“I just bought my first horse and he came with a SmartPak that has a multi-vitamin, vitamin E and selenium pellets, a hoof supplement and a joint supplement in it. I moved him into a new barn when I bought…
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Healthy Horses, Happy Riders
Blog Archives
Heaves in Horses – What to do?
I have a 10 year old 1/2 Percheron 1/2 Quarter Horse mare, and we live in the Midwest outside of Chicago. My mare suffers from severe seasonal allergies – she is the worst in spring/fall. She will cough, have a…
Ponies and Pasture: The “Perfect Storm”
I have an eleven year old Shetland pony that is morbidly obese. He rates at an eight on the Henneke scale and poorly tolerates even light exercise. He has been examined by my vet and has no physical condition to…
Impaction Colic in horses: how to keep things flowing
“I have a 10 year old Reg Tennessee Walker Mare. She has had impaction twice in the last 6 months. I was able to clear the impaction and she went back to being herself. However, friends have suggested feeding her Metamucil to keep things flowing…”
Tagged with: Ask the Vet, Dewormer, Deworming, Digestion Supplements
Posted in Ask the Vet, Misc. Topics
Posted in Ask the Vet, Misc. Topics
Barefoot or shod: what’s right for YOUR horse?
“Hello Dr. Gray. I am writing today in regards to shoeing. There seems to be a trend towards riding barefoot. A huge article just came out in Dressage Today magazine about Shannon Peters taking a few of her top performers barefoot. I am intrigued by this concept because I have been taught that horses always need shoes for added stability. The thought of riding without shoes is equal to the sin of jumping without a helmet. Should my training level dressage gelding go barefoot?…”
Heartworm Testing
“Why does my dog need a heartworm test every year? Can’t I just buy the preventive from you without a prescription? – ER, Vermont”
Skin Allergies: Sweet Itch
My horse is 15 years old and gets sweet itch every spring. Someone told me to add Flax seed meal to her diet. I’ve started that this winter. I’ve noticed a growth in her mane and tail but was wondering…
Electrolytes and Ulcers: Is There a Link?
“I’ve heard lately that electrolytes are contraindicated for horses with a history of ulcers – is this true?…”
Tagged with: Ask the Vet, Electrolyte Supplements, Gastric Ulcers, Ulcer Supplements
Posted in Ask the Vet, G.I. Conditions
Posted in Ask the Vet, G.I. Conditions
Keeping Weight on Horses Through Winter
” I have a paint horse that is 30 years old and he has lost weight and is looking bad despite being on feeding supplements. Is there any one particular supplement that will help him gain weight?…”
Tagged with: Ask the Vet, Cushings, Senior Horse, Weight Gain Supplements
Posted in Ask the Vet, Nutrition, Seasonal Horse Care, Weight Management
Posted in Ask the Vet, Nutrition, Seasonal Horse Care, Weight Management
Hoof Abscesses and White Line Disease
My 12 year old mare has had 3 abscesses of the hoof in the last year. The vet noted on her most recent episode that “she has lots of separation of the white line of all 4 feet and I feel this is where the abscesses are coming from”.
Tagged with: Ask the Vet, Cushings
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions, Skin, Coat & Hooves
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions, Skin, Coat & Hooves
Colic prevention for horses on stall rest
“My young Appendix of 26 years just managed to get a severe ligament/tendon injury. We are going to have the stem cell procedure done, but he will still be on stall rest for 4 to 6 months. What do you recommend for colic prevention while he is stuck inside?”
Tagged with: Ask the Vet, ColiCare, Digestion Supplements
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions, G.I. Conditions, Nutrition
Posted in Ask the Vet, Diseases and Conditions, G.I. Conditions, Nutrition
Best Joint Supplement for Early Joint Discomfort in Dogs
“Which joint supplement would be best for a middle-aged dog that weighs around 50 pounds? He’s not lame or anything, but I’m worried that he’s starting to get arthritis because I notice he’s getting slower to get up from a nap, jump in the car, climb stairs, things like that…”
Tagged with: Ask the Vet, canine, Joint Health, Joint Supplements, SmartCanine
Posted in Ask the Vet, Canine Ask the Vet
Posted in Ask the Vet, Canine Ask the Vet
Are You Ready for a Horse Emergency?
“I’m a fairly new horse owner, and last week a horse at my barn hurt himself badly enough to need a vet. Now I’m worried that I won’t know what to do in an emergency (or worse yet, not even know that my horse is hurt or ill)! Can you tell me what to look for and what to do if my horse suddenly gets sick or injured and I’m the only one around?”
From AAEP’s Ask the Vet: Rescue Horse
“I adopted a rescue horse about 2 years ago from a local rescue organization. A buckskin gelding that is now about 9 years old. I have had him at the current boarding facility for 1 1/2 years and we have done a couple months of training board where he has progressed extremely well. I’ve noticed that this spring and through this past winter his coat seems to be coarse and staticy at times…”
Disaster Preparation for Horses
“Although I didn’t actually receive a question on this topic, Hurricane Sandy inspired me to write about it because it’s an area most horse owners don’t think about until it’s too late…”
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