate treatments can be pursued.

The Impact of Air Quality and Pollution on Your Horse’s Lungs

Updated:

September 13, 2023

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There’s nothing like hearing a horse cough to set people scurrying around the barn to identify the culprit. After all, that cough could mean choke, or suggest that a respiratory virus has found its way into the barn. It could also indicate equine asthma. Yes, even those “everyday coughs” that we sometimes dismiss as “summer cough” or “hay cough” are a wake-up call to the potential for severe equine asthma.

The Wild West: Navigating Canada’s Unregulated Horse Industry

Updated:

September 7, 2023

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Across Canada, non-veterinarians offer a potpourri of services, including massage, chiropractic, farrier work, homeopathy, and more. But these non-veterinarian service providers may be practicing veterinary medicine illegally under provincial veterinarian acts. Also, few regulatory organizations oversee non-veterinarian practitioner training, certify expertise, or offer recourse if horses suffer, and provincial veterinary organizations only pursue non-veterinarian service providers when horse owners complain.

10 Things To Know About Equine Dermatology

Updated:

September 7, 2023

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The large size of a horse means that their skin covers a large surface area, often making skin problems easy to see. However, although we can see them, we cannot always easily identify their cause. We teamed up with Dr. Stephen White, DACVD, UC Davis professor and chief of the veterinary hospital’s Dermatology Service, to bring to light some things you might not know about equine dermatology.

Risks of Colic Surgery in Horses

Updated:

August 19, 2023

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Despite advances in anaesthesia and surgical techniques, there is still a significant risk associated with equine colic surgery. This major surgical procedure carries inherent risks such as anaesthetic complications, postoperative infections, and failure of the surgical site to heal properly.

Research Advances Lead to New Genetic Tests for Horses

Updated:

August 11, 2023

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The first equine genetic tests became available in the 1990s, well before the equine genome sequence was completed in 2009. Technical advances have since led to a rapid expansion in available tests. Here are a few that can be utilized to inform breeding decisions and provide diagnostic information.

AQHA’s Dedication to Research and Success of the Five-Panel Test

Updated:

August 10, 2023

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Genetic diseases can cause significant emotional and financial stress, and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) is committed to educating owners and breeders about inherited conditions so they can make informed breeding decisions. The American Quarter Horse Foundation (AQHF) provides funding for a wide range of research projects, having granted more than $12 million in support of equine research to date. Genetics research accounts for 20 percent of that total, with 53 projects funded at 12 universities.

How to Get Ticked Off! - Horses and Ticks

Updated:

August 9, 2023

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Ticks are a nuisance that can often go undetected. Because of the risk of disease transmission (Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Equine piroplasmosis), it is important to frequently examine your horse for the presence of ticks, and to take steps to lower risk of exposure.

10 Facts About Equine Genetics

Updated:

August 8, 2023

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1. DNA is found in the nucleus of cells. Samples submitted for genetic testing are usually hair, blood, or tissue. Hair samples must contain the “bulb,” which looks like a tiny ball at the root of the hair. This is where the DNA is located. When submitting hair samples, make sure to pull, not cut, the hairs so the bulb is present. Blood and tissue samples require additional steps, such as an anticoagulant (for blood) or freezing (for tissues). Always follow the testing laboratory’s instructions for sample submission and contact them with questions.

Breathtaking: A Close Look at Equine Respiratory Diseases

Updated:

August 3, 2023

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The equine respiratory tract is responsible for many different functions and is, on a basic level, quite similar to the human respiratory tract. One of its primary functions is the exchange of oxygen between the lungs and the red blood cells, which allows oxygen to be delivered to tissues throughout the body and becomes especially important during exercise when the oxygen consumption of the tissues increases. Another important function is the clearance of irritants such as dust, ammonia, and bacteria, from the respiratory tract. This is done by filtering large dust particles in the nose, coughing, sneezing, and trapping irritants in the airway mucus. However, excess nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, and mucus secretion are all signs that a horse may be suffering from respiratory problems.